Joyce Arleen (born Joyce Arleen Novotny; May 20, 1931 – February 17, 2023), also credited as Arleen Joyce and Mary Thomas, was an American actress.[1][2]
Born in Hackensack, New Jersey on May 20, 1931,[3] Arleen was a native of Garfield. Her parents were Joseph and Mary Novotny.[4][5][6] Her sister was Dorothy Joyce, who would appear in the The Blue Bird (1940) and Please Don't Eat the Daisies (1960).[7][4][8]
In 1939, Arleen signed with Charles R. Rogers for a seven-year option for the Paramount film The Star Maker.[9][10] That same year, Arleen, going by the name Mary Thomas, appeared in Our Neighbors – The Carters. A Variety review commented that her performance was "excellent throughout, especially capable in scenes in which she decides to be adopted by the rich city friends",[11] and The Hollywood Reporter wrote that she was "superb".[12]
Arleen appeared as Mary in the 1940 film The Great McGinty.[13][14]
In 1942, Arleen portrayed the young Cassandra Tower in the Warner Bros. film Kings Row. A Variety review noted she gave the best performance of the film's child actors.[15] Arleen also appeared as the main character during childhood in The Gay Sisters to a positive review by The Hollywood Reporter,[16] and in Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch.[17]
Arleen married Alvin Baldock and they had one daughter.[18][3]
On February 17, 2023, Arleen died in Bakersfield, California.[3]