“Have you ever seen Christmas In Connecticut?”
One friend described her as “sassy” although I think that assessment is a modern projection. She is on screen for just over 10 seconds. And then she is gone. She has other places to go. Other minks to deliver.
“Wouldn’t it be great if postal workers dressed like that?” is another comment I have heard more than once. I think she is actually a department store delivery person and not a postal worker. In any case, yes, I agree – capes and hats and leather gloves would be a welcome addition to any FedEx, UPS or Amazon Prime uniform.
We do not know the actresses name the IMDB does not list her. One day I expect to receive a blog comment that says “You uneducated fool! Everybody KNOWS it’s a young Rudy Dee / Hazel Scott / Dorothy Dandridge.” Until that time… the mystery remains. At least in my house. (Scroll down for an update!)
In The Celluloid Closet, a 1995 documentary about the history of homosexuality in Hollywood, writer Susie Bright says something along the lines of “A gay audience is so accustomed to crumbs that you will watch a whole film just to see a hint of a gay subtext.”
In Christmas In Connecticut, it’s pretty clear that Barbara Stanwyck’s sham fiancee – a disinterested interior designer – would be a gay character if 1940’s society and the movie code allowed for it. But that’s beside the point. The “accustomed to crumbs” statement can be applied to any minority in a classic Hollywood studio film : you wait for someone to show up, cross your fingers for a positive depiction, and then hold onto it when you find it.
The Smart Bitches, Trashy Books website mentions The Delivery Woman in a 2016 post dissecting the film. “PERSON OF COLOR. PERSON OF COLOR;” they scream upon her entrance. “This movie is already more inclusive than several films released this year.”
UPDATE: Since this was first posted in 2019, there have been several suggestions in the comments section. I am inclined to agree that it is Daisy Bufford (1913-1987), an actress with over 30 movie credits, including Cabin In The Sky and Gone With The Wind. What do you think?
She can be seen here in Son Of Ingagi (1940), which has been called the first black Sci Fi/Horror movie:
See Also:
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Madame Spivy’s Alley Cat
Madame Spivy: I Didn’t Do A Thing Last Night
March Of The Wooden Soldiers: 10 Things You May Not Know About The Christmas Classic
No More Chicken Pepperoni: RIP Yvonne Wilder
Madame Spivy: I Brought Culture To Buffalo In The 90’s
¿Dónde Está Santa Claus (& Augie Rios)?
Brian Ferrari's Blog 
I was pleased to see your blog honoring this unknown woman! I’ve often remarked on her “style” and her beauty over the years, also never knowing who she was in life or how her career progressed! Glad I’m not the only one “watching the background” in these old classics! Thanks for bringing her to the forefront!
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Another mystery black actress can be seen in The Bad and the Beautiful (1952) as the maid (of course) who brings Dick Powell his lunch, wearing a black uniform, white apron and cap, and black heels. Any idea who she is?
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According to IMDb that’s Mildred Bruce
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Thank you for bbeing you
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I don’t know for sure, but my guess is that the Delivery Woman was played by Theresa Harris. She had a significant role in Barbara Stanwyck’s earlier, Pre-Code film, “Baby Face.”
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Hmm… thank you for pointing her out! I don’t think it’s her though. There is a facial similarity, but I don’t think it sounds like her.
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That is definitely NOT Theresa Harris. The mystery lady is younger (Harris would have been 38 in 1945) and darker-complexioned.
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There was a reply comment to a YouTube video, Christmas In Connecticut – Special Delivery posted by @Funkaesthetic that the young lady was Daisy Bufford. I think he may be right.
comments:
@wsuperman444
Do we know who this actress is?
@Funkaesthetic
Daisy Bufford
===
There’s a photo of Bufford in her role as Eleanor in the 1940 sci-fi/horror film, Son of Ingagi (1940) at the following link, and to me, she looks very much like the delivery girl:
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Thank you for your detective work. I think you may be right! I have updated the post to reflect this.
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