Covington in Kenton County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Una Merkel ~~ Film Star

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, April 26, 2016

1. Una Merkel ~~ Film Star Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

This Covington native won a Tony Award in 1956 for performance in Broadway's "The Ponder Heart” and received an Oscar nomination, 1962, for "Summer and Smoke.” With her 66 motion pictures, Merkel (1903-1986) represented successful transition from silent films to "the talkies." She played opposite film legends W. C. Fields and Marlene Dietrich. Buried Highland Cem., Kenton Co.

Erected 1990 by Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 1865.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Women. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1956.

Location. 39° 5.071′ N, 84° 31.209′ W. Marker is in Covington, Kentucky, in Kenton County. Marker is on Philadelphia Street north of West 6th Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Covington KY 41011, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Frank Duveneck (within shouting distance of this marker); Robert L. Surtees / Academy Award Winner

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(within shouting distance of this marker); German Gothic Glockenspiel Clock Tower (within shouting distance of this marker); Goebel Park (within shouting distance of this marker); William Goebel (within shouting distance of this marker); Major League Baseball (within shouting distance of this marker); The Pied Piper of Hamelin (within shouting distance of this marker); Haven Gillespie (1888-1975) (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Covington.

Also see . . . Una Merkel (Wikipedia). "Una Merkel (December 10, 1903 – January 2, 1986) was an American stage, film, radio, and television actress....Merkel was born in Kentucky and acted on stage in New York in the 1920s. She went to Hollywood in 1930 and became a popular film actress. Two of her best-known performances are in the films 42nd Street and Destry Rides Again. She won a Tony Award in 1956 and was nominated for an Academy Award in 1961." (Submitted on February 26, 2019.)

Una Merkel ~~ Film Star Marker - south side, looking north along Philadelphia Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, April 26, 2016

2. Una Merkel ~~ Film Star Marker - south side, looking north along Philadelphia Street

Una Merkel ~~ Film Star Marker - wide view, looking south image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, April 26, 2016

3. Una Merkel ~~ Film Star Marker - wide view, looking south

The marker is located on the eastern edge of Goebel Park.

Note that both sides of the marker are identical.

Cigarette card by Ardath Cigarettes (image courtesy of the New York Public Library), circa 1936

4. Una Merkel

Credits. This page was last revised on February 26, 2019. It was originally submitted on February 26, 2019, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 251 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 26, 2019, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.