WCW: Allison Janney

American actress Allison Janney just rocked Palm Royale, but this isn’t her first turn in a historical film. Let’s take a look:

Ann in Big Night (1996)

Two 1950s Italian-American brothers open their restaurant for free as a promotion. It’s been too long for me to remember Janney’s role!

Maxine in The Impostors (1998)

Set in the 1930s, about two out-of-work actors (including Stanley Tucci), and a recreation of a Laurel and Hardy-type screwball comedy. I’m not sure what Janney’s role is, but she looks super glam!

Eugenia Crocker in Piccadilly Jim (2004)

A romantic comedy based on a 1917 Wodehouse novel, but whose costumes and settings meld the 1930s, 1950s, and 1970s. “An American with a scandalous reputation on both sides of the Atlantic must do an about-face in order to win back the woman of his dreams,” per IMDB. Can’t tell what Janney’s role is but I do know she looks FABULOUS.

Prudy Pingleton in Hairspray (2007)

A feature film adaptation of the musical that was based on the John Waters film. In 1962 Baltimore, a teenage girl joins the cast of a local TV dance show and rallies against racial segregation. Janney plays the racist/Christian fundamentalist mother of the lead character’s best friend.

Charlotte Phelan in The Help (2011)

A young white woman and her relationship with two Black maids in 1963 Mississippi. Janney plays the main character’s mother.

Kathy in Get on Up (2014)

A biopic about singer James Brown. Janney’s part is small, she’s a guest at a hotel that Brown is staying at.

Margaret Scully in Masters of Sex (2013-15)

1950s-60s sex researchers Masters and Johnson research sex. Janney won an Emmy for her role! She plays the wife of a medical school administrator.

Evelyn Rollins in Palm Royale (2024)

Janney plays the snooty doyenne of a 1960s beach club.

Which of Allison Janney’s frock flick roles are your faves?