Joan Geraldine Bennett ( February 27 , 1910 -- December 7 , 1990 ) was an Emmy-nominated American film actress who appeared in more than 70 Hollywood films from the silent era to talkies , from color to the advent of television and epic films . Joan Geraldine Bennett ( February 27 , 1910 â `` December 7 , 1990 ) was an American stage , film and television actress . Besides acting on the stage , Bennett appeared in more than 70 motion pictures from the era of silent movies well into the sound era .