Miss Pearson (Jean Willes; 1923-1989) is the hidden main villainess from The Champs Step Out; a short film released on November 15, 1951. It was the third of four comedy shorts starring former boxers Max Baer and "Slapsy" Maxie Rosenbloom.
Miss Pearson is introduced as the secretary of Professor Bentley, a collector of valuable items who was worried that thieves would break in and steal them after a newspaper article reveals their worth. Bentley went to the office of detectives Max and Slapsy and hired them to protect his valuables, and upon arriving, Miss Pearson quickly made an impression on both detectives, especially Max, who Miss Pearson instantly flirted with.
Miss Pearson and Max were later shown having drinks in another room in the house, where she drugged Max's drink, establishing Miss Pearson's heel persona in the process. After Max was knocked out, Miss Pearson was revealed as the ringleader of a gang of crooks planning to steal the valuables, but their attempt to commit the theft was interrupted by Slapsy's calls for Max, leading to the villainess manipulating Slapsy into believing the valuables were cursed. The pair later encountered Miss Pearson's henchmen, leading to Max fighting them off while Slapsy called the police.
After Max is knocked out, the evil Miss Pearson held Slapsy at gunpoint and gave the order to eliminate Max while his partner is taken away. The attempt fails, and Max takes down the crooks (while Slapsy escapes his capture) before dealing with the villainess, whose attempt to escape is thwarted by a policeman, who later arrests Miss Pearson and her gang.
Trivia[]
- Jean Willes later appeared as villainous gold digger Jane in Gypped in the Penthouse.
