`Mrs. Olson' Of Folger's Fame Dies

LOS ANGELES - Virginia Christine, the stalwart character actress who appeared in more than 400 movies and television shows but will always be remembered as "Mrs. Olson" pouring Folger's coffee on couples' woes, died yesterday. She was 76.

Miss Christine, who was the widow of actor Fritz Feld, died in her sleep at their Los Angeles home, her family said.

For 21 years, the wise, matronly Mrs. Olson with her braided blond hair and false Swedish accent slipped kindly into kitchens to patch up couples' rifts over bad-tasting coffee. Just pour a cup of Folger's, she advised, and the husband would always stay for a second cup.

Her persona was parodied by Bob Hope, Carol Burnett, Jackie Gleason, the Swedish-born Ann-Margret and Johnny Carson, among others.

Miss Christine was born in Stanton, Iowa, a small town that later converted its water tower to look like a coffee pot in honor of her Folger's fame.

She made her motion-picture debut in the 1943 "Edge of Darkness," starring Errol Flynn and set in World War II Norway. She played a peasant girl, named Miss Olson.

One of Hollywood's busiest performers, Miss Christine appeared in such films as "Mission to Moscow," "Cyrano de Bergerac," "High Noon," "Judgment at Nuremberg," "The Prize," "Four for Texas" and "A Rage to Live."

The actress is survived by two sons, Steven and Danny Feld, both of Los Angeles, two grandchildren and two nieces.