Back in the time you're referring to (Bogart, Bankhead, etc) and even earlier, women who didn't smoke were taught how to do it. I saw a two minute or so instruction video from back then demonstrating how to hold the cigarette, put it into the mouth the correct way (!), pull the smoke into the lungs and release it. It was bizarre.
I don't know who the actress was but I don't think I ever saw her again. The vid5b4 might be on YouTube.

Lung Cancer. Like a lot of career women of her time? Heavy smoker.
Back before the health warnings came out big in the 1960's? A heavy smoker smoked packs and packs a day. They slowed it down to a pack or two when they had bronchitis.
Humphrey Bogart, Tallulah Bankhead, Kay Francis, Ann Sheridan, Bea Benadaret, so many..died young (50's-60's) from heavy smoking.
Many, many others.

It has to be lung cancer or some kinda cancer cuz she was a very heavy smoker. poor woman! 62 is far too young to go.
Realism, Remakes and Unnecessary Sequels are ruining movies!

I watched ''Dark Shadows'' back when it first aired, and I agree. Great Actress playing a Great part. I miss her, too.

She died before I was even born yet I still miss her very much. I can't think of very many actresses from this time or any other that possesses the charisma she had. There is something about her that just draws me in and every word she says intrigues me. I'm sure she was great as a person as well, not just an actress. At least she will live on forever in her films and television, though.
I've been waiting for you, Ben.

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lung cancer.
See bio page at www.graysonhall.net or read Wikipedia entry.