| Betty Grable | |
|---|---|
 in How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) |
|
| Born | Elizabeth Ruth Grable December 18, 1916 St. Louis, Missouri |
| Died | July 2, 1973 (aged 56) Santa Monica, California |
| Other name(s) | Frances Dean |
| Spouse(s) | Jackie Coogan (1937-1940) Harry James (1943-1965) 2 children |
Betty Grable (December 18, 1916 – July 2, 1973) was an American dancer, singer, and actress. Events 218 BC - Second Punic War: Battle of the Trebia - Hannibal 's Carthaginian forces defeat those of the Year 1916 ( MCMXVI) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year Events 310 - Pope Miltiades is elected 626 - In fear of assassination Li Shimin ambushes and kills his rival Year 1973 ( MCMLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. John Leslie (Jackie Coogan ( October 26, 1914 – March 1, 1984) was an American Actor who began his movie career as a Harry James ( March 15, 1916 – July 5, 1983) was an American Musician and Band leader, and a well-known Events 218 BC - Second Punic War: Battle of the Trebia - Hannibal 's Carthaginian forces defeat those of the Year 1916 ( MCMXVI) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year Events 310 - Pope Miltiades is elected 626 - In fear of assassination Li Shimin ambushes and kills his rival Year 1973 ( MCMLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Dance (from French danser, perhaps from Frankish) is an Art form that generally refers to movement of the body usually rhythmic An actor, actress, player or thespian (see terminology) is a person who Acts in a Dramatic production and who works
Her iconic bathing suit photo became the number-one pin-up girl of the World War II era. An icon (from Greek εἰκών eikōn, "image" is a religious work of art most commonly a painting from Eastern Christianity. A pin-up girl or pin-up model is a model whose mass-produced pictures see wide appeal as Pop culture. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including It was later included in Life 100 Photos that Changed the World. Grable was particularly noted for having the most beautiful legs in Hollywood and studio publicity widely dispersed photos featuring them. Hosiery specialists of the era often noted the ideal proportions of her legs as: thigh (18. 5") calf (12"), and ankle (7. 5"). Grable's legs were famously insured by her studio for $1,000,000 per leg at Lloyds of London. A movie studio (aka film studio) is in the established sense of the term a company that distributes films. For the film see Lloyd's of London (film. Lloyd's of London is a British Insurance market
Contents |
Early life
She was born Elizabeth Ruth Grable in St. Louis, Missouri to John C. Grable (1883-1954) and Lillian Rose Hofmann (1889-1964). She was the youngest of three children.
Most of Grable's recent ancestors were American, but her distant heritage included Dutch, Irish, German and English. The Dutch people ( Dutch:) are the dominant Ethnic group of the Netherlands. The Irish people ( Irish: Muintir na hÉireann, na hÉireannaigh, na Gaeil) are a Western European Ethnic group who originate The German people (Deutsche are an Ethnic group, in the sense of sharing a common German culture, descent and speaking the German language as The English people (from the adjective in Englisc) are a Nation and Ethnic group native to England who predominantly speak English [1][2] She was propelled into acting by her mother. For her first role, as a chorus girl in the film Happy Days (1929), Grable was only 13 years old (legally underage for acting), but, because the chorus line performed in blackface, it was impossible to tell how old she was. A chorus line is a substantial group of Dancers who together perform Synchronized routines usually in Musical theatre. Happy Days ( 1929) is an 80 minute Musical film, notable for being the first movie shown entirely in Widescreen anywhere in the world Blackface in the narrow sense is a style of theatrical Makeup that originated in the United Her mother soon gave her a make-over which included dying her hair platinum blonde.
Career
For her next film, her mother got her a contract using a false identification. An identity document, also called a piece of identification ( ID) is a document used to verify aspects of a person's Identity. When this deception was discovered, however, Grable was fired. Grable finally obtained a role as a 'Goldwyn Girl' in Whoopee! (1930), starring Eddie Cantor. The Goldwyn Girls were a musical stock company of female dancers employed by Samuel Goldwyn. Whoopee! was a Broadway Musical comedy which debuted on 4 December, 1928. Eddie Cantor ( January 31, 1892 - October 10, 1964) was an American Comedian, Singer, Actor, Though Grable received no billing, she led the opening number, "Cowboys. " Grable then worked in small roles at different studios for the rest of the decade, including the Academy Award-winning The Gay Divorcee (1934), starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. "The Oscar" redirects here for the film see The Oscar (film. The Gay Divorcee is a 1934 Film that was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. Fred Astaire (born Frederick Austerlitz; May 10, 1899 &ndash June 22, 1987) was an American Academy Award Ginger Rogers ( July 16, 1911 &ndash April 25, 1995) was an Academy Award -winning American film and stage actress
In the 1940s – after small parts in over 50 Hollywood movies throughout the 1930s – Grable finally gained national attention on stage for her role in the Cole Porter Broadway hit Du Barry Was a Lady (1939). Cole Albert Porter (June 9 1891 &ndash October 15 1964 was an American Composer and songwriter from Peru, Indiana. Broadway theater, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 39 large professional theaters with 500 seats or more located DuBarry Was a Lady (1939 is a Broadway musical, starring Bert Lahr, Ethel Merman and Betty Grable with music and lyrics
In 1940, Grable obtained a contract with 20th Century Fox, becoming their top star throughout the decade, with Technicolor movies such as Down Argentine Way (1940), Moon Over Miami (1941) (both with Don Ameche), Springtime in The Rockies (1942), Coney Island (1943) with George Montgomery , Sweet Rosie O'Grady (1943) with Robert Young, Pin Up Girl (1944), Diamond Horseshoe (1945) with Dick Haymes, The Dolly Sisters (1945) with John Payne and June Haver, and her most popular film, Mother Wore Tights (1947), with favorite costar Dan Dailey. Technicolor is the trademark for a series of color film processes pioneered by Technicolor Motion Picture Corporation Down Argentine Way is a 1940 Technicolor Musical film made by Twentieth Century Fox. Moon Over Miami is a movie directed by Walter Lang with Betty Grable and Don Ameche in leading roles and co-starring Robert Cummings Don Ameche (born Dominic Felix Amici; May 31 1908 – December 6 1993) was an American actor Springtime in the Rockies is a Technicolor musical comedy film released by Twentieth Century Fox in 1942 Coney Island is a 1943 Technicolor film released by Twentieth Century Fox and starring Betty Grable in one of her biggest hits George Montgomery ( August 29, 1916 - December 12, 2000) was an American painter, sculptor, furniture craftsman Sweet Rosie O'Grady is a 1943 Musical film about an American singer who attempts to better herself by marrying an English Duke, but is harassed Robert George Young ( February 22 1907 - July 21 1998) was an American Actor, best known for his leading roles of Jim Anderson Dick Haymes ( September 13, 1918 &ndash March 28, 1980) was an Actor and one of the most popular male vocalists of The Dolly Sisters is a 1945 Biographical film about the Dolly Sisters, identical twins who became famous as entertainers on Broadway John Payne ( May 28, 1912 - December 6, 1989) was an American movie actor who is mainly remembered as a singer in 20th Century Fox June Haver ( June 10, 1926 &ndash July 4, 2005) was an American film actress, who was born in Rock Island Illinois Mother Wore Tights is a 1947 Musical film starring Betty Grable and Dan Dailey as married Vaudeville performers Daniel James Dailey Jr ( December 14, 1915 &ndash October 16, 1978) was an American dancer and Actor.
It was during her reign as box office queen (in 1943) that Grable posed for her famous pinup photo, which (along with her movies) soon became escapist fare among GIs fighting in World War II. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including The image was taken by studio photographer Frank Powolny, who died in 1986. [3] Despite solid competition from Rita Hayworth, Dorothy Lamour, Veronica Lake, Carole Landis and Lana Turner, Grable was indisputably the top pinup girl for American soldiers. Rita Hayworth (October 17 1918 &ndash May 14 1987 born Margarita Carmen Cansino was a Spanish-American actress who rose to stardom in the 1940s as the era's leading Sex symbol Dorothy Lamour ( December 10, 1914 – September 22, 1996) was an American motion picture actress. Veronica Lake ( November 14, 1922 &ndash July 7, 1973) was an American film actress and pin-up model Carole Landis ( January 1, 1919 - July 5, 1948) was an American Film actress. Lana Turner ( February 8, 1921 &ndash June 29, 1995) was an Academy Award -nominated American Film She was wildly popular at home as well, placing in the top 10 box office draws for 10 years. By the end of the 1940s Grable was the highest-paid female star in Hollywood.
Her postwar musicals included: That Lady in Ermine (1948) with Douglas Fairbanks Jr., When My Baby Smiles at Me (1948) again with Dailey, Wabash Avenue (1950) (a remake of Grable's own Coney Island) with Victor Mature, My Blue Heaven (1950), and Meet Me After the Show (1951). Douglas Elton Fairbanks Jr, KBE, DSC ( December 9, 1909 &ndash May 7, 2000) was an American Actor When My Baby Smiles at Me is the name of a Popular song and of a Motion picture. Coney Island is a Peninsula, formerly an island in southernmost Brooklyn, New York City, USA with a Beach on the Atlantic Ocean Victor Mature ( 29 January 1913 – 4 August 1999) was an American Film actor. Studio chief Darryl F. Zanuck lavished his star with expensive Technicolor films, but also kept her busy — Grable made nearly 25 musicals and comedies in 13 years. Darryl Francis Zanuck ( September 5, 1902 &ndash December 22, 1979) was an Academy Award -winning producer, Writer Her last big hit for Fox was How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) with Lauren Bacall and Marilyn Monroe. How to Marry a Millionaire is a 1953 Romantic comedy film made by 20th Century Fox, directed by Jean Negulesco and produced and written Marilyn Monroe (born Norma Jeane Mortenson, June 1 1926 &ndash August 5 1962 baptized Norma
Grable's later career was marked by feuds with studio heads. At one point, in the middle of a fight with Zanuck, she tore up her contract and stormed out of his office. Gradually leaving movies entirely, she made the transition to television and starred in Las Vegas. Las Vegas ( Spanish: "The Meadows" is the most populous City in the state of Nevada, the seat of Clark County, and an internationally In 1967, she took over the lead in the touring company of Hello, Dolly. She starred in a 1973 musical called Belle Starr in London, but it was savaged by critics and soon folded. Myra Maybelle Shirley Reed Starr, better known as Belle Starr ( February 5, 1848 &ndash February 3, 1889) was a famous American
Personal life
In 1937, Grable married another famous former child-actor, Jackie Coogan. John Leslie (Jackie Coogan ( October 26, 1914 – March 1, 1984) was an American Actor who began his movie career as a He was under considerable stress from a lawsuit against his parents over his earnings, however, and the couple divorced in 1940.
In 1943, she married trumpeter and big band leader Harry James. A big band is a type of Musical ensemble associated with playing jazz music and which became popular during the Swing Era from the early 1930s until the late Harry James ( March 15, 1916 – July 5, 1983) was an American Musician and Band leader, and a well-known The couple had two daughters, Victoria and Jessica. They endured a tumultuous 22-year marriage that was plagued by alcoholism and infidelity. The couple divorced in 1965. Grable entered into a relationship with a dancer, Bob Remick, several years her junior. Though they didn't marry, their romance lasted until the end of Grable's life.
Death
Grable died of lung cancer at age 56 in Santa Monica, California. Lung cancer is a Disease of uncontrolled Cell growth in tissues of the Lung. Her funeral was held July 5, 1973, 30 years to the day after her marriage to Harry James -- who, in turn, died on what would have been his and Grable's 40th anniversary, July 5, 1983. Events 1295 - Scotland and France form an alliance the beginnings of the Auld Alliance, against England. Year 1973 ( MCMLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. Events 1295 - Scotland and France form an alliance the beginnings of the Auld Alliance, against England. Year 1983 ( MCMLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar) She is interred in Inglewood Park Cemetery, Inglewood, California. Inglewood Park Cemetery founded in 1905 is at 720 E Florence Avenue in Inglewood California. Inglewood is a city in southwestern Los Angeles County California, southwest of downtown Los Angeles.
Posthumous recognition
Grable has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6525 Hollywood Boulevard. The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a Sidewalk along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street in Hollywood Los Angeles California, USA, that Hollywood Boulevard is a boulevard in Hollywood Los Angeles California, United States, beginning at Sunset Boulevard in the east and running northwest She also has a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame. The St Louis Walk of Fame honors well-known people from St Louis Missouri who made contributions to Culture of the United States.
Hugh Hefner, founder of Playboy noted on National Public Radio's Morning Edition on April 23, 2007, in an interview with Terry Gross that Grable was his inspiration for founding the Playboy empire. Hugh Marston Hefner (born April 9 1926 is an American Magazine Publisher, and best known as the editor-in-chief of Playboy magazine Playboy is an American Men's magazine, founded in Chicago Illinois, by Hugh Hefner and his associates which has grown into Playboy Morning Edition is an American Radio news program produced and distributed by National Public Radio (NPR Events 215 BC - A temple is built on the Capitoline Hill dedicated to Venus Erycina to commemorate the Roman defeat at Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Terry Gross (born 1951 is the host and co-executive producer of Fresh Air, an interview format Radio show produced by WHYY-FM in Philadelphia
Filmography
|
|
Footnotes
- ^ http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=geolarson2&id=I224911 Worldconnect. Happy Days ( 1929) is an 80 minute Musical film, notable for being the first movie shown entirely in Widescreen anywhere in the world Whoopee! was a Broadway Musical comedy which debuted on 4 December, 1928. Crashing Hollywood is a 1931 Comedy film directed by Fatty Arbuckle. Palmy Days is a 1931 written by Eddie Cantor, Morrie Ryskind and David Freedman, directed by A Once a Hero is a 1931 Comedy film directed by Fatty Arbuckle. The Greeks Had a Word for Them (also known as Three Broadway Girls) is a Pre-Code 1932 United Artists Comedy film directed Hollywood Luck is a 1932 Comedy film directed by Fatty Arbuckle. Hollywood Lights is a 1932 Comedy film directed by Fatty Arbuckle. Cavalcade is a 1933 film that takes a historical view of English life from New Year's Eve 1899 through New Years Day 1933 Melody Cruise is Slipping Stitches first full length release Michael Monroe of Hanoi Rocks fame appears on the bonus tracks as producer lyricist and vocalist called the most beloved and popular of college fraternity songs "The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi " was written in 1911 by Byron D Hips Hips Hooray! is a 1934 Slapstick Comedy film starring Bert Wheeler, Robert Woolsey, Ruth Etting, The Gay Divorcee is a 1934 Film that was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. Follow the Fleet ( RKO) is a 1936 Hollywood musical comedy Film with a nautical theme and stars Fred Astaire, Ginger Pigskin Parade is a 1936 Musical comedy film which tells the story of husband and wife College football coaches who convince This Way Please is a motion picture filmed in early 1937, and released in theaters on October 7, 1937. College Swing, also known as Swing Teacher Swing in the UK, is a Comedy film directed by Raoul Walsh and starring George Down Argentine Way is a 1940 Technicolor Musical film made by Twentieth Century Fox. Tin Pan Alley is the name given to the collection of New York City -centered music publishers and Songwriters who dominated the popular Moon Over Miami is a movie directed by Walter Lang with Betty Grable and Don Ameche in leading roles and co-starring Robert Cummings A Yank in the RAF is a Black and white 1941 movie directed by Henry King, and is considered a typical early- World War II movie I Wake Up Screaming is a Black-and-white 1941 suspense film starring Betty Grable and Carole Landis. Springtime in the Rockies is a Technicolor musical comedy film released by Twentieth Century Fox in 1942 Coney Island is a 1943 Technicolor film released by Twentieth Century Fox and starring Betty Grable in one of her biggest hits Sweet Rosie O'Grady is a 1943 Musical film about an American singer who attempts to better herself by marrying an English Duke, but is harassed The Dolly Sisters is a 1945 Biographical film about the Dolly Sisters, identical twins who became famous as entertainers on Broadway Mother Wore Tights is a 1947 Musical film starring Betty Grable and Dan Dailey as married Vaudeville performers When My Baby Smiles at Me is the name of a Popular song and of a Motion picture. For the 1966 book of the same name see Call Me Mister. Call Me Mister is a Revue with sketches by Arnold Auerbach The Farmer Takes a Wife is a 1934 play by Frank B Elser and Marc Connelly based on the novel Rome Haul by Walter How to Marry a Millionaire is a 1953 Romantic comedy film made by 20th Century Fox, directed by Jean Negulesco and produced and written Three For The Show is a 1955 musical Comedy remake of Too Many Husbands. rootsweb. com
- ^ http://grableonline.tripod.com/faq-2.html Grableonline. tripod. com
- ^ FRANK POWOLNY - New York Times
External links
- Betty Grable at the Internet Movie Database
- Betty Grable at the TCM Movie Database
- Betty Grable at the Internet Broadway Database
- Vintage People
- Betty Grable Photo Tribute
- Betty Grable Portraits
- St. Louis Walk of Fame
- Suspense: Betty Grable 1949 appearance
- Betty Grable Gravesite
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| NAME | Grable, Betty |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Grable, Elizabeth Ruth |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION | dancer, singer, actress |
| DATE OF BIRTH | December 18, 1916 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | St. Louis, Missouri |
| DATE OF DEATH | July 2, 1973 |
| PLACE OF DEATH | Santa Monica, California |
Dapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic