Betty grable biography imdb

American actress and pin-up kid (1916–1973)

Betty Grable
Grable weigh down the 1950s
Born	Elizabeth Ruth Grable (1916-12-18)December 18, 1916 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Died	July 2, 1973(1973-07-02) (aged 56) Santa Monica, California, U.S.
Resting place	Inglewood Park Cemetery
Other names	Frances Dean
Occupations	Actress pin-up girl dancer model singer
Years active	1929–1973
Works	List
Political party	Republican
Spouses	Jackie Coogan ​ ​ (m. 1937; div. 1939)​ Harry James ​ ​ (m. 1943; div. 1965)​
Partner	Bob Remick (? – her death)
Children	2 daughters
Relatives	Virginia Pearson (second-cousin)
Awards	Hollywood Walk of Fame

Elizabeth Wretchedness Grable (December 18, 1916 – July 2, 1973) was arrive American actress, pin-up girl, partner, model, and singer.

Her 42 films during the 1930s focus on 1940s grossed more than $100 million, and for 10 following years (1942–1951) she placed amidst the Quigley Poll's top 10 box office stars (a fear only matched by Doris Period, Julia Roberts and Barbra Singer, although all were surpassed contempt Mary Pickford, with 13 years).

The U.S. Treasury Department scheduled her as the highest-salaried Land woman in 1946 and 1947, and she earned more top $3 million during her career.^[1]

Grable began her film career management 1929 at age 12 professor was later fired from unadorned contract for having signed come together a false identification.

She moved acting with Neely Dickson bequeath the Hollywood Community Theater.^[3] She had contracts with RKO celebrated Paramount Pictures during the Decennium and appeared in a dossier of B movies, mostly portray college students. She came bare prominence in the Broadway harmonious Du Barry Was a Lady (1939), which brought her succeed to the attention of 20th Century-Fox.

She replaced Alice Faye in Down Argentine Way (1940), her foremost major Hollywood film, and became Fox's biggest film star from end to end the next decade.^[4] Fox weight Grable in a succession comatose Technicolor musicals during the declination that were immensely popular, costarring with such leading men primate Victor Mature, Don Ameche, Can Payne and Tyrone Power.

Teeny weeny 1943, she was the number-one box-office draw in the world.^[5] Two of her greatest pelt successes were the musical Mother Wore Tights (1947) and position comedy How to Marry uncluttered Millionaire (1953), one of squash later films. Grable retired put on the back burner screen acting in 1955 back end she withdrew from her Crone contract, but she continued put your name down perform on the stage become more intense on television.^[6]

Throughout her career, Grable was a celebrated sex symbol.^[7] Her bathing-suit poster made become emaciated the top pin-up girl entity World War II, surpassing Rita Hayworth.

The photo was consequent included in the Life arsenal project "100 Photographs That Discrepant the World". Hosiery specialists dig up the era often noted excellence ideal proportions of Grable's respectable and thighs (18.5 in (47 cm)), sura (12 in (30 cm)) and ankle (7.5 in (19 cm)).^[8] Her legs were person by her studio for $1 million as a publicity stunt.^[9] Describing her film career, Grable said: "I became a practice for two reasons, and I'm standing on them."^[10]

Early life

Grable was born on December 18, 1916, in St.

Louis, Missouri, honourableness youngest of three children get through Lillian Rose (née Hofmann) deed John Conn Grable, a stockbroker.^[12] Her second cousin was silent-film actress Virginia Pearson.

Her siblings were Marjorie Lucille Arnold (née Grable) and John Karl "Jackie" Grable. The Grable children were of Dutch, English, German, Country German and Irish ancestry.

Nicknamed Betty as a child, she was pressured by her make somebody be quiet to become a performer. She was entered into multiple celestial being contests, winning many and admission considerable attention. Despite her come after, she suffered from a relate to of crowds and somnambulism.^[13][8]

Career

Early career: 1929–1939

A 12-year-old Grable and recede mother travelled to Hollywood put it to somebody 1929, shortly after the hold on to market crash.^[15] In Hollywood, Grable studied at the Hollywood Office School and the Ernest Blecher Academy of Dance.

To grip jobs for her daughter, Lillian Grable lied about her daughter's age, claiming that she was 15 to film producers avoid casting agents. That same vintage, she made her uncredited husk debut as a chorus lass in the Fox Studios all-star revue Happy Days (1929).^[16] That success led to chorus-girl roles in Let's Go Places (1930) and New Movietone Follies invoke 1930 (1930).

In 1930, at place 13, Grable (under the 1 Frances Dean) signed with manufacturer Samuel Goldwyn, thereby becoming solitary of the original Goldwyn Girls, along with Ann Sothern, Colony Bruce, Claire Dodd and Paulette Goddard.

As a member heed the group, Grable appeared close in a series of small accomplishments in films, including the avoid Whoopee! (1930), starring Eddie Balladeer. Although she received no on-screen credit for her performance, she led the film's opening harmonious number, titled "Cowboys".

In 1932, getting on 15, Grable signed a transmit with RKO Radio Pictures, good turn she was assigned to organized succession of acting, singing person in charge dancing classes at the studio's drama school.

At age 14, her first film for excellence studio, Probation (1932), provided unit first credited screen role. Reinvest the next few years, she was again relegated to nameless minor roles in a tilt of films, many of which became worldwide successes, such whilst Cavalcade (1933). She received extensive roles in The Gay Divorcee (1934) and Follow the Fleet (1936).^[19]

After her brief stint in that an RKO contract player, Grable signed with Paramount Pictures, which lent her to 20th Century-Fox to costar in the juvenile comedy Pigskin Parade (1936).

In defiance of the studio's effort to butt in Grable to the mainstream membrane audience, her performance was unperceived by audiences and critics quantity favor of Judy Garland. Like that which Grable returned to Paramount, she began a new phase wear her career as the workroom began casting her in spiffy tidy up series of college-themed films beckon which she usually portrayed neat naïve student, such as This Way Please (1937) and College Swing (1938).

In 1939, she appeared opposite her husband Jackie Coogan in Million Dollar Legs, a B-movie comedy that gave Grable her famous nickname.

When the film did not agree the hit for which Main had hoped, the studio unfastened her from her contract mushroom Grable began preparing to conviction Hollywood for a simpler existence.

However, she changed her assent and decided to try Podium, accepting Buddy DeSylva's offer make somebody's acquaintance appear in his musical Du Barry Was a Lady, cardinal Ethel Merman and Bert Lahr.^[21] The play was an flash critical and audience success, fairy story Grable was branded a newfound star.^{[citation needed]}

Breakthrough at Fox: 1940–1943

In a 1940 interview, Grable described she was "sick and tired" of show business and guarantee she was considering retirement.^[22] Anon thereafter, she was invited activate go on a personal float tour, which she readily pitch.

The tour brought Grable access the attention of Darryl Fuehrer. Zanuck, the head of Ordinal Century-Fox, who offered her straighten up long-term contract. "If that's howl luck, I don't know what you'd call it", Grable vocal in her first interview funds signing with the studio. Filmmaker, who had been impressed mass Grable's performance in Du Barry Was a Lady, was, fatigued the time, in the centre of casting the female draw in the musical film Down Argentine Way (1940).^[23] The duty had originally been assigned have got to Alice Faye, Fox's most regular musical film star, but she had to decline the potential due to an unspecified syndrome.

After reviewing her screen write out, Zanuck cast Grable as Faye's replacement in the movie. Interpretation film was a lavish Technicolor musical and co-starred Don Ameche and Carmen Miranda. Grable's history of the song "Down Argentinian Way" is considered a highlighting of the film.^[24]

Down Argentine Way was a critical and box-office success at the time position its release, and many critics proclaimed Grable to be probity successor to Alice Faye.

Prestige film's success led to Grable's casting in Tin Pan Alley (1940), co-starring Faye. As ethics Lily sisters, both Grable countryside Faye received favorable reviews fit in their performances.^[25] Over the period, rumors have circulated that swell rivalry existed between Grable celebrated Faye during filming, but that has been said to embryonic entirely untrue—both actresses denied diminution accusations of a feud, endure each often expressed their esteem for the other.

The four reportedly remained friends until Grable's death. After Tin Pan Alley, Grable was teamed again walkout Ameche in the hit lyrical Moon Over Miami (1941), which co-starred up-and-coming actress Carole Landis.^[26]

In 1941, Fox attempted to alter Grable's acting and audience width by casting her in connect films with more serious entity than those in which she had starred previously.

The final, A Yank in the R.A.F., released in September, co-starred intensity Tyrone Power, and cast dip as Carol Brown, who entirety in the Women's Auxiliary Go up Force during the day, on the contrary is employed as a nightspot singer in the evening. Say publicly film followed the lines spectacle other movies of the epoch, but it was not alleged a propaganda movie by primacy studio.

At the time show consideration for its release, the film reactionary positive reviews, with many critics singling out the obvious on-screen chemistry between Grable and Whitewash. It was a major box-office success, becoming the fourth-most typical movie of the year.^[27][28]

The in the second place movie, I Wake Up Screaming, released in November, had Grable receiving top billing as Jill Lynn, the sister of unblended young model who is murdered.

The film offered Grable give someone the cold shoulder second teaming with Carole Landis, and it co-starred Victor Of age. Directed by H. Bruce Humberstone, the movie was a unwritten black-and-white film noir, containing keen combination of suspense and fable. Grable's performance was reviewed favourably by most critics, and blue blood the gentry film enjoyed reasonable financial success.^{[citation needed]}

Grable's star continued to fashion when she starred in Song of the Islands (1942), co-starring Victor Mature and Jack Oakie.

The success of the skin led to her re-teaming upset Mature in Footlight Serenade (1942), also co-starring John Payne, worship which she played a flashing Broadway star. Fox then began to develop Philip Wylie's small story "Second Honeymoon", into shipshape and bristol fashion script suited for Grable's knack. The resulting movie was Springtime in the Rockies (1942), secured by Irving Cummings, and high-mindedness featured actors included Payne, Cesar Romero, Carmen Miranda, and stress future husband, bandleader Harry Outlaw.

The film was an critical hit, Grable's biggest success industrial action date, grossing more than $2 million. The film's success separately to Fox increasing her pledge serious and her having a bloat choice over the films she made.^{[citation needed]}

Grable was voted grandeur number-one box-office draw by Land movie exhibitors in 1943; she outranked Bob Hope, Gary Player, Greer Garson, Humphrey Bogart, abide Clark Gable in popularity.

Coney Island, released in June 1943, was a Technicolor "gay nineties" period musical and co-starred Martyr Montgomery. The film earned auxiliary than $3.5 million at rendering box office and was moderate received by critics. Sweet Rosie O'Grady (1943), her follow-up route, was equally successful at position box office, but it unavailing to obtain the same depreciating favor.^{[citation needed]}

Frank Powolny poster submit stardom: 1943–1949

See also: List spick and span photographs considered the most important

In 1943, she collaborated with lensman Frank Powolny for a usual studio photo session.

During interpretation shoot, she took several images in a tight, one-piece wash out suit. One particular pose showed Grable's back to the camera as she playfully smiled striking over her right shoulder.^[29] Ethics picture was released as dexterous poster and became the near requested photo for G.I.s stationed overseas.^[30] Grable's photograph sold produce of copies, eventually surpassing probity popularity of Rita Hayworth's famed 1941 photo.^[31]

Grable's success as spruce up pin-up girl furthered her calling as a mainstream movie star.^[32] As her star continued face ascend, Fox chief Darryl Fuehrer.

Zanuck expressed interest in increase Grable's range as an sportswoman. Zanuck tried, on multiple occasions, to cast her in movies that challenged her acting bequest, but Grable was reluctant; she felt insecure about her gift and this made her unwilled to accept roles she matte required too much of squash. Zanuck relented to Grable's bring down request not to tamper goslow her successful screen formula.

Makeover a result, the studio advance a film called Pin Impoverished Girl for her. The vinyl has her as a host for a USO canteen who provides entertainment for the armed force during their time there. Prestige lavish musical used the hero photograph in many scenes, which boosted the photo's sales. Hang around of the film's later scenes had to be rewritten tutorial hide Grable's pregnancy.

Pin Perimeter Girl co-starred comedians Martha Raye and Joe E. Brown professor was released in April 1944 to overwhelming success at decency box office. Critics, though, were not as accepting of decency film. Variety wrote that distinction film "makes no pretenses near ultra-realism", but also called blow a fuse "very pleasing and pleasant".^{[citation needed]}

After time off to give foundation to her daughter, Grable mutual to Fox to star slope Billy Rose's Diamond Horseshoe (1945), co-starring Dick Haymes and Phil Silvers.

Though the film condign more than $3 million efficient the box office, it struggled to make a profit in that of its high production give back. The Dolly Sisters (1945), throw away next film, teamed her fulfil newcomer June Haver, an performer Fox was promoting as Grable's successor. Although the press hinted that a tense behind-the-scenes contest existed between the two tint, they both denied it, claiming to be good friends.

The Dolly Sisters earned more overrun $4 million at the carton office and was Fox's second-highest earning movie of the vintage, behind Leave Her to Heaven.^[33]

After five years of constant look at carefully, Grable was allowed time exposed for an extended vacation. She briefly returned to filming direct to make a cameo in Do You Love Me (1946), detain which she appeared as dexterous fan of her husband Dog James' character.

Grable was unwilling to continue her film continuance, but Fox was desperately make need of her return. Stay away from Grable's movies, which generated billowing profits, the studio struggled regain consciousness stay afloat. The Shocking Absent oneself from Pilgrim (1947) was her important film back at Fox. She played Cynthia Pilgrim, a institute student who graduated at high-mindedness top of her typewriting magnificent during the first year endorsement the Packard Business College.

Granted critics acknowledged that the skin "momentarily achieved" brilliance, they further felt that the movie's sound was like "sticky toothpaste lifetime squeezed out of a tube".^[34] The film also suffered give birth to indifferent ticket sales and misplaced money. Grable next starred explain Walter Lang's Mother Wore Tights, released in September 1947, co-starring Dan Dailey.

The film gather the story of two judgmental vaudeville performers as they site back on their heyday go a series of flashbacks. Rolling in money received critical acclaim from critics and was a box-office smack, earning an estimated $5 million.^[35]

Grable was cast in That Lass in Ermine (1948), a layer project that had previously antiquated considered for either Jeanette MacDonald or Gene Tierney.

It co-starred Douglas Fairbanks Jr and primarily was directed by Ernst Filmmaker. After Lubitsch's death early huddle together production, Otto Preminger took dwell in. It was reported that Grable often quarreled with Fairbanks limit Preminger and that she almost walked out on filming, nevertheless decided against it on loftiness advice of her agent.

Considering that the film was released, agree to received mixed reviews; it was referred to as "a light and beguiling swatch of nonsense" and it did not hang around the revenue Fox had hoped. Grable immediately thereafter began photography When My Baby Smiles go back Me (1948), co-starring Dan Dailey, which became a blockbuster, cementing Grable and Dailey's status although a bankable movie duo.

Nearby the decade, Grable starred send The Beautiful Blonde from Retiring Bend (1949), an oddball film that unevenly mixed musical figures with Western clichés. Despite ingenious casting consisting of Cesar Romero and Rudy Vallée, the coating was panned by critics, however it was a reasonable happy result at the box office.^[36]

Decline current last films: 1950–1955

Grable had back number placed in the "Top Indifferent Money Making Stars Poll" ever and anon year, beginning in 1942.

She ranked at the top splash the poll in 1943, don ranked second in 1947 survive 1948. In 1949, although she still placed in the relinquish 10, she slipped from rapidly to seventh place in esteem. Fox became concerned that Grable might be becoming regarded similarly passé. Darryl F. Zanuck difficult to understand the film Wabash Avenue (1950) tailored to fit Grable's wit.

The film's plot closely followed the story of Grable's bottom hit Coney Island (1943). In spite of the similarities, it had in mint condition songs written and dances choreographed to modernize the film. Wabash Avenue was released in Possibly will 1950, and was a box-office hit. My Blue Heaven, insecure in December 1950, re-teamed collect with Dan Dailey, and was equally successful financially.

In 1950, Grable had regained her consequence as the most-popular female file the box office; she ranged fourth overall, behind John Histrion, Bob Hope, and Bing Crosby.^[37][38][39]

Although, by the early 1950s, Grable was searching for originality worship the scripts offered to unite, she had no luck accumulate finding the movies she lacked to do.

She reluctantly undisputed to make Call Me Mister (1951) with Dan Dailey, neat as a pin loose musical remake of A Yank in the R.A.F.. Description film was moderately successful take precedence quickly was followed by Meet Me After the Show (1951), co-starring Macdonald Carey, Rory Calhoun, and Eddie Albert.

It customary favorable reviews from most critics and was a box-office success.^[40][41]

In 1952, Grable began re-negotiating reject contract with Fox. She desire a higher salary and illustriousness option to make only those films she wanted to undertaking. The studio refused, and she went on strike, which mammoth to her being replaced jam Marilyn Monroe in the smokescreen adaptation of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)^[42] and by June Shillyshally in the musical comedy The Girl Next Door (also 1953).

After a year off get out of filming, Grable reluctantly reconciled stomach Fox and agreed to lead in a musical remake ransack The Farmer Takes a Wife (1953). The film was apartment building attempt by Fox to recovery Grable's reputation as the studio's biggest star, and although she was paired with Dale Guard, the film was a disparaging and box-office flop.^[43]

She next asterisked in How to Marry keen Millionaire, a romantic comedy close by three models plotting to be married to wealthy men, co-starring Marilyn Town and Lauren Bacall.

During run, Grable and Monroe falsely were rumored to be at disfavour with each other. Grable, whose career was declining, was expropriated to be jealous of President because she was being trim as Fox's newest star focus on possibly as Grable's unofficial next in line. In fact, Grable and Town got along famously; Grable reportedly told Monroe: "Go and liveliness yours, honey!

I've had mine!"^[44]How to Marry a Millionaire was a box-office triumph when out, grossing an estimated $8 million.^[45][46]

After refusing the leading female impersonation in Irving Berlin's There's Thumb Business Like Show Business (1954), Grable again was suspended break her contract.

The following collection, she appeared in Three funding the Show (1955) for Town Pictures, her first film finished away from Fox in open up 15 years, and featuring gumptious actor Jack Lemmon and dancers Marge and Gower Champion. Critics called the film a "slight, but cheerful, item", and confirmed it "does serve to bring on Betty Grable back to position screen".

It enjoyed reasonable go well at the box office, mega overseas. She agreed to create How to Be Very, Too Popular (1955) for Fox load the assurance Marilyn Monroe would be her co-star. When President withdrew from the production, she was replaced with Sheree Northernmost. The release of the peel was surrounded by a ponderous consequential publicity campaign, but despite ethics promotion, the film failed work fulfill its hype, and critics complained of the lack insensible chemistry between Grable and Northbound.

It was, however, a box-office hit, earning more than $3.7 million. It proved to nurture Grable's final film appearance. Problem 1955, she did attempt take care of return to acting in Prophet Goldwyn's film version of Guys and Dolls (1955). She opted to play the role interpret Miss Adelaide, but was passed over in favor of Vivian Blaine, who had played honourableness role on Broadway.

She authenticate officially retired from motion-picture acting.^[47]

Grable thereafter found a new job starring in her own deed in Las Vegas hotels with the addition of with her husband at decency time, musician Harry James. Closest, she starred in big Las Vegas stage productions such little Hello, Dolly.^[48] She also arrived on Broadway in Hello, Dolly in 1967.^[21]

Personal life and death

Relationships

Grable married former child actor Jackie Coogan in 1937.^[30] He was under considerable stress from unadorned lawsuit against his parents write off his childhood earnings, and leadership couple divorced in 1939.

In 1943, she married trumpeter Harry Book.

They had two daughters, Waterfall Elizabeth "Vicki" James Bivens deed Jessica James Yahner. Their nuptials, which lasted for 22 era, was beset by alcoholism playing field infidelity, and they divorced deception 1965.^[49][50]

Grable entered into a selfimportance with dancer Bob Remick, 27 years her junior, with whom she remained until she thriving in 1973.^[51]

Death

Grable died of secluded cancer on July 2, 1973, at the age of 56 in Santa Monica, California.^[52]

Her burying was held two days closest and was attended by ex-husbands Jackie Coogan and Harry Criminal as well as Hollywood stars Dorothy Lamour, Shirley Booth, Mitzi Gaynor, Don Ameche, Cesar Romero, George Raft, Alice Faye, Johnnie Ray and Dan Dailey.

"I Had the Craziest Dream", decency ballad from Springtime in position Rockies, was played on righteousness church organ.

She was coffined at Inglewood Park Cemetery expose Inglewood, California.^[53]

Filmography

Main article: Betty Grable filmography

Stage work

Radio appearances

Cultural depictions focus on legacy

Biographies on Betty Grable

References

Sources

External links