20th Century Fox had reached out to her specifically for the part, loaning her out from her new studio, Paramount. For all her good-girl looks and apple pie charms, Grable lived one scrappy existence as a struggling starlet. Housekeepers, nannies and themselves. The film has her as a hostess for a USO canteen who also provides entertainment for the troops during their time there. She portrayed a burlesque queen in a dance hall in Chicago. "If that's not luck I don't know what you'd call it" Grable said. As the Lily sisters, both Grable and Faye received favorable reviews for their performances. Betty Grable Facts for Kids - Kiddle 'O Blest Communion', Signe Hammer has written: She also has a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame. What happened to Betty Grable's kids? [2] She had contracts with RKO and Paramount Pictures during the 1930s, and appeared in a string of B movies, mostly portraying college students. [2], She replaced Alice Faye in Down Argentine Way (1940), her first major Hollywood film, and became Fox's biggest film star throughout the next decade. Her mother bleached her hair and gave her a makeover so that her daughter could make it big in Hollywood. [13] Grable's photograph sold millions of copies, eventually surpassing the popularity of Rita Hayworth's famous 1941 photo.[33]. She had no talent but was determined to produce a star. Some say Grable and Faye had a rivalry, but this has been denied by both actresses. Lillian and Bettys lies eventually caught up to them in the worst way possible. Betty Grable's Death - Cause and Date - The Celebrity Deaths He and Betty Grable were engaged in 1935 and married on November 20, 1937, and they divorced on October 11, 1939. It was later included in the LIFE magazine project "100 Photos that Changed the World". 'Passionate attachments' -- subject(s): Fathers and Are Betty Grable's daughters living? - Answers The screenplay was based upon two plays by Zoe Akins and Dale Eunson and Katherine Albert. Print length. Hosiery specialists of the era often noted the ideal proportions of her legs and thighs (18.5in (47cm)), calf (12in (30cm)), and ankle (7.5in (19cm)). In the 1960s, Grable found herself broke and out of the Hollywood studio system that had once rocketed her to fame. Neil Sedaka - Betty Grable Lyrics | Genius Lyrics Her marriage to trumpeter Harry James in 1943 produced two children and reams of publicity . It is steeped in lurid stories about deceased stars who would die if they rea The law at that time required the girls to be over 15 to dance in the chorus. The film was an attempt by Fox to recapture Grable's reputation as the studio's biggest star, and although she was paired with Dale Robertson, the film was a critical and box-office flop. The tour brought Grable to the attention of Darryl F. Zanuck, the head of 20th Century-Fox, who offered her a long-term contract. Previous to this, she was doing bit parts appearing with Lucille Ball and Paulette Goddard, also Goldwyn Girls, in other Cantor films titled Palmy Days and The Kid From Spain. July 2 1973 - Los Angeles, California, USA, Dec 18 1916 - St. Louis, Missouri, United States, John Conn Grable, Lillian Rose Grable (born Hoffman), Marjorie Arnold (born Grable), John Karl 'jackie' Grable, Jessica Yahner (born James), Victorie Elizabeth Bivins (born James), Cause of death: Lung cancer - July 2 1973 - Santa Monica, Inglewood Park Cemetery, Inglewood, California, United States, Between 1946 and 1959 - 603 N Sangamon, Lincoln, Illinois, USA, July 2 1973 - Santa Monica, United States, Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, California, United States, Inglewood Park Cemetery, Plot: Mausoleum of the Golden West, Sanctuary of Dawn, Crypt A78, Inglewood, Los Angeles County, California, United States, http://www.house.mo.gov/famous.aspx?fm=52, Inglewood, Los Angeles County, California, United States. Despite her success, she suffered from having a fear of crowds and sleepwalking. [61], She was inducted into the Hall of Famous Missourians. Grable was particularly noted for having the most beautiful legs in Hollywood and studio publicity widely dispersed photos featuring them. He had five children (two by Tobin, two by Grable, one by Boyd) and (as of his death) 16 grandchildren. She played college students in most of these films and was thus typecast in this role. School for Romance. [1], Grable began her film career in 1929 at age 12, after which she was fired from a contract when it was learned she signed up under false identification. She then officially retired from motion-picture acting. The Dolly Sisters (1945), her next film, teamed her with newcomer June Haver, an actress Fox was promoting as Grable's successor. She requested a higher salary and the option to make only those films she wanted to do. Betty Grable's pin-up photo that was the most in-demand picture of WWII She had German, English, Irish, and Dutch ancestry. It proved to be Grable's final film appearance. BETTY GRABLE (1916-73) Ascertaining the level of intimacy in many of Betty Grable's relationships is not easy. [60], Grable has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6525 Hollywood Boulevard. Sweet Rosie O'Grady (1943), her follow-up feature, was equally successful at the box office, but it failed to obtain the same critical favor. In 1951, Grable made an up-to-date remake of her 1941 film, A Yank in the RAF, which was now titled, Call Me Mister, which was the last time Grable ever appeared in a film with Dan Dailey. Grable helped out at the canteen and gave herself to the cause by dancing with many of the young men. So, are the people in Body shape: Hourglass: Dress size (US): 8: Breasts-Waist-Hips: 36-23-35 inches (91-58-89 cm) [62], Her iconic pin-up image was named one of Time's 100 Most Influential Photographs of All Time. Betty Grable was born on December 18, 1916, in St. Louis, Missouri. She played the title role in the musical film, Sweet Rosie OGrady in 1943. Hosiery specialists of the era often noted the ideal proportions of her legs as: thigh (18.5") calf (12"), and ankle (7.5"). She was chosen for the chorus in Lets Go Places. View source image Book Reviews, Sites, Romance, Fantasy, Fiction | Kirkus Reviews We want our readers to trust us. "I Had the Craziest Dream," the haunting ballad from Springtime in the Rockies, was played on the church organ. Want to tell us to write facts on a topic? Most actors struggle to make it in Hollywood for years, but most actors arent Betty Grable. When she landed the role of Glenda Crawford in Down Argentine Way (1940), the public finally took notice of this shining bright star. Betty Grable - Students | Britannica Kids | Homework Help However, Grable's next film, When My Baby Smiles at Me (1948), was a smash success; this film again co-starred Dan Dailey. The film was a remake of the 1943 film Coney island. Well, Raft quickly proved just how tough he was: He beat Grable, who fled from the relationship. 2011. Betty Grable - Hollywood Walk of Fame Directed by H. Bruce Humberstone, the movie was a traditional black-and-white film noir, containing a combination of suspense and romance. Her legs were insured for $1,000,000. Go get yours. Betty Grable (1916-1973) was arguably the biggest box-office star of the 1940s, appearing in numerous big-budget films alongside Hollywood's most dashing leading men. In 1929, when Betty was just 12 years old, they packed up from St. Louis, Missouri and moved to Hollywood to try and hit it big. Which caused bitterness that did not end with her Please let us know if a fact weve published is inaccurate (or even if you just suspect its inaccurate) by reaching out to us at contribute@factinate.com. father: John Conn Grable (1883-1954) mother: Lillian Rose Hofmann (1889-1964) children: Jessica James, Victoria Elizabeth James Born Country: United States Actresses American Women Height: 5'4" (163 cm ), 5'4" Females Died on: July 2, 1973 place of death: Santa Monica, California, United States (1930), starring Eddie Cantor. Less than a decade later, 20th Century Fox would. Betty Grable was the pinup queen and inarguably the biggest star of the 1940's, according to box-office records. Betty decorates the dinner table to suit the occasion, whether it is a birthday or Valentine's Day. Hosiery specialists and retailers often cited her gams as having the perfect proportions for stockings, and Grable was under no illusions about what brought in the big bucks. Look below the item for additional data you may want to include. Also in 1943, Grable's famous pin-up picture was taken and resulted in Grable being cast in Pin Up Girl (1944). Factinate is a fact website that is dedicated to finding and sharing fun facts about science, history, animals, films, people, and much more. Following the release of her 1939 movie . The two reportedly remained friends until Grable's death. Pin Up Girl is a 1944 American Technicolor musical romantic comedy motion picture starring Betty Grable, John Harvey, Martha Raye, and Joe E. Brown.. [11] Her siblings were Marjorie Lucille Arnold (nee Grable; 19091980) and John Karl "Jackie" Grable (19141916). What type of electrical charge does a proton have? 'Tochter und mutter' Soon after James and Grable started seeing each other, she had an unpleasant visit from the Ghost of Boyfriends Past. The results were scandalous. As a member of the ensemble group of attractive young chorines, Grable appeared in a series of small parts in movies, including the mega-hit Whoopee! Betty Grable | American actress and dancer | Britannica The Betty Grable Centennial | True Devotion The film was an immediate hit, Grable's biggest success to date, grossing more than $2 million. The first, A Yank in the R.A.F., released in September, co-starred heartthrob Tyrone Power, and cast her as Carol Brown, who works in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force during the day, but is employed as a nightclub singer in the evening. Betty Grable was a beloved Hollywood actress that became the highest-paid star of her time after working her way up for years in the entertainment industry.Contents of this video00:00 - Intro00:32 - Body06:56 - OutroLike this content? Died July 2, 1973 of lung cancer in St. John's Hospital, CA. Betty Grable: The Reluctant Movie Queen - Google Books Now thiswas an even worse moral quandary for the time, and the minute studio executives found out about the storks package, they started pressuring the actors to marry in a hurry. Betty Grable's legacy and her million-dollar legs still lives on almost 50 years after her death. When Grable returned to Paramount, she began a new phase in her career; the studio began casting her in a series of college-aimed movies, usually having her portray a nave student. https://www.newnetherlandinstitute.org/history-and-heritage/dutch_a http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betty_Grable. She played Ruby Summers in the Wabash Avenue in 1950. BETTY GRABLE Historian Alan Royle Mother Wore Tights was a major-success (Fox's most successful film of 1947) and is today known as Grable's "signature film.". RE: Calisphere: Request high-resolution copy of item for Betty Grable's youngest daughter at funeral service. On July 2, 1973, at age 56, she died of lung cancer. On slow days, Lillian would present Betty at casual gatherings and demand that the girl perform for the adults on command. Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection. children and others? Actress Born in Missouri #20. [17], A 13-year-old Grable and her mother traveled to Hollywood in 1929, shortly after the stock market crash. She was entered in multiple beauty contests, many of which she won or for which she achieved considerable attention. Has Calisphere helped you advance your research, complete a project, or find something meaningful? For all her immense fame, this girl just couldnt seem to catch a casting break. The title Million Dollar Legs, is a name from which her nickname is taken. Her 42 films during the 1930s and 1940s grossed more than $100 million; for 10 consecutive years (19421951) she reigned in the Quigley Poll's top 10 box office stars (a feat only matched by Doris Day, Julia Roberts and Barbra Streisand, although all were surpassed by Mary Pickford, who was in for 13 times). Betty Saunders has written: Her mother groomed her for a career in show business from an early age. After the war, her star continued to rise. The Farmer Takes a Wife, was highly publicized, but, was unfortunately, critically panned and proved to be a box-office failure. They were so popular, they even spawned a lyric in song sung by WWII GI's,"I want a gal, just like the gal, who married Harry . Critics, though, were not as accepting of the film. too busy making movies and having affairs to care too much about Betty Grable (1916-1973) - Find a Grave Memorial Sadly, Betty Grable passed young. With her mother's guidance, Betty studied ballet and tap dancing.Betty and her mother set out for California with the hopes of stardom. Pan American Jubilee (Remastered) - Single. [15][16], Grable entered into a relationship with dancer Bob Remick, 27 years her junior, with whom she remained until she died in 1973. In a 1940 interview, she said that she was "sick and tired" of show business and had decided to retire, but changed her mind - she received an unsolicited offer to go on a personal appearance tour, which she accepted and which led to Darryl F. Zanuck offering her a bigger contract, which she accepted, and which was followed by a part in Buddy DeSylva's Broadway show Du Barry Was a Lady and a part replacing the suddenly ill Alice Faye in Down Argentine Way. These films helped to bring Grable's star back to the public but it seemed as if Betty's career was nearing its end. contributor's website. Do you question the accuracy of a fact you just read? In 1945, she made Diamond Horseshoe with Dick Haymes. Reams have been written about Miss Betty Grable the star. She attended the Hollywood Professional school but Lillian lied about her daughter's age and Betty (real age 13), landed several minor parts as a chorus girl in early musicals (Whoopee! After the highs of It Girl-dom wore off, Grable was all too aware of her objectification. Generation. View source record on Her mother Lillian was a pushy stage momager who forced her daughter into dance lessons and countless child beauty contests in search of fame. Betty Grable - Hollywood Star Walk - Los Angeles Times The studio refused, and she went on strike, which led to her being replaced by Marilyn Monroe in the movie adaptation of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)[44] and by June Haver in the musical comedy The Girl Next Door (also 1953). Herepaid her with another cruel trick. If only this didnt come back to bite her. The . Hyman (born Barbara Davis Sherry, to Davis and her third husband William Grant Sherry), at the time of filming for What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?,. I tried to get my ex-wife served with divorce papers. But this led to one utterly harrowing story. Betty was too young; the minimum working age was 15. The film was a remake of the 1935 film of the same name. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betty_Grable#Filmography. The film was a hit and showcased Grable to the publicjust not for the reasons you may think. Betty Grable - Betty Grable & Co-Stars: The 20th Century Fox Years After reviewing her screen test, Zanuck cast Grable as Faye's replacement in the movie. [20] This eventually led to her having chorus girl jobs in Let's Go Places (1930) and New Movietone Follies of 1930 (1930). "[9], Elizabeth Ruth Grable was born on December 18, 1916 in St. Louis, Missouri,[10] the youngest of three children of Lillian Rose (ne Hofmann; 18891964) and John Conn Grable (18831954), a stockbroker. The film was a major success, as was Grable's next film A Yank in the RAF, a World War II film; that was her first serious leading role in a major Hollywood film. The couple had two daughters. [32] The picture was released as a poster and became the most requested photo for G.I.s stationed overseas. She made nationwide headlines when it was revealed she was working in a rectory. In the late 1930s, Grable signed a contract with Paramount Pictures, starring in several B-movies, mostly portraying co-eds. That film was the lead role in the classic comedy Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, AKA the part that shot Marylin Monroe to stardom. Huh, I guess its as good as an inspiration as any. Despite her success, she suffered from a fear of crowds and sleepwalking. [38], Grable had been placed in the "Top Ten Money Making Stars Poll" every year, beginning in 1942. She got so incensed at their refusal, she eventually got her contract out, walked into studio head Darryl Zanucks office, and tore the papers up into shreds right in his face. Betty Grable | Biography, Movie Highlights and Photos | AllMovie The lavish musical used the pin-up photograph in many scenes, which boosted the photo's sales. They had two children together: daughter Leslie Diane Coogan was born in Los Angeles, while son Christopher Fenton Coogan was born in Riverside County . They were totally She led the opening number, Cowboys. Betty Grable was an adorable, rosy-cheeked, blonde little girl. When her contract at Paramount expired, Grable decided to quit acting, being fed up with appearing in college films. She starred along with Marilyn Monroe and Lauren Bacall as gold-diggers in the 1953 romantic comedy How to Marry a Millionaire. Pin Up Girl received poor reviews but was a tremendous box-office success. Grable, Betty,--1916-1973--Family All Saints' Episcopal Church (Beverly Hills, Calif.) Daughters--California--Los Angeles Funeral rites and ceremonies--California--Beverly Hills Undertakers and undertaking--California--Beverly Hills Church buildings--California--Beverly Hills Anglican church buildings--California--Beverly Hills Over the next few years, however, she was again relegated to uncredited minor roles in a series of films, many of which became worldwide successes, such as Cavalcade (1933). parents in Hollywood; except for Joan Crawford. 1943 was a massive year for Betty Grable: She was the most valuable Hollywood star, ending the year as the top earner at the box office. It co-starred Douglas Fairbanks Jr and originally was directed by Ernst Lubitsch. There was just one problem. Years later, I was using her phone when I made an utterly chilling discovery. In the 1950s, Grable was still one of the most popular actresses at the box officeafter all, theres a reason the phrase is As American as apple pie and Betty Grable. Emboldened by her success, Grable did the one thing she hadnt been able to do yet: She challenged herself. It was 1916 - Marjorie was 6 and their little son John had just died. Her mother Lillian was a pushy stage momager who forced her daughter into dance lessons and countless child beauty contests in search of fame. Yikes. But behind closed doors, they hid dark secrets. Pin-Up: The Tragedy of Betty Grable - amazon.com Wait, didnt I say this guy was a, and I quote, rabid gambler? By 1930, she had worked as a chorus girl before signing with legendary Hollywood producer Samuel Goldwyn. Both films capitalized Grable tremendously, with Coney Island, ranking one of the top five successful films of the year. [25] Soon thereafter, she was invited to go on a personal appearance tour, which she readily accepted. Grable has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6525 Hollywood Boulevard. Using her famous pin-up pose, she did a series of commercials for Playtex Shorties just to make back some of the money her husband had lost. Directed by H. Bruce Humberstone and produced by William LeBaron, the screenplay was adapted by Robert Ellis, Helen Logan and Earl Baldwin based on a short story titled Imagine Us! Call Me Mister, proved to bring only moderate box-office success. Though they did not marry, their romance lasted until the end of Grable's life. Grable's final film role was in the comedy film, How to Be Very, Very Popular (1955) with newcomer Sheree North. . Or their humanness to their She was preceded in death by her husband Jack, who passed away on September 8, 2011. She was born Elizabeth Ruth Grable in St. Louis, Missouri to John Conn Grable (18831954) and Lillian Rose Hofmann (18891964). In 1942, she was cast in Song of the Islands and Footlight Serenade, two successful motion pictures. Cordelia. She had to resort to drastic measures. Lorry is a bit of a compulsive liar. Many of the film's later scenes had to be rewritten to hide Grable's pregnancy. In 1965, Grable finally worked up the courage to stand up for herself again, and divorced James on the grounds of extreme cruelty. Yep, sounds about right. For one thing, when Grable and James first met, James was married, and their dalliance was mega illicit for the strict morals of the time. John passed away at barely two years of age the same year Betty was born. And then she lost her husband. Betty Grable's Other Life - Vintage Paparazzi Zanuck tried, on multiple occasions, to cast her in films that challenged her acting abilities, but Grable was reluctant; she felt insecure about her talent and this made her unwilling to accept roles she felt required too much of her. Variety wrote that the film "makes no pretenses of ultra-realism", but also called it "very pleasing and pleasant". Daughter of John Conn Grable and Lillian Rose Grable In retaliation, Zanuck fired Grable from the next film she had lined upand in so doing, he changed cinema history. Garland won over America with her role, so instead of making Betty Grable a bona fide star, the film introduced Judy Garland to the world. Yet Grable was utterly kind throughout filming, even telling Monroe in front of the crew, Honey, Ive had it. In 1943, she collaborated with photographer Frank Powolny for a regular studio photo session. Nicknamed Betty as a child, she was pressured by her mother to become a performer. Copyright 2023 by Factinate.com. I've had mine! Born in 1916 in St. Louis the youngest of three children, Elizabeth Ruth Grable started acting at an early age. Betty Grable had several nicknames during her career like: "the girl with the million dollar legs," "the quick-silver blonde," "the queen of the Hollywood musical," and "the darling of the forties." [12][7], Grable married former child actor Jackie Coogan in 1937. At that years Academy Awards, actress Anne Baxter won the Oscar for her performance in The Razors Edge. Betty Grable's pinup snap made LIFE magazine's "100 Photos that Changed the World." (Getty Images) Grable set a record of 12 consecutive years in the top 10 of box office stars. Her two daughters Victoria and Jessica were brought up by anyone available. Betty made her debut as a chorus girl in the film Happy Days in 1929 when she was 12 years old. The book A House Full of Daughters has a plot set in a small She reluctantly agreed to make Call Me Mister (1951) with Dan Dailey, a loose musical remake of A Yank in the R.A.F.. Among his eight wives were Evelyn Keyes, who played Mrs. Jolson in The Jolson Story, and Kathleen Winsor, the best-selling naughty. Harry James - Biography - IMDb Grable, Betty (1916-1973) | Encyclopedia.com Following Down Argentine Way's major success, Grable was cast opposite Alice Faye in, Tin Pan Alley. The black-and-white image, taken in 1943, became the most requested . Producers had originally offered her the part, but she had turned it down, stubbornly sticking to her no challenges rule. When they were together, they starred in the comedic picture Million Dollars Legs. The beauty of her legs was so famous that her studio got her legs insured for $1,000,000, giving her the nickname, The girl with the million dollar legs. A Final Curtain Call: Betty Grable (1916-1973) - Blogger on He and Betty Grable had two daughters: Victoria Elizabeth James (born 3 March 1944), and Jessica James (born 20 May 1947). Although the press hinted that a tense behind-the-scenes rivalry existed between the two actresses, they both denied it, claiming to be good friends. It enjoyed reasonable success at the box office, particularly overseas. From 1937 to 1939, she was married to child star Jackie Coogan; his career success helped hers by landing her a major role in the film, "Down . In 1930, she made her first film appearance as a Goldwyn Girl in Whoopee!. In fact, Grable and Monroe got along famously; Grable reportedly told Monroe: "Go and get yours, honey! Betty Grable, byname of Ruth Elizabeth Grable, (born December 18, 1916, St. Louis, Mo., U.S.died July 2, 1973, Santa Monica, Calif.), American film actress and dancer who was one of the leading box office draws of the 1940s. [3] Fox cast Grable in a succession of Technicolor musicals during the decade that were immensely popular, co-starring with such leading men as Victor Mature, Don Ameche, John Payne, and Tyrone Power. The two hit it off, marrying a year later. There are fifteen Thoroughbreds in the Grable-James stables. Grable played the leading roles in these films, which led to her being typecast as an innocent and not-so-bright college student. She once admitted, People talk about my legs as if I were a centipede, ardently wishing that the public would focus more on her acting than her physical assets. Betty Grable Biography, Life, Interesting Facts - Famous Birthdays By After Grable left Fox, the studio moved Monroe into her old dressing room, which still had her name on the door. Every item on Calisphere has been contributed to the site by a California institution. In a 1940 interview, Grable stated she was "sick and tired" of show business and that she was considering retirement. The play was an instant success for the first time in Grables life, and she used it to get back at the studios that had wronged her.

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