BETTY GRABLE ,THE PIN-UP GIRL,ACTRESS
TOP BOX OFFICE FOR CONSECUTIVE 12 YEARS
BORN 1916 DECEMBER 18- 1973 JULY 2
Elizabeth Ruth "Betty" Grable (December 18, 1916 – July 2, 1973) was an American actress, pin-up girl, dancer, and singer. Her 42 films during the 1930s and 1940s grossed more than $100 million, and she set a record of 12 consecutive years in the top 10 of box office stars. The U.S. Treasury Department in 1946 and 1947 listed her as the highest-salaried American woman; she earned more than $3 million during her career.[1]
Career
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 had contracts with RKO and Paramount Pictures during the 1930s, and appeared in a string of B movies, mostly portraying college students. Grable came to prominence in the Broadway musical DuBarry Was a Lady (1939), which brought her to the attention of 20th Century-Fox.
She replaced Alice Faye in Down Argentine Way (1940), her first major Hollywood film, and became Fox's biggest film star throughout the remaining decade. 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. In 1943, she was the number-one box-office draw in the world and, in 1947, she was the highest-paid entertainer in the United States. Two of her biggest film successes were the musical Mother Wore Tights (1947) and the comedy How to Marry a Millionaire (1953), one of her last films. Grable retired from screen acting in 1955 after she withdrew from her Fox contract, although she continued to perform on the stage and on television.[2]
Throughout her career, Grable was a celebrated sex symbol. Her bathing suit poster made her the number-one pin-up girl of World War II, surpassing Rita Hayworth. It was later included in the Life magazine project "100 Photographs that Changed the World". Hosiery specialists of the era often noted the ideal proportions of her legs as thigh (18.5 in (47 cm)), calf (12 in (30 cm)), and ankle (7.5 in (19 cm))[3] Grable's legs were famously insured by her studio for $1 million as a publicity stunt.[4]
Early life
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Elizabeth Ruth Grable was born on December 18, 1916 in St. Louis, Missouri. She was the youngest of three children born to Lillian Rose (née Hofmann; 1889–1964) and John Charles Grable (1883–1954), a stockbroker.[5] She had Dutch, English, German, and Irish ancestry. Nicknamed "Betty" as a child, she was pressured by her mother—a stubborn and materialistic woman—to become a performer. She was entered in multiple beauty contests, many of which she won or for which she achieved considerable attention. Despite her success, she suffered from a fear of crowds and sleepwalking.
Career
Early career: 1929–1939
A 12-year-old Grable and her mother traveled to Hollywood in 1929, shortly after the infamous stock market crash, hoping to achieve stardom. To get her daughter jobs, Lillian Grable lied about her daughter's age, claiming she was 15 to movie producers and casting agents. The same year, she made her uncredited film debut as a chorus girl in the Fox Studios all-star revue Happy Days (1929). This eventually led to her having chorus girl jobs in Let's Go Places (1930) and New Movietone Follies of 1930 (1930).[6]
In 1930, at age 13, Grable (under the pseudonym Frances Dean) signed with producer Samuel Goldwyn; she thereby became one of the original Goldwyn Girls, along with Ann Sothern, Virginia Bruce, Lucille Ball and Paulette Goddard. As a member of the ensemble group of attractive young chorines, Grable appeared in a series of small parts in movies, among them the mega-hit Whoopee! (1930), starring Eddie Cantor. Although she received no on-screen credit for her performance, she led the film's opening musical number, entitled "Cowboys".
In 1932, she signed a contract with RKO Radio Pictures, and she was assigned to a succession of acting, singing, and dancing classes at the studio's drama school. Her first film for the studio, Probation (1932), provided the 14-year-old Grable with her first credited screen role. Over the next few years, however, she was again relegated to uncredited minor roles in a series of films, many of them that became worldwide successes, like the 1933 hit Cavalcade. She received larger roles in The Gay Divorcee (1934) and Follow the Fleet (1936).
After her brief stint as an RKO contract player, Grable signed with Paramount Pictures, which lent her to 20th Century-Fox to co-star in the adolescent comedy Pigskin Parade (1936), the studio's effort to introduce Grable to the mainstream movie audience, but her performance was overlooked by audiences and critics in favor of newcomer Judy Garland. When she returned to Paramount, she began a new phase in her career; the studio began casting her in a series of college-aimed movies, the majority of the time having her portray a naive student. These films included the moderately popular This Way Please (1937) and College Swing (1938). Though Grable played the leading roles in these films, they led to her being typecast as an innocent and not-so-bright college student.
In 1939, she appeared opposite her then-husband Jackie Coogan in Million Dollar Legs, a B movie comedy from whose title Grable's famous nickname was taken. When the film did not become the hit Paramount had hoped for, the studio released her from her contract, and Grable began preparing to leave Hollywood for a simpler life. However, she changed her mind and decided to take her chance on Broadway; she accepted Buddy DeSylva's offer to star in his musical DuBarry Was a Lady starring Ethel Merman and Bert Lahr.[7] The play was an instant critical and audience success, and Grable was branded a new-found star.
Stardom at Fox: 1940–1949
In a 1940 interview, Grable stated she was "sick and tired" of show business and that she was considering retirement. Soon thereafter, she was invited to go on a personal appearance tour, which she readily accepted. The tour brought Grable to the attention of Darryl F. Zanuck, the head of 20th Century-Fox, who offered her a long-term contract. "If that's not luck, I don't know what you'd call it", Grable said in her first interview after signing with the studio. Zanuck, who had been impressed by Grable's performance in DuBarry Was a Lady, was, at the time, in the midst of casting the female lead in the musical film Down Argentine Way (1940). The role had originally been assigned to Alice Faye, Fox's reigning musical star, but she had to decline the part due to an unspecified illness. After reviewing her screen test, Zanuck cast Grable as Faye's replacement in the movie. The film was a lavish Technicolor musical and co-starred Don Ameche and Carmen Miranda. Grable's performance of the song "Down Argentine Way" is considered a highlight of the film.
Down Argentine Way was a critical and box office success at the time of its release, and many critics proclaimed Grable to be the successor to Alice Faye. The film's success led to Grable's casting in Tin Pan Alley (1940), co-starring Faye. As the Lily sisters, both Grable and Faye received favorable reviews for their performances and the film recouped its financial investment. Over the years, rumors have circulated that a rivalry existed between Grable and Faye during filming, but this has been said to be entirely untrue—both actresses denied all accusations of a feud, and each often expressed their admiration for the other. The two reportedly remained friends until Grable's death.[citation needed] After Tin Pan Alley, Grable was again teamed with Ameche in the hit musical Moon Over Miami (1941), which also co-starred up-and-coming actress Carole Landis.
In 1941, Fox attempted to broaden Grable's acting and audience range by casting her in two films with more serious tones than those in which she had starred previously. 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. The film followed along the lines of other movies of the era, but it was not considered a propaganda movie by the studio. At the time of its release, the film received positive reviews, with many critics singling out the obvious on-screen chemistry between Grable and Power. It was a major box-office success, becoming the fourth-most popular movie of the year.
The second movie, I Wake Up Screaming, released in November, had Grable receiving top billing as Jill Lynn, the sister of a young model who is murdered. The film offered Grable her second teaming with Carole Landis, and it also co-starred Victor Mature. Directed by H. Bruce Humberstone, the movie was a traditional black-and-white film noir, containing a combination of suspense and romance. Grable's performance was favorably reviewed by most critics, and the film enjoyed reasonable financial success.
Grable and Carmen Miranda in hit Springtime in the Rockies (1942)
Grable's star continued to rise when she starred in Song of the Islands (1942), co-starring Victor Mature and Jack Oakie. The success of the movie led to her re-teaming with Mature in Footlight Serenade (1942), also co-starring John Payne, in which she played a glamorous Broadway star. Fox then began to develop Philip Wylie's short story, "Second Honeymoon", into a script suited for Grable's talents. The resulting movie was Springtime in the Rockies (1942), directed by Irving Cummings and pairing Grable opposite Payne, Cesar Romero, Carmen Miranda, and her future husband, bandleader Harry James. The film was an immediate hit, Grable's biggest success to date, grossing more than $2 million. The film's success led to Fox upping her salary and to her having a wider choice over the films she would make.
Grable was voted the number-one box-office draw by American movie exhibitors in 1943; she outranked Bob Hope, Gary Cooper, Greer Garson, Humphrey Bogart, and Clark Gable in popularity. Grable's next movie, Coney Island, released in June 1943, was a Technicolor "gay nineties" period musical and co-starred George Montgomery. The film earned more than $3.5 million at the box office and was well received by critics. Sweet Rosie O'Grady (1943), her follow-up feature, was equally successful at the box office, although it failed to obtain the same critical favoritism.
The Frank Powolny's poster
Grable's iconic pose from 1943 was a World War II bestseller, showing off her "Million Dollar Legs".
In 1943, she collaborated with photographer Frank Powolny for a regular studio photo session. During the shoot, she took several photos in a tight, one-piece bathing suit. One particular pose consisted of Grable's back being to the camera as she playfully smiled looking over her right shoulder. The picture was released as a poster and became the most requested photo for G.I.s stationed overseas. Grable's photograph sold millions of copies, eventually surpassing the popularity of Rita Hayworth's famous 1941 photo.
Grable's success as a pin-up girl furthered her career as a mainstream movie star. As her star continued to ascend, Fox chief Darryl F. Zanuck expressed interest in broadening Grable's range as an actress. Zanuck attempted, on multiple occasions, to cast her in films that challenged her acting abilities, but Grable herself was reluctant; she felt insecure about her talent which rendered her unwilling to accept roles she felt required too much of her. Throughout her career, she was very cautious; she often worried about starring opposite well-known leading men, fearing they may squander her success. She preferred to star in up-beat and outlandish musicals, many of which followed the generic boy-meets-girl story tack. In fact, many of her movies were thin when it came to their stories, but they were high on energy during their song-and-dance sequences. Despite their lack of quality, Grable's movies were immensely popular, and Fox regularly channelled the profits it received from Grable's movies into their more prestigious movies.
Zanuck relented to Grable's own request not to tamper with her successful screen formula. As a result, the studio prepared a film called Pin Up Girl for her. The film has her as a hostess for a USO canteen, who also provides entertainment for the troops during their time there. The lavish musical used her famous pin-up photograph in many scenes, which boosted the photo's sales. Many of the film's later scenes had to be rewritten to hide Grable's pregnancy. Pin Up Girl co-starred comedians Martha Raye and Joe E. Brown and was released in April 1944 to overwhelming success at the box office. Critics, though, were not as accepting of the film. Variety said the film "makes no pretenses of ultra-realism", but also called it "very pleasing and pleasant". After time off to give birth to a healthy daughter, Grable returned to Fox to star in Billy Rose's Diamond Horseshoe (1945), co-starring Dick Haymes and Phil Silvers. Though the film earned more than $3 million at the box office, it struggled to make a profit because of its high production costs. The Dolly Sisters (1945), her next film, teamed her with newcomer June Haver, an actress Fox was promoting as Grable's successor. 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. The Dolly Sisters earned more than $4 million at the box office, and was Fox's second-highest earning movie of the year, behind Leave Her to Heaven.
After five years of constant work, Grable was allowed time off for an extended vacation. She did, however, briefly return to filming to make a cameo appearance in Do You Love Me (1946), in which she appeared as a fan of her husband Harry James' character. Grable was reluctant to continue her film career, but Fox was desperately in need of her return. Without Grable's movies, which generated large profits, the studio struggled to stay afloat. The Shocking Miss Pilgrim (1947) was her first film back at Fox. She played Cynthia Pilgrim, a college student who graduated at the top of her typewriting class during the first year of the Packard Business College. Although critics acknowledged that the film "momentarily achieved" brilliance, they also felt that the movie's music was like "sticky toothpaste being squeezed out of a tube". The film also suffered from indifferent ticket sales, and Fox failed to re-gain their financial investment. Grable next starred in Walter Lang's Mother Wore Tights, released in September 1947, co-starring Dan Dailey. The film told the story of two aging vaudeville performers as they look back on their heyday through a series of flashbacks. It received critical acclaim from critics, and was a box-office hit, earning an estimated $5 million.
In 1948, she was cast in That Lady in Ermine, a film that had previously been considered for either Jeanette MacDonald or Gene Tierney. It co-starred Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., and was originally directed by Ernst Lubitsch. After Lubitsch's death early into production, he was replaced by Otto Preminger. It was widely reported that Grable often quarreled with Fairbanks and Preminger, and that she nearly walked out on filming, but decided against on the advice of her agent. When the film was finally released, it received mixed reviews; it was referred to as "a bright and beguiling swatch of nonsense", and it did not generate the revenue for which Fox had hoped. Grable immediately thereafter began filming When My Baby Smiles at Me (1948), co-starring Dan Dailey, which became a blockbuster, cementing Grable and Dailey's status as a bankable movie duo. Closing out the decade, Grable starred in The Beautiful Blonde from Bashful Bend (1949), an oddball movie that unevenly mixed musical numbers with Western clichés. Despite a casting consisting of Cesar Romero and Rudy Vallee, the film was universally panned by critics, but contrary to popular belief, it was a reasonable box-office success.
Decline and last films: 1950–1955
Grable had been consistently placed in the "Top Ten Money Making Stars Poll" every year, beginning in 1942. She ranked at the top of the poll in 1943, and ranked second in 1947 and 1948. In 1949, although she still placed in the top ten, she slipped from second to seventh place in popularity. Fox became concerned that Grable might gradually be becoming regarded as a movie passé. Darryl F. Zanuck had the film Wabash Avenue tailored to fit Grable's talents. The film's plot line closely followed the story of Grable's earlier 1943 hit, Coney Island. Despite the similarities, they had new songs written and dances choreographed to modernize the film. Wabash Avenue was released in May 1950, and was a box office hit. Her following film, My Blue Heaven, released in December 1950, re-teamed her with Dan Dailey, and was equally successful financially. In 1950, Grable had re-gained her status as the most-popular female at the box office; she ranked fourth overall, just behind John Wayne, Bob Hope, and Bing Crosby.
Although, by the early 1950s, Grable was searching for originality in the scripts offered to her, she had no luck in finding the movies she wanted to do. She reluctantly agreed to make Call Me Mister (1951) with Dan Dailey, a loose Technicolor musical remake of A Yank in the R.A.F.. The film was only moderately successful, and was quickly followed by Meet Me After the Show (1951), co-starring Macdonald Carey, Rory Calhoun, and Eddie Albert. It received favorable reviews from most critics, and was a box-office success.
In 1952, Grable began re-negotiating her contract with Fox. She requested an upped salary and the option to make only those films she wanted to make. The studio refused, and she went on strike. She was replaced by Marilyn Monroe in the movie adaptation of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953). In late 1952, she was scheduled to begin filming The Girl Next Door, a light-weight musical comedy, but when she failed to show up to work, Fox suspended her. She was eventually replaced by June Haver in the film.
Betty Grable with Marilyn Monroe (left) and Lauren Bacall (right) in How to Marry a Millionaire (1953)
After a year off from filming, Grable reluctantly reconciled with Fox and agreed to star in a musical remake of The Farmer Takes a Wife (1953). The film was an attempt by Fox to recapture Grable's heyday as the studio's biggest star, and though she was paired with the popular Dale Robertson, the film was a critical and box-office flop.
She next starred in How to Marry a Millionaire, a romantic comedy about three models plotting to marry wealthy men, co-starring Marilyn Monroe and Lauren Bacall. During production, Grable and Monroe were rumored wrongly as not getting along. Grable, whose career was declining, was assumed to be jealous of Monroe because she was being groomed as Fox's newest star and possibly as Grable's unofficial successor. In fact, Grable and Monroe got along famously; Grable reportedly told Monroe: "Go and get yours honey! I've had mine!" How to Marry a Millionaire was a box-office triumph when released, grossing an estimated $8 million.
After refusing the leading female role in Irving Berlin's There's No Business Like Show Business (1954), Grable was again suspended from her contract. Grable appeared in her first film made away from Fox in over 15 years Three for the Show (1955) for Columbia, and paired her with up-and-coming talents Jack Lemmon and Marge and Gower Champion. Critics called the film a "slight, but cheerful, item", and proclaimed it "does serve to bring Betty Grable back to the screen". It enjoyed reasonable success at the box office, particularly overseas. She agreed to make How to Be Very, Very Popular (1955) for Fox, on the assurance Marilyn Monroe would be her co-star. When Monroe dropped out of the production, she was replaced with Sheree North. The release of the film was surrounded by a massive publicity campaign promotion, but despite the promotion, the film failed to live up to its hype, with many critics complaining of the lack of chemistry between Grable and North. It was, however, a box-office hit, earning more than $3.7 million. It proved to be Grable's final film appearance. In 1955, she did attempt to return to acting in Samuel Goldwyn's film version of Guys and Dolls (1955). She opted to play the role of Miss Adelaide, but was passed over in favor of Vivian Blaine, who had played the role on Broadway. She then officially retired from motion-picture acting.
Grable thereafter found a new career starring in her own act in Las Vegas hotels, as well as alongside her then husband, musician Harry James. Later, she starred in big Las Vegas stage productions such as Hello, Dolly. She also appeared on Broadway in Hello Dolly in 1967.[7]
Personal life
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Betty Grable's daughters Victoria Elizabeth and Jessica watch her rehearse for her TV debut on
Shower of Stars (1954)
Grable married former child actor Jackie Coogan in 1937. He was under considerable stress from a lawsuit against his parents over his childhood earnings, and the couple divorced in 1939. In 1943, she married trumpeter Harry James.
They had two daughters, Victoria Elizabeth (born 1944) and Jessica (born 1947). Their marriage, which lasted for 22 years, was rife with alcoholism and infidelity before they divorced in 1965. Grable entered into a relationship with dancer Bob Remick, several years her junior, with whom she remained until she died in 1973.
Death
Grable's crypt at Inglewood Park Cemetery
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On July 2, 1973, Grable died of lung cancer at age 56 in Los Angeles, California. Her funeral was held two days later and was attended by ex-husband Harry James and Hollywood stars Dorothy Lamour, Shirley Booth, Mitzi Gaynor, Johnnie Ray, Don Ameche, Cesar Romero, George Raft, Alice Faye, and Dan Dailey. "I Had the Craziest Dream", the ballad from Springtime in the Rockies, was played on the church organ. She was entombed at Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, California.
Legacy
Grable's handprint/signature in front of the Grauman's Chinese Theatre
Grable has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6525 Hollywood Boulevard. She also has a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame.[8] She was inducted into the Hall of Famous Missourians.
Her iconic pin-up image was recently named one of Time 's 100 Most Influential Photographs of All Time.[9] She was included in the list of 100 Photographs that Changed the World, by Life.[10]
Born December 18, 1916 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Died July 2, 1973 in Santa Monica, California, USA (lung cancer)
Birth Name Elizabeth Ruth Grable
Nicknames The Girl With the Million Dollar Legs
The Pin-Up Girl
America's Ideal Girl
The Quicksilver Blonde
Height 5' 4" (1.63 m)
Mini Bio (1)
Elizabeth Ruth Grable was born on December 18, 1916 in St. Louis, Missouri, to Lillian Rose (Hofmann) and John Charles Grable, a stockbroker. She had German, English, Irish, and Dutch ancestry. Her mother was a stubborn and materialistic woman who was determined to make her daughter a star. Elizabeth, who later became Betty, was enrolled in Clark's Dancing School at the age of three. With her mother's guidance, Betty studied ballet and tap dancing. At age 13, Betty and her mother set out for Hollywood with the hopes of stardom. Lillian lied about her daughter's age, and Ruth landed several minor parts in films in 1930, such as Whoopee! (1930), New Movietone Follies of 1930 (1930), Happy Days (1929) and Let's Go Places (1930). In 1932, she signed with RKO Radio Pictures. The bit parts continued for the next three years. Betty finally landed a substantial part in By Your Leave (1934). One of her big roles was in College Swing (1938). Unfortunately, the public did not seem to take notice. She was beginning to think she was a failure. The next year, she married former child star Jackie Coogan. His success boosted hers, but they divorced in 1940. When she landed the role of Glenda Crawford in Down Argentine Way (1940), the public finally took notice of this shining bright star. Stardom came through comedies such as Coney Island (1943) and Sweet Rosie O'Grady (1943). The public was enchanted with Betty. Her famous pin-up pose during World War II adorned barracks all around the world. With that pin-up and as the star of lavish musicals, Betty became the highest-paid star in Hollywood. After the war, her star continued to rise. In 1947, the United States Treasury Department noted that she was the highest paid star in America, earning about $300,000 a year - a phenomenal sum even by today's standards. Later, 20th Century-Fox, who had her under contract, insured her legs with Lloyds of London for a million dollars. Betty continued to be popular until the mid-1950s, when musicals went into a decline. Her last film was How to Be Very, Very Popular (1955). She then concentrated on Broadway and nightclubs. In 1965, she divorced band leader Harry James, whom she had wed in 1943. Betty Grable died at age 56 of lung cancer on July 2, 1973 in Santa Monica, California. Her life was an active one, devoid of the scandals that plagued many stars in one way or another. In reality, she cared for her family and the family life more than stardom. In that way, she was a true star.
- IMDb Mini Biography By: Denny Jackson
Spouse (2)
Harry James (5 July 1943 - 9 October 1965) ( divorced) ( 2 children)
Jackie Coogan (20 November 1937 - 8 October 1940) ( divorced)
Trade Mark (4)
Platinum blonde hair and pale skin
Blue eyes
Her sexy legs
Voluptuous figure
Trivia (28)
Ex-husband Harry James died on what would have been their 40th anniversary.
In the late 1940s, 20th Century Fox insured her legs with Lloyds of London for a quarter million dollars.
In 1946-1947, the Treasury Department noted that she was the highest paid woman in America, receiving $300,000 a year.
Following her death, she was interred at Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, California.
Was one of the 20 original The Goldwyn Girls, among whom were Lucille Ball, Virginia Bruce, Ann Dvorak and Paulette Goddard.
Voted Best Figure of 1941.
Suffered from "demophobia" (fear of crowds) and was a somnambulist (sleepwalker).
She was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6525 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on February 8, 1960.
Did Playtex 18-hour Shortie commercials in the 1960s using her famous pin-up pose -- purportedly because she needed the money after her husband had spent her savings.
Singer-songwriter Neil Sedaka's song "Betty Grable" was totally dedicated to her memory.
Portrayed by Jayne Mansfield in the biography The George Raft Story (1961). However, at the time she was not public domain so the character's name was changed to Lisa.
She and Harry James had two daughters: Victoria Elizabeth James (born March 3, 1944) and Jessica James (born May 20, 1947).
In How to Marry a Millionaire (1953), her character makes a pointed reference to Harry James while listening to the radio at the lodge (Grable was married to him at the time). The song playing on the radio is "You'll Never Know", from Hello Frisco, Hello (1943), and was sung in the film by Alice Faye. It won the Academy Award as Best Song in 1943 (Source: AMPAS).
In Italy, her films were often dubbed by Rosetta Calavetta and Dhia Cristiani. She was occasionally dubbed by Lydia Simoneschi and Clelia Bernacchi.
Her stepson, Tim James, was an attorney working with the then Attorney General of Texas and became responsible for enticing television personality Marvin Zindler of Houston to investigate the famous Chicken Ranch brothel in La Grange, Texas - eventually closing it down. The story became the basis of the Broadway and movie musical The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982).
Inducted into the St. Louis Walk of Fame in 1990 and the Hall of Famous Missourians in 2009.
She was a lifelong Republican and conservative.
Betty's famous pin-up pose (in bathing suit, back to the camera, smiling over her right shoulder) was taken that way because she was pregnant and it showed. They felt that showing her from the front would not be in good taste.
She appeared with former Fox co-star Dick Haymes as presenters at the 1972 Oscar ceremony.
When Shelley Winters bowed out of Pickup on South Street (1953), a pregnant Grable turned down the offer of starring in the film noir, and the role went to Jean Peters.
Samuel Goldwyn considered her seriously for Guys and Dolls (1955), but when her dog broke its leg, Grable canceled an appointment with him. A miffed Goldwyn then gave the original Adelaide, former Fox co-worker Vivian Blaine, the role.
Made her film debut at age 13 in a Fox quickie, "Let's Go Places" in 1930. She lied about her age, stating she was 15.
While attending Hollywood Professional School, she developed a musical act with friend Emlyn Pique, who later took the name Mitzi Mayfair.
Very early in her career, she sang with the Ted Fiorito Band. According to Grable: "The only trouble was I couldn't sing.".
At one point during the 1940s, Grable reportedly earned $300,000 a year, making her one of the world's highest paid women. Her films earned over $15 million for 20th Century Fox.
She was offered the Anne Baxter role in The Razor's Edge (1946) but turned it down. Baxter ultimately won an Oscar as Sophie MacDonald.
Had appeared with John Payne in five films: College Swing (1938), Tin Pan Alley (1940), Footlight Serenade (1942), Springtime in the Rockies (1942) and The Dolly Sisters (1945).
Died five days before Veronica Lake.
Personal Quotes (17)
The woman's vision is deep-reaching, the man's far-reaching. With the man the world is his heart, with the woman the heart is her world.
You're better off betting on a horse than betting on a man. A horse may not be able to hold you tight, but he doesn't wanna wander from the stable at night.
There are two reasons why I am successful in show business and I am standing on both of them.
It's loud, it's cheap, it's gaudy. It's like everything I've ever done - I LOVE IT!
I'm strictly an enlisted man's girl.
I'm a song-and-dance girl. I can act enough to get by. But that's the limit of my talents.
The practice of putting women on pedestals began to die out when it was discovered that they could give orders better from there.
[on Alice Faye] Alice is a darling. Everybody loves her.
There's nothing mysterious about me.
My legs made me.
[on Marilyn Monroe] It may sound peculiar to say so, because she is no longer with us, but we were very close. Once when we were doing that picture How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) together, I got a call on the set: my younger daughter had had a fall. I ran home and the one person to call was Marilyn. She did an awful lot to boost things up for movies when everything was at a low state; there'll never be anyone like her for looks, for attitude, for all of it.
[Concerning her and other stars' status as World War II pin-up queens] A lot of these kids don't have any women in their life to fight for - I guess what you would call us girls is kind of their inspiration. It is a grave responsibility.
[When asked if her status as new mother threatened her image] I never thought of it. If they don't like it, the devil with 'em. Fact is, I've more fan mail since, especially from servicemen telling me about their wives and babies.
[on her November 19, 1937 marriage] I want to be Mrs. Jackie Coogan for life. [They divorced three months later]
Grable played the only two straight roles of her career in 1941, "A Yank in the R.A.F." and "I Wake Up Screaming".
[In 1942] Maybe it's a wholesome quality or an American girl quality. People write to me as if I were a sister or friend.
She was everything to him (Desi Arnaz). It was always Lucy, Lucy, Lucy. She was his life
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