Goodbye, Ann Rutherford

Yesterday, June 11th, Ann Rutherford passed away at age 94.  It's so sad when we lose a classic star — Ann was one of my favorites. She's known for her roles as "Polly" in the Andy Hardy movies and as Scarlett O'Hara's little sister in Gone With the Wind. However, I found her to be a stunning and wonderful actress in every movie I have seen her in. She's exquisite in Orchestra Wives, and a wonderful side-kick to Lana Turner in Dancing Co-ed. She was a classic beauty and looked effortless on the screen. She retired from films in 1950.

Movie Monday: Orchestra Wives (1942)

To me, Orchestra Wives is simply delightful. You have wonderful actors, Glenn Miller and his orchestra, and fabulous 1940's fashion all in one great film!

I don't want to give away any of the movie, so I'm using the plot summary from IMDB: Connie Ward is in seventh heaven when Gene Morrison's band rolls into town. She is swept off her feet by trumpeter Bill Abbot. After marrying him, she joins the bands tour and learns about life as an orchestra wife, weathering the catty attacks of the other band wives.

This movie will have you up and wanting to dance — especially when they perform "I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo."

The acting is good. Carole Landis does a wonderful job at being a catty orchestra wife; Cesar Romero is fun and humerous as the girl-chaser, George Montgomery as the famous trumpeter who falls in love with Connie, and Ann Rutherford as Connie - the small town girl who's just crazzzy about Bill Abbot and his music.

This is a fun movie, with a little, light drama. Plus you get to see Glenn Miller and members of his band acting (who can be less than convincing at times, but still enjoyable). Be sure to check out Ann Rutherford's wardrobe . . . it's gorgeous!

Photo Friday: Carole Landis

I love this picture of Carole Landis! She was so beautiful. And check out that stunning bath robe! I found this picture at Simply Classics. Simply Classics is a fabulous website with an outstanding gallery of High Quality photos of the stars.

Carole Landis had a very tragic life. She was in a string of successful movies in the 1940's. Two of my favorites being "I Wake up Screaming" with Betty Grable and Victor Mature, and "Orchestra Wives" with Ann Rutherford and George Montgomery. Landis often played the second female lead.

During WWII, she toured with a USO troupe in England and North Africa. She also entertained soldiers in the South Pacific with Jack Benny. Carole Landis spent more time visiting troops than any other actress during the war. She contracted amoebic dysentery and malaria while traveling and almost died.

Carole Landis was also an author! She penned several newspaper and magazine articles about her war experiences, as well as the book Four Jills in a Jeep (which I am currently scouring eBay for!) that was later made into a movie.

Plagued by depression all her life, Carole attempted suicide in 1944 and 1946. Her career was declining and her marriage was falling apart in 1948. She had an affair with Rex Harrison who was currently married to Lilli Palmer. The story is that Landis was crushed when Harrison would not divorce his wife for her; unable to cope any longer Carole commited suicide at her home by taking an overdose of Seconal. She was only 29 years old. Her final night alive was July 4th. Harrison and the maid found Carole on the bathroom floor on the afternoon of July 5th. Some sources say that Landis left two suicide notes, one for her mother and the second for Harrison. During a coroner's inquest, Harrison denied knowing any motive for Carole's suicide, as well as denying the existence of a second suicide note.

Cesar Romero, Van Johnson, and Pat O'Brien were among the celebrities at her funeral. Carole Landis has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1765 Vine Street.

Her life was so sad. My heart breaks for her. Did anyone try to reach her? To show her that her life was valuable? That Jesus loved her and treasured her?