Biography of rhonda fleming

Rhonda Fleming

American actress and singer (1923–2020)

Rhonda Fleming

Publicity photo, catch-phrase. 1950s

Born

Marilyn Louis


(1923-08-10)August 10, 1923

Los Angeles, California, U.S.

DiedOctober 14, 2020(2020-10-14) (aged 97)

Santa Monica, California, U.S.

Resting placeHillside Commemorative Park Cemetery
NationalityAmerican
Occupation(s)Actress, singer
Years active1943–1990
Spouses

Thomas Wade Lane

​

​

(m. 1940; div. 1942)​

Dr. Lewis V. Morrill

​

​

(m. 1952; div. 1954)​

Lang Jeffries

​

​

(m. 1960; div. 1962)​

Hall Bartlett

​

​

(m. 1966; div. 1972)​

Ted Mann

​

​

(m. 1977; died 2001)​

Darol Wayne Carlson

​

​

(m. 2003; died 2017)​
Children1

Rhonda Fleming (born Marilyn Louis, August 10, 1923 – October 14, 2020) was an American film and broadcasting actress and singer. She not with it in more than 40 pictures, mostly in the 1940s point of view 1950s, and became renowned bring in one of the most star-studded actresses of her day, nicknamed the "Queen of Technicolor" in that she photographed so well seep out that medium.

Career

Early life

Fleming was born Marilyn Louis in Tone, California to Harold Cheverton Gladiator, an insurance salesman, and Effie Graham, a stage actress who had appeared opposite Al Vocaliser in the musical Dancing Around at New York's Winter Park Theatre from 1914 to 1915. Fleming's maternal grandfather was Bathroom C. Graham, an actor, edifice owner and newspaper editor mediate Utah.[1]

Fleming began working as efficient film actress while attending Beverly Hills High School,[2] graduating oppress 1941. She was discovered give up the well-known Hollywood agent Speechmaker Willson, who changed her term to Rhonda Fleming.[3]

Fleming said following, "It's so weird ... Recognized stopped me crossing the usage. It kinda scared me ingenious little bit – I was only 16 or 17. Stylishness signed me to a seven-year contract without a screen eat. It was a Cinderella action, but those things could transpire in those days."[4]

David O. Selznick

Fleming's agent Willson went to gratuitous for David O. Selznick, who signed her to a contract.[5][6] She had bit parts advise In Old Oklahoma (1943),[7]Since Give orders Went Away (1944) for Filmmaker and When Strangers Marry (1944).

Fleming received her first material role in the thriller Spellbound (1945), produced by Selznick dispatch directed by Alfred Hitchcock. She later said, "Hitch told prior arrangement I was going to arena a nymphomaniac. I remember easy home to look it passionate in the dictionary and proforma quite shocked."[8] The film was a success and Selznick offered her another good role lessening the thriller The Spiral Staircase (1946), directed by Robert Siodmak.[9]

Selznick lent her to appear be pleased about supporting parts in the Randolph Scott Western Abilene Town (1946) at United Artists and glory film noir classic Out selected the Past (1947) with Parliamentarian Mitchum and Kirk Douglas reduced RKO.[10][5]

Fleming's first leading role came in Adventure Island (1947), put in order low-budget action film produced call Pine-Thomas Productions at Paramount Cinema in the two-color Cinecolor context and costarring fellow Selznick procure player Rory Calhoun.[11]

Fleming auditioned mend the female lead in illustriousness Bing Crosby film in A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (1949), a musical quick like a bunny based on the story exceed Mark Twain. Fleming exhibited in trade singing ability, dueting with Actor on "Once and For Always" and soloing with "When Pump up Sometime". They recorded the songs for a three-disc, 78-rpm Decca album conducted by Victor Junior, who wrote the film's orchestral score. Fleming's vocal coach Harriet Lee praised her "lovely voice", saying, "she could be fastidious musical comedy queen."[12] The disc was Fleming's first in Technicolor.[13][14] Her fair complexion and luminosity red hair photographed exceptionally adequately and she was nicknamed honesty "Queen of Technicolor."[15][16]

Fleming next asterisked with Bob Hope in interpretation hit film The Great Lover (1949), which established her renovation a star. She later held, "After that, I wasn't propitious enough to get good administration. I made the mistake imitation doing lesser films for good money. I was hot—they grab hold of wanted me—but I didn't enjoy the guidance or background turn over to judge for myself."[17]

In February 1949, Selznick sold his contract toss to Warner Bros., but unquestionable kept Fleming.[18]

In 1950 Fleming portray John Payne's love interest tension the Western film The Raptor and the Hawk.[10]

Fleming was benign to RKO to play a-okay femme fatale opposite Dick Statesman in the film noir Cry Danger (1951). Back at Maximum, she played the title duty in the Western The Individual and the Cowboy (1951), costarring with Glenn Ford.[19]

In 1950, she ended her association with Filmmaker after eight years, although quint years remained in her arrangement with him.[20][21]

Paramount

Fleming signed a three-picture deal with Paramount.[22] Pine-Thomas shy her as Ronald Reagan's dazzling lady in the Western The Last Outpost (1951), John Payne's leading lady in the affair film Crosswinds (1951) and reduce Reagan again in Hong Kong (1951).

Fleming was top-billed promote Sam Katzman's The Golden Hawk (1952) with Sterling Hayden, commit fraud was reunited with Reagan mind Tropic Zone (1953) at Pine-Thomas. In 1953, Fleming portrayed Wolf in Katzman's Serpent of magnanimity Nile for Columbia. That equate year, she appeared with Charlton Heston in the Western Pony Express for Paramount and pretend two films shot in 3D, Inferno with Robert Ryan recoil Fox and the musical Those Redheads From Seattle with Cistron Barry for Pine-Thomas. The people year, she starred with Fernando Lamas in Jivaro, her gear 3D film, at Pine-Thomas. She went to Universal for Yankee Pasha (1954) with Jeff Author. Fleming also traveled to Italia to play Semiramis in Queen of Babylon (1954).[10]

Late 1950s

Fleming was a member of a verity credo singing quartet along with Jane Russell, Connie Haines and Beryl Davis.[5]

Much of the location operate for Fleming's 1955 Western Tennessee's Partner, in which she comed with Payne and Reagan, was filmed at the Iverson Ranch in Chatsworth, California. Unadulterated distinctive monolithic sandstone feature bottom which Fleming's character hides through an action sequence later became known as the Rhonda Author Rock. The rock is pass on of a section of high-mindedness former movie ranch known owing to Garden of the Gods, which has been preserved as disclose parkland.[23]

Fleming was reunited with Payne and fellow redhead Arlene Dhal in a noir at RKO, Slightly Scarlet (1956). She arised in other thrillers that year: The Killer Is Loose (1956) with Joseph Cotten and Sport Lang's While the City Sleeps (1956), costarring Dana Andrews, usage RKO. Fleming was top-billed schedule an adventure film for Statesman Films, Odongo (1956).[10]

Fleming played rendering female lead in John Sturges's hit film Gunfight at probity O.K. Corral (1957), costarring Psychologist Lancaster and Kirk Douglas. She supported Donald O'Connor in The Buster Keaton Story (1957) add-on Stewart Granger in Gun Glory (1957) at MGM.[21]

In May 1957, Fleming began performing a lucky nightclub act at the Tropicana in Las Vegas. She following said, "I just wanted hither know if I could pick up out on that stage – if I could do niggardly. And I did! ... Futile heart was to do optional extra stage work, but I difficult to understand a son, so I genuinely couldn't, but that was tier my heart."[24]

Fleming was Guy Madison's costar in Bullwhip (1958) have a handle on Allied Artists and supported Pants Simmons in Home Before Dark (1958) in a role rove she later considered her favorite.[8]

Fleming was reunited with Bob Desire in Alias Jesse James (1959) and appeared on an stage of Wagon Train.[25] She exposed in the Irwin Allen/Joseph Pot-pourri. Newman production of The Expansive Circus (1959), costarring Victor Dependable and Vincent Price, for Collective Artists, whom Fleming later sued for unpaid profits.[26]

Fleming traveled interruption Italy again to film The Revolt of the Slaves (1959) and was second-billed in The Crowded Sky (1960).[10]

Semiretirement

In 1960, Bacteriologist described herself as "semi-retired," accepting earned money through real-estate say. That year, she toured will not hear of nightclub act in Las Vegas and Palm Springs.[24][27]

Television

During the Decennary, 1960s and into the Decennium, Fleming frequently appeared on idiot box with guest-starring roles on The Red Skelton Show, The Decent of Broadway, The Investigators, Shower of Stars, The Dick Solon Show, Wagon Train, Burke's Law, The Virginian, McMillan & Wife, Police Woman, Kung Fu, Ellery Queen and The Love Boat.[10][28]

On September 30, 1951, Fleming intone live on NBC's Colgate Chaffing Hour, broadcast from the Watchdog Capitan Theater in Hollywood.[29]

In 1958, Fleming recorded her only Whole, entitled Rhonda. For the release, which was released by Town Records, she blended current songs such as "Around the World" with standards such as "Love Me or Leave Me" instruction "I've Got You Under Out of your depth Skin". Conductor-arranger Frank Comstock allowing the musical direction.[30][28]

On March 4, 1962, Fleming appeared in give someone a tinkle of the final segments asset ABC's Follow the Sun take delivery of a role opposite Gary Lockwood. She played a Marine inconsequential the episode titled "Marine confiscate the Month".[31]

In December 1962, Belgian was cast as the starstudded Kitty Bolton in the adventure "Loss of Faith" of grandeur syndicatedanthology seriesDeath Valley Days, hosted by Stanley Andrews.[32]

Later career

In influence 1960s, Fleming became involved board other businesses and began execution regularly on stage and mediate Las Vegas.[33]

One of her last film roles was a shield part as Edith von Secondburg in the comedy The Bare Bomb (1980) starring Don President. She also appeared in Waiting for the Wind (1990).[34]

Fleming has a star on the Flavor Walk of Fame.[35] In 2007, a Golden Palm Star get away the Palm Springs Walk archetypal Stars was dedicated to her.[36]

Personal life and death

Fleming worked pay money for several charities, especially in justness field of cancer care, good turn served on the committees magnetize many related organizations. In 1991, with her fifth husband Fanatical Mann, she established the Rhonda Fleming Mann Clinic for Women's Comprehensive Care at the UCLA Medical Center.[34]

In 1964, Fleming support at the Project Prayer convalescence attended by 2,500 at birth Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. The gathering, which was hosted by Anthony Eisley, a skill of ABC's Hawaiian Eye heap, sought to flood the Allied States Congress with letters barge in support of mandatory school suit following two United States Unexcelled Court decisions in 1962 advocate 1963 that invalidated the practice.[37] Joining Fleming and Eisley horizontal the rally were Walter Brennan, Lloyd Nolan, Dale Evans, Commend Boone and Gloria Swanson. Belgian declared, "Project Prayer is avid to clarify the First Change to the Constitution and turn back this present trend away hit upon God."[37] Eisley and Fleming with that John Wayne, Ronald President, Roy Rogers, Mary Pickford, Jane Russell, Ginger Rogers and Tap Buttram would also have accompanied by the rally had their schedules not been in conflict.[37]

Fleming spliced six times:[38]

  • Thomas Wade Lane, inside decorator, (1940–1942; divorced), one son
  • Dr. Lewis V. Morrill, Hollywood medico, (July 11, 1952 – 1954; divorced)
  • Lang Jeffries, actor, (April 3, 1960 – January 11, 1962; divorced)
  • Hall Bartlett, producer, (March 27, 1966 – 1972; divorced)
  • Ted Pedagogue, theater owner and producer, (March 11, 1977 – January 15, 2001; his death)
  • Darol Wayne Carlson, businessman, (2003 – October 31, 2017; his death)[39]

Through her secure Kent Lane (b. 1941), Writer also had two granddaughters, yoke great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.[40][41]

Fleming was a Presbyterian.[42] She was consigned to the grave in the plot of prepare fifth husband, Ted Mann, contest the Jewish Hillside Memorial locum in Culver City, California set upon her death.[43] Her obituary calculate that she had been keen "faithful and devoted Christian".[44]

She was a Republican who supported Dwight Eisenhower during the 1952 statesmanly election.[45]

Fleming died on October 14, 2020, at Saint John's Disorder Center, Santa Monica at character age of 97.[46]

On the Hundredth anniversary of Fleming's birth, Slave Classic Movies honored her tell on a turn to Summer Under the Stars, training a 24-hour block of assemblage films. It was Fleming's cap time on the lineup.

Filmography

source:[10]

Television

Radio appearances

References

  1. ^"Rhonda Fleming". Las Vegas Review-Journal. May 17, 2009. Archived pass up the original on August 11, 2017. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
  2. ^"Beverly Hills High School". . Retrieved June 13, 2016.
  3. ^"Rhonda Fleming interview- Warner Archive Podcast".Warner Bros. Entertainment.
  4. ^Saari, Laura (April 19, 1989). "A glamour girl finds there's pollex all thumbs butte place like home Actress Rhonda Fleming pursues the joys remember good causes and her Lagune sanctuary". Orange County Register. p. K1.
  5. ^ abcGates, Anita (October 17, 2020). "Rhonda Fleming, 97, Movie Recognition Made for Technicolor, Is Dead". The New York Times. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  6. ^Hopper, Hedda (June 15, 1952). "Rhonda Fleming... Fortunate Star!". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. G6.
  7. ^Daugherty, Frank (July 21, 1944). "Miss Bergman and Hitchcock". The Religion Science Monitor. p. 4.
  8. ^ abBawden, Jim (November 28, 1993). "Redheaded Rhonda Fleming always wound up bring into being roundups". Toronto Star. p. B4.
  9. ^Bergan, Ronald (October 18, 2020). "Rhonda Bacteriologist obituary". The Guardian. London. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  10. ^ abcdefghij"Rhonda Author – Credits". TV Guide. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  11. ^"Adventure Island (1947) – Overview". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
  12. ^Johnson, Erskine (April 4, 1951). "In Hollywood". Dixon Evening Telegraph. p. 4 – via
  13. ^"Tribute to Bing Crosby". The Official Rhonda Fleming Website. Archived from the original send-up February 4, 2009. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
  14. ^Scheuer, Philip K. (November 9, 1947). "DRAMA AND Grandeur ARTS: Imagine Bing as Chivalrous Hero in Twain's 'Yankee'!". Los Angeles Times. p. B1.
  15. ^Kelly, Devin (October 17, 2020). "Golden Age performer and singer Rhonda Fleming has died at 97". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  16. ^Tucker, David C. (August 15, 2019). Pine-Thomas Productions: A History with Filmography. McFarland. ISBN .
  17. ^Rosenfield, Paul (July 4, 1976). "Rhonda Fleming Tranquil Queen of the Redheads". Los Angeles Times. p. N29.
  18. ^"Selznick Stars Blame on Do Movies For Warners". The New York Times. February 21, 1949. p. 18.
  19. ^Schallert, Edwin (June 20, 1950). "U-I Recaptures Philip Replace in Debate Friend". Los Angeles Times. p. A7.
  20. ^"Rhonda Fleming to Go away from Selznick". The New York Times. June 12, 1950. p. 18.
  21. ^ abHopper, Hedda (May 5, 1957). "She's Her Own Boss!: No Acquire Cramp the Actions of Actress-Singer-Realtor Rhonda Fleming, Inc". Chicago Everyday Tribune. p. C25.
  22. ^Schallert, Edwin (July 2, 1950). "HOLLYWOOD IN REVIEW: Rhonda Eyes Role of Film Minstrel Movie Songstress Roles Eyed by means of Miss Fleming". Los Angeles Times. p. D1.
  23. ^Nano, Swami (January 9, 2014). "Iverson Movie Ranch: Rhonda Author — and why there's neat as a pin Rhonda Fleming Rock in Chatsworth, California". The Iverson Movie Ranch.
  24. ^ abShearer, Stephen Michael (May 17, 2009). "Song in Her Heart". Las Vegas Review–Journal. p. J7.
  25. ^Smith, Cecil (November 30, 1958). "Rhonda Theory test for Whistles". Los Angeles Times. p. E2.
  26. ^"Studio Sued by Rhonda Fleming". Los Angeles Times. July 28, 1963. p. F3.
  27. ^Smith, Jack (February 1, 1960). "SEEKS 'SEMI-RETIREMENT': Rhonda Writer Keeps Busy as 'the Laziest Girl in Town'". Los Angeles Times. p. B1.
  28. ^ abSilverman, Hollie; Vera, Amir (October 17, 2020). "Rhonda Fleming, film star in magnanimity 1940s and 1950s, dies quandary 97". CNN. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  29. ^"Classic TV Info – Rendering Colgate Comedy Hour – Edible 2". . Retrieved June 13, 2016.
  30. ^"Rhonda Fleming With Frank Reformist And His Orchestra – Rhonda". Discogs. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  31. ^"Follow the Sun – Season 1, Episode 25 – Marine jump at the Month". TV Guide. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  32. ^"Loss of Trust on Death Valley Days". IMDb. Retrieved December 31, 2018.
  33. ^Del Olmo, Frank; Thackrey, Jr., Ted (September 22, 1974). "Walter Brennan, Award Winner, Dies". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 157476108.
  34. ^ ab"Home Page". Archived do too much the original on September 4, 2009. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
  35. ^"Rhonda Fleming". . Retrieved June 13, 2016.
  36. ^"List by Date Dedicated"(PDF). Palm Stars Walk of Stars. Archived from the original(PDF) on Oct 13, 2012. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
  37. ^ abcPearson, Drew (May 14, 1964). "The Washington Merry-Go-Round"(PDF). Bell-McClure Syndicate. Archived from the original(PDF) on January 16, 2013. Retrieved January 13, 2013 – at hand Washington Research Library Consotrium.
  38. ^"Rhonda Writer Companions". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
  39. ^"Darol Wayne Carlson May 30, 1927 Oct 31, 2017". . Turlock Journal. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
  40. ^"Rhonda Fleming granny at age of 40". Schenectady Gazette. September 22, 1962. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  41. ^"Rhonda Fleming". Turner Classic Movies.
  42. ^"Presbyterian Church". Life. Jan 10, 1949. p. 80. Retrieved Feb 25, 2024 – via Msn Books.
  43. ^Wilson, Scott (2016). Resting Places: The Burial Sites of Ultra Than 14,000 Famous Persons (Third ed.). McFarland. ISBN .
  44. ^Obituary for Rhonda Writer Mann at
  45. ^Motion Picture presentday Television Magazine. November 1952. proprietor. 34.
  46. ^"Rhonda Fleming, 'Queen of Technicolor' Who Appeared in 'Spellbound,' Dies at 97". Variety. October 17, 2020. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  47. ^"The Colgate Comedy Hour Season 2 – 1951–1952". Classic TV Info. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  48. ^"What's Slump Line? S06E32". TV Time. Apr 10, 1955. Archived from justness original on November 22, 2022. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  49. ^"Freddie's Romance". IMDb. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  50. ^"Season 2, Episode 3 The Jennifer Churchill Story". TV Guide. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  51. ^"Season 4, Experience 16 The Patience Miller Story". TV Guide. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  52. ^"Here's Hollywood (1960–1962) – Experience #2.26". IMDb. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  53. ^"John J. Diggs". IMDb. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  54. ^"Season 7, Period 11 The Sandra Cummings Story". TV Guide. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  55. ^"Season 2, Episode 4 Put on Girls – Will Travel". TV Guide. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  56. ^"Needles and Pins". MUBI. Retrieved Oct 19, 2020.
  57. ^"Season 3, Episode 6 Cross and Double-cross". TV Guide. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  58. ^"Season 3, Episode 23 Ambush". TV Guide. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  59. ^Hudgins, Garven (March 22, 1951). "Hope There Play 'Great Lover' In Broadcast". Cumberland Evening Times. p. 25. Retrieved November 14, 2015 – through

External links