Ethel Merman - Housewife?

Ethel Merman

Ethal Merman and Irving Berlin; 1950

Who is Miss Broadway Musical in person, is deserting the stage to devote her time exclusively to television and motion pictures.  Between jobs you can just call her madam.  She’ll live with her husband in a twenty-seven-room house on a six-acre estate near Denver, Colorado.

[Source: Movieland; February 1955]

Ethel Merman and Irving Berlin; 1950

The husband Movieland refers to was Ethel's husband number three, Robert Six, president of Continental Airlines.  They were married from 1953 to 1960.  According to several sources, Six was upset that Ethel was satisfied just to be a housewife.  He expected her appearances to be free publicity and good will for Continental Airlines.  They would divorce following discovery of Six's affair with actress Audrey Meadows.  While it didn't work out for Six and Ethel, Audrey Meadows and Robert Six were married 25 years, from 1961 until his death in 1985.

Robert Six and Audrey Meadows Wedding; 1961

Gloria and Ricardo Try Broadway

Gloria DeHaven and Ricardo Montalban both Hollywood stars, made the long leap to their first New York stage appearance in 'Seventh Heaven', latest Broadway hit.


[Source:  People Today; June 29, 1955]






While People Today calls this a Broadway hit, it closed after a mere 44 performances at the ANTA Playhouse.  

Grace McDonald - Survivor

Grace McDonald

• Born in Boston or New York (depending on the source) June 15, 1918
• Born Grace McDonell
• Began straining in ballet and voice at age 8
• At age 11, she became ill and lost much use of her legs.  She was in bed an entire year, but began training again only to suffer a relapse after 1 month.  She spent another year in bed without the use of her legs.  Her brother, Ray, would practice his tap and ballet by her sickbed which encouraged Grace to use her toes and muscles in bed to her brother's steps.  Gradually she was able to dance again and never looked back [Source: New Physical Culture, November 1944]
• Made her debut in vaudeville at age 14
• Reached Broadway as a team with her brother Ray as a star dance in "Babes in Arms"
• Signed with Universal in 1940 and made many B pictures, many vehicles for the Andrews sisters.
• Retired from films in 1945 to become a mother.  She had 3 children with her marine husband, Ralph Green and moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Passed away from double pneumonia on October 30, 1999 in Scottsdale, Arizona

Check out Grace dancing at 2:20

Check out her brother Ray dancing with then wife Peggy Ryan