How Well Do You Know Hollywood? - Question 18

According to Photoplay, July 1940

Two of the following are expectant fathers

John Payne (with wife Anne Shirley)

Don Ameche (with wife Honore Prendergast)

Johnny Weissmuller (with wife Beryl Scott)

Wayme Morris (with wife Leonora Hornblow)

View comments to see who the lucky fellow was

An Andrews Winter Vacation

Mary, Dana, and children

Dana Andrews is one of my favorite actors.  His voice is amazing!  Not only was he great on film, but he was amazing on the radio.  As you all know, I'm addicted to Old Time Radio, and he stars in I Was a Communist for the F.B.I., a fantastic show with definite insight into the times.  He also starred in the noir classic Laura, which one of my favorite films.  

Dana, Mary, and daughter Katharine

These photographs are from a 1947 winter vacation he took with his family.  It looks very fun.  On a side note, I love the winter posters on the walls in the above picture.  I wish advertisement today even half that beautiful today.

Family Roughhousing

Dana, his wife Mary, sons David and Stephen, and daughter Katharine, look like they are having a wonderful time.  I wish I could have that much fun in this cold weather.  I guess I'd rather burrow under the covers and wait until spring.

Gene and Ina at Home

Gene Autry and wife Ina Mae at home

Known for her grace and intelligence, Ina Mae was married to Gene from 1932 until 1980.  Ina is the reason Gene recorded the much-loved holiday classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.  Gene didn't like it, but Ina thought kids would love it.  It seemed like the perfect updated "ugly duckling" tale.  Ina was right of course, since we still listen to this holiday classic today.

Dry Skin Tips from Madame Sylvia

Madame Sylvia's Dry Skin and Face Tips

1. Remove all foreign matter very thoroughly from the surface of the skin.
2. Take a piece of absorbent cotton and apply a mild face wash to the skin, instead of soap and water
3. Wipe away the face wash with a soft cloth
4. Follow steps 1 - 3 with a feeding cream (I imagine this must be cold cream).  Pat the cream gently all over the face - do not rub it in!  Pat the cream on your face until you feel the tingle of blood rising to the surface
5. Leave the cream on for at least one half hour.  

My personal favorite insight from Madame Sylvia:  "If you have a husband or better reason for wanting to be presentable at a late hour, remove as much cream as you wish."

1. In the morning, take your face wash, lave the face thoroughly and dry with a soft towel.
2. You should have a good astringent lotion.  Pat it gently and use it as your powder base.

*Those with dry skin should have a weekly facial massage to stimulate the skin glands.

Are Keefe and His Wife Separating?

Keefe Brasselle, Ray Anthony and Norma Jean Aldrich at the Ciro's

Keefe Brasselle

Is keeping those separation rumors quiet by taking his wife along with him on the road of personal appearances. Although “The Eddie Cantor Story” didn’t do much for Keefe, don’t count him out of movies. He’s in there pitching every minute of the day and with such persistence, luck is bound to fall his way.

(Source: Movieland; February 1955)

Keefe Brasselle and Arlene DeMarco

Keefe Brasselle was married twice. First from December 18, 1942 until December 6, 1956 to Norma Jean Aldrich (which the above gossip refers to). Keefe was married to Arlene DeMarco of the DeMarco Sisters singers from December 23, 1956 to 1967.

Edmund and Tita's Marriage Drama

Edmund Purdom
Looked like a sure bet when he took over the acting part of “The Student Prince” for Mario Lanza. Now he’s rapidly approaching the point where he is the subject of as much discussion as Lanza, who, by the way, is really on the road to recovery and may yet do “The Vagabond King” with Kathryn Grayson. You’d think Purdom would be a model of co-operation because of the tremendous break he received but those temperament rumors have been circulating about Edmund almost from the time he started “The Student Prince”. His wife, Tita, worked as a ballerina to help support the family during their lean days but she gave up her career to take care of their children after Edmund started clicking. Now, Mrs. Edmund Purdom has announced that she will proceed with plans for a separation or a divorce. At the time she announced these plans, Mrs Purdom reportedly said, “We had four years of poverty and we clung together like babes in the woods. But when he became successful it all changed. Now he says he dreads seeing me.” Edmund and Tita were married on January 5, 1951 in London. They have two children, Lilian, aged two and Marian, aged six months.

(Source: Movieland; February 1955)


Edmund Purdom (December 13, 1926 - January 1, 2009) was born in Hertfordshire, England. His acting career began in 1946 and continued almost until his death. His starring roles were mostly in the 1950s. Finding his career fizzling out, Edmund relocated to Italy where he spent the rest of his life. He was one of the main dubbers of Italian films. Married four times, his marriage to Tita Phillips from January 5, 1951 until March 5, 1956. Word has it that he was secretly seeing dating Tita's co-star. Edmund married Alicia Darr on April 10, 1957 and they were married until August 17, 1958. His best known wife was Linda Christian, former wife of Tyrone Power. Linda Christian and Edmund Purdom were married from March 24, 1962 until January 10, 1963.

Edmund Purdom and Linda Christian

Edmund Purdom was also known for lucking into some great roles. He got his role in The Student Prince from Mario Lanza. Some sources say it was because of a disagreement between Mario and the director - others say it was because Mario was seen as too heavy. One of Purdom's other starring roles, that of Sinuhe in The Egyptian, came to him after Marlon Brando turned it down.

Fred Astaire Stops Dancing

Fred Astaire
Since the tragic death of his wife, is resuming his career full-time to keep his mind busy. Their’s was a true love affair! Next to his home life, dancing and race horses are his chief interests. Fred, worth a mint, decided to retire once, but got so busy with hobbies and outside demands that he had to return to the screen to get a rest.

(Source: Movieland; February 1955)

Fred Astaire and Phyllis Livingston Potter were married from 1933 until her death from lung cancer at age 46 in 1954. They had two children together, Fred Jr and Ava. When Phyllis passed, Fred did not even want to finish the film he was working on, Daddy Long Legs, and offered to pay the production costs to back out, but was persuaded to stay. Fred would stay single until 1980 when he married jockey Robyn Smith, 45 years his junior. On a side note, Fred mostly retired from dancing after his wife passed.

Too Sleepy

Sorry again dears, but I'm just way too sleepy to come up with a clever post. Wiped out from a tough day at work. When my days last until 9 PM, it's hard to think by the time I get home. Looking forward to a good night's sleep, hopefully. Since I've got an early day tomorrow, should have more time to put up a Hollywood post. Best wishes all and Good Night!