What 100 Stars Want Most in 1956 - Gene Nelson

Gene Nelson (March 24, 1920 - September 16, 1996). Gene was a dancer, actor, and director. Gene is probably best known for his role as Will Parker in 1955's Oklahoma! In the 1960's, Gene turned to directing T.V. shows such as The Donna Reed Show, I Dream of Jeannie, Andy Griffith, and Star Trek and the Elvis films Harum Scarum (1965) and Kissin' Cousins (1963).

Some Gene Nelson Trivia:

• His birth name was Leander Eugene Berg. He legally changed his name to Gene Nelson in 1964
• He was married three times and has three children
• Gene dated Maureen Reagan
• Gene Nelson made his dancing debut in 1935 with the Fanchon and Marco Juvenile Revue at the Paramount Theater in Los Angeles
• In high school, Gene was a cheerleader

Gene's 1956 Wishes:

"I made my first trip to Europe this year and next year I hope I can go again and take my son, Chris"

Gene is featured with his son Chris in these 1949 Life Magazine photos, as well as his wife, dancer and actress Miriam Franklin. Miriam appeared in films as a dancer and is uncredited in most of her roles.

"After Oklahoma! is released, I hope I get a good New York show"

Gene Nelson and Virginia Mayo in 1987

"I'd like to organize a youth group to keep youngsters sports-minded. When you are interested in healthy activity, you don't have so much time to hang around the streets."

I think that is so cool! This is high priority in America these days because of obesity rates and the First Lady's initiatives.

Up next in this series - Sheree North

Feather Dusting My Furnace with Jean Arthur

I'm on the home stretch with my cleaning - the basement. Hopefully I should finish up by tomorrow. Being the perfectionist that I am, I dusted as many of the pipes as I could reach with a feather duster. I had no idea how badly feather dusters stink! I had mine in my cleaning closet, but the smell was just dreadful so I had to transfer it to the basement. I'm hoping that will go away soon or else it may have to live outside.

Next up from the scrapbook is Jean Arthur. I'm not a huge fan, which is why she has not been on my blog before. Her voice is like nails on a chalkboard for me. Everyone says she is fabulous, but I can't bring myself to watch her. Is there a film of hers that is just so fabulous that I won't be bothered by her voice?

Happy Birthday to one of my favs - Phil Harris!

Happy 106th Birthday to my favorite:

Wonga Phil Harris!

Whenever you need a laugh, Phil Harris always fits the bill

He and Dean Martin always had hilarious encounters

One of my favorite Phil Harris quotes: "I can't die until the government finds a safe place to bury my liver."

I adore Phil Harris on the radio in the Jack Benny Program and of coarse, The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show. You can't be sad after listening to Phil. So full of life, fun, and hilarious. Happy Birthday Phil!

What 100 Stars Want in 1956 - Birthday Girl Jane Russell!

Here were Jane Russell's wishes in 1956:

"The important thing in my life is my home - Bob and the children. Personally, I want to continue to put into our marriage the faith and solidity and trust we have known all these years"

Bob Waterfield and Jane were married from April 24, 1943 to February 2, 1967.

"Professionally, I'm interested in the continued success of the Russfield Productions which is headed by my husband. Bob says I'm the main asset in this business, but Bob really runs the show"

Jane and her husband formed Russfield Productions in 1955. Russfield Productions made four film: Gentleman Marry Brunettes (1956), The King and Four Queens (1956), Run for the Sun (1956), and The Fuzzy Pink Nightgown (1957).

"I have a deep interest in seeing that every orphan in the world finds a happy and secure home in 1956. As a citizen, I'm working hard with the WAIF organization to help realize this dream."

What 100 Stars Want in 1956 - George Nader

George Nader (October 19, 1921 - February 4, 2002) was born in Pasadena, California and started acting at Pasadena Playhouse. Naturally, he got noticed and started work in films beginning in 1951. I can't say I've seen him in any films, but he is best known for his role of Roy in the 3-D cheestastic Robot Monster (1953). The 6'1" 180 actor was largelly overlooked by Hollywood for the likes of Rock Hudson and Tony Curtis. Due to an alledged love affair with Rock Hudson, Nader went to Europe in the early 1960s and got plenty of roles. George was in fact involved with Rock's secretary, Mark Miller, who became his lifelong companion. After injuring his eyes in a 1974 accident, Nader retired and became a writer.

The Cheestastic Trailer for Robot Monster (1953) Some George Nader Trivia:

• He won the Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer in 1954
• George quit acting in the U.S. to try to distract the public from questioning Rock Hudson's sexuality
• He wrote the first science fiction book with homosexual robots, 1978's Chrome
• George was remembered in Rock Hudson's will

What were George's 1956 wishes from Movieland's 1956 Annual:

"Personally, I want to be settled in my new home by 1956. I don't want to travel. I'd rather live here than anywhere in the world."

I feel badly that he felt he had to leave the country because of who he was. I'm a homebody myself, so I understand the desire to have a loving home to go home to.

" Professionally, I hope to do another musical like The Second Greatest Sex"

"As a citizen, I think we all have to want to understand the other fellow = no matter what his race or creed." 

Gorgeous Carole Lombard Graces My Charlie McCarthy Scrapbook

One of my favorites, Carole Lombard, is the next featured image in my Charlie McCarthy Scrapbook. She is absolutely stunning as usual. This one is dated 1939.

Next up from the Scrapbook - Kate Smith

What 100 Stars Want in 1956 - Audie Murphy

Audie Murphy (June 20, 1924 - May 28, 1971) is probably best remembered for being a World War II hero for which he received many awards, including the Congressional Medal of Honor. Sad to say, I've not seen an Audie Murphy film. It appears like he made mostly Westerns, which is not generally the kind of classic film I seek out.

Anyway, here is the start of the continuation of the Movieland series about Hollywood stars wishes for the New Year of 1956:

"As a human being, I want to keep growing. My greatest desire beyond that is that my family enjoys good health and that I continue to get enough work to keep my thoughts absorbed during professional hours."

"Westerns have always been good to me but during last year, I found a change of roles stimulating. Eventually, I hope to direct and do some writing."

In the picture below, he is signing copies of his classic 1949 novel To Hell and Back at a book signing. I hear it is a fabulous book, but I haven't read it yet.

"I am in favor of no more war but as long as war clouds hover over the earth, as a citizen, I feel we should be prepared for the worst."

Seems odd coming from someone who was a war hero, but poor Audie was traumatized by his experience in World War II. He had nightmares and post traumatic stress. According to his first wife Wanda Hendrix (seen with Audie in the top photo), his nightmares caused him to be violent and he even slept with a gun under his pillow (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001559/bio). Unfortunately their union only lasted 1 year.

Up next - George Nader

The Fly is Here

I saw the original The Fly (1958) film yesterday and was struck by how wonderful it actually was.

Sometimes the Sci-Fi and acting can just be so cheesy, but I thought the wife, played by Patricia Owens, was wonderful.

You have to admit the premise sounds a bit strange and could have been way over the top. A husband creates and matter displacement machine and his matter accidentally gets mixed up with a fly's.

Well, Helene, his wife, spends the film looking for his head which has been been attached to a fly. This could have been extremely poorly, but I was totally enthralled with the film.

Spoiler alert

The ending was super shocking and I was incredibly freaked out by the husband's head on the fly's body about to be eaten by a giant spider. I was super grossed out. I would definitely recommend it for anyone who enjoys a fun sci-fi film that is actually very well acted.

Painting Pillars, Fabulous Costumes, and 1951 Meals

Started off the morning watching a film I haven't seen yet, 1954's There's No Business Like Show Business on Fox Movie Channel. I adored the costumes, but I am not a huge Ethel Merman fan (I know, sacrilege). Loved this pink and white number on Marilyn.

Donald O'Connor and Marilyn Monroe

in There's No Business Like Show Business

I've been trying to make a point of doing some cleaning every day, so hopefully my house will be clean soon. Unfortunately I went downstairs and saw the pillar in the picture below. The paint chip just started bothering me so much I had to take care of it. Sometimes I just get so fixated on something, that I have to take care of it right away - regardless of the task I should be working on.

The Offending Pillar

So I ended up spending the afternoon dusting, washing, and painting my basement pillar. I can't imagine a lot of you were doing the same thing :)

So when dinner came around, I was at a loss. I decided to check out a few of my vintage pamphlets. Econo-Meals sounded pretty good since I have been out of work over a month and scrounging for meals, and it turned out the good people at Crisco came to the rescue.

I went with Meal #3, Frankfurters with Barbecue Sauce and Potato Pancakes. This was actually pretty filling by itself, so I didn't make the Cabbage Salad or Spice Cake. This 1951 meal was actually pretty good. Fairly easy, but loads of cleanup.

Barbecued Frankfurters in Famous Dave's Classic Barbecue Sauce

No, I didn't take the time to make my own barbecue sauce (I'm not that ambitious). I just used my personal favorite sauce from my favorite restaurant, Famous Dave's.

My first attempt at Potato Pancakes. Not too bad for a first try, huh?


More cleaning tomorrow, and hopefully I will be able to think of something to make for dinner.

Still Cleaning . . . unfortunately

(Photo 1946 MNHS Online Collection)

Had major issues lately which has kept me from posting. I apologize to my loyal readers. Long and short of it, my house was trashed and I only have my top floor clean plus 1 room on my main level and other issues I'm dealing with. I've been busy trying to recover from it, so please forgive the lack of posts. Had a few bad weeks, with more to come, but I have wonderful people around me who have been helping me stay sane. I luv u all :)