What 100 Stars Want in 1956 - Marilyn Monroe

I'm pretty sure this post needs no introduction. What did Marilyn Monroe (June 1, 1926 - August 5, 1962) wish for in 1956?

"I've been reaching for an inner tranquility all the past year. I think I have it now and I want to keep it." - I'm sorry to report that I don't think she was at peace, the poor dear.

"After I make Bus Stop, I'd like to play dramatic roles. I feel I'm ready for drama" - I think Marilyn was a much better actress than people give her credit for.

"I hope Jane Russell accomplishes what she wants with WAIF. I have a special feeling for orphans, since I was one myself". - She definitely did. One a side note, Jane Russell and her husband Robert Waterfield founded World Adoption International Fund (WAIF) in 1951 when she had been looking to adopt children (they adopted 3). WAIF assists in international adoption, with the fabulous Jane Russell as a staunch advocate. For more info on Jane's work with WAIF, check out her WIC biography.

What 100 Stars Want in 1956 - Vera Miles

Vera Miles (born August 23, 1929) is in one of my favorite movies of all time, Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho. Totally iconic picture. Aside from that and her appearance on the Twilight Zone, probably my favorite TV show of all time, I don't believe I have seen her in anything else. Vera acted mostly on television from what I could find, her last appearance in 1995. Some Vera Miles trivia:

• She was Miss Kansas 1948. She ended up being third in the Miss America 1948 pageant.
• Vera was originally cast in Kim Novak's role in Vertigo but production delays cost her the part.
• There are conflicting reports on her middle name, some people say it is "May" and some people say it's "June".

What did Vera Miles wish for in 1956?

"Personally, I'd like to remarry in 1956 and eventually have a large family" - Vera was married 3 times, having a total of 4 children.

"Professionally, I'm looking forward to anything that will further my career as an actress - be it comedy, drama or mystery."

"As a citizen, I hope for a wide revival of religion" - Frankly, I think the U.S. has gone in the opposite direction.

What 100 Stars Want in 1956 - Virginia Mayo

Virginia Mayo (November 30, 1920 - January 17, 2005) was simply gorgeous! The only film I have seen her in is The Princess and the Pirate (1944) with Bob Hope. What did Virginia wish for in 1956?

"Personally, I hope my husband, Mike O'Shea, and I can continue to plan our careers so that we can spend as much time together and with little Mary Catherine as we have in the past. Our home life is very important to us." - Virginia and Mike O'Shea were married from 1947 until his death in 1973.

"Professionally, I just got through making Great Day in the Morning for Edmund Grainger at RKO. It's an action drama, one of the rare stories of its kind where a woman has a real place in the story. I'd like to do at least two other films of the type." - I've never seen this film, but it is unusual that she would specify 2 films like it. Most of the other actors and actresses usually say 1 or just say they want to do more like it

"Mike and I are very fond of animals. It would be wonderful if citizens could learn that kindness doesn't stop with being kind to human beings, that it should extend to everything that lives."

What 100 Stars Want in 1956 - Joel McCrea

Joel McCrea (November 5, 1905 - October 20, 1990) is probably best remembered for his roles in westerns, as well as for the films Sullivan's Travels and Foreign Correspondent. I also love him in the Old Time Radio show Tales of the Texas Rangers. He made a fabulous Texas Ranger. What did Joel wish for in 1956?

"Personally, I want continued good health for my wife and our three boys." - Joel was married to Frances Dee from October 20, 1933 until his death - An astounding 57 years!

"Professionally, I'd like a few years more in pictures and more solid western roles such as my role in The First Texan" - I don't think I've seen Joel in any of his western roles. I might have to check one out.

"As a citizen, I'd like to see a world in which no one need go hungry."

What 100 Stars Want in 1956 - Lucy Marlow

Lucy Marlow (born November 20, 1932) was active in films during the 1950s, retiring to become a mother. I haven't seen anything she was in, but her most famous film was A Star is Born. I couldn't find very much about her. Lucy was under contract at Columbia. She married Andy Carey, third baseman for the New York Yankees on October 6, 1955. They would divorce in 1974. Lucy is very much still with us and occasionally acts on stage. What did Lucy wish for in 1956?

"Personally, since I married Andy Carey, I want to be with him as much as I can despite the demands of both our careers. If you plan it that way from the beginning and really want it, you can make it turn out that way."

"As an actress, I had meaty parts in Queen Bee and My Sister Eileen, and in 1956 I'd like the same slow, steady building of my career." - I haven't seen either of these films. Does anyone know if they are any good?

"As a citizen, I'd like the humane laws for animals enforced in every state in the Union."

What 100 Stars Want in 1956 - Dean Martin

What can one say about Dean Martin (June 7, 1917 - December 25, 1995) except I love him? One of the all time kings of cool. He just had a swagger about him that was fabulous. Some Dino trivia:

• He was afraid of elevators
• A lot of the time he was thought to be drinking booze, he was really drinking apple juice
• Loved comic books
• He had a nose job
• Was banned from Marilyn Monroe's funeral
• A Dean Martin quote: "I've got seven kids. The three words you hear most around my house are 'hello,' 'goodbye,' and 'I'm pregnant." - So true. As the oldest of 10, this is definitely heard in large families.

"As a person I want to know more about my fellow man. I want to like them and I want them to like me when I'm not in the spotlight". - Cool wish.

"Professionally I hope that Jerry and I can get back to working like we did in the old days as a very close team. There's no reason why we can't get back in there and pitch for fun as we did in the old days. We both want it very much and I believe the public does, too." - I wish they would have worked it out. They played very well off each other.

"Humour knows no borders. Sharing it is something people the world over have in common. As citizens, Jerry and I hope to spend our summer abroad selling Americanism." - Wonder if it worked . . .

What 100 Stars Want in 1956 - Dorothy Malone

Dorothy Malone (born January 30, 1925) seemed to have a glamour revolution in the 1950s. I was really nervous when I looked her filmography, really hoping that Basic Instinct, the last film she appeared in, wasn't the only film I have seen her in. Thankfully though she was the Acme Book Shop Proprietress in The Big Sleep. What did dear Dorothy wish for 1956?

"Personally, I'd like my family out here in California with me instead of back in Dallas, Texas."

"Professionally, I'd like a good comedy role." - Don't think the above pic is from a comedy role, but it is Dorothy with Henry Fonda.

"Peace for everybody. If enough citizens think this way, maybe it will come true."

What 100 Stars Want in 1956 - Fred MacMurray

What did Fred MacMurray wish for in 1956?

"Personally, I'd like an increased water supply for my northern California cattle ranch." -  The MacMurray Ranch is now a winery.

"Professionally, I want another role as good as Gunpoint which I'm doing for Allied Artists." - I have never seen this film so I don't know if it's his best work.

"As a citizen, I'd like a world that is completely at peace."

What 100 Stars Want in 1956 - Frank Lovejoy

Frank Lovejoy (March 28, 1912 - October 2, 1962) is one of my favorite radio actors. I love him on Nightbeat. He also appeared in some fun films: House of Wax, The Hitchhiker, and of course the classic In a Lonely Place. What did Frank wish for in 1956?

"Personally, I would like to inherit the will power to turn down a few jobs so I could spend more time with my wonderful wife and our two children." - Hopefully minus the scary clown.

"Professionally, I'd like to play in a few more Air Force films like Strategic Air Command because these films being about a much better understanding of what a tough road the Air Force boys have, and how important their jobs are to our everyday way of life." - Very cool.

"As a citizen, I'd like to see the Little League craze expand even more. This not only keeps the kids off the street, but also the parents." - And as we all know, the parents need to be kept off the street - those troublemakers :)

What 100 Stars Want in 1956 - Perry Lopez

Perry Lopez (July 22, 1929 - Feb 14, 2008), probably best known for his role as Lt. Lou Escobar in Chinatown (1974), was signed by Warner Brothers in 1955. Most of his career was in television, but he was in a few well known films such as Creature from the Black Lagoon, Mister Roberts, and McLintock. What did Perry Lopez wish for in 1956?

"Personally, I hope to travel either for a picture or on a vacation to Europe."

"As a performer I hope for a great dramatic play; to be a better actor and to be given a chance at varied roles."

"I wish they'd pass stricter humane laws."

What 100 Stars Want in 1956 - Jerry Lewis

What did the forever fun Jerry Lewis want in 1956?

"Without health, professional success is nothing. I learned this the hard way which is why I am determined to raise money for the fight against muscular dystrophy". - Which he still is. For more information check out Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon.

"To be a great comedian is my life's ambition. The goal is reached slowly but I hope the coming year will give me another stride toward it with my partner, Dean". - Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis were comic gold! They played off themselves so well. Too bad egos got in the way of their partnership.

"In the future I intend to participate more actively in civic functions. America has been very good to me - the least I can do is to be worthy of my country."

What 100 Stars Want in 1956 - Jack Lemmon

I have a soft spot for Jack Lemmon. When he was filming the very funny Grumpy Old Men (1993), they filmed some of the scenes on my aunt's street, Hyacinth and Frank in Saint Paul, MN. Walter Matthau's character "lived" next door to her. While Lemmon and Matthau's characters were supposed to be neighbors in the film, the houses they used for the film were two houses apart. The house they used for Ann-Margaret was across the street. The white house Jack and Walter are in front of is my Aunt's house.

At the time, they did need extras, but they did not want any kids so I was out of luck. My aunt was used as an extra. She's the red-head at her house having a party when John (Jack Lemmon's character) has a heart attack outside on the way home from the bar.

Another cool thing - my aunt has the legendary duck shaped fishing pole from the film. There were really several made, but it's still cool.

What were Jack Lemmon's 1956 wishes?

"Personally, I'd like a greenhouse for my green thumb" - Cool! I wish I was good at gardening, but as those who were following me last summer and fall know, I am terrible at gardening.

"I'd like more pictures like It Happened One Night. Anyway you look at it, this past year has been very lucky for me. Professionally, I'd like my career to go along as well in 1956 as it has in 1955".

"As a citizen, I hope they find some sure way to fight cancer in 1956". - I wish they would now!

What 100 Stars Want in 1956 - Peggy Lee

The stunning Peggy Lee (May 26, 1920 - January 21, 2002) was a fabulous songstress. Although she had a lengthy musical career, I know her best from her work on the Disney classic, Lady and the Tramp. Born Norma Delores Egstrom, she decided to become a singer at age 14, she penned many well known songs including the smash hit "Fever". What did Peggy Lee wish for in 1956?

"Personally, I'd like to limit my night-club engagements next year so I can stay home more with my daughter."

"I'd like my own regular TV show in 1956 and I want to do a picture now and then - like Pete Kelly's Blues." - Peggy has 13 credits as an actress but no films after 1955 and she did not get her own TV show.

"I wish they'd pass stricter humane laws to protect animals" - Very timely since I'm watching the AKC Dog Show right now. Go terriers!