What 100 Want Most in 1956 - Dale Evans and Roy Rogers

I read on one of my new favorite blogs, Thrilling Days of Yesteryear, about the Dale Evans/Roy Rogers Museum sale at Christies. You can buy anything from the This is Your Life book, cement hand and hoofprint slab, a Clark Gable director's chair, and even the beloved Trigger, Trigger Jr, and Buttermilk. Too bad I don't have a few grand to spare. I just hope the items, especially the animals, go to a good home.

Dale Evans (October 31, 1912 - February 7, 2001) and Roy Rogers (November 5. 1911 - July 6, 1998). These beloved Western stars were married from December 31, 1947 until Roy's death.

Dale Evans on Roy: "We hit it off together because he's so much like my brother. I mean, Roy's like I am, and that's it."

Roy Rogers: "When I die, just skin me out and put me up on old Trigger and I'll be happy"

What did the two wish for in 1956?:



"Dale and I have discovered the greatness of religion and we want to share that experience with all mankind. Another project we want to promote is safety on the highways."



A bit of trivia: Dale Evans wrote the beloved spiritual The Bible Tells Me So

"My main objective, outside of TV, is to get back into movies with both boots. Dale enjoys film work and will continue with it unless it interferes in the proper care of our children."

"As citizens we desire most a complete alertness and awareness of the good to be done and the time out to do our share."

What 100 Stars Want Most in 1956 - Kim Novak

Kim Novak (born February 13, 1933) is currently raising horses and llamas on her farm in Oregon: "If you're wanting glamorous or really beautiful or really sexy, well then, I wasn't really the one, but I could do all of that. You could just get really lost in that kind of image"

Kim's 1956 Wishes:

"Personally, I want a short vacation. I've been working very hard. I'd like a couple of weeks to do some lazy shopping, to sleep late, to have a little fun."

"Professionally, I'd like another picture with the same dramatic impact as the one I've just finished, The Man With the Golden Arm."

"As a citizen, I'd like to see the city planning commission find a way to build bicycle paths for the youngsters - so they can safely ride their bikes all they want."

Simply stunning photos of Kim from the 1957 film Jeanne Eagels for which she earned $13,000. Can totally see this as a fabulous burlesque outfit. FYI - Jeanne Eagels will be included in the Kim Novak Collection which comes out August 3, 2010. It's also playing on Turner Classic Movies September 1, 2010 at 10:00 pm est. My favorite Kim Novak film is Vertigo, of course. Could anyone beat Hitchcock?

What 100 Stars Want Most in 1956 - Sheree North

Sheree North (January 17, 1932 - November 4, 2005) was known primarily for 3 things: her fabulous dancing, it was thought Fox hired her as a replacement for Marilyn Monroe, and in later years she played Kramer's mom on Seinfeld - and was the first to tell audiences his first name was Cosmo.



Some Sheree North Trivia:

• She married 4 times and had 2 daughters
• Her birth name was Dawn Shirley Crang
• She earned several Emmy nominations for her TV work
• Sheree sanded floors and parked cars to earn money for her ballet classes

Sheree's 1956 Wishes:

"For myself as a person, a wife and a mother I wish that I may always do my best."

"As an actress, I hope to continue to learn my profession as I have tried this past year."



"As a citizen, I believe in the ability of man to achieve."

I didn't know I had seen any Sheree North films until I saw this poster for The Lieutenant Wore Skirts. It's a pretty funny film, kind of a Mr. Mom setup. Sheree's character is in the Air Force, and Tom Ewell is her house husband. Naturally, this doesn't sit well with Tom's character, who tries to regain his masculine position in the family. The film is in the Fox Movie Channel rotation, and will next be playing: July 26, 2010 12:00 pm ET; August 4, 2010 12:00 pm ET; August 17, 2010 12:00 pm ET if you want to catch it.

Next up in this series: Kim Novak

Pulp of the Week: River Barge Virgin by Wright Williams

I've been in the mood for Pulp novels lately and so I was able to breeze through this 127 page quickie, River Barge Virgin by Wright Williams. It was published in 1949 by Phoenix Press. The cover was naturally intriguing, but does not quite portray what the book is about.

There is a girl on a barge - that much is true. This tale is a complicated story about why people marry. Do you marry for love, or for money? A complicated love triangle forms between poor Carl Vanners who is staying in his uncle's New York penthouse; a stunning model who is looking for money, Joan Ransome; a lovely, simple girl, Diana Monroe, whose only possession is a river barge which she inherited - so naturally she lives on it and girlies it up. Diana docks in front of poor Carl's apartment, so he starts seeing Diana after he is ditched by Joan for lack of money.

Enter a reporter who is convinced Diana is a murderess as well as Joan's mercenary mates and you get a ripping tale about morals and what lengths women will go to to find security. This fast, easy read made me feel quite sad for the main male character, Carl Vanners, who seemed like a regular guy just trying to find love without the interference of unsavory characters. Had a noir-ish tinge to it, and the ending was a total surprise.

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