Author: Tom McGee Publisher: Hampton Roads Pub Co Inc Year of publication: 1986-7
The American "New Yorker" magazine once defined entertainment performances as: "The Adventures of Mickey Mouse and the thighs of Betty Grable (1916-1973)."
As the former "movie queen" Betty Grable, Grable (1916-1973) was among the top ten grossing stars in the United States for ten consecutive years from 1942 to 1951.
Betty Grable's image in the animated short film at that time
At that time, Twentieth Century Fox also insured her voluptuous legs for one million US dollars at Lloyd's of London Insurance Company.
In 1947, the U.S. Treasury Department pointed out that Betty Grable was the highest-paid star in Hollywood, with an annual salary of about US$300,000.
Images of Betty Grable and Marilyn Monroe in the movie "How to Marry a Millionaire" (1953)
And the movie "How to Marry a Millionaire" (1953) in which she was best known to later audiences was with Marilyn MonroeMarilyn Monroe (1926-1962), Lauren Bacall Bacall (1924-2014) co-starring.
Betty Grable was 36 years old when she made this movie. As Marilyn Monroe's partner, Betty Grable was a veteran star of the 20th Century Fox Film Company, 10 years older than Marilyn Monroe.
In June 1953, from left: Marilyn Monroe, Herman Hover, Louella Parsons, and Betty Grable took a group photo at the banquet
Faced with Marilyn Monroe's wonderful performance, she did not show any jealousy or resentment, but rather loved Marilyn Monroe. Because she knows that she will be farther and farther away from the movie.
As the movie queen of 20th Century Fox, at the end of her long career, it was a decent choice for her to leave the big screen with such a masterpiece.
"Time" magazine cover, Betty Grable
Betty Grable left Hollywood completely in 1955.
[Meeting 36-year-old George Raft at the age of 16]
Betty Grable, who was born on December 18, 1916 in St. Louis, Missouri, was a student of the famous dancer Busby Berkeley (1895-1976).
Busby Berkeley is famous in Hollywood for his elaborate choreography of large-scale dances that create a large number of beautiful young women.
The movie "Wow! "(1930)" still, the person standing on the horse is Betty Grable
When Betty Grable was 13 years old, her mother lied that she was 16 years old, she joined a Hollywood song and dance troupe and traveled to various parties and dinners.
"Those parties were traps," Betty Grable said. "You have to come out very early in the morning and feel like a puppy fighting over a bowl of meat...the message is either you play the game by their rules or you get the hell out of town."
The movie "Whoa! "(1930) still, front row right is Betty Garland
Judy Garland Judy Garland (1922-1969) worked under the coordination of Busby Berkeley in the early 4 films.
Fortunately, after being selected from the vaudeville troupe, Betty Grable danced in Busby Berkeley's first film choreography, Wahoo! Got a solo singing role in Whoopee! (1930).
Betty Grable at age 17
When a series of her swimsuit photos appeared in magazines, Betty Grable came to the attention of Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle (1887-1933) - who ended his career as an actor in 1921 due to a sex scandal - and now made a living as a director in the educational film industry under the name William Goodrich.
She filmed a number of short films with sensational titles for Francis Dean using his fake name.
Betty Grable and George Raft
While filming Palmy Days (1931), 16-year-old Betty Grable met 36-year-old George Raft (1895-1980), a former lover of Mae West (1893-1980).
After two dates, the two began a long-term relationship.
At that time, George Raft was married to a woman who could not divorce him because of her religious beliefs . Betty Grable's mother was supportive of the relationship.
Betty Grable and George Raft
Because dating movie stars at the time did little harm to Betty Grable's reputation. The fact that George Raft could not marry her was an advantage. This means she still has a chance to be with a man who is a better match.
Betty Grable was encouraged by her mother to turn her hair a light silvery gray and began to dye her eyebrows.
Betty Grable in a publicity photo for the movie "Butterfly Lovers" (1934)
Her mother pestered the famous bandleader Ted Filorito to take 16-year-old Betty Grable as a singer. Although she toured with the band accompanied by her mother, she found the opportunity to have a brief relationship with drummer Charlie Price.
Back in Los Angeles, her role in The Gay Divorce (1934) earned her a contract with RKO Pictures.
Still from the film "Butterfly Lovers" (1934), Betty Grable and Edward Everett Horton
【First marriage less than three years ago】
On a trip to Catalina, Bill Carey, another member of Ted Filorito's band, introduced her to former child star Jackie CooganJackie Coogan (1914-1984).
Jackie Coogan's most famous film in film history is "The Kid" (1921), starring with Charlie ChaplinCharles Chaplin (1889-1977).
Stills from the movie "The Secret of Hollywood" (1921), Charlie Chaplin and Jackie Coogan
Betty Grable and Jackie Coogan participated in the "Hollywood Secrets" touring vaudeville show together from December 1935 to April 1936. Later they fell in love, announced their engagement, and moved to Paramount.
"They were just sitting at the party, looking at each other, and then they walked out, holding hands, with Betty Grable's mom next to them, and they couldn't do anything," a studio official said.
On December 20, 1937, Betty Grable and Jackie Coogan were photographed at their wedding.
Soon Betty Grable told the media: "There is a stipulation in my contract with the company that I cannot get married before I am 21 years old."
On December 20, 1937, two days after her 21st birthday, they got married, but without her mother's permission.
The newlyweds then made two movies together, College Swing (1938) and Million Dollar Legs (1939).
Still from the movie College Swing (1938), Betty Grable and Jackie Coogan
Although they could be seen together in all the entertainment venues at the time, their marriage was not successful. Because Jackie Coogan was an alcoholic and could disappear for days when drunk.
And he was also involved in a lawsuit with his mother about money that he earned when he was a child star. Betty Grable had to sell her personal property to help him pay off his debts.
Betty Grable and Jackie Coogan
Unfortunately, as Betty Grable's career continued to rise, the marriage lasted less than three years, and the two divorced on October 8, 1940.
[Find a backer and become a leading actress]
After the divorce, she was still "struggling" in musicals. At this time, her talent was discovered by producer Darryl F. Zanuck Darryl F. Zanuck (1902-1979).
At the time, he was the head of Twentieth Century Fox, but he designed an "intriguing" "star promotion process."
Daryl F. Zanuck
Every afternoon, a girl who wanted to enter the industry—or an already-famous actress who wanted to change her contract—would be invited into the secret room behind the bookshelves in his office to have an “interview.”
They can occupy the big man's 30 minutes to explain their views. Those girls who performed to his satisfaction could put on green nail polish and go out to show his secretary.
Betty Grable's dancing image in the movie
Betty Grable regularly went to Daryl F. Zanuck's office, which allowed her to find a living position at 20th Century Fox, and her filming work gradually increased.
At this time, Betty Grable began dating musician Artie Shaw (1910-2004), and also had contact with producer Buddy DeSilva.
A promotional photo for the movie Dancing Co-Ed (1939), Artie Shaw and Lana Turner
In addition, Artie Shaw also started dating Judy Garland. They all believed that Artie Shaw loved them, but he suddenly married Lana Turner (1921-1995).
Betty Grable then became engaged to Alexis Thompson, a wealthy Canadian chain store owner, but the relationship did not last long.
With the strong support of Daryl F. Zanuck, Betty Grable returned to Hollywood and eventually became the "Queen of Twentieth Century Fox" with "Down Argentine Way" (1940).
Betty Grable and Don Ameche in a promotional photo for the film "Argentina" (1940). After completing "Tin Pan Alley" (1940), she got a brief vacation. I met Victor Mature (1913-1999) while riding on the "Super First" plane.
Victor Metcher took her to the university hotel to listen to singer Dick Haymes singing - Victor Metcher was once the lover of Rita Hayworth (1918-1987).
That was where she first met bandleader Harry James (1916-1983), although she later recalled that she had no memory.
Promotional photo of the movie "Song of the Islands" (1942), Betty Grable and Victor Miche
【Marry a Musician as You Wish】
With the outbreak of the Second World War, her fresh image on the screen attracted homesick soldiers, especially her slender legs, which were even more lethal to the soldiers.
Although she did not have time to participate in the United Workers' Union tour, she raised hundreds of thousands of dollars and auctioned off her nylon stockings for the war effort.
On the cover of "Life" magazine published on December 11, 1939, Betty Grable
On the screen, she starred opposite all the big-name male stars, playing their lovers; off the screen, she was a pair with Desi Arnaz (1917-1986), who later became the husband of Lucille Ball (1911-1989).
However, George Raft and Victor Metcher will still appear by her side. But after breaking up with Ati Xiao, she obviously had a clear preference for musicians.
Betty Grable attends a dinner party with George Raft
She fell in love with Harry James while filming Springtime in the Rockies (1942).
Although he is married and has two children.
And George Raft was still pestering Betty Grable and bought her an expensive diamond watch.
Betty Grable and Harry James
Nonetheless, their relationship came to an end: Betty Grable called George Raft to tell him that it was over.
Betty Grable told her best friend that she didn't have any hard feelings. She was sure that George Raft still loved her and she loved him.
"You can't look at someone every day, doing the little thoughtful things that George Raft did, and not feel lonely after a breakup," she said.
Betty Grable and Harry James
"I don't expect to forget George Raft today, tomorrow or next week. But I know there is no going back."
Even if she faced media inquiries, she still denied dating Harry James, but Lucille Ball confirmed that they were in love.
"I remember going to see her," Lucille Ball said, "and she was lying on the floor with the radio close to her ear, and Harry James was playing in Chicago or somewhere.
Betty Grable and Harry James with their eldest daughter,
When he came on the radio, she would stop everything she was doing. The radio blared and she heard a charge. "
Harry James liked to brag that he could give her a stable marriage, and after he finalized his divorce in Mexico, the two were married in Las Vegas .
Betty Grable was pregnant at this time, and in March 1944, she gave birth to her eldest daughter.
This is Betty Grable's most famous photo.
Meanwhile, George Raft sought solace in Bonita Granville (1923-1988), a 20-year-old actress who was six years younger than Betty Grable.
【Famous Million Legs】
In 1942, 1943 and 1944, Betty Grable was the leading female star in the American film industry.
She received more than 10,000 letters a week from fans, and in 1942 alone she mailed 54,000 autographed photos to soldiers at Camp Robinson, Arkansas, in response to their letters.
Betty Grable's photo shoot for Life magazine
Twentieth Century Fox made a big deal out of the fact that her famous thighs were insured for a million dollars by Lloyd's of London.
She has been awarded various titles: "The girl with million-dollar thighs"; "The girl with gorgeous thighs"; or "Thighs that make countless people sigh".
Betty Grable on a US military plane during World War II
The classic swimsuit photo of Betty Grable looking back and smiling - that photo that triggered countless dreams - this was the beauty of that era, the representative work of that era - taken in 1943, there are several versions of the origin of this pose.
One day she turned her back to the camera to hide her bulging belly due to pregnancy. Others said Daryl F. Zanuck had just walked into the studio and she raised her shoulders and looked back at him with a smile.
Betty Grable's beautiful legs left her name on Hollywood Boulevard.
The work's unimaginable lethality made it widely praised. Her photos were posted on the wall for appreciation, making her a "wall beauty."
During World War II, soldiers were fighting abroad and how to relieve their homesickness. This work became the sustenance of the troops.
At that time, the army required 50,000 posters every month, and soldiers would bring posters with them wherever they went. Even in torpedo boats and bombers, , this poster of Betty Grable was posted.
Betty Grable in a promotional photo for the film I Wake Up Screaming (1941)
"A lot of people don't have girlfriends to fight for," said Betty Grable. "I think they saw me as the popular girl and a source of bravery."
An American pilot who died in combat was seen clutching a topless photo of Betty in his hands.
This photo also inspired the founder of "Playboy" magazine Hugh Hefner to create "Playboy" magazine.
Still from the movie Pin-up Girl (1944), Betty Grable
On the other hand. Her photos also fell into the hands of the enemy, who, like their Confederate counterparts, impulsively posted them wherever they went.
Twentieth Century Fox also made a lot of money from her starring role in the musical "Pin Up Girl" (1944).
Stills from the movie "Poster Girl" (1944), Betty Grable
[Becoming friends with Marilyn Monroe]
Compared with Rita Hayworth , Marilyn Monroe and other sexy actresses, Betty Grable is not a great beauty, but her innocent smile, especially her voluptuous legs, is like the girl next door, sunny, healthy and full of vitality, which has cured the homesickness of countless American soldiers.
From 1945 to 1947, Betty Grable became the highest-paid female star in the United States. When she attempted her first serious film, Do You Love Me (1946), 20th Century Fox received letters from more than 100,000 viewers complaining that she did not show her famous "thighs" in the film.
Publicity photo for the film The Shocking Miss Pilgrim (1947), with Betty Grable and Dick Haymes
This was quickly rectified in the next film, The Shocking Miss Pilgrim (1947), which also proved that she was still a box-office guarantee.
During the filming of That Lady in Ermine (1948) with Douglas Fairbanks Jr. Douglas Fairbanks Jr. (1909-2000), she gave her co-star a mink-print crotch protector. He responded with a mink-patterned chastity belt.
Betty Grable, Harry James and her eldest daughter
are constantly trapped on the set filming non-stop, which also means that her relationship with her husband Harry James is always in a cold war period.
In addition, Harry James and his band have to continuously tour the country, and newspaper gossip columnists often report the news that Harry James slept with young fans.
Frank Sinatra (left) and Harry James (right, standing player) rehearsing
When Betty Grable confronted him, she was met with silent fury. Fortunately, she was filming "Wabash Avenue" (1950) with her old flame Victor Metcher.
After that, she has been avoiding breaking up with Harry James. After all, the husband and wife have different careers, not to mention they have two daughters, and no one is willing to pay more for the other.
Stills from the movie "My Blue Heaven" (1950), Betty Grable and Dan Dailey
During the filming of "My Blue Heaven" (1950), there were constant rumors about her affair with the leading actor, Dan Dailey (1913-1978).
It is said that Harry James broke into Betty Grable's dressing room without knocking and caught her in bed. A fight broke out, resulting in Betty Grable being beaten into a panda eye.
She told the film company that her husband, Harry James, braked too hard while she was in the car.
On the set of the movie "Better Days" (1953), Betty Grable and Marilyn Monroe took a photo in the dressing room.
At this time, her reputation began to decline. After all, there were too many negative news surrounding her, and new forces in Hollywood began to emerge.
In "How to Marry a Millionaire" (1953), Betty Grable starred opposite Marilyn Monroe (1926-1962), who eventually replaced her as "Twentieth Century Fox's Blonde."
Betty Grable and Marilyn Monroe
Betty Grable and Marilyn Monroe
At this time, Marilyn Monroe had occupied Betty Grable's dedicated dressing room, but the two became friends.
In any case, when the film was completed and ready for release, Betty Grable tore up her contract in front of Daryl F. Zanuck and left the studio in tears.
At the same time, her marriage was on the rocks due to Harry James's drinking, gambling, and womanizing.
Betty Grable and Harry James and their eldest daughter
Betty Grable and Harry James finalized their divorce on October 9, 1965, finally ending their 22-year marriage.
[The last boyfriend was 30 years younger than her]
Because Harry James’s gambling almost wiped out all her savings, she had to return to the world after the divorce. She used her classic poster style to shoot a short commercial for a women’s products company.
Betty Grable was photographed in 1963.
After that, she continued to appear in lucrative television singing and dancing performances, while also touring entertainment venues across the country and starring in musicals.
In 1968, 52-year-old Betty Grable fell in love with Bob Remick, a 22-year-old dancer in her team, and had the last romantic time in her life.
While in hospital shortly before her death in 1973, her hospital gown fell down, exposing her back.
Betty Grable promotional photo
"Don't worry, we didn't see anything," one nurse said.
"That's what they said too," Betty Grable replied.
Betty Grable died of lung cancer on July 2, 1973, at the age of 56, due to her heavy addiction to cigarettes.
In people's minds, she is always the "girl with millions of beautiful legs", a sexy label of an era, and has left an indelible mark on American culture.
Betty Grable's image in the movie
- Only because of her romantic diary was made public, she attempted suicide, but her film career was not affected
- The "Blonde Bombshell" worked in the movie for seven years and became popular without relying on hidden rules, but she died at the age of 26
- 9-year-old actress Thelma Todd died mysteriously. She has made 115 movies. The cause of her death is still a mystery.
- She was banned by Hollywood at the age of 23 and refused to take a salary cut. Her sexual orientation was questioned. She published a book in her later years to expose the shady story.
