"Sex comes from within, but a revealing gown can help for TV. With records, the sex has to be in your voice."
There is very little in life that appeals more to us here at Dolores Delargo Towers than the discovery of a new diva! Mademoiselle Dannielle Darrieux - whose singing talents we celebrated on May Day - was one such recent joy. Now, here's another.
On discovering today that this would have been the birthday of one Connie Russell [a name unfamiliar to moi], I of course felt obliged to investigate further. And I am so glad I did...
Here are just two of the lady's fabulously camp musical numbers, for your delectation - beginning with the extraordinary One Arabian Night:
...and here she sings one of our anthems - it's I Want A Boy!
Simply marvellous.
Facts:
- Miss Russell was born into showbiz - her parents Tommy and Nina were a vaudeville team; her grandparents were also entertainers, performing as Glenroy and Russell.
- "Discovered" performing in cabaret clubs, she landed a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer at the tender age of sixteen.
- Despite featuring in seven movies, it was her singing career that endured; she appeared on numerous radio and television shows throughout the 40s, 50s and 60s including those hosted by Milton Berle and Eddie Cantor.
- One of her most popular stage roles was in 1951's South Pacific as "Nellie Forbush", but her hopes for the subsequent film role went down the tubes when the role went to Mitzi Gaynor.
Connie Russell (9th May 1923 - 18th December 1990)
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please leave a message - I value your comments!
[NB Bear with me if there is a delay - thanks to spammers I might need to approve comments]