Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Star of the Day - Van Johnson
The blond, freckled boy-next-door almost didn't become a star. While working on A Guy Named Joe, his first major role, Johnson was in a car accident. He suffered critical injuries to his head, requiring a metal plate and 4 months of rehab. Co-stars Spencer Tracy and Irene Dunn refused to finish the film without Johnson, and so they waited the 4 months to end filming.Van Johnson played roles in musicals, romantic comedies, and war dramas, perhaps most notably 30 Seconds Over Tokyo. He was often paired with everyone's girl-next-door, June Allyson.
Johnson and Allyson are two of the last remaining MGM stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Van Johnson will turn 90 in 2 days on August 25.
Check out the Johnson/Allyson magic tonight in Two Girls and a Sailor with Gloria DeHaven and the very funny Jimmy Durante. Two show biz girls start a canteen at their home for servicemen. Unbeknownst to them, one of the servicemen is the heir to a fortune, and makes sure their dreams of a canteen "large enough to let them all in" come true. The canteen plot of the movie gave it a chance to showcase some great musical talent including Jose Iturbi, Harry James, Xavier Cugat, and Gracie Allen along with many other cameos.
UPDATE: June Allyson died on July 8 this year. I missed it while I was at school.
Labels: movies
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Another interesting update ...
Still living is Eva Marie Saint, who is still working at 82 and is still married to the same man after 55 years. Quite a feat in Hollywood.
That is right up there with Jeanne Crain, who was married to Paul Brooks from 1946 until his death in 2003; they had seven children.
Still living is Eva Marie Saint, who is still working at 82 and is still married to the same man after 55 years. Quite a feat in Hollywood.
That is right up there with Jeanne Crain, who was married to Paul Brooks from 1946 until his death in 2003; they had seven children.
# posted by 
: 8/24/2006 6:14 PM
: 8/24/2006 6:14 PM
I heard about June Allyson's death last night after I had already posted. I missed because I was at school. Gloria DeHaven is still alive, though.
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