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Post by Cinemaniac on Nov 29, 2023 3:59:07 GMT
Last night I was watching "WHITE CHRISTMAS", and I was suddenly reminded of a scene from a movie I haven't seen in years. There was that one ditsy blonde showgirl that both Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye are introduced to backstage after one of their revues, who reminded me of another movie with a similar character. I don't think it was the same actress, but perhaps either Betty Grable, or more likely Rhonda Fleming. The reason why I think it was Rhonda is because of these two pictures -   It was after seeing these pictures I figured she was the actress in the scene I'll now describe. The movie was in color, and probably from the 1950s. This bleach-blonde showgirl in a rather skimpy dress meets some timid young man backstage after a show. The blonde (Rhonda, most likely) was obviously a flirtatious floozy type and was chewing gum very heavily with lusty sex appeal. More so being unable to spit out her words without gnawing her gum in between each word, and barely giving her chin much of a chance to relax (probably why Rhonda has such a strong jawline). I can guarantee Rhonda had chewed through one of her typical husky sounding anger-driven grunts within a scene ("Ooooogggh...!"). Afterwards, I think the blonde takes the man out on the town somewhere. I'm almost positively sure this was Rhonda Fleming. She does come off as a rather level-headed woman with such proper mannerisms, but also tends to show off her more notable sexual side whenever allowed. I mean, look at her in "WHILE THE CITY SLEEPS". What a looker! She may not be wearing a slip as seen above, but rather a TWO PIECE SWIMSUIT! These two pictures may be from the movie I had just described, but then again they could be from another movie. If anyone can identify this particular movie, I would very much appreciate your efforts. |
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Post by Fading Fast on Nov 29, 2023 12:05:38 GMT
I don't have an answer, but my guess is that you are right, it is Rhonda.
But if it isn't, another actress that fits the bill as the gum-chomping, man-eating chorus girl from that era is Barbara Nichols.
She played the character you described in movies like "Beyond a Reasonable Doubt" (not in color, so not your movie) and "Pal Joey," amongst others.
Ms. Nichols
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Post by Cinemaniac on Nov 29, 2023 23:54:52 GMT
I am familiar with Barbara Nichols, especially on "The Jack Benny Program" (for TV) as Jack's dim-witted and highly unrefined girlfriend Mildred. Check her out in the episode when she and Jack attend a violin concerto the same night James Stewart and his wife are in the audience (and trying as hard as they can to avoid being sighted by Jack and his date). The movie I'm thinking of is very likely a musical from either MGM or else from 20th Century Fox. I don't know how often Rhonda Fleming was in contract with either of those studios, so it still may have been her. As I said with given evidence from those two above photos of her, Rhonda appears very much the way I recall the woman from this particular movie. Plus, I can also very easily see Rhonda chewing gum with such sex-starving madness in that easy-looking get up, while still maintaining her natural classy self.
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Post by Cinemaniac on Nov 30, 2023 0:38:55 GMT
Just as a bit of bonus, here's a close-up of Rhonda Fleming from this movie (if I'm correct) - ![]()  For the consideration of those who prefer Ms. Fleming as a red-head, here are a few pictures of Rhonda as herself -  Better yet, IN COLOR and at the pool -  |
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Post by Cinemaniac on Dec 2, 2023 16:11:46 GMT
I shall also mention one other bit of detail in order to help crack the case of this mysterious movie wide open. There was a scene where bleach-blonde, sex-hungry, gum-chewing Rhonda Fleming (?) was serenading the bashful man with a sultry sounding number. She was a playing the likely sluttish man-chaser using her sex appeal as an easy and temping lure to catch her male bait. Then again, it could have also been Betty Grable playing role, since she did more singing on film than Rhonda (although Rhonda did sing in some film and also recorded some albums). Has anyone ever seen Rhonda in that one Western (I forget the title) with the guys from TV's "The Virginian"? She did play a similar character has a flirtatious saloon singer who had her heart for James Drury's character. Mind you, this isn't the film I'm subconsciously thinking of, since I have seen it several times recently. Plus, in that movie, Rhonda wasn't chewing gum, and her hair was the standard red. Again, it could have been Betty Grable, but when it comes to those two women presenting themselves with an over abundance of sex appeal, Rhonda takes great chances.
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Post by Fading Fast on Dec 2, 2023 16:33:07 GMT
I shall also mention one other bit of detail in order to help crack the case of this mysterious movie wide open. There was a scene where bleach-blonde, sex-hungry, gum-chewing Rhonda Fleming (?) was serenading the bashful man with a sultry sounding number. She was a playing the likely sluttish man-chaser using her sex appeal as an easy and temping lure to catch her male bait. Then again, it could have also been Betty Grable playing role, since she did more singing on film than Rhonda (although Rhonda did sing in some film and also recorded some albums). Has anyone ever seen Rhonda in that one Western (I forget the title) with the guys from TV's "The Virginian"? She did play a similar character has a flirtatious saloon singer who had her heart for James Drury's character. Mind you, this isn't the film I'm subconsciously thinking of, since I have seen it several times recently. Plus, in that movie, Rhonda wasn't chewing gum, and her hair was the standard red. Again, it could have been Betty Grable, but when it comes to those two women presenting themselves with an over abundance of sex appeal, Rhonda takes great chances. |
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Post by I Love Melvin on Dec 3, 2023 0:14:33 GMT
The actress in the scene you're referring to in White Christmas is Barrie Chase, best remembered now as Fred Astaire's dance partner on a series of award-winning TV dance specials in the 1950's and 60's. I mentioned the scene not too long ago because she looks into the camera at one point and someone informed me (sagebrush?) that it was Barrie, which was a total surprise.
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Post by Cinemaniac on Dec 5, 2023 23:35:02 GMT
So wait... That blonde in "WHITE CHRISTMAS"... ![]() ![]()  is also that brunette in "CAPE FEAR"?!  Isn't Barrie Chase also that bikini-clad woman shimmying to go-go music in "IT'S A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD"? It's no wonder I would never have guessed that was Barrie in "WHITE CHRISTMAS" because unlike in that movie, I tend to notice she has more of a sharp and tightly clutched jawline. |
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Post by Cinemaniac on Dec 6, 2023 0:00:19 GMT
Fading Fast -
I actually looked up Rhonda's movies on TCM's list of credits. The only movie that I figured might have been the one I'm thinking of was one titled "THOSE REDHEADS FROM SEATTLE". I've never seen it before, but I'm now figuring that would not be the film. If the actress isn't Rhonda, then I figure it may be any of the following actresses -
- Betty Grable
- Janis Paige
- June Haver
- Virginia Mayo
- Janet Blair
I just hope any of these names could possibly fit my original description of this unidentified actress from this equally unknown movie. If not, then she could be someone whose name I'm unaware of at the moment. I would just hope that the scene I had originally referred to could help ring a bell to anyone.
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Post by I Love Melvin on Dec 6, 2023 0:06:24 GMT
So wait... That blonde in "WHITE CHRISTMAS"... ![]() ![]() View Attachmentis also that brunette in "CAPE FEAR"?! View AttachmentIsn't Barrie Chase also that bikini-clad woman shimmying to go-go music in "IT'S A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD"? It's no wonder I would never have guessed that was Barrie in "WHITE CHRISTMAS" because unlike in that movie, I tend to notice she has more of a sharp and tightly clutched jawline. This is the Barrie I remember most, as the partner of Fred Astaire on those Emmy-winning TV specials.  |
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Post by I Love Melvin on Dec 6, 2023 0:28:12 GMT
Fading Fast - I actually looked up Rhonda's movies on TCM's list of credits. The only movie that I figured might have been the one I'm thinking of was one titled "THOSE REDHEADS FROM SEATTLE". I've never seen it before, but I'm now figuring that would not be the film. If the actress isn't Rhonda, then I figure it may be any of the following actresses - - Betty Grable - Janis Paige - June Haver - Virginia Mayo - Janet Blair I just hope any of these names could possibly fit my original description of this unidentified actress from this equally unknown movie. If not, then she could be someone whose name I'm unaware of at the moment. I would just hope that the scene I had originally referred to could help ring a bell to anyone. Virginia Mayo played a showgirl/burlesque dancer in She's Working Her Way Through College (1953) with Ronald Reagan, but she was more of an egghead than gum-chewing type. I think maybe you could widen your search to include Sheree North. Twentieth Century-Fox was grooming her to be a potential replacement for Marilyn after Marilyn complained about the roles they were giving her and split for New York. Marilyn was supposed to do How to Be Very Very Popular (1955) with Betty Grable but she said a thousand times no and Fox stuck Sheree in the role, making her as platinum blonde as they could. She and Betty played showgirls but I don't remember gum-chewing in that one either.   |
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Post by Cinemaniac on Dec 11, 2023 23:26:16 GMT
I Love Melvin -
I apologize for not having responded to you much sooner. I haven't seen that Betty Grable/Sheree North film before. It would be great if TCM could show more of those Fox films. Was it ever on Fox Movies Channel? That channel has very lately been showing some of the same "golden-age" films too often. Movies! should at least show it. That channel has many Fox films in their library.
The mystery of the movie with the blonde-haired, gum-chewing woman (Rhonda Fleming or else another actress) is still a mystery, and I won't sleep until the case is finally closed. I would be impressed if by chance I just happen to come across it on TCM some day when least expecting.
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Post by Cinemaniac on Dec 19, 2023 22:32:26 GMT
I just happened to be watching "WHITE CHRISTMAS" last night on AMC, and sure enough as I see Barrie Chase as that ditzy peroxide blonde showgirl, I only envision Barbara Nichols (who I always had sworn that was) rather than the tight jawed, bikini-clad, always scowling brunette shaking her stuff in "IT'S A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD". Sexy lady, no doubt.
Just as a bit of a heads up, "WHITE CHRISTMAS" is actually not the movie I've been thinking of in this topic. Sure, Barrie Chase is a showgirl with light blonde hair, dressed somewhat revealing, and is fiercely chewing gum (within her first scene in this movie), but it's still not what I've had in mind.
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Post by I Love Melvin on Dec 20, 2023 15:53:04 GMT
I shall also mention one other bit of detail in order to help crack the case of this mysterious movie wide open. There was a scene where bleach-blonde, sex-hungry, gum-chewing Rhonda Fleming (?) was serenading the bashful man with a sultry sounding number. She was a playing the likely sluttish man-chaser using her sex appeal as an easy and temping lure to catch her male bait. Then again, it could have also been Betty Grable playing role, since she did more singing on film than Rhonda (although Rhonda did sing in some film and also recorded some albums). I certainly wish you luck in your search, but I think you may be confusing things by piling on phrases like "sex-hungry", "sluttish man-chaser", "tempting lure to catch her male bait". Since this seems to be taking place within the confines of a musical number, at least the way you're describing it, I think that kind of crude hyperbole could maybe misdirect our thinking. You're also making it sound like a whole other kind of movie than we're likely to see someone like Betty Grable in; she played ditzy blondes, but with at least a veneer of respectability. If your movie really is about a "slut", that changes things. One which popped into my head was the remake of The Blue Angel (1959) , with blonde May Britt playing the Dietrich role, though once again I think the gum-chewing would maybe rule it out.  If not, then the search goes on and I'll be happy to offer suggestions, if you'll please just stop lumping some of my favorite actresses into the category of potential "sluts". Deal? |
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Post by Andrea Doria on Dec 20, 2023 18:19:30 GMT
I can't help with the mystery, but while trying to help I've become a little obsessed with Miss Fleming:
Here's an early picture all apple cheeked and pretty: Later:  I think she might have had a few molars removed to give her the high cheek bones look that was favored at the time.
If she did it would add to the confusion when trying to spot her in her early roles.
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