The Silver Screen Oasis

There is quite a bit about Dewey Martin in Fever: The Life and Music of Peggy Lee by Peter Richmond (Picador, 2007), a good, well-sourced biography of the singer-actress. The author relied on observations of individuals such as Tony Bennett who were well-acquainted with the singer for information about the Lee-Martin marriage. He also cited this online article, first published back in the mid-fifties, which details something about Martin's background and career aspirations, which may explain some of the reasons why Dewey Martin seems to have left show business rather abruptly. He did not have an easy life, and peaceful home life proved elusive for the possessive husband and wife, according to the gist of the whole biography.:
http://www.peggylee.com/library/570000.html

Many, many thanks for the link, Moira. Fascinating information of which I had no previous knowledge.

No Astor offense taken, Western Guy! To each his own....

And Mongo, that is a great shot of Carradine! Who knew he sculpted? Lovely....

Thanks Sue Sue. Must confess I have rescinded my opinion after seeing that gorgeous shot of a youthful Miss Astor atop her horse. Just for many years have been prejudiced against her because of that hairstyle. Guess I preferred the Ronnie Lake peek-a-boo. But thanks to this great site I have been introduced to a much more flattering view of Mary Astor and will, herefore, view her accordingly.

And, yes, Carradine was a serious artist. Apparently he studied at Philadelphia's Graphic Arts Institute.

From Wikipedia: David (Carradine) said that while still a teenager, his father went to Richmond, Virginia, where he served as apprentice to Daniel Chester French, the sculptor who created the statue of Abraham Lincoln for the Lincoln Monument. He traveled for a time, supporting himself painting portraits. "If the sitter was satisfied, the price was $2.50," he once said. "It cost him nothing if he thought it was a turkey. I made as high as $10 to $15 a day." During this time, he was arrested for vagrancy. While in jail Carradine was beaten, suffering a broken nose that did not set correctly. This contributed to the look that would become world famous.

The Madonna album was her second album, I remember Papa Don't Preach was on it, I liked the fact she sampled Cagney's voice although I wonder what made her choose him. He's a very distinctive voice and as it's sampled from White Heat he sounds menacing.

Lovely bride Eleanor Powell and Glenn Ford (cow lick?) on their wedding day in 1943

Beautiful wedding photo, Mongo!

Moira, thanks for the Dewey Martin/Peggy Lee info. Ditto, Stone, for the Carradine info. Both very interesting.
Christy, they did make a lovely couple. It's too bad he strayed.

The gang is on tour to entertain the troops during WWII. Bless them.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

JUDI DENCH is 78 today


WILLIAM REYNOLDS is 81 today


BUCK HENRY is 82 today


KIRK DOUGLAS is 96 today


JOHN CASSAVETES (1929 - 1989)


BRODERICK CRAWFORD (1911 - 1986)


DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS JR. (1909 - 2000)


MARGARET HAMILTON (1902 - 1985)


HOWARD FREEMAN (1899 - 1967)


HERMIONE GINGOLD (1897 - 1987)

Happy Birthday to the wonderful William Reynolds. One of those little heralded actors from the 50s who never got their
due.

dickson

I suppose my three main memories of William Reynolds are his role opposite Efrem in "The FBI", his performance in "The Purple Testament" episode of "The Twilight Zone" . . . and, horrors, starring in "The Thing That Couldn't Die" (probably a role John Agar would have been handed had he renewed his U-I contract).

A very special Happy Birthday to Kirk! Played the game his own way and succeeded.

Lita Milan looks on as director Robert Stevens instructs John Drew Barrymore on the set of "Never Love a Stranger"

Wide-eyed Joan Crawford on the set of "Possessed" with director Curtis Bernhardt

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

TOMMY KIRK is 71 today


TOMMY RETTIG (1941 - 1996)


MACO (1933 - 2006)


BARBARA NICHOLS (1928 - 1976)


ANNE GWYNNE (1918 - 2003)


DOROTHY LAMOUR (1914 - 1996)


UNA MERKEL (1903 - 1986)


RAY COLLINS (1889 - 1965)


VICTOR McLAGLEN (1886 - 1959)