Dorothy Lamour
Dorothy
Lamour was among the most popular actresses in motion pictures from
1936 to the mid-1950's. In a career that spanned more than six decades
in radio, movies, and theater, Dorothy demonstrated her ability to
succeed in a multitude of professions. She became a star in 1936 in The Jungle Princess
which presented her as a sort of female Tarzan. Although Lamour had a
unique style and an allure which the public found compelling, she also
showed tremendous talent as both a comic and dramatic actress. Lamour's
rapid rise to stardom made her a sex symbol. During World War II, pinup
girls were popular among American servicemen. There were five girls
whose photos and likenesses could be found everywhere the GI's could
put them, in barracks, on the sides of aircraft, even in wallets: Lana
Turner, Veronica Lake, Betty Grable, Rita Hayworth -- and Dorothy
Lamour. Lamour embodied what today we call "female empowerment."
She was distinctive among her peers in that she was extremely
intelligent, had an excellent sense of humor, and an almost complete
lack of pretension. She was as comfortable mingling with her audience
as she was on stage, endearing her to both men and women alike. Lamour
had a strong sense of patriotism. She organized the first war bond
tours, in which movie stars traveled the country promoting and selling
U.S. government bonds. Lamour sold hundreds of millions of dollars
worth of war bonds, while refusing to take any compensation even to
cover her expenses. She established a standard of professional conduct
that brought her great respect, eventually earning her the nickname: "The Bond Bombshell."
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Dorothy Lamour
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Dorothy Lamour (Mary Leta Dorothy Slaton; 1914-1996), American actress and singer; actors.
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Lulu Belle
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Advertisement for Lulu Belle (1948 U.S. film)
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The Girl from Manhattan
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Scene with (left to right) Howard Freeman, Ernest Truex, George Montgomery and Dorothy Lamour in The Girl from Manhattan.
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Manhandled
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Scene with Sterling Hayden and Dorothy Lamour in Manhandled (1949 U.S. film).
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Riding High
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Scene with Dorothy Lamour as Native American singing and dancing in Riding High (1943 U.S. film).
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Slightly French
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Scene with Dorothy Lamour in bed with framed portrait of Don Ameche in Slightly French (1949 U.S. film)
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Road to Bali
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Publicity photo of Bing Crosby (left) and Bob Hope in Scottish kilts with Dorothy Lamour as a Balinese dancer in Road to Bali (1952 U.S. film).
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Road to Bali
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Scene with (L to R) Bob Hope, Dorothy Lamour, and Bing Crosby in Road to Bali (1952 U.S. film).
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Road to Rio
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Scene with (L to R) Bing Crosby, Dorothy Lamour, and Bob Hope in Road to Rio (1947 U.S. film).
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Dorothy Lamour Filmography
Dorothy Lamour is probably best remembered today as Bing Crosby and Bob Hope's female foil in the many "Road To..." films produced during and after the war years. She later remarked: "I felt like a wonderful sandwich -- a slice of white bread between two slices of ham." Dorothy
Lamour passed away on September 22, 1996 at the age of 81. She will be
remembered not only for her unique beauty, charm, and talent, but also
for the vitality and versatility she demonstrated in every role, both
on- and off-screen. Filmography - Aloma of the South Seas (1941)
- And the Angels Sing (1944)
- Beyond the Blue Horizon (1942)
- Big Broadcast of 1938 (1938)
- Caught in the Draft (1941)
- Chad Hanna (1940)
- College Holiday (1936)
- Creepshow 2 (1987)
- Disputed Passage (1939)
- Dixie (1943)
- Donovan's Reef (1963)
- Duffy's Tavern (1945)
- Fleet's In (1942)
- Footlight Parade (1933)
- Girl from Manhattan (1948)
- Greatest Show on Earth (1952)
- Her Jungle Love (1938)
- High, Wide, and Handsome (1937)
- Hurricane (1937)
- Johnny Apollo (1940)
- Jungle Princess (1936)
- Last Train from Madrid (1937)
- Lucky Stiff (1949)
- Lulu Belle (film) (1948)
- Man About Town (1939)
- Manhandled (1949)
- Masquerade in Mexico (1945)
- Medal for Benny (1945)
- Moon Over Burma (1940)
- My Favorite Brunette (1947)
- On Our Merry Way (1948)
- Pajama Party (1964)
- Phynx (1970)
- Rainbow Island (1944)
- Riding High (1943)
- Road to Bali (1952)
- Road to Morocco (1942)
- Road to Rio (1947)
- Road to Singapore (1940)
- Road to Utopia (1946)
- Road to Zanzibar (1941)
- Slightly French (1949)
- Spawn of the North (1938)
- St. Louis Blues (1939)
- Star Spangled Rhythm (1942)
- Swing High, Swing Low (1937)
- They Got Me Covered (1943)
- Thrill of a Lifetime (1937)
- Tropic Holiday (1938)
- Typhoon (1940)
- Variety Girl (1947)
- Wild Harvest (1947)
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