Another centenary today - the magnificent big-screen dance sensation of the 1950s Vera-Ellen, star of On The Town (with Gene Kelly), The Belle of New York (with Fred Astaire), Call Me Madam (with Donald O'Connor) and White Christmas (with Danny Kaye).
Somewhat overlooked in the "hoofer" stakes in comparison to the likes of Cyd Charisse and Ann Miller, nevertheless several of the mere sixteen movies she made are nowadays recognised as "classics".
Facts:
- Because she was so thin, for her entire life she was dogged by (untrue) rumours of an eating disorder.
- Simliar rumours abounded that Barbie dolls were modelled on her leggy figure; their creator actually based them on a similar German doll called "Bild Lilli".
- Vera-Ellen was not a singer, so all her musical roles were dubbed by others - and in the Sisters duet, both parts were actually sung by Rosemary Clooney!
- Such was her skill and training, she was one of the few Hollywood dancers whose on-screen routines were filmed in one take.
- She married twice, the second time to millionaire Victor Rothschild (which ended in divorce); when they lost their only child to cot death, she retired from public life.
Here's just s small sample of the lovely lady's talents...
Vera-Ellen (born Vera-Ellen Westmeier Rohe, 16th February 1921 – 30th August 1981)