Dick Powell facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dick Powell
Dick Powell in 1962
Born	Richard Ewing Powell (1904-11-14)November 14, 1904 Mountain View, Arkansas, U.S.
Died	January 2, 1963(1963-01-02) (aged 58) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting place	Forest Lawn Memorial Park
Occupation	Actor musician producer director
Years active	1930–1963
Spouse(s)	Mildred Maund ​ ​ (m. 1925; div. 1932)​ Joan Blondell ​ ​ (m. 1936; div. 1944)​ June Allyson ​ (m. 1945)​
Children	Richard Powell Jr., Pamela Powell
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Richard Ewing Powell (born November 14, 1904 – died January 2, 1963) was a talented American actor, singer, musician, producer, and director. He started his career as a cheerful singer in musical comedies. Later, he changed his style and became known for playing tough, serious characters. He was even the first actor to play the famous detective Philip Marlowe in movies!

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Dick Powell was born in Mountain View, Arkansas. His family moved to Little Rock in 1914. There, young Dick sang in church choirs and with local orchestras. He even started his own band!

Powell went to University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He began his entertainment career as a singer with the Royal Peacock Band. This band traveled all over the Midwest. Later, he joined the Charlie Davis Orchestra. He recorded many songs with them and on his own.

He married Mildred Maund, a model, in 1925. They divorced in 1932.

Becoming a Star

Powell moved to Pittsburgh, where he became very popular. He worked as a master of ceremonies at local theaters.

Joining Warner Bros.

In 1930, Warner Bros. (WB) bought the record company Powell recorded for. They were impressed by his singing and stage presence. In 1932, they offered him a movie contract. His first film was Blessed Event, where he played a singing bandleader.

He also appeared in Too Busy to Work (1932). He often played a charming, boyish singer in his early films. Back at Warner Bros., he starred in 42nd Street (1933) with Ruby Keeler. This movie was a huge success!

Warner Bros. continued to cast him in similar musical roles. He starred in Gold Diggers of 1933 and Footlight Parade (both 1933). These films were also very popular.

Powell became a top star in films like College Coach (1933) and Dames (1934). He was also the main star in Happiness Ahead and Flirtation Walk (both 1934). He continued to star in musicals like Gold Diggers of 1935 and Broadway Gondolier (both 1935).

He even played Lysander in a special movie version of A Midsummer Night's Dream (1935). He made several more musicals, often with Ruby Keeler or Joan Blondell. By 1939, Powell was tired of playing the same type of role. He left Warner Bros. and moved to Paramount Pictures.

Moving to Paramount

At Paramount, Powell started to take on different kinds of roles. He appeared in the drama I Want a Divorce (1940) with Joan Blondell. He also starred in the comedy Christmas in July (1940).

He had a role in In the Navy (1941) with Abbott and Costello. This was one of the most popular movies of that year. He also appeared in Happy Go Lucky (1943) and Riding High (1943).

In 1944, he was in the fantasy comedy It Happened Tomorrow. He also starred in the musical Campana Serenade on the radio.

Becoming a "Tough Guy"

By 1944, Dick Powell wanted to play more serious characters. He got his chance when he was cast as private detective Philip Marlowe. This was in the film Murder, My Sweet (1944). This movie was a big hit! It helped Powell become known as a dramatic actor. He was the first actor to play Philip Marlowe in a movie.

In 1945, Powell starred in another exciting thriller called Cornered. He continued to play tough roles in films like Johnny O'Clock (1947) and To the Ends of the Earth (1948). He also starred in Pitfall, where he played a bored insurance worker.

Powell also tried different genres. He appeared in a Western called Station West (1948). He was also in a French Foreign Legion story, Rogues' Regiment (1949). In 1950, he played a Mountie in Mrs. Mike.

From 1949 to 1953, Powell played the main character in a radio show. It was called Richard Diamond, Private Detective. He played a clever private detective with a good sense of humor. He would often sing a short song at the end of the show.

Powell took a break from tough-guy roles in The Reformer and the Redhead (1950). He starred with his wife, June Allyson. But he soon returned to more serious movies. These included Right Cross (1950) and Cry Danger (1951). His last film role was in the romantic comedy Susan Slept Here (1954). Even in his later comedies, he no longer sang.

Becoming a Director

Dick Powell also became a film director. His first movie as a director was Split Second (1953). He then directed The Conqueror (1956). This film starred John Wayne. The outdoor scenes were filmed in Utah, near a place where atomic tests had happened. Many people who worked on the film later developed cancer, including Powell and Wayne.

He directed his wife, June Allyson, in You Can't Run Away from It (1956). Powell also directed two war movies with Robert Mitchum. These were The Enemy Below (1957) and The Hunters (1958).

Television Work

In the 1950s, Dick Powell helped start a TV company called Four Star Television. He worked with Charles Boyer, David Niven, and Ida Lupino. He appeared in and helped create many shows for this company.

He hosted and sometimes starred in his own show, Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater. This show was on CBS from 1956 to 1961. His last TV show was The Dick Powell Show on NBC, from 1961 to 1963. After he passed away, the show continued with guest hosts.

Personal Life

Dick Powell was married three times.

• He married Mildred Evelyn Maund in 1925. They divorced in 1932.
• He married Joan Blondell in 1936. They divorced in 1944. He adopted her son, Norman. They also had a daughter named Ellen.
• He married June Allyson in 1945. They stayed married until his death in 1963. They had two children, Pamela (adopted) and Richard Jr.

Powell's home was used for filming the TV series Hart to Hart. He also enjoyed flying his own plane.

Illness and Death

In September 1962, Dick Powell shared that he was being treated for cancer. He passed away on January 2, 1963, at the age of 58. His wife, June Allyson, later said he died from lung cancer due to smoking.

After his death, Dick Powell received a special award. It was from the Television Academy for his important work in the TV industry. Dick Powell also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Filmography

As Actor

Features

Short Films

As Director

Radio Appearances

Dick Powell was the first actor to play private detective Philip Marlowe on radio in 1945.

Lux Radio Theatre appearances:

Recordings

Dick Powell recorded many songs during his career. Some of his well-known recordings include:

• "I Only Have Eyes for You" (1934) from the film Dames.
• "Roses in December" (1937)
• "Over There"/"Captains of the Clouds" (1942)
• "Susan Slept Here" / "Hold My Hand" (1954)

Images for kids

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  Ruby Keeler and Powell in Footlight Parade (1933)

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  Dick Powell in a trailer for Dames (1934)

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  Dick Powell and Inez Asher

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  Guest stars for the premiere episode of The Dick Powell Show, "Who Killed Julie Greer?" Standing, from left: Ronald Reagan, Nick Adams, Lloyd Bridges, Mickey Rooney, Edgar Bergen, Jack Carson, Ralph Bellamy, Kay Thompson, and Dean Jones, seated, from left, Carolyn Jones and Dick Powell.

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  Dick Powell in 1934

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  June Allyson and Dick Powell in 1962

See also

In Spanish: Dick Powell para niños