Dorothy Lamour facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dorothy Lamour
Lamour in 1945
Born	Mary Leta Dorothy Slaton (1914-12-10)December 10, 1914 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Died	September 22, 1996(1996-09-22) (aged 81) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting place	Forest Lawn Memorial Park
Occupation	Actress singer
Years active	1933–1995
Spouse(s)	Herbie Kay ​ ​ (m. 1935; div. 1939)​ William Ross Howard III ​ ​ (m. 1943; died 1978)​
Children	2

Dorothy Lamour (born Mary Leta Dorothy Slaton; December 10, 1914 – September 22, 1996) was a famous American actress and singer. Many people remember her for starring in the Road to... movies. These were popular comedies with Bing Crosby and Bob Hope.

Dorothy started her career in the 1930s as a big band singer. In 1936, she moved to Hollywood and signed with Paramount Pictures. She became famous as "Ulah" in The Jungle Princess (1936). This movie also gave her the nickname "Sarong Queen" because of the special wrap she wore.

In 1940, Lamour made her first Road movie, Road to Singapore. These films were very popular in the 1940s. The sixth movie in the series, Road to Bali, came out in 1952. Around this time, Dorothy started doing less film work. She focused more on stage shows and TV. In 1961, Crosby and Hope made The Road to Hong Kong. Dorothy had a small part and sang a song in that movie.

In the 1970s, Dorothy Lamour started performing in nightclubs again. In 1980, she wrote her life story called My Side of the Road. Her last movie was in 1987.

Dorothy married William Ross Howard III in 1943. They had two sons and stayed married until William passed away in 1978. Dorothy Lamour died in her home in 1996 when she was 81 years old.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Mary Leta Dorothy Slaton was born on December 10, 1914, in New Orleans. Her parents, Carmen Louise and John Watson Slaton, were both waiters. Dorothy's parents separated when she was young. Her mother later married Clarence Lambour, and Dorothy used a changed version of his last name for her stage name.

Dorothy Lamour in Road to Bali (1952)

Dorothy left school at age 14. She took a business course and worked as a secretary. She also started entering beauty pageants. In 1931, she won "Miss New Orleans." Dorothy used her prize money to work in a theater company. She and her mother later moved to Chicago. Dorothy worked as an elevator operator at a department store.

Orchestra leader Herbie Kay discovered her at a talent show. He hired her as a singer for his orchestra. In 1935, Dorothy toured with him. This led her to perform in vaudeville and on the radio. In 1935, she had her own weekly music show on NBC Radio. She also sang on popular radio shows like Rudy Vallée and The Chase and Sanborn Hour.

Becoming a Hollywood Star

In 1936, Dorothy Lamour moved to Hollywood. She did a screen test for Paramount Pictures and signed a contract. Her first movie for Paramount was College Holiday (1936). She had a small, uncredited role as a dancer.

The Jungle Princess and Sarong Roles

Dorothy's second movie, The Jungle Princess (1936), made her famous. In this film, she played "Ulah," a jungle native. She wore a special wrap called a sarong designed by Edith Head. The Jungle Princess was a big success. Dorothy became known for wearing sarongs in many of her movies. The film also gave her a hit song, "Moonlight and Shadows."

She then appeared in Swing High, Swing Low (1937) and sang "Panamania." She was the main star in The Last Train from Madrid (1937).

Dorothy also sang "The Things I Want" in High, Wide and Handsome (1937). She was borrowed by Sam Goldwyn for John Ford's The Hurricane (1937). In this movie, she wore a sarong again as an island princess. The film was a huge hit and gave her another popular song, "The Moon of Manakoora."

She had a small appearance in Thrill of a Lifetime (1937). She was also a main star in The Big Broadcast of 1938 (1938) with W.C. Fields and Martha Raye. This movie also featured Bob Hope early in his career.

Paramount paired her with Ray Milland and a sarong again for Her Jungle Love (1938). She played a Mexican character in Tropic Holiday (1938). Then she starred with George Raft and Henry Fonda in the adventure film Spawn of the North (1938).

Dorothy was the main actress for Jack Benny in Man About Town (1939). She also played a Chinese girl in Disputed Passage (1939).

The Famous "Road" Movies

Dorothy Lamour in Road to Bali (1952)

In 1940, Dorothy starred in Road to Singapore. This movie made fun of her "sarong" films. It was planned for other actors, but Paramount Pictures decided to use Bob Hope and Bing Crosby. Dorothy was billed after Crosby and before Hope. Crosby and Hope often made up lines during filming. Dorothy learned to go along with them. She said she had to "just get the general idea of a scene rather than learn the words by heart."

The movie was a big hit, and people loved the team of Lamour, Hope, and Crosby.

20th Century Fox borrowed her to star with Tyrone Power in the gangster film Johnny Apollo (1940). She sang two songs in that movie.

She returned to sarong roles for Typhoon (1940) and Moon Over Burma (1940). Fox borrowed her again for Chad Hanna (1941) with Henry Fonda.

Because Road to Singapore was so popular, Paramount brought Lamour, Hope, and Crosby back together for Road to Zanzibar (1941). This movie was even more successful. It led to a whole series of "Road" films. After this, Dorothy and Hope made Caught in the Draft (1941), which was a huge hit.

Dorothy was reunited with Jon Hall, her co-star from Hurricane, in Aloma of the South Seas (1941). She also made a popular musical, The Fleet's In (1942), where she sang the hit song "I Remember You."

Another sarong movie, Beyond the Blue Horizon (1942), followed. Both were liked by the public. However, they were not as popular as her third "Road" movie, Road to Morocco (1942).

Dorothy was one of many Paramount stars who made guest appearances in Star Spangled Rhythm (1942). She and Hope were borrowed for the comedy They Got Me Covered (1943). Then she made a movie with just Crosby, Dixie (1943), which was a popular film about Dan Emmett.

During World War II, Dorothy Lamour was a very popular pinup girl for American soldiers. She was also known for her volunteer work. She sold war bonds during tours across the country. Dorothy reportedly sold $300 million worth of bonds. This earned her the nickname "The Bond Bombshell." She also volunteered at the Hollywood Canteen, where she danced and talked with soldiers.

Dorothy made Melody Inn (1943) and And the Angels Sing (1944). She sang "It Should Happen to You" in the latter. She made one last sarong movie, Rainbow Island (1944).

She played a Mexican character in A Medal for Benny (1945). She also appeared in Duffy's Tavern (1945). Then came her fourth "Road" movie, Road to Utopia (1945), and Masquerade in Mexico (1945).

She had three big hits in a row: My Favorite Brunette (1947) with Hope, Wild Harvest (1947) with Alan Ladd, and Road to Rio (1947). She also sang a duet with Ladd in Variety Girl (1947). After this, she left Paramount.

After Paramount Pictures

Dorothy Lamour with Bing Crosby in Road to Bali (1952)

After leaving Paramount, Dorothy made several films for producer Benedict Bogeaus. These included On Our Merry Way (1948), Lulu Belle (1948), and The Girl from Manhattan (1948).

She tried two comedies: The Lucky Stiff (1949) and Slightly French (1949). Manhandled (1950) was a film noir. These movies were not very popular.

Dorothy performed successfully at the London Palladium in 1950. Then she was in two big hits: The Greatest Show on Earth (1952) and Road to Bali (1952). However, these films did not lead to many new movie offers. Dorothy began to focus on performing in nightclubs and on stage.

She also started working on television. She guest-starred on Damon Runyon Theater and was on Broadway in Oh Captain! (1958).

1960s and Beyond

Dorothy returned to movies with a small role in the last "Road" film, The Road to Hong Kong (1962). She had a bigger part in John Ford's Donovan's Reef (1963) with John Wayne. She also made guest appearances on TV shows like Burke's Law and I Spy. She appeared in films such as Pajama Party (1964).

Dorothy moved to Baltimore with her family. There, she appeared on TV and worked for the city's cultural commission. Later, she starred in a touring production of Hello Dolly! for over a year.

Singing Career

Dorothy Lamour starred in many movie musicals. She also sang in her comedies and dramatic films. She introduced several famous songs, including "The Moon of Manakoora", "I Remember You", "It Could Happen to You", "Personality", and "But Beautiful".

Later Years and Legacy

1970s and 1980s

In the 1970s, Dorothy Lamour was popular in dinner theaters and shows like Anything Goes.

She guest-starred on TV shows such as Marcus Welby, M.D. and The Love Boat. She also appeared in films like Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood (1976). In 1977, she toured in the play Personal Appearance.

Her husband passed away in 1978. Dorothy continued to work, saying it helped her cope.

In 1980, Dorothy published her autobiography, My Side of the Road. She also started her nightclub act again.

During the rest of the 1980s, she performed in plays and TV shows. These included Hart to Hart, Crazy Like a Fox, Remington Steele, and Murder, She Wrote.

In 1984, she toured in a play called Barefoot in the Park.

In 1986, she said she was still very busy at 71. She did concerts, TV, and dinner theater. She sang old songs and talked about her career. She was grateful for her famous sarong, saying, "It did a lot for me!"

In 1987, she made her last big-screen appearance in the movie Creepshow 2.

1990s

In the 1990s, Dorothy made only a few professional appearances. But she was still a popular person to interview for magazines and TV shows. Her last stage performance was in 1990 in a musical called "Follies."

In 1995, a musical called Swinging on a Star opened on Broadway. It featured songs by Johnny Burke, who wrote many songs for the Road to... movies. Dorothy was a "special advisor" for the show.

Personal Life

Dorothy Lamour in The Hurricane (1937)

Dorothy Lamour's first marriage was to orchestra leader Herbie Kay. They married in 1935 and divorced in 1939.

On April 7, 1943, Dorothy married Air Force captain and advertising executive William Ross Howard III. They had two sons: John Ridgely (born 1946) and Richard Thomson Howard (born 1949).

In 1957, Dorothy and William moved to Maryland. In 1962, they moved to Hampton with their sons. Dorothy also owned a home in Palm Springs, California. William passed away in 1978.

Dorothy Lamour was a member of the Republican Party. She supported Ronald Reagan when he was president.

Death and Recognition

Grave of Dorothy Lamour at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills

Dorothy Lamour died at her home in North Hollywood on September 22, 1996. She was 81 years old. Her funeral was held at St. Charles Catholic Church. She was buried in the Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles.

Dorothy Lamour has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. One is for her radio work, and the other is for her movies.

Filmography

Film Roles

Television Appearances

Broadway Musicals

Books

• Lamour, Dorothy (1980). My Side of the Road. Autobiography. Prentice-Hall. ISBN 978-0132185943. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2046510.My_Side_of_the_Road.

See also

In Spanish: Dorothy Lamour para niños