Helen Kane facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Helen Kane
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Kane in 1929
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| Born |
Helen Clare Schroeder
August 4, 1904 The Bronx, New York City, U.S.
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| Died | September 26, 1966 (aged 62) Queens, New York City, U.S.
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| Resting place | Long Island National Cemetery |
| Occupation | Singer, actress |
| Years active | 1919–1950s |
| Spouse(s) |
Joseph Kane
(m. 1924; div. 1928)Max Hoffmann Jr.
(m. 1933; div. 1935)Daniel Healy
(m. 1939) |
Helen Kane (born Helen Clare Schroeder, August 4, 1904 – September 26, 1966) was a famous American singer and actress. She was best known for her hit song "I Wanna Be Loved by You" from 1928. Many people believe that her unique voice and look inspired the cartoon character Betty Boop. Helen Kane even tried to sue the studio, saying they copied her special "boop-oop-a-doop" singing style. However, the judge decided there wasn't enough proof, so she lost the case.
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Early Life and Career Beginnings
Helen Kane grew up in The Bronx, New York City. She was the youngest of three children. Her father, Louis Schroeder, worked as a wagon driver. Her mother, Ellen Schroeder, worked in a laundry.
Helen started performing professionally when she was just 15 years old. She toured with famous groups like the Marx Brothers in a show called On the Balcony. In the early 1920s, she performed in vaudeville shows. She was a singer and a dancer. She even performed at the famous New York Palace in 1921. Her Broadway career also began around this time.
Becoming a Music Star
Helen Kane's big break came in 1927. She appeared in a musical called A Night in Spain. After this, a band leader named Paul Ash suggested her for a show at the Paramount Theater in New York City.
Her first performance at the Paramount Theater was a huge success. While singing "That's My Weakness Now", she added her famous "boop-oop-a-doop" sound. This catchy phrase became very popular with young people of the time, known as flappers. Just four days later, Helen Kane's name was shining in lights!
In 1928, she introduced her hit song "I Wanna Be Loved by You" in the show Good Boy. She then returned to the Palace Theatre as a main performer, earning a lot of money. Helen Kane was known for her clear voice and excellent timing. She often mixed singing with speech and used scat singing, which is a type of vocal improvisation. She recorded many songs between 1928 and 1930.
Helen Kane's Films
In 1929, Paramount Pictures signed Helen Kane to star in several musical films. She earned a very high salary for these movies.
Her films included:
- 1929: Nothing But the Truth
- 1929: Sweetie
- 1929: Pointed Heels
- 1930: Paramount on Parade
- 1930: Dangerous Nan McGrew
- 1930: Heads Up!
- 1931: A Lesson in Love (a short musical film)
Even though she wasn't always the main star, Helen Kane was very popular. For example, in the movie Sweetie, her name was featured prominently on the theater signs. She often brought a lot of fun to her roles. In Dangerous Nan McGrew, she was the top-billed star.
The Betty Boop Lawsuit
In 1930, Fleischer Studios created a new cartoon character. Many people thought this character, who had a squeaky voice and sang "boop-oop-a-doop," looked and sounded like Helen Kane. This character was later named "Betty Boop" and became very famous. In 1932, Betty Boop's design was changed to look more human.
In 1932, Helen Kane sued Max Fleischer and Paramount Pictures. She claimed they had copied her unique style and image without permission. During the trial, it was suggested that Helen Kane herself might have been inspired by another child performer named Baby Esther. However, some experts believe this evidence might have been created to make Helen Kane look bad.
After about two weeks, the judge decided that there wasn't enough proof to support Helen Kane's claim. So, on May 5, 1934, the judge ruled in favor of the cartoon studio.
Later Years and Legacy
As the Great Depression made times tough, the flashy style of the flapper era ended. Helen Kane's singing style became less popular. After 1931, she appeared in fewer films. She continued to perform on radio shows and in nightclubs during the 1930s.
In 1950, she helped actress Debbie Reynolds by dubbing her singing voice for the song "I Wanna Be Loved by You" in the movie Three Little Words. Helen Kane also appeared on several TV shows in the 1950s and 1960s, including Toast of the Town. Her last public appearance was on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1965.
In 1958, she was honored on the TV show This Is Your Life. This show brought her together with old friends and fans. This renewed interest led to her recording more songs and appearing on other TV shows like I've Got a Secret.
Personal Life
In 1924, Helen Schroeder married Joseph Kane and started using his last name professionally. They later divorced. In 1933, she married Max Hoffmann Jr., but they also divorced. In 1939, she married Dan Healy, an actor she had worked with before. They opened a restaurant in New York City called Healy's Grill. Helen stayed married to Dan Healy for the rest of her life. She did not have any children of her own, but she was a godmother to several children.
Death
Helen Kane bravely fought breast cancer for over ten years. She had surgery in 1956 and received many treatments. She passed away on September 26, 1966, at the age of 62, in her apartment in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York City. Her husband, Dan Healy, was with her. Helen Kane was buried in Long Island National Cemetery.
Images for kids
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Helen Kane in 1929
See also
In Spanish: Helen Kane para niños
