Advanced search
- TITLES
- NAMES
- COLLABORATIONS
Search filters
Enter full date
to
or just enter yyyy, or yyyy-mm below
to
Only includes names with the selected topics
to
or just enter yyyy, or yyyy-mm below
to
1-50 of 71
- Actress
- Soundtrack
When it came to bright and polished, they didn't get much spiffier than singer/actress Janet Blair -- perhaps to her detriment in the long haul. At Columbia, she was usually overlooked for the roles that might have tested her dramatic mettle. Nevertheless, she pleased audiences as a pert and perky co-star to a number of bigger stars, ranging from George Raft and Cary Grant to Red Skelton and The Dorsey Brothers.
Of Irish descent, she was born Martha Janet Lafferty in Altoona, Pennsylvania, in 1921. Raised there in the public school system, she sang in the church choir during her youth and adolescence. The inspiration and talent were evident enough for her to pursue singing as a career by the time she graduated. At age 18, she was a lead vocalist with Hal Kemp's band at the Cocoanut Grove in Los Angeles. While with Kemp's outfit, Janet met and, subsequently, married the band's pianist, Lou Busch, a respected musician, songwriter, and, later, ragtime recording artist.
A Columbia Pictures talent scout caught her behind the microphone and spotted fine potential in the pretty-as-a-picture songstress. The death of Kemp in a car accident in December of 1940 and the band's eventual break-up signaled a life-changing course of events. She signed up with Columbia, for up to $100 a week, and moved to Los Angeles while her husband found work as a studio musician. Janet made an immediate impression in her debut film as the feisty kid sister of Joan Blondell and Binnie Barnes in Three Girls About Town (1941) and also dallied about in the movies, Two Yanks in Trinidad (1942) and Blondie Goes to College (1942), until her big break in the movies arrived. Star Rosalind Russell made a pitch for Janet to play her co-lead in My Sister Eileen (1942) as her naive, starry-eyed younger sister (Eileen), who carried aspirations of being a big-time actress. The film became an instant hit and Janet abruptly moved up into the "love interest" ranks. Usually appearing in a frothy musical or light comedy, she was seeded second, however, to another redhead, Rita Hayworth, when it came to Columbia's dispensing out musical leads. Janet, nevertheless, continued promisingly paired up with George Raft in the mob-oriented tunefest, Broadway (1942); alongside Don Ameche in the musical, Something to Shout About (1943); and opposite Cary Grant in the comedy-fantasy, Once Upon a Time (1944), one of his lesser known films. She played second lead to Ms. Hayworth in Tonight and Every Night (1945) and was right in her element when asked to co-star with bandleaders Jimmy Dorsey and Tommy Dorsey in their biopic, The Fabulous Dorseys (1947). A rare dramatic role came her way in the Glenn Ford starrer, Gallant Journey (1946), but again she was relegated to playing the stereotyped altruistic wife. In retrospect, the importance of her roles, although performed quite capably, were more supportive and decorative in nature and lacked real bite. By the time the daring-do "B" swashbuckler The Black Arrow (1948) rolled out, Columbia had lost interest in its fair maiden and Janet had lost interest in Hollywood.
A new decade brought about a new career direction. Putting together a successful nightclub act, she was spotted by composer Richard Rodgers and made a sparkling name for herself within a short time. Rodgers & Hammerstein's "South Pacific", starring Mary Martin, was the hit of the Broadway season and Janet dutifully took on the lead role of "Ensign Nellie Forbush" when the show went on tour in 1950. She gave a yeoman performance -- over 1,200 in all -- within a three-year period. Following this success, she made her Broadway debut in the musical, "A Girl Can Tell," in 1953. She went on for decades, appearing in such tuneful vehicles as "Anything Goes," "Bells Are Ringing," "Annie Get Your Gun," "Mame," and "Follies."
Her career, however, took second place after marrying second husband, producer/director Nick Mayo in 1953, and raising their two children, Amanda and Andrew. The couple met when he stage-managed "South Pacific" and went on to co-own and operate Valley Music Theatre in Woodland Hills, California, during the mid-1960s. There, she played "Maria" in "The Sound of Music" and "Peter Pan" opposite Vincent Price's "Dr. Hook," among others. Her second marriage lasted until the late '60s. TV's "Golden Age" proved to be a viable medium for her. A promising series role came to her in 1956 when she replaced Emmy-winning Nanette Fabray as Sid Caesar's femme co-star on Caesar's Hour (1954) but she left the sketch-based comedy show after only one season because she felt stifled and underused. She also returned to films on occasion, appearing opposite her The Fuller Brush Man (1948) co-star, Red Skelton, in another of his slapstick vehicles, Public Pigeon No. 1 (1957); as Tony Randall's wife in the domestic comedy, Boys' Night Out (1962), starring Kim Novak; and in the excellent cult British horror, Night of the Eagle (1962) (aka Burn, Witch, Burn) and she was fresh as a daisy, once again, in the antiseptic Disney musical, The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band (1968). After her second divorce, Janet laid off touring in musicals and settled in Hollywood to raise her two teenage children while looking for TV work. She found a steady paycheck paired up with Henry Fonda on the sitcom, The Smith Family (1971), playing another of her patented loyal wives. She also found scattered work on such TV shows as Marcus Welby, M.D. (1969), Switch (1975), Fantasy Island (1977), and The Love Boat (1977). Her last guest showing was on the Murder, She Wrote (1984) episode, Who Killed J.B. Fletcher? (1991). Janet died at age 85 in Santa Monica, California, after developing pneumonia.- Writer
- Actor
- Producer
Andrew Kevin Walker was born on 14 August 1964 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, USA. He is a writer and actor, known for The Killer (2023), Se7en (1995) and Metalocalypse: Army of the Doomstar (2023).- Ida Moore was born on 1 March 1882 in Altoona, Kansas, USA. She was an actress, known for Johnny Belinda (1948), The Egg and I (1947) and The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show (1950). She died on 26 September 1964 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
- Alfie Wise was born on 17 November 1943 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, USA. He is an actor, known for The Cannonball Run (1981), Smokey and the Bandit (1977) and Legends of the Superheroes (1979).
- Robert Glen Decker can be seen going toe-to-toe with Academy Award Nominee Laurence Fishburne on FX's "Clipped," which takes you behind the scenes on the biggest NBA scandal to date. He played Ava Max's doughnut-stealing office boss in her hit music video "Who's Laughing Now." Robert made his feature film debut as George in the award-winning drama "Meth Head" starring Lukas Haas, and has been featured in movies such as "The Revenant" and "Pop Star: Never Stop Believing."
Robert grew up in the beautiful mountains of Altoona, Pennsylvania, the historical home to dozens of turn-of-the-century theaters, including The Mishler Theatre where Robert first began performing on stage. His love of acting brought him to California, where he received a MFA in Acting from California State University, Los Angeles.
When not performing, Robert loves to travel, has a passion for teaching Drama Classes and Theatre Arts, and supports such charities as The Trevor Project and Actors & Others for Animals. He is a member of SAG-AFTRA and AEA. - Actress
- Director
- Writer
Born and raised in Altoona, Pennsylvania, Jennifer attributes her youthful appearance to her beautiful grandmother, Joan Keith. She got her degree in Theater from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a minor in dance. She has also obtained her certificate from the Society of American Fight Directors and is Proficient in Unarmed, Rapier & Dagger, and Quarterstaff. Jennifer's career soon took off in Hollywood south, where she made her premier in the film business before moving out to California.- Producer
- Writer
- Additional Crew
Joe Port was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania, USA. He is known for Ghosts (2021), New Girl (2011) and Me, Myself and I (2017).- Actress
- Producer
Patricia Estrin was born on 13 June 1949 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, USA. She is an actress and producer, known for Baby Boom (1987), Dennis the Menace (1987) and Another World (1964). She was previously married to Rod Arrants and Jonathan Estrin.- Carole D'Andrea was born on 28 August 1937 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, USA. She is an actress, known for West Side Story (1961) and That's Dancing! (1985). She was previously married to Robert Morse.
- Writer
- Actor
- Producer
John Pielmeier was born on 23 February 1949 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, USA. He is a writer and actor, known for The Pillars of the Earth (2010), Agnes of God (1985) and Choices of the Heart (1983).- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
- Director
- Additional Crew
Matthew McLoota was born on 24 April 1981 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, USA. He is an assistant director and director, known for Billions (2016), The Sinner (2017) and The Darjeeling Limited (2007).- Producer
- Production Manager
- Actor
T.J. Jefferson was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania, USA. He is known for Guess Who (2005), Fudgy Wudgy Fudge Face (2010) and Yo Momma (2006).- Director
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
- Producer
Frank R. Strayer was born on 20 September 1891 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, USA. He was a director and assistant director, known for Gorilla Ship (1932), Partners in Crime (1928) and Anybody's Blonde (1931). He was married to Erma P. Rogers. He died on 3 February 1964 in Hollywood, California, USA.- Mathew Reed was born on 18 February 1957 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, USA. He is an actor, known for Perfect (1985).
- Actress
- Location Management
Dee Anne Helsel was born in Altoona, PA and moved to Los Angeles in 1970 to start her professional career in acting. She is the author of How Acting Works: The Official Reference Book for The Mechanics of Believability originated by her mentor and coach, Lieux Dressler, of over 40 years. She was an award-winning actress in film, television and stage as well as a director and screenwriter, and conducted seminars for actors, directors and platform speakers.- Anthony Mannino was born on 16 June 1944 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, USA. He is an actor, known for All the President's Men (1976), Highlander (1986) and Good Guys Wear Black (1978).
- Arthur Blake was born on 24 February 1914 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, USA. He was an actor, known for Cyrano de Bergerac (1950), Diplomatic Courier (1952) and Port of New York (1949). He died on 24 March 1985 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA.
- Charles Alvin Bell was born on 7 June 1908 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, USA. He was an actor, known for The Incredible Hulk (1977), I Spy (1965) and Days of Our Lives (1965). He died on 31 October 1998 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
- Writer
- Director
- Cinematographer
Cory J. Udler is an underground exploitation filmmaker known for his subversive "Incest Death Squad" series and "Mediatrix". Udler is also a writer for grind house legend Ted V. Mikels and has co-written his last 3 features. He has been featured in Lloyd Kaufman's "Produce Your Own Damn Movie" book, Kevin Sean Michaels' documentary "The Wild World of Ted V Mikels" and has worked for Full Moon Features.- Editor
- Producer
- Director
Don Swanson was born on 21 February 1979 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, USA. He is an editor and producer, known for Occurrence at Mills Creek (2020), A Wish for Giants (2018) and The Way I Used to Know (2020).- Sam Cohn was born on 11 May 1929 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, USA. He was married to Jane Gelfman, Julia Miles and June Avis Ellenoff (June E. O'Neill). He died on 6 May 2009 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA.
- Harry J. Anslinger was born on 20 May 1892 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, USA. He was an actor, known for To the Ends of the Earth (1948) and Longines Chronoscope (1951). He died on 14 November 1975 in Holidaysburg, Pennsylvania, USA.
- Charlie Crist was born on 24 July 1956 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, USA. He was previously married to Carole Rome and Amanda Morrow.
- Cinematographer
- Director
Robert K. Bonine was born on 14 September 1861 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, USA. Robert K. was a cinematographer and director, known for Eva Tanguay (1902), Panoramic View, King St. Honolulu, H.I. (1906) and Scene on Lower Broadway (1902). Robert K. died on 11 September 1923 in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.- Helen Eby-Rock was born on 18 July 1896 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, USA. She was an actress, known for Ann Vickers (1933), The Crime of Helen Stanley (1934) and The Silent Service (1957). She was married to William [Baker] Rock (dancer, performer). She died on 20 July 1979 in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA.