REMINISCING …
VERA-ELLEN
Vera-Ellen - an American actress and dancer, principally celebrated for her filmed dance partnerships with Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor.
She danced with Gene Kelly in Words and Music (1948) and On the Town (1949), and appeared in the last Marx Brothers film Love Happy (1949). She received top billing alongside Fred Astaire in Three Little Words (1950) and The Belle of New York (1952). She co-starred with Bing Crosby in White Christmas (1954) and Donald O'Connor in Call Me Madam (1953) and in Let's Be Happy (1957).
During the 1950s, she was reputed to have the "smallest waist in Hollywood",[2] and is believed to have suffered from anorexia nervosa. All of her costumes in White Christmas, down to her robe and sleepwear, were designed to cover her neck, which was aged beyond her years due to her eating disorder. She retired from the screen in 1957.
Donald O'Connor - Vera Ellen 'Something To Dance About' from Call Me Madam
Rosemary Clooney And Vera Ellen – Sisters - from 1954 - White Christmas
Actually, the story about her neck aging has proved to be a myth. Vera-Ellen's trademark was her high-necked costumes. However, when her costume was cut lower, her neck was just fine.
ReplyDeleteYes, anonymous is correct. If you look for a video on YouTube named something like, 'Vera-Ellen neck myth proved wrong,' you'll find that she is at a movie premiere for A Star is Born AFTER White Christmas was filmed and her neck looks absolutely flawless exposed by her beautiful dress.
ReplyDeleteVera-Ellen, you are amazing. I love you!!