Helene Stanton(bornEleanor Mae Stansbury,November 4, 1925 – June 7, 2017) was an American singer and actress. Her career began as anoperasinger for the Cosmopolitan Opera Company inPhiladelphia,before moving toHollywood,where she became a singer of popular music. In 1949, she marriedsilent filmactorKen Harlan,but the marriage broke down and they divorced four years later in 1953.
Helene Stanton | |
|---|---|
 Photo of Helene Stanton 'Heavenly Heavy' in 1954 | |
| Born | Eleanor Mae Stansbury November 4, 1925 |
| Died | June 7, 2017(aged 91) |
| Resting place | Forest Lawn Memorial Park,Glendale, Los Angeles,California |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, Actress |
| Years active | 1943–1957 |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 2 (includingDrew Pinsky) |
After being spotted inLas Vegasand offered a part in the filmThe Big Combo,she moved toLos Angelesto pursue an acting career, starring in films alongside actors such asJohnny Weissmuller,Arthur FranzandTom Drake.After several film roles during 1955 and starring in a silent role alongside comicBen Bluein 1956, she retired from acting in 1957.
In 1957, she married Morton Pinsky and had two children with him, including celebrity doctorDrew Pinsky;they were married for over 50 years before his death in 2009.
Early life
editStanton was born on November 4, 1925, inPhiladelphia,Pennsylvaniaas Eleanor Mae Stansbury to parents William Benton Stansbury and Sarah Jane Hamilton[1]and was the youngest of five children.[2]She took ballet lessons as a child,[3]believing this gave her a sense of control which people who had not danced did not have.[4]From the age of 13, she took singing lessons.[5]
Career
editHaving originally sungoperafor Philadelphia's Cosmopolitan Opera Company, she was asked in 1943 to sing in a stage version ofThe Merry Widow,before being persuaded to swap from classical to popular music upon coming toHollywood.Following her divorce in 1953, she concentrated on her singing and became good friends withJimmy McHugh,a songwriter.[5]
In 1955, she was spotted by a producer forAllied Artistswhile performing inLas Vegas,who offered her a part in the filmThe Big Combo.[5]She moved toLos Angelesin order to pursue a career in acting,[3]which began while singing atCiro'sinWest Hollywood, California,where she played in films alongside actors such asJohnny Weissmuller,Arthur FranzandTom Drake.Despite her opinion that she would typically be cast in "flashy" roles, such as aburlesque dancer,she would try to compensate as being "as plain as possible" when not on stage, with people commenting on how different she looked when not wearing make-up. She would usually always accept offers of new types of roles without hesitation and convey previous experience in those types of roles even if she had none. Having worked alongside various talents, she expressed how she "learned something new" from everyone she had worked with.[6]During ascreen testforJungle Moon Men,producerSam Katzmandescribed how she looked "like a million", with comparisons toRita Hayworthin her tall and redheaded appearance.[7]She described how she would work out in the gym to keep her muscles toned.[4]She was described in 1956 as being "a provocatively sexy young lady" following a number of television roles, having won attention of filmmakers when performing "her sexy walk" on television.[8]
She starred opposite comicBen Bluein 1956, where she had to convey emotion without speech in an experience she described as "no easy task" but praised Blue as being "so great".[6]Her final film was as a temperamental movie star inUniversal's 1957 filmFour Girls in Town.[5]Following her marriage to Morton Pinksy in 1957, she retired from acting.[3]
Personal life
editBorn as Eleanor Stansbury, she changed her name at the suggestion of columnist and friendLouella Parsons,[3]as it was felt her own name was "a little staid for a singer of popular songs".[6]According to Parsons, Stanton had "a beautifulsopranovoice ".[7]
In 1949, she marriedsilent filmactorKen Harlanto become his eighth wife,[3]but they divorced in December 1953 after having separated in April, on grounds of cruelty, although she told reporters that the divorce was "real friendly" and noting she thought he was a nice person. The couple had been married for around four years.[9]She later married Dr. Morton Pinsky in 1957 and they remained together until his death in 2009.[3]
Stanton died on June 7, 2017, inPasadena, California,at the age of 91. She is buried atForest Lawn Memorial ParkinGlendale, Los Angeles[citation needed]and is survived by her sonDrew Pinsky(better known as "Dr. Drew" ) and daughter Dana Chelf.[3]
Partial filmography
editFilm and television credits:[3][5]
Film
edit- One Girl's Confession(1953)
- The Big Comboas Rita (1955)
- New Orleans Uncensoredas Alma Mae (1955)
- Jungle Moon Menas Oma (1955)
- Sudden Dangeras Vera (1955)
- The Phantom from 10,000 Leaguesas Wanda (1955)
- Four Girls in Townas Rita Holloway (1957)
Television
editReferences
edit- ^"Eleanor Mae Stansbury Ancestry record".Ancestry.RetrievedFebruary 19,2022.
- ^"Eleanor Stansbury in the 1940 United States Federal Census".Ancestry.1940.RetrievedMarch 26,2022.
- ^abcdefghHarris M. Lentz III (2017).Obituaries in the Performing Arts.McFarland Publishing. p. 387.ISBN9781476670324.
- ^ab"Patience Is Her Virtue".The Miami News.October 11, 1955. p. 23.
- ^abcdeRichard Koper (2010).Fifties Blondes: Sexbombs, Sirens, Bad Girls and Teen Queens.BearManor Media. p. 301.ISBN9781593935214.
- ^abc"She Keeps Mouth Shut Amid Blue Hilarity".The Atlanta Constitution.October 19, 1956. p. 22.
- ^abLouella Parsons (May 18, 1954)."Helene Stanton Gets First Film Role".The Record.p. 37.
- ^"Julie Van Zandt Debuts in Musical".The Los Angeles Times.April 28, 1956.
- ^"5th Wife of Actor Gets 'Real Friendly' Divorce".The Salem News.December 29, 1953. p. 2.
External links
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