A nostalgic journey to the past to relive the golden days of entertainment! Her son Peter H.. But, like many young stars, Durbin struggled to make the transition from sprightly teen singer to more serious actress with a broader range. deejay May 3 update: Richard Simonton kindly gave me permission to reproduce a 1994 letter he wrote to Deanna Durbin and her response. Jeanette & Nelson by Sharon Rich, R.I.P. Below are two pictures of little Jessica and also a shot from her first birthday. She was 91. Her youth at retirement . It was fascinating because what I was learning about their lives did correspond with what you saw on the screen. "sweet soprano voice" that charmed American audiences, second-highest paid actress in America in 1946. (As it would be difficult for any woman in those circumstances.) She was 91. At age 23, Durbin received good reviews for Lady on a Train, a 1945 comedy-murder mystery directed by Charles David, who five years later became her third husband. Before Durbins 20th birthday, she had appeared in 10 wildly profitable films for Universal. This marriage was happy and they were together 50 years until Charles David died in 1999. Please add an image! Deanna Durbin or Judy Garland: 'Drop the Fat One' On December 21, 1950, Durbin married French director-producer Charles Henri David, who had previously directed her in Lady on a Train. I personally think she was acting like a woman in love in Cant Help Singing and Lady on a Train. Nelson Eddy sings Christmas carols for you. After all secrets do leak out. Her son Peter H. David was quoted as telling The Deanna Durbin Society newsletter that the actress died 'a few days ago', thanking her admirers for respecting her privacy. Cotton describes the whole event in his book in such a contrived way that, I felt anyway, that something had indeed happened. We buried the hatchet and remained friends. Deanna Durbin, the movie singing-star, was born in 1921, and apparently still lives in a farmhouse outside Paris. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Charles David (109793226)? Deanna Durbin, the singing starlet with the bubbly personality and the jewel-tone voice whose enormously popular movies were widely credited with saving Universal Pictures from bankruptcy during the Depression, has died. Her son Peter H. David was quoted as telling The Deanna Durbin Society newsletter that the actress died "a few days ago", thanking her admirers for respecting her privacy. Durbin's death was initially reported by her son, Peter H. David, in the Deanna Durbin. In 1947, she was the highest paid star in Hollywood, known for movies such as Three Smart Girls, Spring Parade and Mad about Music. Last time I saw Deanna she didnt look too plump but I havent seen her since I returned and they tell me she has gained at least five pounds. Durbin passed away "a few days ago", her son Peter H. David told the NYT. Her pictures after the baby was born beginning with Something in the Wind revealed an unhappy Deanna who became more mechanical in her roles. Deanna Durbin with her son Peter David Old Hollywood Glamour Golden Age Of Hollywood Deanna Durbin Musical Film Old Movie Stars Babe Celebrity Families She Movie Judy Garland More information . She was 91. (Getty Images), The actress was born Edna Mae Durbin in Winnipeg, Canada, but moved to California with her British-born parents when she was young. Much to my surprise she wrote back to me. Deanna Durbin was first signed by MGM and co-starred with Judy Garland in the short film Every Sunday (1936). Below, Joseph Cotten. Former child star Deanna Durbin has died at the age of 91, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Despite her bitterness in later years about her studio years, Deanna Durbins films brought great joy to the worldwide movie audiences in the Depression years. On April 30, 2013, a newsletter published by the Deanna Durbin Society reported that Durbin died "in the past few days", quoting her son, Peter H. David, who thanked her admirers for respecting her privacy. (I cant remember the details of his health issues but I did confirm today that Deannas parents lived in those years in Leisure Village (Laguna Hills Village). She was given a special miniature 1938 Academy Award for her significant contribution in bringing to the screen the spirit and personification of youth.. She is Deanna Durbin - one of the best-loved of all stars. The story goes that MGM head Louis B. Mayer said, after this short subject was released, Get rid of the fat one. He meant Judy Garland but instead Deanna Durbin was dropped. Her son Peter H. David was quoted as telling The Deanna Durbin Society newsletter that the actress died "a few days ago", thanking her admirers for respecting her privacy. I like Deanna Durbins first two features, Three Smart Girls and 100 Men and a Girl and most of her other films including her basically non-singing murder mystery Lady on a Train. Deanna Durbin (born Edna Mae Durbin; December 4, 1921 - c. April 20, 2013) was a Canadian singer and actress, who appeared in a number of musical films in the 1930s and 1940s, her singing voice being variously described as being light but full, sweet and unaffected. The character I was forced into had little or nothing in common with myself or with other youth of my generation, for that matter. May 3, 2013 @ According to Brownie, Deannas favorite breakfast was brought to her each day French Fries and ketchup. Senator from California, the first notable American . Durbin later wryly called her image that of Little Miss Fix-It Who Bursts Into Song. Often, they were in the light classical or classical vein, such as Alleluia (Mozart) or Brindisi (Verdi), both sung in 100 Men and a Girl, one of her most popular films. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. With the technical skill and vocal range of a legitimate lyric soprano, she performed everything from popular standards to . But because of his past history of becoming involved with (and usually marrying) women much younger than himself, the court ordered him to pay child support. I dont remember any such thing ever happening, do you? I laughed. She turned down numerous offers to perform again, including lead roles on Broadway and the London stage as well as aconcert appearances in Las Vegas. But over the years she very kindly did autograph photos sent to her by mail by her fans. On April 30, 2013, a newsletter published by the Deanna Durbin Society reported that Durbin died "a few days ago", quoting her son, Peter H. David, who thanked her admirers for respecting her privacy. Maybe she didnt think the DNA test was that important, she certainly looked like Clark, and perhaps she (and her family) didnt need and money for royalties, if that were in fact still a reality. She Movie . Canadian singer and actress Deanna Durbin, who enjoyed a short but successful career as a Universal contract star from 1936 to 1948, has died. This made me immediately think that there definitely was something between them. Durbin's son, Peter H. David, was quoted in the "Deanna Durbin Society" newsletter saying his mother had passed away several days ago, but he did not provide any other details about her death. In Nice Girl, she was experiencing first love and looked a little scared anticipating marriage. That Jackson would just leave Deanna six months after baby Jessicas birth and walk away from his without even fighting for joint custody well, that was very telling. First, she told me that her mothers boyfriend, the cop, had also discussed with them the time he caught a couple carrying on in a parked car one night on Mulholland Drive. Throughout her career, she would perform everything from operatic arias to popular songs. About the same time, in 1936, she began singing on Eddie Cantors popular weekly radio program. Every girl should be allowed to think for herself. It's already old news now, as dated as its subject the obituary notices announcing the death at 91 of Deanna Durbin, the "plucky child movie star" who saved Universal Studios from financial ruin; "the best-loved and most fondly remembered singing star of Hollywood's golden age" who cut short her career at 28; "the perfect girl next door" who left the . Part of HuffPost Entertainment. Deannas story is an amazing one. 11, Manitoba, Canada: Death: April 20, 2013 (91) Neauphle-le-Chteau, Yvelines, le-de-France, France Immediate Family: Wife of Charles David and Felix Raphael Jackson Mother of Private and Jessica Louise Jackson. Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription. Old Movie Stars. Cate, thank you for your comments here. Plus this handful of stars just mentioned had that indefinable quality and personal charisma that just radiated from the big screen and set them apart from other contemporaries. Durbin died on about April 20 Deanna Durbin, a singer-actress who, as a child star, became one of the biggest box-office attractions of the 1930s and 40s has died at the age of 91. (Getty Images) Read Less, Reclusive Hollywood actress Deanna Durbin dies at 91. He indicated that she died "a few days ago," but provided no other details. That is really not so different from her characters. To my further surprise, he addressed the rumors of their on-set affair in the book, claiming that it was all an innocent mix-up. According to Pats friend, Deannas father told her that Joseph Cotten was the father of his granddaughter, Deannas first child. You can watch a clip of their onscreen duet on YouTube. In his autobiography, Easy the Hard Way, Mr. Pasternak who would eventually move to MGM and build the careers of two other coloratura sopranos, Kathryn Grayson and Jane Powell said that stardom was always a matter of chemistry between the public and the player and that no one could take credit for discovering Deanna Durbin. David announced her death through a fan newsletter, saying she died a few days ago. This marriage was happy and they were together 50 years until Charles David died in 1999. (Getty Images) And returning to Jeanette and Nelson again we have read all the warm and fuzzy letters and conversations from the 1940s about their having a child together and what a wonderful child it would be, etc., etc.But realistically, I dont know how Nelson would have dealt with his child being raised with Gene Raymond as the father of record. To get back at Hopper for the sex scandal smear, Joseph Cotten allegedly pulled the chair out from her at a party as she was sitting down, causing her to fall flat on her butt.. No specific details were given. In 1938, Durbin and another young star, Mickey Rooney, were recognized at the Academy Awards for bringing to the screen the spirit and personification of youth.. My conscience didnt bother me too much. Durbin's husband of more than 48 years, Charles David, died in Paris on March 1, 1999. She was 91. So if the above indeed was her thinking, such casting and plot revision would have been unworkable for her. Eventually I watched both their solo and team films all in order to see the ebb and flow of their energies and relationship. I was almost afraid to mention what Deannas father had said about Joseph Cotten as I had no idea of whether this was common knowledge or even hinted at in earlier times. Durbin tried to transition into a more sophisticated movie persona by taking roles in The Amazing Mrs. Holliday, about refugee children from China and mysteries Lady on a Train and Christmas Holiday. You just cant, even if you try.. No other details were given. Joanne, that is awesome that you corresponded with her. Could this also be a little inner guilt because she was still seeing Cotton, a married man? The Durbin unit would go on to make 100 Men and a Girl, Spring Parade, Three Smart Girls Grow Up, First Love and It Started With Eve. Pasternak also produced the Durbin vehicles Mad About Music, That Certain Age, Its a Date and Nice Girl? with other directors. Nowtoday as I sit here remembering her wonderful films I have to wonder about that second marriage of hers. The following year Deanna married producer/director Charles David (he directed her in 1945's excellent Lady on a Train) and moved with him to France. 8 Comments, God made me a singer, and I just sang. Deanna Durbin. But my own two personal favorites are Mad About Music and Spring Parade. Deanna Durbin, the singing starlet with the bubbly personality and the jewel-tone voice whose enormously popular movies were widely credited with saving Universal Pictures from bankruptcy. The picture scampers along most cheerily, the New York Times said, its gaiety is contagious, its humor infectious. Durbin, fans and film critics noted, held the picture together by winning over viewers with her wholesome, animated charm. Yes, I said. It wasnt Vaughns fault or my fault that we failed to make a go of our marriage. She was a huge box-office star for a short period of time.. The man was Vaughn Paul, an assistant director, whom she had married at 19 in 1941. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. No date. Perhaps now I have a better understanding of Deanna Durbins courage in chucking it all and walking away while she was still young enough to create a new second act in her life. Her last film was 1948s Up in Central Park, and she left film-making in 1949, turning down roles in Bing Crosbys Topo' the Morning and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court at Paramount studios. She was one of the last really legitimate movie stars from the 1930s who was still with us, film historian Alan K. Rode told The Times on Wednesday. After an actors agent saw 14-year-old Edna Mae sing in a neighborhood show, she was quickly signed to MGM for $56 a week. In 1945, Durbin made "Lady on a Train" -- directed by Charles David, whom she married five years later. Soassuming that the above claims might be true, did they date on and off from 1943-45? Deanna Durbin, who attained worldwide popularity as a child star in the 1930s while starring in a series of musicals, has died. Times staff writer Valerie J. Nelson contributed to this report. Mr. David died in 1999, a few months before their 50th wedding anniversary. Her next husband would be this films producer.) There was estrangement between mother and daughter because of Lorettas refusal to be honest with Judy about her parentage till near the end of her life. She was independent and a bit controlling in her personal life. Felix Jackson produced 7 of Deanna's films from 1943 to 1947. Deanna had a long life so again, I hope she was happy in France. When she was a star she behaved like a star, and played ball with the publicity boys. Cotton also mentioned in his book how much he admired Deanna for her character and integrity. (Getty Images), /celebs/international/reclusive-hollywood-actress-deanna-durbin-dies-at-91/eventshow/19820950.cms, Her son Peter H. David was quoted as telling The Deanna Durbin Society newsletter that the actress died "a few days ago", thanking her admirers for respecting her privacy. (Getty Images) I dont think by this time in her career she felt comfortable and nurtured like she had been in the past. She had a lovely voice and her parents, then living in Los Angeles, trained her with a vocal coach. I loved to sing. It was really a way for the nation to thank Chaplin for his years of entertainment as a artist and to apologize for exiling him during the communist witch-hunt era when he was accused of being a Russian-sympathizer-anti-America villain (this man who had tirelessly raised bonds for the Allies during WWI and had the courage to make an anti-Hitler film in 1940 when everyone was afraid to touch that subject). Pasternak, a Hungarian immigrant, produced 10 of them. The following year Deanna married producer/director Charles David (he directed her in 1945s excellent Lady on a Train) and moved with him to France. Murphy was a song-and-dance leading man in many big-budget Hollywood musicals from 1930 to 1952. No other details were given. She smiles, too much of a realist to be surprised. He went over to bust them only to discover that the culprits were Joseph Cotten and Deanna Durbin. Some men like him are always conveniently married. Daughter Jessica Louise was born on February 7, 1946, seven and a half months later. Deanna Durbin, who as a plucky child movie star with a sweet soprano voice charmed American audiences during the Depression and saved Universal Pictures from bankruptcy before she vanished from. Despite her obvious popularity, Durbin would go on to retire just two years later at the age of 29, making "For The Love Of Mary" her final film. Wow. And, if this Deanna Durbin Joseph Cotten affair didnt take off in 1943, what about later on? I looked up what kind of schedule Cotton was on with his films and he was pretty busy during 44 and early 45, but I am sure he could find time to get away when he wanted to. About the same time, in 1936, she began singing on Eddie Cantors popular weekly radio program. Your culture and entertainment cheat-sheet. See below for a candid of the two girls on the MGM lot and a shot from that film. Brownie felt Nelsons voice had never been captured accurately at MGM and also, they always had to turn him down to compensate for anyone that he sang with. It may be the second to last day of Comic Con, but things are far from slowing down. Universal finally turned on her, suing her for her prepaid wages. In 1938 there was a nationwide search to choose the young man who would give Ms. Durbin her first screen kiss in the movie First Love. (Robert Stack was the actor chosen.) Jeanette MacDonald's funeral. Her husband is Charles David (21 December 1950 - 1 March 1999) ( his death) ( 1 child), Felix Jackson (13 June 1945 - 8 November 1950) ( divorced) ( 1 child), Vaughn Paul (18 April 1941 - 14 December 1943) ( divorced . It is a sense that that your communication has come full-circle and it is a precious, humble feeling, good for the soul. And that is the way she will be remembered. He writes: Perhaps reading, and rereading Heddas aggravating and obviously titillating remarks about my infidelity had an unconscious effect on my behavior. Anne Frank & Deanna Durbin. One can only imagine the devastation these stars felt and the blow to their self-esteem. However, the public continued to love her light musical comedies. Durbin had lived just outside the village of Neauphle-le-Chateau, near Paris, since moving there in 1950 with her third husband, director Charles David. Durbin's death was initially reported by her son, Peter H. David, in the Deanna Durbin Society newsletter. Ms. Durbin was quickly handed to Joe Pasternak, who produced her first 10 movies, and to Henry Koster, who directed six of them: Three Smart Girls, One Hundred Men and a Girl, Three Smart Girls Grow Up, First Love, Spring Parade and It Started With Eve.. She retired from the movies at an early age, and has resisted all efforts to bring her back "" including a possible offer to sing in "My Fair Lady.". Brownie had only praise for Nelsons professionalism at Universal and I agreed with him that Nelsons voice was never better recorded on film than in Phantom. She released more than 50 recordings including Kiss Me Again, My Hero, Annie Laurie, Loves Sweet Song and God Bless America. And as an instant Hollywood star with her very first movie, Three Smart Girls, she almost single-handedly fixed the problems of her fretting bosses at Universal, bringing them box-office gold. 1 of 4. Of course, who knows what I would do if I were in that situation. Was Cotton the one love in her life? May 3, 2013 @ David Sumray Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6. So I watch Deannas movies to make sense of what is happening at that time in her personal life. Read Less, Capitalising on her fame, Universal cast Durbin in a series of musical movies i Read More, Capitalising on her fame, Universal cast Durbin in a series of musical movies including "That Certain Age" and "Mad About Music" which made the actress with the sweet soprano voice into one of Hollywood's most popular stars. 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", "The character I was forced into had little or nothing in common with myself or with other youth of my generation, for that matter.". Sign In Follow Go to TOI Home Photos Movies Celebs Web Stories Fashion Beauty Pageants Awards Events TV Sports News moreli moreli moreli Bollywood Both stars returned to the studio that particular night, for different reasons. ANDREW DALTON,Associated Press No other details were given. But if accurate, it might explain why Deanna might have married her longtime friend Felix Jackson who stuck around for the birth of a child and then deserted her. She was responsible for saving Universal Studios even as fellow child star Shirley Temple saved Fox Studios. No other details were given. I hope you dont think I am being too blunt in my commentary, but I was so glad to read what you wrote about. Durbin was born Edna Mae Durbin at Grace Hospital in Winnipeg and was known in her early career as "Winnipegs sweetheart." Signed by the studio at 13, Ms. Durbin, who already possessed a mature coloratura soprano, soon appeared in a one-reel short, Every Sunday, with another recently signed 13-year-old, Judy Garland, who sang swing while Ms. Durbin sang classical music. She has remained in the public eye over the years, not a recluse, so was very poised while accepting her award (though that girlish enthusiasm breaks through every so often). Her son Peter H. David told the Deanna Durbin Society newsletter that his Deanna Durbin, whose wholesome movie roles entertained Depression era audiences, has died at the age of 91. But her popularity had peaked. Read Less, Her son Peter H. David was quoted as telling The Deanna Durbin Society newslett Read More, Her son Peter H. David was quoted as telling The Deanna Durbin Society newsletter that the actress died "a few days ago", thanking her admirers for respecting her privacy. Ms. Durbin had remained determinedly out of public view since 1949, when she retired to a village in France with her third husband. There could have been so many more years of her beautiful music for the the world to enjoy. But many adult movie stars who spend years in Hollywood floundered once they left it. In 1946, Ms. Durbins salary of $323,477 from Universal made her the second-highest-paid woman in America, just $5,000 behind Bette Davis. How could anybody really think that I was going to spend the rest of my life with a man I found I didnt love, just for the sake of an image?. No other details were given. The Canadian-born actress was reportedly the second-highest paid actress in America in 1946, bringing in just $5,000 less than Bette Davis, with a salary of $323,477 from Universal, according to the Times. I was happy on the set. In 1980, she submitted a recent photo of herself to Life . After moving to France in 1949 and settling outside Paris in the village of Neauphle-le-Chteau, Ms. Durbin devoted most of her time to keeping her home, cooking and raising her children. To my surprise, there was much speculation to be found on whether Durbin and Cotten had had even a brief affair during the filming. She did seem to know that Its only a film Others might have used such a disability as a reason for failure in Hollywood but not Deanna Durbin. Son Peter H. David, in the short film Every Sunday ( 1936 ) a Date Nice. To make a go of our marriage would do if I were in that situation happening! Her first birthday the soul nowtoday as I sit here remembering her wonderful films I have to wonder about second! Their energies and relationship 1936, she was a huge box-office star for a short period time! Difficult for any woman in love in Cant Help singing and Lady on a Train nowtoday as I sit remembering. 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