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Jane Powell
View on WikipediaJane Powell (born Suzanne Lorraine Burce; April 1, 1929 – September 16, 2021) was an American actress, singer, and dancer who appeared in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer musicals in the 1940s and 50s. With her soprano voice and girl-next-door image, Powell appeared in films, television and on the stage, performing in the musicals A Date with Judy (1948), Royal Wedding (1951), Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954), and Hit the Deck (1955).[1]
Key Information
In the 1950s Powell starred in the film noir The Female Animal (1958) and adventure film Enchanted Island (1958). She made appearances on stage in My Fair Lady and The Sound of Music, and television appearances in guest roles on The Love Boat (1981–1982) and the sitcom Growing Pains (1988–1992). She was a veteran of the Golden Age of Hollywood.[1][2]
Powell starred in off-Broadway productions of Avow and Bounce in 2000.[3][4]
In December 2007, she united with the musical group Pink Martini, performing as a vocalist with them in their shared hometown of Portland. She appeared in local theatre productions in Wilton, Connecticut before her death.
Early years
[edit]Powell was born Suzanne Lorraine Burce, the only child of Paul Emerson Burce and Eileen Baker Burce, on April 1, 1929, in Portland, Oregon.[5] Powell began dance lessons when she was 2 years old.[6] By age 5, Powell had appeared on the Portland children's radio program Stars of Tomorrow.[7] She took dance lessons at the Agnes Peters School of Dance, where the Burce family met a talent scout and dance instructor who persuaded the family to move to Oakland, California, to attract Hollywood talent agents.[8][1] After three months of living in a hotel room, the family returned to Portland, and her father took a job managing a Banbury Cross apartment building.[9] While living in Banbury Cross, Powell took singing lessons.[7]
When Powell was 12 years old, a talent promoter helped her get selected as the Oregon Victory Girl. She began singing on Portland radio station KOIN and traveled Oregon for two years, singing and selling victory bonds. While vacationing in California in 1943, Powell won a Hollywood talent show and signed a contract with MGM Theaters in Hollywood the next day at the age of 14.[10]
She wanted to go back to high school and to university, but her mother forbade this as she was the only one in the family making good money.[11]
Career
[edit]1943–1950
[edit]After signing with MGM, Powell was lent to United Artists for her first film, Song of the Open Road (1944), where she played the character of Jane Powell and took that as her professional name.[12] In 1945, Powell sang "Because" at the wedding of Esther Williams and Ben Gage.[13]
Powell's second feature film was Delightfully Dangerous (1945), then she appeared in Holiday in Mexico (1946), where she met Roddy McDowall, who became a life-long friend.[14][15]

More films followed, including Three Daring Daughters (1948), A Date with Judy (1948), Luxury Liner (1948), Nancy Goes to Rio (1950), and Two Weeks with Love (1950).[16][17][18][19][20]
Powell lamented that, at the age of 25 and with children of her own, she found herself typecast in teenage roles, but she accepted the roles because she needed to support her family.[11]
In 1949, Powell sang at Harry S. Truman’s inaugural ball, and she sang for five U.S. presidents and the queen of England.[21]
1951–1958
[edit]
In 1951, Powell co-starred in the musical comedy Royal Wedding with Fred Astaire as performing siblings. She also appeared that year in Rich, Young and Pretty.[22][23]
She starred in Small Town Girl and Three Sailors and a Girl in 1953.[24][25] Powell starred in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers in 1954.[21] In 2006, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers was named one of the greatest American musicals of all time by the American Film Institute.[26] Powell starred in Athena and Deep in My Heart in 1954.[27]
In 1955, Powell starred opposite Tony Martin, Debbie Reynolds, Ann Miller, and Russ Tamblyn in Hit the Deck, which was a commercial failure, underperforming at the box office.[28] The following year, she recorded the song "True Love", which rose to number 15 on the Billboard charts and number 107 on the pop charts for that year, according to the Joel Whitburn compilation. This was her only single to make the charts. Also in 1956, Powell performed the song "I'll Never Stop Loving You" at the 28th Academy Awards.[29] Next, Powell appeared in RKO Pictures' musical comedy The Girl Most Likely, playing a woman who becomes engaged to three men simultaneously.[30] Though shot in 1956, the film was not released until 1958, after RKO went out of business.[30]
Known mainly for her roles in musical comedies, Powell appeared in a rare dramatic role in the film noir The Female Animal (1958) from Universal Pictures, which marked the final film of co-star Hedy Lamarr.[citation needed]
1959–1980
[edit]By the late 1950s, after Powell's contract with MGM expired and her film offers began to slow, she turned to theater.[1] Her first summer stock role was in a production of Oklahoma! in Dallas, Texas, in 1958.[31] The following year, she co-starred with Tab Hunter, Patty Duke, and Myrna Loy in a television remake of the musical Meet Me in St. Louis. She starred in a stage production of The Most Happy Fella (1962).[32] In 1962, Powell made her debut appearance on the television series The Red Skelton Show, in which she appeared in numerous episodes until 1972.[citation needed]
In 1964, Powell starred as Eliza Doolittle in a production of My Fair Lady at Los Angeles' Valley West Theatre, which established a record gross for West Coast-based productions of the play.[33] She also toured in 1964 in a musical review titled Just 20 Plus Me! It was done to a recorded track and featured Powell with 20 handsome "chorus boys". Asked after the performance if the production was going to be made available on a commercial recording, she said simply "No."[citation needed]
She had the title role in The Unsinkable Molly Brown in 1966,[34] as well as the female lead in an Atlanta-based production of Carousel,[35] followed by The Boy Friend at the Carousel Theater in Los Angeles in 1967.[36] Also in 1967, she starred in a touring production of Brigadoon.[35] Next, she portrayed Maria von Trapp in a production of The Sound of Music in 1968.[37] In addition to her stage work, Powell appeared in three television films: Wheeler and Murdoch (1972),[38] The Letters (1973),[39] and Mayday at 40,000 Feet! (1976).[40]
In 1972, Powell appeared in a Cincinnati-based stage production of Meet Me In St. Louis.[41] The following year, Powell made her Broadway debut playing the title character in Irene, following Debbie Reynolds' performance in the title role.[42] Mel Gussow of The New York Times praised Powell's performance, writing: "The two stars are an equal match for peppiness. Miss Reynolds may score a point for clowning, but Miss Powell wins two for softness."[43]
Howard Keel and she appeared on stage together in a revival of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, I Do! I Do![42][44] and South Pacific.[42]
1981–2021
[edit]In the early 1980s, Powell toured in the comedies Same Time, Next Year; The Marriage-Go-Round, and Chapter Two.[citation needed]
Between 1981 and 1982, Powell had guest-starring role on The Love Boat and Fantasy Island. In 1985, she started a 9-month run in the daytime soap opera Loving, playing a tough mother and businesswoman, followed by another guest-starring part on Murder, She Wrote in 1985.[citation needed] In 1988, Powell was cast in a recurring guest role on the popular sitcom Growing Pains, in which she played Irma Seaver, the mother of Dr. Jason Roland Seaver (Alan Thicke).[citation needed] The same year, in May 1988, Powell married her longtime companion, former child actor Dickie Moore.[45] The couple had met while Moore was performing research for his autobiography Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, but Don't Have Sex or Take the Car.[46]

In the early 1990s, Powell was a temporary replacement on the soap opera As the World Turns for Eileen Fulton as Lisa Grimaldi.[1] In 1996 and 1997, she appeared in the off-Broadway production After-Play. She also performed the role of the Queen in Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella at New York City Opera.[1] In 2000, Powell appeared in the Off-Broadway production Avow, in which she portrayed a devout Catholic woman whose gay son wishes to marry his partner in the church.[15] This was followed by a stage production of 70, Girls, 70, the same year.[1] In 2002, she guest-starred on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, followed by a role in the Showtime film The Sandy Bottom Orchestra (2003).[1]
In 2003, she made a return to the stage as Mama Mizner in the Stephen Sondheim musical Bounce, which held performances in Chicago and Washington, DC.[47] "I auditioned just to meet Sondheim, who was nice and a very funny man,” Powell admitted. "But I was disappointed when I got the part. I didn't really want to be away from home, but I had never done a new show and that seemed exciting at first. But I didn't have much to do and the part wasn't too jovial."[47]
On New Year's Eve 2007, Powell returned to her hometown of Portland, Oregon, to narrate Sergei Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf with the Portland-based musical group Pink Martini.[48] She also appeared on March 9, 2008, with Pink Martini at Avery Fisher Hall in New York City, singing a duet of "Aba Daba Honeymoon" with lead singer China Forbes.[48]
In March 2009, she appeared and sang "Love Is Where You Find It" in a show in which Michael Feinstein celebrated movie musicals and MGM musicals in particular. She performed again with Pink Martini at the Hollywood Bowl on September 10, 2010.[49] Powell filled in as guest host on Turner Classic Movies for Robert Osborne when he was on medical leave from July 17–23, 2011.[49]
Personal life
[edit]On November 5, 1949, Powell married former figure skater Gearhardt Anthony Steffen.[50] The union produced two children, Gearhardt III (born July 21, 1951) and Suzanne Ilene (born November 21, 1952).[12][51] In 1953, Powell began an affair with Gene Nelson, her married co-star in Three Sailors and a Girl. Powell and Nelson planned to marry after divorcing their spouses, but after divorcing his wife, Nelson backed out of marrying Powell.[1][52]
Powell married car dealer Patrick W. Nerney on November 8, 1954.[53] Their daughter, Lindsay Averill, was born on February 1, 1956.[54] Powell and Nerney divorced in May 1963.[55]
In 1965, Powell married Hollywood publicist and manager Jim Fitzgerald, who managed her career. They divorced in 1975.[56] She married David Stellar Parlour in 1978 and divorced him in 1981.
Powell married former child star Dickie Moore in 1988. After Moore died in 2015, Powell moved to their home in Wilton, Connecticut, where she died of natural causes on September 16, 2021, at the age of 92.[47][57][58][59]
Legacy
[edit]
Powell was referred to as one of the last surviving stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood.[2][60] She secured her place in history with her performance in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.[2]
Despite bouts with severe depression, anxiety and insecurity, Powell retained a public image of the all-American girl-next-door and was a symbol of simpler times.[1] Powell's role in Song of the Open Road in 1944, a film that presented Powell as a wholesome girl next door, was suspected to have pigeon-holed her in future musicals.[61]
In 1960, Powell was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.[62]
Filmography
[edit]Short subjects
[edit]- Screen Snapshots: Motion Picture Mothers, Inc. (1949)
- 1955 Motion Picture Theatre Celebration (1955)[73]
Stage work
[edit]- Allegro (1951)
- Oklahoma! (1958)
- The Most Happy Fella (1962)
- The Unsinkable Molly Brown (1963; 1966; 1981)
- Carousel (1966)
- The Boy Friend (1967)
- The Sound of Music (1968; 1972)
- My Fair Lady (1969; 1971)
- I Do! I Do! (1970)
- Meet Me in St. Louis (1972)
- Brigadoon (1973)
- Irene (1974; 1975–76)
- Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1978)
- South Pacific (1978)
- The Marriage-Go-Round (1981)
- Sweethearts (1983)
- Cinderella (1995)
- After-Play (1996)
- Ancestral Voices (2000)
- Avow (2000)
- Nothing Like a Dame (2000)
- 70, Girls, 70 (2000)
- Bounce (2003; 2004)
Radio
[edit]- 1944 — Powell played the title role in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs on Screen Guild Theatre on CBS.[74]
- 1947 — Powell co-starred with Frank Sinatra in Songs by Sinatra.[75]
- 1952 — Lux Radio Theatre (episode Royal Wedding)[76]
Jane Powell played main roles as guest star in 4 musicals with Gordon MacRae in a series of musicals («Railroad Hour»)on radio in 1949. «Sweethearts», «Music in the Air», «Brigadoon» and «Good News».
Recordings
[edit]- 1949: Romance — Columbia Masterworks LP (ML 2034)[77]
- 1949: A Date with Jane Powell — Columbia Masterworks LP (ML 2045)[77]
- 1956: Can't We Be Friends? — Verve Records LP (MGV 2023), re-released as a Limited Edition Japanese import CD in a mini-LP slip case in 2004.
- 1956: Something Wonderful (with David Rose and His Orchestra) — MGM Records (E3451)
- 2000: Hansel and Gretel/Alice in Wonderland — Collectables Records CD[77]
- 2001: Romance/A Date with Jane Powell — Collectables Records CD (COL-CD-6670 / Sony A-50271)[77]
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Grimm, Matthew. "Jane Powell Biography". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on September 5, 2021.
- ^ a b c "Hollywood's Veterans: The beloved surviving stars of the Golden Age". The Vintage News. 29 June 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
- ^ Jones, Kenneth (August 12, 2008). "Sondheim & Weidman's Bounce Is Now Called Road Show; Cast Announced". PLAYBILL. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
- ^ Simonson, Robert (July 27, 2000). "Powell Takes Avow Off-Broadway as Davis Play Opens, July 27". PLAYBILL. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
- ^ Powell 1988, p. 11.
- ^ Powell 1988, p. 16.
- ^ a b Powell 1988, p. 23.
- ^ Powell 1988, pp. 18–20.
- ^ Powell 1988, p. 19.
- ^ Beaudreau, Mary Ellen (April 2008). "A Date With Jane Powell". The Juilliard Journal. The Juilliard School. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
- ^ a b "Jane Powell Obituary". The Times. October 2, 2021. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
- ^ a b Hamilton, Anita (September 17, 2021). "Jane Powell's Movies, Life and Loves | 50+ World - 50+ World". 50+ World. 50+ World / Senior City® Inc. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
- ^ Williams 1999, pp. 176–177.
- ^ Powell 1988, p. 67-68.
- ^ a b Reed, Rex (July 31, 2000). "Jane Powell on Aging, Acting and MGM". The New York Observer. Archived from the original on December 19, 2017.
- ^ Scheuer, Phillip K. (December 23, 1946). "Flynn Cast as '49'er; 'Van' Writes for Self". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 165710334.
- ^ a b Dick 2018, pp. 168–169.
- ^ a b Dick 2018, p. 168.
- ^ a b Dick 2018, p. 169.
- ^ Dick 2018, pp. 172–173.
- ^ a b Loomis, Nicky (June 30, 2010). "Jane Powell". Los Angeles Times. Hollywood Walk of Fame. Archived from the original on September 4, 2021.
- ^ a b Dick 2018, p. 170.
- ^ a b c Dick 2018, p. 173.
- ^ Dick 2018, pp. 168, 201.
- ^ Dick 2018, p. 208.
- ^ "AFI's Greatest Movie Musicals" (PDF). American Film Institute. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 13, 2011.
- ^ Dick 2018, pp. 152–153.
- ^ a b Dick 2018, p. 197.
- ^ Schuer, Phillip K. (March 22, 1956). "Oscar Plays 2nd Fiddle to Auto". Los Angeles Times. p. 2. ProQuest|166930981.
- ^ a b c Dick 2018, p. 195.
- ^ Powell 1988, p. 181.
- ^ Powell 1988, p. 182.
- ^ Powell 1988, pp. 194–197.
- ^ "'Molly Brown' Follows 'Sound of Music". The Argus. February 23, 1966. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Powell 1988, p. 195.
- ^ "Carousel Theatre". Los Angeles Times. April 4, 1967. p. 63 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Powell 1988, pp. 186, 195.
- ^ Smith, Cecil (March 29, 1972). "It's Pilot Time for Networks Again". Los Angeles Times. p. G17.
- ^ "ABC Delivers 'The Letters' Trilogy". Los Angeles Times. March 4, 1973. p. O3.
- ^ "Inside TV". Los Angeles Times. April 28, 1976. p. F22.
- ^ "Theatre". Cincinnati. 5 (10): 26. July 1972. ISSN 0746-8210.
- ^ a b c Mahoney, John C. (October 9, 1977). "Life Just Beginning for Jane Powell". Los Angeles Times. p. R50. ProQuest|158329825.
- ^ "Jane Powell, Soft and Smiling, Takes Over as Irene". The New York Times. February 8, 1974. Archived from the original on September 4, 2021.
- ^ "Coming Up: Powell and Keel in a Musical Comedy About Marriage". Los Angeles Times. May 23, 1980. p. SD A6.
- ^ "Sing 'Louie Louie' and really, really help a good cause". Sun-Sentinel. May 8, 1988. p. 259 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Harmetz, Aljean (September 23, 1984). "Poor Little Tykes". Los Angeles Times. p. BR20.
- ^ a b c Rizzo, Frank (June 30, 2017). "A date with Jane Powell". Connecticut Post. Archived from the original on September 5, 2021.
- ^ a b "Pink Martini's 'mini-orchestra' intoxicates listeners". AM New York Metro. March 4, 2008. Archived from the original on September 5, 2021.
- ^ a b Dagan, Carmel (2021-09-16). "Jane Powell, Spirited Star of Movie Musicals 'Royal Wedding,' 'Seven Brides,' Dies at 92". Variety. Retrieved 2021-09-17.
- ^ "Jane Powell Plans November Wedding". Los Angeles Times. September 29, 1949. p. A7.
- ^ "Singing Star Jane Powell Becomes Mother of Girl". Los Angeles Times. November 22, 1952. p. A1.
- ^ Lakshman, Srivats (September 16, 2021). "Who was Jane Powell's husband? Actress divorced 4 times before husband Dickie Moore". Meaww. Media Entertainment Arts WorldWide. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
- ^ "Jane Powell Married to Pat Nerney in Ojai". Los Angeles Times. November 9, 1954. p. 2.
- ^ "Daughter Born to Jane Powell". Los Angeles Times. February 2, 1956. p. A30.
- ^ "Jane Powell Gets Divorce Decree". Los Angeles Times. May 9, 1963. p. A2.
- ^ Barnes, Mike (August 21, 2023). "James Fitzgerald, Hollywood Publicist and Manager, Dies at 91". The Hollywood Reporter. Business News. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
- ^ Berkvist, Robert (2021-09-16). "Jane Powell, Hollywood's Girl Next Door, Is Dead at 92". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-09-17.
- ^ Evans, Greg (16 September 2021). "Jane Powell Dies: Hollywood Golden Age Actress & 'Royal Wedding' Star Was 92". Deadline. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
- ^ "Jane Powell, Star of 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,' Dies at 92". The Hollywood Reporter. 16 September 2021.
- ^ "LIVING STARS OF HOLLYWOOD'S GOLDEN ERA". Stargazing. 12 February 2014. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
- ^ Rizzo, Frank (6 July 2017). "Actress from Hollywood's Golden Age feels right at home in Wilton". The Hour. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
- ^ "Jane Powell - Hollywood Walk of Fame". Hollywood Walk of Fame. 25 October 2019. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
- ^ Song of the Open Road at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
- ^ Delightfully Dangerous at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
- ^ Three Daring Daughters at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
- ^ Dick 2018, pp. 169–170.
- ^ a b Dick 2018, p. 172.
- ^ Dick 2018, p. 201.
- ^ Dick 2018, p. 174.
- ^ Dick 2018, pp. 151–152.
- ^ "The Female Animal (1958)". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on September 5, 2021.
- ^ "Enchanted Island (1958)". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on September 5, 2021.
- ^ Webb, Graham. Encyclopedia of American Short Films, 1926-1959. McFarland. p. 388.
- ^ "Those Were the Days". Nostalgia Digest. 42 (2): 39. Spring 2016.
- ^ "Evelyn Knight Due On Texaco Show". Billboard. March 15, 1947. p. 11. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
- ^ Kirby, Walter (April 13, 1952). "Better Radio Programs for the Week". The Decatur Daily Review. p. 48 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d 1949 Recordings: All songs recorded 1946-1947. All songs conducted by Carmen Dragon and His Orchestra.
Sources
[edit]- Dick, Robert (2018). That Was Entertainment: The Golden Age of the MGM Musical. Jackson, Mississippi: University Press of Mississippi. ISBN 978-1-496-81736-5.
- Powell, Jane (1988). The Girl Next Door and How She Grew. New York: William Morrow & Co. ISBN 978-0-68806-757-1.
- Williams, Esther (1999). The Million Dollar Mermaid: An Autobiography (1st ed.). New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 978-0-15-601135-8. OCLC 43706619.
External links
[edit]- Jane Powell at the Internet Broadway Database
- Jane Powell at the Internet Off-Broadway Database (archived)
- Jane Powell at IMDb
- Jane Powell at Virtual History
- Jane Powell discography at Discogs
Jane Powell
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Family and childhood
Jane Powell was born Suzanne Lorraine Burce on April 1, 1929, in Portland, Oregon, to Paul Emerson Burce, a Wonder Bread factory worker, and Eileen Baker Burce, a homemaker.[2][5] As the only child of the couple, she grew up in a household marked by financial hardship during the Great Depression, where her father's employment provided limited stability amid widespread unemployment.[6][2] The Burce family lived in poverty, with the parents viewing their daughter's precocious talents as a potential escape from their economic struggles. Eileen's determination to promote Suzanne's abilities led to an intense, close-knit dynamic, where the mother actively managed her young child's budding interests in performance, often prioritizing career development over typical childhood experiences. This push began early, as the family enrolled Suzanne in dance lessons at age two to nurture her skills.[5] From a young age, Suzanne gained exposure to music through local performances in Portland, including singing in community settings and winning a radio contest at age five in 1934, which highlighted her soprano voice and contributed modestly to the household income.[5] These formative experiences in the city's vibrant yet challenging environment during the 1930s shaped her initial passion for the arts, amid the socioeconomic pressures that defined her upbringing.[7]Discovery and early performances
At the age of five in 1934, Suzanne Burce won a local radio talent contest in Portland, Oregon, which launched her performing career and led to regular appearances on station KOIN, where she performed under her birth name as a child singer with a clear soprano voice.[5] These early broadcasts on programs like "Stars of Tomorrow" quickly established her as a local sensation, with her mature singing style captivating audiences and providing the family with income that supported further development of her talents.[5] In 1941, at age 12, she was selected as the "Oregon Victory Girl," touring the state to entertain audiences and promote war bonds during World War II, marking her first major live, non-radio performances.[5] By this time, her radio work had expanded, allowing her parents to fund formal training in voice and dance lessons, which honed her skills in classical singing and tap dancing under local instructors in Portland.[2] Following her 1943 talent contest victory on the nationwide radio program Stars Over Hollywood and subsequent MGM contract, the family relocated to California, first to Oakland and then the Los Angeles area, to support her career.[1][5] During an appearance on Stars Over Hollywood, a producer suggested the stage name "Jane Powell" to better suit her professional image; she adopted it for her film debut in Song of the Open Road (1944).[1][5] This exposure culminated in her discovery by an MGM talent scout in 1943, paving the way for a studio contract.[1]Professional career
MGM debut and early films: 1943–1950
In 1943, at the age of 14, Jane Powell, born Suzanne Lorraine Burce, won a radio talent competition in Hollywood during a family vacation, leading to auditions for MGM studio head Louis B. Mayer and producer David O. Selznick.[8] This opportunity resulted in her signing a seven-year contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, where the studio chose the stage name Jane Powell for her in the 1944 film Song of the Open Road, which she retained for her career. Her early radio background as a child performer in Portland, Oregon, had honed her soprano voice, providing a strong foundation for her vocal talents in film. Powell's screen debut came in the 1944 United Artists musical comedy Song of the Open Road, loaned out from MGM, where she portrayed a child actress escaping her overbearing mother to join a wartime youth group harvesting crops, appearing alongside W.C. Fields in a brief cameo.[9] The film served as a morale booster during World War II, emphasizing themes of American youth contributing to the war effort. Her breakthrough arrived with Holiday in Mexico (1946), an MGM Technicolor musical in which she played a teenager infatuated with pianist José Iturbi, dueting with him on operatic numbers like "Les Filles de Cadix" to highlight her trained soprano range.[10] In 1948, she starred in two key films: Three Daring Daughters, a family musical where Powell and her on-screen sisters scheme to derail their divorced mother's romance with Iturbi again, exploring mother-daughter dynamics amid lighthearted comedy; and A Date with Judy, a teen ensemble piece co-starring Judy Garland and Elizabeth Taylor, featuring Powell dancing with Scotty Beckett in energetic routines that showcased her emerging versatility beyond singing.[11] Throughout the late 1940s, Powell appeared in approximately 10 films, solidifying her image as MGM's innocent, girl-next-door soprano in youthful musicals. Notable among these were Luxury Liner (1948), where she played the captain's stowaway daughter romancing a passenger amid shipboard songs; Nancy Goes to Rio (1950), a mother-daughter comedy with Ann Sothern involving romantic mix-ups in Brazil; and Two Weeks with Love (1950), a period romance set in the early 1900s that introduced 18-year-old Debbie Reynolds as Powell's spirited younger sister, boosting Reynolds' career through their shared musical numbers like "Aba Daba Honeymoon."[12][13][14] These roles emphasized her wholesome charm and clear vocal delivery, often in light romantic plots tailored to her teenage persona. Transitioning from a child radio sensation to a groomed teen actress presented challenges for Powell under MGM's rigorous studio system, including intense schedules that limited her education and social life, as she later described the isolation of child stardom.[15] The studio's control over her image—focusing on perky innocence while pushing her into more mature romantic leads—created pressure to mature quickly on screen, though she navigated it by drawing on her natural poise and vocal discipline from radio days.[16]Peak MGM musicals: 1951–1958
Jane Powell's tenure at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer reached its zenith between 1951 and 1958, a period marked by her elevation to leading lady in a series of lavish Technicolor musicals that capitalized on her crystalline soprano voice and spirited screen presence. Building on her earlier training, Powell starred in high-profile productions that paired her with iconic co-stars and innovative choreography, solidifying her as a cornerstone of the studio's musical output. These films not only showcased her vocal range—often praised for its purity and two-and-a-half-octave span—but also highlighted her growth as a dancer and actress in ensemble-driven narratives.[17][1] In 1951, Powell appeared in Royal Wedding, directed by Stanley Donen, where she played Ellen Bowen, the vivacious sister to Fred Astaire's character in a story set amid the excitement of Princess Elizabeth's wedding. Her standout moment came in the duet "How Could You Believe Me When I Said I Love You When You Know I've Been a Liar All My Life?" with Astaire, a playful number that demonstrated her adept partnering in dance sequences despite the physical demands of matching the master's precision. The film earned critical acclaim for its lighthearted charm and Powell's effervescent performance, contributing to its box office success with rentals exceeding $2.5 million domestically. Later that year, she starred in Rich, Young and Pretty, a romantic musical opposite Danielle Darrieux as a Texas teenager discovering family secrets in Paris, where her soprano shone in songs like "Wonder Why" alongside Vic Damone. Directed by Norman Taurog, the production was noted for its glamorous European backdrop and Powell's youthful appeal, though it received mixed reviews for its predictable plot. By 1953, Powell's versatility expanded in Small Town Girl, directed by László Kardos, in which she portrayed the judge's daughter who falls for a wayward playboy played by Farley Granger. A highlight was the acrobatic dance routine featuring Bobby Van's gravity-defying leaps during "Street Dance," which complemented Powell's own energetic contributions to the film's Busby Berkeley-inspired choreography. The movie blended romance and comedy effectively, grossing approximately $1.8 million in rentals and earning praise for its lively ensemble, including Ann Miller. That same year, Three Sailors and a Girl, under Roy Del Ruth's direction, cast Powell as a producer's assistant enlisting sailors—portrayed by Gordon MacRae and Gene Nelson—to fund a Broadway show. Her chemistry with Nelson in naval-themed numbers like "The Lately Song" added buoyancy to the proceedings, though critics found the script formulaic despite the strong vocal performances.[18] The year 1954 brought two of Powell's most enduring roles, beginning with Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, a frontier musical directed by Donen that remains a benchmark for the genre. As Milly, the resourceful bride to Howard Keel's Adam Pontipee, Powell brought warmth and determination to the character, who civilizes her husband's rowdy brothers through song and domestic ingenuity. Her lilting soprano paired seamlessly with Keel's baritone in duets like "When You're in Love," while the film's iconic "Spring, Spring, Spring" sequence and the barn-raising dance—choreographed by Michael Kidd—earned widespread acclaim for their athletic vigor and storytelling innovation.[17] Kidd's direction of the all-male dance ensemble was particularly lauded, with the sequence influencing subsequent musicals. The picture was a major hit, generating over $7.6 million in worldwide rentals and five Academy Award nominations, including for Best Picture. Powell followed this with Athena, a whimsical comedy-musical co-starring Debbie Reynolds as one of seven sisters in a health-conscious family pursuing lawyer Edmund Purdom. Powell's portrayal of the astrologically inclined Athena highlighted her comic timing in numbers like "Love Can Change the Stars," though the film divided critics for its eccentric premise despite the vibrant sisterly ensemble. Powell's MGM output continued with Hit the Deck in 1955, a nautical remake directed by Roy Rowland that reunited her with Reynolds and introduced Ann Miller to the mix as showgirls entangled with sailors played by Tony Martin and Vic Damone. The naval-themed production featured spirited group dances and Powell's solo "Sometimes I'm Happy," but it struggled against changing tastes in musicals, earning modest rentals of about $2 million.[19] Her final MGM film, The Girl Most Likely (filmed in 1957 but released in 1958), directed by Mitchell Leisen, starred Powell as a daydreaming young woman juggling three suitors in a tropical paradise, shot innovatively in CinemaScope and Todd-AO. Despite the technical advancements and her charming performance in songs like "I Don't Know," the film underperformed commercially, grossing under $1.5 million amid the waning popularity of studio musicals.[20] During this era, Powell's films collectively grossed tens of millions at the box office, reflecting her peak popularity as MGM's go-to ingénue for Technicolor spectacles. Critics consistently highlighted her soprano's clarity and emotional depth, often crediting her partnership with choreographer Michael Kidd in Seven Brides as a career pinnacle that elevated her from juvenile roles to mature stardom. This period encapsulated Powell's artistry at its most vibrant, blending vocal prowess with the era's grand musical traditions before the genre's decline.[5]Transition to television and stage: 1959–1980
Following the expiration of her MGM contract in 1958, Powell appeared in two independent films that highlighted the waning demand for Hollywood musicals: The Female Animal, a drama directed by Harry Keller in which she played the supporting role of Penny Windsor alongside Hedy Lamarr, and Enchanted Island, a low-budget adaptation of Herman Melville's Typee where she portrayed the island native Fayaway opposite Dana Andrews.[21] These roles marked a departure from her musical stardom and underscored the challenges of transitioning beyond studio-backed productions as the genre declined in the late 1950s.[8] Powell's entry into television began prominently with the 1959 CBS musical special Meet Me in St. Louis, a live remake of the 1944 film in which she starred as Esther Smith, originally played by Judy Garland, alongside Tab Hunter and Walter Pidgeon.[22] Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, she made frequent guest appearances on variety programs, including multiple episodes of The Dinah Shore Chevy Show (such as in 1960, where she hosted alongside guests like Craig Stevens) and Dinah's Place (1971), showcasing her singing and hosting skills.[23][24] She also featured in dramatic roles, such as the 1976 TV movie Mayday at 40,000 Feet!, playing flight attendant Cathy Barnes in a disaster thriller with David Janssen. Guest spots on shows like The Love Boat (starting in 1977) and Fantasy Island (from 1977) often drew on her wholesome image from earlier films, though typecasting limited her to light, supportive parts as she aged into her forties and fifties.[8] Turning to the stage in the late 1950s amid fewer film opportunities, Powell toured in regional and national productions of classic musicals, including My Fair Lady in 1964 as Eliza Doolittle, The Unsinkable Molly Brown in 1966, and South Pacific in 1977 as Ensign Nellie Forbush opposite Howard Keel. Her Broadway breakthrough came in 1974 with the revival of Irene, where she succeeded Debbie Reynolds in the title role of Lily (Irene O'Dare), earning praise for her vibrant performance and helping extend the show's run. These live theater engagements, along with occasional voice work in variety specials and cabaret performances, provided steadier outlets for her talents but reflected broader financial pressures from the post-studio era's instability, prompting personal appearances and nightclub acts to supplement income.[25]Later appearances and retirement: 1981–2021
In the 1980s, Powell continued her television work with a notable role on the ABC daytime soap opera Loving, where she portrayed the matriarch Rebeka Beecham during a nine-month run beginning in 1985.[26] This dramatic turn marked a shift from her earlier musical persona, emphasizing her versatility as a businesswoman and family leader on the ranch-based series.[27] She followed this with guest appearances on other shows, including an episode of Murder, She Wrote in 1987, playing Rev. Mother Claire in "Old Habits Die Hard," and recurring as Irma Seaver Overmier on Growing Pains from 1988 to 1990.[28] In the early 1990s, she served as a temporary replacement on the soap opera As the World Turns.[5] Powell's screen work became more selective in the late 1990s and early 2000s, focusing on supporting roles that highlighted her enduring charm. She appeared as an eccentric arts patron in the 1999 independent film Picture This, directed by Lisa Albright, which explored themes of creativity and patronage.[1] This was followed by television movies such as The Sandy Bottom Orchestra (2000), where she played Delia Ferguson, and Perfect Murder, Perfect Town (2000 miniseries), portraying Kit Andre in a dramatization of the JonBenét Ramsey case.[29] Her final on-screen role came in 2002 as Bess Sherman, a character with dementia, on an episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit titled "Vulnerable."[4] On stage, Powell maintained an active presence through limited regional and touring productions, drawing on her musical theater roots. In the early 1980s, she toured in comedies such as Same Time, Next Year and Chapter Two.[30] Later engagements included an Off-Broadway concert staging of 70, Girls, 70 in 2000 and the world premiere of Stephen Sondheim's Bounce in 2003 at the Goodman Theatre, where she originated the role of Mama Mizner under director Harold Prince.[31] She also participated in retrospectives and fan conventions celebrating MGM musicals, including SAG-AFTRA career tributes and Turner Classic Movies events like the 2011 "Road to Hollywood" series in Chicago, where she shared anecdotes from her film career.[32] Following her husband's death in 2015, Powell retired to her home in Wilton, Connecticut, where she had lived since the late 1980s with former child actor and publicist Dickie Moore, whom she married in 1988.[33] Age-related health issues led to significantly reduced public activity after 2000, though she made occasional appearances at film benefits.Personal life
Marriages and children
Jane Powell's first marriage was to Geary Anthony Steffen, a former figure skater and Navy pilot, on November 8, 1949; the union lasted until their divorce in 1953.[5][34] The couple had two children: son Geary Anthony Steffen III, born July 21, 1951, and daughter Suzanne Ilene Steffen, born November 21, 1952.[34][29] This marriage coincided with Powell's rising stardom at MGM, leading to tensions as she balanced filming schedules with early motherhood, which prompted a brief career pause after her second child's birth.[29] Her second marriage, to talent agent Patrick W. Nerney, took place on November 5, 1954, and ended in divorce in 1963 amid strains from her demanding career and frequent relocations.[5][2] They had one daughter, Lindsay Averill Nerney, born February 1, 1956.[2][35] Custody arrangements for all three children from her first two marriages became a public concern during this period, with Powell retaining primary custody while navigating Hollywood's scrutiny of her family life.[5] Powell's third marriage was to Hollywood publicist and manager James Fitzgerald on June 25, 1965, in Sydney, Australia; they divorced in 1975.[5][36] No children were born from this union, though Fitzgerald managed her career during a transitional phase, which helped stabilize her professional endeavors but could not sustain the marriage.[36] Her fourth marriage, to airline executive David Stellar Parlour, occurred on October 21, 1978, and ended in divorce in 1981.[5] This short-lived partnership produced no children and reflected Powell's ongoing search for stability outside the spotlight as her film roles diminished.[5] Powell's fifth and final marriage was to former child actor Dickie Moore on January 29, 1988, after they met while he researched a book on child stars; Moore died in 2015, marking the end of her 27-year companionship with him.[2][1] No children came from this marriage, but it provided Powell with enduring support in her later years, allowing her to focus on family with her three adult children—Geary, Suzanne, and Lindsay—and two granddaughters.[2] The series of divorces, often attributed to the conflicts between her career demands and domestic responsibilities, occasionally drew tabloid attention but did not derail her legacy as a performer.[5]Later years and death
In the 1980s, Powell and her fifth husband, former child actor Dickie Moore, whom she married in 1988, purchased a home in Wilton, Connecticut, where they divided their time between there and New York City, embracing a quieter existence away from the Hollywood spotlight.[37][38] This relocation marked a stabilizing phase in her personal life, supported by her long marriage to Moore, which lasted until his death in 2015.[39] Following Moore's passing, Powell relocated permanently from their Manhattan apartment to the Wilton home, continuing to lead a private life focused on family and close friends.[38] In her later years, she faced health challenges including arthritis, which affected her mobility, though she emphasized the importance of self-care in managing its progression slowly.[37] Powell largely avoided public appearances and scrutiny, preferring the seclusion of her Connecticut residence. Powell died of natural causes on September 16, 2021, at her home in Wilton, Connecticut, at the age of 92.[4][39] Her longtime friend and spokesperson Susan Granger confirmed the death, describing Powell as "the most wonderful person, honest and straightforward, with no pretense" and noting their 30-year friendship.[39] She was survived by her three children from her first two marriages: Geary Anthony Steffen III, Suzanne Ilene Steffen, and Lindsay Averill Nerney.[1] A private funeral was held for family members.[38]Legacy
Cultural impact and influence
Jane Powell's portrayal of the wholesome, relatable "girl next door" in 1950s MGM musicals captured the essence of post-World War II American innocence, presenting her as an accessible, soprano-voiced ingénue whose charm and sincerity defined a key archetype in Hollywood's Golden Age. This image, marked by her bright-eyed optimism and unpretentious demeanor, resonated deeply with audiences seeking escapist fare amid societal transitions, positioning her as a symbol of idealized youth and domestic normalcy.[4][5] Her contributions extended to the revival of Technicolor musicals, where vibrant visuals amplified the genre's spectacle during a period of studio innovation. Films like Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954) exemplified this, with its choreography by Michael Kidd integrating ballet's precision, folk dance traditions such as square dancing, and acrobatic elements to create dynamic, narrative-driven sequences that advanced American dance cinema. The film's barn-raising number, in particular, has been analyzed in scholarly works for pioneering this hybrid style, influencing subsequent musicals by merging classical techniques with vernacular energy to heighten emotional and communal storytelling.[40][41] Powell's legacy endures through a dedicated fanbase, bolstered by repeated airings of her films on Turner Classic Movies (TCM) and widespread home video releases that introduce her performances to contemporary viewers. TCM's programming tributes, including special screenings and retrospectives, have kept her work in circulation, fostering appreciation among classic film enthusiasts and ensuring her musicals remain accessible for home viewing. Additionally, her roles feature in performing arts education, where they illustrate techniques of vocal delivery, character embodiment, and ensemble dynamics central to mid-20th-century musical theater curricula.[42] As one of the final contract players under MGM's Golden Age system, Powell's trajectory mirrored the studio's decline, with her departure in the late 1950s coinciding with the genre's contraction due to escalating production costs and shifting audience demands for more realistic narratives over lavish musicals. Her experiences highlight the end of an era where studios like MGM controlled talent development, symbolizing broader industry changes toward independent production and diminished emphasis on the integrated musical format.[43][44]Honors, tributes, and recognition
Jane Powell received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960 for her contributions to motion pictures, located at 6818 Hollywood Boulevard.[45] Early in her career, she was recognized with Photoplay Awards for Best Performances of the Month in November 1946 for her roles in Holiday in Mexico and in November 1948 for Luxury Liner. Additionally, her film Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954) was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry in 2004.[46][47] Although she never received Academy Award nominations, her work in MGM musicals earned praise from peers, including Debbie Reynolds, who recalled co-starring with her in Two Weeks with Love (1950) in her memoir Unsinkable.[48] Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Powell was frequently honored by Turner Classic Movies (TCM), appearing in on-stage interviews and events such as the 2012 Road to Hollywood presentation, where she discussed her films alongside co-stars.[49] TCM continued to celebrate her legacy with archival features and host-led tributes. Following her death on September 16, 2021, at age 92, Powell's passing sparked renewed interest in her career, highlighted by extensive obituaries. The New York Times described her as "Hollywood's Girl Next Door" and one of the last surviving stars of MGM's golden age of movie musicals.[4] Variety noted her as an "angelically visaged young actress" who starred in numerous MGM musicals during the studio's heyday.[8] TCM aired a special tribute marathon of her films on October 16, 2021, including Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954) and Royal Wedding (1951), accompanied by interviews and commentary.[50]Filmography
Feature films
Jane Powell's feature film career, spanning from her debut in 1944 to 1999, consisted of over 20 theatrical releases, predominantly MGM musicals where she often played youthful, soprano-voiced ingenues showcasing her singing and dancing talents. Her roles transitioned from child star to romantic leads, with notable contributions to Technicolor musicals that highlighted her clear vocal range and on-screen charm.[1]- Song of the Open Road (1944), directed by S. Sylvan Simon, marked Powell's screen debut as herself (billed as Jane Powell), a teenage singer joining a cross-country tour with youth performers; co-starring Edgar Bergen, Charles Laughton, and W.C. Fields in his final film appearance. This low-budget United Artists production introduced her to audiences as a fresh-faced vocalist.
- Delightfully Dangerous (1945), directed by Arthur Lubin, in which Powell portrayed Pamela Dixon, a young girl pursuing a Broadway career; co-starring Ralph Bellamy and Constance Moore. Produced by Benedict Bogeaus Productions and released by United Artists, it emphasized her comedic timing alongside musical numbers.
- Holiday in Mexico (1946), directed by George Sidney, featured Powell as Carol, the soprano daughter of an American ambassador; co-starring Walter Pidgeon, Jose Iturbi, and Ilona Massey. This MGM Technicolor musical showcased her operatic vocals in a lighthearted family story set in Mexico.
- Three Daring Daughters (1948), directed by Fred M. Wilcox, where Powell played Ilka Morgan, the eldest of three sisters plotting to thwart their mother's remarriage; co-starring Jeanette MacDonald and Elinor Donahue. An MGM release that highlighted her sibling dynamics and duet performances.
- A Date with Judy (1948), directed by Roy Rowland, with Powell as Judy Foster, a high school girl scheming a double date; co-starring Wallace Beery, Elizabeth Taylor, and Carmen Miranda. This MGM comedy-musical earned praise for Powell's lively portrayal and her duet "It's a Most Unusual Day" with Taylor.
- Luxury Liner (1948), directed by Richard Whorf, in the role of Polly Bradford, a teenager stowing away on a cruise ship to join her father; co-starring George Brent, Lauritz Melchior, and Xavier Cugat. MGM's Technicolor production focused on her romantic subplot and shipboard songs.
- Nancy Goes to Rio (1950), directed by Robert Z. Leonard, portraying Nancy Barker, an aspiring actress mistaking her identity in Rio; co-starring Ann Sothern and Carmen Miranda. This MGM musical allowed Powell to demonstrate her versatility in dual-role confusion and samba-infused numbers.
- Two Weeks with Love (1950), directed by Roy Rowland, as Patti Robinson, the younger sister navigating first romance during a family vacation; co-starring Louis Calhern, Ann Taylor, and Ricardo Montalban. MGM's hit featured Powell's memorable "Aba Daba Honeymoon" duet with Debbie Reynolds, contributing to its commercial success.
- Rich, Young and Pretty (1951), directed by Norman Taurog, playing Vicki Martin, an American girl discovering her French heritage; co-starring Danielle Darrieux, Wendell Corey, and Vic Damone. Powell's first of four films with Damone, this MGM release highlighted her bilingual songs and romantic leads.
- Royal Wedding (1951), directed by Stanley Donen, as Ellen Bowen, a dancer falling for a prince during London's royal festivities; co-starring Fred Astaire and Peter Lawford. MGM's box office success, grossing over $2.5 million in rentals, showcased Powell's adult role transition and tap-dancing alongside Astaire.[51]
- Small Town Girl (1953), directed by Leslie Kardos, in the role of Lisa Bell, a small-town woman romanced by a big-city lawyer; co-starring Farley Granger, Ann Miller, and Robert Wagner. This MGM musical earned positive notices for Powell's spirited performance in "My Heart Stood Still."
- Three Sailors and a Girl (1953), directed by Roy Del Ruth, as Penny, a secretary entangled with three sailors in a Broadway show; co-starring Dean Miller, Sam Levene, and Gordon Jones. A Warner Bros. production that utilized Powell's singing in ensemble numbers.
- Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954), directed by Stanley Donen, portraying Milly Pontipee, a mail-order bride civilizing her rough-hewn husband and brothers; co-starring Howard Keel, Jeff Richards, and Russ Tamblyn. MGM's Technicolor blockbuster grossed $9.4 million worldwide, becoming one of the studio's top musicals, with Powell's nurturing role and vocals central to its enduring appeal.[52]
- Athena (1954), directed by Richard Thorpe, as Athena Mulvane, a health-conscious daughter in a large family; co-starring Edmund Purdom, Debbie Reynolds, and Louis Calhern. This MGM comedy-musical featured Powell's athletic dance sequences and family harmonies.
- Deep in My Heart (1954), directed by Stanley Donen, playing Helen Wynn in a biopic segment on composer Sigmund Romberg; co-starring José Ferrer, Merle Oberon, and Walter Pidgeon. Powell appeared in a cameo-like vignette, singing "Will You Remember?" with Tony Martin.
- Hit the Deck (1955), directed by Roy Rowland, as Susan Smith, a naval officer's daughter in a San Francisco romance; co-starring Tony Martin, Debbie Reynolds, and Vic Damone. MGM's final Powell musical, noted for its vibrant "Hooray for Love" production number.
- The Girl Most Likely (1958), directed by Mitchell Leisen, starring as Dodie Beaumont, a woman dreaming of marrying rich and accepting multiple proposals; co-starring Cliff Robertson and Keith Andes. This RKO musical remake of Tom, Dick and Harry featured Powell in a comedic lead role with songs like "You Can't Have Fish Without Bones".[53]
- The Female Animal (1958), directed by Harry Keller, portraying Penny Whitley, a starlet caught in a love triangle on a film set; co-starring Hedy Lamarr and George Nader. Universal-International's film noir departure from musicals, where Powell provided dramatic depth.
- Enchanted Island (1958), directed by Allan Dwan, as Fay, a native woman aiding castaways based on Typee; co-starring Dana Andrews and Don Dugal. This Allied Artists adventure marked Powell's last starring role, shifting to non-musical drama.
- Marie: A True Story (1985), directed by Roger Donaldson, small role as Singer at Rally in this drama about political corruption; starring Sissy Spacek. MGM/UA release.[54]
- Picture This (1999), directed by Lisa Albright, as an arts patron in this independent drama; co-starring Melissa Errico. Powell's final feature film role.[55]
