Maureen O’Hara was a true movie star. From her debut in 1938 until the early 1970s, she made over fifty films. She starred opposite such big names as Charles Laughton, Tyrone Power and, of course, John Wayne. Maureen and Wayne appeared in five films and became lifelong friends. Wayne once remarked, “She’s a great guy. I’ve had …
Herb was experiencing a second childhood.
Věra Helena Hrubá competed in figure skating the 1936 Winter Olympics, representing her native Czechoslovakia. She placed 17th. During the games, she met Adolf Hitler, who asked her if she would like to “skate for the swastika.” Věra looked him right in the eye and replied that she’d rather skate on the swastika. The Führer was not amused. …
Just some people from the village.
There were a few things that were unclear about Herb Jeffries, the handsome actor/singer/songwriter, whose career spanned seven decades. His year of birth was given, at various times, as either 1913 or 1914. He often told conflicting stories about his father — whether he was French or Sicilian or of African descent. It was also …
‘Twas in another lifetime, one of toil and blood When blackness was a virtue and the road was full of mud I came in from the wilderness, a creature void of form. “Come in,” she said, “I’ll give you shelter from the storm.”
Statuesque Tamara Dobson participated in a few fashion shows while attending the Maryland Institute College of Art. Working her way towards a degree in fashion illustration, she began modeling and was soon appearing in commercials. After graduation, she moved to New York, where she modeled, appearing regularly in Vogue and Essence magazines. She represented high fashion …
Oh, a cowboy needs a horse, needs a horse, needs a horse And he’s gotta have a rope, have a rope, have a rope And he oughta’ have a song, have a song, have a song If he wants to keep ridin’ Now a cowboy needs a hat, needs a hat, needs a hat And …
Lucille Bogan began recording in the early 20s, for Okeh Records the record division of the Otto Heinemann Phonograph Corporation. Okeh was a major producer of “race records.” They released early recordings by Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and future Academy Award winner Hattie McDaniel. Lucille mostly recorded in New York City, but at the end of 1923, …
Its numerous jug handles and laws prohibiting self-serve gas pumping aside, New Jersey is, admittedly, a pretty weird place. One of the more mysterious things to happen in New Jersey occurred, quite fittingly, on Shades of Death Road in Warren County. Shades of Death Road is a stretch of two-lane highway that runs approximately north …
