Jane Powell
Author: Trudy Stroup
It is no secret that I am a fan of musicals and classic movies and I don't believe a love of musicals can be complete without the mellifluous voice and classic beauty of Miss Jane Powell. Born Susan Lorraine Burce to Paul and Eileen Burce in Oregan on April 1st, 1929, life for Susan was not easy. The country was headed for the biggest financial crash in history, just a few short months away, and the Burce family was already fighting poverty. The Burces didn't see any way out for themselves. As time progressed and pressure mounted, Eileen turned to alcohol to escape. Paul and Eileen frequently argued and home life for little Susan was not happy. One thing her parents agreed upon was they had to find a way out for their daughter.
They scrimped and saved and paid for dance lessons for Susan when she was just three years old followed by singing lessons. They kept their eyes open for any opportunity to further her talent. She began singing on radio at an early age and by age 11 had her own radio show. After the start of World War II, she joined the Bond Drive as a "Victory Girl" doing adds spreading the word about the importance for America to be in the war and to urge Americans to buy bonds. She was noticed by a talent scout who convinced her parents to move to San Francisco to further Susan's career, only to find upon arrival that the man had absconded with the money they paid him in advance. They returned home broke but undaunted; taking every opportunity to increase their daughter's talent and watching for her big break. In 1943 they entered Susan into a radio talent contest, the prize, an appearance on a radio talent show. Her triumph over the other contestants got her noticed by a scout for the Chase and Sandborn Hour with Edgar Bergen and his dummy Charlie McCarthy. This meant another trip for the family, this time to Los Angeles.
It was at this time that MGM studios took notice and added her to their band of child actors. Other child actors signed with MGM at the time were Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney and Shirley Temple. In 1944 she was cast in her first movie, "Song of the Open Road" with Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy. Her character's name was Jane Powell. MGM gave her the name to use as her stage name and thus she began a career in movies. The newly christened Jane played in several movie musicals as the "love struck, sweet girl next door" in the late 1940's such as "Holiday in Mexico" and "Three Darling Daughters" as well as "A Date with Judy". As the 40's closed, she began playing more mature roles. In 1950 June Allyson dropped out of "Royal Wedding" due to pregnancy and the role went to, you guessed it, Judy Garland. However, shortly before production Judy became ill and Jane Powell stepped into the iconic role of Ellen Bowen opposite Fred Astaire as Tom Bowen, her brother. I believe this was the role that cemented her career as a star, however, most people recognize her for her role as Milly in 1954"s "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers".
Like other musical stars, Jane's career began to wane as the musical era came to an end. So Jane quit MGM before she could get fired and moved to New York to perform on the stage; being cast in "I Do, I Do" alongside her Seven Brides co-star Howard Keel. They performed onstage together in a couple of musicals before they once again parted ways for television roles. Jane signed on with The Alcoa Theatre, a variety television show in 1957 and then The Goodyear Theatre the following year. She made appearances in several skit and variety shows in the 1960's including an ill-fated attempt at her own show in 1961. Jane stayed busy throughout the 60's, popping up on shows like The Red Skelton Hour.
The 70's saw another change in entertainment and Jane made the change with it. Television movies were popular at the time and Jane became a regular player. And as situation comedies became the norm, Jane transformed her career to meet the challenge. Though she never starred in a sitcom, Jane guest starred in several shows. In 1988, she landed a recurring role on "Growing Pains" as the mother of the patriarch Dr. Jason Seaver. Jane has made only a few appearances since, notably in Law & Order SVU.
Throughout her career, Jane battled depression; often feeling insecure, or inferior, though she never let it show through. She once stated that she felt exploited by her parents. She was married five times and gave life to three children. Her second husband gave her a pair of diamond earrings. She wanted so badly to wear them but has a great fear of needles. So she never had her ears pierced. Finding out she was pregnant with her second daughter, an idea struck. She told the doctor he could only handle her case if he would pierce her ears while she was on the delivery table. She walked out of the hospital with pierced ears and baby Lindsey. Jane currently lives with her last husband Dickey Moore and makes rare appearances as an actress. When asked why she quit movies she replied, "I didn't quit movies, they quit me."
© 2015-2016 Trudy Stroup. All rights reserved.
Author: Trudy Stroup
It is no secret that I am a fan of musicals and classic movies and I don't believe a love of musicals can be complete without the mellifluous voice and classic beauty of Miss Jane Powell. Born Susan Lorraine Burce to Paul and Eileen Burce in Oregan on April 1st, 1929, life for Susan was not easy. The country was headed for the biggest financial crash in history, just a few short months away, and the Burce family was already fighting poverty. The Burces didn't see any way out for themselves. As time progressed and pressure mounted, Eileen turned to alcohol to escape. Paul and Eileen frequently argued and home life for little Susan was not happy. One thing her parents agreed upon was they had to find a way out for their daughter.
They scrimped and saved and paid for dance lessons for Susan when she was just three years old followed by singing lessons. They kept their eyes open for any opportunity to further her talent. She began singing on radio at an early age and by age 11 had her own radio show. After the start of World War II, she joined the Bond Drive as a "Victory Girl" doing adds spreading the word about the importance for America to be in the war and to urge Americans to buy bonds. She was noticed by a talent scout who convinced her parents to move to San Francisco to further Susan's career, only to find upon arrival that the man had absconded with the money they paid him in advance. They returned home broke but undaunted; taking every opportunity to increase their daughter's talent and watching for her big break. In 1943 they entered Susan into a radio talent contest, the prize, an appearance on a radio talent show. Her triumph over the other contestants got her noticed by a scout for the Chase and Sandborn Hour with Edgar Bergen and his dummy Charlie McCarthy. This meant another trip for the family, this time to Los Angeles.
It was at this time that MGM studios took notice and added her to their band of child actors. Other child actors signed with MGM at the time were Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney and Shirley Temple. In 1944 she was cast in her first movie, "Song of the Open Road" with Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy. Her character's name was Jane Powell. MGM gave her the name to use as her stage name and thus she began a career in movies. The newly christened Jane played in several movie musicals as the "love struck, sweet girl next door" in the late 1940's such as "Holiday in Mexico" and "Three Darling Daughters" as well as "A Date with Judy". As the 40's closed, she began playing more mature roles. In 1950 June Allyson dropped out of "Royal Wedding" due to pregnancy and the role went to, you guessed it, Judy Garland. However, shortly before production Judy became ill and Jane Powell stepped into the iconic role of Ellen Bowen opposite Fred Astaire as Tom Bowen, her brother. I believe this was the role that cemented her career as a star, however, most people recognize her for her role as Milly in 1954"s "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers".
Like other musical stars, Jane's career began to wane as the musical era came to an end. So Jane quit MGM before she could get fired and moved to New York to perform on the stage; being cast in "I Do, I Do" alongside her Seven Brides co-star Howard Keel. They performed onstage together in a couple of musicals before they once again parted ways for television roles. Jane signed on with The Alcoa Theatre, a variety television show in 1957 and then The Goodyear Theatre the following year. She made appearances in several skit and variety shows in the 1960's including an ill-fated attempt at her own show in 1961. Jane stayed busy throughout the 60's, popping up on shows like The Red Skelton Hour.
The 70's saw another change in entertainment and Jane made the change with it. Television movies were popular at the time and Jane became a regular player. And as situation comedies became the norm, Jane transformed her career to meet the challenge. Though she never starred in a sitcom, Jane guest starred in several shows. In 1988, she landed a recurring role on "Growing Pains" as the mother of the patriarch Dr. Jason Seaver. Jane has made only a few appearances since, notably in Law & Order SVU.
Throughout her career, Jane battled depression; often feeling insecure, or inferior, though she never let it show through. She once stated that she felt exploited by her parents. She was married five times and gave life to three children. Her second husband gave her a pair of diamond earrings. She wanted so badly to wear them but has a great fear of needles. So she never had her ears pierced. Finding out she was pregnant with her second daughter, an idea struck. She told the doctor he could only handle her case if he would pierce her ears while she was on the delivery table. She walked out of the hospital with pierced ears and baby Lindsey. Jane currently lives with her last husband Dickey Moore and makes rare appearances as an actress. When asked why she quit movies she replied, "I didn't quit movies, they quit me."
© 2015-2016 Trudy Stroup. All rights reserved.