Posts in Category: Collection Spotlight
The Beginning of a Beautiful Friendship
Year of Jane Russell: Day 119
The Paleface was the first time Jane worked with stand-in Carmen Nisbet Cabeen. She remained Jane’s stand-in for the bulk of the actress’ career and they became life-long friends and prayer partners.
A Saved Career
Year of Jane Russell: Day 118
Jane loved making The Paleface and considered it a highlight. After such a weird, slow start as a motion picture actress, she later said of The Paleface, “I probably would have died if I hadn’t made this picture, career wise.”
Paleface Production
Year of Jane Russell: Day 117
After experiencing the extended multi-director film shoots on The Outlaw and Young Widow, Jane was amazed by the ease of production on The Paleface. “I thought I’d died and gone to heaven,” Jane later said of making the film.
Calamity “Stoneface” Jane
Year of Jane Russell: Day 116
For the role of Calamity Jane in The Paleface, Jane was srequired to play straight to Bob Hope’s “Painless Potter.” She drew inspiration from husband Robert Waterfield whose often serious countenance earned him the nickname “Stoneface.”
Buttons and Bows
Year of Jane Russell: Day 115
The Paleface featured the hit song “Buttons and Bows,” by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans. Jane doesn’t perform it in the film, but she was invited to sing it at the 1949 Academy Awards, where it received the Oscar for Best Original Song.
Jane and Bob in “The Paleface”
Year of Jane Russell: Day 114
When Bob Hope was notified that Jane was going to be his costar in The Paleface, he reportedly quipped, “That’s like punishing a rabbit by putting him in a lettuce patch.”
Jane Lands The Paleface
Year of Jane Russell: Day 113
In 1947, Jane’s sputtering film career was passed a life preserver when she was cast opposite Bob Hope in The Paleface which was released the following year.
Jane and Florence Enright
Year of Jane Russell: Day 112
As Howard Hughes contemplated what to do with Jane, career-wise, throughout the 1940s, he sometimes had her study acting. Here she is in 1944 with acting coach Florence Enright.
Jane on Vinyl
Year of Jane Russell: Day 111
In 1947, Jane recorded nine songs which were released in a 78 rpm recording vinyl set titled Let’s Put Out the Lights. Jane was a avid music fan, particularly jazz and loved recording.
Jane and Kay Kyser
Year of Jane Russell: Day 110
Jane loved music and enjoyed singing, possibly more than acting. When Kay Kyser invited her on his radio program in 1947, she jumped at the chance. Kyser also helped Jane launch her recording career.