End of the Movie Line
Year of Jane Russell: Day 231
After Underwater! wrapped, Jane would sign a third and final contract with Howard Hughes that lasted TWENTY years. However Underwater! was the last film she made for him.
Underwater! Premiere…Underwater
Year of Jane Russell: Day 230
When Underwater! premiered in Silver Springs, Florida. It was projected on a screen that was literally underwater. Here’s Jane and Richard Egan donning SCUBA gear and being good sports during the festivities.
JR NOT in 3-D
Year of Jane Russell: Day 229
Howard Hughes originally wanted Underwater! to be in 3-D, but the underwater photography did not pair well with the other technology, so those plans were scrapped. The film did use Superscope, the widescreen format used by RKO.
Sparring Partners
Year of Jane Russell: Day 228
Jane and Underwater! costar Richard Egan loved to verbally spar. Jane said, “Other people thought we were serious, but we weren’t at all. We both adored each other, but we battled back and forth all the time.”
Acceptable Bathing Suit
Year of Jane Russell: Day 227
Jane rejected the bejeweled bikini Howard Hughes wanted her to wear in The French Line, but was agreeable to don this more modest two-piece designed by Michael Woulfe for Underwater!
Jane and Richard Egan
Year of Jane Russell: Day 226
Jane got to have input into casting for Underwater! and selected Richard Egan as her costar. She also though he should have blonde tips in his hair, something he ended up not having much of a say in!
On Location (Not Really)
Year of Jane Russell: Day 225
Many of the diving scenes in Underwater! were shot in Hawaii, but stunt doubles were used for Jane, Richard Egan, and Gilbert Roland during the location shoot.
Hughes Throws Jane “Underwater!”
Year of Jane Russell: Day 224
Following the French Line, Howard Hughes went all in with the bathing suits by casting Jane in Underwater!
Finnish French Line
Year of Jane Russell: Day 223
I love this Finnish French Line poster, which is simple certainly screams JANE! Hughes had this one shot in 3-D, though the prints that went to Helsinki may not have featured this technology.
Love for Jane at the Los Angeles Public Library
Year of Jane Russell: Day 222
Tomorrow (8/12) at 4pm PST, I’ll be talking all about Jane with one of my favorite librarians as part of the Los Angeles Public Library’s LA Made series. I hope you can tune in! https://www.lapl.org/whats-on/events/jane-russell-100-year-centennial