Actress / singer of "Johnny Angel" fame. Rumor has it that Shelley didn't like to sing, so she doesn't usually sing in the movies. But, ironically, her recording of "Johnny Angel" has become one of the big classic pop hits.

Shelley's aunt was actress / singer Nanette Fabray (see below) of stage and screen. Shelley was perhaps best known for her television roles, including Mary on "The Donna Reed Show" and Christine on "Coach."

Given name: Nanette Fabares; born in San Diego, California. Singer / actress on stage and screen; aunt of Shelley Fabares (of "Johnny Angel" fame).

Given name: Ann Leppert; born in New York, New York. Birthdate variously documented as 1912 or 1915. Another of my all-time favorites! Married to Tony Martin from 1937-1940, then Married Phil Harris in 1941 and was married to him until he died in 1995.

Alice Faye was a wonderful actress and vocalist. She was the reigning queen of the movie musicals from the mid-1930s to about 1945. One of the most popular of any of the musical stars, and one of the most prolific. Incredibly beautiful and talented actress, she sang in a very low key. Some referred to her as the "female baritone." She once jokingly said nobody ever did figure out what key she sang in. But her voice was soft, warm and soothing... there will never be another like it!

Given name: Lincoln Perry; born in Key West, Florida. His professional name is a word-play on "Step and fetch it." Actor / comedian with a very slow drawl so thick that's he's often hard to understand. His specialty was playing characters that were mentally slow or ignorant, but in a comical way. He would often mumble incoherently, and was always painting himself into corners. He was a really funny fellow. His novelty act with a penguin in the film Stand Up and Cheer is a classic!

Stepin Fetchit is a controversial figure among those people who are racially uptight. Like Willie Best, these people seem to think that a black person acting as a "dimwitted" sort of fool will send a message that all black people are that way (at least, I guess that's the assumption). Persoanlly, I think both men are funny and I enjoy their antics. No matter what their skin tone might be, they are funny and entertaining. But, you can decide for yourself.

Given name: Grace Stansfield; born in England. British singer / comedienne renowned for keeping audiences laughing and singing during the derpression and war years.

Musician / orchestra leader; born in Brooklyn, New York. When it came to blowing bubbles, Shep could outdo Lawrence welk!

Given name: William Claude Dukinfield; born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Legendary comedian of stage and screen. Also a skilled pool player and juggler. His sense of comedy was so unique, his timing so perfect, that he is often used as a measuring stick for other comedians. He is still quite popular today. Closely associated with Mae West in the 1930s.

Very popular leading man of stage and screen. Wonderful actors. Excels with disguises (costumes and makeup) to such an extent that he is not recognizable in many of his films.

Dixieland Jazz group originally organized in the mid 1940s; led by Ward Kimball. Made live appearances dressed as firemen, and had a siren and fire bell as part of their act and music. Primarily recording artists, but now known for their association with Walt Disney - they were onhand for the grand opening of Disneyland in 1955, and appeared in some Disney films. Disbanded in 1971.

Given name: William Shields; born in Ireland. One of the most gifted character actors of the silver screen.

Known as "Queen of the extras," appeared in hundreds of films from the early 1920s through the mid 1960s.

Given name: Gwyllyn Samuel Newton Ford. Legendary actor of stage, screen and television. Appeared in more than 100 films.

Given name: Helen Fogel; born in Atlantic City, New Jersey. One of the most popular big band singers. With Harry James and His Music Makers for some time. Also with Artie Shaw and Benny Goodman.

NOTE: There is moer than one Helen Forrest in movies.

Renowned and highly regarded choreographer, producer and dancer on Broadway. Appeared in a few films in the 1950s.

Given name: Alicia Christian Foster. Highly gifted actress, who started making commercials while still a toddler. She guested on "Mayberry R.F.D." in 1968 and just kept on going from there, getting better and better along the way. She has played a wide variety of roles from sweet little girls to rather odd young adolescents, and all kinds of roles after she grew up. She seemed to slip into adult roles with no problem at all and is still going strong today. She has been nominated for Academy Awards numerous times, winning at least two. She is one of the best actresses of our times.

Given name: Susanna Larson; born in Chicago, Illinois. Opera singer / actress of stage and screen.

Legendary dancing group consisting of Rufus McDonald, Prince Spencer, Al Williams and Maceo Anderson. Considered by many to be one of the best dance acts of all time. Active on stage and screen for nearly 50 years from the mid 1930s to the mid 1980s.

Actor / producer and former vaudevillian. Son of Eddie Foy, Sr. Eddie Jr. was one of the "Seven Little Foys" act in vaudeville and on Broadway. The Foys were portrayed by Bob Hope and Company in the film The Seven Little Foys, 1955.

Given name Concetta Franconero. Born in Newark, New Jersey. Very popular singer of the 1950s and 1960s; appeared in several films during the beach movie era.

See also: Composers: Connie Francis

Selected Feature Films:

Given name: Katherine Gibbs; born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Popular leading lady of the 1930s and 1940s.

Given name: William Frawley; born in Burlington, Iowa. Began his career in vaudeville, moved to Hollywood in the early 1930s. Though he appeared in more than 100 films, he is probably best remembered today as Fred Mertz on the "I Love Lucy" show and Uncle Bub on "My Three Sons."

Born in Chicago, Illinois. Prolific comedienne / actress of film and television for more than 50 years. She was a very special lady, appearing in more than 100 films, though most often in small parts. But when she started showing up on TV, she became more popular with the public and finally made her mark in television and movies.

Popular singer on radio and records. Seriously injured in airplane accident during WWII. Her story is beautifully portrayed by Susan Hayward in the 1952 biopic With a Song in My Heart. Picture to the right is from one of her record albums.