Vera-Ellen
Biography: Vera-Ellen (February 16, 1921 - August 30, 1981) was an American dancer and actress. She began dancing at the age of 10, and a few years later became one of the youngest Rockettes. She appeared in several Broadway musicals until she was spotted by film producer Samuel Goldwyn in 1945. She was only 24 years old when Goldwyn cast her opposite Danny Kaye in Wonder Man (1945). She danced with Fred Astaire in Three Little Words (1950) and with Gene Kelly in On the Town (1949). Blonde, slim of build, and a dancing sensation, she appeared in a string of light-hearted but successful films. Vera-Ellen retired from acting in the late 1950s. Vera's career died down in the late 1950s once filmed musicals lost their fashion. It was later discovered that, due to the dancer's compulsive dieting obsession, she had silently battled anorexia throughout much of the 50s before anyone was even aware or doctors had even coined the term or devised treatments. Moreover, she had developed severe arthritis which forced an early retirement. In order to combat it, she reverted back to taking dance lessons again. The worst blows suffered, however, was in her personal life. On top of of two two failed marriages, she lost her only child, Victoria Ellen Rothschild, to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in 1963. With one unhappy and tragic event compounded by another, she became a virtual recluse. Little was heard for decades until it was discovered that she had died on August 30, 1981, at age 60 following a long bout with cancer at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles. She was buried at Glen Haven Memorial Park in Sylmar, California. Perhaps less remembered today compared to several of the big stars that shared the stage with her, Vera-Ellen was a lithe and lovely presence who deserved a better personal life than she got. Nevertheless, she has provided true film lovers with a lasting legacy and can easily be considered one of Hollywood's finest dancing legends.
Place of Birth: Not available
Birthday: February 16, 1921
Deathday: August 30, 1981
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Known For
On the Town
1949-12-08
On the Town
Overview: Three sailors wreak havoc as they search for love during a whirlwind 24-hour leave in New York City.
Genres: Music Comedy Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1949-12-08
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Love Happy
1949-10-12
Love Happy
Overview: The Marx Brothers help young Broadway hopefuls when they get mixed up with gangsters due to a tin of sardines containing Romanoff diamonds.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1949-10-12
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White Christmas
1954-10-14
White Christmas
Overview: Two talented song-and-dance men team up after the war to become one of the hottest acts in show business. In time they befriend and become romantically involved with the beautiful Haynes sisters who comprise a sister act.
Genres: Comedy Music Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1954-10-14
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Three Little Words
1950-07-12
Three Little Words
Overview: Song-and-dance man Bert Kalmar can't continue his stage career after an injury, so he has to earn his money as a lyricist. By chance, he meets composer Harry Ruby and their first song is a hit. Ruby gets Kalmar to marry his former partner Jessie Brown, and Kalmar and Jessie prevent Ruby from getting married to the wrong girls. But due to the fact that Ruby has caused a backer's withdrawal for a Kalmar play, they end their professional relationship.
Genres: Music Comedy Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1950-07-12
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The Belle of New York
1952-02-22
The Belle of New York
Overview: In squeaky-clean New York at the turn of the century, playboy Charlie Hill falls so much in love that he can walk on air. The object of his affections is beautiful Angela Bonfils, a mission house worker in the Bowery. He promises to reform his dissolute life, even trying to do an honest day's work.
Genres: Music Romance Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1952-02-22
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Call Me Madam
1953-03-25
Call Me Madam
Overview: Washington hostess Sally Adams becomes a Truman-era US ambassador to a European grand duchy.
Genres: Comedy Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1953-03-25
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Christmas Unwrapped: The History of Christmas
1997-12-01
Christmas Unwrapped: The History of Christmas
Overview: Christmas abounds with traditions, from neighborhood carolers to lovingly decorated trees, but from where did all these rituals emerge? This enlightening program looks at the origins of the Western world's most popular Christmas traditions -- from the significance of December 25th and its relationship to winter solstice to the enchanting legend of Santa Claus and Prince Albert's 1841 unveiling of the Christmas tree.
Genres: Documentary History
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1997-12-01
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Big Leaguer
1953-08-19
Big Leaguer
Overview: John Lobert runs a training camp in Florida for the New York Giants. Every year, he evaluates the 18-22 year old hopefuls to pick the best for a minor league contract.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1953-08-19
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The Kid from Brooklyn
1946-03-21
The Kid from Brooklyn
Overview: Shy milkman Burleigh Sullivan accidentally knocks out drunken Speed McFarlane, a champion boxer who was flirting with Burleigh's sister. The newspapers get hold of the story and photographers even catch Burleigh knock out Speed again. Speed's crooked manager decides to turn Burleigh into a fighter. Burleigh doesn't realize that all of his opponents have been asked to take a dive. Thinking he really is a great fighter, Burleigh develops a swelled head which puts a crimp in his relationship with pretty nightclub singer Polly Pringle. He may finally get his comeuppance when he challenges Speed for the title.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1946-03-21
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Happy Go Lovely
1951-03-06
Happy Go Lovely
Overview: B.G. Bruno, a rich bachelor, the head of a successful greeting-card company in Scotland, is essentially a kind man but respectable to the point of stodginess and extreme stuffiness. An American troupe visiting Edinburgh wants to produce a musical in town but has trouble getting backers. Bruno meets several of the leading ladies of the show; through a misunderstanding he doesn't correct they think that he's a newspaper reporter. He falls in love with one of the women, who reciprocates; he grows more lively and friendly, to the surprise of his employees. After a series of mishaps and comic incidents comes a happy ending: a successful show and true love.
Genres: Music Romance Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1951-03-06
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Let's Be Happy
1957-05-07
Let's Be Happy
Overview: On receiving an inheritance from her grandfather, Canadian Jeannie MacLean decides to visit the family's Scottish roots. On the plane she meets businessman Stanley Smith, and romance blossoms in Edinburgh. The complications begin when Stanley breaks a date with Jeannie to woo voluptuous redhead Helene, and Jeannie is flattered by the attentions of the impoverished Lord McNairn; he's heard about her good fortune, and gallantly offers to show her the city.
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1957-05-07
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Three Little Girls in Blue
1946-09-03
Three Little Girls in Blue
Overview: Three sisters go to Atlantic City with hopes of finding rich husbands.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1946-09-03
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Carnival in Costa Rica
1947-03-28
Carnival in Costa Rica
Overview: Two pairs of lovers try to thwart an arranged marriage at Costa Rican fiesta time.
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1947-03-28
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Wonder Man
1945-06-08
Wonder Man
Overview: Boisterous nightclub entertainer Buzzy Bellew was the witness to a murder committed by gangster Ten Grand Jackson. One night, two of Jackson's thugs kill Buzzy and dump his body in the lake at Prospect Park in Brooklyn. Buzzy comes back as a ghost and summons his bookworm twin, Edwin Dingle, to Prospect Park so that he can help the police nail Jackson.
Genres: Comedy Fantasy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1945-06-08
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Words and Music
1948-12-31
Words and Music
Overview: Encomium to Larry Hart (1895-1943), seen through the fictive eyes of his song-writing partner, Richard Rodgers (1902-1979): from their first meeting, through lean years and their breakthrough, to their successes on Broadway, London, and Hollywood. We see the fruits of Hart and Rodgers' collaboration - elaborately staged numbers from their plays, characters' visits to night clubs, and impromptu performances at parties. We also see Larry's scattered approach to life, his failed love with Peggy McNeil, his unhappiness, and Richard's successful wooing of Dorothy Feiner.
Genres: Drama Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1948-12-31
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Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer
2002-09-24
Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer
Overview: American Masters Series. Documentary on Gene Kelly that gives insight into his dancing, how he formed a style (first "blue collar dancer") and developed different cinematique techniques, such as brilliantly shot dancing sequences.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2002-09-24
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That's Entertainment! III
1994-07-01
That's Entertainment! III
Overview: Some of MGM'S musical stars review the studios history of musicals. From The Hollywood Revue of 1929 to Brigadoon, from the first musical talkies to Gene Kelly in Singin' in the Rain.
Genres: Documentary Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1994-07-01
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A Star Is Born World Premiere
1954-09-28
A Star Is Born World Premiere
Overview: Live television broadcast of the world premiere. Described by various participants as the biggest world premiere in memory, even bigger than the Academy Awards.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1954-09-28
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'White Christmas': A Look Back with Rosemary Clooney
2000-11-21
'White Christmas': A Look Back with Rosemary Clooney
Overview: Actress Rosemary Clooney reminisces about the making of the classic holiday film White Christmas (1954).
Genres: Documentary History
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2000-11-21
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Bing Crosby: Rediscovered
2014-12-02
Bing Crosby: Rediscovered
Overview: Bing Crosby was, without a doubt, the most popular and influential multi-media star of the first half of the twentieth century, pulling audiences in with his intimate, laid-back voice and innate charm. Narrated by Stanley Tucci and directed by Robert Trachtenberg, this film explores the life and legend of this iconic performer, revealing a personality far more complex than the image the public had only thought they'd known.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2014-12-02
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That's Dancing!
1985-01-18
That's Dancing!
Overview: A documentary film about dancing on the screen, from it's orgins after the invention of the movie camera, over the movie musical from the late 20s, 30s, 40s 50s and 60s up to the break dance and the music videos from the 80s.
Genres: Documentary Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1985-01-18
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