Joy Hodges
Also Known As: Frances Eloise Hodges
Biography: Joy Hodges, born Frances Eloise Hodges, was an American singer and actress who performed on radio, on film, on Broadway, and with big bands. Winning a contest at a theater took Hodges to Chicago, where her national career began. From there, she traversed the United States, singing on the radio, in night clubs, with orchestras, and in Chautauqua programs. She performed at the Empire Room and the Hotel Sherman, both in Chicago. One of her early jobs was being the lead singer with Carol Loftner and his orchestra. She also sang with Ted Fio Rito, Ben Bernie, Jimmy Grier, Ozzie Nelson, and Abe Lyman and their orchestras, among others. Hodges' Broadway credits include Nellie Bly, The Odds on Mrs. Oakley, Dream with Music, and I'd Rather Be Right. In 1972, she replaced Ruby Keeler in the revival of No, No, Nanette on Broadway. Perhaps the most memorable of Hodges' Broadway performances was singing "Have You Met Miss Jones?" in I'd Rather Be Right. She later said, "I became the toast of Broadway and sang the most recognizable song in America at that time — everyone adored Miss Jones." Her screen debut came in a short, A Night at the Biltmore Bowl, for RKO Pictures, and her first film, after signing with RKO for five years, was Old Man Rhythm. She also made soundies (musical short films) in addition to regular films. During World War II, Hodges sang with Harry James and his orchestra as they entertained military personnel on USO tours in Europe. On old-time radio, Hodges was the female singer on The Joe Penner Show. She left that program to make her stage debut in I'd Rather Be Right. In 1944, she filled in for Arlene Francis as host of the radio version of Blind Date when it was broadcast from Detroit. She also sang and was co-host, with Durward Kirby, on Honeymoon in New York.
Department: Acting
Place of Birth: Des Moines, Iowa, USA
Adult: No
Birthday: January 29, 1915
Age: 110 years old
Gender: Female
Deathday: January 19, 2003
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Known For:
Follow the Fleet
Overview: When the US Navy fleet docks at San Francisco, sailor Bake Baker tries to rekindle the flame with his old dancing partner, Sherry Martin, while Bake's buddy Bilge Smith romances Sherry's sister, Connie. But it's not all smooth sailing—Bake has a habit of losing Sherry's jobs for her and, despite Connie's dreams, Bilge is not ready to settle down.
Genres: Comedy Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1936-02-20
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Special Agent K-7
Overview: Police detective Lanny resents the ongoing interference of the local FBI branch. Hoping to show up the feds, Lanny tackles a baffling espionage case. Things heat up when reporter sweetheart Ollie is framed for murder.
Genres: Crime Mystery
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1936-05-04
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Merry Go Round of 1938
Overview: Two screwy characters travel to Hollywood and cause mischief.
Genres: Comedy Romance Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1937-11-14
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Personal Secretary
Overview: Two rival newspaper columnists battle over whether or not a woman murdered her playboy husband.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1938-09-09
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Service de Luxe
Overview: Glamorous and efficient Helen Murphy runs a service that will provide any type of assistance to wealthy customers, but what she's really looking for is a man who can take care of himself.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1938-10-12
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The Family Next Door
Overview: Rose Pierce is discontent with her life as the wife of a small town plumber and has visions of becoming a wealthy socialite. Consequently, when her smart aleck son Sammy hears that an electric railroad line is to be built through town, she decides that the family can become rich by purchasing the lots along the right of way. Patriarch George Pierce laughs at the idea, but when Rose and Sammy learn that Cora Stewart, the wealthy town widow, has withdrawn her savings from the bank, they jump to the conclusion that she is interested in buying the lots, and mother and son secretly invest the family bank roll in the land.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1939-03-30
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To Beat the Band
Overview: An eccentric heir must marry a widow in order to collect the millions left to him in his aunt's will, so a suicidal neighbor agrees to marry the man's young fiancée before offing himself.
Genres: Music Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1935-11-23
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Old Man Rhythm
Overview: Romantic rivalries between father and son enrolled at the same college.
Genres: Music Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1935-08-02
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Laughing at Danger
Overview: Frankie Kelly, pageboy at the beauty salon ran by Madam Celeste, and his helper Jefferson find the routine broken when the body of one of the operators, Florence, is found in the dumbwaiter. She had been shot just before she was to give Detective Dan Haggerty information about a blackmail gang. Since Mary Baker, Frankie's girl friend saw her last, she is suspected, and Frankie determines to clear her using his own sleuthing methods. He has hardy begun when Pierre, another member of the staff, and Florence's fiancée is found dead.
Genres: Mystery Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1940-08-12
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Margie
Overview: Newlyweds Bret (Tom Brown) and Margie (Nan Grey) both aspire to show-biz careers: he wants to be a songwriter, while she is desirous of becoming a radio scripter. Inevitably, Bret and Margie quarrel and break up, only to be reunited by their efforts to snag "banana king" Gomez (Mischa Auer) for a lucrative radio contract. The old 1920s tune "Margie" is heard throughout the proceedings, frequently fitted out with ludicrous new lyrics ("Bananas! We're Always Thikin' of Bananas!" etc.) by a zany songwriting team (Eddie Quillan and Wally Vernon).
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1940-09-01
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Unexpected Father
Overview: Jimmy Hanley learns that his former dancing partner has been killed, leaving a baby boy Sandy, so he takes the baby to live with him and his roommate Boris Bebenko. Theatre manager Allen Rand threatens to fire Jimmy for neglecting his work, but Jimmy's girlfriend Diana squares things by going to dinner with Rand over Jimmy's objections. Sandy catches measles and the quarantine causes Jimmy and Boris to miss a big audition.
Genres: Drama Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1939-06-14
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They Asked For It
Overview: In this crime drama, the owner and chief editor of a newspaper gets together with two college pals and begins looking into the strange death of an old hermit who lived on the fringe of town.
Genres: Romance Comedy Crime
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1939-05-20
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A Night at the Biltmore Bowl
Overview: Join vocalists broadcasting from the Biltmore Bowl in Los Angeles.
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1935-06-21
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Little Accident
Overview: A baby is passed from hand to hand after her father abandons her.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1939-10-26
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