Denise Darcel: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|French-American actress (1924–2011)}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}} |
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{{Infobox person |
{{Infobox person |
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| name = Denise Darcel |
| name = Denise Darcel |
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| image = Denise Darcel (Battleground).jpg |
| image = Denise Darcel (Battleground).jpg |
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| occupation = {{hlist|Actress|Singer|Vaudevillian}} |
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| years_active = 1948–1963 |
| years_active = 1948–1963 |
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| spouse = {{Plainlist| |
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| spouse = William Shaw (19??-19??; divorced)<br>Francis Peter Crosby (1950–1951; divorced)<br>Robert Atkinson (24 April 1961-19??)<br>Richard Vance (1972–19??; divorced)<br>George Simpson Jr. (1990–2003; his death) |
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* William Shaw ({{abbr|m.|married}} 1947; {{abbr|div.|divorced}} 19??) |
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* {{Marriage|Francis Peter Crosby|1950|1951|reason=div}} |
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* Robert Atkinson ({{abbr|m.|married}} 1961; {{abbr|div.|divorced}} 19??) |
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* Richard Vance ({{abbr|m.|married}} 1972; {{abbr|div.|divorced}} 19??) |
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* {{Marriage|George Simpson Jr.|1990|2003|reason=d.}} |
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'''Denise Darcel''' (8 September 1924 – 23 December 2011) was a French actress who |
'''Denise Darcel''' ([[Birth name|née]] '''Billecard''', 8 September 1924 – 23 December 2011) was a French-American vaudevillian, actress and singer, who from 1948 and 1963, appeared in films in [[Cinema of the United States|Hollywood]], and briefly on the stage, television and radio.<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/9005906/Denise-Darcel.html Obituary for Denise Darcel in ''The Telegraph'' (UK)]</ref> |
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==Early years== |
==Early years== |
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Born as '''Denise Billecard'''<ref name="bfidb">{{ |
Born as '''Denise Billecard'''<ref name="bfidb">[https://web.archive.org/web/20200204170047/https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2ba1409afb Denise Darcel] at the [[British Film Institute]]{{better source needed|reason=Help request: a live link can be searched for at https://collections-search.bfi.org.uk/web/search/expert - if available, replace the archive URL with the live link. Or if none found, remove this 'better source needed' template. | date=October 2023}}</ref> in [[Paris]], she was one of five daughters<ref name=g>{{cite news|last1=Bergan|first1=Ronald|title=Denise Darcel obituary|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/jan/13/denise-darcel-obituary|accessdate=7 June 2015|work=The Guardian|date=13 January 2012}}</ref> of a French baker,<ref>{{cite news|title=Denise Darcel May Wed Texan|newspaper=Independent |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2565381/long_beach_independent/|agency=Long Beach Independent|date=26 March 1950|page=39|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate = 6 June 2015}} {{Open access}}</ref> and she was college educated,<ref>{{TCMDb name|id=44223}}</ref> studying at the [[University of Burgundy|University of Dijon]].<ref name=g/> According to a friend, whom she met in Paris during [[World War II]], she was a passenger in an [[Stinson L-5|L-5 Stinson]] light observation aircraft on [[VJ Day]] to see the celebration from the air. The pilot, James Helinger Sr., a [[US Army Air Corps]] [[glider pilot]] (a friend) was at the controls, while they flew under several bridges along the [[Seine]] and finally, under the [[Eiffel Tower]], with the crowds below.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chaoticsynapticactivity.com/2005/08/15/the-adventures-of-jim-sr-part-iii/|title=The Adventures of Jim, Sr – Part III|date=15 August 2005|work=Chaotic Synaptic Activity|accessdate=17 July 2009}}</ref> |
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A winner of the title "The Most Beautiful Girl in France,"<ref>{{cite news|title=Runners-Up A Typist and College Student|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2565241/the_brooklyn_daily_eagle/|agency=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle|date=10 August 1951|page=3|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate = 6 June 2015}} {{Open access}}</ref> Darcel was a cabaret singer in Paris after World War II before being spotted by Hollywood. Denise came to the United States in 1947<ref>{{cite news|url=https://movies.nytimes.com/person/16984/Denise-Darcel|title=Denise Darcel|work=New York Times| |
A winner of the title "The Most Beautiful Girl in France,"<ref>{{cite news|title=Runners-Up A Typist and College Student|newspaper=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2565241/the_brooklyn_daily_eagle/|agency=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle|date=10 August 1951|page=3|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate = 6 June 2015}} {{Open access}}</ref> Darcel was a cabaret singer in Paris after World War II before being spotted by Hollywood. Denise came to the United States in 1947<ref>{{cite news|url=https://movies.nytimes.com/person/16984/Denise-Darcel/biography|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071205223636/http://movies.nytimes.com/person/16984/Denise-Darcel/biography|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 December 2007|title=Denise Darcel|first=Hal|last=Erickson|department=Movies & TV Dept.|work=[[The New York Times]]|author-link=Hal Erickson (author)|date=2007|accessdate=29 November 2009}}</ref> and became an American citizen in 1952.<ref name="bfidb"/> |
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On 15 February 1952 she was named "Miss Welder of 1952" by the National Eutectic Welders' Club. Presenting her with a scroll as "the girl we would like most to weld with" was R. D. Wasserman, President of the Eutectic Welding Institute. Wasserman hoped that her photograph would inspire women throughout the nation to join the ranks of the labor force and support the war effort in Korea.<ref>Welding Journal 31(4), April 1952, p374.</ref> |
On 15 February 1952 she was named "Miss Welder of 1952" by the National Eutectic Welders' Club. Presenting her with a scroll as "the girl we would like most to weld with" was R. D. Wasserman, President of the Eutectic Welding Institute. Wasserman hoped that her photograph would inspire women throughout the nation to join the ranks of the labor force and support the war effort in Korea.<ref>Welding Journal 31(4), April 1952, p374.</ref> |
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==Stage== |
==Stage== |
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Darcel's debut on the legitimate stage came in 1950, when she appeared in ''Pardon Our French'', premiering 5 October at the [[Broadway Theatre (53rd Street)|Broadway Theatre]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Francis|first1=Bob|title=Broadway Opening: Pardon Our French|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0x0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA57 |
Darcel's debut on the legitimate stage came in 1950, when she appeared in ''Pardon Our French'', premiering 5 October at the [[Broadway Theatre (53rd Street)|Broadway Theatre]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Francis|first1=Bob|title=Broadway Opening: Pardon Our French|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0x0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA57|agency=Billboard|date=14 October 1950|page=57}}</ref> |
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==Vaudeville== |
==Vaudeville== |
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In 1950, Darcel had a [[Vaudeville]] act, which was panned by at least one reviewer. About Darcel's performance 5 May 1950, at the Strand in New York, the [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] review said: "Denise Darcel showed her well-stacked chassis ... but her heavily accented English sounded like so much gibberish; it got laughs instead of attention. ... her singing is inadequate, her over-use of hands and arms is clumsy and she shows herself completely at a loss in handling hecklers."<ref>{{cite news|last1=Smith|first1=Bill|title=Vaudeville Reviews: Strand, New York|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Lw4EAAAAMBAJ& |
In 1950, Darcel had a [[Vaudeville]] act, which was panned by at least one reviewer. About Darcel's performance 5 May 1950, at the Strand in New York, the [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] review said: "Denise Darcel showed her well-stacked chassis ... but her heavily accented English sounded like so much gibberish; it got laughs instead of attention. ... her singing is inadequate, her over-use of hands and arms is clumsy and she shows herself completely at a loss in handling hecklers."<ref>{{cite news|last1=Smith|first1=Bill|title=Vaudeville Reviews: Strand, New York|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Lw4EAAAAMBAJ&q=%22Denise+Darcel%22&pg=PT45|agency=Billboard|date=13 May 1950|page=46}}</ref> |
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==Film== |
==Film== |
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Her first film appearance of note was in ''[[Battleground (1949 film)|Battleground]]'' (1949). She made quite an impression in ''[[Tarzan and the Slave Girl]]'' (1950) opposite [[Lex Barker]], then co-starred with [[Robert Taylor (actor)|Robert Taylor]] in ''[[Westward the Women]]'' (1952) and [[Glenn Ford]] in ''[[Young Man with Ideas]]'' (1952). In 1953, she was seen in the swimming musical ''[[Dangerous When Wet]]'', which starred [[Esther Williams]] (1953). Her most important film was ''[[Vera Cruz (film)|Vera Cruz]]'' (1954) where she played the female lead opposite [[Gary Cooper]] and [[Burt Lancaster]]. Her last film (1961) was ''[[Seven Women from Hell]]''.<ref name=wp>{{cite news|last1=Bernstein|first1=Adam|title=Denise Darcel, French-born actress, dies at 87|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/movies/denise-darcel-french-born-actress-dies-at-87/2012/01/10/gIQAyzQ3oP_story.html|accessdate=10 June 2015| |
Her first film appearance of note was in ''[[Battleground (1949 film)|Battleground]]'' (1949). She made quite an impression in ''[[Tarzan and the Slave Girl]]'' (1950) opposite [[Lex Barker]], then co-starred with [[Robert Taylor (American actor)|Robert Taylor]] in ''[[Westward the Women]]'' (1952) and [[Glenn Ford]] in ''[[Young Man with Ideas]]'' (1952). In 1953, she was seen in the swimming musical ''[[Dangerous When Wet]]'', which starred [[Esther Williams]] (1953). Her most important film was ''[[Vera Cruz (film)|Vera Cruz]]'' (1954) where she played the female lead opposite [[Gary Cooper]] and [[Burt Lancaster]]. Her last film (1961) was ''[[Seven Women from Hell]]''.<ref name=wp>{{cite news|last1=Bernstein|first1=Adam|title=Denise Darcel, French-born actress, dies at 87|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/movies/denise-darcel-french-born-actress-dies-at-87/2012/01/10/gIQAyzQ3oP_story.html|accessdate=10 June 2015|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=10 January 2012}}</ref> |
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==Television== |
==Television== |
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Darcel appeared on various TV shows in the 1950s. In 1954, she was hostess/MC of ''Gamble on Love'', a summer program on the [[DuMont Television Network]]. Darcel asked questions of married couples who sought to win the grand prize of a mink coat. A review in Billboard described her as "Gallic to the point of unintelligibility."<ref>{{cite news|last1=Francis|first1=Bob|title=Gamble on Love (TV)|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zxoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA49 |
Darcel appeared on various TV shows in the 1950s. In 1954, she was hostess/MC of ''Gamble on Love'', a summer program on the [[DuMont Television Network]]. Darcel asked questions of married couples who sought to win the grand prize of a mink coat. A review in Billboard described her as "Gallic to the point of unintelligibility."<ref>{{cite news|last1=Francis|first1=Bob|title=Gamble on Love (TV)|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zxoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA49|agency=Billboard|date=31 July 1954|page=49}}</ref> Also in 1954, Colonel Productions produced a pilot of ''Chez Denise'', a 30-minute "comedy-intrigue" program starring Darcel, which apparently did not sell.<ref>{{cite news|title=Denise Darcel in Video Bid|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zh4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA6|agency=Billboard|date=6 March 1954|page=4}}</ref> |
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==Later years== |
==Later years== |
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==Personal life== |
==Personal life== |
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Darcel's first husband, William Shaw,<ref name=wp/> was an American Army captain whom she married in 1947.<ref name=g/> Darcel obtained a Mexican divorce from Peter Crosby 12 August 1951.<ref>{{cite news|title=Actress Denise Darcel Gets One-Day Divorce in Mexico|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2565289/the_san_bernardino_county_sun/|agency=The San Bernardino County Sun|date=13 August 1952|page=1|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate = 6 June 2015}} {{Open access}}</ref> She married Robert Atkinson 24 April 1961.<ref>{{cite news|title=Denise Darcel Weds|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2578281/the_kansas_city_times/| |
Darcel's first husband, William Shaw,<ref name=wp/> was an American Army captain whom she married in 1947.<ref name=g/> Darcel obtained a Mexican divorce from Peter Crosby 12 August 1951.<ref>{{cite news|title=Actress Denise Darcel Gets One-Day Divorce in Mexico|newspaper=The San Bernardino County Sun |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2565289/the_san_bernardino_county_sun/|agency=The San Bernardino County Sun|date=13 August 1952|page=1|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate = 6 June 2015}} {{Open access}}</ref> She married Robert Atkinson 24 April 1961.<ref>{{cite news|title=Denise Darcel Weds|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2578281/the_kansas_city_times/|work=The Kansas City Times|date=26 April 1961|page=4|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate = 8 June 2015}} {{Open access}}</ref> They had two sons, Christopher<ref>{{cite news|title=New Baby for Actress|newspaper=Florence Morning News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2578334/florence_morning_news/|agency=Florence Morning News|date=26 November 1961|page=21|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate = 8 June 2015}} {{Open access}}</ref> (born 17 November 1961<ref>{{cite news|title=Denise Darcel a Mother|newspaper=Statesman Journal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2578329/the_oregon_statesman/|agency=The Oregon Statesman|date=19 November 1961|page=10|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate = 8 June 2015}} {{Open access}}</ref>) and Craig. Husband George Simpson died in 2003.<ref name=g/> |
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In the early 1950s, Darcel was linked romantically with singer [[Billy Eckstine]].<ref>{{cite journal|title=(photo caption)|journal=Jet|date=20 December 1951|volume=1|issue=8|page=31}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=People Are Talking About ...|journal=Jet|date=13 March 1952|volume=1|issue=20|page=44|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LkMDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA44 |
In the early 1950s, Darcel was linked romantically with singer [[Billy Eckstine]].<ref>{{cite journal|title=(photo caption)|journal=Jet|date=20 December 1951|volume=1|issue=8|page=31}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=People Are Talking About ...|journal=Jet|date=13 March 1952|volume=1|issue=20|page=44|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LkMDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA44}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=The Secret Love Life of Billy Eckstein|journal=Jet|date=1 April 1954|volume=V|issue=21|page=24|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IMADAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA23 | accessdate=22 January 2016}}</ref> In 1993, ''[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]]'' magazine reported, "Eckstine's hot romance with actress Denise Darcel cooled off after their photo appeared on cover of ''Life'' Magazine, causing a White backlash."<ref>{{cite journal|title=Billy ('Mr. B') Eckstine, A Stroke Victim, Dies of Cardiac Arrest at Age 78|journal=Jet|date=22 March 1993|volume=83|issue=21|pages=14–16, 54–57|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uLoDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA56}}</ref> |
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==Recording== |
==Recording== |
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Online music store iTunes |
Online music store iTunes made Darcel's album, ''Banned in Boston'' (recorded in 1958<ref name=g/>), available for purchase alongside actress [[Lizabeth Scott]]'s album, ''Lizabeth''. |
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==Legal problems== |
==Legal problems== |
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On 23 June 1968, Darcel was arrested in [[Miami, Florida]], and charged with shoplifting women's undergarments valued at $38.94 (${{Inflation|US|38.94|1968|r=-1|fmt=c}} today). She was released on $500 bond.<ref>{{cite news|title=French Star Denise Darcel Is Arrested For Shoplifting|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2572826/the_fresno_bee_the_republican/|agency=The Fresno Bee The Republican|date=24 June 1968|page=23|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate = 7 June 2015}} {{Open access}}</ref> She was found guilty and fined $300 (${{Inflation|US|300|1968|r=-1|fmt=c}} today) in a trial 10 July 1968.<ref name=pm>{{cite news|title=Denise Darcel Is Fined for Shoplifting|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2572890/pottstown_mercury/|agency=Pottstown Mercury|date=10 July 1968|page=3|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate = 7 June 2015}} {{Open access}}</ref> |
On 23 June 1968, Darcel was arrested in [[Miami, Florida]], and charged with shoplifting women's undergarments valued at $38.94 (${{Inflation|US|38.94|1968|r=-1|fmt=c}} today). She was released on $500 bond.<ref>{{cite news|title=French Star Denise Darcel Is Arrested For Shoplifting|newspaper=The Fresno Bee |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2572826/the_fresno_bee_the_republican/|agency=The Fresno Bee The Republican|date=24 June 1968|page=23|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate = 7 June 2015}} {{Open access}}</ref> She was found guilty and fined $300 (${{Inflation|US|300|1968|r=-1|fmt=c}} today) in a trial 10 July 1968.<ref name=pm>{{cite news|title=Denise Darcel Is Fined for Shoplifting|newspaper=The Mercury |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2572890/pottstown_mercury/|agency=Pottstown Mercury|date=10 July 1968|page=3|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate = 7 June 2015}} {{Open access}}</ref> |
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Darcel and her husband, Robert Gerard Atkinson, filed bankruptcy petitions in [[San Bernardino, California]], in 1963. The petitions listed "total assets of $1,508 (${{Inflation|US|1508|1963|r=-1|fmt=c}} today) and individual and joint debts of $88,904 for her and $62,223 for him."(total of ${{Inflation|US|151127|1963|r=-3|fmt=c}} today)<ref>{{cite news|title=Denise Darcel to Appear |
Darcel and her husband, Robert Gerard Atkinson, filed bankruptcy petitions in [[San Bernardino, California]], in 1963. The petitions listed "total assets of $1,508 (${{Inflation|US|1508|1963|r=-1|fmt=c}} today) and individual and joint debts of $88,904 for her and $62,223 for him."(total of ${{Inflation|US|151127|1963|r=-3|fmt=c}} today)<ref>{{cite news|title=Denise Darcel to Appear in S.B. Bankruptcy Court|newspaper=The San Bernardino County Sun |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2578186/the_san_bernardino_county_sun/|agency=The San Bernardino County Sun|date=7 September 1963|page=19|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate = 8 June 2015}} {{Open access}}</ref> |
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==Honors== |
==Honors== |
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In September 2009, she was honored with the Cinecon Career Achievement Award, presented in Hollywood at a banquet held at the Hollywood Renaissance Hotel. Prior to the ceremony, a new 35mm color print of her 1953 film, ''[[Flame of Calcutta]]'', was screened at the [[Egyptian Theatre]]. After the screening, at the banquet, she cheerfully announced to the audience, "I'm back". |
In September 2009, she was honored with the Cinecon Career Achievement Award, presented in Hollywood at a banquet held at the Hollywood Renaissance Hotel. Prior to the ceremony, a new 35mm color print of her 1953 film, ''[[Flame of Calcutta]]'', was screened at the [[Egyptian Theatre]]. After the screening, at the banquet, she cheerfully announced to the audience, "I'm back". |
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The world's oldest drag queen, [[Darcelle XV]], |
The world's oldest drag queen, Walter W. Cole took the [[stage name]] of [[Darcelle XV]], in honor of Denise Darcel. |
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In 1968, Denise was name Queen of the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival. |
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==Death== |
==Death== |
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Darcel died in December 2011, aged 87, after emergency surgery to repair a ruptured aneurysm.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/11/movies/denise-darcel-sultry-french-actress-dies-at-87.html ''New York Times'' obituary for Denise Darcel]</ref><ref>[ |
Darcel died in December 2011, aged 87, after emergency surgery to repair a ruptured aneurysm.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/11/movies/denise-darcel-sultry-french-actress-dies-at-87.html ''New York Times'' obituary for Denise Darcel]</ref><ref>[https://www.variety.com/article/VR1118048363 ''Variety'' report of Darcel's death]</ref> |
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==Selected filmography and television appearances== |
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==Filmography== |
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*''[[To the Victor]]'' (1948 |
*''[[To the Victor]]'' (1948) as Bar Singer (uncredited) |
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*''[[Thunder in the Pines]]'' (1948) as Yvette Cheron |
*''[[Thunder in the Pines]]'' (1948) as Yvette Cheron |
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*''[[Battleground (film)|Battleground]]'' (1949) as Denise |
*''[[Battleground (film)|Battleground]]'' (1949) as Denise |
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*''[[Flame of Calcutta]]'' (1953) as Suzanne Roget |
*''[[Flame of Calcutta]]'' (1953) as Suzanne Roget |
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*''[[Vera Cruz (film)|Vera Cruz]]'' (1954) as Countess Marie Duvarre |
*''[[Vera Cruz (film)|Vera Cruz]]'' (1954) as Countess Marie Duvarre |
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*''[[The |
*''[[The Milton Berle Show]]'' (1956, TV Series) |
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*''[[ |
*''[[Tightrope!]]'' (1960, TV Series) as Terri |
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*''[[Tightrope]]'' as Terri (1 episode, 1960) |
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*''[[Seven Women from Hell]]'' (1961) as Claire Oudry |
*''[[Seven Women from Hell]]'' (1961) as Claire Oudry |
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*''[[Naked City (TV series)|Naked City]]'' |
*''[[Naked City (TV series)|Naked City]]'' (1962, TV Series) as Madeleine Douvay |
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*''[[Combat!]]'' as Annette (1 episode, 1963) |
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==Radio appearances== |
==Radio appearances== |
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! Year !! Program !! Episode/source |
! Year !! Program !! Episode/source |
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| 1950|| ''[[Quick as a Flash]]''|| NA<ref>{{cite news|last1=White|first1=Sid|title=Main Street|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/Archive-Radio-Daily-IDX/RD-50/Radio-Daily-1950-May-0076.pdf|accessdate=8 June 2015| |
| 1950|| ''[[Quick as a Flash]]''|| NA<ref>{{cite news|last1=White|first1=Sid|title=Main Street|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/Archive-Radio-Daily-IDX/RD-50/Radio-Daily-1950-May-0076.pdf|accessdate=8 June 2015|work=Radio Daily|date=12 May 1950|page=4}}</ref> |
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| 1985|| ''Musical Comedy Theater''|| ''[[Going Hollywood]]''<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kirby|first1=Walter|title=Better Radio Programs for the Week|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2613413/the_decatur_daily_review/|agency=The Decatur Daily Review|date=7 December 1952|page=52|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate = 14 June 2015}} {{Open access}}</ref> |
| 1985|| ''Musical Comedy Theater''|| ''[[Going Hollywood]]''<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kirby|first1=Walter|title=Better Radio Programs for the Week|newspaper=The Decatur Daily Review |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2613413/the_decatur_daily_review/|agency=The Decatur Daily Review|date=7 December 1952|page=52|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate = 14 June 2015}} {{Open access}}</ref> |
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| 1952|| ''[[Lux Radio Theatre]]'' || ''[[Westward the Women]]''<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kirby|first1=Walter|title=Better Radio Programs for the Week|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2560026/the_decatur_daily_review/|agency=The Decatur Daily Review|date=28 December 1952|page=36|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate = 5 June 2015}} {{Open access}}</ref> |
| 1952|| ''[[Lux Radio Theatre]]'' || ''[[Westward the Women]]''<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kirby|first1=Walter|title=Better Radio Programs for the Week|newspaper=The Decatur Daily Review |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2560026/the_decatur_daily_review/|agency=The Decatur Daily Review|date=28 December 1952|page=36|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate = 5 June 2015}} {{Open access}}</ref> |
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|1951 |
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|Martin & Lewis Show |
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|NA |
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! Year !! Program !! Episode/source |
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| 1950|| ''[[This Is Show Business]]''|| 21 May episode<ref>{{cite news|last1=White|first1=Sid|title=Main Street|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/Archive-Radio-Daily-IDX/RD-50/Radio-Daily-1950-May-0136.pdf|accessdate=8 June 2015| |
| 1950|| ''[[This Is Show Business]]''|| 21 May episode<ref>{{cite news|last1=White|first1=Sid|title=Main Street|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/Archive-Radio-Daily-IDX/RD-50/Radio-Daily-1950-May-0136.pdf|accessdate=8 June 2015|work=Radio Daily|date=23 May 1950|page=4}}</ref> |
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| 1951|| ''[[Don McNeill's Breakfast Club]]''|| 7 November episode<ref>{{cite news|title=McNeill TV Seg Blacks Out on ABC for 17 Mins.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6kQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA5|agency=Billboard|date=17 November 1951|page=5}}</ref> |
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| 1954|| ''[[Droodles]]'' || 21 June episode<ref>{{cite news|last1=Morse|first1=Leon|title=Droodles|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EBsEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA38|agency=Billboard|date=10 July 1954|page=38}}</ref> |
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| 1963|| ''[[Combat!]]'' || 19 November 1963 "A Distant Drum" |
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| 1954|| ''[[Droodles]]'' || 21 June episode<ref>{{cite news|last1=Morse|first1=Leon|title=Droodles|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EBsEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA38&dq=%22Denise+Darcel%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=g6ZzVeP9M5f-yQSi4YKIDw&ved=0CDsQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=%22Denise%20Darcel%22&f=false|accessdate=7 June 2015|agency=Billboard|date=10 July 1954|page=38}}</ref> |
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==Notes== |
==Notes== |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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Latest revision as of 22:54, 28 June 2024
Denise Darcel | |
---|---|
Born | Denise Billecard 8 September 1924[1] Paris, France |
Died | 23 December 2011 Los Angeles, California, U.S. | (aged 87)
Occupations |
|
Years active | 1948–1963 |
Spouses |
Francis Peter Crosby
(m. 1950; div. 1951)
George Simpson Jr.
(m. 1990; died 2003) |
Children | 2 sons (Chris and Craig) |
Denise Darcel (née Billecard, 8 September 1924 – 23 December 2011) was a French-American vaudevillian, actress and singer, who from 1948 and 1963, appeared in films in Hollywood, and briefly on the stage, television and radio.[2]
Early years
[edit]Born as Denise Billecard[3] in Paris, she was one of five daughters[4] of a French baker,[5] and she was college educated,[6] studying at the University of Dijon.[4] According to a friend, whom she met in Paris during World War II, she was a passenger in an L-5 Stinson light observation aircraft on VJ Day to see the celebration from the air. The pilot, James Helinger Sr., a US Army Air Corps glider pilot (a friend) was at the controls, while they flew under several bridges along the Seine and finally, under the Eiffel Tower, with the crowds below.[7]
A winner of the title "The Most Beautiful Girl in France,"[8] Darcel was a cabaret singer in Paris after World War II before being spotted by Hollywood. Denise came to the United States in 1947[9] and became an American citizen in 1952.[3]
On 15 February 1952 she was named "Miss Welder of 1952" by the National Eutectic Welders' Club. Presenting her with a scroll as "the girl we would like most to weld with" was R. D. Wasserman, President of the Eutectic Welding Institute. Wasserman hoped that her photograph would inspire women throughout the nation to join the ranks of the labor force and support the war effort in Korea.[10]
Stage
[edit]Darcel's debut on the legitimate stage came in 1950, when she appeared in Pardon Our French, premiering 5 October at the Broadway Theatre.[11]
Vaudeville
[edit]In 1950, Darcel had a Vaudeville act, which was panned by at least one reviewer. About Darcel's performance 5 May 1950, at the Strand in New York, the Billboard review said: "Denise Darcel showed her well-stacked chassis ... but her heavily accented English sounded like so much gibberish; it got laughs instead of attention. ... her singing is inadequate, her over-use of hands and arms is clumsy and she shows herself completely at a loss in handling hecklers."[12]
Film
[edit]Her first film appearance of note was in Battleground (1949). She made quite an impression in Tarzan and the Slave Girl (1950) opposite Lex Barker, then co-starred with Robert Taylor in Westward the Women (1952) and Glenn Ford in Young Man with Ideas (1952). In 1953, she was seen in the swimming musical Dangerous When Wet, which starred Esther Williams (1953). Her most important film was Vera Cruz (1954) where she played the female lead opposite Gary Cooper and Burt Lancaster. Her last film (1961) was Seven Women from Hell.[13]
Television
[edit]Darcel appeared on various TV shows in the 1950s. In 1954, she was hostess/MC of Gamble on Love, a summer program on the DuMont Television Network. Darcel asked questions of married couples who sought to win the grand prize of a mink coat. A review in Billboard described her as "Gallic to the point of unintelligibility."[14] Also in 1954, Colonel Productions produced a pilot of Chez Denise, a 30-minute "comedy-intrigue" program starring Darcel, which apparently did not sell.[15]
Later years
[edit]After her film and television career began to wane, Darcel, aged 41, became an ecdysiast (stripper),[13] appearing in West Coast theatres in San Francisco, Las Vegas, Oakland, and Los Angeles. She retired from stripping after a few years and returned to the cabaret circuit, making a few appearances on television. In 1991,[16] she was cast as "Solange La Fitte" in the Los Angeles 20th anniversary revival of the musical Follies, produced by the Long Beach Civic Light Opera. She would later repeat the role of Solange in 1995 for revivals in Houston and Seattle.
Personal life
[edit]Darcel's first husband, William Shaw,[13] was an American Army captain whom she married in 1947.[4] Darcel obtained a Mexican divorce from Peter Crosby 12 August 1951.[17] She married Robert Atkinson 24 April 1961.[18] They had two sons, Christopher[19] (born 17 November 1961[20]) and Craig. Husband George Simpson died in 2003.[4]
In the early 1950s, Darcel was linked romantically with singer Billy Eckstine.[21][22][23] In 1993, Jet magazine reported, "Eckstine's hot romance with actress Denise Darcel cooled off after their photo appeared on cover of Life Magazine, causing a White backlash."[24]
Recording
[edit]Online music store iTunes made Darcel's album, Banned in Boston (recorded in 1958[4]), available for purchase alongside actress Lizabeth Scott's album, Lizabeth.
Legal problems
[edit]On 23 June 1968, Darcel was arrested in Miami, Florida, and charged with shoplifting women's undergarments valued at $38.94 ($340 today). She was released on $500 bond.[25] She was found guilty and fined $300 ($2,630 today) in a trial 10 July 1968.[26]
Darcel and her husband, Robert Gerard Atkinson, filed bankruptcy petitions in San Bernardino, California, in 1963. The petitions listed "total assets of $1,508 ($15,010 today) and individual and joint debts of $88,904 for her and $62,223 for him."(total of $1,504,000 today)[27]
Honors
[edit]In September 2009, she was honored with the Cinecon Career Achievement Award, presented in Hollywood at a banquet held at the Hollywood Renaissance Hotel. Prior to the ceremony, a new 35mm color print of her 1953 film, Flame of Calcutta, was screened at the Egyptian Theatre. After the screening, at the banquet, she cheerfully announced to the audience, "I'm back".
The world's oldest drag queen, Walter W. Cole took the stage name of Darcelle XV, in honor of Denise Darcel.
In 1968, Denise was name Queen of the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival.
Death
[edit]Darcel died in December 2011, aged 87, after emergency surgery to repair a ruptured aneurysm.[28][29]
Selected filmography and television appearances
[edit]- To the Victor (1948) as Bar Singer (uncredited)
- Thunder in the Pines (1948) as Yvette Cheron
- Battleground (1949) as Denise
- Tarzan and the Slave Girl (1950) as Lola
- Westward the Women (1951) as Fifi Danon
- Young Man with Ideas (1952) as Dorianne Gray
- Dangerous When Wet (1953) as Gigi Mignon
- Flame of Calcutta (1953) as Suzanne Roget
- Vera Cruz (1954) as Countess Marie Duvarre
- Gamble on Love (DuMont game show, 1954; replaced by Ernie Kovacs) as Countess Marie Duvarre
- The Milton Berle Show (1956, TV Series)
- Tightrope! (1960, TV Series) as Terri
- Seven Women from Hell (1961) as Claire Oudry
- Naked City (1962, TV Series) as Madeleine Douvay
Radio appearances
[edit]Year | Program | Episode/source |
---|---|---|
1950 | Quick as a Flash | NA[30] |
1985 | Musical Comedy Theater | Going Hollywood[31] |
1952 | Lux Radio Theatre | Westward the Women[32] |
1951 | Martin & Lewis Show | NA |
Television appearances
[edit]Year | Program | Episode/source |
---|---|---|
1950 | This Is Show Business | 21 May episode[33] |
1951 | Don McNeill's Breakfast Club | 7 November episode[34] |
1954 | Droodles | 21 June episode[35] |
1963 | Combat! | 19 November 1963 "A Distant Drum" |
Notes
[edit]- ^ "Denise Darcel". The Daily Telegraph. London. 10 January 2012.
- ^ Obituary for Denise Darcel in The Telegraph (UK)
- ^ a b Denise Darcel at the British Film Institute[better source needed]
- ^ a b c d e Bergan, Ronald (13 January 2012). "Denise Darcel obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
- ^ "Denise Darcel May Wed Texan". Independent. Long Beach Independent. 26 March 1950. p. 39. Retrieved 6 June 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Denise Darcel at the TCM Movie Database
- ^ "The Adventures of Jim, Sr – Part III". Chaotic Synaptic Activity. 15 August 2005. Retrieved 17 July 2009.
- ^ "Runners-Up A Typist and College Student". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. 10 August 1951. p. 3. Retrieved 6 June 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Erickson, Hal (2007). "Denise Darcel". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Archived from the original on 5 December 2007. Retrieved 29 November 2009.
- ^ Welding Journal 31(4), April 1952, p374.
- ^ Francis, Bob (14 October 1950). "Broadway Opening: Pardon Our French". Billboard. p. 57.
- ^ Smith, Bill (13 May 1950). "Vaudeville Reviews: Strand, New York". Billboard. p. 46.
- ^ a b c Bernstein, Adam (10 January 2012). "Denise Darcel, French-born actress, dies at 87". The Washington Post. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
- ^ Francis, Bob (31 July 1954). "Gamble on Love (TV)". Billboard. p. 49.
- ^ "Denise Darcel in Video Bid". Billboard. 6 March 1954. p. 4.
- ^ Bergan, Ronald (13 January 2012). "Denise Darcel obituary". The Guardian. London.
- ^ "Actress Denise Darcel Gets One-Day Divorce in Mexico". The San Bernardino County Sun. The San Bernardino County Sun. 13 August 1952. p. 1. Retrieved 6 June 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Denise Darcel Weds". The Kansas City Times. 26 April 1961. p. 4. Retrieved 8 June 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "New Baby for Actress". Florence Morning News. Florence Morning News. 26 November 1961. p. 21. Retrieved 8 June 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Denise Darcel a Mother". Statesman Journal. The Oregon Statesman. 19 November 1961. p. 10. Retrieved 8 June 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "(photo caption)". Jet. 1 (8): 31. 20 December 1951.
- ^ "People Are Talking About ..." Jet. 1 (20): 44. 13 March 1952.
- ^ "The Secret Love Life of Billy Eckstein". Jet. V (21): 24. 1 April 1954. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
- ^ "Billy ('Mr. B') Eckstine, A Stroke Victim, Dies of Cardiac Arrest at Age 78". Jet. 83 (21): 14–16, 54–57. 22 March 1993.
- ^ "French Star Denise Darcel Is Arrested For Shoplifting". The Fresno Bee. The Fresno Bee The Republican. 24 June 1968. p. 23. Retrieved 7 June 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Denise Darcel Is Fined for Shoplifting". The Mercury. Pottstown Mercury. 10 July 1968. p. 3. Retrieved 7 June 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Denise Darcel to Appear in S.B. Bankruptcy Court". The San Bernardino County Sun. The San Bernardino County Sun. 7 September 1963. p. 19. Retrieved 8 June 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ New York Times obituary for Denise Darcel
- ^ Variety report of Darcel's death
- ^ White, Sid (12 May 1950). "Main Street" (PDF). Radio Daily. p. 4. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
- ^ Kirby, Walter (7 December 1952). "Better Radio Programs for the Week". The Decatur Daily Review. The Decatur Daily Review. p. 52. Retrieved 14 June 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Kirby, Walter (28 December 1952). "Better Radio Programs for the Week". The Decatur Daily Review. The Decatur Daily Review. p. 36. Retrieved 5 June 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ White, Sid (23 May 1950). "Main Street" (PDF). Radio Daily. p. 4. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
- ^ "McNeill TV Seg Blacks Out on ABC for 17 Mins". Billboard. 17 November 1951. p. 5.
- ^ Morse, Leon (10 July 1954). "Droodles". Billboard. p. 38.
External links
[edit]- 1924 births
- 2011 deaths
- Actresses from Paris
- American women singers
- American film actresses
- American musical theatre actresses
- American television actresses
- Cabaret singers
- Deaths from aneurysm
- French emigrants to the United States
- French women singers
- French film actresses
- French musical theatre actresses
- Torch singers
- 21st-century American women
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer contract players