A tribute to the hauntingly beautiful actress (1924-1961), who will be forever associated with the song Stella By Starlight, which was attributed to her character in and composed for the film "The Uninivited" (1944). She was very shy and suffered from great insecurities and stage fright, and this perhaps led to her dependency on alcohol, which got her in trouble with the law, interfered with her career and personal life and ultimately would be the cause of her untimely death. One of her most famous film roles was in "Angel And The Badman" (1947) produced and starring John Wayne. He was drawn to the fragile young actress and it has been speculated but never confirmed that they shared more than a friendship. Gail married actor Guy Madison in 1949, but they would divorce five years later. She took five years off from work in the 50s and when she returned to work she found herself playing minor roles, and her career was not given any assistance by her arrest and conviction for driving under the influence. This once strikingly lovely woman looked bloated and past her prime. Her last film was "The Silent Call" (1961). On August 27, 1961, she was found dead in her Hollywood apartment, the cause of her death determined to be an alcohol-induced heart attack. She was just 36 years old. I have always felt there was a sad vulnerability about her, and this personal quote has only confirmed that feeling for me. "Everything happened so fast. I was a sad character. I was sad because of myself. I didn't have any self-confidence. I didn't believe I had any talent. I didn't know how to have fun. I was afraid. I don't exactly know of what - of life, I guess."

Heartbreaking that this talented, attractive and bright young woman felt so unhappy and unfufilled in her life. I hope this montage will make her fans - old and new alike - smile. Enjoy!



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