Priscilla Lane

Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for fair use for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.


Priscilla Lane (1915-1995) seems forgotten today, but in the late 30s and early 40s she made many films at Warner Brothers, where she was under contract. She and her three older sisters were a singing act known as The Lane Sisters, which led their entry into films. Of the four, Priscilla had the most successful film career, although she made less films than two of her sisters. With her warm voice, musical talent, and pale blonde, blue-eyed looks, Priscilla bore a resemblance to Ginger Rogers, which both helped and hindered her career. Lola (1906-1981) and Rosemary (1914-1974) had moderately successful roles in film, and the eldest sister, Leota (1903-1963), appeared with her younger siblings in three films - "Four Daughters" (1938), "Daughters Courageous" (1939), "Four Wives" (also 1939) and "Four Mothers" (1941). Priscilla and Rosemary made their debut in "Varsity Show" (1937) opposite Dick Powell. "The Roaring Twenties" (1939) in which the youngest Lane sister appeared alongside James Cagney, Humphrey Bogart and Gladys George seemed to assure her success. But Priscilla was strong-willed and often rejected scripts that she felt were unsuitable, causing friction between herself and studio mogul Jack Warner. Through the 1940s she appeared in several successful films, including "Blues In The Night" (1941), "Arsenic And Old Lace" (filmed in 1941-1942, but not released untill 1944) and "Saboteur" (1942). She left Warners in 1941, after having won a raise but not always better scripts. She found away from her former studio she got better roles, working with directors such as Alfred Hitchcock and Frank Capra. In 1943 she retired and focused on her marriage to Air Force Lieutenant Joesph Howard, and in 1945 gave birth to the first of four children. Her last two films were "Fun On A Weekend" (1947), and the underappreciated film noir "The Bodyguard" (1948). She then quit acting altogether (aside from her brief television series, "The Priscilla Lane Show" in the 50s), to devote herself to being a wife and mother. In 1951 she and her family moved to Massachusetts, where she focused on charity work, running a girl scout troup, working in her garden and just taking pleasure in every day, ordinary life. When her husband died in 1977, Priscilla found it hard to get her life back together, stating, "I'm still trying to pull myself together after Joe's death." She continued with her work for charity and her devotion to the Catholic Church (to which she had converted to years earlier). In 1994, Priscilla was diagnosed with lung cancer and she moved into a nursing home near where her eldest son and his family lived. She died in the early morning hours of April 4, 1995 of lung cancer and chronic heart failure and was buried alongside her husband. She was survived by her children, Joesph Jr, Hannah, Judith, James and grandchildren.

Priscilla had a unique and distinct presence on film. It also helped that she could sing and dance - such a pity that she wasn't always given the material she should have. But she gave up her career with no regrets and had a very happy and contented life away from Hollywood. Old Blue Eyes and his pal Dino provide the background music for this tribute. Enjoy!

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Priscilla
• Lane
• 30s
• 40s
• Hollywood
• actress
• OneTrueMedia

[adeleceleste]

Priscilla Lane is very beautiful and sweet! I LOVE vivacious actresses! It's too bad she is almost forgotten. Thank you for the BEAUTIFUL video! Us classic movie fans need to keep their memory alive! You don't really die until you are forgotten! These AWESOME actors and actresses will live as long as the world endures :-)

[Shabannie]

I love the two songs you selected. You made a wonderful video. Thank you for helping me remember Priscilla's movies.

-------Ellen

[MegaEagle63]

This beauty is on British TV channel Film4 right now, starring in Saboteur with Robert Cummings!

Never forget her!

[RadiantlyRita]

Wow! Wonderful tribute to such a forgotten actress. Thanks!

[manipenni05]

Very beautiful woman

[fansinatra]

Loved this video clip. You put 3 of my fave performers together: Priscilla, Frank and Dino. Makes my day!

[fraaaaaag]

Beautiful B/W video, like the layback numbers by ! Is it Dean Martin or ?

[NostalgicNorthland]

Lovely actress, remember her well......and what a soundtrack...I'm weak at the knees....perfect just perfect.

[BMark1966]

Excellent video and music !

[bostonblakie]

Excellent video tribute with good accompanying music. I spotted her on TCM some time ago and liked her work.