Tribute to Juliet Prowse and Elvis

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manfreadstraw
November 02, 2009

Juliet Anne Prowse (September 25, 1936 September 14, 1996) was a South African dancer, whose four decade career included stage, television and film, but dancing remained her true love. She was kno...

Juliet Anne Prowse (September 25, 1936 September 14, 1996) was a South African dancer, whose four decade career included stage, television and film, but dancing remained her true love. She was known for her striking beauty, sultry smile and famous long legs.

Early life -- Juliet Prowse was born in Bombay, India and raised in South Africa. She began studying dance at the age of four. In her early twenties she was dancing at a club in Paris when she was spotted by a talent agent and eventually signed to play the part of "Claudine" in the 1960 Walter Lang film, Can-Can.

It was during the filming of "Can-Can" in 1959 that she captured the international spotlight. Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev visited the set of the film and after Juliet performed a rather saucy can-can for the Russian leader, he proclaimed her dance "immoral." Little did Khrushchev know that he was a great press agent, because the publicity brought Prowse considerable attention in the United States. From there, her career took off.[1]

Film and television career -- She met Frank Sinatra on the set of Can-Can. Time magazine did not care for the movie but said the beautiful young dancer was the best thing in it: "In fact, the only thing really worth seeing is Juliet Prowse, a young South African hoofer who puts some twinkle in the stub-toed choreography. And the only thing really worth hearing is the crack that Frank flips back at Juliet when she whips a redoubtable hip in his direction. "Don't point," he gasps. "It's rude."[2] She would go on to appear with him and other notable guests such as Ella Fitzgerald, Peter Lawford, Hermione Gingold, The Hi-Lo's, Red Norvo, Nelson Riddle and his Orchestra on the 1959, Frank Sinatra Show. She at times would sing in the chorus with other guests or Sinatra would adoringly sing to her.[3]

Sinatra and Prowse announced their engagement in 1962. Soon afterwards, they called it quits. They broke up, according to publicity handouts, because Prowse wanted to concentrate on her career. Actually, she admitted: "I was as much flattered as I was in love. He (Sinatra) was a complex person, and after a few drinks he could be very difficult."[4]

Juliet went on to co-star alongside Elvis Presley in G.I. Blues (release date: 23 November 1960, USA). During shooting of the film they had a short but intense fling. "Elvis and I had an affair ... We had a sexual attraction like two healthy young people, but he was already a victim of his fans. We always met in his room and never went out."[4]

She starred in her own NBC sitcom for one season: 1965's Mona McCluskey, which was produced by George Burns. She also did other feature films, including The Fiercest Heart (1961) and Who Killed Teddy Bear? with Sal Mineo (1965).

Battle with cancer and death -- In 1994, Prowse was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. In 1995, she went into remission and was well enough to tour with Mickey Rooney in Sugar Babies. The cancer subsequently returned and she succumbed to the disease on September 14, 1996, two weeks before her sixtieth birthday.

She was survived by her son and her mother. Her ex-husband, TV actor John McCook, who is the father of her only child (Seth McCook), reconciled with her shortly before her passing after many years of acrimony.[6]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juliet_P...

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Shabannie (1 month ago) Show Hide

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Beautiful pictures! And I always love Elvis.
------Ellen

manfreadstraw (1 month ago) Show Hide

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Thank you Ellen ! Glad you enjoyed and appreciate your comment !!

Dayniac4324 (1 month ago) Show Hide

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Gosh - its been soooo long since I thought about Juliet Prowse ! She really had some legs ! Great video Manfread - many stars for you my friend.

manfreadstraw (1 month ago) Show Hide

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Thank you dear lady -- i'm off to sleep. Take care, xoxo

dlpine71 (1 month ago) Show Hide

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Great video, Manfread!! This is a really fun Elvis song with great images of them both!! I think Juliet Prowse would stop most from "Shoppin Around"!!! Five stars!!
David

manfreadstraw (1 month ago) Show Hide

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LOL David !! Yes any guy that continued shoppin past Ms Prowse would need to have his head read !! Going by the pics they both seem to have had great fun making this quite entertaining film, though for mine her dance sequences steal the show ... stunning !!! Those were one great pair of pins, ;-) !! Thank you my friend - manfread

theoverbeat1964 (1 month ago) Show Hide

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nice version!! love it, thansk for send it me!
have a wonderfull week
josé,

manfreadstraw (1 month ago) Show Hide

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Thank you José !! The song is the 'alternate take' of 'Shoppin Around' from the G.I. Blues cd. It's a good movie too with Ms Prowse stealing the show ... they don't come much lovelier ...

omitnot (1 month ago) Show Hide

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nice way to get out of something Shocking! in fact, very nice***** my fave elvis song too.

manfreadstraw (1 month ago) Show Hide

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Thank you Amit !! Actually the jockey that rode Shocking to victory is being criticised for over zealous use of the whip ... maybe the guy has a whip fetish ?? Glad you enjoyed the vid, cheers - manfread

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Tribute to Juliet Prowse and Elvis

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