From one cool dancer to cooler dancer (or in this case...a hotter dancer). In the case of Marge Champion, her dancing is more aloof..., and Mitzi Gaynor is simply sizzling hot!!!The leading lady of many light musicals was born Francesca Marlene von 
Gerber on 4th September 1931. That makes Mitzi Gaynor 77 this year. When the perky Gaynor was four, her mother's sister, decided that Mitzi had a talent in ballet. She made her first professional appearance at the age of twelve, impersonating Danny Kaye in "Up In Arms" and the Brazilian Bombshell, Carmen Miranda from "That Night In Rio".
Gerber on 4th September 1931. That makes Mitzi Gaynor 77 this year. When the perky Gaynor was four, her mother's sister, decided that Mitzi had a talent in ballet. She made her first professional appearance at the age of twelve, impersonating Danny Kaye in "Up In Arms" and the Brazilian Bombshell, Carmen Miranda from "That Night In Rio". Mitzi first caught the public's eyes in "My Blue Heaven" (1950) starring Betty Grable, Dan Dailey and David Wayne. Ther
e were some pretty nifty turns by the trio of stars, but Mitzi sparkled in her scenes in a supporting role. Showing her kindess, Grable was so impressed with the young dancer's work, went to Fox's studio boss, Darryl Zanuck and suggested that Mitzi is given a number of her own. it resulted in more screen time and the sex-appealing "Live Hard, Work Hard, Love Hard" number with Dan Dailey. When the studio's power-that-be saw the movie, she was given a long term contract. Her name was also changed, by George Gobel (who "discovered" 
her), from Frances Gerber to Mitzi Gaynor before the movie's release.
e were some pretty nifty turns by the trio of stars, but Mitzi sparkled in her scenes in a supporting role. Showing her kindess, Grable was so impressed with the young dancer's work, went to Fox's studio boss, Darryl Zanuck and suggested that Mitzi is given a number of her own. it resulted in more screen time and the sex-appealing "Live Hard, Work Hard, Love Hard" number with Dan Dailey. When the studio's power-that-be saw the movie, she was given a long term contract. Her name was also changed, by George Gobel (who "discovered" 
her), from Frances Gerber to Mitzi Gaynor before the movie's release. She was given a light comedy assignment to put over a few comic lines in "Take Care Of My Little Girl" (1951), billed below the beautiful Jeanne Crain and Dale Robertson, but above Jean Peters. Along in a next ridiculuos musical by Fox with William Lundigan, Jane Greer, David Wayne and Gloria DeHaven, Mitzi was dressed in a sarong and cast her as a torrid terpsichore in the silly South Sea setting, "Down Among The Sheltering Palms" (made in 1951 but released in 1953 in the US). Before the release of this movie, she was starred in the Technicolor "Golden Girl" (1951) as Lotta Crabtree. Her rendition of "Dixie", near the end of the film is incredibly moving. For her work in this, Mitzi Gaynor was named "Most Promising Female Newcomer of 1951" by Look Magazine. In a movie about five wedded couples who learn they were not legally married, "We're Not Married (1952), there is a tenderness and gentleness in her po
rtrayal of a young army bride opposite Eddie Bracken. The other couples were portrayed by Ginger Rogers, Fred Allen, Marilyn Monroe, David Wayne, Eve Arden, Paul Douglas, Louis Calhern and Zsa Zsa Gabor.
rtrayal of a young army bride opposite Eddie Bracken. The other couples were portrayed by Ginger Rogers, Fred Allen, Marilyn Monroe, David Wayne, Eve Arden, Paul Douglas, Louis Calhern and Zsa Zsa Gabor. Next, she was cast as a girl who helped some bookies and becomes a star in "Bloodhounds Of Broadway" (1952) , then shines in the biographical musical, as Eva Tanguay in "The I Don't Care Girl (1953) where she gives all the zest and zing in all the scenes she is in. Another big budget Fox musical that fell with a dud - Irving Berlin's "There's No Business Like Show Business" (195
4) cast her as one of the offspring of Ethel Merman and Dan Dailey. The other siblings were played by "Cry" wailing singer, Johnny Ray and Donald O'Connor and featured Marilyn Monroe. Although she made a great deal in the dancing department with the talented O'Connor, "Lazy" and "Alexander's Ragtime Band" (in hilarious French accent), she was much relegated to the back. Before that, she made a western with the dashing Jeffrey Hunter in 1954's "Three Young Texan".
4) cast her as one of the offspring of Ethel Merman and Dan Dailey. The other siblings were played by "Cry" wailing singer, Johnny Ray and Donald O'Connor and featured Marilyn Monroe. Although she made a great deal in the dancing department with the talented O'Connor, "Lazy" and "Alexander's Ragtime Band" (in hilarious French accent), she was much relegated to the back. Before that, she made a western with the dashing Jeffrey Hunter in 1954's "Three Young Texan". In 1954, she married Jack Bean, who would become her manager and produced many 
of Mitzi's TV musical speacials in the 60s and 70s. She was then put in a comedy with George Gobel and David Niven in the comedy "The Birds And The Bees" (1956). Vistavision's "Anything Goes" in the same year, featuring the songs of Cole Porter, gave her a crooner Bing Crosby, French ballerina Zizi Jeanmaire and once again, the delightful Donald O'Connor. She sizzled in the title number and did show her wonderful dancing talents in numbers like "You're The Top" with the laden Crosby and partnered O'Connor in the show stopping "It's De-Lovely".
Frank Sinatra's 1957 movie, a bio about the famous comedian Joe E. Lewis, "The Joker Is Wild" gave Mitzi a teeth to sink in her dramatic side as the second wife. Jeanne Crain played the first wife. She went to MGM to make one of it's last big budget glamourous musicals, with Gene Kelly in "Les Girls" (Mitzi, Kay Kendall and Taina Elg). She had one number with the great Kelly, "Why Am I So Gone About That Gal?".
of Mitzi's TV musical speacials in the 60s and 70s. She was then put in a comedy with George Gobel and David Niven in the comedy "The Birds And The Bees" (1956). Vistavision's "Anything Goes" in the same year, featuring the songs of Cole Porter, gave her a crooner Bing Crosby, French ballerina Zizi Jeanmaire and once again, the delightful Donald O'Connor. She sizzled in the title number and did show her wonderful dancing talents in numbers like "You're The Top" with the laden Crosby and partnered O'Connor in the show stopping "It's De-Lovely".
Frank Sinatra's 1957 movie, a bio about the famous comedian Joe E. Lewis, "The Joker Is Wild" gave Mitzi a teeth to sink in her dramatic side as the second wife. Jeanne Crain played the first wife. She went to MGM to make one of it's last big budget glamourous musicals, with Gene Kelly in "Les Girls" (Mitzi, Kay Kendall and Taina Elg). She had one number with the great Kelly, "Why Am I So Gone About That Gal?".Then came the role 
that is famous for until 
today...Rodgers & Hammerstein's 1958 movie version "South Pacific" as Nellie Forbush. Nellie was made a hit by Mary Martin on the long running Broadway show. She didn't get to dance (except for some strutting in "Honey Bun" number), but did display her vocally ("I"m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair" and "A Wonderful Guy"). She was nominated Best Motion Picture Actress - Comedy/Musical for that year's Golden Globe.
that is famous for until 
today...Rodgers & Hammerstein's 1958 movie version "South Pacific" as Nellie Forbush. Nellie was made a hit by Mary Martin on the long running Broadway show. She didn't get to dance (except for some strutting in "Honey Bun" number), but did display her vocally ("I"m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair" and "A Wonderful Guy"). She was nominated Best Motion Picture Actress - Comedy/Musical for that year's Golden Globe. From there, she made a few silly comedies, "Happy Anniversary" (1959) with David N
iven, "Surprise Package" (1960) with Yul Brynner and "F
or Love And Money" (1963) with Kirk Douglas. She stopped the show in the 39th Academy Award (1967) with her singing and dancing of "Georgy Girl". She made a series of her "Mitzi" television specials from the 1968 to 1978, produced by her husband, Jack Bean.
iven, "Surprise Package" (1960) with Yul Brynner and "F
or Love And Money" (1963) with Kirk Douglas. She stopped the show in the 39th Academy Award (1967) with her singing and dancing of "Georgy Girl". She made a series of her "Mitzi" television specials from the 1968 to 1978, produced by her husband, Jack Bean.
Eventhough she is very much older now, but you can still sense the pixie in her presence. Happy Birthday Mitzi...
(Scanned autographed photo - property of the author)
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