Born Johnnie Lucille Collier in Texas in 1923, she lived there until she was nine, when mother left her philandering father and moved with Ann to California. Even at that young age she had to support her mother, who was hearing-impaired and unable to hold a job. After taking tap-dancing lessons, she got jobs dancing in various Hollywood clubs while being home-schooled...See full bio »
1994That's Entertainment! III
(documentary)
(performer: "Shakin' the Blues Away" 1927 - uncredited, "On the Town" 1944 - uncredited, "Dance of Fury" 1948 - uncredited, "It Only Happens When I Dance with You" 1947 - uncredited)
1985That's Dancing!
(documentary)
(performer: "Tom, Dick or Harry")
1971Dames at Sea
(TV movie)
(performer: "Wall Street", "That Mister Man of Mine", "Let's Have a Simple Wedding")
1955Hit the Deck
(performer: "Keepin' Myself for You" 1930 - uncredited, "The Lady from the Bayou" - uncredited, "Ciribiribin" 1898 - uncredited, "More Than You Know" 1929 - uncredited, "Why, Oh Why?" 1927 - uncredited, "Hallelujah" 1927 - uncredited)
1953Kiss Me Kate
(performer: "Too Darn Hot" - uncredited, "Why Can't You Behave" - uncredited, "We Open in Venice" - uncredited, "Tom, Dick or Harry" - uncredited, "Always True to You in My Fashion" - uncredited, "From This Moment On" - uncredited)
1953Small Town Girl
(performer: "I've Gotta Hear that Beat", "My Gaucho")
1952Lovely to Look at
(performer: "I'll Be Hard to Handle" - uncredited)
1951Two Tickets to Broadway
(performer: "The Worry Bird, or Let the Worry Bird Worry For You", "Big Chief Hole-In-the-Ground")
1948Easter Parade
(performer: "It Only Happens When I Dance with You" - uncredited, "Shakin' the Blues Away" - uncredited, "The Girl on the Magazine Cover" - uncredited)
1946The Thrill of Brazil
(performer: "The Custom House", "Man is brother to a mule")
1945Eve Knew Her Apples
(performer: "An Hour never passes", "I'll remember April", "I've Waited a Live Time", "Someone to Love")
1944Carolina Blues
(performer: "Mr. Beebe", "Thinkin' About The Wabash", "Thanks a Lot")
1944Hey, Rookie
(performer: "Streamlined Sheik", "There Goes Taps", "You're Good for My Morale")
1943What's Buzzin', Cousin?
(performer: "By Orders of the Interceptor Command", "A Boogie Lullaby", "Knocked-Out Nocturne", "Eighteen Seventy-five" $18.75 War Bond Cost)
1941Go West, Young Lady
(performer: "I Wish That I Could Be a Singing Cowboy", "Go West, Young Lady")
1941Time Out for Rhythm
(performer: "A-Twiddlin' My Thumbs" - uncredited, "Obviously the Gentleman Prefers to Dance" - uncredited, "Time Out for Rhythm" finale)
1940Melody Ranch
(performer: "We Never Dream the Same Dream Twice" 1940 - uncredited, "My Gal Sal" 1905 - uncredited / "Stake Your Claim on Melody Ranch" 1940 - uncredited)
1940Hit Parade of 1941
(performer: "South American Ballet" - uncredited)
1940Too Many Girls
(performer: "You're Nearer", "'Cause We Got Cake", "Spic 'n' Spanish", "Look Out!", "Conga")
1938Tarnished Angel
(performer: "It's the Doctor's Orders" 1938 / "It's the Doctor's Orders" 1938)
At MGM, I always played the second feminine lead. I was never the star in films. I was the brassy, good-hearted showgirl. I never really had my big moment on the screen. Broadway gave me the stardom that my soul kind of yearned for.
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Trivia:
Devoutly spiritual, she dabbles in psychic phenomena and astrology. She believes she was once Queen Hathshepsut of Egypt.
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