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1-21 of 21
- Actor
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Perhaps not so surprisingly, John Payne maintained that his favorite movie of all time was one of his own -- Miracle on 34th Street (1947) -- simply because it reflected his own strong and spiritual belief system. Today, of course, the film, which co-stars beautiful Maureen O'Hara, Oscar-winning Edmund Gwenn as Kris Kringle and little non-believing scene-steal Natalie Wood, is a perennial holiday favorite and his best-remembered film role despite the mighty fine product he turned out over the years.
Born John Howard Payne on May 28, 1912 (not May 23, according to his daughter, actress Julie Payne), he was the middle son of three boys (Peter and Robert were the others). His parents, businessman George Washington Payne and Ida Hope (ne Schaeffer) Payne were quite well-to-do and came from a rich heritage. John was named after an ancestor who wrote the song, "Home, Sweet, Home." The boys grew up privileged on a Roanoke, Virginia estate complete with equestrian stables and swimming pools. At his mother's request, John took singing lessons in order to curb an extreme shyness problem. During his teens, the boy was shipped off to Mercersburg Academy, a prep school in Pennsylvania, and later was studying at Roanoke College at the time his father died. John was forced to give up his studies in an effort to help support his family, finding work as a male nurse and, better yet, a radio singer at a local station. Eventually, he was able to return to his studies, enrolling at the Pulitzer School of Journalism at Columbia University. John continued to find work as a singer and even earned some extra cash as a boxer and wrestler.
The tall (6'2"), dark, and handsome Payne, in his mid-20s, eventually turned to the stage and, while understudying Reginald Gardiner in the musical "At Home Abroad," was spotted by Samuel Goldwyn during a performance signed for film work. Billed initially as John Howard Payne, he made his debut with a minor role in Dodsworth (1936), but nothing else came of it and he was released. Freelancing in minor musicals and comedies, he appeared in a starring role (billed now as John Payne) opposite soon-to-be acting guru Stella Adler in Love on Toast (1937), and also teamed up vocally with Betty Grable on a radio show. Payne met actress Anne Shirley during this time and the couple married in August of 1937. Three years later they had a daughter, Julie Payne, who would become an actress in her own right. The happiness for John and Anne wouldn't last, however, and the couple divorced in 1943.
In 1937, Paramount took over the actor's interest with a featured part in Bob Hope's College Swing (1938). Warner Bros. then signed him up briefly, allowing him a third-billed role in the Busby Berkeley musical Garden of the Moon (1938) starring Pat O'Brien and Margaret Lindsay in which he sang the title song as well as the tune "Love Is Where You Find It," among others. Again, John didn't have the right studio fit until 20th Century-Fox came along in 1940. Then it all began to happen for him. Co-starring roles opposite Alice Faye in the musicals Tin Pan Alley (1940) and Week-End in Havana (1941), and with popular skating star Sonja Henie in Sun Valley Serenade (1941) and Iceland (1942) started the ball rolling. But it was a starring role in the war tearjerker Remember the Day (1941), in which he was romantically paired with Claudette Colbert, that secured his place as a dramatic actor and gave him one of his best career showcases.
After co-starring with former radio partner Betty Grable in Springtime in the Rockies (1942), John served a two-year hitch (1942-1944) with the Army. Upon his discharge he went right back to courting Betty Grable in the musical film The Dolly Sisters (1945) and met 18-year-old singer/actress Gloria DeHaven during its shoot. The twosome wed in 1945 and a daughter and son were born within three years. Problems arose when Gloria insisted on continuing her career and the couple, after on and off separations, finally divorced in 1950. John's early post-WWII work offered some of his finest roles with significant non-singing parts coming in the form of Sentimental Journey (1946) with Maureen O'Hara which was a project he bought for himself, the glossy epic The Razor's Edge (1946) co-starring Gene Tierney, Miracle on 34th Street (1947), again paired up magically with O'Hara, and Larceny (1948) with Joan Caulfield.
After John left 20th Century-Fox, his film vehicles grew more routine. Crimers, war drama, and westerns became the norm but a smart and lucrative business arrangement (that included a seven-picture deal) with action producers William H. Pine and William C. Thomas (Pine-Thomas Productions) compensated greatly. As such John appeared in El Paso (1949), Tripoli (1950), Passage West (1951), Kansas City Confidential (1952). 99 River Street (1953), Silver Lode (1954) and ended the deal with Slightly Scarlet (1956). A shrewd businessman, Payne also obtained rights to these films in the aftermath. In 1953, he entered into his third and final marriage to Alexandra ("Sandy") Crowell Curtis, the former wife of actor Alan Curtis. In addition to returning to his singing roots with Las Vegas showroom engagements, John went on to star in his own western TV series The Restless Gun (1957) which lasted two seasons. Daughter Julie appeared in one episode.
A very serious 1961 accident, however, in which John was hit by a car in New York City, slowed him down considerably. It took well over two years for him to recover enough from his leg fractures and facial/scalp wounds to return to acting. In 1964, he co-starred on Broadway with Lisa Kirk in the Broadway musical "Here's Love". A decade later he returned to the arms of Alice Faye when they reunited on stage with a Broadway revival of "Good News". Unfortunately he had to leave the show prematurely as the dancing required was re-aggravating his leg pain. His 70s career ended with TV roles on such shows as "Gunsmoke," "Cade's Country" and "Columbo".
Retiring in 1975, John focused quietly on reading, writing short stories, flying, and cooking. In addition to daughter Julie, two of his grandchildren went on to become actresses as well -- Katharine Towne and Holly Payne. The 77-year-old Payne died on December 6, 1989 at his Malibu home of congestive heart failure. A reliable and steady leading man who may not have been a great mover or shaker on screen, he nonetheless brought tremendous entertainment to the industry and his fans both musically and dramatically in a career that lasted four decades.- Actress
- Additional Crew
- Soundtrack
Frances Bavier was born in New York City on December 14, 1902. Her first Broadway appearance was in April 1925 in "The Poor Nut," the start of a successful Broadway career. She traveled with the USO to entertain the U.S. troops in the Pacific during World War II. Her last appearance on Broadway was in the 1951 play, "Point of No Return" starring Henry Fonda. It ran for 356 performances.
Her first movie was the 1951 sci-fi classic The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951), which was also the first time Frances appeared with Olan Soule. He later went on to play Mayberry's choir director, John Masters, on the The Andy Griffith Show (1960). In the movie, they were both boarders in the rooming house where the alien stayed. She made many movies during the 50s and appeared on TV as featured characters on shows like It's a Great Life (1954) and The Eve Arden Show (1957) before what would become her most famous role, that of Aunt Bee to Andy Taylor (Andy Griffith) and Opie Taylor (Ron Howard) on The Andy Griffith Show (1960).- Music Department
- Composer
- Actor
Sammy Fain was born on 17 June 1902 in New York City, New York, USA. He was a composer and actor, known for Calamity Jane (1953), Grease (1978) and The Rescuers (1977). He was married to Jane Fischer and Sally Fox. He died on 6 December 1989 in Los Angeles, California, USA.- Eduardo Rudy was born on 8 October 1920 in Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina. He was an actor and writer, known for Cuatro hombres para Eva (1966), El hombre que volvió de la muerte (1969) and Los hermanos (1965). He died on 6 December 1989 in La Falda, Córdoba, Argentina.
- Geneviève Bergeron wasn't sure whether she wanted to pursue a career in engineering or music when she graduated from university, because she was talented in both fields. The 21-year-old was the eldest daughter of Thérèse Daviau, a city councilor for the Montreal Citizens' Movement. Montreal's mayor at the time, Jean Doré, wept briefly at a news conference as he reacted to the killings and loss of the young woman, who as a teenager in 1984 went door-to-door and helped Doré win his first election to Montreal city council, and was a regular babysitter for Doré's 3-year-old daughter. Bergeron was a second-year scholarship student in civil engineering who spent much of her free time singing in a choir.
- Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz died on 6 December 1989 in Montréal, Québec, Canada.
- C.L. Dellums was born on 3 January 1900 in Corsicana, Texas, USA. He died on 6 December 1989 in Oakland, California, USA.
- Sonia Pelletier died on 6 December 1989 in Montréal, Québec, Canada.
- Annie St-Arneault died on 6 December 1989 in Montréal, Québec, Canada.
- Barbara Daigneault died on 6 December 1989 in Montréal, Québec, Canada.
- Clarence Colgan was watching the evening news the night of the massacre when he realized with horror that his daughter Hélène was in one of the classrooms stormed by the gunman. "I knew she was in there," he said. Hélène, 23, had purchased a plane ticket to go on a southern vacation with friends Dec. 29, her father said. She was a good student and who already had three job offers in mechanical engineering. "She had so many projects. She was a conscientious and patient girl, and always pushed things through to the end."
- Anne-Marie Lemay died on 6 December 1989 in Montréal, Québec, Canada.
- Maryse Leclair died on 6 December 1989 in Montréal, Québec, Canada.
- Anne-Marie Edward died on 6 December 1989 in Montréal, Québec, Canada.
- Maud Haviernick died on 6 December 1989 in Montréal, Québec, Canada.
- Nathalie Croteau died on 6 December 1989 in Montréal, Québec, Canada.
- Annie Turcotte died on 6 December 1989 in Montréal, Québec, Canada.
- Michèle Richard died on 6 December 1989 in Montréal, Québec, Canada.
- Maryse Laganière died on 6 December 1989 in Montréal, Québec, Canada.
- Sándor Sántha was born in 1911 in Szabadka, Austria-Hungary. He was an actor, known for Parlog (1974). He died on 6 December 1989 in Novi Sad, Serbia, Yugoslavia.
- Alex Gaby was born on 30 September 1914 in Rochester, New York, USA. Alex was a writer, known for Hot Rods to Hell (1966) and Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955). Alex died on 6 December 1989 in Rochester, New York, USA.