Laura's Miscellaneous Musings: A Birthday Tribute to June Haver

Thursday, June 10, 2021

A Birthday Tribute to June Haver

Musical star June Haver was born in Illinois on June 10, 1926.

Haver was a bright performer in 14 films for 20th Century-Fox over a decade, from 1943 to 1953. Beyond bit parts in a couple of additional Fox films, she had starring roles throughout her time at Fox.

Haver and Jeanne Crain, having both played bits in THE GANG'S ALL HERE (1943), were simultaneously launched into stardom with HOME IN INDIANA (1944), a film I've loved most of my life.

In 1945 Haver costarred with Fred MacMurray, who would eventually become her husband, in WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? (1945).

With Betty Grable in THE DOLLY SISTERS (1945):

Along with HOME IN INDIANA, the earliest Haver film I saw was the delightful THREE LITTLE GIRLS IN BLUE (1946), costarring Vivian Blaine and Vera-Ellen:

I WONDER WHO'S KISSING HER NOW (1947) with Mark Stevens, who also costarred with Haver in OH, YOU BEAUTIFUL DOLL (1949):

With Debbie Reynolds and Marcia Mae Jones in THE DAUGHTER OF ROSIE O'GRADY (1950):

One of my very favorite Haver films is I'LL GET BY (1951), a marvelous tune-filmed movie costarring William Lundigan, Gloria DeHaven (seen here), Dennis Day, and Harry James:

Haver's last film, THE GIRL NEXT DOOR (1953), was also excellent. She's seen here with costars Dan Dailey and Billy Gray:

A brief year-long marriage in the late '40s didn't last, and Haver subsequently lost a fiance who unexpectedly passed away. Happily, Haver found long-term happiness with Fred MacMurray, whose first wife had died in 1953.

Haver and MacMurray were married in 1954, a union which lasted until MacMurray's passing in 1991.

In 1956 Haver and MacMurray adopted twin girls, Katie and Laurie. Haver was also stepmother to MacMurray's son Robert and daughter Susan.

The family spent much of their time living on a beautiful ranch in Sonoma County, California, which today is known as MacMurray Estate Vineyards.

June Haver died in Brentwood on July 4, 2005. She is interred alongside her husband at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.

Reviews of June Haver films at Laura's Miscellaneous Musings: THE GANG'S ALL HERE(1943), HOME IN INDIANA (1944), WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? (1945), THREE LITTLE GIRLS IN BLUE (1946), THE DAUGHTER OF ROSIE O'GRADY (1950), I'LL GET BY (1951), and THE GIRL NEXT DOOR (1953).

Additional notable titles starring June Haver are IRISH EYES ARE SMILING (1944), THE DOLLY SISTERS (1945), WAKE UP AND DREAM (1946), I WONDER WHO'S KISSING HER NOW (1947), SCUDDA HOO! SCUDDA HAY! (1948), LOOK FOR THE SILVER LINING (1949), OH, YOU BEAUTIFUL DOLL (1949), and LOVE NEST (1951).