Happy Birthday to Rhonda Fleming!
Happy 94th birthday to Rhonda Fleming!
Fleming, an actress, singer, and philanthropist, was born in Hollywood August 10, 1923.
Fleming's credits included appearing in Hitchcock's SPELLBOUND (1945) and the iconic film noir OUT OF THE PAST (1947), seen below with Robert Mitchum; she was mainly known for her roles in Westerns and adventure films, as well as some other top-drawer film noir titles.
She was also a fine singer, though she rarely had the chance on film; A CONNECTICUT YANKEE IN KING ARTHUR'S COURT (1949) opposite Bing Crosby was a rare exception:
Below are photos and posters from some of my favorite Rhonda Fleming films. Links to reviews of each film may be found at the end of this post.
ABILENE TOWN (1946), which costarred Randolph Scott and Lloyd Bridges:
CRY DANGER (1951), a terrific film noir with Dick Powell:
THE REDHEAD AND THE COWBOY (1951), which costarred Glenn Ford:
TENNESSEE'S PARTNER (1955), another good Western:
SLIGHTLY SCARLET (1956), with Arlene Dahl very believably cast as Fleming's sister:
THE KILLER IS LOOSE (1956), a thriller with Joseph Cotten:
GUN GLORY (1957) with Stewart Granger, a Western which is an underrated personal favorite:
Fleming was married to Tedd Mann of Mann Theatres from 1978 until his death in 2001. Her philanthropic work has included establishing both a women's medical clinic and women's cancer clinic at UCLA Medical Center.
Rhonda Fleming films reviewed at Laura's Miscellaneous Musings: SINCE YOU WENT AWAY (1944) (bit part), WHEN STRANGERS MARRY (1944) (aka BETRAYED), SPELLBOUND (1945), ABILENE TOWN (1946), OUT OF THE PAST (1947), THE REDHEAD AND THE COWBOY (1951), CRY DANGER (1951), INFERNO (1953), THOSE REDHEADS FROM SEATTLE (1953), TENNESSEE'S PARTNER (1955), THE KILLER IS LOOSE (1956), SLIGHTLY SCARLET (1956), WHILE THE CITY SLEEPS (1956) (also here), GUN GLORY (1957), THE BIG CIRCUS (1959), and THE CROWDED SKY (1960).
Other notable Rhonda Fleming films include: THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE (1946), A CONNECTICUT YANKEE IN KING ARTHUR'S COURT (1949), SERPENT OF THE NILE (1953), PONY EXPRESS (1953), GUNFIGHT AT THE O.K. CORRAL (1957), HOME BEFORE DARK (1958), and ALIAS JESSE JAMES (1959), plus numerous additional adventure films and Westerns.
Happiest birthday wishes to Rhonda Fleming, with heartfelt thanks for many happy hours "at the movies."
Update: Here are reviews of THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE (1946), JIVARO (1954), and ALIAS JESSE JAMES (1959).
October 2020 Update: Rhonda Fleming Dies at 97.
posted by Laura @ 12:05 AM
5 Comments:
She's quite some lady!! Very Happy Birthday, Rhonda (and thanks).
An all time favorite performer and person.
Thanks, Laura, for remembering Rhonda. She had quite a career in a variety of films. Always liked her.
Lovely tribute Laura,and it's great that more and more of Rhonda's films are getting
wonderful high-def versions.On the extras to the UK version of INFERNO there
is a Rhonda interview..she names her three favorite leading men as "The Three B's"
Bob,Bing and Burt (Lancaster)
I'm literally counting the days till a new French label Movinside gives us a Blu
Ray of EAGLE & THE HAWK. Rhonda looks sensational in that one she even outshines
the lovely Sedona locations. Film features her often co-star John Payne and
Dennis O'Keefe. Rhonda looks jaw dropping in high definition!
Thank you all for sharing your appreciation of Rhonda Fleming. :) I hope she had a happy birthday and knows how much her work has been enjoyed and valued by so many of us.
John, that's a great anecdote about "The Three B's," thanks!
I'm hoping to get the Twilight Time release of INFERNO -- it has a commentary by the Film Noir Foundation's Alan K. Rode which if I remember correctly he actually recorded years ago, when the title was planned for the Fox Film Noir series but then not released when the classic DVD market was going through upheaval.
Best wishes,
Laura
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