Madly Keen to Entertain the Troops: Frances Langford dies at 92

[Eve]

From the AP newswire:

MIAMI (AP) - Frances Langford, whose steamy rendition of “I’m in the Mood for Love” captivated soldiers when she was part of Bob Hope’s USO tours during World War II, died Monday at the age of 92. Langford, a recording artist, radio star and actress from the 1930s to 1950s, joined Hope’s troupe to boost wartime morale at military bases and hospitals in Great Britain, Italy, North Africa and the South Pacific. She also entertained new generations of soldiers in Korea and Vietnam. Langford appeared in 30 Hollywood movies, including “Broadway Melody,” “Yankee Doodle Dandy” and “The Hit Parade.” She played herself in her final film, 1954’s “The Glenn Miller Story.” She was also known for her role as the insufferable wife, Blanche, opposite Don Ameche on the popular 1940s radio comedy “The Bickersons.”

Born in Lakeland in April 1913, Langford was discovered by bandleader Rudy Vallee when he was in Florida for a performance, and he invited her to be a guest on his radio program. After a brief stint in the Broadway musical “Here Goes the Bride” in 1931, she moved to Hollywood, where she appeared on Louella Parsons’ radio show “Hollywood Hotel” and began to appear in movies. She was singing on Hope’s “Pepsodent Show” when he held his first military program at March Field in Riverside, Calif., in 1941. The response was so positive he continued broadcasting from training bases and asked Langford to join him. Soon there were enough soldiers overseas to bring his variety show to them. Langford wrote a daily newspaper column, “Purple Heart Diary,” about her war experiences and later starred in a movie of the same name.

[Liz]

I’ve reported you, young lady. I hope you’re ashamed of yourself.

[C_K_Dexter_Haven]

Since Otto’s post is about three minutes earlier than Eve’s, I’m closing this one.

Discussion is here: She’s not in the mood anymore: Frances Langford dies …even though, I have to say, Eve’s thread title is much classier.