Betty Luster
Encyclopedia
Betty Luster was an American
television
actress, singer and dancer, whose career was active in the 1940s and 1950s. The role for which she is best remembered today was at one time her most obscure: her portrayal of Mr. B Natural
in the short film of the same name, made famous after its inclusion in a 1991 episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000
.
contest in 1937.
Her earliest known stage performances were as a showgirl with the Dorchester Hale dance troupe in London in October 1938. She made a series of appearances on BBC television
in 1939.
Later she was a dancing girl in the 1940 Broadway production of Irving Berlin
's Louisiana Purchase
. and she was a chorus girl at the Beachcomber
in Miami Beach in 1946 and/or 1947. In the late 1940s, she performed on the operatic stage in Philadelphia.
Luster served as co-hostess of the 1950 CBS
game show
Sing It Again, a progenitor to Name That Tune
, wherein contestants would attempt to identify songs from just a few notes. Her other television appearance was as a regular on the 1951 NBC
variety show
Seven at Eleven.
Luster again appeared on Broadway as "Sebena" in a production of The Wayward Saint. The show ran at the Cort Theatre from February 17 to March 6, 1955.
by the musical instrument manufacturer C. G. Conn
to promote to schoolchildren an interest in music. Mr. B Natural
told the story of a "hep pixie" who helps junior high school student Buzz Turner awaken the "spirit of music" inside of him, through the purchase and practice on a Conn brand trumpet
.
The short remained an obscure classroom reel until 1991 when it was brought to the attention of HBO, which was seeking content for its new cable network, Comedy Central
. Mr. B Natural was licensed for use by Best Brains
' movie-spoofing vehicle Mystery Science Theater 3000
, and was broadcast nationally on November 30, 1991 accompanying the feature War of the Colossal Beast
. Due to this exposure, the short, and the Mr. B Natural character, have become recognized as kitsch
icons.
Mr. B Natural is Luster's last known role. Luster retired from dancing after her marriage to Edmund Astley "Ned" Prentis, III (b. New York City, 12 September 1923, d. Delray, FL, 11 August 1997) and she "joined him at becoming an expert in big-game fishing, big-game hunting and world-class croquet."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
actress, singer and dancer, whose career was active in the 1940s and 1950s. The role for which she is best remembered today was at one time her most obscure: her portrayal of Mr. B Natural
Mr. B Natural
Mr. B Natural is a short sponsored film produced in 1956 by Kling Film Productions for the C.G. Conn Company, directed by Phil Patton. It is also the name of film's main character, played by Betty Luster....
in the short film of the same name, made famous after its inclusion in a 1991 episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000
Mystery Science Theater 3000
Mystery Science Theater 3000 is an American cult television comedy series created by Joel Hodgson and produced by Best Brains, Inc., that ran from 1988 to 1999....
.
Career
Betty Luster was the winner of the first Miss Lake MowhawkLake Mohawk, New Jersey
Beaches are provided along the edge of the lakes, spaced to enable residents to walk to the nearest one. Membership in the club is required for owners and renters alike. An issue of exclusion was raised at one point legally, but membership remains a requirement for residents...
contest in 1937.
Her earliest known stage performances were as a showgirl with the Dorchester Hale dance troupe in London in October 1938. She made a series of appearances on BBC television
BBC Television
BBC Television is a service of the British Broadcasting Corporation. The corporation, which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a Royal Charter since 1927, has produced television programmes from its own studios since 1932, although the start of its regular service of television...
in 1939.
Later she was a dancing girl in the 1940 Broadway production of Irving Berlin
Irving Berlin
Irving Berlin was an American composer and lyricist of Jewish heritage, widely considered one of the greatest songwriters in American history.His first hit song, "Alexander's Ragtime Band", became world famous...
's Louisiana Purchase
Louisiana Purchase (musical)
Louisiana Purchase is a musical theater production from 1940. It has music and lyrics by Irving Berlin and book by Morrie Ryskind based on a story by B. G. DeSylva. In 1941 it was adapted for the film Louisiana Purchase directed by Irving Cummings....
. and she was a chorus girl at the Beachcomber
Don the Beachcomber
Donn Beach , born Ernest Raymond Beaumont Gantt, is the founding father of tiki restaurants, bars and nightclubs. The many so-called "Polynesian" restaurants and pubs that enjoyed great popularity are directly descended from what he created...
in Miami Beach in 1946 and/or 1947. In the late 1940s, she performed on the operatic stage in Philadelphia.
Luster served as co-hostess of the 1950 CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
game show
Game show
A game show is a type of radio or television program in which members of the public, television personalities or celebrities, sometimes as part of a team, play a game which involves answering questions or solving puzzles usually for money and/or prizes...
Sing It Again, a progenitor to Name That Tune
Name That Tune
Name That Tune is a television game show that put two contestants against each other to test their knowledge of songs. Premiering in the United States on NBC Radio in 1952, the show was created and produced by Harry Salter and his wife Roberta....
, wherein contestants would attempt to identify songs from just a few notes. Her other television appearance was as a regular on the 1951 NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
variety show
Variety show
A variety show, also known as variety arts or variety entertainment, is an entertainment made up of a variety of acts, especially musical performances and sketch comedy, and normally introduced by a compère or host. Other types of acts include magic, animal and circus acts, acrobatics, juggling...
Seven at Eleven.
Luster again appeared on Broadway as "Sebena" in a production of The Wayward Saint. The show ran at the Cort Theatre from February 17 to March 6, 1955.
Mr. B Natural
In 1956, Luster took the title role in a film sponsoredSponsored film
Sponsored film, or ephemeral film, as defined by film archivist Rick Prelinger, is film made by a particular sponsor for a specific purpose other than as a work of art: the films were designed to serve a specific pragmatic purpose for a limited time...
by the musical instrument manufacturer C. G. Conn
C. G. Conn
C.G. Conn Ltd., sometimes called Conn Instruments or commonly just Conn, was a United States manufacturer of musical instruments, especially brass instruments. In 1985 their Strobotuner division was bought by Peterson Electro-Musical Products, who continue to service their line of products.Assets...
to promote to schoolchildren an interest in music. Mr. B Natural
Mr. B Natural
Mr. B Natural is a short sponsored film produced in 1956 by Kling Film Productions for the C.G. Conn Company, directed by Phil Patton. It is also the name of film's main character, played by Betty Luster....
told the story of a "hep pixie" who helps junior high school student Buzz Turner awaken the "spirit of music" inside of him, through the purchase and practice on a Conn brand trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
.
The short remained an obscure classroom reel until 1991 when it was brought to the attention of HBO, which was seeking content for its new cable network, Comedy Central
Comedy Central
Comedy Central is an American cable television and satellite television channel that carries comedy programming, both original and syndicated....
. Mr. B Natural was licensed for use by Best Brains
Best Brains
Best Brains, Inc. is an entertainment company based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. It is best known for its creation and production of the comedy/sci-fi television program Mystery Science Theater 3000, aka MST3K . The company ceased producing the program in 1999 and closed its studio...
' movie-spoofing vehicle Mystery Science Theater 3000
Mystery Science Theater 3000
Mystery Science Theater 3000 is an American cult television comedy series created by Joel Hodgson and produced by Best Brains, Inc., that ran from 1988 to 1999....
, and was broadcast nationally on November 30, 1991 accompanying the feature War of the Colossal Beast
War of the Colossal Beast
War of the Colossal Beast is a 1958 black-and-white science fiction film, directed by Bert I. Gordon and produced by Carmel Productions and distributed by American International Pictures. It continued the storyline of the 1957 movie The Amazing Colossal Man, although it was not marketed as a direct...
. Due to this exposure, the short, and the Mr. B Natural character, have become recognized as kitsch
Kitsch
Kitsch is a form of art that is considered an inferior, tasteless copy of an extant style of art or a worthless imitation of art of recognized value. The concept is associated with the deliberate use of elements that may be thought of as cultural icons while making cheap mass-produced objects that...
icons.
Mr. B Natural is Luster's last known role. Luster retired from dancing after her marriage to Edmund Astley "Ned" Prentis, III (b. New York City, 12 September 1923, d. Delray, FL, 11 August 1997) and she "joined him at becoming an expert in big-game fishing, big-game hunting and world-class croquet."
External links
Images- Additionally, the girl at the right in each of these may be Luster: 5 6
- Life, February 1, 1947
- IMDb Photo of Luster with Seven at Eleven costar Jack Stanton
- New York Public Library image of Luster from the Billy Rose Theatre Collection