Jane Frazee
Encyclopedia
Mary Jane Frehse known as Jane Frazee, was an American
actress, singer, and dancer.
act known as The Frazee Sisters. The act broke up in 1940, when Jane landed a leading role in the B film Melody and Moonlight (1940), the first of four "Moonlight.." musicals
the young actress made for Universal Pictures
. Under contract to the studio
, she appeared in numerous musical film
s, including, most notably, Buck Privates
, the high-grossing 1941
comedy
/World War II
film starring Bud Abbott
and Lou Costello
. Jane also frequently performed in Westerns
, both in movies
and on television
, working with genre
stars like Roy Rogers
, Charles Starrett
, Guinn Williams
, Clayton Moore
, Jock Mahoney
, and Gene Autry
. The actress ended her Hollywood career after appearing as "Alice McDoakes" in several Joe McDoakes
one reel short subject
s between 1954 and 1956. After retiring from acting, Jane started a real estate
business.
actor and director Glenn Tryon
. The marriage lasted five years and produced one son, Timothy. Jane Frazee died in 1985, after complications of a stroke.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actress, singer, and dancer.
Professional life
At the age of 6, Jane and her older sister Ruth (1909–2001) formed a singing vaudevilleVaudeville
Vaudeville was a theatrical genre of variety entertainment in the United States and Canada from the early 1880s until the early 1930s. Each performance was made up of a series of separate, unrelated acts grouped together on a common bill...
act known as The Frazee Sisters. The act broke up in 1940, when Jane landed a leading role in the B film Melody and Moonlight (1940), the first of four "Moonlight.." musicals
Musical film
The musical film is a film genre in which songs sung by the characters are interwoven into the narrative, sometimes accompanied by dancing. The songs usually advance the plot or develop the film's characters, though in some cases they serve merely as breaks in the storyline, often as elaborate...
the young actress made for Universal Pictures
Universal Studios
Universal Pictures , a subsidiary of NBCUniversal, is one of the six major movie studios....
. Under contract to the studio
Universal Studios
Universal Pictures , a subsidiary of NBCUniversal, is one of the six major movie studios....
, she appeared in numerous musical film
Musical film
The musical film is a film genre in which songs sung by the characters are interwoven into the narrative, sometimes accompanied by dancing. The songs usually advance the plot or develop the film's characters, though in some cases they serve merely as breaks in the storyline, often as elaborate...
s, including, most notably, Buck Privates
Buck Privates
Buck Privates is the 1941 comedy/World War II film that turned Bud Abbott and Lou Costello into bonafide movie stars. It was the first service comedy based on the peacetime draft of 1940. The comedy team made two more service comedies before the United States entered the war...
, the high-grossing 1941
1941 in film
The year 1941 in film involved some significant events.-Events:Citizen Kane, consistently rated as one of the greatest films of all time, was released in 1941.-Top grossing films :-Academy Awards:...
comedy
Comedy film
Comedy film is a genre of film in which the main emphasis is on humour. They are designed to elicit laughter from the audience. Comedies are mostly light-hearted dramas and are made to amuse and entertain the audiences...
/World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
film starring Bud Abbott
Bud Abbott
William Alexander "Bud" Abbott was an American actor, producer and comedian. He is best remembered as the straight man of the comedy team of Abbott and Costello, with Lou Costello.-Early life:...
and Lou Costello
Lou Costello
Louis Francis "Lou" Costello was an American actor and comedian best known as half of the comedy team of Abbott and Costello, with Bud Abbott...
. Jane also frequently performed in Westerns
Western (genre)
The Western is a genre of various visual arts, such as film, television, radio, literature, painting and others. Westerns are devoted to telling stories set primarily in the latter half of the 19th century in the American Old West, hence the name. Some Westerns are set as early as the Battle of...
, both in movies
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
and on television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
, working with genre
Western (genre)
The Western is a genre of various visual arts, such as film, television, radio, literature, painting and others. Westerns are devoted to telling stories set primarily in the latter half of the 19th century in the American Old West, hence the name. Some Westerns are set as early as the Battle of...
stars like Roy Rogers
Roy Rogers
Roy Rogers, born Leonard Franklin Slye , was an American singer and cowboy actor, one of the most heavily marketed and merchandised stars of his era, as well as being the namesake of the Roy Rogers Restaurants franchised chain...
, Charles Starrett
Charles Starrett
Charles Starrett was an American actor best known for his starring role in the Durango Kid Columbia Pictures western series. He was born in Athol, Massachusetts.-Career:...
, Guinn Williams
Guinn Williams (actor)
Guinn "Big Boy" Williams was an American actor who appeared in memorable westerns such as Dodge City , Santa Fe Trail , and The Comancheros...
, Clayton Moore
Clayton Moore
Clayton Moore was an American actor best known for playing the fictional western character The Lone Ranger from 1949–1951 and 1954-1957 on the television series of the same name.-Early years:...
, Jock Mahoney
Jock Mahoney
Jock Mahoney was an American actor and stuntman of Irish, French, and Cherokee ancestry. Born Jacques O'Mahoney, he was credited variously as Jock Mahoney, Jack O'Mahoney or Jock O'Mahoney. He starred in two television series, both westerns...
, and Gene Autry
Gene Autry
Orvon Grover Autry , better known as Gene Autry, was an American performer who gained fame as The Singing Cowboy on the radio, in movies and on television for more than three decades beginning in the 1930s...
. The actress ended her Hollywood career after appearing as "Alice McDoakes" in several Joe McDoakes
Joe McDoakes
Joe McDoakes is the protagonist of a series of 63 black and white live action comedy one reel short subjects released between 1942 and 1956. The Joe McDoakes shorts are also known as the Behind the Eight Ball series or the So You Want... series...
one reel short subject
Short subject
A short film is any film not long enough to be considered a feature film. No consensus exists as to where that boundary is drawn: the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences defines a short film as "an original motion picture that has a running time of 40 minutes or less, including all...
s between 1954 and 1956. After retiring from acting, Jane started a real estate
Real estate
In general use, esp. North American, 'real estate' is taken to mean "Property consisting of land and the buildings on it, along with its natural resources such as crops, minerals, or water; immovable property of this nature; an interest vested in this; an item of real property; buildings or...
business.
Personal life
In 1942, Frazee married silent filmSilent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
actor and director Glenn Tryon
Glenn Tryon
Glenn Tryon was an American film actor, screenwriter, director and producer. He appeared in 67 films between 1923 and 1951.He was born in Julietta, Idaho and died in Orlando, Florida.-Selected filmography:...
. The marriage lasted five years and produced one son, Timothy. Jane Frazee died in 1985, after complications of a stroke.
Billed with sister Ruth as The Frazee Sisters
- Captain Blue Blood (1935)
- Study and Understudy (1936)
- Up in Lights (1938)
- Rollin' in Rhythm (1939)
- Pharmacy Frolics (1939)
- Arcade Varieties (1939)
- Swing Styles (1939)
Motion Pictures
- Melody and MoonlightMelody and MoonlightMelody and Moonlight is a 1940 American film starring Jane Frazee....
(19401940 in filmThe year 1940 in film involved some significant events, including the premieres of the Walt Disney classics Pinocchio and Fantasia.-Events:*February 7 - Walt Disney's animated film Pinocchio is released....
) - Music in the Morgan Manner (1941) (as Herself)
- Buck PrivatesBuck PrivatesBuck Privates is the 1941 comedy/World War II film that turned Bud Abbott and Lou Costello into bonafide movie stars. It was the first service comedy based on the peacetime draft of 1940. The comedy team made two more service comedies before the United States entered the war...
(19411941 in filmThe year 1941 in film involved some significant events.-Events:Citizen Kane, consistently rated as one of the greatest films of all time, was released in 1941.-Top grossing films :-Academy Awards:...
) - Angels with Broken WingsAngels with Broken WingsAngels with Broken Wings is a 1941 American film starring Jane Frazee.-Cast:*Binnie Barnes ... Sybil Barton*Gilbert Roland ... Don Pablo Vincente*Mary Lee ... Mary Wilson*Billy Gilbert ... Billy Wilson*Jane Frazee ... Jane Lord...
(1941) - San Antonio RoseSan Antonio Rose (film)San Antonio Rose is a 1941 American black-and-white musical film starring Jane Frazee and featuring Lon Chaney, Jr. and Shemp Howard as a one-shot comedy team .-Cast:*Jane Frazee - Hope Holloway*Robert Paige - Con Conway...
(1941) - Sing Another ChorusSing Another ChorusSing Another Chorus is a 1941 American film starring Jane Frazee....
(1941) - Moonlight in HawaiiMoonlight in HawaiiMoonlight in Hawaii is a 1941 American musical film comedy starring Jane Frazee.-Cast:*Johnny Downs ... Pete*Jane Frazee ... Toby*Leon Errol ... Spencer*Mischa Auer ... Clipper*Charles Coleman ... Butler*Sunnie O'Dea ... Gloria...
(1941) - Hellzapoppin'Hellzapoppin' (film)Hellzapoppin' is a 1941 Universal Pictures adaptation of the musical of the same name directed by H.C. Potter. The cast includes Ole Olsen and Chic Johnson , Martha Raye, Mischa Auer, Shemp Howard, and The Six Hits.The credits for the movie assert that "any resemblance between Hellzapoppin and a...
(1941) - Don't Get PersonalDon't Get PersonalDon't Get Personal is a 1942 American romantic musical film directed by Charles Lamont and starring Jane Frazee.-Cast:* Hugh Herbert - Elmer Whippet / Oscar Whippet* Mischa Auer - Stainslaus Noodnick aka Charlie* Jane Frazee - Mary Reynolds...
(19421942 in filmThe year 1942 in film involved some significant events, in particular the release of a film consistently rated as one of the greatest of all time, Casablanca.-Events:...
) - What's Cookin'?What's Cookin'?What's Cookin'? is a 1942 American musical film starring The Andrews Sisters, Jane Frazee, Robert Paige and Gloria Jean. The film was directed by Edward F. Cline and is based on the story Wake Up and Dream written by Edgar Allan Woolf.-Plot:...
(1942) - Almost MarriedAlmost Married-Cast:*Jane Frazee ... Gloria Dobson*Robert Paige ... James Manning,lll*Eugene Pallette ... Doctor Dobson*Elizabeth Patterson ... Aunt Matilda Manning*Charles Coleman ... Michael, Manning's Butler*Maude Eburne ... Mrs. Clayton...
(1942) - Moonlight MasqueradeMoonlight MasqueradeMoonlight Masquerade is a 1942 American film starring Dennis O'Keefe and Jane Frazee.-Cast:*Dennis O'Keefe as John Bennett Jr.*Jane Frazee as Vicki Forrester*Betty Kean as Mikki Marquette*Eddie Foy Jr. as Lord Percy Ticklederry...
(1942) - Get Hep to LoveGet Hep to LoveGet Hep to Love is a 1942 musical film starring Gloria Jean, Donald O'Connor, Jane Frazee, Robert Paige and Peggy Ryan. The film was directed by Charles Lamont.-Plot:...
(1942) - Moonlight in HavanaMoonlight in HavanaMoonlight in Havana is a 1942 American film starring Jane Frazee....
(1942) - When Johnny Comes Marching HomeWhen Johnny Comes Marching Home (film)When Johnny Comes Marching Home is a 1942 musical film starring Allan Jones and Jane Frazee. The film was directed by Charles Lamont and is loosely based on the song with the same title.-Plot:...
(1942) - Hi'ya, ChumHi'ya, ChumHi'ya, Chum is a 1943 American musical comedy film starring Jane Frazee.-Cast:* Ritz Brothers - Merry Madcaps* Jane Frazee - Sunny Lee* Robert Paige - Tommy Craig* June Clyde - Madge Tracy* Paul Hurst - Archie Billings...
(19431943 in filmThe year 1943 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* January 3 - 1st missing persons telecast * February 20 - American film studio executives agree to allow the Office of War Information to censor films....
) - Keep 'Em Slugging (1943) (uncredited cameo)
- Rhythm of the IslandsRhythm of the IslandsRhythm of the Islands is a 1943 American film starring Jane Frazee....
(1943) - Beautiful But BrokeBeautiful But BrokeBeautiful But Broke is an American musical comedy film starring Joan Davis and Jane Frazee.-Cast:* Joan Davis - Dottie Duncan* Jane Frazee - Sally Richards* Judy Clark - Sue Ford* John Hubbard - Bill Drake* Bob Haymes - Jack Foster...
(19441944 in filmThe year 1944 in film involved some significant events, including the wholesome, award-winning Going My Way plus popular murder mysteries such as Double Indemnity, Gaslight and Laura.-Events:*July 20 - Since You Went Away is released....
) - Cowboy CanteenCowboy Canteen-Cast:Charles Starrett as Steve Bradley,Jane Frazee as Connie Gray,Barbara Jo Allen as Vera Vague ,Tex Ritter as Tex Coulter,Max Terhune as 'Professor' Merlin,Dub Taylor as Cannonball,Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams as Spud Harrigan,...
(1944) - Rosie the RiveterRosie the Riveter (film)Rosie the Riveter is a 1944 American film starring Jane Frazee.-Cast:* Jane Frazee as Rosalind "Rosie" Warren* Frank Albertson as Charlie Doran* Barbara Jo Allen as Vera Watson* Frank Fenton as Kelly Kennedy* Lloyd Corrigan as Clem Prouty...
(1944) - Swing in the SaddleSwing in the SaddleSwing in the Saddle is a 1944 American Western film starring Jane Frazee....
(1944) - Kansas City KittyKansas City KittyKansas City Kitty is a 1944 American romantic musical film directed by Del Lord and starring Jane Frazee.- Cast :* Joan Davis - Polly Jasper* Bob Crosby - Jimmy* Jane Frazee - Eileen Hasbrook* Erik Rolf - Dr. Henry Talbot* Tim Ryan - Dave Clark...
(1944) - She's a SweetheartShe's a SweetheartShe's a Sweetheart is a 1944 American film starring Jane Frazee....
(1944) - Practically YoursPractically YoursPractically Yours is a 1944 comedic film made by Paramount Pictures, directed by Mitchell Leisen, written by Norman Krasna, and starring Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray.-Plot:...
(1944) - The Big BonanzaThe Big BonanzaThe Big Bonanza is a 1944 American film starring Jane Frazee, Richard Arlen, Gabby Hayes, and Bobby Driscoll....
(1944) - Ten Cents a DanceTen Cents a Dance (film)Ten Cents a Dance is a 1945 American comedy film starring Jane Frazee.-Cast:*Jane Frazee ... Jeanne Hollis*Jimmy Lloyd ... Billy Sparks*Mark Roberts ... Ted Kimball, III *Joan Woodbury ... Babe...
(1945) - Swingin' on a RainbowSwingin' on a RainbowSwingin' on a Rainbow is a 1945 American film starring Jane Frazee....
(1945) - George White's ScandalsGeorge White's Scandals (film)George White's Scandals is a 1945 American film starring Joan Davis and Jack Haley. The film included music by Edwin Finckel....
(19451945 in filmThe year 1945 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Paramount Studios releases theatrical short cartoon titled The Friendly Ghost, featuring a ghost named Casper.* With Rossellini's Roma Città aperta, Italian neorealist cinema begins....
) - A Guy Could ChangeA Guy Could ChangeA Guy Could Change is a 1946 American drama film starring Allan Lane and Jane Frazee.-Cast:*Allan Lane as Michael 'Mike' Hogan*Jane Frazee as Barbara Adams*Twinkle Watts as Nancy Hogan*Robert Blake as Alan Schroeder*Wallace Ford as Bill Conley...
(19461946 in filmThe year 1946 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*November 21 - William Wyler's The Best Years of Our Lives premieres in New York featuring an ensemble cast including Fredric March, Myrna Loy, Dana Andrews, Teresa Wright, and Harold Russell.*December 20 - Frank Capra's It's a...
) - Calendar GirlCalendar Girl (1947 film)Calendar Girl is a 1947 American musical comedy film directed by Allan Dwan. The film is also known as Star Dust and Sweet Music...
(19471947 in filmThe year 1947 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*May 22 - Great Expectations is premiered in New York.*November 24 : The United States House of Representatives of the 80th Congress voted 346 to 17 to approve citations for contempt of Congress against the "Hollywood Ten".*November 25...
) - Springtime in the SierrasSpringtime in the SierrasSpringtime in the Sierras is a 1947 American film directed by William Witney and starring Roy Rogers.- Cast :*Roy Rogers as Roy Rogers*Trigger as Trigger, Roy's Horse*Jane Frazee as Taffy Baker*Andy Devine as Cookie Bullfincher...
(1947) - On the Old Spanish TrailOn the Old Spanish TrailOn the Old Spanish Trail is a 1947 American film directed by William Witney and starring Roy Rogers.- Cast :*Roy Rogers as Roy Rogers*Trigger as Trigger, the Smartest Horse in the West*Tito Guízar as Rico / The Gypsy*Jane Frazee as Candy Martin...
(1947) - The Gay RancheroThe Gay RancheroThe Gay Ranchero is a 1948 American film starring Roy Rogers....
(19481948 in filmThe year 1948 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Laurence Olivier's Hamlet becomes the first British film to win the American Academy Award for Best Picture.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :...
) - Under California StarsUnder California StarsUnder California Stars is a 1948 American film directed by William Witney and starring Roy Rogers.- Cast :*Roy Rogers as Roy Rogers*Trigger as Trigger, Roy's Horse*Jane Frazee as Caroline Bullfincher...
(1948) - IncidentIncident (film)Incident is a 1948 American film starring Jane Frazee....
(1948) - Grand Canyon TrailGrand Canyon TrailGrand Canyon Trail is a 1948 American film starring Roy Rogers.-Cast:* Roy Rogers ... Roy Rogers* Trigger ... Trigger, Roy's Horse* Jane Frazee ... Carol Martin aka Carol Vanderpool* Andy Devine ... Cookie Bullfincher...
(1948) - Last of the Wild HorsesLast of the Wild HorsesLast of the Wild Horses is a 1948 American Western film starring Jane Frazee. It was featured in episode 611 of Mystery Science Theatre 3000....
(1948) - Rhythm InnRhythm InnRhythm Inn is a 1951 American film starring Jane Frazee....
(19511951 in filmThe year 1951 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Sweden - May Britt is scouted by Italian film-makers Carlo Ponti and Mario Soldati-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:...
)
Joe McDoakes Short Films
- So You Want to Be Your Own Boss (March 1954) [as Alice McDoakes]
- So You Want to Go to a Nightclub (May 1954) [as Alice McDoakes]
- So You're Taking in a Roomer (October 1954) [as Alice McDoakes]
- So You Don't Trust Your Wife (January 1955) [as Alice McDoakes]
- So You Want to Be a Gladiator (March 1955) [as Alice McDoakes]
- So You Want to Build a Model Railroad (August 1955) [as Alice McDoakes]
- So You Think the Grass is Greener (January 1956) [as Alice McDoakes]
- So You Want to Play the Piano (May 1956) [as Alice McDoakes]