June Preisser
Encyclopedia
June Preisser was an American actress, briefly popular in musical films during the late 1930s and early 1940s, many of which capitalized on her skills as an acrobat.
, Preisser was one of six children, and was an underweight baby. Her parents sent her to an athletic club at an early age, in an attempt to build her strength. There she, and her sister Cherry, learnt acrobatics. Their mother was keen to have them follow a career in showbusiness, especially when their father died suddenly, leaving the family with few options to make a living. When Preisser was nine years old an actor noticed the two sisters performing acrobatics on a sidewalk near their home, and his interest in them eventually led to them working in vaudeville
, and later for the Ziegfeld Follies
in 1934 and 1936.
The Preisser sisters were successful in the United States, and also performed in Europe, most notably for George VI of the United Kingdom
. Cherry retired in 1938 following her marriage, and June was signed to a film contract by MGM. Her first film Dancing Co-Ed (1939) provided only a small part, but her next film, Babes in Arms
(1939), gave her a significant role opposite Mickey Rooney
and Judy Garland
. She performed with Rooney and Garland again in Strike Up the Band
(1940), and with Rooney in two "Andy Hardy" films, Judge Hardy and Son (1939) and Andy Hardy's Private Secretary
(1941).
Gallant Sons (1940) placed her in a comedic murder mystery, and she played her first lead role opposite Jimmy Lydon
in Henry Aldrich for President (1941), and followed this with Sweater Girl
(1942), opposite Eddie Bracken
. She continued her career following her marriage in 1942 to J. Moss Terry, and the birth of a son, Ricky. By this time, MGM had little interest in promoting her, and she left to work for Monogram Pictures
. She continued to appear in musical comedies over the next few years, and played the character "Dodie Rogers" in seven "high school" comedy films with Frankie Darro
and Noel Neill
from 1946 to 1948. Her final film was Music Man (1948), and after appearing in a Los Angeles
theater production of Annie Get Your Gun
, Preisser retired from acting.
She divorced not long after, and taught dancing and acrobatics in Los Angeles, before moving with her son to Florida. They were both killed in a car accident during a severe storm on September 19, 1984 in Florida.
Life and career
Born in New Orleans, LouisianaLouisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, Preisser was one of six children, and was an underweight baby. Her parents sent her to an athletic club at an early age, in an attempt to build her strength. There she, and her sister Cherry, learnt acrobatics. Their mother was keen to have them follow a career in showbusiness, especially when their father died suddenly, leaving the family with few options to make a living. When Preisser was nine years old an actor noticed the two sisters performing acrobatics on a sidewalk near their home, and his interest in them eventually led to them working in vaudeville
Vaudeville
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...
, and later for the Ziegfeld Follies
Ziegfeld Follies
The Ziegfeld Follies were a series of elaborate theatrical productions on Broadway in New York City from 1907 through 1931. They became a radio program in 1932 and 1936 as The Ziegfeld Follies of the Air....
in 1934 and 1936.
The Preisser sisters were successful in the United States, and also performed in Europe, most notably for George VI of the United Kingdom
George VI of the United Kingdom
George VI was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death...
. Cherry retired in 1938 following her marriage, and June was signed to a film contract by MGM. Her first film Dancing Co-Ed (1939) provided only a small part, but her next film, Babes in Arms
Babes in Arms (film)
Babes in Arms is the 1939 film version of the 1937 Broadway musical of the same name. The film version stars Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland, Charles Winninger, Guy Kibbee, June Preisser, Grace Hayes and Betty Jaynes.-Production:...
(1939), gave her a significant role opposite Mickey Rooney
Mickey Rooney
Mickey Rooney is an American film actor and entertainer whose film, television, and stage appearances span nearly his entire lifetime. He has won multiple awards, including an Honorary Academy Award, a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award...
and Judy Garland
Judy Garland
Judy Garland was an American actress and singer. Through a career that spanned 45 of her 47 years and for her renowned contralto voice, she attained international stardom as an actress in musical and dramatic roles, as a recording artist and on the concert stage...
. She performed with Rooney and Garland again in Strike Up the Band
Strike Up the Band (film)
Strike Up the Band is a 1940 American black and white musical film. It is directed by Busby Berkeley and stars Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland.A very famous, memorable quote from the film is "Take that boy on the street...
(1940), and with Rooney in two "Andy Hardy" films, Judge Hardy and Son (1939) and Andy Hardy's Private Secretary
Andy Hardy's Private Secretary
Andy Hardy's Private Secretary is a 1941 American family film comedy directed by George B. Seitz. The film stars Lewis Stone, Mickey Rooney, Kathryn Grayson, Ann Rutherford and Fay Holden.-Plot:...
(1941).
Jimmy Lydon
Jimmy Lydon is an American movie actor and television producer, whose career in the entertainment industry began as a teenage actor in the 1930s....
in Henry Aldrich for President (1941), and followed this with Sweater Girl
Sweater girl
Sweater girl describes a fashion look made popular in the 1940s and 1950s by Hollywood actresses such as Lana Turner and Jane Russell which was exemplified by a tight sweater which emphasized the wearer's bustline...
(1942), opposite Eddie Bracken
Eddie Bracken
Edward Vincent "Eddie" Bracken was an American actor.-Life and career:Bracken was born in Astoria, New York, the son of Catherine and Joseph L. Bracken. Bracken performed in vaudeville at the age of nine and gained fame with the Broadway musical Too Many Girls in a role he reprised for the 1940...
. She continued her career following her marriage in 1942 to J. Moss Terry, and the birth of a son, Ricky. By this time, MGM had little interest in promoting her, and she left to work for Monogram Pictures
Monogram Pictures
Monogram Pictures Corporation is a Hollywood studio that produced and released films, most on low budgets, between 1931 and 1953, when the firm completed a transition to the name Allied Artists Pictures Corporation. Monogram is considered a leader among the smaller studios sometimes referred to...
. She continued to appear in musical comedies over the next few years, and played the character "Dodie Rogers" in seven "high school" comedy films with Frankie Darro
Frankie Darro
Frankie Darro was an American actor and later in his career a stuntman. He began his career as a child actor in silent films, progressed to lead roles and co-starring roles in adventure, western, dramatic, and comedy films, and later became a character actor and voice-over artist.-Early life:Darro...
and Noel Neill
Noel Neill
Noel Neill is an American actress in motion pictures and television. She is best known as her portrayal of Lois Lane in the film serials Superman and Atom Man vs...
from 1946 to 1948. Her final film was Music Man (1948), and after appearing in a Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
theater production of Annie Get Your Gun
Annie Get Your Gun (musical)
Annie Get Your Gun is a musical with lyrics and music written by Irving Berlin and a book by Herbert Fields and his sister Dorothy Fields. The story is a fictionalized version of the life of Annie Oakley , who was a sharpshooter from Ohio, and her husband, Frank Butler.The 1946 Broadway production...
, Preisser retired from acting.
She divorced not long after, and taught dancing and acrobatics in Los Angeles, before moving with her son to Florida. They were both killed in a car accident during a severe storm on September 19, 1984 in Florida.
Filmography
- Music ManMusic ManMusic Man can refer to:* The Music Man, a Broadway musical play by Meredith Willson** The Music Man , a feature film adaptation** The Music Man , a television film remake...
(1948) .... June Larkin - Campus Sleuth (1948) .... Dodie Rogers
- Smart Politics (1948) .... Dodie
- Two Blondes and a Redhead (1947) .... Patti Calhoun
- Sarge Goes to College (1947) .... Dodie Rogers
- Vacation Days (1947) .... Dodie Rogers
- High School Hero (1946) .... Dodie
- Freddie Steps Out (1946) .... Dodie Rogers
- Junior Prom (1946/I) .... Dodie Rogers
- I'll Tell the World (1945) .... Marge Bailey
- Let's Go Steady (1945) .... Mable Stack
- Murder in the Blue Room (1944) .... Jerry
- Babes on Swing Street (1944) .... Fern Wallace
- Sweater GirlSweater girlSweater girl describes a fashion look made popular in the 1940s and 1950s by Hollywood actresses such as Lana Turner and Jane Russell which was exemplified by a tight sweater which emphasized the wearer's bustline...
(1942) .... Susan Lawrence - Henry Aldrich for President (1941) .... Geraldine Adams
- Andy Hardy's Private SecretaryAndy Hardy's Private SecretaryAndy Hardy's Private Secretary is a 1941 American family film comedy directed by George B. Seitz. The film stars Lewis Stone, Mickey Rooney, Kathryn Grayson, Ann Rutherford and Fay Holden.-Plot:...
(1941) .... Euphrasia 'Phrasie Daisy' Clark - Gallant Sons (1940) .... Miss Dolly Matson
- Strike Up the BandStrike Up the Band (film)Strike Up the Band is a 1940 American black and white musical film. It is directed by Busby Berkeley and stars Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland.A very famous, memorable quote from the film is "Take that boy on the street...
(1940) .... Barbara Frances Morgan - Judge Hardy and Son (1939) .... Euphrasia 'Phrasie Daisy' Clark
- Babes in ArmsBabes in ArmsBabes in Arms is a 1937 musical with music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Lorenz Hart and book by Rodgers and Hart. It concerns a teen-age boy who puts on a show with his friends to avoid being sent to a work farm.- Production history:...
(1939) .... Rosalie Essex - Dancing Co-EdDancing Co-EdDancing Co-ed is a 1939 romantic comedy film starring Lana Turner, Richard Carlson, and Artie Shaw as himself.-Plot:When a dancer's partner becomes pregnant, a nation-wide search is instituted to find a replacement from among college women...
(1939) .... 'Ticky' James - Wash Your Step (1936) .... June O'Brien