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Marie McDonald

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Marie McDonald
Marie McDonald (September 8, 1944 issue of Yank magazine)
Born
Cora Marie Frye

(1923-07-06)July 6, 1923
Burgin, Kentucky, U.S.
DiedOctober 21, 1965(1965-10-21) (aged 42)
Hidden Hills, California, U.S.
Resting placeForest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale
Occupation(s)Actress, singer
Spouses
Richard Allord
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​
(m. 1940; div. 1940)​
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(m. 1943; div. 1947)​
Harry Karl
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(m. 1947; div. 1954)​
​
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(m. 1955; div. 1958)​
Louis Bass
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(m. 1959; div. 1960)​
Edward F. Callahan
​
​
(m. 1961; div. 1962)​
Donald F. Taylor
​
​
(m. 1963⁠–⁠1965)​
Children3

Marie McDonald (born Cora Marie Frye, July 6, 1923 – October 21, 1965) was an American singer from Burgin, Kentucky. She started her career at a young age, participating in beauty pageants and gaining attention as "The Queen of Coney Island" and "Miss New York State." She ventured into show business by debuting in George White's Scandals of 1939 and landed roles in Broadway productions and Hollywood films. McDonald earned the nickname "The Body" for her attractive figure and became a popular pin-up girl during World War II.

Despite initial success, McDonald faced professional challenges and sought recognition for her acting and singing abilities. She switched studios, moving from Universal to Paramount and later to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Columbia Pictures. Throughout her career, she also faced personal challenges, including multiple marriages and romances that kept her in the media spotlight. One of the most notable incidents in her life was a controversial kidnapping claim. McDonald reported being abducted by two men who demanded a ransom, but the police found inconsistencies in her story, leading to no conclusive evidence or charges.

In October 1965, her sixth husband, Donald F. Taylor, found her dead in their California home. The coroner attributed her death to "active drug intoxication due to multiple drugs", later determined to be accidental rather than suicide. Her three surviving children were raised by former husband Harry Karl and his wife Debbie Reynolds.

Early life

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Born in Burgin, Kentucky, McDonald was the daughter of Evertt "Ed" Frye and Marie Taboni (née McDonald) who performed in the Ziegfeld Follies.[1] After her parents divorced, she eventually moved with her mother and stepfather to Yonkers, New York. At age 15, she began competing in numerous beauty pageants and was named "The Queen of Coney Island", "Miss Yonkers" and "Miss Loew's Paradise". At age 15, she dropped out of school and began modeling.[2] In 1939, McDonald was named "Miss New York State".[3][4] Later that same year, she debuted in George White's Scandals of 1939.[2] The following year, at age 17, she landed a showgirl role in the Broadway production at the Earl Carroll Theatre titled Earl Carroll's Vanities.

Shortly thereafter, she moved to Hollywood hoping to develop a career in show business. She continued modeling and continued to work for the owner of the Broadway theatre as a showgirl at his Sunset Boulevard nightclub.[citation needed]

Career

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After auditioning for Tommy Dorsey in December 1940, she joined Dorsey & His Orchestra on his radio show and she later performed with other big bands.[2] Dorsey suggested that she change her last name from Frye to her mother's maiden name McDonald, which she used professionally for the rest of her life.[1] In 1942, she was put under contract by Universal for $75 per week and immediately appeared in several minor roles.[2] That year, she appeared in three motion pictures, most notably, Pardon My Sarong, which earned her the nickname "The Body" for her shapely physique.[5]

She was eventually dropped by Universal and signed with Paramount Pictures, earning $100 per week. While at Paramount, McDonald appeared in Lucky Jordan (1942). The following year, she was lent to Republic Pictures, where she co-starred in A Scream in the Dark, a "B" detective mystery that met with reasonable success.[2] During World War II, McDonald became one of Hollywood's most popular pin-up girls and posed for the United States military magazine Yank. While she initially did not mind being called "The Body", McDonald soon grew tired of the nickname and focus on her body, and she expressed a desire to be known for her acting and singing skills.[1]

She returned to Paramount where she appeared in supporting roles. In 1944, McDonald co-starred in Guest in the House, in which she received the first positive reviews in her career. Her next starring role came when she worked for independent producer Edward Small as the title character in the 1945 screwball comedy Getting Gertie's Garter. In 1947, she signed with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and co-starred with Gene Kelly in Living in a Big Way (1947). McDonald and Kelly did not get along while shooting, and the film was a financial failure. She bought out the rest of her contract at MGM and went to Columbia Pictures, where she appeared in a supporting role in Tell It to the Judge (1949).[2]

In 1950, McDonald appeared in Once a Thief and Hit Parade of 1951, and she did not make a movie for the next eight years. For the remainder of the 1950s, she focused on theatre and music, recording The Body Sings, an LP for RCA Victor in 1957, backed by Hal Borne and His Orchestra, which consisted of 12 standard ballads. She also toured the world in a successful nightclub act. She returned to the screen in 1958 when she was cast as actress Lola Livingston in The Geisha Boy, a slapstick comedy with Jerry Lewis. In 1963, she made her last film appearance in Promises! Promises!, with Jayne Mansfield.[citation needed]

Personal life

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McDonald's seven marriages and various romances kept her in the media throughout her career. Her first marriage was to sportswriter Richard Allord in 1940. The marriage was annulled after three weeks.[6] In January 1943, she married her agent Victor Orsatti in Reno, Nevada.[7] They divorced in May 1947.[4] While awaiting her divorce from Orsatti, McDonald had an affair with mobster Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel. Siegel reportedly dumped McDonald because of her chronic tardiness.[2]

McDonald's third and fourth marriages were to millionaire shoe manufacturer Harry Karl. They initially married in September 1947.[8][9] After McDonald suffered several miscarriages,[10] the couple adopted two children, Denice and Harrison.[8] They separated in August 1954 and were divorced that November.[11] Shortly thereafter, the couple announced that they would remarry. By January 1955 however, McDonald claimed that plans to remarry were "all off" because she discovered she was allergic to Karl.[12] Despite this claim, McDonald and Karl remarried in Arizona in June 1955.[13] They separated in March 1956 and, in May, Karl filed for divorce claiming that McDonald had beat him, causing him "grievous mental suffering".[14] At the time of their separation, McDonald was pregnant with the couple's first biological child.[15] Karl dropped the divorce suit in June. In July, McDonald filed for divorce from Karl and was granted an interlocutory divorce decree later that month but their divorce was never finalized.[9][16] Their daughter Tina Marie was born in September 1956.[16] During their separation, McDonald dated Michael Wilding.[4] McDonald and Karl reconciled again in 1957 but separated again in December 1957.[9][17] They divorced for good on April 16, 1958.[18] Karl later married actress Debbie Reynolds.[citation needed]

During her final separation from Karl, McDonald began dating George Capri, one of the owners of the Flamingo Las Vegas.[19] On June 12, 1958, Capri accompanied McDonald to the hospital after she accidentally overdosed on sleeping pills while the two were staying in Las Vegas.[20] The following month, McDonald told the media that the two planned to marry after Capri's divorce.[19] They broke up in September 1958.[21]

On May 23, 1959, McDonald married television executive Louis Bass in Las Vegas.[22] She filed for divorce after ten months, charging Bass with "mental cruelty".[23] On August 6, 1961, she married banker and attorney Edward Callahan in Las Vegas. On September 17, 1962, Callahan filed suit in Los Angeles asking for a divorce from McDonald for mental cruelty or that the marriage be annulled due to fraud. Callahan claimed that the two had only lived together for two days because McDonald had no intention of making a home with him or having his children. Callahan also charged that McDonald would not convert to Catholicism.[24] McDonald counter sued dismissing Callahan's claim, stating that they had lived together until September 7. She also claimed that Callahan had committed adultery and borrowed $2600 from her to finance their wedding and honeymoon which he did not repay.[25] McDonald married for the seventh time in 1963 to her sixth and final husband, Donald Taylor. They met while she was appearing in Promises, Promises, the final film which Taylor produced. They remained married until McDonald's death.[citation needed]

Alleged kidnapping

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Marie McDonald re-enacts scene from her story of kidnapping at home in Encino, California

On January 4, 1957, McDonald's mother contacted the police, reporting that a nervous-sounding man had claimed to have abducted her daughter from her Los Angeles home in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles. McDonald's mother found a note in the mailbox of her daughter's house, instructing her not to involve the police. Later, McDonald's estranged husband, Harry Karl, also received a call from a male who sounded "like a nervous young kid", warning against contacting the authorities if he wanted to see her alive.[26]

McDonald claimed that she had been taken to another location, where she managed to make three phone calls to her agent, Harold Plant, actor Michael Wilding (whom she was dating), and columnist Harrison Carroll. According to her account, two men demanded her ring and money and gave her a mysterious injection.[26] She then claimed to have been blindfolded before being loaded into a car which was then driven for some time. Upon hearing news of her kidnapping on the radio, the abductors reportedly abandoned her on the side of the road.[citation needed]

The next day, a truck driver discovered McDonald on a highway near Indio, California. She recounted to police that two abductors had brandished a sawed-off gun with threats to shoot her children, taken some jewelry, and discussed a $30,000 ransom. She claimed they then forced her into their car, and she was blindfolded before being driven to a home. At the home, McDonald said the men forced her to swallow pills that made her drowsy before being able to make three phone calls when alone.[27][28][29] After a medical examination, doubts arose about the veracity of McDonald's story, as her injuries, including two cracked teeth and bruises on her face,[29] did not align with the assault she described.[28]

Police immediately began to doubt McDonald's story, which changed several times. Those doubts deepened when police found suspicious evidence at her home, including newspapers used in the construction of the note in her fireplace.[27] Additionally, a novel called The Fuzzy Pink Nightgown was discovered, mirroring the kidnapping story of a movie star who is kidnapped by two men. Although asked to undergo a polygraph test, McDonald's lawyer refused.[30] McDonald agreed to a re-enactment, which was filmed by police.[29] Her estranged husband Harry Karl also doubted the story and claimed McDonald was "not a well woman".[27] McDonald accused Karl of orchestrating the abduction for publicity purposes,[31] but later admitted that she fabricated his alleged involvement.[27]

After investigating the alleged kidnapping, police admitted that they could find no conclusive evidence that the event took place due to "perplexing discrepancies".[32] On January 16, a grand jury convened to investigate the kidnapping.[32] McDonald testified that her story changed frequently because she was in shock when she gave her initial statement and had been taking sedatives when she gave other statements.[33] After weighing the evidence, the grand jury could not come up with any conclusive evidence to bring charges against anyone.[27]

Death

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On October 21, 1965, McDonald's sixth husband, Donald F. Taylor, found her slumped over her dressing table in their home in Hidden Hills, California.[34] On October 30, the coroner announced that McDonald's death was caused by "active drug intoxication due to multiple drugs" and was determined to be an accident or a suicide. The case was referred to a suicide team of psychologists and psychiatrists which determined the final mode of her death.[35] McDonald's funeral was held on October 23 at the Church of the Recessional at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale in Glendale, California. Her remains were interred in the Freedom Mausoleum at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale.[36] In December 1965, the suicide team classified her death as "accidental" after determining that she likely did not choose to die by suicide.[37][38][39]

Three months after McDonald's death, on January 3, 1966, her widower Donald F. Taylor died of an intentional overdose of Seconal.[38] McDonald's three surviving children were raised by Harry Karl (her former husband) and his wife Debbie Reynolds. On May 4, 1967, McDonald's father Evertt "Ed" Frye died by a self-inflicted gunshot to the head in the garage of his home in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.[40]

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
1941 It Started with Eve Cigarette girl uncredited
1942 You're Telling Me Girl uncredited
Pardon My Sarong Ferna
Lucky Jordan Pearl (Secretary)
1943 Tornado Diana Linden
A Scream in the Dark Joan Allen
Riding High bit part uncredited
alternative title: Melody Inn
Caribbean Romance alternative title: Musical Parade: Caribbean Romance
1944 Standing Room Only Opal uncredited
I Love a Soldier Gracie
Our Hearts Were Young and Gay Blonde uncredited
Guest in the House Miriam alternative title: Satan in Skirts
1945 Getting Gertie's Garter Gertie
It's a Pleasure Gale Fletcher
1947 Living in a Big Way Margo Morgan
1949 Tell It to the Judge Ginger Simmons
1950 Once a Thief Flo
Hit Parade of 1951 Michele
1954 The Danny Thomas Show episode: "Pittsburgh"
1958 The Geisha Boy Lola Livingston
1959 The Red Skelton Show Lil episode: "Clem the Mailman"
1963 Promises! Promises! Claire Banner

References

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  1. ^ a b c Johnson, Irving (June 13, 1946). "Mama's Girl". The Milwaukee Sentinel. p. 3. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Donnelley, Paul (2004). Fade to Black: A Book of Movie Obituaries. Music Sales Group. p. 470. ISBN 0-711-99512-5.
  3. ^ "Beauty Contest Winners Movies Contract Losers". The Milwaukee Journal. August 7, 1948. p. 3. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  4. ^ a b c "Marie McDonald Disappears; Note And Phone Calls Probed". Reading Eagle. January 4, 1957. p. 19. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  5. ^ Ayto, John; Cobham, Ebenezer; Crofton, Ian (2006). Brewer's Dictionary of Modern Phrase & Fable. Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. p. 96. ISBN 0-304-36809-1.
  6. ^ "Mystery Shrouds Death Of Actress Marie McDonald". Wilmington Morning Star. October 22, 1965. p. 1. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  7. ^ "Takes Plunge". The Sarasota Herald-Times. January 18, 1943. p. 2. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  8. ^ a b "Marie McDonald Gets Final Divorce Decree". Ocala Star-Banner. April 19, 1958. p. 7. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  9. ^ a b c "Her Life Threatened, Miss McDonald Says". The Miami News. March 7, 1958. p. 5A. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  10. ^ Donnelley 2004 p.471
  11. ^ "Marie McDonald Wins Divorce, $1500 Per Month for Children". Cape Girardeau Southeast Missourian. November 23, 1954. p. 2. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  12. ^ "Marie McDonald 'Gets Sick' With Former Husband". Toledo Blade. January 6, 1955. p. 2. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  13. ^ "Marie McDonald and Her Favorite Allergy Remarry". Toledo Blade. June 22, 1955. p. 2. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  14. ^ "Millionaire Asks a Divorce From Marie McDonald". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. May 22, 1956. p. 11. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  15. ^ "Marie McDonald Home After Hospital Visit". Kentucky New Era. May 29, 1956. p. 10. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  16. ^ a b "Marie McDonald Gets Final Divorce Decree". Wilmington Morning Star. October 22, 1965. p. 1. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  17. ^ "Shoe Millionaire Asks Marie McDonald to Get Divorce from Him". Ocala Star-Banner. March 5, 1958. p. 1. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  18. ^ "Marie McDonald Granted Divorce". Toledo Blade. April 17, 1958. p. 16. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  19. ^ a b Johnson, Erskine (July 13, 1958). "Marie McDonald Is Happy Again: She's In Love". The Milwaukee Sentinel. p. 8. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  20. ^ "Marie McDonald Leaves Hospital". Reading Eagle. June 15, 1958. p. 32. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  21. ^ Wilson, Earl (September 10, 1958). "Julie Wilson's Wig Proves Designers Hate Women". The Milwaukee Sentinel. p. 8. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  22. ^ "Marie McDonald Weds Again". St. Petersburg Times. May 25, 1959. p. 14-A. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  23. ^ "Actress Sues". The Spokesman-Review. March 17, 1960. p. 14. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  24. ^ "Marie McDonald's Fourth Husband Seeking Divorce". Times Daily. September 18, 1962. p. 2. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  25. ^ "Marie McDonald Seeks Divorce". The Tuscaloosa News. November 4, 1962. p. 6. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  26. ^ a b "Marie McDonald Reported Held By Kidnappers". Ellensburg Daily Record. January 4, 1957. pp. 1–2. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  27. ^ a b c d e Harnisch, Larry (2007-08-23). "Fuzzy Pink Nightgown". latimesblogs.latimes.com. Retrieved December 6, 2008.
  28. ^ a b "Marie McDonald Tells Police How She Was Seized by Two Men". Reading Eagle. January 5, 1957. pp. 1, 10. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  29. ^ a b c "Marie McDonald Stars in Police Film of 'Kidnapping'". The Telegraph. January 8, 1957. p. 9. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  30. ^ "Police Read Novel for Tie-Up In Marie McDonald Kidnapping". The Victoria Advocate. January 14, 1957. p. 2. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  31. ^ "Death Threat Report Enters McDonald Case". Lewiston Evening Journal. March 7, 1958. p. 2. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  32. ^ a b "Grand Jury Probes Marie's 'Kidnap'". The Deseret News. January 16, 1957. p. 3B. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  33. ^ "Appearing Before Grand Jury: Marie Blames Shock, Sedatives For Kidnap Story Discrepancies". The Times. January 18, 1957. p. 12. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  34. ^ "Mystery Shrouds Death Of Actress Marie McDonald". Wilmington Morning Star. October 22, 1965. p. 1. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
  35. ^ "Marie McDonald's Death Laid to Mixture of Drugs". Toledo Blade. October 30, 1965. p. 11. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
  36. ^ "Funeral Services Held For Actress". Reading Eagle. October 24, 1965. p. 17. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
  37. ^ "New Ruling Calls Marie McDonald's Death Accidental". The Toledo Blade. December 20, 1965. p. 2. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
  38. ^ a b "Movie Producer Donald Taylor Apparent Suicide". Rome News-Tribune. January 3, 1966. p. 1. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
  39. ^ "Body Found by Callers". Reading Eagle. January 3, 1966. p. 9. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
  40. ^ "Father of Late Actress Found Shot to Death". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. May 4, 1967. p. 1. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
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