died in 1989 at age 71. And regardless who we think is believable, it's both curious and telling that literally no one else confirms her story. "State Will Investigate Jeff Chandler's Death: Bureau to Look Into Hospital Procedure in Actor's Case Due to Public Interest", "$1.5 Million Suit Filed in Jeff Chandler Death: Damages from Hospital and Physicians Asked on Behalf of Children and Estate". I find her unbelieveable! Esther married her second husband in 1945, attractive band singer Ben Gage, with whom she had three children. And why wouldn't he cross dress? I mentioned Esther Williams to a wife of a crossdresser not long ago and she looked at me blankly - silly me, assuming everyone knows the story of the million-dollar mermaid and her crossdressing movie star boyfriend. For 13 years, she lived in total submission to him, where she had to stop being "Esther Williams" and could not have her children live with her. [72], Chandler's public support for Israel's 1956 attack on Egypt during the Suez Crisis prompted the United Arab Republic to campaign for his films to be banned in Arab countries in 1960. "Blood Infection Caused Death of Jeff Chandler". But Jeff Chandler one hot gorgeous Jewish hunk of man, in a dress or out. "Renewal at Allied for Jeff Chandler: 'Plunderers' Pleases Studio; Star Urges Subsidy for Films" Scheuer, Philip K. "Marsha Hunt Signs for 'Plunderers': 'Threepenny Opera' Due Here; 'Untouchables' Will Expand" Scheuer, Philip K. "CHANDLER SIGNED FOR BIBLE DRAMAS: Actor to Play David in Two Specials on A.B.C.-TV Baseball Schedule Set" By RICHARD F. SHEPARD. Unfortunately, that kind of revelation of sexual behavior, about someone whos dead and cant defend himself, has become commonplace., Williams counters that the public has become inured to smut. "I loved the book and read it straight through," she says. ", "I said, 'What did you do to my life's memories?' We are changing the login scheme for contributors for simpler login and to better support using multiple devices. "R.K.O. You want to hear scandalous, look at Eddie Fishers book about Liz Taylor and Debbie Reynolds. . In her autobiography Hold the Roses (2002), Rose Marie wrote that "Jeff Chandler was a great guy, but he was no singer. He lost his father when he was 1, and his mother when he was 4. She lived an amazing life and has plenty of REAL dirt to sharewhy would she need to make things up? He had injections to deaden the pain and enable him to finish the production. Because some stars, like Elvis and the Three Stooges have fame long after they died, and their relatives still cash in on it. Uh, why would she recant the story if the story is true? But when she called her daughter, Susan, "she said, 'Mother, I don't think anybody's capable of being shocked anymore, after Bill Clinton and Monica and the thong and the knee pads.' He was nominated for an Academy Award for his role as Cochise in Broken Arrow (1950). None of this evidence, however, has ever come to light about Jeff Chandler R48, Dan Dailey's cross-dressing was reportedly witnessed by a long-dead colleague of mine (who could easily have read about it in Kenneth Anger's work). [quote]Why reopen this thread from 5 years ago? In 1957, he tangled with Orson Welles corrupt rancher in the B-movie thriller Man in the Shadow.. He came with a conductor, piano player, light man, press agent, and manager. She repeated them in her autobiography as a means of introspection. "Jeff Chandler Finally Gets to 'Act His Age': Rising Young (31) Screens Player Considers Himself 'a Lucky Kid'" SCHEUER, PHILIP K. "The News of Radio: John Kieran Will Perform for Television in Series of Films on Natural History". Every Sunday night, our local NPR station features radio shows from the 40s and 50s with stars like Olivia de Haviland, Spencer Tracey, Peter Lorre, Claudette Colbert, Jeff Chandler, Frank Sinatra, Humphrey Bogart, Loretta Young, Lucille Ball, Cary Grant, etc., etc. A Motion Picture Exhibitor Poll listed him as the tenth most popular male star in the . . During Hollywood's heyday, big studios battled over the next box-office attraction. When she made the book deal with Simon & Schuster, "they said, 'See if you can write a page-turner.' Many have commented on it. The cause was a blood infection complicated by pneumonia. She is very frank and graphic about her sexual liaisons with Victor Mature, Fernando Lamas and Jeff Chandler and also tells some ribald stories of her encounters with Mickey Rooney, Gene Kelly, Johnny Weissmuller, Joan Crawford and Bette Davis. He came with a conductor, piano player, light man, press agent, and manager. The couple had two daughters, Jamie Tucker (1947-2003) and Dana Grossel (1949-2002). Some features on this site require a subscription. . He was famous for being extremely tall, very grey, and having a deep, gravelly voice and piercing eyes. [76] He died on June 17, 1961. She made her film debut with MGM in an "Andy Hardy" picture called . Jeff Chandler's leading ladies included June Allyson, Joan Crawford, Rhonda Fleming, Maureen O'Hara, Kim Novak, Jane Russell, Esther Williams, and Jeff Chandler's Brooklyn friend Susan Hayward. Esther Jane Williams (August 8, 1921 - June 6, 2013) was an American competitive swimmer and actress. Not only did she not recant, she continues to insist the story is true, even when confronted by others who say she's a liar. Williams' revelations about Chandler angered many readers. Hello. If she had, it would have made front page headlines all around the globe. [22], Returning to Universal, Chandler played an adventurer in Smuggler's Island, a role he liked because he said it was close to his real personality. Don't get me wrong I wanted fame and money when I decided to take up acting. A casually racist remark from Russell's character, indignantly referring to . The Million Dollar Mermaid: An Autobiography. Chandler married actress Marjorie Hoshelle (1918-1989) in 1946. Rose Marie wrote that Jeff Chandler was a great guy, but he was no singer. His other credits include Sword . His engagement to Esther Williams was broken off when she discovered his hobby. Chandler played Cochise for the third time, a cameo in Taza, Son of Cochise, starring Hudson, who soon overtook Chandler as Universal's biggest male star. I want to eventually branch off into writing and directing. That's like Newt Gingrich's claim that "none of our friends" agrees with his ex wife. He went on to play small roles as gangsters in Roses are Red and The Invisible Wall, and a policeman in Mr Belvedere Goes to College. Council Opens Campaign to Halt Cheaper Production Abroad by U. S. Studios". He was apparently, and despite his height, a transvestite in his private life. [43], In May, Chandler performed at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas. [10], Chandler reprised his role as Cochise in another Western, The Battle at Apache Pass, for Universal. None of it helped, and everybody raved about Jeff's singing, but let's face it: He really didn't sing very well. Hopper, Hedda. "Jeff Chandler was standing in the middle of the bedroom in a red wig, a flowered chiffon dress . He was romantically linked with Esther Williams, who claimed in her 1999 autobiography Chandler was a cross dresser and she broke off the relationship. In case you're wondering, R71, she didn't write the book last week. not much. Chandler . He later reflected "I've tried heavies but audiences didn't seem to take to that. Russell was very homophobic, in response she said: "I've never heard of such a thing. "ACTOR TO RELIVE INCIDENT OF WAR: Philip Carey Again Will Be Aboard Carrier 'Bombed' for 'Battle Stations'" by THOMAS M. PRYOR . I read the book a long time ago and thought Esther Williams came across as a great old broad. This California farm kingdom holds a key, These are the 101 best restaurants in Los Angeles, New Bay Area maps show hidden flood risk from sea level rise and groundwater. One can sue if they think their dead famous relative was libeled, but they cannot win, the case would be thrown out of court. SO WHAT if Esther Williams said Jeff Chandler was a cross dresser? No one said he was a convincing cross dresser. Actor. She didnt. "I'm sending much sympathy to Sandra, his family, and all who . [54], Chandler made another for Universal, A Stranger in My Arms with June Allyson. He was romantically linked with Esther Williams, . "[67], Chandler was involved in a will dispute concerning his stepfather in 1960.[68]. I was reading Jeff Chandler's Wikipedia after seeing a striking photo of him online, and I knew when I read that Esther accused him of cross-dressing that there would be a DL thread on it. 1941. Jeff Chandler was a 6'4" gorgeous hunk of beefcake with thick curly silvery hair and he was often photographed to show off his massive hairy chest. At a trial, Fred Otash said the detectives had followed them to get the story. 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What good does it do to speak ill of the dead? says writer Norman Corwin, who knew Chandler from a 1960 Pasadena Playhouse production of his drama The Rivalry. I think its crass.. Please complete the process by verifying your email address. [5][6], Chandler formed his own company, the Shady Lane Playhouse, in Illinois in the summer of 1941. [quote]Betty Grable never confirmed Dan Dailey's cross dressing after Dailey died. They separated in 1951, and 1954, and actually divorced in 1954. Brand New 2K Master! Even her attire is borderline naughty. 3 5 0. There is absolutely NO proof that Jeff liked polka dots. Hardly anyone today knows who Jeff Chandler is. Jeff Chandler (December 15, 1918 - June 17, 1961) . He fucked Crawford on the beach and everywhere else. [4], In a 1960 interview Chandler said his favorite films were Broken Arrow, Battle of Apache Pass, Two Flags West, Because of You ("my first real love story"), Sign of the Pagan, The Toy Tiger ("a change for me"), Drango, Raw Wind in Eden ("beautiful locale"), and The Lady Takes a Flyer ("I had Lana Turner with me").[85]. . I think Esther Williams later admitted she made it up to sell copies of her autobiography. He would never have been lost in a crowd, with that big, square, sculpted 20th century face and his prematurely grey wavy hair. And he said, 'Yeah, I am getting a little tired.' Hopper, Hedda, "Jeff Chandler Aims to Do 'Young Moses'", "ALLIED ARTISTS SIGNS PRODUCER: John Huston to Make 3 Films Wyler and Wilder Also Completing Similar Deals" by THOMAS M. PRYOR, "NADER TO REPLACE CHANDLER 2D TIME: Actor Will Be Co-Star With Maureen O'Hara in 'Lady Godiva' Film at U.-I." I wasn't there, so I don't know, but if Esther was bitter about the end of the relationship or felt ill-used in some way, she wouldn't have been the first person or the last to smear the reputation of an ex. Why has this not been mentioned? I just find it hard to believe so many people buy the story wholeheartedly, based on only one allegation, and that from an ex-lover who is reported to have had a troubled relationship with him. Unless he was disguised as Fifi, the naughty French maid, R22. Outraged friends and colleagues are rallying to the defense of late 50s screen hunk Jeff Chandler to offset damage done to his reputation by Esther Williams racy bestselling autobiography, The Million Dollar Mermaid.. When her second son, Kim, was seriously injured in a motorcycle crash, Lamas wouldn't even drive Williams to the hospital. You seem pretty dumb yourself. She said Esther had come to her with woes of her romance with Jeff in the 1950s but never mentioned the cross-dressing until she had to sell some books decades later. (CNN)-- Esther Williams, whose success as a competitive swimmer propelled her to stardom on the silver screen in the 1940s and 1950s, died Thursday in . Anyone who would pick up a book on Esther Williams would know who Jeff Chandler was. Chandler married Actress Marjorie Hoshelle (1918-1989) in 1946. And he was looking for that woman who would fill that empty place in him.". After Drango, Chandler made the final two films owed under his original contract with Universal: The Tattered Dress, playing a lawyer in a melodrama, and Man in the Shadow, co-starring opposite Orson Welles. From a 1960 Pasadena Playhouse production of his drama the Rivalry Debbie Reynolds Grossel ( 1949-2002 ) 'What. And to better support using multiple devices front page headlines all around the globe recant the story is true the. 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