Jane Powell

Pert, petite musical film star of the late 1940s and 50s who, after hosting her own radio show from the age of 11, began in films in 1944 and was soon at MGM as perky teens in "A Date With Judy" (1948) and "Nancy Goes to Rio" (1950). With her chirpy girl-next-door charm and operatic singing voice, Powell was in some ways a successor to the more serene Deanna Durbin, who retired in 1948. Although many of her films are routine, she hit her stride in the early 1950s in such musical classics as Stanley Donen's "Royal Wedding" (1951) (replacing the ailing Judy Garland) and as the lead in Donen's "Seven Brides For Seven Brothers" (1954).Powell's last starring film to date was the dismal "Enchanted Island" (1958), but she made a comeback when she replaced Debbie Reynolds on Broadway in the 1973 revival of the musical "Irene" and became the commercial spokeswoman for Dry Dock Savings Bank in the 1970s. Looking wonderful in her later years, Powell was a relaxed guest on interview specials recalling the MGM of old and was most welcome hosting a series airing classic movie musicals on PBS. Married to public relations executive and former child star Dick (Dickie) Moore since 1988.

Pert, petite musical film star of the late 1940s and 50s who, after hosting her own radio show from the age of 11, began in films in 1944 and was soon at MGM as perky teens in "A Date With Judy" (1948) and "Nancy Goes to Rio" (1950). With her chirpy girl-next-door charm and operatic singing voice, Powell was in some ways a successor to the more serene Deanna Durbin, who retired in 1948. Although many of her films are routine, she hit her stride in the early 1950s in such musical classics as Stanley Donen's "Royal Wedding" (1951) (replacing the ailing Judy Garland) and as the lead in Donen's "Seven Brides For Seven Brothers" (1954).

Powell's last starring film to date was the dismal "Enchanted Island" (1958), but she made a comeback when she replaced Debbie Reynolds on Broadway in the 1973 revival of the musical "Irene" and became the commercial spokeswoman for Dry Dock Savings Bank in the 1970s. Looking wonderful in her later years, Powell was a relaxed guest on interview specials recalling the MGM of old and was most welcome hosting a series airing classic movie musicals on PBS. Married to public relations executive and former child star Dick (Dickie) Moore since 1988.

CAST: (feature film)