Eleanor Powell, the Tap Dance Queen: Why She Left Hollywood at the Height of Her Success
Por que Eleanor Powell, ícone do sapateado, abandonou Hollywood no auge de sua carreira? Explore os motivos da saída inesperada da estrela e seu impacto na história do entretenimento.
Discover the reasons behind Eleanor Powell’s unexpected departure from Hollywood and her lasting impact on the entertainment industry.
Eleanor Powell began dancing to overcome her shyness. She debuted on Broadway at 17 and soon became known as the “Queen of Tap Dance.” Let’s delve into her story:
Born on November 21, 1912, in Massachusetts, Powell started dancing in her childhood. In 1921, producer Gus Edwards brought her to Broadway. Her agility in dance earned her the title of Tap Dance Queen. After participating in several musicals and revues, she made her way to Hollywood.
Her screen debut came in Queen High (1930), where she made a small appearance. However, her first credited role came five years later in George White’s 1935 Scandals. She described her participation in the film as a disaster, but L. B. Mayer saw great potential in her.
The actress wasn’t particularly impressed with Hollywood and took a while to sign a contract. Finally, in 1936, MGM managed to convince her after much insistence. In Born to Dance (1936), she starred alongside Jimmy Stewart in his only musical. Although she danced very well, Eleanor didn’t sing and was dubbed by Marjorie Lane. The film received good reviews and attracted thousands to theaters, earning Eleanor great popularity.
She went on to appear in several successful musicals such as Rosalie (1937), Broadway Melody of 1938, and Honolulu (1939). In 1940, she reached her peak with Broadway Melody of 1940. She made history by dancing alongside Fred Astaire in a musical number considered one of the best of all time.
In 1930s and 1940s Hollywood, a female dancer was typically just a complement to the male lead. Eleanor’s presence and professionalism unsettled some partners who were used to being the main attraction, like Fred Astaire. To them, the woman was merely a complement, not an equal part of the duo. Astaire once commented:
“I love Eleanor Powell, but she dances like a man. She’s a remarkable dancer, but she has her own style and is a bit too big for me.”
Unfortunately, these minor male dramas contributed to the actress considering leaving her career. At the height of her success, she began to appear less frequently.
Finally, in 1943, she broke her contract with MGM. In 1944, her last film, Sensations of 1945, was released but turned out to be a major flop
Colleagues described the actress as a simple woman who never indulged in the “star system.” Highly focused, she would rehearse for hours on end and wasn’t fond of studio parties. Some stars tried to court her, but without success: Clark Gable, Robert Taylor, Jimmy Stewart, and Al Jolson.
Later Life and Marriage
Another factor that led her to leave the screens was her romance with actor Glenn Ford. The two met shortly before World War II and were introduced by actor Pat O’Brien. According to Peter Ford, his father was impressed the first time he saw her in color, having only seen her in black-and-white films before.
They married in 1943, and fifteen months later, their only son, Peter, was born. According to Peter, Glenn was the only man in his mother’s life, and she didn’t regret leaving dance to dedicate herself to her family.
In 1950, Eleanor made a small appearance in Duchess of Idaho, alongside Esther Williams and Van Johnson. In the film, she showed in color that she was still Hollywood’s best dancer.
During her marriage, she also dedicated herself to small charitable works and the church. The couple even visited Brazil. It’s said that he became very irritated upon realizing that the Brazilian people paid more attention to his wife than to him. The marriage began to decline when Ford started gaining success and dating other women. In 1959, 16 years after tying the knot, the former actress decided to end the relationship.
The divorce settlement was modest, and she needed to supplement her income. According to her son, Eleanor faced serious financial difficulties, even maintaining a vegetable garden at home to feed themselves. As a result, she was forced to return to the stages of Las Vegas and Europe. After three years, she retired for good. The actress also dedicated herself to humanitarian causes and made frequent visits to children’s hospitals. She sold her house in Beverly Hills and moved to a smaller place with her son.
The divorce settlement was modest, and she needed to supplement her income. According to her son, Eleanor faced serious financial difficulties, even maintaining a vegetable garden at home to feed themselves. As a result, she was forced to return to the stages of Las Vegas and Europe. After three years, she retired for good. The actress also dedicated herself to humanitarian causes and made frequent visits to children’s hospitals. She sold her house in Beverly Hills and moved to a smaller place with her son.
Fontes: Classicmoviefavorites, Dailyitem, footnotesontap, Remembering Eleanor Powell
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