A very popular support actress of her day was this lady, June Havoc.

She was a stage child at the age of two, and a child actor in silent comedies.

The younger sister of the famous burlesque stripper Gypsy Rose Lee, she eloped at the age of 13 and was forced to work in dance marathons in the Depression days. In her autobiography she described this and wrote and directed a Broadway play about it (Marathon 33).

Born Evangeline Hovick in Seattle, she entered theatre and three years later her role in Pal Joey led to an RKO Studios film contract.

In more than 100 films, as were most supports in those days, Hollywood never seemed to use her to her full potential.

Light comedy and musicals seemed very much her particular forte.

My Sister Eileen (Columbia, 1942) and playing a bigoted secretary in Gentlemen's Agreement were about the only two parts she could get her teeth into.

Not satisfied with the roles on offer, June went back to the stage.

One bright spark for the good lady is as far as I know she is still with us, residing in Connecticut aged 91.

  • Gordon Dean, Barfield Park, Lancing