Jane Russell to perform tomorrow night

Here is an excerpt from an article in the Ventura (Calif.) County Star. A couple of the lines of background material sound a little familiar, as if they were lifted out of my book. I'm sure it's just a coincidence.

“Legendary film star Jane Russell will be heading south on the 101 from her Santa Maria home to make a rare local appearance Saturday night. She will be your singer at My Florist Cafe & Bar, a new venue in Ventura. Piano player Peter Clark will showcase his digit dexterity beforehand and later will accompany Russell.

"A voluptuous Valley Girl, easily able to fill a sweater, Russell was discovered by millionaire Howard Hughes in the early 1940s and cast in his controversial (at the time) Western, "The Outlaw.'' Hughes directed the 1943 picture himself and declared, "There are two good reasons why men will come to see her.'' He was right. Russell became one of the most popular World War II pinups.

"Russell's cleavage in "The Outlaw" caused a huge stir at the time, which the lady herself now dismisses as "insane'' and "ridiculous.'' The movie itself would probably be rated PG-13 these days. Russell signed an exclusive contract with Hughes and went on to make several films over a lengthy career. Her most popular starring role was in 1953's "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," which co-starred a young starlet named Marilyn Monroe.

"While most people remember Russell's movies, many forget she sang in several of her pictures and has performed in nightclubs for decades. In Ventura, the 87-year-old Russell will sing a few songs, tell a few stories from her six decades in show biz and screen clips of her films. It's a chance to kick it with a legend who is still in the spotlight. . . ."

To read the rest of the article, which includes an interview with Russell, go here.