#8 Mari Blanchard

The model for Lil’ Abner’s Stupefyin’ Jones, Mari Blanchard starred in many ‘50s oaters before turning her attention to TV.  The blonde turned brunette (what’s that all about?) was famous for playing bad girls. There’s a wonderful video of her in a classic catfight on YouTube.

Cheesy Pageant Titles

• Miss Click, Hollywood Cameramen’s Guild
• Aye Girl, Pacific Fleet
• Miss Classy Chassis, United Auto Workers

Embarrassing Movies

• Stagecoach to Fury
• Jungle Heat
• She Devil *
• Don’t Knock the Twist
• Abbott and Costello Go to Mars

* - author has seen

Embarrassing Taglines

• They’re out of this world on a misguided missile!
• Hold on to your turbans!  Here comes Adventure’s boldest son!
• Never such a tender love story!  Never such a savage showdown!  Never such restless natives!

Embarrassing Characters

• Allura
• Burma
• Madame Gamar
• Countess Van Hochenstein

Number of Marriages:  3

Shortest Marriage:  2 months

Unlikely Spouses and Boyfriends

• Victor Mature
• Lance Fuller (Ed Wood favorite)
• Mel Torme
• George Raft

Whiffs of Scandal:  Was in murdered gangster Johnny Stompanato’s little black book

Untimely Demise:  At age 47, from cancer

Interesting Tidbits

• Her mom was a psychotherapist
• Had polio as a child
• Ran away and joined the circus at age 17
• Had a degree in international law
• Discovered in a bubble bath ad
• Answered all her own fan mail

Where can I learn more?

• Glamour Girls of the Silver Screen
• IMDb
• Wikipedia
• Brian’s Drive-In Theatre
• Western Clippings

Nice hat!

<#9                    #7>