Jane Froman
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| Jane Froman | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Jane Froman |
| Born | November 10, 1907 |
| Origin | Columbia, Missouri |
| Died | April 22, 1980 (aged 72) |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, actress |
| Website | www.janefroman.com |
Jane Froman (November 10, 1907 – April 22, 1980) was an American singer and actress.
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[edit] Early life
She was born in University City, Missouri, the daughter of Elmer Ellsworth Froman and Anna T. Barcafer. Her childhood was spent in the small Missouri town of Clinton, and her adolescence and college years in the city of Columbia, which she considered her hometown. Her father left her mother when Jane was about 5 years old. She developed a stutter around this time, which plagued her all of her life, except when she sang.
Although she had classical voice training, early in her career she was drawn to the songs of the era's brilliant young songwriters, George and Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter, and Irving Berlin, who were inspiring a resurgence in popular music. In 1934, at age 27, she became the top-polled "girl singer." The famous composer and producer, Billy Rose, when asked to name the top ten female singers, is reported to have replied, "Jane Froman and nine others."
[edit] Movie and show credits
She is credited with three movies, Kissing Time (1933), Stars Over Broadway (1935) and Radio City Revels (1938). From 1952 to 1955, she hosted her own TV show The Jane Froman Show - initially called USA Canteen - on the CBS network. The show was 15 minutes long and initially alternated with The Perry Como Show. The very first hit song to be introduced on television, I Believe, was written for Froman by the show's musicians, Ervin Drake, Irvin Graham, Jimmy Shirl, and Al Stillman and earned her a gold record in 1953.
[edit] Plane crash
She was severely injured by an aircraft crash on February 22, 1943, when a USO plane carrying Froman and 38 others crashed into the Tagus River in Lisbon, Portugal. One of fifteen survivors, Froman sustained horrible injuries: a cut below the left knee nearly severing her leg, multiple fractures of her right arm, and a compound fracture of her right leg that doctors threatened to amputate.
Froman underwent 39 operations over the years. She stubbornly fought amputation, but with dignity and aplomb wore a leg brace the remainder of her life. However, she returned and entertained the troops in World War II, despite having to walk with crutches, giving 95 shows throughout Europe.
[edit] With a Song in My Heart
Froman's life story was the subject of the hit movie With a Song in My Heart (1952), starring Susan Hayward as Froman. Froman herself supplied Hayward’s singing voice. The Capitol album of songs from the movie was the Number One best-selling album of 1952 and remained in the catalogue for many years. DRG recently issued it on a compact disc along with the 1952 original cast album of Pal Joey. The show's star, Vivienne Segal, could not record the album because of a previous album made, so Froman was substituted. A Choice CD called Jane Froman on Capitol is a collection of her Capitol Records singles and tracks from albums.
[edit] Retirement and death
Froman retired to her home town of Columbia in 1961, but continued the volunteer work for which she was known throughout her career. In 1980, she died of cardiac arrest due to chronic heart and lung disease in Columbia.
[edit] Biographies
There are three biographies about Froman, the first two written by Ilene Stone: One Little Candle: Remembering Jane Froman and Jane Froman, Missouri's First Lady of Song. In addition, a new, in-depth biography, Say It With Music - The Life and Legacy of Jane Froman, by Barbara Seuling was published on November 10 2007 to coincide with the centennial of Froman's birth.
[edit] Jane Froman Centennial
In honor of what would have been Froman's 100th birthday, a gala Jane Froman Centennial Celebration was held in Columbia, Missouri the weekend of November 9-11, 2007. A DVD of the movie, With a Song in my Heart, with added new segments, was premiered on November 9 2007 and is now widely distributed by Fox Home Entertainment.
