Yvonne De Carlo Was More Than Just Lily Munster
Published January 18, 2007
We recently lost a glamorous and sultry beauty queen named Yvonne De Carlo.
At the age of 15, Little Margaret Yvonne Middleton had a few false starts in Hollywood in 1937, so she decided to rethink her options and moved back to Canada with her mother. After she took more acting, voice, and dance lessons she returned in 1940 as a blossoming buxom bathing beauty and got bit parts here and there as cinematic eye candy, as a chorus girl and as a nightclub singer. In the process, Yvonne quickly became even better known as a sexy World War II pin up girl.
It’s said that famous big-band leader Artie Shaw saw her sing at the Florentine Garden club in Hollywood, fell head over heals for her and gave her money for living expenses so she could start a career in acting.
After a few B-movies, in 1945 she starred in Salome, Where She Danced in which she played a spy gone undercover as an exotic dancer. The press hated the film but moviegoers loved it — and her. For the next few years she earned a following of loyal fans that went to see her movies. Most would assert they didn’t care how bad the plot was; they were there to see her.
More starring roles followed through the 1940s and '50s. As her career progressed, she showed everyone she wasn’t just another pretty face and proved she could excel in roles in everything from cowboy westerns to high production musicals. She established her career repeatedly in everything from singing opera — Die Fledermaus to Follies on Broadway, for which Stephen Sondheim wrote “I’m Still Here” for her.
In all she was featured in around 100 films where she played (and held her own) opposite such superstars as John Wayne, Clark Gable, Alec Guinness and Burt Lancaster. Along the way she even romanced the likes of Howard Hughes.
No one really took her seriously as a dramatic actress until Cecil B. DeMille was so impressed that he cast her as Moses' wife Sephora in the epic The Ten Commandments (for which she only earned $25,000).
With the advent of television she began getting roles on Bonanza and The Virginian which gave her an even larger audience and fan base that the movies ever did.
Jet is the not yet published author of two spy novels, SYSTEM 10 and its sequel GHOST OF A CHANCE, and a professional artist. He likes to collect books, music, chess sets, and friends. Favorite quote: "Evil only succeeds when good men do nothing." In 2004 his "good life" came to an aburpt end with a robbery and near-fatal beating. He now works as a writer/artist on disability. You are welcome to visit his ongoing on-line diary by clicking his homepage/URL.
- Yvonne De Carlo Was More Than Just Lily Munster
- Published: January 18, 2007
- Type: News
- Section: Video
- Filed Under: Video: Television, Video: News, Culture: Celebrity
- Writer: Jet in Columbus
- Jet in Columbus's BC Writer page
- Jet in Columbus's personal site
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Comments on this articleComments
I didn't even know she died. As a horny little pre-teen, I always thought she was way sexier than Carolyn Jones' Morticia Addams. Hell I even thought she was sexier than the supposedly "normal" looking Munster (what was her name? Marilyn was it?).
Gotta admit I mainly tuned in for ol' Grandpa though. That old coot really cracked me up.
Thanx for the obit Jet. She will be missed.
-Glen
I had some of her in a harem outfit in her 20s but there wasn't room. There's one of her topless if you do a google image search.
Jet
Glen, here's a link to the photo of Yvonne as a topless WWII pin up girl. Click here
it's at the very bottom of the page
Enjoy
Jet
First time seeing some of those photos. God, what a gorgeous woman! Catherine Zeta-Jones looks surprisingly like her.
I was amazed at just how sexy she was too.
Thanks Mike
Yvonne was also memorable as the vampy older Bad Girl in Elvis' finest movie, King Creole.
She had such a varied career, from nightclub dancer to opera singer, from the Munsters to Sondheim. Memorable.
Heh heh-from Elvis movies to Opera to the Munsters. Under versatile in the dictionary they should have her photo right Leslie?
Actually it was Carolyn Jones (Morticia Adams) who was in King Creole with Elvis (blessed be He).
Arrrrggggggghhhhhhhh!
Oh?..... well......... that explains everything!
From IMBD
Yvonne's movie and TV appearances include from last to first...
The Barefoot Executive (1995) (TV) .... Norma
Here Come the Munsters (1995) (TV) .... Cameo appearance
"Tales from the Crypt" .... Mrs. Jones (1 episode, 1993)
... aka HBO's Tales from the Crypt
- Death of Some Salesmen (1993) TV Episode .... Mrs. Jones
Seasons of the Heart (1993) (voice) .... Older Martha
The Naked Truth (1992) .... Mrs. Hess
Desert Kickboxer (1992)
... aka Desert Hawk (USA: alternative title)
"Dream On" .... Francesca Goldman (1 episode, 1991)
- The Second Greatest Story Ever Told (1991) TV Episode .... Francesca Goldman
Oscar (1991) .... Aunt Rosa
"The Black Stallion" (1 episode, 1990)
... aka Étalon noir, L' (France)
... aka The Adventures of the Black Stallion
... aka The New Adventures of the Black Stallion (USA: new title)
- Star Quality (1990) TV Episode
Mirror, Mirror (1990) .... Emelin
Cellar Dweller (1988) .... Mrs. Briggs
American Gothic (1988) .... Ma
... aka Hide and Shriek
Play Dead (1986) .... Hester
... aka Killer Dog (International: English title: video title)
... aka Satan's Dog
A Masterpiece of Murder (1986) (TV) .... Mrs. Murphy
"Murder, She Wrote" .... Miss Springer (1 episode, 1985)
- Jessica Behind Bars (1985) TV Episode .... Miss Springer
Flesh and Bullets (1985)
... aka The Wife Contract (Europe: English title)
Vultures (1983) .... Rose
... aka Vultures in Paradise
Class Reunion (1982)
... aka National Lampoon's Class Reunion
Liar's Moon (1982) .... Jeanene Dubois
The Munsters' Revenge (1981) (TV) (as Yvonne DeCarlo) .... Lily Munster
The Man with Bogart's Face (1980) .... Teresa Anastas
... aka Sam Marlowe, Private Eye
Silent Scream (1980) .... Mrs. Engels
"Fantasy Island" .... Fifi Aprea / ... (2 episodes, 1978-1979)
- The Victim/The Mermaid (1979) TV Episode .... Madame Jeannot
- Charlie's Cherubs/Stalag 3 (1978) TV Episode .... Fifi Aprea
Guyana: Crime of the Century (1979) .... Susan Ames
... aka Guyana, el crimen del siglo (Mexico: dubbed version)
... aka Guyana: Cult of the Damned (USA)
Fuego negro (1979) .... Catherine Jones
... aka Black Fire
Nocturna (1979) .... Jugula
... aka Granddaughter of Dracula
Satan's Cheerleaders (1977) .... Emmy/Sheriff's Wife/High Priestess
"Roots" (1977) (mini) TV Series .... Slave Owner's Wife
Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood (1976) .... Cleaning woman
... aka Won Ton Ton (USA: poster title)
Casa de las sombras, La (1976)
... aka House of Shadows
It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time (1975) .... Julia
... aka Good Idea
Blazing Stewardesses (1975) .... Honey
... aka Cathouse Callgirls (USA: video title)
... aka Cathouse Cowgirls (USA: reissue title)
... aka Texas Layover
... aka The Great Truck Robbery
... aka The Jet Set (USA)
... aka Up Like a Shot
Black Fire (1975)
The Mark of Zorro (1974) (TV) (as Yvonne DeCarlo) .... Isabella Vega
The Girl on the Late, Late Show (1974) (TV) .... Lorraine
The Seven Minutes (1971) .... Constance Cumberland
The Delta Factor (1970) .... Valerie
"The Name of the Game" .... Mrs. Levene (1 episode, 1970)
- Island of Gold and Precious Stones (1970) TV Episode .... Mrs. Levene
"The Virginian" .... Helen Haldeman aka Elena / ... (2 episodes, 1963-1969)
... aka The Men from Shiloh (USA: new title)
- Crime Wave in Buffalo Springs (1969) TV Episode .... Imogene Delphinia
- A Time Remembered (1963) TV Episode .... Helen Haldeman aka Elena
Arizona Bushwhackers (1968) .... Jill Wyler
The Power (1968) .... Mrs. Sally Hallson
"Custer" .... Vanessa Ravenhill (1 episode, 1967)
... aka The Legend of Custer (USA: theatrical title)
- The Raiders (1967) TV Episode .... Vanessa Ravenhill
Hostile Guns (1967) .... Laura Mannon
"The Girl from U.N.C.L.E." .... Nadia Marcolescu (1 episode, 1967)
- The Moulin Ruse Affair (1967) TV Episode .... Nadia Marcolescu
Munster, Go Home (1966) .... Lily Munster
"The Munsters" .... Lily Munster (71 episodes, 1964-1966)
- A Visit from the Teacher (1966) TV Episode .... Lily Munster
- Herman's Lawsuit (1966) TV Episode .... Lily Munster
- Herman's Sorority Caper (1966) TV Episode .... Lily Munster
- A House Divided (1966) TV Episode .... Lily Munster
- Herman, the Tire Kicker (1966) TV Episode .... Lily Munster
(66 more)
"The Greatest Show on Earth" .... Magda Kolday (1 episode, 1964)
- The Night the Monkey Died (1964) TV Episode .... Magda Kolday
Law of the Lawless (1964) .... Ellie Irish
... aka Invitation to a Hanging
A Global Affair (1964) .... Dolores
"Burke's Law" .... Countess Barbara Erozzi (1 episode, 1963)
... aka Amos Burke, Secret Agent (USA: new title)
- Who Killed Beau Sparrow? (1963) TV Episode .... Countess Barbara Erozzi
McLintock! (1963) .... Mrs. Louise Warren
"Pantomime Quiz" .... Guest Panelist (1 episode, 1962)
... aka Mike Stokey's Pantomime Quiz (USA)
... aka Stump the Stars (USA: new title)
- Yvonne DeCarlo vs. Art Linkletter (1962) TV Episode .... Guest Panelist
"Follow the Sun" .... Anne Beeler / ... (2 episodes, 1961-1962)
- Annie Beeler's Place (1962) TV Episode .... Annie Beeler
- The Longest Crap Game in History (1961) TV Episode .... Anne Beeler
"Death Valley Days" .... Dr. Clare Reed (1 episode, 1961)
... aka Call of the West (USA: syndication title)
... aka The Pioneers (USA: syndication title)
... aka Trails West (USA: syndication title)
... aka Western Star Theater (USA: syndication title)
- The Lady Was an M.D. (1961) TV Episode .... Dr. Clare Reed
"Adventures in Paradise" .... Lianne Zagreb (1 episode, 1960)
- Isle of Eden (1960) TV Episode .... Lianne Zagreb
"Bonanza" .... Lotta Crabtree (1 episode, 1959)
... aka Ponderosa (USA: rerun title)
- A Rose for Lotta (1959) TV Episode .... Lotta Crabtree
Timbuktu (1959) .... Natalie Dufort
"Playhouse 90" .... Marina Arkwright (1 episode, 1958)
- Verdict of Three (1958) TV Episode .... Marina Arkwright
Spada e la croce, La (1958) .... Mary Magdalene
... aka Mary Magdalene
... aka The Sword and the Cross
Band of Angels (1957) .... Amantha Starr
"Schlitz Playhouse of Stars" (1 episode, 1957)
... aka Herald Playhouse (USA: syndication title)
... aka Schlitz Playhouse (USA: new title)
... aka The Playhouse (USA: syndication title)
- Storm Over Rapallo (1957) TV Episode
"Shower of Stars" (1 episode, 1957)
... aka Chrysler Shower of Stars
- Skits & Sketches (1957) TV Episode
Death of a Scoundrel (1956) .... Bridget Kelly
... aka Diary of a Scoundrel
... aka Loves of a Scoundrel
... aka The Loves and Death of a Scoundrel
The Ten Commandments (1956) .... Sephora
Raw Edge (1956) .... Hannah Montgomery
Flame of the Islands (1956) .... Rosalind Dee
"Screen Directors Playhouse" .... Pearl (1 episode, 1956)
- Hot Cargo (1956) TV Episode .... Pearl
Magic Fire (1955) .... Minna Planer
... aka Frauen um Richard Wagner
Contessa di Castiglione, La (1955) .... Virginia Oldoini
... aka Castiglione, La (France)
... aka The Contessa's Secret (USA)
Shotgun (1955) .... Abby
Passion (1954) .... Rosa Melo/Tonya Melo
Happy Ever After (1954) .... Serena McGluskey
... aka Tonight's the Night (USA)
Border River (1954) .... Carmelita Carjas
The Backbone of America (1953) (TV)
Fort Algiers (1953) .... Yvette
The Captain's Paradise (1953) .... Nita St. James
... aka Paradise
... aka The Captain's Progress
Sea Devils (1953) .... Droucette
Sombrero (1953) .... Maria
"The Ford Television Theatre" (1 episode, 1953)
... aka Ford Theatre (USA: short title)
- Madame 44 (1953) TV Episode
Hurricane Smith (1952) .... Luana
Scarlet Angel (1952) .... Roxy McClanahan
The San Francisco Story (1952) .... Adelaide McCall
"Lights Out" (1 episode, 1952)
- Another Country (1952) TV Episode
Silver City (1951) .... Candace Surrency
... aka High Vermilion (UK)
Hotel Sahara (1951) .... Yasmin Pallas
Tomahawk (1951) .... Julie Madden
... aka Battle of Powder River (UK)
The Desert Hawk (1950) .... Princess Scheherazade
Buccaneer's Girl (1950) .... Deborah "Debbie' McCoy
The Gal Who Took the West (1949) .... Linda Marlowe
Calamity Jane and Sam Bass (1949) .... Calamity Jane
Criss Cross (1949) .... Anna Dundee
River Lady (1948) .... Sequin
Casbah (1948) .... Inez
Black Bart (1948) .... Lola Montez
... aka Black Bart, Highwayman (UK)
Slave Girl (1947) .... Francesca
Brute Force (1947) .... Gina Ferrara
Song of Scheherazade (1947) .... Cara de Talavera
Frontier Gal (1945) .... Lorena Dumont
... aka The Bride Wasn't Willing (UK)
Salome Where She Danced (1945) .... Anna Marie
Bring on the Girls (1945) (uncredited) .... Hat check girl
Practically Yours (1944) (uncredited) .... Office Clerk
Here Come the Waves (1944) (uncredited) .... Girl
Rainbow Island (1944) (uncredited) .... Lona's companion
Kismet (1944) (uncredited) .... Handmaiden
... aka Oriental Dream (USA: TV title)
Fun Time (1944) .... Phyllis
... aka Musical Parade: Fun Time (USA: series title)
The Story of Dr. Wassell (1944) (uncredited) .... Native Girl
Standing Room Only (1944) (uncredited) .... Secretary
True to Life (1943) (uncredited) .... Bit Role
The Deerslayer (1943) .... Princess Wah-Tah
Let's Face It (1943) (uncredited) .... Chorus Girl
For Whom the Bell Tolls (1943) (uncredited) .... Girl in cafe
So Proudly We Hail! (1943) (uncredited) .... Girl
Salute for Three (1943) (uncredited) .... Girl in Singing Quartette
The Crystal Ball (1943) (uncredited) .... Secretary
Rhythm Parade (1942) (uncredited) .... Showgirl
Lucky Jordan (1942) (uncredited) .... Girl
Road to Morocco (1942) (uncredited) .... Handmaiden
Youth on Parade (1942) (uncredited) .... Student
This Gun for Hire (1942) (uncredited) .... Showgirl at Neptune Club
The Kink of the Campus (1941) .... Kitty O'Hara
Harvard, Here I Come! (1941) (uncredited) .... Bathing Girl
... aka Here I Come (UK)
I Look at You (1941)
All right, now I'm puzzled. When I posted UFO photos I was accused of trying to turn everyone gay (Huh?) Now I've posted a link showing Yvonne toppless, why hasn't anyone accused me of trying to turn everyone straight?
Forgive these, I'm trying to train my new e-mail address not to mark e-notices from here as spam...
Attention: I'd like to invite everyone to look at the right side menu. That button marked BC Forums....
It was nice that the Emmy Awards remembered Yvonne after the Oscar fiasco. Seeing her reminded me of how much I miss her.....
Thanks Bert,
While Lily Munster was her signature role in her latter career, she was the prototype "Screen siren" for a whole generation.
Jet
Jet!
Nice to see your name again around here! I hope things are going better for you. Is the spy in your novel going to have a cover as a pizza delivery guy?
Add your comment, speak your mind
(Or ping: http://blogcritics.org/mt/tb/58409)
I think I liked the hot-rod episodes the best.