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Dolores Fuller
1923-
Updated 3/31/2008.
biography
Born Dolores Eble in Indiana in 1923, Dolores Fuller is best known for her association with director Ed Wood and as one of the stars of the 1953 film Glen or Glenda; however, she has enjoyed a lengthy and varied career in show business. After her the end of her first marriage, which lasted 14 years and produced two children, Fuller began going on casting calls for early television. By the time Fuller met Ed Wood in 1952, she was already firmly established as a television personality. She was the 'Gustinette Girl' on Queen for a Day, where she appeared five days per week in a featured appearance advertising maribou slippers. Also, Fuller worked as a model Westwood Knitting Mills, Evans/Picone, and others. Chiefly, perhaps, was her regular job on NBC's Dinah Shore Chevrolet Playhouse which required work every Monday and Wednesday, then aired live on Friday nights.
Early 1950s glamour photo of Dolores Fuller
Before starring in Ed Wood's productions, Fuller had appeared in a few movies, such as Girls in the Night (1953; with Joyce Holden and Harvey Lembeck), directed by B-movie legend Jack Arnold. She was also featured in the low-budget cult classic Mesa of Lost Women (1953; with Jackie Coogan and Lyle Talbot).
the films of dolores fuller
Mesa of Lost Women (1953)
Leggy shot of Dolores Fuller as one of the Lost Women
Glen or Glenda (1953)
Fuller with Ed Wood in Glen or Glenda
Jail Bait (1954)
LEFT: With Theodora Thurman and Herbert Rawlinson in a tense scene. RIGHT: Publicity still
more on dolores fuller
After appearing in Ed Wood's movies Glen or Glenda (1953; with Bela Lugosi and Edward D. Wood Jr.), Jail Bait (1954; with Steve Reeves and Lyle Talbot), and Bride of the Monster (1955; with Bela Lugosi and Tor Johnson), Fuller left Wood and went on to a more successful career in show business, but not the movies. Rather, she became a songwriter and has co-written songs with Nelson Riddle, Peggy Lee, and Duane Eddy, to name a few. She also co-wrote at least 20 songs for Elvis Presley's 1960s features, including songs from Spinout, Clambake, and Paradise, Hawaiian Style. Later in her music career, she became a manager for such singers as Tanya Tucker. Today, Dolores Fuller is still active in show biz; her musical show is nearing completion and tells the real story of her life with Ed Wood and their dear friend, Bela Lugosi. It is called Ed Wood...But I Wouldn't. Also, Stone Wallace is working on a book on Dolores Fuller that will have all of the facts and is due out later this year. Furthermore, Dolores Fuller wrote the introduction to Wallace's book on Johnny Depp, now on the press at Folk Lore Publishing (Canada).
The Ed Wood Box [DVD] DVD
Six-disc boxed set includes "Glen or Glenda?," "Jail Bait," "Bride of the Monster," "Plan 9 from Outer Space," "Night of the Ghouls," and "The Haunted World of Edward D. Wood, Jr."
Glen Or Glenda? [DVD](1952) DVD
Writer/director Ed Wood pseudonymously starred in this transvestite/sex-change docudrama that was his most autobiographical film. Will Glen's fiancee let him wear her angora sweater? Hear scientist-narrator Bela Lugosi warn viewers to "bevare of the big green dragon that sits on your doorstep," see daffy dream sequences, and learn the inner turmoil of men who wear "pink satin undies." With Dolores Fuller, Lyle Talbot. AKA: "I Led Two Lives." 67 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English mono; scene access.
Glen Or Glenda (I Changed My Sex)(1952) VHS
Writer/director Ed Wood pseudonymously starred in this transvestite/sex-change docudrama that was his most autobiographical film. Will Glen's fiancee let him wear her angora sweater? Hear scientist-narrator Bela Lugosi warn viewers to "bevare of the big green dragon that sits on your doorstep," see daffy dream sequences, and learn the inner turmoil of men who wear "pink satin undies." With Dolores Fuller, Lyle Talbot. AKA: "I Led Two Lives." 67 min.
Mesa Of Lost Women [DVD](1953) DVD
A feast for bad movie buffs, as Jackie (Uncle Fester) Coogan plays the mad Dr. Arana, whose experiments on a Mexican mountain result in giant tarantulas, killer dwarves, and savage "spider women." Wallopin' websnappers! Look for stars like Dolores Fuller ("Glen or Glenda"), George Barrows ("Robot Monster") and Angelo Rossitto. From Ron Ormond. 69 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; theatrical trailer.
Femme Fatale Collection [DVD] DVD
Three-disc set includes "Mesa of Lost Women," "Devil Girl from Mars," and "The Astounding She-Monster."
Jail Bait [DVD](1954) DVD
A hard-as-nails gangster film, Ed Wood-style. A hood on the lam shoots his partner, then forces the guy's surgeon-father to change his face. The stars include Lyle Talbot, Dolores Fuller, Timothy Farrell and a young Steve Reeves; don't miss the "hilarious" blackface minstrel sequence! 75 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English mono; scene access.
The Bela Lugosi Box: 15 Frightful Films [DVD] DVD
The seductively evil horror king Bela Lugosi appears in 15 chiller classics in this five-disc set. The silent soaper "The Midnight Girl" (1925) features a pre-Dracula Lugosi as the suave and shady patron of a Russian opera singer (Lila Lee) newly come to America. Also includes "White Zombie," "The Death Kiss," "Chandu on the Magic Island," "The Return of Chandu," "The Mysterious Mr. Wong," "The Dark Eyes of London (The Human Monster)," "The Devil Bat," "The Corpse Vanishes," "Bowery at Midnight," "The Ape Man," "Scared to Death" (1947), "Glen or Glenda?," "Bride of the Monster," and "Plan 9 from Outer Space"; also features the short documentary tribute "100 Years of Horror: Bela Lugosi," hosted by Christopher Lee.
Bride Of The Monster(1956) VHS
Wood and Lugosi team up again in this tale of a mad scientist out to create a race of "atomic super-giants." See Tor Johnson as Lobo, Lugosi's mute lab assistant! See Bela wrestle with an obvious rubber octopus! See Tor wrestle with Bela's platform-heeled stand-in! "He tampered in God's domain!" With Tony McCoy, Loretta King. 70 min.
The Haunted World Of Edward D. Wood, Jr. [DVD](1995) DVD
The life and films of Ed Wood are extensively covered in this terrific documentary that mixes rare film footage and great interviews. Among the members of Wood's entourage featured are Dolores Fuller, Bela Lugosi, Conrad Brooks, Vampira and Lyle Talbot. Find out what made the cross-dressing, angora-addicted auteur really tick--if you dare! 112 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo; audio commentary; interviews; photo gallery; outtakes; behind-the-scenes footage; featurettes; bonus short "Crossroads of Laredo"; more.
The Haunted World Of Edward Wood, Jr.(1995) VHS
The life and films of Ed Wood are extensively covered in this terrific documentary that mixes rare film footage and great interviews. Among the members of Wood's entourage featured are Dolores Fuller, Bela Lugosi, Conrad Brooks, Vampira and Lyle Talbot. Find out what made the cross-dressing, sweater-addicted auteur really tick--if you dare! 110 min.
The Ironbound Vampire [DVD](1997) DVD
Ed Wood stock company members Conrad Brooks and Dolores Fuller return to the screen together for the first time since "Bride of the Monster" in this tale of a former cop-turned-writer seeking a vampire in a strange sub-city of Newark. Centering his investigation around a World War I veteran linked to the bloodsucker, he quickly enters a world of unthinkable terror. Deana Enoches, Richard Matyskiel, Suzanne Lenore co-star. 59 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo; bloopers; outtakes; featurette. Plays All Regions.
Ted V. Mikels Signature Collection [DVD] DVD
Limited to 1,000 copies and featuring a numbered collector's card signed by Ted V. Mikels, this six-disc set of his greatest films includes "Girl in Gold Boots," "Blood Orgy of the She-Devils," "The Corpse Grinders," "The Doll Squad," "10 Violent Women," and "The Corpse Grinders II."
The Corpse Grinders 2 [VHS](2000) VHS
The years-later sequel to Ted V. Mikels' gore classic has the nephews of the original cat food company owners getting back into business, grinding cadavers for kitty food. But when cat-like critters from another planet seek the grub, all hell breaks loose. Sean Morelli, Andy Freeman, Liz Renay, Dolores Fuller and Johnny Schulze star. Includes a documentary on the making of the film. 118 min. total.
filmography
FILM
The Corpse Grinders 2 (2000) with Liz Renay; directed by Ted V. Mikels
Dimensions in Fear (1998) with Liz Renay; directed by Ted V. Mikels
The Ironbound Vampire (1998) with Conrad Brooks
The Haunted World of Edward D. Wood Jr. (1995)
Bride of the Monster (1955) with Loretta King, Bela Lugosi, Tor Johnson, and Tony McCoy
Playgirl (1954) with Shelley Winters, Richard Long, Mara Corday, and Colleen Miller
The Raid (1954) with Van Heflin and Richard Boone
This Is My Love (1954) with Faith Domergue, Linda Darnell, and William Hopper
Jail Bait (1954) with Steve Reeves and Lyle Talbot
Mesa of Lost Women (1953) with Jackie Coogan and Lyle Talbot
Body Beautiful (1953) with Robert Clarke
Girls in the Night (1953) with Joyce Holden, Harvey Lembeck, Glenda Farrell, Patricia Hardy, and Tommy Farrell
Glen or Glenda (1953) with Bela Lugosi, Lyle Talbot, and Edward D. Wood Jr.
The Moonlighter (1953) with Barbara Stanwick and Fred MacMurray
TELEVISION
The Adventures of Superman, TV series with George Reeves. Fuller appeared in episode The Wedding of Superman, originally aired May 12, 1956.
The Dinah Shore Show, as Dinah Shore's stand-in, 1952-1955.
Queen for a Day, daytime TV game show hosted by Jack Bailey. Fuller was a product model. This show originally aired from 1956-1964.
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This page premiered April 10, 1998.
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