Born Joanne LaCock in Logan, West Virginia, in January 1922, beautiful Joanne Dru went to New York as a teenager, following the death of her father. The gorgeous teenager soon found work as a Powers model and showgirl. In 1941 at the age of 19, Dru married crooner Dick Haymes. The newlyweds moved to California soon afterward, as Haymes had signed a film contract with 20th Century-Fox. The couple eventually had two daughters and a son. As Haymes' film career began to ebb in the late 1940s, Joanne Dru's acting career gained momentum.
Early 1950s cheesecake photo of Joanne Dru
For her first film, she landed the starring role in Abie's Irish Rose (1946), but the film flopped at the box office and was slaughtered by critics. Her next role, however, was in Howard Hawk's hit western Red River (1948; with John Wayne), in which she costarred with John Ireland. By this time her marriage to Haymes was disintegrating, and in 1949 Dru divorced Haymes and married Ireland. Dru and Ireland made a number of films together, including All the King's Men (1949; with Broderick Crawford), Vengeance Valley (1951; with Burt Lancaster), Hannah Lee (1953; with Macdonald Carey), and Southwest Passage (1954; with Rod Cameron). Although she appeared in a healthy dose of dramas and film noir thrillers, due to her frequent appearances in westerns Dru found herself typecast by the late 1950s.
the films of joanne dru
Abie's Irish Rose (1946)
Poster from Dru's first film, Abie's Irish Rose, released by United Artists
My Pal Gus (1952)
With Richard Widmark in the 20th Century Fox comedy My Pal Gus
Forbidden (1953)
With Tony Curtis in Universal-International's film noir release
Forbidden
Thunder Bay (1953)
From the Universal-International adventure Thunder Bay
Duffy of San Quentin (1954)
With Louis Hayward in Universal's Duffy of San Quentin
Ford's V-8 Theater, aka All Star Theatre (1956)
With Scott Brady from a comedic 1956 episode of Ford's V-8 Theater titled Just What the Doctor Ordered
The Light in the Forest (1958)
With Fess Parker in the Disney film The Light in the Forest
September Storm (1960)
From the 20th Century Fox adventure September Storm
later years
Beyond 1960, Dru made just two more films. Throughout the 1960s, her acting career flourished on television, where she took guest spots in many shows. Dru's brother, comedian and game show host Peter Marshall, invited her to appear on Hollywood Squares numerous times in the 1960s and 1970s. After Dru's divorce from John Ireland in 1956, she married two more times; her fourth husband left her a widow in 1993. Sadly, by this time Dru's health had begun to deteriorate, and she passed away in 1996 at the age of 74.
Red River [DVD](1948) DVD Psychologically complex and visually stunning western from Howard Hawks showcases John Wayne as a ruthless rancher moving a huge herd of cattle down the Chisholm Trail to Abilene, Texas. Causing friction is Montgomery Clift, Wayne's adopted son, who, rebelling against Wayne, wants to lead the drive his own way. Joanne Dru, Walter Brennan, John Ireland also star. Standard; Soundtrack: English; Subtitles: English, Spanish, French; scene access. All The King's Men [DVD](1949) DVD Three Oscars (Picture, Actor, Supporting Actress) went to this drama of a backwoods Southern lawyer who deals his way into the governor's mansion, but cannot control his lust for power. Broderick Crawford stars as the Huey Long-inspired kingpin. Mercedes McCambridge, John Ireland and Joanne Dru; based on the novel by Robert Penn Warren. 109 min. Standard; Soundtracks: English mono, French, Spanish, Portuguese; Subtitled: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Korean, Thai. John Wayne/John Ford Film Collection [DVD] DVD Ten-disc set includes "Stagecoach" (Special Edition), "The Long Voyage Home," "They Were Expendable," "Fort Apache," "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon," "3 Godfathers," "The Searchers" (Ultimate Collector's Edition), and "The Wings of Eagles." She Wore A Yellow Ribbon [DVD](1949) DVD Memorable look at duty, devotion and honor from director John Ford stars John Wayne as a middle-aged Cavalry captain who, on the eve of retirement, strives to forestall war between Indians and the army. With Joanne Dru, Ben Johnson, John Agar. 103 min. Standard; Soundtracks: English, French; Subtitles: English, French, Portuguese, Spanish; featurettes; theatrical trailer. Vengeance Valley [DVD](1951) DVD Offbeat sagebrusher in which Burt Lancaster becomes embroiled in a nasty feud with bad boy half-brother Robert Walker when he's accused of fathering an illegitimate child. Hoping to control Lancaster's stake in the family ranch, Walker joins forces with the woman's brothers to track down his sibling. Joanne Dru, John Ireland also star. 83 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo. James Stewart: Screen Legend Collection [DVD] DVD The versatility of James Stewart is showcased in this three-disc set. First, he shines as a journalist whose marriage with stage star Margaret Sullavan is strained when he is sent overseas to work, in the drama "Next Time We Love" (1936). With Ray Milland, Grant Mitchell. In the wacky "You Gotta Stay Happy" (1948), pilot Stewart takes runaway bride Joan Fontaine on an impromptu flight to California. Eddie Albert and Roland Young lend support. Next, oil wildcatters Stewart and Dan Duryea fight with Cajun fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico, in "Thunder Bay" (1953). Joanne Dru, Gilbert Roland co-star. Then, in the fantastic biopic "The Glenn Miller Story" (1953), Stewart shines as the famed musician/band leader. Co-stars June Allyson, Harry Morgan; with performances from Gene Krupa, Louis Armstrong and the Glenn Miller Orchestra. Finally, in the western drama "Shenandoah" (1965), Civil War opposer Stewart is forced to take sides when his son is kidnapped by Union troops. With Doug McClure, Glenn Corbett. 8 1/3 hrs. total. Standard/Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital stereo, Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English (SDH), French; theatrical trailers.
The Warriors(1955) VHS Errol Flynn shines as a British prince defending family and army from the forces of the French in this grand old adventure saga set in medieval times. Co-stars Peter Finch, Joanne Dru, Michael Hordern. 85 min. Super Fuzz [DVD](1981) DVD A cop suddenly discovers he has amazing powers (super strength, super vision, and more)--until he sees the color red, and uses his newfound gifts to nab some counterfeiters. Terence Hill, Ernest Borgnine, Joanne Dru star. 97 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English.
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filmography
Super Fuzz (1980) with Terence Hill and Ernest Borgnine Sylvia (1965) with Carroll Baker, George Maharis, Peter Lawford, and Nancy Kovack September Storm (1960) with Mark Stevens The Wild and the Innocent (1959) with Audie Murphy and Gilbert Roland The Light in the Forest (1958) with Fess Parker and Wendell Corey Drango (1957) with Jeff Chandler and Julie London Hell on Frisco Bay (1955) with Alan Ladd, Edward G. Robinson, and Fay Wray Sincerely Yours (1955) with Liberace, Dorothy Malone, Guy Williams, and Lori Nelson The Dark Avenger (1955) with Errol Flynn and Christopher Lee Day of Triumph (1954) with Lee J. Cobb and Mike Connors Duffy of San Quentin (1954) with Louis Hayward and Maureen O'Sullivan The Siege at Red River (1954) with Van Johnson, Richard Boone, and Jeff Morrow Three Ring Circus (1954) with Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, and Zsa Zsa Gabor Southwest Passage (1954) with John Ireland and Rod Cameron City of Bad Men (1953) with Jeanne Crain, Dale Robertson, Lloyd Bridges, and Carl Betz Forbidden (1953) with Tony Curtis Hannah Lee (1953) with John Ireland and Macdonald Carey; directed by John Ireland and originally released in 3-D Thunder Bay (1953) with James Stewart and Gilbert Roland The Pride of St. Louis (1952) with Dan Dailey Return of the Texan (1952) with Dale Robertson, Richard Boone, and Robert Horton My Pal Gus (1952) with Richard Widmark Mr. Belvedere Rings the Bell (1951) with Clifton Webb and Hugh Marlowe Vengeance Valley (1951) with Burt Lancaster, John Ireland, Sally Forrest, and Hugh O'Brian 711 Ocean Drive (1950) with Edmond O'Brien Wagon Master (1950) with Ben Johnson All the King's Men (1949) with John Ireland, Broderick Crawford, Mercedes McCambridge, and John Derek She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949) with John Wayne, John Agar, George O'Brien, and Tom Tyler Red River (1948) with John Wayne, John Ireland, and Coleen Gray Abie's Irish Rose (1946) TELEVISION SERIES Guestward Ho!, 1960-1961 ABC TV series. Dru portrayed Babs Hooton
In addition, Dru made numerous appearances on TV shows from the 1950s through the 1970s, including multiple appearances on Hollywood Squares.
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