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Julie London
1926-2000
Updated 4/13/2009 with more DVDs available, plus a new Photos Available section!
biography
Born Julie Peck in Santa Clara, California, on September 26, 1926, sultry Julie London enjoyed a long career in films and the recording industry. Her parents had a vaudeville act and when the act moved to radio in the 1930s, London began singing on the show. In 1943, while still a teenager, she was discovered by agent and former actress Sue Carol and landed her first film role in Nabonga (1944; with Buster Crabbe). At the same time, London pursued a singing career with the Matty Malnech Orchestra. Several more films followed, but when London married actor/producer/director Jack Webb in 1947, she cooled her career to raise a family. After having two daughters, the couple parted ways in 1954, and London eventually went back to acting and embarked upon a highly successful singing career.
LEFT: Beautiful 1940s photo of Julie London. CENTER and RIGHT: Late 1950s photo
By chance songwriter/actor Bobby Troup heard London sing at a party. Later, he convinced her to build a nightclub act and then set about securing a recording contract, signing with Liberty in 1955. An early recording session produced the Billboard smash Cry Me A River, which was followed by a string of hits. London went on to record more than 30 albums on the Liberty label, mostly produced by Troup. Her film career was aided by her popularity as a vocalist, and she starred in a number of memorable films in the late 1950s and early 1960s. After a lengthy courtship, London and Troup married on New Year's Eve 1959. By the early 1960s, London retired again from films, concentrating on her singing career and raising a family with Troup.
the films of julie london
Tap Roots (1948)
Promotional still from Tap Roots
The Fat Man (1951)
From the Universal-International mystery The Fat Man, directed by William Castle. LEFT and CENTER: With Rock Hudson. RIGHT: London as Pat Boyd
The Great Man (1956)
With Jose Ferrer in the drama The Great Man. Ferrer also directed this film, which is one of London's best
Saddle the Wind (1958)
With Robert Taylor in the MGM western Saddle the Wind
Voice in the Mirror (1958)
From Voice in the Mirror, which features London's best performance. LEFT: With Arthur O'Connell. CENTER A: Richard Egan as the alcoholic Jim Burton whose wife Ellen (Julie London) helps him recover and reform. CENTER B: Tense scene with Aruthur O'Connell and Richard Egan. RIGHT: With Richard Egan
Night of the Quarter Moon (1959)
With John Drew Barrymoore in the scandalous MGM release Night of the Quarter Moon
The Wonderful Country (1959)
With Gary Merrill and Jack Oakie in the United Artists western The Wonderful Country
The George Raft Story (1961)
With Ray Danton in The George Raft Story. This was London's final theatrically released film
the music of julie london
Image of Julie London's single In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning, released by Liberty
With the success of Julie London's nightclub singing act, Bobby Troup set out to land her a recording contract. However, all the major labels turned London down. She ended up at the newly formed Liberty label, and her signature song, Cry Me a River (Liberty single 55006), was released in 1955 as only the sixth record released by the fledgling label. The song proved to be a huge hit, eventually selling a staggering three million copies. Cry Me a River was also released as a track on her first album, Julie Is Her Name, which kicked off a thirteen-year recording spree at Liberty yielding more than 30 albums. But when Liberty was purchased by Transamerica Corporation (United Artists) in late 1968, London's contract ended and she virtually abandoned her singing career. Her last recording was done in 1980 as an entry on the soundtrack of the Burt Reynolds film Sharky's Machine.
later years
After Emergency left the air in 1977, London retired from show business. In 1995, two serious setbacks---a stroke and the death of her daughter Stacy---left London in poor health. In 1999, Bobby Troup passed away at age 80. London passed away on October 18, 2000. She is survived by two sons, two daughters, and grandchildren.
julie london CDs available from amazon.com
I Spy: Season 1 [DVD](1965) DVD
All 28 episodes from the first season--including "So Long, Patrick Henry," "Dragon's Teeth," "The Weight of the World," "The Conquest of Maude Murdock," and "One Thousand Fine"--have been collected in a five-disc set. 23 3/4 hrs. total. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono. **28 episodes on 5 discs. 23 3/4 hrs.**
Rawhide: Seasons 1-3 [DVD] DVD
Includes "Rawhide: The Complete First Season," "Rawhide: The Second Season, Vol. 1," "Rawhide: The Second Season, Vol. 2," "Rawhide: The Third Season, Vol. 1," and "Rawhide: The Third Season, Vol. 2." **66 episodes on 23 discs. 71 1/4 hrs.**
Jayne Mansfield Collection [DVD] DVD
Sex, gangsters and rock 'n' roll blend in "The Girl Can't Help It" (1956), one of the '50s best comedies and the film that made Jayne Mansfield a star. Mob boss Edmond O'Brien coerces agent Tom Ewell into making his talentless girlfriend (Jayne) a singing star. With performances by Little Richard, Gene Vincent, and Fats Domino. Next, "Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?" (1957). Find out in a wildly funny spoof of Hollywood and Madison Avenue. Struggling New York ad man Tony Randall saves his company by convincing sexpot Mansfield to endorse a line of lipstick, only to become a celebrity himself when he's mistaken for her new beau. With Betsy Drake, Mickey Hargitay, and a cameo by Groucho Marx. Finally, a prim English gentleman (Kenneth More) befriends an unruly saloon girl (Mansfield) in the Old West and reluctantly becomes "The Sheriff of Fractured Jaw" (1958). Comedic western also stars Henry Hull, Bruce Cabot, William Campbell. 4 3/4 hrs. total on three discs. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English; newsreel footage; "Biography" episode.
Nabonga [DVD](1944) DVD
A gorilla named Nabonga warms up to a teenage girl whose plane, which was also carrying a bundle of embezzled cash, crash lands in the Belgian Congo. Years later, Buster Crabbe sets out after the girl and must do battle with villains after the lost booty. With Julie London. 72 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English mono. Plays All Regions.
The Red House [DVD](1947) DVD
A chilling tale of suspense with Edward G. Robinson as a handicapped farmer who lives a reclusive lifestyle with sister Judith Anderson and ward Allene Roberts. Robinson has given strict orders not to visit a mysterious red house located nearby, but when Roberts and farmhand Lon McCallister ignore his wishes, troubling secrets are revealed. Delmer Daves ("Jubal") directs. 100 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English mono. Plays All Regions.
Saddle The Wind [DVD](1958) DVD
Ex-gunfighter Robert Taylor settles down to become a farmer and live out his remaining years free of violence. His new way of life is jeopardized by the arrival of younger brother John Cassavetes, a rebellious young man with an itchy trigger finger. Rugged and dramatic Western drama co-stars Julie London, Donald Crisp. 84 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English (SDH), French; theatrical trailer.
Man Of The West [DVD](1958) DVD
Compelling Western drama from director Anthony Mann stars Gary Cooper as a former outlaw forced by circumstances to reunite with his old gang, led by his sadistic uncle (Lee J. Cobb), in order to protect those around him. When he agrees to pulling one final bank job with them, things quickly go sour--resulting in tragedy. Stunning tale co-stars Julie London, Arthur O'Connell. 99 min. Widescreen; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital mono, Spanish Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish.
Emergency!: Season One [DVD](1972) DVD
The original TV movie and all 11 first-season episodes--including "The Mascot," "Botulism," "Dealer's Wild," "Publicity Hound," and "Crash"--are featured in a two-disc set. 11 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English (SDH), Spanish.
Emergency!: Season Two [DVD](1972) DVD
All 21 second-season episodes--including "Kids," "Peace Pipe," "Fuzz Lady," "School Days," and "Audit"--are featured in a three-disc set. Standard; Soundtrack: English; Subtitles: English (SDH).
Emergency!: Season Three [DVD](1973) DVD
All 22 third-season episodes--including "Frequency," "Alley Cat," "Snakebite," "Computer Error," and "Inventions"--are featured in a five-disc set. 18 1/4 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo; Subtitles: English (SDH). **22 episodes on 5 discs. 18 1/4 hrs.**
Emergency!: Season Four [DVD](1974) DVD
All 22 fourth-season episodes--including "The Screenwriter," "Daisy's Pick," "The Firehouse Four," "Kidding," and "905-WILD"--are featured in a five-disc set. 18 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English (SDH). **22 episodes on 5 discs. 18 hrs.**
Emergency!: Season Five [DVD](1975) DVD
All 24 fifth-season episodes--including "The Stewardess," "Pressure 165," "On Camera," "Right at Home," and "The Nuisance"--are featured in a five-disc set. 17 1/4 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English (SDH); bonus "Adam-12" episode. **24 episodes on 5 discs. 17 1/4 hrs.**
filmography
FILM
The Helicopter Spies (1968) Man From U.N.C.L.E. made-for-TV movie with Robert Vaughn and David McCallum
The George Raft Story (1961) with Jayne Mansfield, Barbara Nichols, and Ray Danton
The Third Voice (1960) with Edmund O'Brien and Laraine Day
Night of the Quarter Moon (1959) with John Drew Barrymoore, Agnes Moorehead, Nat 'King' Cole, and Ray Anthony
A Question of Adultery (1959) with Anthony Steel
The Wonderful Country (1959) with Robert Mitchum, Gary Merrill, and Jack Oakie
Man of the West (1958) with Gary Cooper, Lee J. Cobb, and Jack Lord
Saddle the Wind (1958) with Robert Taylor and John Cassavetes
Voice in the Mirror (1958) with Richard Egan, Troy Donahue, and Peggy Converse
Drango (1957) with Jeff Chandler and Joanne Dru
Crime Against Joe (1956) with John Bromfield, Joyce Jameson, and Rhodes Reason
The Great Man (1956) with José Ferrer and Dean Jagger
The Girl Can't Help It (1956) with Jayne Mansfield, Tom Ewell, Ray Anthony, Fats Domino, Little Richard, Gene Vincent, and Eddie Cochran
The Fighting Chance (1955) with Rod Cameron and Mel Welles
The Fat Man (1951) with Rock Hudson and Jayne Meadows
Return of the Frontiersman (1950) with Gordon MacRae and Rory Calhoun
Task Force (1949) with Gary Cooper and Bruce Bennett
Tap Roots (1948) with Van Heflin, Susan Hayward, Boris Karloff, and Richard Long
The Red House (1947) with Edward G. Robinson and Rory Calhoun
A Night in Paradise (1946) with Merle Oberon and Turhan Bey
Diamond Horseshoe (1945) with Betty Grable, Dick Haymes, and Margaret Dumont
On Stage Everybody (1945) with Peggy Ryan and Jack Oakie
Nabonga (1944) with Buster Crabbe, Fifi D'Orsay, and Ray 'Crash' Corrigan
TELEVISION SERIES
Emergency, 1972-1977 TV series. London portrayed Nurse Dixie McCall
Frances Langford Presents, 1959-1960 TV series
TELEVISION GUEST APPEARANCES
The Match Game, 1973-1981 CBS-TV game show. London appeared several times during the 1975-1976 season
Tattletales, 1974-1978 CBS-TV game show. London appeared with husband Bobby Troup numerous times.
Adam-12, episode Lost and Found, originally aired October 4, 1972
The Big Valley, episode They Called Her Delilah, originally aired September 30, 1968
I Spy, episode Three Hours On a Sunday, originally aired December 8, 1965
Checkmate, episode Goodbye Grief, originally aired April 15, 1961
Hong Kong, episode Suitable For Framing, originally aired January 4, 1961
Rawhide, episode Incident at Rojo Canyon, originally aired September 30, 1960
Laramie, episode Queen of Diamonds, originally aired September 20, 1960
Adventures in Paradise, episode Mission to Manila, originally aired November 30, 1959
Zane Grey Theater, episode A Time to Live, originally aired April 5, 1957
Additionally, London did numerous commercials for Marlboro in the 1950s and 1960s.
links
Julie Is Her Name: The Julie London Website
Very nice site devoted to Julie London, with a particular emphasis on her recording career. Look for many photos, album covers, and WAV files.
Click on the logo to go back to Brian's Drive-In Theater
This page premiered October 18, 2001.
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