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Lori Nelson
1933-
Updated 2/14/2009.
biography
Born Dixie Kay Nelson in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on August 15, 1933, petite Lori Nelson spent her formative years working in radio and as a child model. Longing to be an actress, she succeeded early when Universal-International put her under contract on her 17th birthday. Bringing her up through the studio system, Nelson had to wait for nearly two years before her first film opened, which was Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair (1952; with Marjorie Main). She went on to star in a number of Universal's cult classics, including Revenge of the Creature (1955; with John Agar and John Bromfield) and Underwater! (1955; with Jane Russell).
Lori Nelson promotional photos, mostly from Universal
When Nelson's Universal-International contract lapsed, she freelanced in mostly low-budget films, such as Hot Rod Girl (1956; with John Smith and Chuck Connors) and Untamed Youth (1957; with Mamie Van Doren). In 1957, she accepted a part in the syndicated TV series How to Marry A Millionaire alongside Merry Anders and Barbara Eden. However, Nelson left the show after the first season and was replaced by Lisa Gaye. The series was cancelled in 1959 after two seasons.
the films of lori nelson
Francis Goes to West Point (1952)
With William Reynolds in the Universal-International comedy Francis Goes to West Point
Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair (1952)
With James Best and Marjorie Main in the Universal-International series comedy Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair
All American (1953)
With Richard Long and Tony Curtis in the Universal-International romance All American
Tumbleweed (1953)
With Roy Roberts and Russell Johnson in Tumbleweed
Ma and Pa Kettle at Waikiki (1955)
From the film series Ma and Pa Kettle at Waikiki. LEFT: With Byron Palmer. RIGHT: Promotional photo
Revenge of the Creature (1955)
From Revenge of the Creature, the first sequel to Creature from the Black Lagoon. LEFT and CENTER: With John Agar. RIGHT: Nelson gets carried off by the Creature
Underwater! (1955)
Gilbert Roland puts the moves on Lori Nelson in RKO's adventure Underwater!
Day the World Ended (1956)
From Roger Corman's campy sci-fi effort Day the World Ended. Here, Lori Nelson wrestles with mutant Paul Blaisdell
Pardners (1956)
With Dean Martin and Agnes Moorehead in the Martin and Lewis western comedy Pardners
Untamed Youth (1957)
With Mamie Van Doren in the tortured teen flick Untamed Youth, released by Warner Bros.
How to Marry a Millionaire (1957-1959 Syndicated TV Series)
Promotional photos from the series How to Marry a Millionaire with Barbara Eden and Merry Anders
lori nelson today
Nelson's career slowed when she married her first husband, composer Johnny Mann, in 1961; with the constraints of marriage and motherhood, she worked only sporadically, taking guest roles on popular television series, including many westerns. Her marriage to Mann ended in the 1970s, but she chose not to return to acting full-time. Neslon remarried in the 1980s and, in addition to her antiques business, dabbles in film and theatre from time to time.
The Adventures Of Ma And Pa Kettle, Vol. 1 [DVD] DVD
First, the hillbilly husband and wife played by Marjorie Main and Percy Kilbride are introduced in the all-time favorite barnyard comedy "The Egg and I" (1947), with Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray. Then, the Kettle clan is about to be run out of their home until Pa wins "the home of the future" in a slogan-writing contest in "Ma and Pa Kettle" (1949). AKA: "The Further Adventures of Ma and Pa Kettle." The Kettles find themselves in New York where they unwittingly help a crook on the lam in "Ma and Pa Kettle Go to Town" (1950). Finally, Ma and Pa head back to the homestead when they think there's uranium on the premises in "Ma and Pa Kettle Back on the Farm" (1951). 5 3/4 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Su
The Adventures Of Ma And Pa Kettle, Vol. 2 [DVD] DVD
Marjorie Main and Percy Kilbride lead the hilarious backwoods brood to the county fair with hopes of winning some tuition money for their college-bound daughter in "Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair" (1952). Jim Backus co-stars. Next, the Kettles wind up in the middle of an espionage plot involving secret plans during a trip to Paris in "Ma and Pa Kettle on Vacation" (1953). Then, Ma and Pa try to help Elwin, one of their 15 kids, win a scholarship to an agricultural college in "Ma and Pa Kettle at Home" (1954). And, when their cousin becomes ill in Hawaii, Ma and Pa head to the islands to help out in her pineapple factory in "Ma and Pa Kettle at Waikiki" (1955). 5 1/2 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: Sp
Adventures Of Francis The Talking Mule, Vol. 1 [DVD] DVD
While on a mission behind enemy lines in Burma, G.I. Donald O'Connor is rescued by "Francis the Talking Mule" (1949) in the debut entry in the articulate animal's series. Patricia Medina co-stars with Chill Wills supplying Francis' voice; look quickly for Tony Curtis. Then, the ranch where Francis resides is in trouble, so the loquacious creature goes to work, helping a race horse get its confidence back in "Francis Goes to the Races" (1951). Next, after O'Connor is given an appointment to a military academy, he brings along his four-legged pal in "Francis Goes to West Point" (1952). And, when O'Connor sets his sights on becoming a reporter, it's up to his big-eared buddy to come up with some hot scoops in "Francis Covers the Big Town."
Bend Of The River [DVD](1952) DVD
James Stewart is an outlaw-turned-wagon scout who must help settlers reach Oregon Territory in an exciting frontier action tale. Also stars Arthur Kennedy as Stewart's treacherous rival, Julie Adams, Harry Morgan and Rock Hudson. 91 min. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: Spanish, French; theatrical trailer.
James Stewart: The Western Collection [DVD] DVD
Six-disc set includes "Destry Rides Again," "Winchester '73" (1950), "Bend of the River," "The Far Country" (1955), "Night Passage," and "The Rare Breed."
Creature From The Black Lagoon: The Legacy Collection [DVD] DVD
This two-disc set collecting the cinematic adventures of everybody's favorite scary--and scaly--monster opens with "Creature from the Black Lagoon" (1954), in which a team of scientists in the Amazon is hunted by a water-breathing, half-human gillman. Richard Carlson, Julia Adams star. Not in 3-D. Next, it's the "Revenge of the Creature" (1955), as he torments tourists at a Florida aquarium. John Agar, Lori Nelson star. Then, "The Creature Walks Among Us" (1956) after scientists mutate the beastie so that he can live on land--and terrorize San Francisco. Jeff Morrow, Rex Reason star. 4 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: French, Spanish; audio commentary; documentary; photo gallery; theatrical trailer.
Day The World Ended (1956)/The She-Creature [DVD](1956) DVD
First, Roger Corman's $65,000 apocalypse epic "Day the World Ended" centers on the seven survivors of a nuclear holocaust who seek refuge in a cave and find themselves battling each other and the mutant animals that lurk outside. Richard Denning, Lori Nelson, Touch (Mike) Connors star. Then, a hypnotist turns his assistant into "The She-Creature," a deadly prehistoric female he plans on using to kill his enemies. Chester Morris, Marla English, Tom Conway star. 159 min. total. Widescreen/Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.
Hot Rod Girl [DVD](1956) DVD
In an attempt to curb teenage drag racing in his town, policeman Chuck Connors sets up a supervised racetrack, but the accidental death of a boy threatens the lives of all involved in this early "teen drama." Mark Andrews, Lori Nelson star. 79 min.
Mohawk [DVD](1956) DVD
A peace-loving federal agent (Scott Brady) and an Indian woman (Rita Gam) work together to prevent a range war, only to fall in love in the process and face rejection from both their peoples. Western drama also stars Neville Brand, Lori Nelson. 80 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions.
The Pied Piper Of Hamelin [DVD](1957) DVD
Based on the fabulous Grimm fairy tale, this wonderful family favorite stars Van Johnson as the Pied Piper, who entices a village of children into a magical mountain after their townspeople fail to keep a promise. With Jim Backus, Claude Rains, and Kay Starr. 90 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo. Plays All Regions.
The Naked Monster [DVD](2005) DVD
Get out of the way, Gamera! Go away, Ghidrah! You've met your match, Mechagodzilla! Here comes the one, the only, the fearsome, THE NAKED MONSTER! He's a three-eyed, 60-feet-tall man-dinosaur mutant. He's THE NAKED MONSTER! Hunted by a heroic trio, the malevolent man-beast is on the rampage in this hilarious, celebrity-packed spoof of 1950s creature features. Don't miss...THE NAKED MONSTER! Kenneth Tobey, Daniel Roebuck, John Agar, Bob Burns, Brinke Stevens, Linnea Quigley star. 96 min. Soundtrack: English.
out-of-print lori nelson vhs available from amazon.com
filmography
The Naked Monster (2005) with John Agar, Robert Clarke, Brinke Stevens, and Paul Marco
Mom, Can I Keep Her? (1998) with Gil Gerard, Kevin Dobson, Alana Stewart, Brinke Stevens, and Mary Woronov
Secret Sins of the Father (1994) with Beau Bridges, Lloyd Bridges, and Lee Purcell
Outlaw's Son (1957) with Dane Clark, Ben Cooper, and Ellen Drew
Untamed Youth (1957) with Mamie Van Doren, John Russell, and Yvonne Lime
The Pied Piper of Hamelin (1957) with Van Johnson and Kay Starr
The Day the World Ended (1956) with Richard Denning, Adele Jergens, and Mike Connors
Hot Rod Girl (1956) with John Smith, Chuck Connors, and Frank Gorshin
Pardners (1956) with Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, and Lon Chaney Jr.
Mohawk (1956) with Scott Brady and Allison Hayes
I Died a Thousand Times (1955) with Jack Palance, Shelley Winters, and Lon Chaney Jr.
Ma and Pa Kettle at Waikiki (1955) with Marjorie Main, Percy Kilbride, and Russell Johnson
Revenge of the Creature (1955) with John Agar and John Bromfield
Sincerely Yours (1955) with Liberace, Joanne Dru, Dorothy Malone, William Demarest, Lurene Tuttle, and Guy Williams
Underwater! (1955) with Jane Russell, Gilbert Roland, and Richard Egan
Destry (1954) with Audie Murphy and Mari Blanchard
All American (1953) with Tony Curtis, Richard Long, and Mamie Van Doren
Tumbleweed (1953) with Audie Murphy, Russell Johnson, and Lee Van Cleef
Walking My Baby Back Home (1953) with Donald O'Connor
All I Desire (1953) with Barbara Stanwyck, Richard Carlson, and Richard Long
Francis Goes to West Point (1952) with Donald O'Connor
Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair (1952) with Marjorie Main, Percy Kilbride, and James Best
Bend of the River (1952) with James Stewart, Julie Adams, and Rock Hudson
TELEVISION
How to Marry a Millionaire, 1957-1959 syndicated TV series. Nelson portrayed Greta Hanson from 1957-1958. Also starring in this series were Merry Anders, Barbara Eden, and Lisa Gaye
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This page premiered October 7, 2002.
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