Rhonda Fleming (1923-)

biography

Born Marilyn Louis in Hollywood on August 10, 1923, knockout redhead Rhonda Fleming was a natural for films and began making rounds at the studios while still in her teens. Studios began to take note of the beautiful girl, and soon she was working in films as a bit player. After two years of small roles, producer David O. Selznick put her under contract, changing her name to Rhonda Fleming in the process. Her first film for Selznick was the wartime drama Since You Went Away (1944), along with another young Selznick discovery, Guy Madison. The producer also cast her in two thrillers: Alfred Hitchcock's Spellbound (1945) and Robert Siodmak's The Spiral Staircase (1946). Both films were very important in Fleming's career, especially her terrific performance as a mental patient in Spellbound. In 1947, Fleming signed with Paramount; her first film for the studio was the adventure flick Adventure Island (1947; with Rory Calhoun), shot in color. With her green eyes and auburn tresses, Fleming photographed so beautifully that she soon became known as the "Queen of Technicolor."

the films of rhonda fleming

Hong Kong (1951)

Little Egypt (1951)

Inferno (1953)

Yankee Pasha (1954)

Tennessee's Partner (1955)

Slightly Scarlet (1956)

Bullwhip (1958)

The Big Circus (1959)

Follow the Sun (1961-1962 ABC TV Series)

The Crowded Sky (1961)

The Nude Bomb (1980)

rhonda fleming today

In 1957, Fleming left Paramount in order to freelance. She married her third husband, actor Lang Jeffries, in 1960, and the couple starred in the adventure flick Revolt of the Slaves in 1961. But the marriage was over by the following year. Afterward, Fleming cooled her acting career, taking on roles sporadically throughout the 1960s and 1970s. She married producer Hal Bartlett in 1966 and divorced him in the early 1970s. In 1977, she married producer and theatre-chain owner Ted Mann. Rhonda Fleming officially retired from the screen after her appearance in The Nude Bomb (1980). She is now a philanthropist whose contributions to society include the Rhonda Fleming Mann Resource Center for Women with Cancer.

rhonda fleming movies available from movies unlimited

Since You Went Away [DVD](1944) DVD
Powerhouse tearjerker about a homefront family coping with hardship and tragedy during World War II, written and produced by David O. Selznick. Exceptional cast includes Claudette Colbert, Jennifer Jones, Shirley Temple, Joseph Cotten, Monty Woolley and Lionel Barrymore. 177 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish, French.
Spellbound [DVD](1945) DVD
The "prison of the mind" is explored in this Hitchcock classic set in a private asylum. Gregory Peck is the new head doctor who is suppressing a dark secret, and Ingrid Bergman is the psychiatrist whose love may be his only cure. Features an amazing dream sequence developed by Hitch and artist Salvador Dali. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; audio commentary; featurettes; interviews; photo gallery; radio play.
Alfred Hitchcock Premiere Collection [DVD] DVD
An assortment of Hitchcock's greatest early films are featured in this collection. In "The Lodger" (1927), a mysterious tenant at a boarding house in London in suspected of being Jack the Ripper--causing plenty of anxiety for the home's other residents. Marie Ault, Arthur Chesney, Ivor Novello star. AKA: "The Case of Jonathan Drew," "The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog." Then, in "The Paradine Case" (1947), Gregory Peck portrays a married barrister who finds himself falling for his latest client, a beautiful socialite accused of poisoning her wealthy husband. Alida Valli, Ann Todd, Charles Laughton co-star. Eight-disc set also includes "Sabotage," "Young and Innocent," "Rebecca" (1940), "Lifeboat," "Spellbound" (1945), and "Notorious." 0 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; audio commentary; featurettes; interviews; radio plays; photo gallery; more.
Abilene Town (1946)/Santa Fe Trail [DVD](1940) DVD
Conflict between cattlemen and the ever-increasing numbers of settlers threatens to tear Abilene apart, and only marshal Randolph Scott can keep the peace. Top-notch frontier drama also stars Rhonda Fleming, Ann Dvorak, Edgar Buchanan. Then, this frontier drama set in pre-Civil War Kansas during John Brown's anti-slavery raids stars Errol Flynn as military leader Jeb Stuart, Ronald Reagan as George Armstrong Custer, and Olivia de Havilland as the woman they both love. Sweeping tale co-stars Raymond Massey, Alan Hale; Michael Curtiz directs. 199 min. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English mono.
The Spiral Staircase [DVD](1946) DVD
Compelling suspenser stars Dorothy McGuire as a servant, left mute by a childhood trauma, caring for invalid Ethel Barrymore in a Victorian New England mansion. As the nearby town is rocked by the murders of handicapped women, it quickly becomes clear that McGuire could be the killer's next victim. George Brent, Kent Smith, Gordon Oliver also star. 84 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, French.
Out Of The Past [DVD](1947) DVD
The classic "film noir" mystery that was remade as "Against All Odds." Robert Mitchum is a detective hired by gangster Kirk Douglas to track down girlfriend Jane Greer, who Douglas says ran off after stealing $40,000. Tracking Greer to Mexico, Mitchum falls for her and tries to help her elude Douglas and his henchmen, but who can be trusted? With Steve Brodie, Rhonda Fleming; Jacques Tourneur directs. 97 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish, French; audio commentary.
Adventure Island [DVD](1947) DVD
Anchoring on a distant South Pacific island, a party of scruffy adventurers is besieged by a lunatic who rules the natives as a god. Accordingly, the demented deity engages in a series of gruesome rituals designed to assert his divine and murderous power, including human sacrifice. Rory Calhoun, Rhonda Fleming, Paul Kelly, and Alan Napier team up for this revamping of Robert Louis Stevenson's "Ebb Tide." 66 min. Soundtrack: English.
A Connecticut Yankee In King Arthur's Court (1949)/The Emperor Waltz [DVD](1948) DVD
Bing Crosby stars in this fanciful musical version of Mark Twain's immortal classic, as a blacksmith is thrown back in time to 6th-century Camelot. He's immediately pegged a wizard by Merlin and forced to joust Sir Lancelot for the hand of King Arthur's niece (Rhonda Fleming). Co-stars Sir Cedric Hardwicke and William Bendix. Songs include "If You Stub Your Toe on the Moon," "When Is Sometime?," more. Next up is fluffy entertainment from writer-director Billy Wilder, featuring Crosby as a phonograph salesman in Austria who tries to pitch his product to the country's ruler while attempting to woo the emperor's niece (Joan Fontaine). Tunes include "I Kiss Your Hand, Madame," "Friendly Mountains" and the title song. 214 min. total. Standard; S
The Great Lover [DVD](1949) DVD
Returning from Europe by steamship, scoutmaster Bob Hope intervenes when a card sharp cleans out an amiable old Duke, making himself the hero of the Duke's beautiful daughter and the target of the crooked gambler's goons. Rhonda Fleming, Roland Young, Jim Backus co-star. 80 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby mono; biographies; filmography; scene access.
Cavalry Charge [DVD](1951) DVD
Two brothers find themselves on opposite sides in the frontier during the Civil War, but join forces to save a Union fort from an Apache attack, in this well-mounted Western drama. Ronald Reagan, Bruce Bennett, Rhonda Fleming and Noah Beery, Jr. star. 88 min. Standard; Soundtracks: English; 3 bonus shorts.
Slightly Scarlet [DVD](1955) DVD
Intriguing film noir drama (and one of the few of that genre to be shot in color) stars John Payne as a hood working for big-city crime boss Ted de Corsia. Sent to dig up incriminating information on a reform-minded mayoral candidate, Payne falls for the politician's secretary, redhead Rhonda Fleming, and decides to turn in his boss...if he lives that long. With Arlene Dahl, Kent Taylor; based on a James L. Cain novel. 99 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; audio commentary; theatrical trailer; scene access.
Tennessee's Partner [DVD](1955) DVD
Ronald Reagan's the fast-triggered gunslinger, John Payne's the quick-witted cardsharp, and Rhonda Fleming's the high-living dancehall owner who comes between them, in this frontier drama based on a Bret Harte story. With Colleen Gray, Chubby Johnson; look for a young Angie Dickinson. 87 min. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby mono; theatrical trailer.
Gunfight At The O.K. Corral [DVD](1957) DVD
Superbly mounted, landmark western that authentically depicts the famous showdown between Wyatt Earp and "Doc" Holliday and the Clanton Gang, while exploring the friendship between the rugged marshal (Burt Lancaster) and the dentist turned gunfighter (Kirk Douglas). Co-stars Rhonda Fleming, John Ireland; directed by John Sturges and written by Leon Uris. 122 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English.
Gun Glory [DVD](1957) DVD
Powerful western drama starring Stewart Granger as a former gunman who returns to his ranch after a three-year absence to find his wife has died and his son has turned against him. When a wicked cattle baron begins rerouting his herds through town, Granger wins the respect of the townspeople and his son when he tries to stop him. Rhonda Fleming and Steve Rowland co-star. 89 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English.
Bob Hope: M-G-M Movie Legends Collection [DVD] DVD
Fired war correspondent Bob Hope tries to win his job back by uncovering a Nazi spy ring in "They Got Me Covered" (1943), with Dorothy Lamour, Otto Preminger. Hapless insurance salesman Hope's newest client is none other than Jesse James, who has a scheme to get Bob mistaken for the outlaw and gunned down in his place. "Alias Jesse James" (1959) also stars Rhonda Fleming, Wendell Corey, and a corral of movie cowboys in cameos. Hope and Lucille Ball learn "The Facts of Life" (1960) as the principals in a would-be love affair that never gets started thanks to their families. Ruth Hussey, Louis Nye co-star. A job transfer to Europe is the drastic step that overprotective dad Hope takes to break up daughter Tuesday Weld's romance with rock-and-roller Frankie Avalon in "I'll Take Sweden" (1965). And real estate agent Bob tries to hide a movie queen (Elke Sommer) on the run from her studio and director boyfriend. "Boy Did I Get a Wrong Number!" (1967) co-stars Phyllis Diller, Cesare Danova. Seven-disc set also includes "The Princess and the Pirate" and "The Road to Hong Kong." 11 1/4 hrs. total. Standard/Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles; English, Spanish.
The Big Circus [DVD](1959) DVD
Written by Irwin Allen, this compelling drama stars Victor Mature as the owner of a financially struggling circus. With the support of a celebrated clown, a ringmaster, and other acts, he tries to keep his business afloat. But when a saboteur attempts to make sure that the show doesn't go on, Mature learns how tough life under the big top can be. With Red Buttons, Rhonda Fleming, Peter Lorre, and Vincent Price. 109 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.
The Crowded Sky [DVD](1960) DVD
A decade before "Airport," this high-flying drama chronicled the lives of the passengers and crews of a commercial aircraft and a Navy jet that are on a collision course. As a diverse array of characters relate their troubles through flashbacks, they are all thrust into the most dangerous situation of their lives. Dana Andrews, Rhonda Fleming, Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., Anne Francis star. 105 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.
The Patsy [DVD](1964) DVD
An inept hotel bellhop is groomed for stardom by a late comedian's management and writing team in this madcap Jerry Lewis feature. Peter Lorre (his last film), Keenan Wynn, Everett Sloane and Ina Balin co-star. 101 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish; audio commentary; theatrical trailer.
The Nude Bomb [DVD](1980) DVD
Famed "Get Smart" agent Maxwell Smart (Don Adams) is on his most dangerous case ever, trying to stop KAOS from dropping a bomb that would destroy all existing fabric worldwide. And would you believe he only has 48 hours to save the day? Sylvia Kristel, Rhonda Fleming, Vittorio Gassman also star. 104 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English (SDH), French.

rhonda fleming photos available

filmography

The Nude Bomb (1980) with Don Adams, Sylvia Kristel, Dana Elcar, Bill Dana, and Vittorio Gassman
Love for Rent (1979) with Annette O'Toole, David Selby, Darren McGavin, and Catherine Hicks
Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood (1976)
Last Hours Before Morning (1975) with Robert Alda, Thalmus Rasulala, Don Porter, and Victoria Principal
Backtrack! (1969) with Neville Brand, Peter Brown, Philip Carey, Gary Clarke, Fernando Lamas, Ida Lupino, Doug McClure, and William Smith
Run for Your Wife (1966) with Ugo Tognazzi and Juliet Prowse
The Patsy (1964) with Jerry Lewis, Phil Harris, Keenan Wynn, Peter Lorre, John Carradine, and Hans Conried
The Revolt of the Slaves (1961) with Fernando Rey and Burt Nelson
The Crowded Sky (1961) with Dana Andrews, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Anne Francis, Troy Donahue, and Pasty Kelly
The Big Circus (1959) with Victor Mature, Kathryn Grant, Red Buttons, Vincent Price, Gilbert Roland, Peter Lorre, and David Nelson
Alias Jesse James (1959) with Bob Hope, Wendell Corey, and Gloria Talbott
Home Before Dark (1958) with Jean Simmons
Bullwhip (1958) with Guy Madison and Burt Nelson
The Buster Keaton Story (1957) with Donald O'Connor and Ann Blyth
Gun Glory (1957) with Stewart Granger
Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957) with Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas
Odongo (1956) with Macdonald Carey
Slightly Scarlet (1956) with John Payne, Arlene Dahl, and Lance Fuller
While the City Sleeps (1956) with Vincent Price, Dana Andrews, and Sally Forrest
The Killer Is Loose (1956) with Joseph Cotten
Tennessee's Partner (1955) with John Payne, Ronald Reagan, and Coleen Gray
The Queen of Babylon (1955) with Ricardo Montalban
Yankee Pasha (1954) with Jeff Chandler, Mamie Van Doren, and Rex Reason
Jivaro (1954) with Fernando Lamas and Brian Keith
Inferno (1953) with Robert Ryan and Carl Betz
Pony Express (1953) with Charlton Heston and Jan Sterling
Serpent of the Nile (1953) with Raymond Burr and Julie Newmar
Those Redheads from Seattle (1953) with Gene Barry
Tropic Zone (1953) with Ronald Reagan
The Golden Hawk (1952) with Sterling Hayden
Crosswinds (1951) with John Payne
Hong Kong (1951) with Ronald Reagan
Little Egypt (1951) with Mark Stevens
Cry Danger (1951) with Dick Powell and William Conrad
The Last Outpost (1951) with Ronald Reagan, Bruce Bennett, and Hugh Beaumont
The Eagle and the Hawk (1950) with John Payne
The Redhead and the Cowboy (1950) with Glenn Ford
The Great Lover (1949) with Bob Hope and George Reeves
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (1949) with Bing Crosby
Out of the Past (1947) with Robert Mitchum and Kirk Douglas
Adventure Island (1947) with Rory Calhoun
The Spiral Staircase (1946) with Dorothy McGuire and George Brent
Abilene Town (1946) with Randolph Scott and Lloyd Bridges
Spellbound (1945) with Ingrid Bergman, Gregory Peck, and Leo G. Carroll
When Strangers Marry (1944) with Robert Mitchum
Since You Went Away (1944) with Claudette Colbert, Shirley Temple, and Guy Madison

rhonda fleming film now showing

Watch Rhonda Fleming's 1946 western Abilene Town