Frances Langford
Frances Langford began her life on April 4, 1913 in Lakeland, Florida. She grew up to become a force in radio and also had several film roles during her career. She’s best known for her incredible vocal talent. Her career spanned many forms of media, but radio is where she really took off.
While she aspired and was trained to be an opera singer, surgery on her throat made it impossible to sing in the operatic style. But she wasn’t prepared to give up her singing career completely.
Instead, she changed her style and had a career in big band music and singing the standards. In the early part of the 1930s, Frances began her radio career. She sang on several shows and was finally “discovered” when Rudy Vallee heard her voice. Vallee invited her to become a regular on his radio show.
Later, in 1935 she became a regular on Dick Powell’s show. She continued to sing on his show for the next three years, leaving the show behind in 1938. She made several film appearances in the 1930s, including Every Night at Eight, Broadway Melody of 1936, Born to Dance, and Yankee Doodle Dandy. While she was never considered a major movie star, she does have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In 1941, Frances joined Bob Hope’s radio show. She also performed live with Hope as he entertained the troops in World War II. She continued to perform with Hope long after World War II, though. As late as 1989 she worked with him during a USO tour.
From 1947 through 1951 she played the part of Blanche Bickerson in Phil Rapp's humorous creation The Bickersons about a married couple who turn domestic bliss in to constant bickering and warfare usually on account of John Bickerson's snoring. She also appeared on the Edgar Bergan Charlie McCarthy Show as Blanche Bickerson from 1939 - 1941.
Other radio shows she appeared on include, Texaco Star Theater in 1939, The Frances Langford Show for Maxwell House Coffee in 1947, The Old Gold Hour Don Ameche Show from 1947 - 1948 and The Spike Jones Show from 3rd June - 26th August 1945. She also made guest appearances on The Burns and Allen Show, Command Performance and the Martin and Lewis Show. She also starred in an episode of Lux Radio Theater entitled I Never Left Home broadcast on 8th January 1945 and The Screen Guild Theater in March 1941.
In addition to radio and film, Frances performed on television shows. She starred on the The Frances Langford/Don Ameche Show in 1951. She also hosted a variety show called Frances Langford Presents. While many enjoyed her shows, they weren’t very big hits lasting only one season each.
After a long career and three marriages, Frances passed away in 2005 due to congestive heart failure. She didn’t have any children during her lifetime. She died close to her birthplace in Jensen Beach, Florida. Before her death the community knew her for her generous donations. Even after her death, her estate made possible a heart center named for her.
Frances Langford’s career and her personal life were full of color! She was a force in entertainment during the Golden Age of Radio as her career spanned radio, film, and television.
Happy listening my friends,
