A new video introducing my new wine, Mamietage! Click it!
Another new video introducing my new wine, Mamietage! Click it!
It happens occasionally. Someone decides to clean out the garage or that dresser drawer that's been collecting junk for decades. They run across a small stack of photos, faded now, shot in a once dangerous part of the world, now another handful of worn survivors who were lucky enough to make it out to tell the tale. The photos below were kindly contributed to my Vietnam collection by Howard Hickman and John Marecki who attended my performance at the Phu Lam signal station just outside of Saigon. They whooped it up and so did I. You can tell from our expressions that we were all having a special time, escaping for a moment from the reality of a war that never should have been.
Here you can see two of the guys in my Philippino band, all in identical shirts. My conductor was a New Zealander named Bobby Bennett.
Takin' it right down to the boys in front! Shakin' that booty while the boys are rockin'! (Those heads in the foreground make this look like Mystery Science Theater 3000.)
Singing a sweet ballad.
I always bring someone onstage to sing with me. Here I'm in the arms of the handsome commanding officer at Phu Lam, LTC Tourtillott.
Here's the cover of the fall catalogue from McFarland publishing featuring a new book about my movies, written by Australian author, Barry Lowe. In addition to covering each of my movies, Barry has interviewed casts and crews, and, occasionally, me. I'm anxious to read it myself!
The INFAMOUS Shower Scene from Girl's Town! This never-before-seen piece of film, the final scene of the movie, was cut from the original release by Producer/Director Al Zugsmith, because Cardinal Francis Joseph Spellman thought it was indecent. Of course, Cardinal Spellman thought ALL female bodies were indencent. Boy's bodies, on the other, er, hand, were not so bad. The final shot of a movie is sometimes known as the "Martini Shot," being the prelude to a cast party. In this case, I had a couple of martinis BEFORE the scene. I REALLY was nude in the shower, providing a pre-party treat for cast and crew. Anyway, the music was written and performed by Paul Anka.
For those too young to remember--most of you, I think--censorship in movies was rampant in the 1950's. Those GOLDEN YEARS of yore were, in fact, years of rampant repression, witch hunting, Red-baiting, and endless hypocrisy. Don't get me started. This clip from YouTube is the first time I had seen it.
A shot from a video on my video page from the Tony Duran fashion photo shoot. Shown here: Tony Duran with the camera, and Kelly Kopen the model.
Get a tantalizing look at a photo shoot I just did with fashion photographer Tony Duran. See it HERE!
An Alberto Vargas showing in 1954 at the Shrine Auditorium. He chose me over Marilyn to appear with him. I'm standing in front of the painting Vargas did of me, but the photo flash blots it out. I'm imitating the pose in the painting. Alberto was a master at posing hands.
Vietnam 1971
I just received these photos from a fellow 'Nam survivor. They were taken at my show in Phu Bai, a fire base that was far too close to the enemy. We were shelled every night that I performed there. Water was scarce and so was food. Soaking wet, I weighed 103. The photos bring back too many memories of three months of hell. To read more about my time in Vietnam, click here!
The exotic Egyptian Theater in Hollywood at a showing of my film "The Beat Generation" aka "This Rebel Age. " My best friend Julie Strain helps me light up the Egyptian.
Rudy was there too, a talented hair and makeup artist as well as a dear friend. He came to dinner with us after the show
InStyle Magazine
My favorite pop singer, Christina Aguilera, has changed her looks so much over the past years. It's flattering that she has landed, at least for now, on the red-lipped, platinum blonde vamp look from the 50's. I met her at the Playboy Mansion a few years ago and found her sweet and down to earth. She is smart and far ahead of the current and newly past group of girl singers -- Brittney, Madonna, and the rest. She is today's Ella Fitzgerald. I predict that she will be around and remembered for a long time. Rock on, Christina!
February 2007
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I met Gerry Ford in 1974 at a Republican fund raiser and he asked me to sing God Bless America. I obliged. I immediately felt like we were old friends. Ford was always the down to earth, common man. He took a bad rap about being clumsy. Far from being a clutz, he was probably the best athlete to occupy the White House. He actually turned down offers to play football for the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions to go to Yale as an assistant football coach and boxing coach. He later got his law degree at Yale. He was the last Republican to make me proud to be one, and he was the last Republican to have good sense. RIP, Jerry. Until we meet again.
A German tv documentary crew spent the day with me. This is Anna, the producer with me, discussing the next shot in front of my montage. For all you German fans, it will be shown in January.
Movies
Teacher's Pet, Untamed Youth, Sex Kittens Go To College, Three Nuts In Search Of A Bolt, Girls Town, The Beat Generation, so many more
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About me: Many thanks to Susie Warley for her beautiful song "Kalypso" dedicated to me.
Mamie Van Doren was born Joan Lucille Olander in Rowena, South Dakota. Mamie was discovered at age 16 by Howard Hughes in the Miss Palm Springs beauty contest. She played bit roles in RKO movies for Hughes before turning her talents to theater. Mamie was spotted by a Hollywood talent scout in a showcase production of "Come Back Little Sheba" and signed to a contract at Universal Studios in 1953. Mamie starred as the "bad girl" in some of Hollywood's most enduring teenage cult films. Off the screen, Mamie was a maverick in her personal life as well, often following her heart in torrid off screen romances. Her on-screen leading men were such stars as Clark Gable, Donald O'Conner, Mickey Rooney, Jeff Chandler, and Tony Curtis. Mamie has come to embody Hollywood's Golden Age of the l950's. Mamie achieved legendary status as the sole survivor of the "Three M's"—Marilyn, Mamie, and Mansfield. Mamie's fiesty, go-getter attitude has kept her young at heart. That's the reason for this web site! To quote Mamie: "The Web is the perfect place for an appreciation of Hollywood Glamour. Take a look at it through my eyes, kids!" www.mamievandoren.com
Hi Mamie,just thought I'd drop by and say hi,had a double bill of you last night Guns,Girls&Gangsters and Born Reckless. Fantastic! Take care gorgeous,Steve xxx
