"The Un-Movie Star"

Moi | March 3, 2011 | Deb

[Deb]

The morning after the Oscars the World lost an extraordinary person. Everyone whoever met Jane Russell had a story to tell and it was usually outrageous because she was the most honest, straight-forward woman I ever knew and if you weren't prepared, she could knock you down with her honesty.

She was my Godmother and my mom was her best friend from the day they met at RKO in 1945 until the day my mother died. She called herself my "Old, Aunt Jane", but she wasn't really my aunt, although I consider the Russells my family.

The best way to describe her would be by sharing the story of Jane at the Liza Minnelli wedding in 2002.

For some reason known only to Liza's fiance, David Gest, he invited an amazing collection of past movie queens to their wedding in New York. Along with friends Liz Taylor and Michael Jackson were names from movie history like Anne Jefferies, Jill St John, Gina Lollobrigida...and Jane Russell. Jane had no idea why she was invited, but it was all paid for so she went.

During the course of the festivities someone suggested Michael Jackson take a picture with Jane. I've never seen the picture, but I imagine Michael has somewhat of an odd look on his face because while they're standing there, Jane snaps, "Get your hair out of your face." Let me say here that, usually, Jane's comments were delivered in somewhat of a snarl and a startled Michael gasped, "Oh...what?" To which Jane replied, "Get your hair out of your face, no one can see your eyes." Shocked, but obedient, he complied.

Aunt Jane told me this story having no idea, I think, who Michael Jackson was or what he did and believe me she had a few choice comments on his appearance that nearly brought me to tears with laughter. Of course, it wouldn't have mattered if she had known (which she may have) who he was. She just said what she thought.

But a better example of the woman happened as my mother was dying of cancer. Jane had wanted mom in a Santa Barbara facility that was close to her so she could see her everyday, but mother had exhausted her insurance and finances and I was going to have to figure out what to do next. When I talked to her about it, mom said, "It's not a problem, honey."

Great. I was going to have to tell her that she couldn't stay there any longer, when her nurse called. The nurse had been sworn to secrecy, but said Jane had arranged to do all the advertising and promotion (including personal appearances) for the little hospital in exchange for mom's private room as long as she needed it. Mom died there a year later, her family and greatest friend at her side. A friend who never mentioned a word about the great gift she had given.

There are a million stories and I'm sure you'll read a lot of them, but there was no one like her.

Rest in peace and love "Old Aunt Jane".

[Deb]

Don’t forget Cliff Robertson. Lots of the old crowd were real conservatives because that’s what their generation was. As they die off, there aren’t many who will risk their careers, these days, to wave the flag. And that’s what it is, a career risk.

[Bitsy]

When I think of the ‘idols’ of today such as Brad and Angelina, Paris and Lindsay Lohan- I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.

You are so right. The bar has really hit the floor. Too bad that the kids of today will never experience the magic of the REAL age of cinema. Well, at least we got to and can savor the memories. The times they took us to magnificent places for the price of one theater ticket under $1:)

[longfellow]

WOW! great guns.

[Grandma Pam]

What a sweet remembrance for this dear lady. My sympathies to you, Deb, and to all her other loved ones.