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Actress June Allyson Dies At 88
ktla.trb.com ^ | July 10, 2006 | Bob Thomas

Posted on 07/10/2006 2:45:35 PM PDT by lunarbicep

June Allyson, the sunny, cracked-voiced "perfect wife" of James Stewart, Van Johnson and other movie heroes, has died, her daughter Pamela Allyson Powell said Monday. She was 88.

Allyson died Saturday at her home in Ojai, with her husband of nearly 30 years, David Ashrow, at her side, Powell said in a telephone interview.

She died of pulmonary respiratory failure and acute bronchitis after a long illness, Powell said.

During World War II, American GIs pinned up photos of Rita Hayworth and Betty Grable, but June Allyson was the girl they wanted to come home to. Petite, blonde and alive with fresh-faced optimism, she seemed the ideal sweetheart and wife, supporting and unthreatening.

"I had the most wonderful last meeting with June at her house in Ojai. We had gotten lost in the car. She told me: 'I could wait for you forever.' We were such dear friends. I will miss her," lifelong friend Esther Williams said.

With typical wonderment, Allyson expressed surprise in a 1986 interview that she had ever become a movie star:

"I have big teeth. I lisp. My eyes disappear when I smile. My voice is funny. I don't sing like Judy Garland. I don't dance like Cyd Charisse. But women identify with me. And while men desire Cyd Charisse, they'd take me home to meet Mom."


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: americassweetheart; juneallyson; nostalgia; obituary; wwii
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To: lunarbicep
surprise in a 1986 interview that she had ever become a movie star: "I have big teeth

No, June, Julia Roberts has big teeth and I'm surprised that she ever became a star. But you were always adorable and deserved every minute of succcess. Congratulations on your long marriage, your long life, and the indelible impression you left with generations of moviegoers. You were among the best!

101 posted on 07/10/2006 6:32:55 PM PDT by Veto! (Opinions freely dispensed as advice)
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To: L.N. Smithee

RIP June Allyson.

Smithee, your tag line is toooooo funny, based on some girls' names I saw listed on the internette today (actually had to double check how to spell Charlotte) those can't be far behind.


102 posted on 07/10/2006 6:41:24 PM PDT by jocon307 (The Silent Majority - silent no longer)
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To: lunarbicep

Thanks for posting this. I didn't realize she was still alive. She was once married to Dick Powell I believe.


103 posted on 07/10/2006 6:43:45 PM PDT by mass55th (Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyway~~John Wayne)
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To: Veto!

Well said.


104 posted on 07/10/2006 6:46:08 PM PDT by good old days
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To: garyhope
It is a very charming town. My husband graduated from the class of 1960; his class had only about 60 students. My 84 year old mother has lived in Ojai for about 24 years. Her large home has three levels, an elevator, and is staffed by a cook, housekeeper, gardener, and 5 personal attendants. And no, Mother is not living in a retirement home, group home, or convalescent hospital. She is living in her very own retirement home for one.

I'd like to hang a sign over the front door, "Chez McGee", but unfortunately Mother has absolutely no sense of humor. (She was given the nickname, McGee, because of the old radio show, Fibber McGee and Molly.)

Many old and new Hollywood celebrities have either first or second homes in Ojai Valley. Newcomers to the valley are warned, "You need to know there're a lot of rich crazies, and a lot of poor crazy in the valley, and a few inbetween."

June Allyson was a real class act. She was well respected by regular folks in the community.

105 posted on 07/10/2006 6:46:18 PM PDT by Irish Queen
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To: lunarbicep

I don't know her name. I miss sooo many obits on FR - wish there could be a place just for them, so I'd know to check there. Thanks for that.

If I had known she had died, I would've ... well, you know. Baked her something.


106 posted on 07/10/2006 7:10:28 PM PDT by Rte66
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To: MadelineZapeezda

OK, thanks. I'm sure she didn't adopt my puppy when we moved, lol, or I'd have heard about it.


107 posted on 07/10/2006 7:12:11 PM PDT by Rte66
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To: COEXERJ145

Does anyone remember the movie in which Jimmy Stewart was a brilliant, scientific widowed father, and June Alison came along to set things right in his world?

It had Gloria Swanson in it; and she was supposed to head for the head when the tail fell off of the airplane.

I loved that one.


108 posted on 07/10/2006 7:20:32 PM PDT by bannie (The government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend upon the support of Paul.)
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To: Westlander

Thanks for posting that. I was just thinking (and posting) about Rosemary deCamp yesterday or the day before, on the Jack Smith thread, and here she is, in this favorite movie of mine. She always seemed like someone we all knew in real life, like a neighbor.

I see Harry Morgan was still Henry Morgan in this listing. That's Col. Potter from M*A*S*H, among many other characters he played. I know it wasn't "Henry" Morgan - that must be why Harry changed his name and SAG card.

And Frank Lovejoy - of course - could he play anything else besides a military higher-up? That was rhetorical - I'm sure he could and did - but he was straight from "central casting" on this one!

I swear, I thought Jackie Cooper was in this, just as one of the younger pilots. Guess not.


109 posted on 07/10/2006 7:23:58 PM PDT by Rte66
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To: lunarbicep

May she rest in peace. One of the old-time greats.


110 posted on 07/10/2006 7:44:53 PM PDT by fieldmarshaldj (Cheney X -- Destroying the Liberal Democrat Traitors By Any Means Necessary -- Ya Dig ? Sho 'Nuff.)
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To: garyhope

I live a few miles from Ojai, and this is not the first time I've found out this sad way that a classic movie star lived literally just up the road. She was one of a vanishing breed, and it's always sad to see Turner Classic Movies having to do one of their movie salutes when yet another one passes on.


111 posted on 07/10/2006 8:22:25 PM PDT by Moonmad27
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To: lunarbicep

RIP Ms. Allyson


112 posted on 07/11/2006 11:56:09 AM PDT by mafree
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To: lunarbicep

RIP, June Allyson and thanks for some great entertainment.


113 posted on 07/15/2006 11:59:00 AM PDT by Reagan Man (Conservatives don't support amnesty and conservatives don't vote for liberals!)
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