Abbe Lane

Abbe Lane (born Abigail Francine Lassman;[1] December 14, 1932) is an American singer and actress. Lane was known for her sexy outfits for the times and sultry style of performing. In addition, Lane was the fourth wife of Latin bandleader and musician Xavier Cugat.

Abbe Lane
Lane in 1961
Born
Abigail Francine Lassman

(1932-12-14) December 14, 1932
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Other namesAbbe Marshall
OccupationSinger, dancer, actress
Spouse(s)
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1952; div. 1964)​
      Perry Leff
      ​
      (m. 1964)​

      Early years

      Born to a Jewish family[2] in Brooklyn, New York, Lane began her career at the age of four as a child actress on Vitaphone and radio. She began singing and dancing on Broadway.[3] On Broadway she portrayed Bobo in Oh Captain! (1958).[4]

      Early in her career, Lane was billed as "Abbe Marshall".[5][6] Using that name, she appeared in the Broadway shows Barefoot Boy with Cheek (1947) and As the Girls Go (1948).[7]

      Acting and singing
      Abbe Lane with her husband Xavier Cugat

      Because of her work in Europe, Lane was known as an actress before she became recognized for her singing and dancing. She had a television program in Europe and made 21 films there early in her career.[8]

      In 1952 Lane married bandleader Xavier Cugat, who was 32 years her senior. During the 1950s and early 60s she worked as a nightclub singer and was described in a 1963 magazine article as "the swingingest sexpot in show business."[9] Cugat's influence was seen in her music, which favored Latin and rumba styles. In 1958 she starred opposite Tony Randall in the Broadway musical Oh, Captain! but her recording contract prevented her from appearing on the original cast album of the show. Eileen Rodgers performed her songs for the cast LP; Lane later recorded her songs on a solo album. Lane made several recordings for RCA Victor and Mercury. She worked with Tito Puente on the album Be Mine Tonight released in 1958. She appeared on talk shows with Cugat until 1963. In 1964, Lane and Cugat divorced. They had no children together during their marriage.[10] That same year Lane married Perry Leff.[11]

      Lane attracted attention for her suggestive comments, such as "'Jayne Mansfield may turn boys into men, but I take them from there." She said she was considered "too sexy in Italy". Her costume for an appearance on the Jackie Gleason Show was considered too revealing and she was instructed to wear something else. She was a guest on the television shows of Red Skelton, Dean Martin and Jack Benny.[12]

      In the later 1960s Lane starred in several Italian films. She performed on television variety programs such as The Ed Sullivan Show, The Steve Allen Show, The Jack Paar Program, The Mike Douglas Show, The Hollywood Palace, The Joey Bishop Show, The Merv Griffin Show and The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson from the 1950s into the 1970s. She played guest roles in Naked City, The Man From U.N.C.L.E., The Flying Nun, F Troop, The Brady Bunch, Hart to Hart, and Vega$. Her last movie appearance was in Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983) in the minor role of an airline stewardess.

      Later years

      In 1992, Lane wrote the semi-autobiographical novel But Where Is Love? which described the painful memories of a teenage girl married to an older man.[13]

      Lane received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6381 Hollywood Boulevard for her contribution to television.

      Discography

      As leader
      • Be Mine Tonight, with Tito Puente and His Orchestra (RCA Victor, 1957)
      • The Lady in Red, with Sid Ramin's Orchestra (RCA Victor, 1958)
      • Where There's a Man, with Sid Ramin and His Orchestra (RCA Victor, 1959)
      • Abbe Lane with Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra (Mercury, 1961)
      • The Many Sides of Abbe Lane (Mercury, 1964)
      • Rainbows (Butterfly Records, 1980)

      With Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra

      • Dance Time with Xavier Cugat (RCA Victor, 1953)
      • Cha Cha Cha (Philips, 1955)

      Filmography
      Year Title Role Notes
      1949A Night of Fame
      1953Wings of the HawkElena Noriega
      1954Ride Clear of DiabloKate
      1955The AmericanoTeresa
      1955Chicago SyndicateConnie Peters
      1956The WanderersDolores
      1956Time of VacationDolores
      1956The BachelorHerself
      1956DonatellaHerself
      1957Parola di ladroLalla / Adelaide L'amour
      1957Susana y yoSusana Garcés
      1957The Lady DoctorDottoressa Brigitte Bellomo
      1957A sud niente di nuovoJane
      1958MaracaiboElena Holbrook
      1958Marinai, donne e guaiManuela
      1959Totò, Eva e il pennello proibitoEva
      1959Sunset in NaplesEugenia Fougère
      1959Roulotte e rouletteRossana Possenti
      1960I baccanali di TiberioCinthia O'Connor
      1960My Friend, Dr. JekyllMafalda
      1962Julius Caesar Against the PiratesPlauzia
      1963The Lightship
      1967The Cricket on the HearthMollTV movie
      1983Twilight Zone: The MovieSr. Stewardess(segment "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet")

      Bibliography
      • Lane, Abbe (1992). But Where Is Love?: A Novel. Warner Books. ISBN 978-0446515986.

      References
      1. Goodall, H. Lloyd (2006). A Need to Know: The Clandestine History of a CIA Family. Left Coast Press. p. 146. ISBN 9781598740417. Retrieved 5 February 2019.
      2. Saunders, Dick (May 7, 1975). "Abbe Lane rebels against her sexy image". The Miami News. Florida, Miami. Chicago Sun Times Service. p. 62. Retrieved 5 February 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
      3. "Abbe Lane: A Child Star Who Grew Up a LOT". December 14, 2017. Archived from the original on 5 February 2019. Retrieved 5 February 2019.
      4. "Abbe Lane". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on 5 February 2019. Retrieved 5 February 2019.
      5. Parsons, Louella (January 25, 1950). "Louella Parsons In Hollywood". Courier-Post. New Jersey, Camden. p. 12. Retrieved 6 February 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
      6. Kilgallen, Dorothy (April 7, 1964). "Cougat Implores Abbe To Return". The Miami News. Florida, Miami. p. 10. Retrieved 6 February 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
      7. "Abbe Marshall". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on 6 February 2019. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
      8. Pesmen, Sandra (November 21, 1974). "That Beverly Hills housewife is really singer Abbe Lane". The Minneapolis Star. Minnesota, Minneapolis. Chicago Daily News. p. 10. Retrieved 5 February 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
      9. Thistle, Frank (1963). "The Swingingest Sexpot In Show Business". Adam. Knight Publishing. 7 (4).
      10. "Abbe Lane Wins Divorce". Nytimes.com. June 4, 1964.
      11. "Abbe Lane". Latimes.com.
      12. MacKenzie, Carina (23 June 2010). "Abbe Lane: Hollywood Star Walk". Los Angeles Times.
      13. Infusino, Divina. "SEEKING CATHARSIS". Chicagotribune.com.
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