Jane Frazee

Mary Jane Frehse[1] (1917/1918[1] – September 6, 1985), known as Jane Frazee, was an American actress, singer, and dancer. (Her studio biography gave her birthdate as 1918, causing some confusion among her fans; Minnesota historian Dave Kirwan confirms the actual date and birthplace.)

Jane Frazee
Born
Mary Jane Frehse

1917/1918
Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
DiedSeptember 6, 1985(1985-09-06) (aged 70)
Newport Beach, California, U.S.
OccupationActress, singer, dancer
Years active1921–1956
Spouse(s)
​
​
(m. 1942; div. 1947)​

Whitey Christensen (m. 1948)

Professional life

Jane, age six, and her 12-year-old sister Ruth formed a singing vaudeville act known as The Frazee Sisters.[2] The act broke up in 1940, when Jane landed a leading role in the B film Melody and Moonlight (1940)[1] for Republic Pictures. Shortly after the film's release she was signed by Universal Pictures and was featured in Buck Privates, the high-grossing 1941 comedy/World War II film starring Bud Abbott and Lou Costello. The strong impression she made in that film elevated her to leading-lady roles in Universal's popular "B" musicals, usually appearing opposite Robert Paige. She left Universal in late 1942, when she married actor-director Glenn Tryon, who was 16 years her senior. The actress was still very much in demand, and returned to Republic for more musicals. She also appeared frequently in budget features for Columbia Pictures.

After World War II, most of the larger Hollywood studios curtailed their lower-budget productions and produced fewer features. This affected scores of actors, who sought refuge at the smaller studios that had been making low-budget features all along. Thus Jane Frazee found steady if unprestigious work at Monogram Pictures and Lippert Pictures, in addition to her Republic duties. This led to the even lower-budgeted and faster-paced field of westerns, and ultimately television (including the early adventure series Adventures of Superman).

The actress ended her screen career co-starring in short subjects produced by Warner Brothers. These were the popular Joe McDoakes comedies starring George O'Hanlon. The 10-minute shorts were domestic sketches noted for their wild comic exaggeration, and Frazee (who appeared without billing) earned her laughs with excellent comedy timing. The series lapsed in 1956.

After retiring from acting, Frazee started a real estate business.

Personal life and death

On May 28, 1942, Frazee married associate producer Glenn Tryon in Yuma, Arizona.[3] They were divorced on April 16, 1947, in Las Vegas, Nevada,[4] and had one son, Timothy. On April 24, 1948, Frazee married Whitey Christensen, a screen double for Roy Rogers, in Las Vegas, Nevada.[5]

Frazee died of pneumonia at the Flagship Health Center in Newport Beach, California, in 1985 at age 67.[1]

Filmography

Billed with sister Ruth as The Frazee Sisters
  • Captain Blue Blood (1935)
  • Study and Understudy (1936)
  • Up in Lights (1938)
  • Rollin' in Rhythm (1939)
  • Pharmacy Frolics (1939)
  • Arcade Varieties (1939)
  • Swing Styles (1939)

Films
Frazee with Roy Rogers and Andy Devine in Under California Stars (1948)

Joe McDoakes short subjects

Jane Frazee co-starred as Joe's wife Alice, without screen credit:

  • So You Want to Be Your Own Boss (1954)
  • So You Want to Go to a Nightclub (1954)
  • So You're Taking in a Roomer (1954)
  • So You Want to Know Your Relatives (1954)
  • So You Don't Trust Your Wife (1955)
  • So You Want to Be a Gladiator (1955)
  • So You Want a Model Railroad (1955)
  • So You Think the Grass is Greener (1956)

References
  1. "Jane Frazee, Movie Actress Appeared in Musicals in 40's". The New York Times. United Press International. September 9, 1985. p. B 18. Retrieved November 15, 2020 – via ProQuest.
  2. The New York Times Biography of Jane Frazee
  3. "Jane Frazee Weds Glenn Tryon". News-Pilot. California, San Pedro. Associated Press. May 29, 1942. p. 1. Retrieved November 15, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Divorces". Billboard. May 17, 1947. p. 47.
  5. "Marriages". Billboard. May 8, 1948. p. 54.
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