Virginia Verrill
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| Virginia Verrill | |
|---|---|
| Born | Santa Monica, California |
| Died | January 18, 1999, age 82 Raleigh, North Carolina |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Spouse(s) | Dr. Louis Duddleston |
| Children | 1 son, 1 daughter |
Virginia Verrill ( ? - January 18, 1999) was a singer in the era of old-time radio and big bands. Her work included providing the off-screen singing voices for some female film stars.[1]
Contents
Early years
Verrill was born Catherine Virginia Verrill in Santa Monica, California. Her mother, Aimee McLean Verrill, was active in vaudeville.[2] At 5 months of age, Verrill appeared with her mother in her act.[3]
Verrill's family was friends with orchestra leader Paul Whiteman, who had Virginia sing on his bandstand when she was 3 years old. She attended Hollywood's John Marshall High School.[2] (Another source says that she graduated from Hollywood High School.)[4]
Radio
by the time she was 13, Verrill was singing on local stations,[2] with her debut coming on KMPC in 1932.[4] In 1934, she sang with David Brockman and the KHJ orchestra[5] on California Melodies, which originated at KHJ and was carried on the CBS network.[2] Early in 1935, columnist Walter Winchell reported that Verrill had begun working for CBS.[6] In June of 1935, she was singing on the Socony Sketchbook with Johnny Green's orchestra[7] and had "a starring contract" on another show that was planned.[8] That program debuted July 2, 1935, with Verrill as star and Mark Warnow conducting the accompanying orchestra.[9] She had another program, Vocals by Verrill, in 1937.[10]
Verrill performed regularly on the variety shows College Humor Program,[11] Uncle Walter's Dog House,[12] Home Town, Unincorporated,[13] The Jack Haley Show,[13]:{{{3}}} and Showboat.[13]:{{{3}}}
She was also heard on broadcasts with Orville Knapp's Orchestra.[14]
Personal appearances
In 1934, Verrill sang with Marvin George and his Hermosa Hut Orchestra.[15] She also "was featured at the Colony Club and other famous Hollywood rendezvous."[2]
Film
When she was 13,[16] "Verrill won an audition over 300 others to sing the title song in Barbara Stanwyck's Ten Cents a Dance," (1931).[3] By the time she was 18 years old, she had "frequently played voice double for Hollywood picture stars."[2] Her dubbing included singing for Jean Harlow in both Reckless (1935)[6] and Suzy (1936).[17]
On-screen, she was seen in Hide-Out (1934)[18] and Walter Wanger's Vogues of 1938.[1]
Personal life
By 1942, Verrill had left show business. A newspaper column printed September 25 of that year reported, "Virginia, at the age of 25, has retired from the stage and screen and is now a happy housewife and mother and is reported to be the best pie crust baker on the block."[19]
At the time of her death, Verrill was married to Dr. Louis Duddleston.[1]
Death
Verrill died January 18, 1999, at age 82, in the Mayview Nursing Home in Raleigh, North Carolina. Survivors included her husband, a son, a daughter, and seven grandchildren.[1]
References
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- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Terrace, Vincent (1999). Radio Programs, 1924-1984: A Catalog of More Than 1800 Shows. McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-4513-4. P. 155.
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