Betty Hutton, that blond fireball that fueled wartime America in joy and song, is the most underrated, and almost forgotten, singing superstar from Hollywood's bygone era.Entertainer of movies from the 40s and 50s, she was the biggest female star on the Paramount lot. Her exuberant singing style and comic interpretation of songs has not yet been duplicated. She costarred with all the big names: Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire and gave them all a run for their money in the laugh department. Her most memorable role may have been in Irving Berlin's ANNIE GET YOUR GUN (1950).
ANNIE was her most sought-after role, but, as it turned out, it was the heartbreak of her life. Judy Garland was originally cast as Annie, but was removed from the role due to her addictions. The cast and crew, inexplicably, never "forgave" Betty for replacing Judy and made her stay intolerable.
She continued performing into the television era, with less and less enthusiasm and ambition.
Betty's later years were spent fighting addictions herself. Four failed marriages, loss of her millions, dispirited of life, Betty suffered a nervous breakdown in 1973. Restored to emotional well-being by Catholic Father Peter Maguire, Betty became a Catholic and gave her life wholeheartedly to the Lord Jesus Christ. Nothing mattered anymore - she felt love and acceptance then, more than she ever received in Hollywood's heyday. She died in 2007, after enjoying renewed acclaim of her work.
In choosing her best song, I'm stymied! She's so talented in all the clips I've seen, how can you pick the best? Well, let's begin somewhere anyway.
Here's my initial all-time favorite that got me hooked on Hutton. Listen to the way she performs Cole Porter's lip-acrobatic-lyrics, "Let's Not Talk About Love" from LET'S FACE IT (1943).
Here's my other all-time favorite: "That's Loyalty" from RED, HOT AND BLUE (1949). Look at the way she uses every part of her body to tell the story, moving from graceful femininity to comic exuberance in a wink.
Finally, my third all-time favorite: "Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief" from THE STORK CLUB (1945). She is so enjoyable to watch, I could view these videos over and over again.
BONUS TRACK: Ay, what the hey. Here's another favorite: "His Rocking Horse Ran Away" from AND THE ANGELS SING (1944).
It's great to know that "this vitamin pill with legs," as Bob Hope called her, is in the Lord's presence now. (For more on Betty Hutton, go to her satinsandspurs website).
