This week (April 8-14th) in 1954…
Native Austrian Fritzi Scheff died on Thursday. She was seventy-four years old and had been in five films spanning 1915-1953, starting with her one and only silent film, Pretty Mrs. Smith. Fritzi had married three times: to Baron Fritz von Bardeleben, a Prussian noble; John Fox Jr., an author; and George Anderson, an actor.
In happier news, on Monday, film goers were treated to Red Garters, starring Rosemary Clooney, Jack Carson, and Guy Mitchell. This musical, directed by George Marhsall and produced by Pat Duggan, is an amusing spoof of the Western genre and contains many great songs. Jay Livingston and Ray Evans collaborated to write the songs for this picture.
On Wednesday, the 14th, Knock on Wood debuted. This comedy stars Danny Kaye and Mai Zetterling. The film is about a ventriloquist who is unlucky in love — in part due to his jealous dummy. Melvin Frank and Norman Panama did well as the directing duo here.
Miscellanea:
– On Thursday, April 8th, a Royal Canadian Air Force Canadair Harvard collided over Saskatchewan with a Trans-Canada Air Lines Canadair North Star. Thirty-seven people were killed in the accident.
– Friday, the 9th, proud parents Juanita Bonniedale and William Rudy Quaid welcomed their second son, one Dennis William Quaid. We’re sure that the rookie doesn’t feel that Houston, Texas, is too far from heaven.
– Five days after Quaid’s birth, on Wednesday, the 14th, Austin, Texas, welcomed Michael Bruce Sterling. Sterling was apparently born during some heavy weather.