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Eleanor French

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Eleanor French, also known by her married name Eleanor French Booraem, (6 August 1915— 2 February 1975) was an American singer who had a prominent career in nightclubs and cafes during the 1930s and 1940s. She also made four short films and performed on American radio and television.

Life and career

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Eleanor M. French was born in Michigan on 6 August 1915.[1] She was the daughter of Ward French[2] who in 1950 was elected chairman of the board of directors of Columbia Artists Management.[3] Her mother was Virginia French (née Collier).[4] She studied singing in New York City with Estelle Liebling.[5]

French had a prominent career in nightclubs and cafes during the 1930s and 1940s; working mainly in New York City but also in other cities like Chicago[2] and Los Angeles.[6] She sang popular songs of the period, mainly from the Great American Songbook. In New York City she was a headline performer at the Trianon Room, Hotel Ambassador[7][8][9][10] the Rainbow Room,[11] and the Stork Club.[2][12][13] In Chicago she was a headline entertainer at the Drake Hotel.[2][14][15] According to one reviewer, her voice was best suited for the intimate atmospheres of cafes.[16]

French would also occasionally sing on the radio.[17] and she starred in four jukebox short films known as "Soundies" which were made to promote songs; a precursor to the music video. These included films of her singing "Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart", Cy Coben's "Spin the Bottle", "You're Dangerous", and "I'm Just Wild about Harry” (music and lyrics by Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake). She also performed on American television in July 1941.[11]

French went on a dinner date with Cary Grant in 1936.[11] On 14 April 1951 she married Hendrik Booraem Jr in Westport, Connecticut.[18] Her husband worked as a television executive.[2]

Eleanor French died at the age of 59 on 2 February 1975 in Manhattan.[2]

References

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  1. ^ Eleanor Booraem in the U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Eleanor French, 59, Dies; Cafe Singer of 30's and 40's". The New York Times. February 5, 1975.
  3. ^ "WARD FRENCH ELECTED; Named Chairman by Columbia Concerts Artists Concern". The New York Times. October 8, 1950. p. 95.
  4. ^ 1930 United States Federal Census for Eleanor M French, Illinois, Cook County, Chicago (Districts 1-250), District 0209, Sheet No. 1B.
  5. ^ Dean Fowler, Alandra (1994). Estelle Liebling: An exploration of her pedagogical principles as an extension and elaboration of the Marchesi method, including a survey of her music and editing for coloratura soprano and other voices (PhD). University of Arizona.
  6. ^ Green, Abel (January 4, 1939). "Night Clubs: New fork's Night Life In 1938". Variety. 133 (4): 175.
  7. ^ Colson, George (November 26, 1938). "Night clubs-vaudeville: Night Club Reviews - Trianon Room, Hotel Ambassador, New York". Billboard. Vol. 50, no. 48. p. 30.
  8. ^ Colson, George (November 26, 1938). "Night clubs-vaudeville: Night Club Reviews - Trianon Room, Hotel Ambassador, New York". Billboard. Vol. 50, no. 48. p. 30.
  9. ^ Denis, Paul (December 31, 1938). "Night clubs-vaudeville: Night Club Reviews - Trianon Room, Ambassador Hotel, New York". Billboard. Vol. 50, no. 53. p. 18.
  10. ^ Denis, Paul (February 4, 1939). "Night clubs-vaudeville: Night Club Reviews - Trianon Room, Ambassador Hotel, New York". Billboard. Vol. 51, no. 5. p. 20.
  11. ^ a b c Cantor, Mark (2023). "Session 79: Eleanor French". The Soundies: A History and Catalog of Jukebox Film Shorts of the 1940s. McFarland & Company. ISBN 9781476646428.
  12. ^ Abel (February 22, 1939). "Vaude-Night-Clubs: Night Club Reviews - STORK CLUB, N. Y.". Variety. Vol. 133, no. 11. p. 43.
  13. ^ Denis, Paul (March 11, 1939). "Night clubs-vaudeville: Night Club Reviews - Stork Club, New York". Billboard. Vol. 51, no. 10. p. 20.
  14. ^ Honigberg (May 17, 1941). "Night clubs-vaudeville: Short Follow-Up Club Reviews - DRAKE HOTEL, CAMELLIA HOUSE CHICAGO". Billboard. Vol. 53, no. 20. p. 19.
  15. ^ "Night clubs-vaudeville: Club Talent - Chicago". Billboard. Vol. 53, no. 40. October 4, 1941. p. 20.
  16. ^ Abel (April 9, 1941). "Vaudeville: New Acts In Cafes - ELEANOR FRENCH". Variety. Vol. 142, no. 5. p. 36.
  17. ^ Franken (May 18, 1940). "Radio Review: Program Reviews - "The Revuers"". Bollboard. Vol. 52, no. 20. p. 8.
  18. ^ Eleanor French in the Connecticut, U.S., Marriage Records, 1897-1968
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