Actor
Joy Hodges
Born January 29, 1915 in Des Moines, Iowa, USA
Died January 19, 200314 films
Joy Hodges, born Frances Eloise Hodges, was an American singer and actress who performed on radio, on film, on Broadway, and with big bands. Winning a contest at a theater took Hodges to Chicago, where her national career began. From there, she traversed the United States, singing on the radio, in night clubs, with orchestras, and in Chautauqua programs. She performed at the Empire Room and the Hotel Sherman, both in Chicago. One of her early jobs was being the lead singer with Carol Loftner and his orchestra. She also sang with Ted Fio Rito, Ben Bernie, Jimmy Grier, Ozzie Nelson, and Abe Lyman and their orchestras, among others.
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Hodges' Broadway credits include Nellie Bly, The Odds on Mrs. Oakley, Dream with Music, and I'd Rather Be Right. In 1972, she replaced Ruby Keeler in the revival of No, No, Nanette on Broadway. Perhaps the most memorable of Hodges' Broadway performances was singing "Have You Met Miss Jones?" in I'd Rather Be Right. She later said, "I became the toast of Broadway and sang the most recognizable song in America at that time — everyone adored Miss Jones."
Her screen debut came in a short, A Night at the Biltmore Bowl, for RKO Pictures, and her first film, after signing with RKO for five years, was Old Man Rhythm. She also made soundies (musical short films) in addition to regular films.
During World War II, Hodges sang with Harry James and his orchestra as they entertained military personnel on USO tours in Europe.
On old-time radio, Hodges was the female singer on The Joe Penner Show. She left that program to make her stage debut in I'd Rather Be Right. In 1944, she filled in for Arlene Francis as host of the radio version of Blind Date when it was broadcast from Detroit. She also sang and was co-host, with Durward Kirby, on Honeymoon in New York.
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The best way into Joy Hodges's work
First watchFollow the Fleet19366.9as Singer in Trio (uncredited)A supporting role in one of the best-rated films of their career.When the US Navy fleet docks at San Francisco, sailor Bake Baker tries to rekindle the flame with his old dancing partner, Sherry Martin, while Bake's buddy Bilge Smith romances Sherry's…View filmFilmography
14 films as actor- 1940MargieRuth
- 1940Laughing at DangerMary Baker
- 1939Little AccidentJoan Huston
- 1939Unexpected FatherPeg - showgirl
- 1939They Asked For ItMary Lou Carroll
- 1939The Family Next DoorLaura Pierce
- 1938Service de LuxeAudrey
- 1938Personal SecretaryGale Rodgers
- 1937Merry Go Round of 1938Sally Brown
- 1936Special Agent K-7Peppy
- 1936Follow the FleetSinger in Trio (uncredited)
- 1935To Beat the BandRuth Harper - Girls' Band Leader
- 1935Old Man RhythmLois
- 1935A Night at the Biltmore BowlVocalist