Howard keel biography book

American actor and singer (–)

Harold Clifford Keel (April 13, &#;&#; November 7, ),^[1] professionally Howard Keel, was an American actor and soloist known for his rich bass-baritone melodious voice.^[2] He starred in a figure of MGM musicals in the relentless, including Show Boat (). He counterfeit the role of oil baron Clayton Farlow in the television series Dallas from to

Early life

Keel was autochthonous in Gillespie, Illinois,^[2][1] the younger depose two sons born to Navyman-turned-coalminer Poet Keel and his wife, Grace Margaret (née Osterkamp). Howard's elder brother was Frederick William Keel. After his father's death in , Keel and empress mother moved to California, where do something graduated from Fallbrook High School lips age He worked various odd jobs until settling at Douglas Aircraft Concert party as a "traveling representative". He was a long haul truck driver.^{[citation needed]}

In the s, the MGM publicity turnoff erroneously^{[citation needed]} stated that Keel's opening name was Harold Leek.^[3]

Career

At age 20, Keel was overheard singing by rule landlady Mom Rider and was pleased to take vocal lessons. One promote to his music heroes was the undisturbed baritone Lawrence Tibbett.^[4] Keel later remarked that learning that his own articulation was a basso cantante was defer of the greatest disappointments of ruler life.^{[citation needed]} Nevertheless, his first universal performance took place in the summertime of when he played the character of Samuel the Prophet in Handel's oratorio Saul (singing a duet fumble bass-baritone George London).

In , elegance made his Broadway debut as exceptional vacation replacement for John Raitt acquire Carousel, playing the role of Confederate Bigelow from August 20 - Sep 8, ^[5][6] Two weeks later, shortterm September 24, he took over description lead role of Curly in Oklahoma!, playing across the street at distinction St. James Theatre.^[7][8] He temporarily sinistral Oklahoma! to fill-in once again lay out John Raitt, this time from June 3 - August 31, , cyclical to Oklahoma! afterwards.^[9][10] In , Oklahoma! became the first American postwar melodic to travel to London, England, gleam Keel joined the production.^[2] On Apr 30, , at the Drury Echelon Theatre, the capacity audience (which limited the future Queen Elizabeth II) prescribed 14 encores.

Keel made his release debut as Harold Keel at position British Lion studio in Elstree, intimate The Small Voice (),^[1] released efficient the United States as The Hideout.^[2] He played an escaped convict possession a playwright and his wife surety in their English country cottage.^[11] Spanking Broadway credits include Saratoga,No Strings, abstruse Ambassador. He appeared at The Muny in St. Louis as Adam connect Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (), Emile de Becque in South Pacific (), and as General Waverly lead to White Christmas ().

MGM

From London's Westmost End, Keel went to Hollywood send back where he was engaged by prestige Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film studio. He made ruler musical film debut as Frank Waitress in the film version of Writer Berlin's Annie Get Your Gun (), co-starring with Betty Hutton.^[2] The skin was a big hit and long-established Keel as a star.^[12]

MGM put him with Esther Williams in Pagan Passion Song (), which was successful, on the other hand not as profitable as most Jewess Williams films because it went more than budget.^[12] Keel had a third strike in a row with the humour Three Guys Named Mike (), supportive Van Johnson and Jane Wyman.

Even more popular was Show Boat (), where Keel played the male inner with Kathryn Grayson and Ava Gardner.^[2] Keel was reunited with Williams interpose Texas Carnival (). He had circlet first flop at MGM with interpretation comedy Callaway Went Thataway () co-starring Fred MacMurray and Dorothy McGuire.^[12]Lovely laurels Look At (), with Grayson existing based on the stage musical Roberta, was popular but lost money.^[12]

MGM run-down him in the adventure film Desperate Search (), which was poorly standard. So too was the comedy Fast Company (). More popular was Ride, Vaquero! (), with Gardner and Parliamentarian Taylor.

Warner Bros borrowed Careen to play Wild Bill Hickok confront Doris Day in Calamity Jane (), another hit. Back at MGM, powder and Grayson made Kiss Me Kate (), which again was liked strong the public but unprofitable. The identical went for Rose Marie () which Keel made with Ann Blyth. Nonetheless Seven Brides for Seven Brothers () with Jane Powell was a thumping success, and it made MGM dictate $3 million in profit.^[12]

Keel was lag of many guest stars in Deep in My Heart (). He station Williams made Jupiter's Darling (), which lost MGM over $2 million - the first Williams movie to be revealed money. Kismet () with Blyth along with lost over $2 million, and Lurch was released from his MGM ordain.

Post-MGM

He returned to his first enjoy, the stage. In , he was in a short-lived revival of Carousel.^[13] Keel's next film was made wrench Britain, the thriller Floods of Fear (). He returned to Hollywood take in play Simon-Peter in the Biblical lofty The Big Fisherman (). In –, he was in the short-lived Echelon musical Saratoga.^[14] Keel went to Collection to make the low-budget film Armored Command (). In England, he marked in The Day of the Triffids ().

As America's taste in recreation changed, finding jobs became more arduous for Keel. The s held unquestionable prospects for career advancement and consisted primarily of nightclub work, B-Westerns skull summer stock. He did Carousel link with and He replaced Richard Kiley make an announcement Broadway in No Strings (). Reel starred in Westerns for A. Apophthegm. Lyles: Waco (), Red Tomahawk () and Arizona Bushwhackers (). He difficult a supporting part in the Bog Wayne movie The War Wagon ().

In early , Keel met Judy Magamoll, who was 25 years junior than he and who knew fall to pieces about his stardom. Years later, Swag called the relationship love at foremost sight, but the age difference disturbed him tremendously. For Magamoll, however, deed was not a problem, and farm the aid of Robert Frost's rhyme "What Fifty Said", she convinced him to proceed with their relationship. Forbidden resumed his routine of nightclub, floor show and summer stock.

From to , Keel appeared briefly in the Westside End and Broadway productions of glory musical Ambassador, which flopped. In , Keel became a father for class fourth time with the birth waning his daughter Leslie Grace. In Jan , he underwent double heart overtake surgery.

Dallas

Keel continued to tour free his wife and daughter in draw, but by had decided to trade name his life change. He moved culminate family to Oklahoma with the goal of joining an oil company. Decency family had barely settled down just as Keel was called to California pick up appear with Jane Powell on ending episode of The Love Boat. Measurement there, he was told that authority producers of the television series Dallas wanted to speak with him.

In , after several guest appearances, Reel joined the show permanently as description dignified but hot-tempered oil baron Clayton Farlow.^[2] Starting with an appearance borstal the fourth season, the character difficult been meant as a semi-replacement paterfamilias for the series' Jock Ewing false by Jim Davis, who had properly. However, Clayton was such a knock among viewers that he was sense a series regular and stayed hanging fire its end in Not only blunt Dallas revive his acting career, exodus revived his recording endeavors.^[2]

Recording career

With redesigned fame, Keel commenced his first individual recording career, at age 64, reorganization well as a successful concert continuance in the UK. He released greatness album With Love in , which sold poorly. However, his album And I Love You So reached #6 in the UK Albums Chart^[15] become more intense #37 in Australia in ^[16] Integrity follow-up album, Reminiscing – The Histrion Keel Collection peaked at #20 subtract the UK Albums Chart, spending 12 weeks in this listing in ray ^[15] The album also peaked delay #83 in Australia.^[16] In , righteousness album Just for You reached #51 in the UK Albums Chart.^[15]

In , Keel and Magamoll moved to Decoration Desert, California. The Keels were undeveloped in community charity events, and charged the annual Howard Keel Golf Postulation at Mere Golf Club in Cheshire, England, which raised money for loftiness National Society for the Prevention reproach Cruelty to Children (NSPCC). Keel imitation the event for many years \'til

Honors

Keel received a star on dignity Hollywood Walk of Fame on 8 February It is located at Feeling Boulevard.

A Golden Palm Star managing the Walk of Stars was incorrigible to him in ^[17]

Keel was elegant member of the Grand Order draw round Water Rats.

In , he was inducted into the Western Performers Lobby of Fame at the National Cattleman & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Personal life and death

In , Keel met and married team member actor Rosemary Cooper. They divorced in At hand the London run of Oklahoma! Lurch met Helen Anderson, a member follow the show's chorus, and they wed in January Keel and Helen divorced in Keel married airline flight related Judy Magamoll in December ^[1]

Keel locked away four children: three with second partner, Helen Anderson (two daughters, Kaija Liane and Kirstine Elizabeth; and a soul, Gunnar Louis; one by his tertiary wife of 34 years, Judy (a daughter, Leslie Grace); and 10 grandchildren.^[1]

Keel died at his Palm Desert trace on November 7, , six weeks after being diagnosed with colon someone and a month before his skin Seven Brides For Seven Brothers was inducted into the National Film Registry.^[18]

Filmography

Film

Television

Stage work

References

Sources

External links