Alma Carroll

Alma Carroll (January 11, 1924 – May 3, 2019) was an American actress who was named Miss America of National Defense at the age of 17.

This article is about the American actress. For the Irish singer, see The Swarbriggs.
Alma Carroll
Born(1924-01-11)January 11, 1924
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
DiedMay 3, 2019(2019-05-03) (aged 95)
OccupationActress

Early years

Carroll was born in Los Angeles, California on January 11, 1924,[1] as the daughter of Mrs. Ernest A. Stevens.[2] Her first appearance in film was a role in an Our Gang short in 1927, when she was 3 years old. She attended University High School and worked as a photographer's model.[3] She planned to be a teacher[4] or a medical doctor[1] until her entry in a beauty contest changed the direction of her career.[4]

Career

When she was 18, Carroll signed with Columbia Studios.[3] Her first film was Submarine Raider, which was followed by Parachute Nurse.[5] She also appeared in They All Kissed the Bride, Belle of the Yukon, Cinderella Jones, and Up in Arms.[1]

In 1941, representatives of the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps selected Carroll as "Miss America of National Defense".[2] The competition in Venice, California, involved 100 or more young women.[6] After her victory, Carroll and "traveling welcomette" Janet Mantell, toured military bases around the United States, including those in Salt Lake City, Denver, Omaha, and Quantico.[7] The tour totaled 9,000 miles, with expenses paid by the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce.[5]

The following year, Carroll joined a group of film stars on the Hollywood Victory Caravan, which toured the United States and raised $800,000 for Army and Navy relief funds. After the caravan ended, she continued to perform with Bob Hope in shows at military bases in California.[3]

In 1944, Carroll was featured as a beauty contest winner in the film Atlantic City.[8]

Personal life

Carroll married artist Bill Lignante, and the couple visited California military hospitals, where he sketched wounded servicemen.[3] She had previously been married to writer George Giroux.[9] Carroll died on May 3, 2019, at the age of 95.[10]

References
  1. "Capitol". Shamokin News-Dispatch. Pennsylvania, Shamokin. October 6, 1944. p. 11. Retrieved 26 January 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. "'Miss America of Defense' Will Start Tour This Week". The Los Angeles Times. California, Los Angeles. October 8, 1941. p. 22. Retrieved 18 January 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. Guise, Kim. "Hitting the Road with the Hollywood Victory Caravan". The National WWII Museum. Archived from the original on 18 January 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
  4. "(photo caption)". Chicago Tribune. Illinois, Chicago. October 4, 1942. p. 124. Retrieved 25 January 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. Harrison, Paul (March 28, 1942). "Miss National Defense Reports on Country's War Effort". The Salt Lake Telegram. Utah, Salt Lake City. Newspaper Enterprise Association. p. 8. Retrieved 19 January 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "They All Get Our Votes". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh. August 2, 1941. p. 18. Retrieved 19 January 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "'Draft of Beauty' Selectee Leaves for Tour of Camps". The Los Angeles Times. California, Los Angeles. October 10, 1941. p. Part II, p 16. Retrieved 19 January 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. "(photo caption)". The Pittsburgh Press. Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh. July 21, 1944. p. 22. Retrieved 26 January 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. Guynn, Edith (September 15, 1949). "Hollywood". Wisconsin State Journal. Wisconsin, Madison. p. 14. Retrieved 26 January 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. "Letter from Stephen Michea, Trustee for Alma "Carroll" Giroux". 3 April 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2022.

Alma Carroll at IMDb

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