Dorothy Provine
Dorothy Michelle Provine (January 20, 1935 – April 25, 2010) was an American singer, dancer and actress.[1] Born in 1935 in Deadwood, South Dakota, she grew up in Seattle, Washington, and was hired in 1958 by Warner Bros., after which she first starred in The Bonnie Parker Story and played many roles in TV series. During the 1960s, Provine starred in series such as The Alaskans and The Roaring Twenties, and her major roles in movies included It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963), Good Neighbor Sam (1964) with Jack Lemmon, That Darn Cat! (1965), Kiss the Girls and Make Them Die (1966), Who's Minding the Mint? (1967), and Never a Dull Moment (1968) with Dick Van Dyke and Edward G. Robinson. In 1968, Provine married the film and television director Robert Day and mostly retired. She died of emphysema on April 25, 2010, in Bremerton, Washington.
Dorothy Provine | |
|---|---|
 Provine in The Roaring Twenties | |
| Born | Dorothy Michelle Provine January 20, 1935 Deadwood, South Dakota, U.S. |
| Died | April 25, 2010 (aged 75) Bremerton, Washington, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of Washington |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1957–1976 |
| Spouse | Robert Day (1968-2010) |
| Children | 1 |
Early life and career
Provine was born in Deadwood in southwestern South Dakota, to William and Irene Provine, but grew up in Seattle, Washington, where her parents ran a nightclub.[1][2] She attended the University of Washington in Seattle, from which she graduated with a degree in Theater Arts in 1957.[3] While there, she joined the women's fraternity Alpha Gamma Delta.[4] In Washington, she handed out prizes for a quiz program on a local television station until she was hired by Warner Bros. at $500 per week.[5] In Hollywood, she starred in the titular role as the cigar-chomping, machine-gun firing heroine of the 1958 film The Bonnie Parker Story directed by William Witney. That same year, she performed in a credited walk-on part in the NBC Western television series Wagon Train, in the episode "The Marie Dupree Story." In 1959, she was in the cast of The 30 Foot Bride of Candy Rock, which was Lou Costello's last screen appearance.[6] In that same year she again appeared in Wagon Train in the episode "Matthew Lowry Story", this time having a part that ran the full episode.[7]
On January 3, 1959, Provine appeared as Laura Winfield in the episode "The Bitter Lesson" of the NBC Western series Cimarron City. Laura Winfield is a newly arrived schoolteacher with false credentials who is plotting with a male companion to rob a stage shipment of gold, but not before Deputy Sheriff Lane Temple (series star John Smith) falls in love with her. Dan Blocker and Gregg Palmer also appear in this episode as interested suitors of the new teacher. A few weeks thereafter, she was cast in a supporting role in the episode "The Giant Killer" of the ABC/Warner Bros. Western series Sugarfoot, with Will Hutchins in the title role.[8]
In 1959, Provine appeared as Ann Donnelly in the episode "The Confession" of another ABC/WB Western series, Colt .45, starring Wayde Preston. Charles Aidman was cast in this episode as Arthur Sibley; Don C. Harvey as Sheriff Clinter. About this time she was also cast in an episode of the ABC sitcom The Real McCoys starring Walter Brennan.[9]
Another 1959 appearance was as "Chalmers" in the episode "Blood Money" of the CBS televised Western The Texan starring Rory Calhoun as Bill Longley and Ralph Meeker in the guest cast as Sam Kerrigan.[10] She also guest starred in the syndicated Western series Man Without a Gun starring Rex Reason.[9]
Provine had a starring role in two ABC/WB series: The Alaskans (1959–1960) starring Roger Moore in which she played Rocky Shaw, and The Roaring Twenties (1960–1962), in which she portrayed dazzling singer/dancer Pinky Pinkham. A profile in Time stated that "It is Dorothy’s oooohing and shimmying that have kept the series afloat."[5] Rex Reason, from Man Without a Gun, co-starred with her in The Roaring Twenties along with Donald May, John Dehner, Mike Road, and Gary Vinson. Provine recorded an album of songs from the show, and had two hit singles in the UK Singles Chart — "Don't Bring Lulu" (number 17 in 1961) and "Crazy Words, Crazy Tune" (number 45 in 1962).[11]
She guest-starred in the 25th episode of The Gallant Men called "Tommy", which aired in March 1963. Her character name was Joyce Adams, a singer who entertained the troops.[9]
In September 1965, Provine starred in the two-part episode "Alexander the Greater" that opened the second season of The Man from U.N.C.L.E. TV series, starring Robert Vaughn and David McCallum alongside Rip Torn and David Opatoshu, later repackaged as the theatrical feature One Spy Too Many (1966).[9]
Provine's best-known film role was as Emeline Marcus-Finch, beleaguered wife of Milton Berle's character in Stanley Kramer's epic comedy It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963). She also appeared in Good Neighbor Sam (1964) with Jack Lemmon, The Great Race (1965) with Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon, Walt Disney's That Darn Cat! (1965), Kiss the Girls and Make Them Die (1966), Who's Minding the Mint? (1967) with Walter Brennan, and Never a Dull Moment (1968) with Dick Van Dyke.[3]
Personal life and death
In 1968, Provine married the film and television director Robert Day and retired from acting, apart from occasional guest roles on television. The couple moved to Bainbridge Island, Washington, about 1990, where they resided with their son.[12][13] Provine was reclusive in retirement and indulged her love of reading and movies and occasionally drove around the island with her husband.[6]
According to the Roger Moore website, during the filming of The Alaskans (1959–1960) Provine had an affair with Roger Moore.[14]
Provine died of emphysema on April 25, 2010, in Bremerton, Washington.[3]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | Live Fast, Die Young | Jackie | Uncredited |
| 1958 | The Bonnie Parker Story | Bonnie Parker | |
| 1959 | Riot in Juvenile Prison | Babe | |
| 1959 | The 30 Foot Bride of Candy Rock | Emmy Lou Rossiter | |
| 1963 | Wall of Noise | Ann Conroy | |
| 1963 | It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World | Emeline Marcus-Finch | |
| 1964 | Good Neighbor Sam | Minerva Bissell | |
| 1965 | The Great Race | Lily Olay | |
| 1965 | That Darn Cat! | Ingrid Randall | |
| 1966 | One Spy Too Many | Tracey Alexander | Two episodes of the television series The Man from U.N.C.L.E. |
| 1966 | Kiss the Girls and Make Them Die | Susan Fleming | |
| 1967 | Who's Minding the Mint? | Verna Baxter | |
| 1968 | Never a Dull Moment | Sally Inwood |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 | Man Without a Gun | Episode: "Man Missing" | |
| 1958 | The Millionaire | Rosemary MacIntyre | Episode: "The David Barrett Story" |
| 1958 | Lawman | Julie Preston | Episode: "Lady in Question" |
| 1958–1959 | Wagon Train | Marian Pruitt / Susie | 2 episodes |
| 1958–1962 | 77 Sunset Strip | Nora Shirley / Betty | 3 episodes |
| 1959 | Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer | Suzy Keeler | Episode: "Coney Island Baby" |
| 1959 | Cimarron City | Laura Winfield | Episode: "The Bitter Lesson" |
| 1959 | The Real McCoys | Glory | Episode: "The McCoys Visit Hollywood" |
| 1959 | Alfred Hitchcock Presents | Sharon Trotter | Episode: "The Morning After" |
| 1959 | Sugarfoot | Miss Bonnie / Ada | 2 episodes |
| 1959 | The Rough Riders | Holly Morrow | Episode: "Lesson in Violence" |
| 1959 | The Texan | Chalmers | Episode: "Blood Money" |
| 1959 | Colt .45 | Ann Donnelly | Episode: "The Confession" |
| 1959 | Bronco | Gilda Harper | Episode: "Red Water North" |
| 1959–1960 | The Alaskans | Rocky Shaw | 36 episodes |
| 1960–1962 | The Roaring 20's | Pinky Pinkham | 45 episodes |
| 1962 | Hawaiian Eye | Nora Stewart / Arnel Wade | 2 episodes |
| 1962 | The Red Skelton Show | Piper Novak | Episode: "The Bride of Bolivar" |
| 1962 | You're Only Young Once | Mildred Offenbach | Television film |
| 1963 | The Gallant Men | Joyce Adams | Episode: "Tommy" |
| 1965 | Dr. Kildare | Sally Boles | Episode: "Music Hath Charms" |
| 1965 | Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre | Julie | Episode: "Simon Says Get Married" |
| 1965 | The Man from U.N.C.L.E. | Tracey Alexander | 2 episodes |
| 1968 | The Danny Thomas Hour | Laura Merrill | Episode: "My Pal Tony" |
| 1968 | The F.B.I. | Irene Minnock | Episode: "Breakthrough" |
| 1968 | The Sound of Anger | Marge Carruthers | Television film |
| 1970 | Love, American Style | April | Segment: "Love and Those Poor Crusaders' Wives" |
| 1973 | Police Story | Harriett Bonner | Episode: "The Big Walk" |
| 1976 | Police Woman | Episode: "The Trick Book" |
Discography
- The Roaring 20's, 1960 Warner Bros.: WM 4035 (W1394). Musical direction by Sandy Courage. Included two songs which were A sides of hit singles: Don't Bring Lulu and Crazy Words - Crazy Tune.
- The Vamp of The Roaring 20s - Vol. 2, 1961 Warner Bros.: WM 4053. Musical direction by Sandy Courage.
- Oh You Kid!, 1962 Warner Bros.: 1962 Warner Bros.: W 1466. With Joe "Fingers" Carr.
References
- Hevesi, Dennis (April 29, 2010). "Dorothy Provine, Shapely Actress in '60s, Dies at 75". The New York Times. Retrieved May 1, 2010.
- Bergan, Ronald (May 6, 2010). "Dorothy Provine obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
- McLellan, Dennis (April 30, 2010). "Dorothy Provine dies at 75; actress in 'It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World' and 'The Roaring Twenties' TV series". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 1, 2010.
- "Alpha Gamma Delta – Accomplished Alpha Gams". Alpha Gamma Delta. Archived from the original on August 25, 2010. Retrieved March 12, 2007.
- "New Faces: The Girl in the Red Swing". Time. May 19, 1961. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved May 1, 2010.
- Pritchett, Rachel (April 27, 2010). "Reclusive Actress, Bainbridge Island Resident Dorothy Provine Dies". Kitsap Sun. Bremerton, Washington: E. W. Scripps Company. Retrieved May 1, 2010.
- Leigh, Spencer (May 4, 2010). "Dorothy Provine: Actress and singer best known for 'The Roaring 20s' and its spin-off hit 'Don't Bring Lulu'". The Independent. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
- Mclellan, Dennis (April 30, 2010). "'Mad World' actress, Bainbridge Island resident Dorothy Provine dies". The Seattle Times. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
- Lentz III, Harris M. (2011). Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2010. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. p. 342. ISBN 978-0-7864-4175-4.
- "The Texan". Classic Television Archive. Archived from the original on April 8, 2012. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
- Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 441. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- "Dorothy Day Obituary - Seattle, WA | The Seattle Times". Legacy.com. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
- "Dorothy Provine – The Private Life and Times of Dorothy Provine. Dorothy Provine Pictures". Glamourgirlsofthesilverscreen.com. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
- "Marital strife for Roger Moore when he admits to wife Dorothy Squires that he has fallen in love with co-star Dorothy Provine." Roger Moore: The Early Days, roger-moore.com. Archive retrieved from Archive.org, 22 May 2022.
