Alma Carroll
Alma Carroll | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | January 11, 1924 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Died | May 3, 2019 (aged 95) |
| Occupation | Actress |
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.
Early years
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]
- ^ a b c "Capitol". Shamokin News-Dispatch. Pennsylvania, Shamokin. October 6, 1944. p. 11. Retrieved 26 January 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "'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.
- ^ a b c d Guise, Kim (11 January 2018). "Hitting the Road with the Hollywood Victory Caravan". The National WWII Museum. Archived from the original on 18 January 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
- ^ a b "(photo caption)". Chicago Tribune. Illinois, Chicago. October 4, 1942. p. 124. Retrieved 25 January 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ "They All Get Our Votes". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh. August 2, 1941. p. 18. Retrieved 19 January 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "'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.
- ^ "(photo caption)". The Pittsburgh Press. Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh. July 21, 1944. p. 22. Retrieved 26 January 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Guynn, Edith (September 15, 1949). "Hollywood". Wisconsin State Journal. Wisconsin, Madison. p. 14. Retrieved 26 January 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Letter from Stephen Michea, Trustee for Alma "Carroll" Giroux". 3 April 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
External links
[edit]Alma Carroll at IMDb