People and Places January 1954

1954. Published by "your De Soto-Plymouth Dealer" Volume 10 Number 12. Sized 4to stapled magazine binding. Black and white illustrations throughout, color cover and article on Orchids also illustrated with cover photographs. De Soto was a brand of the automobile maker Chrysler, produced from 1928 to 1961. This type of publication would have been sent to De Soto owners from the dealerships where their vehicles were purchased. This magazine was sent through the mail by a Plymouth, Massachusetts dealership. Cover photograph of dancers and movie stars Gower and Marge Champion. The couple are featured in the lead article. Gower and Marge Champion were professional dancers and choreographers who were the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers of their day (or the Vernon and Irene Castle, depending on whose biography you read.) This article appeared at the height of their fame as a dance team appearing in movies such as Show Boat and Everything I Have Is Yours. Gower Champion (1919-1980) became a professional dancer at age 15 touring nightclubs, and subsequently worked as a dancer and choreographer on Broadway. After returning from a tour of duty in World War II, Gower discovered his previous dance partner had left the business. Ernest Belcher, a master level ballet teacher, suggested Gower speak with his daughter Marge about a dance partnership. He and Marge married in 1947. The couple had two songs and appeared together in seven MGM musical films as well as their own television variety show in the 1950s. Gower also had great success on Broadway where we choreographed and directed a number of blockbuster hits including Bye Bye Birdy with Chita Rivera and Dick Van Dyke and Hello Dolly with Carol Channing. He won multiple Tony awards and was nominated for many more. Gower died in 1980 on the day 42nd Street, his last great success, premiered. Marge, the former Marjorie Belcher, (1919-2020) began her career a figure model for Disney's movie Snow White (and other animated films) and she had her own Broadway career prior to married Gower Champion. Marge found greater success partnered with Gower in film, television and theatre. Marge was honored with a lifetime achievement award at the Fred and Adele Astaire Awards. Movie star Wanda Hendrix (1928-1981) is featured in an article on miniature horses. Hendrix appeared in a number of B movies prior to 1960 and was briefly married to Audie Murphy. Great vintage automobile ads and there's a great article illustrating (now vintage) ladies fashion. Some wear to covers including about a three inch separation at bottom and an inch at top. Address label on back cover. Thanks for shopping with us! 100% of your purchase benefits charity and supports literacy and lifelong learning.. Magazine. Good/No Jacket. 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall.