Louise Franklin

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Louise Franklin
Born
Other namesBeau
Bo
Occupation(s)Actress, Dancer
Years active1935–1958
SpouseLee Young
Children1
Parent
  • Viola Franklin (mother)

Louise Franklin, nicknamed Beau[1] and Bo,[2] was an American dancer and actress active during the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. From childhood, she was interested in various forms of dance and also practiced as an actress before starring in vaudeville roles with Bryon Ellis as the duo "Bryon and Beau". Her film roles afterwards primarily saw her dance in various productions both in media and on stage and occasionally starred as a well dressed and well spoken love interest to the male lead, such as when cast alongside Eddie "Rochester" Anderson.

Career

Born in

tap dancing, along with taking acting classes.[3]

Her vaudeville career saw her partner with Bryon Ellis under the name "Bryon and Beau" after having been a member of the Cotton Club Cuties chorus group.[3][5] Her 1935 theatre role in School Days alongside Dickie Walker had the California Eagle refer to the pair's performance as akin to Aurora Greely and Leroy Broomfield.[6] That same year she signed onto Maceo Burch's Kansas City theatre company and was said to "possibly be called the leader of the group" by the California Eagle due to her talents as an entertainer.[7] After the company toured in California, she stayed and played in a number of film and stage roles in the following years. Harry Levette in the California Eagle said she was "Hollywood's prettiest, cleverest, most personable dancer".[8] In 1943 during World War II, she reportedly joined the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, though this was denied by her husband.[9]

After

Crime Incorporated, the director gifted her with a box of then expensive cigarettes from Franklin's favorite brand after she completed her final scene.[12]

She continued her tours with Bryon Ellis under the "Bryon and Beau" name in 1948, doing a theatre tour across the

Brew 102 competition and, while not victorious, received attention and more television acting opportunities afterwards.[2][15]

Filmography

Theatre

  • Sweet and Hot (1958)[31]
  • Two In A Bed (1946)[32]
  • Harlem To Hollywood (1943)[33]
  • Jump for Joy (1941)[34]
  • School Days (1935)[6][35]

Personal life

Franklin was married to singer and jazz drummer Lee Young,[36] and they had a son together.[37]

References

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  11. ^ "Louise Franklin Plays Rochester's Girl In Film". The Daily Bulletin. September 18, 1944. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  12. ^ "Louise Franklin Gets Cigarets As Bonus". The Daily Bulletin. November 21, 1944. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
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  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i Murray, Florence, ed. (1947). The Negro Handbook 1946-1947. Macmillan Inc. p. 265.
  19. from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
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  31. ^ Gordon Jr., Walter L. (2019). "Entertainer Louise Franklin, star of Sweet and Hot, Los Angeles, 1940s". digital.library.ucla.edu. UCLA Library. Archived from the original on September 3, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
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  37. Newspapers.com
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