June Allyson, Alive and Well
by Len Bourret (Copyright 2005)

When I was a little boy, I adopted June Allyson (or should I say Ella Van Geisman?) as my real-life heroine. You might ask, why did I choose June Allyson? For a great many legitimate reasons (too many to list), including that I fell in love with the "rags-to-riches" story of Ella Van Geisman, the little (so-called "fatherless") girl from the Bronx, who made good on the Broadway stage--and, later on, in the movies, on television, and in commercials. What Ella does not know, today, is that the little girl who became the woman celebrity, June Allyson, has numerous "fatherly" fans who still love and support this legend's glowing star. And the legend, now known in-real-life as Mrs. David Ashrow of Ojai, California, has a star with her various names on it: Ella Van Geisman-June Allyson Powell-
Ashrow.

What I would like to convey, in this small but significant tribute, is that little Ella Van Geisman has given the world--new generations of under-50 and 50-plus young people--a non-elusive dream to reach for, and something to live for. June Allyson, through the eyes of little Ella Van Geisman, has given us the gift of renewed energy, vigor, and health. As a longstanding fan spanning more than 50 years, June Allyson continues to inspire me to new heights of life's meaning and purpose.

Ginger Rogers, June Allyson's real-life heroine, once said that "June Allyson is the girl that every man wants to marry" (quite a tribute to this glorious legend). June Allyson has stated that she does not look good in period costumes. I politely, and respectfully, disagree. As a young boy, I fell in love with Constance, a movie role June Allyson magnificently performs in MGM's "The Three Musketeers", faithfully rendered in the vivid images of the story's original author, Alexander Dumas. As a disabled person almost 58 years young and single, Constance remains my personal princess, and I will share her with noone else (although I hope you will forgive me for this).

I am a constantly hopeful and starstruck fan of Hollywood's golden years and MGM musicals, and June Allyson shall infinitely be #1 on the top of my list. In one of her Dupont commercials on The June Allyson Show, June Allyson would say: "Look for the fiber first." This lovely woman, personally and professionally, continues to deliver plenty of fiber. To June Allyson, who once considered becoming a medical doctor, I conclude by saying thank you, Dr. Allyson.

We love you, Ella.

Len Bourret