This was truly a sad morning coming into work with paper in hand, sitting with coffee as I normally do before work, but finding the notice of the passing of lovely June on the front page of the newspaper.

I am a fan of the films and stars of the 'Golden Era' and have always had a special place for Ms. Allyson. I'm 45, but felt as if I actually lived through the 40's since as I was growing up those were the films of choice that my family watched together. It's during that time that I began writing to the stars and collecting the memorabilia from those great films.

I remember seeing 'The Glenn Miller Story' and just falling in love with June and soon finding the insert poster. I bravely wrote to her and just wanted to tell her how much I enjoyed her work in that film as well as my one of my favorite 'Little Women'. She sent me several signed photos and a lovely letter that just made me feel terrific!

I actually found the 3 sheet to 'Little Women' and now have it framed in my kitchen. It's stunning and everytime someone comes to my home they are overwhelmed by it. In terms of this movie, I do have a special story. I had found a special movie program related to this film that folded out to display 4 individual photos of each of the main female stars. I thought that it would be incredible if I could get all four stars to sign by their picture.

I had already written to Ms. Allyson in the past so I wrote her a letter to see if I could send her this program and that I would include Fed Ex postage and she could return it to me to forward to the next star. She was delighted to do this and actually sent me another lovely signed photo. Sure enough I then forwarded this same program to Janet Leigh, and while living in Chicago was able to meet several times Margaret O'brien who also signed the program. The only star that has not signed her photo is Elizabeth Taylor, but I was cautioned not to send the program because perhaps I would never get it back. I'm delighted with the 3 signatures.

I could write on and on about Ms. Allyson, but I would rather read the tributes that others have written. All I know is that with her passing this means that we have lost one more bright star from the heavans and they can never be replaced. It saddens me that so many people my age and younger have never heard of these great stars so I have made it a point to 'educate' them!

God Bless to all and thanks Ginny for this wonderful site that I have just discovered. I can't wait to explore it more!

Marc

I was saddend beyond words to learn of "Junebug's" death. She was an ideal lady I will hold in memory as long as I live.

She was just a sweetie she had a husky voice and she was my idol when I was a young girl. Loved her movies of course as Glen Miller's wife and Little Women. I personally hope they never ever remake The Glen Miller story.

jsb

I was so sorry to hear that June Allyson died. She was such a sunny face on my TV everytime I saw her. She will be missed by ALL.

Cindi

In this day and age when a parent really has to monitor what their young children watch on television, the broad array of MGM musicals are a Godsend. My 8 year old daughter loves June Allyson and is a "mini connoisseur" of all things June. When I came home from work yesterday and was told the news by my wife, my daughter followed in close behind and just gave me a big hug ... we are both in mourning. Interesting that my daughter's next favorites are Judy Garland and Gloria DeHaven, the former her first real buddy at MGM and the other a good friend and co-star in a few musicals.

It seems trite to say what everyone always says about her ... "the girl next-door with the raspy voice and sparkling eyes" ... yes, it was that, but much more too. Just can't find the words ... but she was our favorite MGM star ... that should say it all!

Thank you for your website, I've enjoyed it often.

Marty (& daughter Natalie)

As a young man I have very fond memories of watching the Glenn Miller story with my mother and truly enjoying the music and her cute personality. Mom was a teen during WW2 so naturally she was enamored with Glenn Miller and bands of that era and in time it too grew very fond of that music. In fact we had a 16 piece band at our wedding in 93 with the primary music being that of GM. Now as a dad I make sure that my son and I watch her movies whenever they hit the screen especially the GM story that I so fondly shared with my mom.

Thanks,

Rob D

She represented so much more than "the girl next door." She exuded such open honesty and true joy in her work that one could not help but love her. "High Barbaree" holds the most magic for me.

Wm. B. Parkinson, age 65.

I first saw June in 'Battle Circus', I was 9 years old and 'smitten'..when I think about it, every girl I have ever been attracted too looked something like June. I suppopse everyone has an ideal?.... well June was mine. Thanks for everything, the looks, the voice, the smile and the personality...she really was a bit special Me and my lovely lady Kari, married for 20 years, our thoughts are with June's family.

John Smith, Ashby De la Zouch, England.

My mother, sister and I adored the films and appearances of the late, great June Allyson, the classic American girl next door. She was extremely kind in the past with my request to sign a couple of photos and the sheet music for "Pass That Peace Pipe" from one of my favourite films, "Good News." I was astonished, particularly today, to read of her death upon coming home from work - especially due to the eerie coincidence that I had just posted out a request to for her to sign couple photo and sheet music for my mother and sister. In any event, her films have always represented what was so wonderful about the American musical film. As Esther Williams had mentioned in "That's Entertainment III," "If one performer could represent the light-heartedness of the MGM musical, then June Allyson would certainly be it." I truly agree with this statement and perhaps have my fondest memory of Miss Allyson from the film "Good News," a film I watch every time I get homesick for the US now that I reside in the UK. I'll always have fondness each time I see her performance with Peter Lawford singing "The Best Things in Life Are Free" - this rings so true. My sympathies go out to her family, but with the uplifting note that her films have delighted generations and will continue to do so with families like mine who will carry on watching her films. Many thanks, Miss Allyson, and rest well.

I felt so sad hearing that June passed away. Another part of my life went away with her.

I was born in Costa Rica, and I remember seeing her wonderful movies with my parents, now deceased, with subtitles in Spanish…., and how all of us enjoyed such a beautiful time.

Wherever you are June, thank you very, very much. You certainly "made my day"

Luis Fernando

In a couple of months I turn 60 years of age, as will a large percent of Baby Boomers like me. Ms. Allyson was a person my mother (now passed as well) adored, and I came to adore her myself as I finally managed to see most, if not all of her movies.

My memory of my mom brings her closer to being "just like" June Allyson than she probably was, but it sure is a sweet memory. They were similar in so many ways, from their smoky voices to their smiling eyes to their impeccable understanding of other people's feelings. I truly hope they meet in heaven. Ms. June, if you get time, please ask for Georgia Sheldon somewhere beyond the Pearly Gates.

Chuck Sheldon
Slidell, LA

I was lucky enough to have worked with Pam Powell at the film commission in 1997.

Also, felt very happy to converse with her mother several times and found her to be the consumate "lady" and down to earth.

Please convey my sympathies to the family.

Thank you.

Judy M. Steinke

I first saw June in the film "The Opposite Sex". I thought she was amazing. She showed a strong women who in the face of adversity stood up for herself. She epitomized the strong independent women yet at the same time showed that being strong doesn't mean you're heartless. Through the years I have seen her in several other movies. She was an amazing actress, and from what I have read of her, an amazing women. She truly was the girl next door. She will be lovingly remembered through her songs, films, and her work through the Kimberly-Clark Corp.

We will miss you June. And deepest sympathies to her family.

Love, Missy

Down on Your Heels, and Up On Your Toes!
by Len Bourret

She was the girl GIs gravitated towards, the kind of woman every man wanted to marry, and the special friend everyone wanted to know. She loved people, and they loved her back. She exuded positive energy and a sunshiny smile that was uplifting--and, somehow, just being around her was uplifting and made people feel better. She was, and shall always be, "Good News" itself. Harry James' trumpet (from "Two Girls and a Sailor") is blowing in the heavens, and one can hear and see June Allyson exuberantly singing, "He's the young man with a horn!"

To know "Junie" (as she was personified by her closed friends), one only had to become familiar with Ella Van Geisman, the little girl from the Bronx. She was a hard worker, and a powerhouse. She danced her way out of poverty and, on a dare from her schoolchums, learned to dance like and eventually befriended her #1 heroine, Ginger Rogers. And, out of a Third Avenue el, she learned to follow in the footsteps of her #1 hero, Fred Astaire. She had a distinctive voice, and a winsome personality. And, it was not an accident or coincidental that she became destined to become the actress and human being that everyone wanted to
emulate and have as their nextdoor neighbor. Hers was a rags-to riches story, a kind of Shirley Temple real-life doll (more than merely on paper), a Jo March tomboy with feminine grace. She was a princess, who married a prince, Richard Ewing Powell. And Richard, or Dick Powell as he is known to the world, was a kind man who loved kids. But, he was--and taught June Allyson to be, strong as a redwood--and this served to be her strength, after Richard's passing. And, indeed, June Allyson went through an extremely difficult period from 1963 (after Richard passed from this earth) to 1976 (when she married an equally-kind man, David Ashrow). But, during this time of magnificent independence, the little girl became quite a woman. And, she was a loyal friend and partner (she was married to Dick Powell for almost 20 years, and was married to David Ashrow for almost 30 years).

When I was a little boy, Dick Powell used to call me from Four Star Television (where he became a still-respected Louis B. Mayer kind of television mogul), and he gave me a 16m.m. print of "Sister Mary Slugger" (a segment I loved from early television's June Allyson Show). I deeply cherished and faithfully preserved the print, for years, and presented it to June Allyson on videocassette. And, at the Judy Garland Festival in 2002, I had the rare opportunity to read my poetry to June Allyson. Some people are fortunate to meet their heroine once in a lifetime. I was privileged and proud to meet June Allyson on four special occasions: once when she was appearing in "Goodbye Ghost" (in Coconut Grove, Florida), twice when she was appearing in "Forty Carats" (on Broadway), thrice when she was appearing in "No No Nanette" (in Hollywood), and at the Judy Garland Festival (an annual event held to honor June Allyson's friend in Judy Garland's hometown of Grand Rapids, Minnesota). But, this shall not be yours and my final meeting. We shall see June, Judy, and Richard at the rainbow--and June Allyson will be dancing and singing The Varsity Drag (from MGM's "Good News")!

June Allyson - 1917 to 2006, and at the rainbow!

LA Times Article

My Tribute to June Allyson

 

I think she was undervalued as a Broadway actress. She did a terrific version of "Treat Me Rough" in the 1943 movie Girl Crazy. I remember seeing her on Carson with her son. She was almost cooing over him to Carson. He was obviously the apple of her eye. I recall him being embarrassed. I thought it was touching. The kid looked like his father, but was a better looking version. She always made me feel so good about the goodness of an all American girl.

Bill from Bexley, Ohio

Just wanted to let you know that June Allyson is and will always ben my favorite actress. My favorite movie is between Little Women and The Opposite Sex, matter of fact, I was watching Little Women Monday, when a friend called me and told me that June Allyson had died. I felt so sad, but her memories will live on in her movies and music.

Eric Schull

I remember every Sunday afternoon I spent watching “Little Women” on TV when I was a kid, as one of the greatest treasures of my childhood. It was a pleasure even waiting for the movie time to come. I mixed my childhood with theirs, my life with theirs, even my sense of loss with the coming of age. How I dreamed of that perfect world created by June, by the other girls as it was only for me (I thought it was exclusively for me!).

June was the perfect sister, the perfect friend, and I will always miss her . . . and Jo . . a lot.

Miguel Vidal
Argentina

I would just like to say RIP June Allyson, who was one of the most talented actress's we have ever seen. She was one of MGM's top female star's of the 1940's and 50's.

I have been watching the "That's Entertainment" DVD, which contain's clip's of June Allyson in the movies "Word's and Music" and "Good New's". I think my favourite film of June Allyson's is "The Glenn Miller Story" co -starring with James Stewart. An excellent performance. thumbup1.gif

It's a shame June Allyson's later life was blighted by ill health. We and her fan's around the world will miss her very much indeed. She was a unique talent. This is for her marvellous achievement's.

Robert
Yorkshire, England

Thanks for the beautiful smile and the lovely films you made you touched our hearts with your wonderful performances...For years I thought you were Mrs Jimmy Stewart or Mrs Glenn Miller how convincing you were.....Will be sadly missed.

Roz Lee
Auckland New Zealand

Hello,

My wife and I learnt of June’s departure yesterday. Our condolences to her husband David and family.
We met June and David on a cruise back in 1984. It was on the Royal Viking Sky. I still have a picture taken of June and me at a lecture that June gave on her life in Hollywood. She told me a story of a day she spent waiting for a bus to take her into Hollywood studios and a car pulled up with an offer of a lift. She said it was Judy Garland and that was a true Star. A very nice lady and a natural.

Bye,

Rodger & Liz Hughes
England

Since I was 12 years old, June Allyson has been the one and only actress whose movies and tv appearances I watch over and over again, never tiring of seeing her. I must have bought or taped just about every movie she ever made. I've admired the talents of many great Hollywood actresses, but June I loved and still do. There was something about her - a warmth, a sweetness, a vulnerability, a twinkle in her eye, and that wonderful voice - that made you feel protective about her. On screen I laughed at her antics, cried when she did, and always wanted that "happy ending" for her. I read everything I could get my hands on concerning her personal life - her early childhood struggles, her marriage to Dick Powell and their children, and later on her marriage to Dr. Ashrow. She was a caring daughter and a loving wife and mother in an industry where that's hard to do. It speaks to the character of the lady. Hers is indeed a life well lived. Now God has taken her home. But for all of us fans, she will be in our hearts and memory for always. And her talents as a wonderful actress will be enjoyed for generations to come. Quite a legacy!

She was just the best, for many years, and I was saddened to hear of her death. They just don't have stars like that any more Pity. Please let her family know that there are still many of us around who never missed any of her movies. Thank goodness for re-runs on television!

My heart goes out to the family. Ms. Allyson will always remain in a special place in our family. We had the opportunity to spend the day with her on the beach in California when me (Judy) and twin sister (Linda) was about 4 and younger sister (Lillie)was about 3. Ms. Allyson had purchased new swim suits for us girls, so we could go into the water. Many pictures were taken, and we all had a wonderful time, thanks to her wonderful generosity.

Judy

REMEMBERING JUNE ALLYSON

BY CHARLES MICHEL

I was saddened to learn that one of the last remaining great stars of Metro-Goldwyn- Mayer’s Golden Age, June Allyson, died on July 8th.  I immediately recalled with much affection a personal memory that I have of her. It was the summer of 1974 and the place was The Loew’s Theater, now called The Civic Theater, in Akron, Ohio.

That summer June Allyson had found her way from Hollywood to Northeastern Ohio at the invitation of then Carousel Dinner Theater owner, David Fulford. This was during The Carousel’s second season in its original home in Ravenna, Ohio. She was starring in a frothy little comedy, “My Daughter, Your Son”, co-starring her son, Dick Powell Jr., who looked just like his famous Dad.

I was a twenty year old theater intern at The Carousel, which meant that I was voluntarily doing slave labor 24/7 at the theater for a chance to learn from working actors and to earn points towards my Actor’s Equity (Union) Card. When Miss Allyson arrived I had already worked with a series of TV celebs there, but now I was really excited! This was an actual movie star! After all, there had been several years in the 1950’s when June Allyson was MGM’s biggest box office draw. She had done over 70 films. She could sing and dance in musicals such as “Good News”, and she could cry on cue in dramatic films such as “The Stratton Story”. She even dared to play the role of Jo March the Technicolor  version of “Little Women” after Kate Hepburn had already played the role in black and white!

It was thrilling to walk into her dressing room and see the neat row of make-up bottles with labels that each said “Max Factor for June Allyson.” To catch her smile in the reflection of her dressing table mirror and to hear that famous laugh, a mixture of smoke and girlish glee, made all the sleepless nights I had spent building props worthwhile.  In small town dinner theaters the actors and tech staff get to know each other pretty quickly. For a few weeks, even stars like June Allyson spend almost every waking hour at the theater. And so new intense friendships are quickly born and then, almost always, just as quickly come to an end when the show closes. But for a few weeks in 1974, I could pop my head into the Star’s abode and say hello to my new friend, June.

One day, about week into the run of the show, I shared with June that my favorite “June Allyson Movie” was the “Glen Miller Story” in which she had played Glen Miller’s wife with Jimmy Stewart as Glen Miller. I will never forget her reaction.

She flashed her trademark toothy grin and said, “Oh did you like it, really? You know, I’ve never seen it.”

I was dumbstruck. “How was it possible,” I thought, “for her to have never seen one of her most famous films?!”

“You see,” she said, “I never watch myself on film. I think I have a goofy crooked teeth look. And my voice…well, I lisp and croak away! I have never quite understood what it is that the audience likes about me. But I have come to realize that what I see when I look at myself isn’t as important as what the audience sees. I obsess on each of my individual quirks. The audience sees the whole person. They actually see me better than I ever could see myself. So I’ve decided to trust them. I do my job and then give the performance away to the folks sitting in the movie theater. I never want to think about how my acting looks after it is done. It’s enough for me to know that the public seems pleased.”

I spent the rest of that day marveling at what June had said, and I have thought of her words many times since. The very next day a happy “coincidence” occurred. I read in The Akron Beacon Journal that The Loew’s Theater in Akron was featuring a series of classic MGM films and that the next week’s program included “The Glen Miller Story”!

The Akron Loew’s Theater was one of those great movie palaces that put the present day movieplex to shame. Built in 1926, this marvelous tribute to bygone innocence captured the romance of early Hollywood. The lobby had a grand staircase that could have come right out of a “Busby Berkeley” production number. The ceiling of the theater had twinkling stars to herald the arrival of the Stars on screen, and to add to the fanfare there was, of course, a pipe organ! In 1974, The Loew’s had yet to be restored to its original glory as it would be later in 2000 and renamed The Civic Theater. So in1974 the theater was a bit tattered, but you could still sense the loveliness underneath all the dust and grime. Like watching Greta Garbo in a scratchy aging black and white film, walking into The Loew’s in the 70’s was like peering down a tunnel at something quite beautiful.

With the youthful enthusiasm that one possesses only during ones twentieth year, I thought, “What fun! I will take June to see her very own film for the very first time in that very wonderful theater!”

So I looked up the show times, only to discover that each showing of the movie conflicted with a performance of the play at The Carousel. And so undeterred as only a twenty year old can be, I called The Loew’s and asked to speak to the theater manager. I told him June’s story and he was immediately enthused. (He just so happened to be a June Allyson fan.) He promptly volunteered to add a private screening on our day off for June and the rest of her cast and crew.

Given how she felt about seeing herself on film, it took some doing to convince June to go. But I think she sensed my excitement, and so she agreed to attend.

And that is how it came to be that on a Monday about midday June Allyson, myself, and a small group of no more than a dozen actors and Carousel Theater staff arrived at The Akron Loew’s to see “The Glen Miller Story.” I had expected that we would upon arrival find only the manager and the projectionist waiting for us. But what actually greeted our company surprised and delighted us all. The Loew’s manager had brought in his entire staff! There were ushers in brass-buttoned uniforms to open the door and to escort us to our seats! Fresh popcorn was dancing furiously in one of those great old popcorn machines! All the concession drinks and candy were handed to us! And the biggest surprise of all, the organist was there live playing “Hooray for Hollywood” on pipes, with chiming bells! Our little group did not even fill one row of seats in the large theater, yet they had done all this for June!

We walked up the grand staircase like royalty. We took our seats in the middle of  fifth row center.  The organ music swelled to a crescendo. The lights went down. The stars in the ceiling twinkled. The velvet curtain lifted and The MGM Lion roared at us from the giant screen. “The Glen Miller Story” began.

As organizer of the event, I dared take a place of honor sitting at June Allyson’s side. For the first part of the movie she kept on wincing slightly and looking away from the screen, but as the story unfolded she too was carried away by the film’s magic and she began to enjoy the show. She let herself become a member of that audience she had talked about.

She started doing a running commentary in a whisper like those commentary tracks that they now put as an extra feature on film DVDs.

“Oh, I don’t look so bad here,” she would say. Or, “My goodness, I was young!” And, “Everybody else in that scene is dead!”

My favorite remark was when she said, “Gosh, Jimmy Stewart is sexy up there on the screen! I didn’t think he was sexy when I was kissing him!”

Every moment of those two hours sitting in the dark in The Akron Loew’s is etched in my memory .What I remember most fondly were the last moments of watching the film with June. Glen Miller has died in a plane crash while entertaining the troops overseas in World War II. June Allyson, as Glen’s wife, is stateside listening to her husband’s final recorded broadcast on the radio. The Glen Miller Orchestra begins to play the couple’s favorite song, “Little Brown Jug”. Mrs. Glen Miller picks up a small brown jug that Glen had given her and presses it to her cheek. Tears roll down her face as the film comes to an end. At that moment, in The Loew’s Theater, June Allyson grabbed my hand as tightly as she could. Tears were running down her cheeks and tears were running down mine as well. It was one of the happiest moments of my life.

Thanks for the memories, June. Rest in Peace.

Fondly always,
Charles Michel

Charles Michel grew up in Kent, Ohio. For over twenty years he has owned The Voice Bank, a company specializing in Voice Overs. He is a performer, director and coach. He now resides in New York City and Los Angeles.

You can learn more about his work and/or contact him by visiting his web site.
www.thewinningvoice.com.

I was captivated by June Allyson the very first time I
saw her on film. Watching and listening to her was a
most enjoyable and entert
aining experience. Thank
you, Ms. Allyson, for the lovely memory of your beauty
and talent.

Elaine C.
Woodland Hills, CA

How I loved June Allyson in every movie. Good News, The Glen Miller Story, all of them.
There was just something about her......One of a kind. I am so glad that she ended up with such
a nice man. I will never forget her.

Alice Riley
Long Beach, CA

I was born in 1949 and saw June Allyson in the movies as a youngster. I think "Strategic Air Command" was my favorite. June was a very talented actress and I loved how her whole face smiled and her girlish, raspy voice. Donna Reed was the big sister of the "girl next door" while june Allyson was definately the "girl next door". I spent 3 tours(1967-70) in Nam and could easily understand the WWII soldiers wanting to "come home to someone like her."

All the best to her loved ones and many, many fans left behind...

Don Ducker

What a wonderful talent June Allyson was. I was so saddened when my dad read the headline in the newspaper that June had passed away. She really was so much more than a girl-next-door; she had so many facets to her personality, which I thoroughly enjoyed reading about in her autobiography. As a fan of the MGM Musical, I adore her in Good News, and her segments in Words and Music and Till the Clouds Roll By. She
had such an adorable singing (and of course speaking) voice. Her
passing reminds me of the fact that she was one of the few Old
Hollywood stars still with us. Her name evokes an era that can never be reproduced. Even though I am 17 years old, I adore Classic Hollywood, and June is always a joy to watch on the screen and escape into the innocent past. I wish that more people my age knew about her, and what she symbolizes in movie history. Rest in peace, June- you will never be forgotten.

Mary-Catherine

I must admit to not even knowing who June Allyson was until about three weeks ago.  Then while watching Strategic Air Command I noticed how much June resembled my work colleague.  The next day at work I told her about June Allyson and how much I thought she looked like her and to my surprise she said that in the past her mother had been told the same thing.  I then thought it a bit strange that this movie star had gone unnoticed by me, so I began searching the internet for more info. This website was great, the more I read and saw of June the more I liked her, and the video clip of her singing "Just imagine"  really touched me ,fantastic!  Then as soon as I had just discovered her she past away leaving me feeling incredibly sad.  However, she will live on in her films, must of which I haven't seen but look forward to watching very soon.

Stuart,
England.

 

Hello,

My name is Ariana and i am 14 years old. When I turned 14 i started to watch classic flims and one day when i was watching a movie a women came on the screen of whom i had never heard of her name was June Allyson. I liked her personality that she had on the screen and i started watching more of her films and reading books about her life. What June Allyson did for me is make me happy being myself and to be proud of who i am and to let my true self shine through no matter what people think. When i saw her on television in her films i saw a little bit of her personality in every film her sparkiling eyes and her beautiful smile that just makes you want to smile even if yuor depressed she makes you smile. Thats what she did for me she made me smile in every film i saw of hers.

I am very sad to her of her death and I give my condolences to her family.

I thank June Allyson for alot and even when I grow up I will always remeber her big smile that made me want to smile everytime i saw it.

Much Love to June Allyson From,

Ariana