Audrey Totter 1917-2013

In the midst of the holiday rush, we were all shocked and saddened by several classic Hollywood deaths separated by a mere number of days.

One of which was Audrey Totter, who died peacefully on December 12 at the age of 95.

Audrey was known for her tough gal roles in the 1940’s and 50’s, in films like The Setup, Lady in the Lake and Under the Gun.

In 1949, Audrey starred with Clark Gable in Any Number Can Play. Audrey played Alice Elcott, the sister-in-law of Clark’s gambling kingpin character. Clark was married to Alexis Smith in the film, but blonde Audrey caught his eye. She was only thirty years old at the time, and Clark was nearly fifty, but that didn’t bother her one bit and she was flattered that he even gave her the time of the day.

He took her to a party where Lana Turner was the center of attention, all decked out in a revealing gown and jewels.  Audrey was impressed and couldn’t help but stare.

“Are you admiring her jewels?” Clark asked her. Audrey admitted she was. “You have something far more important,” Clark told her, “You have jewels inside.”

Audrey said she always remembered that comment and her brief time with Clark fondly.

“That was just like Clark, ” she recalled. “He was a sensitive and considerate man, not at all like the rough-and-tumble man he sometimes played.”

Rest in Peace, Audrey.