Spotlight on: Ginger Rogers

Today marks the 100th birthday of Hollywood legend Ginger Rogers. Truly a triple threat, Ginger could dance, sing and actually act, when given the oppurtunity. Best known for hoofin’ it alongside Fred Astaire in ten films, she also won a Best Actress Oscar in 1941 for a wonderful film, Kitty Foyle.

Ginger wasn’t much tabloid fodder; her image in Hollywood was squeaky clean. She loved dogs, riding her bike, playing tennis and she never drank–in fact she was probably the only Hollywood star to have an ice cream fountain installed in her home, rather than a wet bar! Despite that, she and Clark were tied for marriages–at five apiece. She also famously dated Howard Hughes and Jimmy Stewart.

Well, she never starred with Clark onscreen, but they did do a delightful radio show together on October 1, 1939 titled “Imperfect Lady.” It’s a silly little plot about battling Hollywood screenwriters who end up falling in love. Clark and Ginger did have chemistry though, and it is truly a shame that they never starred together onscreen–I think it really would have worked. I have heard many a classic Hollywood fan say they don’t listen to radio shows because “they are boring” and, to me, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Where else will you catch little candid moments and stars paired together that never were otherwise?

Case in point, after their performance of “Imperfect Lady”, the host of the Gulf Screen Guild Theater tells Clark and Ginger (and costar Margaret Lindsay) that they must answer one trivia question correctly or else they will have to perform a “forfeit”. Both miss their questions, and their “forfeits” are quite hilarious! Clark’s? To spell the word “maliciousness” and whistle at every vowel!

Listen here: ImperfectLadyEnd

You can hear the entire radio show here.

Happy centennial, Ginger!