Memories

Always Carole Landis

Remembering Carole

These are the exact words of people who met Carole! Some are famous, some are veterans, some are everyday janes or joes--all were Wowed by her beautiful spirit!

January 16, 2004 From Thomas Bowerman webmaster of www.ARMED-GUARD.com

I was a Gunners Mate 2nd Class and we were in short supply so when I changed ships I was usually in the Brooklyn Armed Guard Center for only a day or two awaiting orders to a new ship.

I saw Carole Landis there two times. One time she was there at the same time as Guy Kibbee and I was in the audience. Carole was very spontaneous and came into the audience when we started calling out to her. She had a hard time getting back on the stage as she was wearing a long narrow skirt and a sailor picked her up and set her on the stage.

The other time, my ship had sunk and I was required to spend that night in sick bay for a checkup on my frost bitten feet as I spent several minutes in the ocean near Russia. Carole came to sick bay and visited every bed and I chatted with her 2 or 3 minutes.

Warm regards,

Tom Bowerman

I was invited to tag along with some newspapermen to a reception given in honor of Ernst Lubitsch. When introductions were over, my friends parked me in a chair and went their rounds of picture-snapping, etc., while I, usually so at ease, sat there, conspicuously alone. A lovely-looking girl came into the room, waded through the mob to a vacant chair beside mine. "Are you saving this chair for someone?" she asked. "Nope," I said. "That's a serviceman's ring isn't it," she asked, pointing to the Air Force ring on my finger. Warmed by her friendliness, I blurted out, "Yes, my fiance. I was just sitting here thinking of these people cocktailing while he's on his way overseas." My new friend was completely sympathetic. "My husband's been overseas for months," she confided. "May I show you his picture?" Later, when my friends returned, I asked, "Who is that girl? She was charming to me." "Oh, her . . ." they laughed. "She's nice to everyone. That's Carole Landis."

Jessyca Russell

New York, NY

(1944 fan magazine letter)

I was at Hamilton Field Base Hospital when Carole Landis, Jack Benny and their troupe entertained for us. They were kind--thanks to them! I was wounded overseas in combat, and hadn't seen any kind of entertainment for almost five months.

Pvt. William Raffaelli

Galesburg, Illinois

(fan magazine letter)

Undated Letter enclosed in a signed book of “Four Jills in a Jeep,” written to the recipient of the book

Monday—

Dearest Helen—

Do hope you’ll enjoy this and haven’t already read it. Got me a copy too, so thought perhaps you’d like one. Can’t say how good it is as I haven’t read it yet. Carole Landis was autographing her book at May’s and since I was in town on that day decided to drop in and give the old gal the once over. She was dressed beautifully—fushia dress and gloves, silver-fox stole and the darlingest bunch of purple feathers in her hair with a purple veil—the combination really was very striking. She was as thin as I, but taller and very pretty and friendly, but boy! oh! boy! I’ll bet she really knows the answers!

Always

My love,

Jeanne—

March 6,1945 Postcard from actor Robert (Bob) Cummings

to Flag Officer James Pattarini who had correspondence with several movie stars including Carole

. . . I would look up Carole (Landis) and get together with her in person if my constitution could stand a prolonged high voltage, after all she's not the type one relaxes with - Heh! . . .

Bob

September 16, 1944 Letter from Edgar Rice Burroughs (Tarzan creator) to Jane Ralston Burroughs (his daughter-in-law) written while in Honolulu, Hawaii

Dear Jane,

Was glad to have your letter . . .

When Jack Benny was here this week I had him and Larry Adler at lunch at the Outrigger Canoe Club with some of my friends. The next day we all went as Jack's guests to see his show at one of the recreation centers here. We had staff cars and a motorcycle escort of MPs. I rode to and from with Carole Landis. She is very lovely and very sweet. (Oh, to be seventy again!) The audience at the show was almost as interesting as the show - some 18,000 to 20,000 service men. They ribbed Jack, which is part of every show he gives for them. He is a swell guy - with no swelled head. . . .

My love to all of you!

August 9, 1948 Handwritten Letter from actor Cesar Romeo

My dear Carole,

I have been asked by some of your fans to write something about you in the way of a tribute so that it may be published in the club journal. I confess this is a job I have never had to do before and I don’t know just how to start, so don’t be too angry if I don’t do you justice.

You left the stage of life way too soon my dear and your friends and fans miss you very much. Personally I am very happy and proud to have been one of your friends and to have had the honor of working with you in four pictures. There was never a dull day on the set with you. Your lovely face, the warmth of your personality, your vitality and delightful sense of humor were something I always looked forward to and which made the average working day truly a pleasure. I remember the fun we had when we made “Dance Hall” together and what a wonderful sport you were on the nights that we had to work until five o’clock in the morning. You never complained about a thing, but took it in your stride as part of your job and loved every minute of it. I’m afraid that couldn’t be said about all our fair ladies of the screen.

You were a good actress Carole and you owe it only to yourself. You worked hard, studied and learned a great deal in a very short time. What is more important, you were a good daughter, sister and aunt. You loved your family and never shirked your duty toward them. You helped them in every way possible and brought them much happiness. Of that you can be extremely proud.

I think that I can say in all honesty that you did more than your share in life. Your record during the war will always stand as a monument to your memory. The boys that you entertained over-seas will never forget and neither will their families. You brought them cheer and a touch of home when they really needed it most. That was a tough job, as I know only too well, but as usual you sailed through it with flying colors -- a trooper if there ever was one.

You were a fine girl Carole, and you made every moment of your life count. I only wish that life had treated you as kindly as you treated it. As I said before, I’m proud to have been your friend.

Sleep well my dear.

Cesar Romero