Just watched this on the DVD of Down Argentine Way. It was an episode of the TV show "Biography" which showcased DAW's star Betty Grable as it chronicled her life and career from her native St. Louis to Hollywood at age 12 where she moved with her mother to audition for various studios. She'd initially be part of the Goldwin Girls at Samuel Goldwyn's studio in various Eddie Cantor musicals before getting fired for moonlighting at a rival backlot. Then she worked at other major studios before accepting an offer to appear in Du Barry Was a Lady on Broadway with Bert Lahr and Ethel Merman. That led her to a contract with 20th Century-Fox which then cast her as the leading lady in Down Argentine Way after original leading lady Alice Faye had to bow out due to exhaustion from overwork. That movie made Ms. Grable a star which lasted through the 40s and mid-50s before leaving the movies for good when Marilyn Monroe was overtaking her at Fox. She also went through a couple of marriages to Jackie Coogan and Harry James with whom she had a couple of daughters. And then there was her most iconic moment when she was photographed from the back in a one-piece swimsuit with her head turned around and her famous legs displayed prominently for various military men to admire from their barracks. Peter Graves narrated and interviews were done with Alice Faye who declared there was no feud between her and Ms. Grable when they were both at Fox, Carol Burnett who had her as a guest on her show, as well as Hugh Hefner who was one of her most ardent admirers. There's also much Fox newsreel footage of Ms. Grable visiting many of her admiring men in uniform. So on that note, I highly recommend Betty Grable: Behind the Pin-up.
