Maralou Gray
- Actress
Maralou Gray was born Maralou Daralene Beatty in Chicago,
Illinois. She is a theater, film, and television actress in addition to
being an operatic lyric coloratura soprano singer. She was very active
from 1939 to 1965. Her parents were Darlene Gray, a solo ballet dancer of
the Orpheum Circuit and owner of several dancing schools nationwide. Her
father, Artur Beatty was in the restaurant business. Although the marriage
was a trues love affair, (it quietly lasted until they passed away) their
youth and conflicting schedules led to their divorce. Maralou, then, spent
a great deal of time in the care of her maternal grandparents, Dr. William
O. Gray, a surgeon, and Margaret Gray. At the age of 4, they formally
adopted her and officially renamed her Maralou Daralene Gray, becoming her
legal mother and father.
As a youngster, they began to notice her musical vocal talent. At the age of 7, her parents began voice and piano lessons. Shortly afterwards, she was asked to sing a few Christian radio programs. At the age of 8 years of age, her teacher took her to audition for the radio hit show, The Morris B. Sacks Amateur Hour and she was accepted as a contestant. During the show, before singing, the Master of Ceremony asked why she liked to sing. Her response was, "To make people happy!" She was, then, asked what her ambition was and she replied she wanted to sing with Nelson Eddy, causing many audibles chuckles from the audience since there was a 30 year age difference between he and the little singer. She won a silver Gruen watch, and as a result, was pursued regularly as a performer for the next two years. She guested on many radio programs on stations WENR and WIND. She soloed at various meetings, church concerts, and live shows.
In the summer of 1941, after 38 years of practicing medicine, Dr. Gray decided to retire and moved the family to San Diego, California. Their pleasure was short lived though as the U.S. entered World War Two after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The U.S. government encouraged the older and retired doctors to continue working as the younger ones were needed for the war effort abroad and were being drafted into the military. Her father returned to Chicago to re-open his office, while Maralou and her mother remained in San Diego. That are was soon to become the epicenter for most of the overseas deployment and returns from the various branches of the military in the Pacific Theater of war.
At the tender age of 10 through 14, Maralou was kept busy entertaining at the multitude of military bases in the area--quite often at the huge naval Hospital there. She has said that those memories have remaining quite vivid throughout her lifetime. While performing, she braved through many grave situations, all the while trying not to betray her emotions. As a result, Maralou grew up quickly.
During the next two years, Maralou completed over 80 professional engagements, including the Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park attracting 1400 attendees. In 1948, the 16 year old was an early high school graduate, earning a lifetime California Scholarship Federation award. A week later, she won first place in the Female Vocal Division of the National Music Merit Foundation competition with her rendition of "The Bell Song" from Lakme. A one year contract to continue studies at MGM Studio was awarded.
In 1948, after purchasing the historic Johnny Weismuller/Lupe Velez estate, "Villa Fontanas" on the corner of Rodeo Drive and Lomitas, Maralou and her family moved to Beverly Hills. A great many major starts had homes that surrounded hers, such as Gene Kelly, George Murphy, The Iturbis, Jackie Cooper, Randolph Scott, Charlotte Greenwood and Rosalind Russell. Soon, her home became a popular place for the film industry's up and comers for swimming in the revered Weismuller pool, various games, volleyball, and home baked desserts.
When she entered MGM Studio, Maralou began voice lesson under the esteemed "Vocal Coach to the Stars", Arthur "Rosie" Rosenblum, followed by obtaining the official sponsorship of hit song composer, Jimmy McHugh, who arranged many notable musical appearances for her. While at the studio, she discovered drama lessons were mandatory. She later confessed that it turned out to be a godsend.
1948 was, also, the year television was seriously launched which proved to be devastating to motion pictures for a while. Musicals, too, became too expensive to produce. They all but disappeared. Maralou adapted with the changing times and gravitated to live television. She pioneered on such shows as "Armchair Detective", "The Betty White Show" among others. At 17, her blond hair, attractive shape, and hypnotic chartreuse eyes, on display at performances, resulted in a group of beauty titles. One was being named "Miss Buick" and became the face for their ad campaign for the next 2 years. Following this was "La Sirena Del Puerto De Los Angeles, (The Mermaid of Los Angeles Harbor). In celebration of the new, huge L.A. port, she was in changed of the introductions of California Governor Earl Warren who later became the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. She participated in ceremonies for building and shape christenings, speeches to welcome the first large liners to dock, plus many pictures for extensive press coverage of thousands of people.
Maralou became the unofficial mascot of the Hollywood Stars which was a Triple A baseball team of the time after they dubbed her "Miss Hollywood Star" while doing promotions for them. During the only year that the New York Yankees trained near Los Angeles, she was tagged to escort team member, Phil Rizzuto, Joe Dimaggio, and Yogi Berra, etc. for sightseeing around town and relaxation at her home. She recalls becoming speechless by several of the unexpected hilarious and unique "Yogi-isms" uttered by Mr. Berra and still remain unpublished.
In 1950, Maralou was called by the casting director at Hal Roach Studio for a possible role in one of the first filmed television series, "The Stu Irwin Show aka "Trouble with Father" which ran in 1950, 1951. Owner and producer of the studio, Hal Roach, Jr. personally signed her for the part. Pleased with her efforts, he commissioned a new script written especially for her character as a follow up. Many other filmed television shows followed, so it was natural that, sponsored by Rod Serling and Gene Barry, she became a longtime member of The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, serving as a Blue Ribbon Panel Judge over the years.
Maralou's real love was live theater and she sought out those opportunities at the Concert Theater in "Goldmarie and Pitch Marie". Then signed by Maurice Schwartz for a season at the Civic Playhouse Theater in Hollywood. Hired as the leading lady for "God, Man, and Satan", along with a young actor by the name of Leonard Nimoy. She heard Mr. Schwartz loudly proclaiming, in his sing song intonations, "She's a Shiksa and she sings better than the Cantor!!"
She was signed to become the soloist with the new MGM event orchestra led by Nate Young, performing at all of their parties and events. Her MCA musical agents booked her into hotels in Oregon and Washington along with local supper clubs, where she accompanied herself on the piano for a song or two. Maralou was, then, contracted into the world famous, "Coconut Grove" at the Ambassador Hotel as a multi language 'Chanteuse', backed by the renowned Miguelito Valdes Orchestra. One evening, Maralou was contacted by the brother of the Vice-President of Mexico who was a symphonic violinist, informing her that the hotels and clubs in Mexico City would enjoy her talents. If her parents were in agreement, the Consul General would meet with them and handle it all.
In 1951, with her mother as chaperone, the tour was arranged. Upon arrival, Maralou was met by a Rolls Royce and a two motorcycle escort speeding through the streets where they arrived at an imposing Mexican hacienda. A surprise dinner party, in her honor, with 14 notables had been arranged. Greeted ever so effusively by the owner. He was a distinctive looking man, who turned out to be the legendary "El Indio", Emilio Fernandes, Lupe Valez's closest friend and could accurately perfectly describe Maralou's home. Actually, he was one of the most influential directors/actors in the world. Years later she found out that it was Fernandes himself who was the true physical model for the Oscar statue that we know today.
While there, she appeared with "Los Churmbeles" at the Astoria, the Regis Hotel, and Beachcombers with the great composer and performing artist, Augustin Lara, followed by a few supper clubs. The it was on to Acapulco at the Casablanca Hotel. There she lunched with international movie star, Mario Moreno who was part owner of the Churubusco Movie Picture Studio. He was impressed by Maralou's ability to speak Spanish without an American accent. An agreement for for two future films was negotiated, but her mother suddenly fell ill and they returned to Beverly Hills. Mrs. Gray passed away a few months later. Maralou contacted Mr. Moreno and explained the reason why she could not return to Mexico at that time. He understood and they remained friends, visiting back and forth to each other's homes throughout the many years.
In 1952, Maralou attended a small sit down dinner party as the "date" of the host where Errol Flynn was a guest as well. Flynn was commiserating about starting, yet again, another costume role, which at this point in his career and which he abhorred. Maralou expressed empathy, but went on to say, that like most girls, that romantic costume films were her very favorite. He, then, asked her if she would like to appear in one and if so he would arrange it. To her utter amazement, two days later, Universal Studio called, telling her to report for costuming and photos for the film, "Against All Flags". The director, George Sherman, (with the help of Mr. Flynn),gave special attention to her placement in the scenes. Later, she found out that this was doubling as a 'test' to see how she photographed in color. It was learned that Flynn had obtained the rights to a novel based on a true story titled "The White Witch of Rose Hall" and felt that she matched his concept of the lead character. He came to her house on Rodeo, explained his ideas, then gave Maralou the book to read. He continued to try to raise the production capital, bu5t it never came to fruition, It wasn't until his autobiography was read much later that she learned of his rather titillating, yet tragic connection to Lupe Velez and "Villa Fontanas". Flynn never mentioned his familiarity with the house.
More work in theater followed in productions such as "The Barker', "Fifth Season", then ultimately chosen by author, Pierre La Mure, as the lead in the world premiere of his play "Moulin Rouge" at the Circle Theater in Hollywood. With Gene Reynolds as the master painter, Toulouse Lautrec and Maralou Gray as the prostitute, Marie Charlet, the full house attendance and favorable reviews influenced some movie casting directors to promise to look for strong characters in scripts that would compliment her abilities and they did.
She was cast as leading man Paul Henreid's tempestuous pirate girlfriend in Columbia's swashbuckling color film, "Pirates of Tripoli" in 1954. She, then, went to play in "Death Valley Days--Rough and Ready" as Jesse Babcock, the courageously feisty first female barber of the West. She played a brash dance hall hostess in Audie Murphy's "Seven Ways to Sundown and the female 'crusader' lead in the cult favorite "Secret File Hollywood.
In 1954, Maralou married James De Nicholas, a mortgage banker and vice-president of the Stalford Mortgage Company of New York/Beverly Hills. They had two daughters and "Villa Fontanas" was maintained as their residence. During this period, Maralou had decided to devote herself to her family. In addition located only one block from the Beverly Hills Hotel, her state became a prime location for elegant international entertaining and she began donating her time and home to many charitable groups, organizing and producing events for them over the many years. While redecorating her home, she developed an interest in residential and commercial design. This was, later, to become a serious 17 year business venture.
On a vacation trip to Acapulco in 1963, Maralou was met and befriended by the legendary drama coach, Stella Adler. Maralou was invited to join her exclusive professional workshop for a summer season in in L.A. Stella was in always her friend as Maralou was almost the only one that wasn't driven to tears, including the men, by Adler's unflinching, harsh criticisms of them. She had requested that Maralou perform a monologue from "A Streetcar Named Desire" on two different occasions. The second time she had invited Marlon Brando to hear and watch her. Each time tears ran done Stella's face. which seemed to shock the others present. Adler encouraged her to come to New York, which, as a young mother, was impossible. Enthusiasm renewed, Maralou continued on with two episodes of "The Greatest Show on Earth with Jack Palance and the "Day of the Nightmare". With the development of new interests, her desire for work in the entertainment field faded permanently.
The creative urges were still there, however. Pursuing her interest in residential and commercial design, Maralou founded Magnetic Interiors, Inc. In 1970, photographs of her unique approach to several large commercial projects were displayed in various publications. After extensive exams of her jobs by the board, she was inducted into The American Society of Interior Designers (A.S.I.D.) as a full professional member.
In 1984, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Uberroth, after contacting "Villa Fontanas" for the Olympic Committee's main event, suggest that Maralou find private estates for the other large corporate events which turned out to be very successful. She, then, set up National Special Event Locations, Inc. (NSEL), a one of a kind entity for event productions at private estate locations. A separate division was added called National Film Locations, a photo library service for film location scouts and managers, featuring the exclusive estates and other properties represented by NSEL. The hundreds of event clients through 25 years, represent the "Who' Who of CEO's in the U.S., international, corporate, and film worlds. Her personal passion today is to design and fabricate one of a kind gemstone necklaces which is very relaxing for her. Maralou said that, even though the time has not been available for much of a social life during the last many years, she felt her lifelong calling had been accomplished, that through her various efforts, she had been able to contribute to the happiness of others.
As a youngster, they began to notice her musical vocal talent. At the age of 7, her parents began voice and piano lessons. Shortly afterwards, she was asked to sing a few Christian radio programs. At the age of 8 years of age, her teacher took her to audition for the radio hit show, The Morris B. Sacks Amateur Hour and she was accepted as a contestant. During the show, before singing, the Master of Ceremony asked why she liked to sing. Her response was, "To make people happy!" She was, then, asked what her ambition was and she replied she wanted to sing with Nelson Eddy, causing many audibles chuckles from the audience since there was a 30 year age difference between he and the little singer. She won a silver Gruen watch, and as a result, was pursued regularly as a performer for the next two years. She guested on many radio programs on stations WENR and WIND. She soloed at various meetings, church concerts, and live shows.
In the summer of 1941, after 38 years of practicing medicine, Dr. Gray decided to retire and moved the family to San Diego, California. Their pleasure was short lived though as the U.S. entered World War Two after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The U.S. government encouraged the older and retired doctors to continue working as the younger ones were needed for the war effort abroad and were being drafted into the military. Her father returned to Chicago to re-open his office, while Maralou and her mother remained in San Diego. That are was soon to become the epicenter for most of the overseas deployment and returns from the various branches of the military in the Pacific Theater of war.
At the tender age of 10 through 14, Maralou was kept busy entertaining at the multitude of military bases in the area--quite often at the huge naval Hospital there. She has said that those memories have remaining quite vivid throughout her lifetime. While performing, she braved through many grave situations, all the while trying not to betray her emotions. As a result, Maralou grew up quickly.
During the next two years, Maralou completed over 80 professional engagements, including the Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park attracting 1400 attendees. In 1948, the 16 year old was an early high school graduate, earning a lifetime California Scholarship Federation award. A week later, she won first place in the Female Vocal Division of the National Music Merit Foundation competition with her rendition of "The Bell Song" from Lakme. A one year contract to continue studies at MGM Studio was awarded.
In 1948, after purchasing the historic Johnny Weismuller/Lupe Velez estate, "Villa Fontanas" on the corner of Rodeo Drive and Lomitas, Maralou and her family moved to Beverly Hills. A great many major starts had homes that surrounded hers, such as Gene Kelly, George Murphy, The Iturbis, Jackie Cooper, Randolph Scott, Charlotte Greenwood and Rosalind Russell. Soon, her home became a popular place for the film industry's up and comers for swimming in the revered Weismuller pool, various games, volleyball, and home baked desserts.
When she entered MGM Studio, Maralou began voice lesson under the esteemed "Vocal Coach to the Stars", Arthur "Rosie" Rosenblum, followed by obtaining the official sponsorship of hit song composer, Jimmy McHugh, who arranged many notable musical appearances for her. While at the studio, she discovered drama lessons were mandatory. She later confessed that it turned out to be a godsend.
1948 was, also, the year television was seriously launched which proved to be devastating to motion pictures for a while. Musicals, too, became too expensive to produce. They all but disappeared. Maralou adapted with the changing times and gravitated to live television. She pioneered on such shows as "Armchair Detective", "The Betty White Show" among others. At 17, her blond hair, attractive shape, and hypnotic chartreuse eyes, on display at performances, resulted in a group of beauty titles. One was being named "Miss Buick" and became the face for their ad campaign for the next 2 years. Following this was "La Sirena Del Puerto De Los Angeles, (The Mermaid of Los Angeles Harbor). In celebration of the new, huge L.A. port, she was in changed of the introductions of California Governor Earl Warren who later became the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. She participated in ceremonies for building and shape christenings, speeches to welcome the first large liners to dock, plus many pictures for extensive press coverage of thousands of people.
Maralou became the unofficial mascot of the Hollywood Stars which was a Triple A baseball team of the time after they dubbed her "Miss Hollywood Star" while doing promotions for them. During the only year that the New York Yankees trained near Los Angeles, she was tagged to escort team member, Phil Rizzuto, Joe Dimaggio, and Yogi Berra, etc. for sightseeing around town and relaxation at her home. She recalls becoming speechless by several of the unexpected hilarious and unique "Yogi-isms" uttered by Mr. Berra and still remain unpublished.
In 1950, Maralou was called by the casting director at Hal Roach Studio for a possible role in one of the first filmed television series, "The Stu Irwin Show aka "Trouble with Father" which ran in 1950, 1951. Owner and producer of the studio, Hal Roach, Jr. personally signed her for the part. Pleased with her efforts, he commissioned a new script written especially for her character as a follow up. Many other filmed television shows followed, so it was natural that, sponsored by Rod Serling and Gene Barry, she became a longtime member of The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, serving as a Blue Ribbon Panel Judge over the years.
Maralou's real love was live theater and she sought out those opportunities at the Concert Theater in "Goldmarie and Pitch Marie". Then signed by Maurice Schwartz for a season at the Civic Playhouse Theater in Hollywood. Hired as the leading lady for "God, Man, and Satan", along with a young actor by the name of Leonard Nimoy. She heard Mr. Schwartz loudly proclaiming, in his sing song intonations, "She's a Shiksa and she sings better than the Cantor!!"
She was signed to become the soloist with the new MGM event orchestra led by Nate Young, performing at all of their parties and events. Her MCA musical agents booked her into hotels in Oregon and Washington along with local supper clubs, where she accompanied herself on the piano for a song or two. Maralou was, then, contracted into the world famous, "Coconut Grove" at the Ambassador Hotel as a multi language 'Chanteuse', backed by the renowned Miguelito Valdes Orchestra. One evening, Maralou was contacted by the brother of the Vice-President of Mexico who was a symphonic violinist, informing her that the hotels and clubs in Mexico City would enjoy her talents. If her parents were in agreement, the Consul General would meet with them and handle it all.
In 1951, with her mother as chaperone, the tour was arranged. Upon arrival, Maralou was met by a Rolls Royce and a two motorcycle escort speeding through the streets where they arrived at an imposing Mexican hacienda. A surprise dinner party, in her honor, with 14 notables had been arranged. Greeted ever so effusively by the owner. He was a distinctive looking man, who turned out to be the legendary "El Indio", Emilio Fernandes, Lupe Valez's closest friend and could accurately perfectly describe Maralou's home. Actually, he was one of the most influential directors/actors in the world. Years later she found out that it was Fernandes himself who was the true physical model for the Oscar statue that we know today.
While there, she appeared with "Los Churmbeles" at the Astoria, the Regis Hotel, and Beachcombers with the great composer and performing artist, Augustin Lara, followed by a few supper clubs. The it was on to Acapulco at the Casablanca Hotel. There she lunched with international movie star, Mario Moreno who was part owner of the Churubusco Movie Picture Studio. He was impressed by Maralou's ability to speak Spanish without an American accent. An agreement for for two future films was negotiated, but her mother suddenly fell ill and they returned to Beverly Hills. Mrs. Gray passed away a few months later. Maralou contacted Mr. Moreno and explained the reason why she could not return to Mexico at that time. He understood and they remained friends, visiting back and forth to each other's homes throughout the many years.
In 1952, Maralou attended a small sit down dinner party as the "date" of the host where Errol Flynn was a guest as well. Flynn was commiserating about starting, yet again, another costume role, which at this point in his career and which he abhorred. Maralou expressed empathy, but went on to say, that like most girls, that romantic costume films were her very favorite. He, then, asked her if she would like to appear in one and if so he would arrange it. To her utter amazement, two days later, Universal Studio called, telling her to report for costuming and photos for the film, "Against All Flags". The director, George Sherman, (with the help of Mr. Flynn),gave special attention to her placement in the scenes. Later, she found out that this was doubling as a 'test' to see how she photographed in color. It was learned that Flynn had obtained the rights to a novel based on a true story titled "The White Witch of Rose Hall" and felt that she matched his concept of the lead character. He came to her house on Rodeo, explained his ideas, then gave Maralou the book to read. He continued to try to raise the production capital, bu5t it never came to fruition, It wasn't until his autobiography was read much later that she learned of his rather titillating, yet tragic connection to Lupe Velez and "Villa Fontanas". Flynn never mentioned his familiarity with the house.
More work in theater followed in productions such as "The Barker', "Fifth Season", then ultimately chosen by author, Pierre La Mure, as the lead in the world premiere of his play "Moulin Rouge" at the Circle Theater in Hollywood. With Gene Reynolds as the master painter, Toulouse Lautrec and Maralou Gray as the prostitute, Marie Charlet, the full house attendance and favorable reviews influenced some movie casting directors to promise to look for strong characters in scripts that would compliment her abilities and they did.
She was cast as leading man Paul Henreid's tempestuous pirate girlfriend in Columbia's swashbuckling color film, "Pirates of Tripoli" in 1954. She, then, went to play in "Death Valley Days--Rough and Ready" as Jesse Babcock, the courageously feisty first female barber of the West. She played a brash dance hall hostess in Audie Murphy's "Seven Ways to Sundown and the female 'crusader' lead in the cult favorite "Secret File Hollywood.
In 1954, Maralou married James De Nicholas, a mortgage banker and vice-president of the Stalford Mortgage Company of New York/Beverly Hills. They had two daughters and "Villa Fontanas" was maintained as their residence. During this period, Maralou had decided to devote herself to her family. In addition located only one block from the Beverly Hills Hotel, her state became a prime location for elegant international entertaining and she began donating her time and home to many charitable groups, organizing and producing events for them over the many years. While redecorating her home, she developed an interest in residential and commercial design. This was, later, to become a serious 17 year business venture.
On a vacation trip to Acapulco in 1963, Maralou was met and befriended by the legendary drama coach, Stella Adler. Maralou was invited to join her exclusive professional workshop for a summer season in in L.A. Stella was in always her friend as Maralou was almost the only one that wasn't driven to tears, including the men, by Adler's unflinching, harsh criticisms of them. She had requested that Maralou perform a monologue from "A Streetcar Named Desire" on two different occasions. The second time she had invited Marlon Brando to hear and watch her. Each time tears ran done Stella's face. which seemed to shock the others present. Adler encouraged her to come to New York, which, as a young mother, was impossible. Enthusiasm renewed, Maralou continued on with two episodes of "The Greatest Show on Earth with Jack Palance and the "Day of the Nightmare". With the development of new interests, her desire for work in the entertainment field faded permanently.
The creative urges were still there, however. Pursuing her interest in residential and commercial design, Maralou founded Magnetic Interiors, Inc. In 1970, photographs of her unique approach to several large commercial projects were displayed in various publications. After extensive exams of her jobs by the board, she was inducted into The American Society of Interior Designers (A.S.I.D.) as a full professional member.
In 1984, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Uberroth, after contacting "Villa Fontanas" for the Olympic Committee's main event, suggest that Maralou find private estates for the other large corporate events which turned out to be very successful. She, then, set up National Special Event Locations, Inc. (NSEL), a one of a kind entity for event productions at private estate locations. A separate division was added called National Film Locations, a photo library service for film location scouts and managers, featuring the exclusive estates and other properties represented by NSEL. The hundreds of event clients through 25 years, represent the "Who' Who of CEO's in the U.S., international, corporate, and film worlds. Her personal passion today is to design and fabricate one of a kind gemstone necklaces which is very relaxing for her. Maralou said that, even though the time has not been available for much of a social life during the last many years, she felt her lifelong calling had been accomplished, that through her various efforts, she had been able to contribute to the happiness of others.
Photos
