Queen of the Hollywood Islands

Famous as the pretty woman who appeared with Bob Hope and Bing Crosby in a series of motion pictures containing the phrase "Road to" in the titles, Dorothy Lamour was cast in so many "south sea adventure" flicks that she became closely identified with sarongs and even recorded Frank Loesser's song satirizing this aspect of her own career, called "Queen of the Hollywood Islands." In 2004, the Sepia Recordings label brought out a Dorothy Lamour sampler bearing that title, with cover art lifted from one of her old 10" pseudo-Hawaiian LPs. Born Mary Leta Dorothy Slaton in New Orleans, LA on December 10, 1914, Lamour's stage moniker was derived from the surname of her stepfather, Carlo Lambour. At times almost disturbingly gorgeous, Dorothy Lamour had a pleasant voice and for awhile was able to realize her dream of becoming a popular recording artist. This overview of her early singing career covers a timeline from 1937 to 1947, with orchestral accompaniments conducted by Cy Feuer, Lou Bring, Eddie Durant, Henry Russell and Paul Weston. Lamour also performs with Dick McIntire and His Harmony Hawaiians, the Eddie Bush Quintet and the Crew Chiefs. On "Beside You" and "My Favorite Brunette," Dorothy Lamour is paired with her lifelong friend Bob Hope.