Dorothy Arnold (Olson)
Encyclopedia
Dorothy Arnold was an American film actress and the first wife of baseball star Joe DiMaggio
. Her 20-year movie career began with 1937’s Freshies and ended with 1957’s Lizzie
.
, of Norwegian heritage. By the age of 12 was performing on amateur nights at Duluth's Lyric Theater and with the local Salvation Army Band. She graduated from Denfeld High School
in 1935. Her first theatrical job was with the Band Box Revue, traveling out of Chicago. She studied at Paramount School in New York and played bits in pictures as a dancer.
, but it was Universal Studios
that offered her a stock contract. She appeared in 15 films between 1937 and 1939. Her most memorable roles were as the imperiled heroine Jean Drew in The Phantom Creeps
(with Bela Lugosi
and Robert Kent
) and Gloria DeVere in The House of Fear (with Irene Hervey and William Gargan
).
Following her marriage to DiMaggio, she quit acting. A brief comeback in 1957 included her last film, MGM’s Lizzie
(with Eleanor Parker
and Joan Blondell
) and appearances on TV’s The Adventures of Jim Bowie
and Dragnet.
. DiMaggio had a minor speaking role in the film; Arnold had no lines. The couple married on November 18, 1939 at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in San Francisco. On October 23, 1941, the year of DiMaggio’s famous 56-game hitting streak, Arnold gave birth to their first child, Joe DiMaggio, Jr. The couple split up in 1942, but later reconciled in front of the press. They separated again on October 6, 1943. DiMaggio enlisted in the U.S. Army and was sent to Hawaii
. Arnold filed for divorce, which was granted on May 12, 1944. She received $500 a month in alimony, custody of Joe Jr. and $150 in child support. Despite the divorce, they spent Christmas together in 1945.
Her second marriage was stockbroker George Schuster in 1946. The two were divorced within five years.
Arnold's third marriage was Ralph Peck/Peckovich to whom she remained married until her death.
together in Palm Springs, California
, called Charcoal Charley's, where she performed until her death from pancreatic cancer
in 1997 at the age of 79.
Joe DiMaggio
Joseph Paul "Joe" DiMaggio , nicknamed "Joltin' Joe" and "The Yankee Clipper," was an American Major League Baseball center fielder who played his entire 13-year career for the New York Yankees. He is perhaps best known for his 56-game hitting streak , a record that still stands...
. Her 20-year movie career began with 1937’s Freshies and ended with 1957’s Lizzie
Lizzie (film)
Lizzie is a 1957 drama film directed by Hugo Haas. The movie is based on the novel The Bird's Nest by Shirley Jackson and stars Eleanor Parker, Richard Boone, and Joan Blondell. The popular songs "It's Not for Me to Say" and "Warm and Tender" were written for this film, and performed by Johnny...
.
Early life
She was born as Dorothy Arnoldine Olson in Duluth, MinnesotaDuluth, Minnesota
Duluth is a port city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Saint Louis County. The fourth largest city in Minnesota, Duluth had a total population of 86,265 in the 2010 census. Duluth is also the second largest city that is located on Lake Superior after Thunder Bay, Ontario,...
, of Norwegian heritage. By the age of 12 was performing on amateur nights at Duluth's Lyric Theater and with the local Salvation Army Band. She graduated from Denfeld High School
Denfeld High School
Denfeld High School is one of two high schools in Duluth, Minnesota, along with East as of 2011. Denfeld and Central merged together during the 2010-2011 school year and are called Denfeld in the newly renovated building. Serving over 1000 students from grades nine to twelve, Denfeld High School...
in 1935. Her first theatrical job was with the Band Box Revue, traveling out of Chicago. She studied at Paramount School in New York and played bits in pictures as a dancer.
Career
Arnold tested twice with Paramount PicturesParamount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
, but it was Universal Studios
Universal Studios
Universal Pictures , a subsidiary of NBCUniversal, is one of the six major movie studios....
that offered her a stock contract. She appeared in 15 films between 1937 and 1939. Her most memorable roles were as the imperiled heroine Jean Drew in The Phantom Creeps
The Phantom Creeps
The Phantom Creeps is a 1939 serial about a mad scientist who attempts to rule the world by creating various elaborate inventions. In a dramatic fashion, foreign agents and G-Men try to seize the inventions for themselves....
(with Bela Lugosi
Béla Lugosi
Béla Ferenc Dezső Blaskó , commonly known as Bela Lugosi, was a Hungarian actor of stage and screen. He was best known for having played Count Dracula in the Broadway play and subsequent film version, as well as having starred in several of Ed Wood's low budget films in the last years of his...
and Robert Kent
Robert Kent (actor)
Robert Kent , born Douglas Blackley, Jr, was an American film actor. His career included starring roles in several film serials of the 1940s, including The Phantom Creeps, Who's Guilty?, and The Phantom Rider....
) and Gloria DeVere in The House of Fear (with Irene Hervey and William Gargan
William Gargan
William Gargan, born William Dennis Gargan July 17, 1905 in Brooklyn, New York, USA and died February 17, 1979 aged 73 on a flight between New York and San Diego.He was an American motion picture, television and radio actor...
).
Following her marriage to DiMaggio, she quit acting. A brief comeback in 1957 included her last film, MGM’s Lizzie
Lizzie (film)
Lizzie is a 1957 drama film directed by Hugo Haas. The movie is based on the novel The Bird's Nest by Shirley Jackson and stars Eleanor Parker, Richard Boone, and Joan Blondell. The popular songs "It's Not for Me to Say" and "Warm and Tender" were written for this film, and performed by Johnny...
(with Eleanor Parker
Eleanor Parker
Eleanor Jean Parker is an American screen actress. Her versatility led to her being dubbed Woman of a Thousand Faces, the title of her biography by Doug McClelland.- Early life :...
and Joan Blondell
Joan Blondell
Rose Joan Blondell was an American actress who performed in movies and on television for five decades as Joan Blondell.After winning a beauty pageant, Blondell embarked upon a film career...
) and appearances on TV’s The Adventures of Jim Bowie
The Adventures of Jim Bowie
In September of 1956 a TV series named "The Adventures of Jim Bowie" was aired on ABC. The show was only on the air for two years from 1956 to 1958. The series' music was unique in that is was primarily vocal, provided by Ken Darby and The King's Men .-Synopsis:The series stars Scott Forbes as the...
and Dragnet.
Personal life
Arnold met DiMaggio in 1937 — she was 19, he was 23 — on the set of Manhattan Merry-Go-RoundManhattan Merry-Go-Round
Manhattan Merry-Go-Round was a NBC musical variety radio program of the 1930s. Described as a "musical revue," it was produced by Frank and Anne Hummert. Sponsored by Dr...
. DiMaggio had a minor speaking role in the film; Arnold had no lines. The couple married on November 18, 1939 at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in San Francisco. On October 23, 1941, the year of DiMaggio’s famous 56-game hitting streak, Arnold gave birth to their first child, Joe DiMaggio, Jr. The couple split up in 1942, but later reconciled in front of the press. They separated again on October 6, 1943. DiMaggio enlisted in the U.S. Army and was sent to Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
. Arnold filed for divorce, which was granted on May 12, 1944. She received $500 a month in alimony, custody of Joe Jr. and $150 in child support. Despite the divorce, they spent Christmas together in 1945.
Her second marriage was stockbroker George Schuster in 1946. The two were divorced within five years.
Arnold's third marriage was Ralph Peck/Peckovich to whom she remained married until her death.
Later years and death
Arnold and her third husband owned and operated a supper clubSupper club
A supper club, in general, refers to a dining establishment that also functions as a social club. The term may describe different establishments depending on the region, but in general, supper clubs tend to present themselves as having a high-class image, even if the price is affordable to...
together in Palm Springs, California
Palm Springs, California
Palm Springs is a desert city in Riverside County, California, within the Coachella Valley. It is located approximately 37 miles east of San Bernardino, 111 miles east of Los Angeles and 136 miles northeast of San Diego...
, called Charcoal Charley's, where she performed until her death from pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer refers to a malignant neoplasm of the pancreas. The most common type of pancreatic cancer, accounting for 95% of these tumors is adenocarcinoma, which arises within the exocrine component of the pancreas. A minority arises from the islet cells and is classified as a...
in 1997 at the age of 79.
Filmography
| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1937 | Freshies | Singer | |
| Manhattan Merry-Go-Round Manhattan Merry-Go-Round Manhattan Merry-Go-Round was a NBC musical variety radio program of the 1930s. Described as a "musical revue," it was produced by Frank and Anne Hummert. Sponsored by Dr... |
Dancer | Uncredited Alternative title: Manhattan Music Box |
|
| 1938 | The Storm | Nora, Bar Girl | |
| Exposed | Hatcheck Girl | Uncredited | |
| Secrets of a Nurse | Secretary | ||
| Gambling Ship Gambling Ship (film) Gambling Ship is a 1933 American drama film starring Cary Grant and directed by Louis J. Gasnier and Max Marcin.-Cast:*Cary Grant as Ace Corbin*Benita Hume as Eleanor La Velle*Jack La Rue as Pete Manning*Glenda Farrell as Jeanne Sands... |
Hostess | Uncredited | |
| 1939 | Pirates of the Skies | Waitress | Uncredited |
| The Phantom Creeps The Phantom Creeps The Phantom Creeps is a 1939 serial about a mad scientist who attempts to rule the world by creating various elaborate inventions. In a dramatic fashion, foreign agents and G-Men try to seize the inventions for themselves.... |
Jean Drew | Alternative title: The Shadow Creeps | |
| Risky Business | Helen | Uncredited | |
| You Can't Cheat an Honest Man You Can't Cheat an Honest Man You Can't Cheat an Honest Man is a comedy film starring and scripted by W. C. Fields.-Production background:Fields plays "Larsen E. Whipsnade", the owner of a shady carnival that is constantly on the run from the law. The whimsical title comes from a line spoken by Fields about ten minutes into... |
First Debutante | Uncredited | |
| The Family Next Door | Cashier | ||
| Code of the Streets | Mildred | ||
| Unexpected Father | Sally (showgirl) | Alternative title: Sandy Takes a Bow | |
| The House of Fear | Gloria DeVere | ||
| Hero for a Day | Dorothy | ||
| 1957 | Lizzie Lizzie (film) Lizzie is a 1957 drama film directed by Hugo Haas. The movie is based on the novel The Bird's Nest by Shirley Jackson and stars Eleanor Parker, Richard Boone, and Joan Blondell. The popular songs "It's Not for Me to Say" and "Warm and Tender" were written for this film, and performed by Johnny... |
Elizabeth's Mother | |
| 1958 | Fräulein | Woman with Hugo | |
| Television | |||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1954 | The Lone Wolf | Nancy St. Clair | 1 episode |
| 1957 | The Adventures of Jim Bowie The Adventures of Jim Bowie In September of 1956 a TV series named "The Adventures of Jim Bowie" was aired on ABC. The show was only on the air for two years from 1956 to 1958. The series' music was unique in that is was primarily vocal, provided by Ken Darby and The King's Men .-Synopsis:The series stars Scott Forbes as the... |
Cherry Blondell | 1 episode |
| Dragnet | 1 episode | ||