Frances Langford Collection
Title
Frances Langford Collection
Subject
Langford, Frances
Actors
Description
Frances Langford (April 4, 1913 – July 11, 2005) was born in Lakeland, Florida, where she attended Lakeland High School and Southern College. At age 17, she sang at a local American Legion event, unaware that her performance was being broadcast on the radio. The exposure led to a job at a radio station, launching her entertainment career. After graduating from high school, she moved to New York City, where she quickly became a successful singer and radio performer. During the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, she appeared on numerous popular radio programs, including the beloved comedy The Bickersons with Don Ameche.
Her success on radio opened the door to Hollywood. Langford made her film debut in Every Night at Eight (1935), introducing what became her signature song, "I'm in the Mood for Love." She went on to appear in numerous films throughout the 1940s and 1950s. In 1946, she starred in The Bamboo Blonde, a role that cemented her trademark blonde hairstyle.
In 1941, Langford became the featured singer on The Bob Hope Radio Show. The partnership led to extensive performances at military camps across the United States and USO tours throughout Europe, North Africa, and the South Pacific during World War II. Deeply committed to supporting the war effort, she also wrote the weekly "Purple Heart Diary" column for Hearst Newspapers, sharing stories from her visits to military hospitals and encouraging public support for wounded servicemen.
Langford married actor Jon Hall in 1938. Following their divorce, she married Outboard Marine Corporation president Ralph Evinrude in 1955. The couple made their home on her Jensen Beach estate and developed the Polynesian-themed Frances Langford Outrigger Resort and Marina on the Indian River, where she frequently entertained guests. Evinrude died in 1986.
In 1994, Langford married Harold C. Stuart, former Assistant Secretary for Civil Affairs of the United States Air Force (1949–1951). They spent their summers in Georgian Bay, Ontario, and their winters in Florida. Frances Langford died at her Jensen Beach home on July 11, 2005, at the age of 92.
Her success on radio opened the door to Hollywood. Langford made her film debut in Every Night at Eight (1935), introducing what became her signature song, "I'm in the Mood for Love." She went on to appear in numerous films throughout the 1940s and 1950s. In 1946, she starred in The Bamboo Blonde, a role that cemented her trademark blonde hairstyle.
In 1941, Langford became the featured singer on The Bob Hope Radio Show. The partnership led to extensive performances at military camps across the United States and USO tours throughout Europe, North Africa, and the South Pacific during World War II. Deeply committed to supporting the war effort, she also wrote the weekly "Purple Heart Diary" column for Hearst Newspapers, sharing stories from her visits to military hospitals and encouraging public support for wounded servicemen.
Langford married actor Jon Hall in 1938. Following their divorce, she married Outboard Marine Corporation president Ralph Evinrude in 1955. The couple made their home on her Jensen Beach estate and developed the Polynesian-themed Frances Langford Outrigger Resort and Marina on the Indian River, where she frequently entertained guests. Evinrude died in 1986.
In 1994, Langford married Harold C. Stuart, former Assistant Secretary for Civil Affairs of the United States Air Force (1949–1951). They spent their summers in Georgian Bay, Ontario, and their winters in Florida. Frances Langford died at her Jensen Beach home on July 11, 2005, at the age of 92.
Source
Scans gift of the Historical Society of Martin County.
Contributor
Historical Society of Martin County
Language
English
Identifier
2026.012
