Ona Munson

Ona Munson (born June 16, 1903; died February 11, 1955) was an American actress perhaps best known for her portrayal of prostitute Belle Watling in Gone with the Wind.

Related Topics:
June 16 - 1903 - February 11 - 1955 - American - Actress - Prostitute - Gone with the Wind

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Born Ona Wolcott in Portland, Oregon, she first came to fame on Broadway as the singing and dancing ingenue in the original production of No, No, Nanette. From this, Munson had a very successful stage and radio career in 1930s in New York, where she also introduced the song "You're the Cream In My Coffee".

Related Topics:
Portland, Oregon - Broadway - No, No, Nanette - 1930s - New York - You're the Cream In My Coffee

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When Selznick sought out the cast for his production Gone with the Wind, he first announced Mae West was to play Belle, but this was a publicity stunt. Tallulah Bankhead refused the role as too small. Munson herself was the antithesis of the voluptuous Belle: tall, freckled, and of slight build. But her skills as an actress electrified her screen test: it was all in the voice. She spoke deep and throaty in her test, and her voice conveyed sexiness and worldliness. The needed look for Belle could be created in the wardrobe and makeup departments.

Related Topics:
Selznick - Gone with the Wind - Mae West - Publicity stunt - Tallulah Bankhead - Screen test

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Ona Munson?s career was stalemated by the acclaim of GWTW; for the remainder of her career, she was typecast in similar roles. In 1955, plagued by ill health, she committed suicide with an overdose of barbiturates in her apartment in New York.

Related Topics:
Typecast - Suicide - Barbiturate

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