Biography
This page uses content from the Allan Jones biography page on the English version of Wikipedia and is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. This list of authors can be seen in the page history. Rotten Tomatoes disclaims any and all warranties as to the accuracy or reliability of the content.
For the British magazine editor, see Allan Jones (editor)
Allan Jones (b. October 14 1907 in Old Forge, Pennsylvania – d. January 27 1992 in New York, New York) was an American actor and singer. For many years he was married to actress Irene Hervey; their son is American pop singer Jack Jones.
Jones starred in many film musicals during the 1930s and 1940s. The best-known of these were Show Boat (1936), and The Firefly (1937) (in which he sang the popular Donkey Serenade). However, he is now best remembered as the romantic straight man to the Marx Brothers in their first two, and most highly acclaimed, MGM productions.
On the strength of his appearance in A Night at the Opera, however, he won the coveted role of Gaylord Ravenal in the 1936 film version of Show Boat (opposite Irene Dunne), right out from under the noses of such screen musical favorites as Nelson Eddy and John Boles, neither of which were noted for their acting. This was to become Jones's most distinguished screen role, in which, under the direction of James Whale, he was to display dramatic acting ability as well as musical talent.
After 1940, however, he was relegated to appearances only in B-films. In later years, he began appearing onstage in touring companies of such shows as Man of La Mancha.
He died in NYC, aged 84 from lung cancer.
Selected Movies
- Night at the Opera, A (1935) (with the Marx Brothers)
- Day at the Races, A (1937)(with the Marx Brothers)
- The Firefly (1937)
- Everybody Sing (1938) (with Judy Garland and Fanny Brice)
- The Boys from Syracuse (1940)
External link
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