Connie was the first child star featured in an article entitled “Pigtail Parade.” A handful of other pigtailed child stars were featured as well, but the author was quick to identify Connie as the “Queen of Pigtails” by noting that it was the name given her by New York artists and photographers. There can only be one “Queen of Pigtails”. The article goes on to describe her biographical progression to stardom from her early modeling days with the famous artist and cartoonist William Steig and the Small Fry clothes ads made successful by Connie’s modeling. The large photo on the top left depicts Connie as a beautiful child experienced and capable of providing the exact pose as desired by the artist or photographer. Who could ever forget those eyes? The article continues with a discussion of Connie’s moving about the country from New York, to Colorado, to Michigan, and then to Wisconsin. It also informs us of how she won her first role in Sunday Dinner for a Soldier at the cost of her Pigtails. But not to fret, Connie quickly grew them back on time for her roles in Wake Up and Dream and Sentimental Journey. In this article, we learn of Connie’s famous ancestors for the first time. There is the great-great uncle who was a matinee idol of yesteryear. Then, there is Gerardus Beekman, first colonial governor of New York; Priscilla Alden; and John Marshall, first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The lower small photo shows little Connie busy playing with her doll whiles her Stand-in joins in on the fun. Although a very small article, it is very informative and succinct. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Calling All Girls, February, 1947, “Top Billing for Stars Rooms”
I am never surprised by the variety of periodicals which featured Connie. In this February, 1947, issue of “Calling All Girls” magazine, I found a very nice article entitled “Top Billing for Stars Rooms”. In this article, three young starlets’ bedrooms are featured. They include Elizabeth Taylor, Barbara Whiting and Connie. Yes, Connie rated right up there along side starlets such as Elizabeth Taylor who would later become a Hollywood motion picture Icon. Connie worked with Barbara Whiting in Home Sweet Homicide. Clearly, Elizabeth’s room is gifted with glamour while Barbara’s room seems more conventional for the admirer of collections. Connie’s room is much softer and gay as described in the article. Lot’s of dolls for hours and hours of entertainment and imagination. Can you just imagine Connie sitting in her comfy chair next to the phonograph listening to her favorite records while cuddling with her Kitty? Hey! What is her Kitty’s name? And, Simplicity! As for simplicity, I only see two portraits in the entire room. I believe they are the portraits of Clem Bevins (left) and John Payne (right). Clem Bevins played Mr. Pecket, the Old Mariner, in Wake Up and Dream and John Payne played Connie’s Older Brother in Wake Up and Dream and her Step-Father in Sentimental Journey. One can only guess that there must have been a lasting tender relationship between Connie and John Payne after working together in two back to back movies. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Movie Teen, April 1950, “Star Tricks”
Here, Connie is pictured between Debrah Paget and Ann Blyth in an article entitled “Star Tricks”. Connie describes how she makes necklaces, bracelets and pins from seashells and a few other resources for her spring wardrobe. In this photo, Connie has matured into a beautiful young lady. No more pigtails here. The article is short and sweet. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Movie Story, February 1946, “Give Me the Simple Life”
Now, here is a very nice article which reviews the tender side of the movie. The movie scene is of one which was actually deleted from the movie. As I explain in my photo commentary, it is unique because I also acquired the photo for this scene which was used for these articles. The article goes on to explain the sadness of this very scene as well as the plot of the movie. It does however emphasize that she was not to worry because, if he were to run into any trouble at sea, he would simply go to the Island she had made up. And, there, on that Island, she would find him. _______________________________________________________________________
Screen Album, Spring 1948, “Screen Album’s Oscar to…”
This article is an informative find because it gives congratulatory remarks to several stars for their more recent achievements. Connie gets a good mention as “…bringing a new type of juvenile personality to the screen…” in her Daisy Kenyon job. The article continues to describe that Daisy Kenyon presented her with a more meaty opportunity to perform than in Mother Wore Tights. I have to agree. [Wow! I was right! This is exactly what I’ve told others. Fans, too often associate a finer performance by the success or greatness of the movie. That isn’t always so. For example, Jimmy Stewart gave one of his strongest career performances in a movie which received terrible reviews at the time it was released. Today, that movie is a Christmas movie Icon, It’s A Wonderful Life.] In Mother Wore Tights, she simply played a happy normal child and younger sister to Mona Freeman who misses her parents. She does have a solo singing scene which she does very nicely. However, in Daisy Kenyon, Connie plays a much more demanding role of a complicated child who seemingly is abused by her mother in retaliation for her love and devotion to her father. A very tough role, but, I’ll stop there because that would take us into an all out critique of her performances. I’ll do that another time. Another interesting piece of information presented in this article is that “…She’s busy on another film you’ll never see – an eight millimeter mystery which she and Dickie Tyler are producing privately…” Does anyone know anything about this film? I’ve researched Dickie Tyler’s film resume and can’t find anything that resembles this work. Professional Studios didn’t produce any films below 16 millimeter. Therefore, it must have been a privately filmed work. I’m sure some devoted Connie Marshall fan out there or family member knows something. _______________________________________________________________________
The Photoplayer, March 9, 1946, “Queen of the Pigtails”
Not just another article with a very familiar title for Connie Marshall. This article goes on to explain the impact her screen work has on the military. It reports that an entire overseas Engineer Company wrote in asking her to become their Mascot! They said that “…more than anyone they had seen, she reminded them of their own youngsters back home.” Wow! Imagine that! Betty Grable was voted by the military as the most popular Pin-up and Connie Marshall is requested to be a military Mascot representing their own children back home! This is, yet, another accolade to add to Connie’s great legacy. The article also refers to Connie as a Glamour girl and goes on to describe her rise to fame while earning her title as “Queen of the Pigtails” during her modeling career in New York. There is also mention of Connie “…neatly stealing scenes from under the noses of the experienced Gene Tierney, Vincent Price and Walter Huston…” in the movie Dragonwyck. Although the article mistakenly reports her birthday as April 28, 1938, it continues to describe Connie as a full-fledged screen actress and that she “…is destined to find an important spot amongst Hollywood’s very junior glamour girls.” Once again, a great find of an article with an excellent review, an endearing prediction and another legacy fact. _______________________________________________________________________
Movie Life, November 1945
Once again, Connie is shown with her Stand-in playing with her doll. The significance of this article is that it identifies, for the first time, her Stand-in as Jane Porter with a front view of her. I wonder if there is any relationship to Jean Porter who filmed primarily from the late 1930's through the mid 1940's. Just wondering! _______________________________________________________________________
Silver Screen, May 1946, "Reviews"
This article mentions Connie's appearance in two movies. Connie merely gets a mention as the "...unhappy little daughter in the sinister mansion..." in the movie Dragonwyck. However, Connie receives a stronger second mention as "...Connie Marshall (playing her first screen role)..." in a photo caption from Sentimental Journey. And, Connie appears in one photo with Maureen O'Hara and John Payne (upper left). _______________________________________________________________________
Screen Stars, December 1945, "Kiddie Corner"
Wow! So, that's why Connie is often referred to as a "Glamour Girl". If you ever wondered what those beautiful Pigtails looked like unbraided and combed out, there you see. And, those eyes, again...who can forget those eyes? The article is very short but strongly praises Connie by stating "...Connie Marshall, who did a terrific emoting job in Sunday Dinner for a Soldier, shines brilliantly in 20th Century-Fox's new film, Dragonwyck." By the way, I just happen to have a publicity photo in which Connie is wearing that exact same dress. _______________________________________________________________________
