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Yvette Vickers
1936-
Updated 9/12/2008.
biography
Born in Kansas City, Missouri, in August 1936, Yvette Vickers was a theatre major at UCLA when she was discovered for commercials. She moved to New York to become TV's "White Rain Girl," but soon returned to California to break into films.
LEFT: Early 1960s glamour photo. CENTER: Press release photo from 1964 (thanks to Michael Barnum). RIGHT: Studio photo
Yvette Vickers' earliest film role was in the 1957 feature Short Cut to Hell, directed by James Cagney. This remake of the 1942 film This Gun for Hire (with Veronica Lake and Alan Ladd) was Cagney's only directorial effort. The following year, Vickers snagged a plum role in Attack of the 50 Ft. Woman (1958; with Allison Hayes). She plays a B-girl who pays for the good times she has had with William Hudson at the hand of the recently enlarged Allison Hayes. Attack of the Giant Leeches (1959; with Ken Clark) was a 62-minute Roger Corman horror quickie, shot in the Florida Everglades on a minimal budget. Much like her role in Attack of the 50 Ft. Woman, here Vickers is punished for her philandering ways by the giant leeches. In addition to films, Vickers made a number of appearances on popular TV shows of the era, including Bat Masterson, Dragnet, and The Rebel. And pin-up fans will note that Vickers was Playboy Playmate of the Month in July 1959, and she often appeared in other men's magazines of the era, including Adam.
the films of yvette vickers
Short Cut to Hell (1957)
Vickers is in trouble in this scene from Paramount's film noir thriller Short Cut to Hell (thanks to Michael Barnum)
Attack of the 50 Foot Woman (1958)
As Honey Parker, good-time girl Vickers dates married man Harry Archer (William Hudson) but is killed by 50 foot woman Allison Hayes in the Allied Artists horror flick Attack of the 50 Foot Woman
Attack of the Giant Leeches (1959)
Bruno Ve Sota catches trophy wife Yvette Vickers with Michael Emmett in American International's horror flick Attack of the Giant Leeches
Hud (1963)
With Paul Newman and Brandon De Wilde in the Paramount drama Hud
more yvette vickers
Vickers and Allison Hayes shared the same agent, Jack Pomeroy. Unfortunately, Vickers' film career came to a halt in 1959, following her divorce from her second husband. She left California for New York to appear on Broadway in the play The Gang's All Here, which ran from October 1959 to January 1960. By the time she returned to California to resume her film career in 1961, roles were scarce. If you look fast, you can see her in Pressure Point (1962; with Bobby Darin), and watch for her as a yoga girl in Beach Party (1963; with Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello). In 1971, she appeared in the Shelley Winters horror vehicle What's the Matter with Helen? in a fun role as a pushy stage mother. A few more films and TV appearances have followed since. Her last film to date is the low-budget horror flick Evil Spirits (1990; with Anthony Eisley and Virginia Mayo).
Emergency!: Season Four [DVD](1974) DVD
All 22 fourth-season episodes--including "The Screenwriter," "Daisy's Pick," "The Firehouse Four," "Kidding," and "905-WILD"--are featured in a five-disc set. 18 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English (SDH).
Cult Camp Classics, Vol. 1: Sci-Fi Thrillers [DVD] DVD
Three-disc set includes "Attack of the 50-Foot Woman" (1958), "Queen of Outer Space" and "The Giant Behemoth."
Attack Of The 50-Foot Woman [DVD](1958) DVD
A suspicious wife gets the upper hand (literally) on her philandering husband when a stranded alien zaps her with a "growth ray." Allison Hayes cuts several fine figures as the beauteous behemoth in this classic sci-fi turkey. With Yvette Vickers, William Hudson. 66 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English (SDH), French; audio commentary; theatrical trailer.
The Attack Of The Giant Leeches [DVD](1959) DVD
No, it's not about 50-foot lawyers! A dismal Southern swamp is the home for these bloodsucking behemoths who joyfully drain the poor white trash who live there. Charlie Allnut's least favorite film. Bruno Ve Sota, Ken Clark and Yvette Vickers star in this Roger and Gene Corman production. AKA: "Attack of the Giant Leeches." 62 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English mono; scene access. Plays All Regions.
I, Mobster [DVD](1959) DVD
A gang leader, called to testify before a Senate committee, recounts a sordid life that stretches from crime-filled slum alleys to opulent vice palaces in this bullet-riddled thriller from director Roger Corman. Steve Cochran, Lita Milan, Robert Strauss star, with an appearance by legendary stripper Lili St. Cyr. 80 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English.
Pressure Point [DVD](1962) DVD
Riveting drama stars Sidney Poitier as a WWII government psychiatrist whose new patient (Bobby Darin) has been put in jail because of his neurotic behavior and his pro-Nazi sympathies. Through several intense flashbacks and analysis sessions, Poitier unearths the deep-rooted reasons for Darin's emotional troubles. Peter Falk co-stars. 87 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish, French; theatrical trailer; audio commentary.
Frankie & Annette: M-G-M Movie Legends Collection [DVD] DVD
"Surf's up" in this four-disc boxed set saluting AIP's teen comedy series and seaside sweethearts Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello. Anthropologist Bob Cummings uses the pair as part of a study of modern mating habits in the original "Beach Party" (1963), with Morey Amsterdam, Dorothy Malone, and Harvey Lembeck as Eric Von Zipper. Annette has her hands full when the Potato Bug, a British pop star who's Frankie's double, arrives at "Bikini Beach" (1964). Don Rickles and Little Stevie Wonder guest star. Gym owner Rickles wants to take over the kids' surf spot, and heiress Luciana Paluzzi wants to woo Frankie from Annette, in "Muscle Beach Party" (1964). Avalon trades his board for slats and joins Dwayne Hickman, Deborah Walley and James Brown for a "Ski Party" (1965). "Beach Blanket Bingo" (1965) boasts a missing singer, a mermaid, and skydiving surfdogs. Avalon wants to keep pal Hickman away from Funicello while he's on military duty in "How to Stuff a Wild Bikini" (1965), with Buster Keaton. Frankie's a moonshine-running hot rodder competing with racer Fabian for Annette's hand in "Fireball 500" (1966). And Fabian and Funicello burn rubber together in "Thunder Alley" (1967). 12 1/2 hrs. total. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English mono.
Beach Party (1963)/Bikini Beach [DVD](1964) DVD
The first entry in A.I.P.'s surfside slapstick series, "Beach Party" stars Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello as fun-loving teens who become the subject of anthropologist Bob Cummings' research into adolescent mating rituals. With Morey Amsterdam, Dorothy Malone, Dick Dale and The Del-Tones, and Harvey Lembeck as Eric Von Zipper. Next, Frankie plays himself and mop-topped British pop idol the Potato Bug (get it?)--and both are vying for Annette's attention--in "Bikini Beach," co-starring Don Rickles, Keenan Wynn, Little Stevie Wonder, and Boris Karloff. 198 min. total. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: French, Spanish; theatrical trailers.
Hud [DVD](1963) DVD
A powerful, emotionally charged drama with Paul Newman as the ill-disposed and irresponsible son of Texas rancher Melvyn Douglas, caught between the traditional ideals of his father and the lack of principles in the New West. Oscars went to Douglas, Patricia Neal and cinematographer James Wong Howe; directed by Martin Ritt. 111 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English.
What's The Matter With Helen? (1971)/Whoever Slew Auntie Roo? [DVD](1971) DVD
Bizarre psychological shocker about two '30s Midwest mothers whose sons were convicted in a series of bloody murders. To escape the past, the women move to Hollywood and set up a school for would-be child actors, but a mysterious stranger won't let them forget. Shelley Winters, Debbie Reynolds, Dennis Weaver and Agnes Moorehead star. Then, atmosphere and creepiness abound in this Gothic variation on the "Hansel and Gretel" tale, featuring Shelley Winters as a deranged widow trying to lure little children into her mansion. With Mark Lester, Ralph Richardson and Lionel Jeffries. 193 min. total. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital mono, Spanish Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; trailers.
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filmography
FILM
Evil Spirits (1990) with Martine Beswick, Karen Black, Virginia Mayo, and Anthony Eisley
The Dead Don't Die (1975) with Ray Milland, Ralph Meeker, and George Hamilton
What's the Matter with Helen? (1971) with Shelley Winters, Debbie Reynolds, Dennis Weaver, Agnes Moorehead, and Pamelyn Ferdin
Hud (1963) with Paul Newman, Patricia Neal, and John Ashley
Beach Party (1963) with Robert Cummings, Dorothy Malone, Frankie Avalon, Annette Funicello, Jody McCrea, and John Ashley
Pressure Point (1962) with Sidney Poitier and Bobby Darin
Attack of the Giant Leeches (1959) with Ken Clark and Bruno Ve Sota
The Saga of Hemp Brown (1958) with Beverly Garland, Rory Calhoun, and Russell Johnson
Attack of the 50 Foot Woman (1958) with Allison Hayes and William Hudson
I, Mobster (1958) with Steve Cochran
Juvenile Jungle (1958) with Corey Allen
Reform School Girl (1957) with Edd Byrnes and Luana Anders
The Sad Sack (1957) with Jerry Lewis, David Wayne, Phyllis Kirk, Peter Lorre, and George Dolenz
Short Cut to Hell (1957) directed by James Cagney
TELEVISION
Switch, episode Ain't Nobody Here Named Barney, originally aired January 13, 1976
Emergency!, episode Parade, originally aired December 21, 1974
My Three Sons, episode My Four Women, originally aired November 28, 1970
Tales of Wells Fargo, episode Return to Yesterday, originally aired January 13, 1962
The Bob Cummings Show, episode Always on Tuesday, originally aired November 16, 1961
The Asphalt Jungle, episode The Kidnapping, originally aired June 11, 1961
The Rebel, episode Decision at Sweetwater, originally aired April 23, 1961
The Rebel, episode Shriek of Silence, originally aired March 19, 1961
The Barbara Stanwyck Show, episode Out of the Shadows, originally aired December 19, 1960
Alcoa Presents, episode The Aerialist, originally aired April 28, 1959
Dragnet, episode The Big Picture, originally aired April 21, 1959
Bat Masterson, episode Double Trouble in Trinidad, originally aired January 7, 1959
M Squad, episode The Phantom Raiders, originally aired November 7, 1958
The Rough Riders, episode The Imposters, originally aired October 30, 1958
Mike Hammer, episode Scar and Garter, originally aired October 12, 1958
Dragnet, episode The Big Tomato Cans, originally aired October 31, 1957
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