Miriam LaVelle was an American dancer who achieved fame in the 1940s with her acrobatic and musical performances. She was known for her beauty, grace, and athleticism, as well as her original and innovative style of dancing. She appeared in several films and television shows, but mainly performed in cabaret and musical reviews. She was a pioneer in her field and a source of inspiration for many dancers who followed her.
Early Life and Education
Miriam LaVelle was born as Miriam LaVelle Patterson on July 16, 1927, in Chester, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of William and Anna Patterson, who had two other children, William Jr. and Dorothy. Miriam’s father was a carpenter and her mother was a homemaker. Miriam showed an interest in dancing and acrobatics from a young age, and started taking lessons when she was three years old to correct a foot ailment. She attended Ridley Park Elementary School, where she participated in various school concerts and impressed the audience with her talent. According to IMDb, she also studied ballet, tap, and modern dance at the Chester School of Dance.
Broadway and Hollywood
Miriam LaVelle made her Broadway debut in 1941, when she was 15 years old, in the musical play Sunny River at the St. James Theatre. The play was based on the novel by Stephen Vincent Benet and featured music by Sigmund Romberg. Miriam played a minor role as one of the river girls. A year later, she appeared in another musical comedy, Keep ‘Em Laughing, at the 44th Street Theatre. The show was a revue of sketches and songs by various comedians and performers, including Milton Berle, Phil Silvers, and Bert Lahr.
Miriam’s big break came in 1942, when she caught the attention of MGM talent scouts who saw her dancing on an animated electric sign on Broadway. The sign was modeled on Miriam and featured a woman dancing in a way that was totally unique. The scouts tracked her down and signed her to a contract with MGM. She moved to Hollywood and appeared in four films in 1943: Meet the People, The Gang’s All Here, Cover Girl, and Seven Days Ashore. In these films, Miriam performed her signature dance routines, which consisted of acrobatic moves, spins, leaps, and flips, executed to music in a graceful and rhythmic manner. Her performances were often unrelated to the plot of the films, which were mainly vehicles for showcasing popular entertainers of the time. Miriam received positive reviews from the critics, who praised her skill, charm, and originality. According to Pop Creep, she was dubbed as “the girl who dances like a rubber ball”.
Cabaret and Television
Miriam LaVelle’s film career was short-lived, as she preferred to perform live on stage. She returned to New York and became a star of cabaret and musical reviews. She performed at various venues, such as Nicky Blair’s Carnival Room, a circus-themed nightclub within the Capitol Hotel on Eighth Avenue; the Capitol Theatre on Broadway, where she shared the stage with Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, and Bob Hope; and the Copacabana Club, one of the most famous nightclubs in the world. Miriam also toured across the country and entertained the troops during World War II.
In 1946, Miriam made a short film called Love Me Tonight, which featured her dancing to the song of the same name by Dick Stabile and his orchestra. The film was a showcase of her talent and beauty, and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Short Subject (One-Reel). In 1949, Miriam appeared on the Ed Wynn TV Show, a comedy variety show hosted by the veteran actor and comedian. The show was recorded and a grainy transcript of the episode survives. Miriam also appeared on other TV shows in the late 1940s and early 1950s, such as The Colgate Comedy Hour, The Ed Sullivan Show, and The Milton Berle Show.
Personal Life and Death
Miriam LaVelle married Robert W. Rhodes, a businessman and former Navy officer, in 1957. They had no children. Miriam suffered from kidney problems and underwent several surgeries. She died on October 20, 1958, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 31. She was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California. Her husband died in 1994 and was buried next to her.
Miriam LaVelle was a remarkable dancer who left a lasting impression on the entertainment industry. She was admired for her creativity, versatility, and charisma. She was a trailblazer in her field and influenced many dancers who came after her. She was a rare and unforgettable talent who deserves to be remembered and celebrated.