Biography on actor singer gordon mccrea

Died Jan. 24, 1986 of cancer of the mouth and jaw in Lincoln, NE

Gordon MacRae was a clean-cut, full-throated baritone who triumphed over the alcoholism that threatened his career, which peaked with his portrayal of Curly in the film version of "Oklahoma!"

Although he appeared in several successful stage, radio and television programs, MacRae will best be remembered for two film musicals — "Carousel" and "Oklahoma!" In each he appeared opposite Shirley Jones, and her lilting soprano proved an appealing complement to MacRae's sonorous baritone.

MacRae was the son of "Wee Willie" MacRae, a singer turned businessman who encouraged his son's innate talent.

The young MacRae was a page at NBC who joined Horace Heidt and His Musical Knights as a vocalist in 1941. He had minor roles on Broadway and radio but was drafted into the Army in 1943. After the war he starred on NBC radio on the old "Teentimers" show, but his career didn't really take off until Warner Bros. signed him to a contract in the late 1940s.

In all, he made 25 films including "West Point Story," "The Best Things in Life Are Free" and "Look for the Silver Lining."

But by the 1970s his life and his career were in decline because of his drinking.

"I was one hell of a drunk," he said in 1982, referring to the Lakeside Club in North Hollywood as his prep school for alcoholics. "I used to stand at the bar and try to out-drink Bogey [Humphrey Bogart] and Errol Flynn."

In 1978, a year after he was unable to sing in concert in South Carolina because he couldn't remember his lyrics, he entered an alcoholism treatment center in Lincoln, Neb.

He lived in Lincoln with his second wife, Elizabeth, until his death because "it reminded me of my hometown" (East Orange, N.J.).

One of his last appearances was in Las Vegas in October 1982, shortly before he suffered a stroke.

It was a benefit for the National Council

It presented operettas and musical dramatizations, all starring Gordon and many different leading ladies. Also in 1948, he was signed to a seven-year contract with Warner Brothers Pictures and, soon after, made his film debut in the non-musical, The Big Punch (1948), opposite Lois Maxwell (well-known later as “Miss Moneypenny” in the James Bond films).

What followed was a string of hit musicals, starting with Look for the Silver Lining (1949), in which MacRae had a featured role opposite June Haver and Ray Bolger, and five fondly remembered films with Doris Day, beginning with Tea for Two (1950). Perhaps his two best and well-known films were two of his last: Oklahoma! (1955) and Carousel (1956), both written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II and both opposite screen newcomer Shirley Jones.

MacRae began to suffer, in the late 1950s and early 1960s, from bouts of heavy drinking and, by his own admission, developed into an alcoholic. He revealed that he had been “picked up for drunk driving” during the filming of “Carousel”. He conquered the disease in the 1970s and went on to counsel other alcoholics.

He continued recording and performing on dozens of television shows. He and his wife, Sheila MacRae, appeared together frequently and even released an album together. His daughters, Meredith MacRae and Heather MacRae, acted in films and on TV. On September 22, 1974, he appeared as a sheriff on an episode of “McCloud” (1970), starring Dennis Weaver, entitled “The Barefoot Girls of Bleeker Street”.

His final film came in 1979, a fine dramatic role in The Pilot (1980), which starred Cliff Robertson. He suffered a stroke in 1982. He continued on with the support of his second wife, Elizabeth, and his five children. This brilliant performer continued to tour, when his health would permit, allowing audiences to relive some of his biggest film hits.

If you’re like me, the title of this post sounds like a horrifying nightmare, your personal version of Room 101. Few have done more than Gordon MacRae (1921-1986) to sour me on the culture and aesthetics of musicals. Not because he is obnoxiously terrible, but because he’s a stiff. My nickname for him is “Boredom MacRae.” At this juncture, I’ve seen nearly all of his movies, and I still wouldn’t know him if I tripped over him. And I say “tripped over him” because he reminds me of a log. Many who love musicals seem to forget that a play or a movie is not a CONCERT…the stars need to be compelling in the bits BETWEEN songs, as well. To my mind, MacRae is not compelling in the songs, either. It might be pleasant to listen to his records, but as to visual impact, the dude achieves less than many wallpaper patterns of my acquaintance.

But he would be 100 today, and his career is interesting (on paper, or your computer screen, as the case may be), and I’ve had occasion to mention him on Travalanche several times, so we give him his due here. First, I celebrate him as a fellow Scotsman. His parents were immigrants. He was born in East Orange, New Jersey, which is next door to the heavily Scottish community of Kearney (which is where I rented the kilt for my wedding to my first wife 30 years ago! In the late 19th century a couple of Scottish factories moved their operations to this area, taking many workers with them). MacRae had performed on radio as early as age 11. When he was 19 he won a talent contest and got a two week engagement to sing at the 1939 New York World’s Fair with the bands of Harry James and Les Brown. From 1940 through 1942 he sang with Horace Heidt’s band. In 1943, he briefly subbed for Frank Sinatra on radio (not the last time he would get Old Blue Eyes’ sloppy seconds). Two years of World War Two service did not spoil hi

American actor, singer, and TV and radio host (1921–1986)

For the hockey player, see Gord McRae.

Albert Gordon MacRae (March 12, 1921 – January 24, 1986) was an American actor, singer, and television and radio host. He appeared in the film versions of two Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals, Oklahoma! (1955) and Carousel (1956), and played the leading man opposite Doris Day in On Moonlight Bay (1951) and sequel By The Light of the Silvery Moon (1953).

Early life

Gordon MacRae was born in East Orange, New Jersey, to parents William LaMont MacRae, a toolmaker and radio singer, and Helen Violet Sonn, a concert pianist. His father was descended from Clan MacRae. MacRae attended Nottingham High School in Syracuse, New York, where he was active in the Drama Club. He later attended and graduated in 1940 from Deerfield Academy in Deerfield, Massachusetts, and thereafter served as a navigator in IX Troop Carrier Command in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II.

Career

Singer

MacRae was a baritone. Winning a contest enabled him to sing at the 1939 New York World's Fair with the Harry James and Les Brown orchestras.

Broadway

He made his Broadway debut in 1942, acquiring his first recording contract soon afterwards. Many of his recordings were made with Jo S