Hugs go out to the Birthday Boy!

Ahh...one look and you just have to love Van Johnson.  The nice, friendly-looking kind of guy you always dreamed about meeting on a blind date.  Quite the smile.  Just want to hug him.  

                Van Johnson, b. August 25th, 1916 in Newport, RI

But, Where's the Smile, Van?

 A handsome lad for sure.  We saw him primarily with a broad smile, but there was a serious side of Van Johnson.  He was quite good in The Caine Mutiny (1954) as Lt. Steve Maryk.   And in Command Decision (1948) and Battleground (1949).   

From chorus boy to Bobby-Soxer star, Van had a successful career that began in the early 1940s, and lasted into the 1990s.  Born in Newport, Rhode Island August 25, 1916.  Happy Birthday, Van Johnson!!

One Dancer and Six Troopers

 Would love to have a 11"x14" photo of this clipping.  It would be hanging on the wall above my desk (on a rotating basis with the Bob portrait that now claims that space).  Just look at those troopers working hard so as not to embarrass themselves too much at the upcoming Friar's Frolic of 1949.  I gather boys' choruses were always popular at these events, the current lucky dancers looking forward to laughing at next year's group.  I wonder if anyone filmed these events.  I guess not, probably wouldn't pass the censors! 

(LtoR)  Peter Lawford (5'11-1/2); Ray Milland (6'1); Walter Pidgeon (6'2-1/4); Fred MacMurray (6'2-3/4); Van Johnson (6'1); Robert Montgomery (6' 1/2"); and Robert Taylor (5'10-3/4) 

 I added the heights to the list of names.  Looks like they got the lineup right.  Van Johnson is the only dancer in the group.  Walter Pidgeon started off as a singer on the stage, may have had some dancing experience.  The rest, well, raw talent!  Bob looks, well, a little stressed.  Hope he made it through the performance without stepping on Van's foot.