Daniel James Dailey Jr. (December 14, 1915 – October 16, 1978) was an American dancer and actor. He is best remembered for a series of popular musicals he made at

20th Century Fox 20th Century Studios, Inc. (previously known as 20th Century Fox) is an American film production company headquartered at the Fox Studio Lot in the Century City area of Los Angeles. As of 2019, it serves as a film production arm of Walt Disn ...

such as '' Mother Wore Tights'' (1947).

Biography

Early life

Dailey was born on December 14, 1915, in New York City, to Daniel James Dailey Sr. and Helen Theresa (née Ryan) Dailey. His younger sister was actress

Irene Dailey Irene Dailey (September 12, 1920 – September 24, 2008) was an American stage, film, and television actress. Biography Dailey was born in New York City, the daughter of Helen Theresa (née Ryan) and Daniel James Dailey. Her brother was actor Da ...

Theatre

He appeared in a minstrel show in 1921 and later appeared in

vaudeville Vaudeville (; ) is a theatrical genre of variety entertainment born in France at the end of the 19th century. A vaudeville was originally a comedy without psychological or moral intentions, based on a comical situation: a dramatic composition ...

. He worked as a golf caddy and shoe seller before his first big break, working for a South American cruise line in 1934. He made his Broadway debut in 1937 in '' Babes in Arms''. He followed it with ''Stars in Your Eyes'' and ''I Married an Angel''.

MGM

In 1940, he was signed by

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., also known as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and abbreviated as MGM, is an American film, television production, distribution and media company owned by amazon (company), Amazon through MGM Holdings, founded o ...

to make films and, although his past career had been in musicals, he was initially cast in the drama ''

Susan and God ''Susan and God'' is a 1940 American comedy-drama film released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer directed by George Cukor and starring Joan Crawford and Fredric March. The screenplay was written by Anita Loos and was based upon a 1937 play by Rachel Crothe ...

'' (1940). He also played a Nazi in '' The Mortal Storm'' (1940). Dailey was the juvenile lead in ''

The Captain Is a Lady ''The Captain Is a Lady'' is a 1940 American comedy film directed by Robert B. Sinclair and written by Henry Clark, adapted from the play by Rachel Crothers. The film stars Charles Coburn, Beulah Bondi, Virginia Grey, Helen Broderick, Billie Bur ...

'' (1940) and '' Dulcy'' (1940). He appeared in a musical comedy in ''

Hullabaloo Hubbabaloo or hullaballoo may refer to: * Hullabaloo (band), a punk band * Hullabaloo (song), a 1990 single by Absent Friends * Hullabaloo (festival), a music festival at the University of California San Diego * ''Hullabaloo'' (film), a 1940 fil ...

'' (1940), then had a small role in the drama ''

Keeping Company ''Keeping Company'' is a 1940 drama film directed by S. Sylvan Simon and starring Frank Morgan as a real estate broker with three daughters who all have their own problems. The film was followed by ''This Time for Keeps ''This Time for Keeps' ...

'' (1941) and was the juvenile in '' The Wild Man of Borneo'' (1941). He could be seen in ''

Washington Melodrama ''Washington Melodrama'' is a 1941 American drama film directed by S. Sylvan Simon and starring Frank Morgan, Ann Rutherford, and Kent Taylor. Plot It is 1941 and the United States remains at an uneasy peace. Prominent Washington, D.C. industria ...

'' (1941) and '' Ziegfeld Girl'' (1941), and played a gangster in ''

The Get-Away ''The Get-Away'' is a 1941 film directed by Edward Buzzell. It stars Robert Sterling, Charles Winninger and Donna Reed. It is a remake of ''Public Hero No. 1''. Plot Cast *Robert Sterling as Jeff Crane *Charles Winninger as Doctor Josiah Glass ...

'' (1941). Dailey was third billed in a "B", ''

Down in San Diego ''Down in San Diego'' is a 1941 American adventure film directed by Robert B. Sinclair and written by Franz Schulz and Harry Clork. The black-and-white movie was filmed in San Diego and stars Bonita Granville, Ray McDonald, Dan Dailey, Leo Gorc ...

'' (1941) and had a small part in an "A" musical, '' Lady Be Good'' (1941). Dailey was loaned out to

for '' Moon Over Her Shoulder'' (1941), then appeared opposite Donna Reed in '' Mokey'' (1942). He was third-billed in ''

Sunday Punch The following is a ''list of phrases from sports'' that have become idioms (slang or otherwise) in English. They have evolved usages and meanings independent of sports and are often used by those with little knowledge of these games. The sport fr ...

'' (1942). Universal borrowed him to support Leo Carrillo in '' Timber'' (1942). He stayed at that studio for '' Give Out, Sisters'' (1942), a musical with The Andrews Sisters and Donald O'Connor. Dailey's last film for MGM was ''

Panama Hattie ''Panama Hattie'' is a 1940 American musical with music and lyrics by Cole Porter and book by Herbert Fields and B. G. DeSylva. The musical is about a nightclub owner, Hattie Maloney, who lives in the Panama Canal Zone and ends up dealing with ...

'' (1942). It was a hit and Dailey's career looked like it was going to the next level when cast in '' For Me and My Gal''. However Dailey was drafted and Gene Kelly ended up taking the role.

World War II

He served in the

United States Army The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, ...

during World War II, commissioned as an Army officer after graduation from Signal Corps Officer Candidate School at Fort Monmouth,

New Jersey New Jersey is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York; on the east, southeast, and south by the Atlantic Ocean; on the west by the Delawa ...

. During his army service, he appeared in '' This Is the Army'' (1943).

20th Century Fox

When Dailey returned to Hollywood MGM did not renew his contract, which led him to sign a contract with

. Their association began brilliantly with '' Mother Wore Tights'' (1947) in which Dailey supported the studio's biggest star, Betty Grable. His part was built up during filming and the movie was Fox's most popular movie of 1947, making $5 million. Fox promptly cast Dailey opposite their other big female star, Jeanne Crain, in '' You Were Meant for Me'' (1948). It was directed by Lloyd Bacon who also directed him in '' Give My Regards to Broadway'' (1948). Dailey was reunited with Grable in '' When My Baby Smiles at Me'' (1948). It was Fox's biggest hit of the year and garnered Dailey an

Academy Award The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international film industry. The awards are regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the entertainment ind ...

nomination for

Best Actor Best Actor is the name of an award which is presented by various film, television and theatre organizations, festivals, and people's awards to leading actors in a film, television series, television film or play. The term most often refers to the ...

at the 21st Academy Awards. Fox tried Dailey in a comedy, '' Chicken Every Sunday'' (1949) with Celeste Holm, then he teamed with Anne Baxter in the popular musical '' You're My Everything'' (1949). In 1949, he showcased his singing abilities by recording four songs for Decca Records with the popular

Andrews Sisters The Andrews Sisters were an American close harmony singing group of the swing and boogie-woogie eras. The group consisted of three sisters: contralto LaVerne Sophia Andrews (July 6, 1911 – May 8, 1967), soprano Maxene Anglyn Andrews (Januar ...

. Two of the songs were Irish novelties ("Clancy Lowered the Boom!" and "I Had a Hat (When I Came In)"). The other songs, " Take Me Out to the Ball Game" and " In the Good Old Summer Time", capitalized on the success of two MGM blockbuster films of the same names, starring Gene Kelly, Esther Williams, and Frank Sinatra ( ''Take Me Out to the Ball Game''); and

Judy Garland Judy Garland (born Frances Ethel Gumm; June 10, 1922June 22, 1969) was an American actress and singer. While critically acclaimed for many different roles throughout her career, she is widely known for playing the part of Dorothy Gale in '' The ...

and

Van Johnson Charles Van Dell Johnson (August 25, 1916 – December 12, 2008) was an American film, television, theatre and radio actor. He was a major star at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer during and after World War II. Johnson was described as the embodiment ...

('' In the Good Old Summertime''). Dailey and The Andrews Sisters were an excellent match, and their vocal stylings were full of gaiety and fun. Dailey starred in a film for

John Ford John Martin Feeney (February 1, 1894 – August 31, 1973), known professionally as John Ford, was an American film director and naval officer. He is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential filmmakers of his generation. He ...

, '' When Willie Comes Marching Home'' (1950) which was a mild success at the box office. He received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy in 1951. More popular was a third teaming with Grable, '' My Blue Heaven'' (1950). He made a cameo in '' I'll Get By'' (1950). Dailey was reunited with Anne Baxter in ''

A Ticket to Tomahawk ''A Ticket to Tomahawk'' is a 1950 American Western film directed by Richard Sale and starring Dan Dailey and Anne Baxter. It was released by 20th Century Fox. Marilyn Monroe appeared in one of her earliest roles. Plot In 1876, Johnny Jameson ...

'' (1950), often noted as one of the first screen appearances of

Marilyn Monroe Marilyn Monroe (; born Norma Jeane Mortenson; 1 June 1926 4 August 1962) was an American actress. Famous for playing comedic " blonde bombshell" characters, she became one of the most popular sex symbols of the 1950s and early 1960s, as wel ...

, who played a very small part as a dance hall girl. He made a fourth (and final) film with Grable, '' Call Me Mister'' (1951). Fox tried Dailey in a romantic drama, ''

I Can Get It for You Wholesale ''I Can Get It for You Wholesale'' is a musical, produced by David Merrick, music and lyrics by Harold Rome, and book by Jerome Weidman, based on his 1937 novel of the same title. It marked the Broadway debut of 19-year-old Barbra Streisand, ...

'' (1951), playing opposite Susan Hayward. Then he was in a biopic, ''

The Pride of St. Louis ''The Pride of St. Louis'' is a 1952 American biographical film of the life of Major League Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Dizzy Dean. It starred Dan Dailey as Dean, Joanne Dru as his wife, and Richard Crenna as his brother Paul "Daffy" Dean, als ...

'' (1951), as the baseball player Dizzy Dean. Dailey made a second film with Ford, a remake of '' What Price Glory'' (1952), where he teamed with James Cagney. Universal borrowed him for a musical, ''

Meet Me at the Fair ''Meet Me at the Fair'' is a 1953 American musical film directed by Douglas Sirk and starring Dan Dailey, Diana Lynn and Hugh O'Brian. Produced and distributed by Universal Pictures, it was shot in technicolor. Synopsis A boy named Tad flees from ...

'' (1953). Fox put him in a drama, '' Taxi'' (1953), then a musical with June Haver, '' The Girl Next Door'' (1953). He did another baseball-themed film, '' The Kid from Left Field'' (1953). In 1954 Dailey signed a new seven-year contract with Fox. Dailey was scheduled to appear in the

musical extravaganza '' There's No Business Like Show Business'' (1954), which featured Irving Berlin's music and also starred Monroe, Ethel Merman, Mitzi Gaynor,

Johnnie Ray John Alvin Ray (January 10, 1927 – February 24, 1990) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Highly popular for most of the 1950s, Ray has been cited by critics as a major precursor to what became rock and roll, for his jazz and bl ...

, and Donald O'Connor, whose wife Gwen divorced him and married Dailey around that time. Filming was delayed due to director Walter Lang's poor health. Dailey agreed to appear in ''

Susan Slept Here ''Susan Slept Here'' is a 1954 American romantic comedy film directed by Frank Tashlin and starring Dick Powell (in his last film role) and Debbie Reynolds. Shot in Technicolor, the film is based on the play of the same name by Steve Fisher a ...

'' and '' Heller in Pink Tights''. But ''Susan'' ended up being made with Dick Powell and ''Pink Tights'' was postponed. Eventually ''There's No Business Like Show Business'' was made and proved to be Dailey's biggest hit in a long time.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Dailey went to

to play GI-turned-advertising man Doug Hallerton in '' It's Always Fair Weather'' (1955) alongside Gene Kelly. The film was screened at drive-in theaters and was not a box-office success, although it did receive good reviews. He starred opposite

Cyd Charisse Cyd Charisse (born Tula Ellice Finklea; March 8, 1922 – June 17, 2008) was an American actress and dancer. After recovering from polio as a child and studying ballet, Charisse entered films in the 1940s. Her roles usually featured her abilit ...

and Agnes Moorehead in '' Meet Me in Las Vegas'' (1956). Dailey returned to Fox for one more musical, '' The Best Things in Life Are Free'' (1956) to play songwriter Ray Henderson opposite

Gordon MacRae Albert Gordon MacRae (March 12, 1921 – January 24, 1986) was an American actor, singer and radio/television host who appeared in the film versions of two Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals '' Oklahoma!'' (1955) and ''Carousel'' (1956) and who p ...

. The following year, he portrayed "Jughead" Carson in the drama ''

The Wings of Eagles ''The Wings of Eagles'' is a 1957 American Metrocolor film starring John Wayne, Dan Dailey and Maureen O'Hara, based on the life of Frank "Spig" Wead and the history of U.S. Naval aviation from its inception through World War II. The film is ...

'' (1957) for John Ford, a biographical film on the life of Frank Wead, starring

John Wayne Marion Robert Morrison (May 26, 1907 – June 11, 1979), known professionally as John Wayne and nicknamed The Duke or Duke Wayne, was an American actor who became a popular icon through his starring roles in films made during Hollywood's Go ...

. He was one of several stars in Fox's comedy ''

Oh, Men! Oh, Women! ''Oh, Men! Oh, Women!'' is a 1957 American comedy film written, produced and directed by Nunnally Johnson, based on the play of the same name by Edward Chodorov. It stars Ginger Rogers, Dan Dailey and David Niven. It was the feature film debut of ...

'' (1957). For the same studio, he was part of the ensemble in '' The Wayward Bus'' (1957). Dailey made a profitable low-budget war film for MGM, ''

Underwater Warrior ''Underwater Warrior'' is a 1958 CinemaScope film telling the story of the US Navy's Underwater Demolition Teams between World War II and the Korean War. It was based on the 1957 nonfiction book ''The Naked Warriors'' by Commander Francis Dougla ...

'' (1958).

Later career

As the musical genre began to wane in the late-1950s, he moved on to various comedic and dramatic roles on television, including starring in '' The Four Just Men'' (1959–60). He starred with Cantinflas in '' Pepe'' (1960) and had a cameo in '' Hemingway's Adventures of a Young Man'' (1961) and made ''

Four Nights of the Full Moon ''Four Nights of the Full Moon'' ( es, Las cuatro noches de la luna llena) directed by Sobey Martin is a 1963 Documento film, starring an international ensemble cast with Gene Tierney, Dan Dailey, and Analia Gade. This film is considered a lo ...

'' (1963) in Spain. He returned to Broadway in ''Catch Me If You Can'' (1965). In the late 1960s, Dailey toured as Oscar Madison in a road production of '' The Odd Couple'', co-starring Elliott Reid as Felix Unger and also featuring Peter Boyle as Murray the cop. He did a stint on Broadway in ''

Plaza Suite ''Plaza Suite'' is a comedy play by Neil Simon. Plot The play is composed of three acts, each involving different characters but all set in Suite 719 of New York City's Plaza Hotel. The first act, ''Visitor From Mamaroneck'', introduces the a ...

''. From 1969 to 1971, Dailey was the Governor opposite Julie Sommars's J.J. in the sitcom '' The Governor & J.J.'' which revolved around the relationship between his character, the conservative governor of an unnamed state and his liberal daughter Jennifer Jo. His performance won him the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Television Musical or Comedy for performances in 1969, the year that this category was introduced. He starred in a short lived series ''

Faraday & Company ''Faraday & Company'' is an American crime drama television series that was part of the ''NBC Mystery Movie''. It lasted for only four episodes, which were rotated with ''Banacek'', '' The Snoop Sisters'', and '' Tenafly'' on Wednesday nights fro ...

'' in 1973. Later film performances included ''

The Private Files of J. Edgar Hoover ''The Private Files of J. Edgar Hoover'' is a 1977 American biographical drama film written, produced, and directed by Larry Cohen. It stars Broderick Crawford as Hoover, alongside an ensemble cast including Jose Ferrer, Michael Parks, Rip Torn, ...

'' (1977), as Clyde Tolson.

Personal life

Dailey married first wife Elizabeth in 1942. They had one son – Dan, Jr. – in 1947, and separated in 1949. They divorced in 1951. Dailey's son died by suicide in 1975. Dailey broke his hip in 1977 and developed anemia. He died on October 16, 1978, from complications following hip replacement surgery. He is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.

Filmography

Films: *''

'' (1940) – Homer (uncredited) *'' The Mortal Storm'' (1940) – Holl *''

'' (1940) – Perth Nickerson *'' Dulcy'' (1940) – Bill Ward *''

'' (1940) – Bob Strong *''

'' (1940) – Jim Reynolds *'' The Wild Man of Borneo'' (1941) – Ed LeMotte *''

'' (1941) – Whitney King *'' Ziegfeld Girl'' (1941) – Jimmy Walters *'' The Getaway'' (1941) – Sonny Black *''

'' (1941) – Al Haines *'' Lady Be Good'' (1941) – Bill Pattison *'' Moon Over Her Shoulder'' (1941) – Rex *'' Mokey'' (1942) – Herbert Delano *''

'' (1942) – Olaf 'Ole' Jensen *'' Timber'' (1942) – Kansas *'' Give Out, Sisters'' (1942) – Bob Edwards *''

'' (1942) – Dick Bulliard *'' This Is the Army'' (1943) – Soldier – 'This Is the Army' Number (uncredited) *'' Mother Wore Tights'' (1947) – Daddy *'' You Were Meant for Me'' (1948) – Chuck Arnold *'' Give My Regards to Broadway'' (1948) – Bert Norwick *'' When My Baby Smiles at Me'' (1948) – 'Skid' Johnson *'' Chicken Every Sunday'' (1948) – Jim Hefferan *'' You're My Everything'' (1949) – Timothy O'Connor *'' When Willie Comes Marching Home'' (1950) – William 'Bill' Kluggs *''

'' (1950) – Johnny Behind-the-Deuces *'' My Blue Heaven'' (1950) – Jack Moran *'' I'll Get By'' (1950) – G.I. Dancing with June Haver & Gloria DeHaven (uncredited) *'' Call Me Mister'' (1951) – Shep Dooley *''

'' (1951) – Teddy Sherman *''

'' (1952) – Jerome Hanna 'Dizzy' Dean *'' What Price Glory?'' (1952) – 1st Sgt. Quirt *'' Taxi'' (1953) – Ed Nielson *''

'' (1953) – Doc Tilbee *'' The Girl Next Door'' (1953) – Bill Carter *'' The Kid from Left Field'' (1953) – Larry 'Pop' Cooper *'' There's No Business Like Show Business'' (1954) – Terrance Donahue *'' It's Always Fair Weather'' (1955) – Doug Hallerton *'' Meet Me in Las Vegas'' (1956) – Chuck Rodwell *'' The Best Things in Life Are Free'' (1956) – Ray Henderson *''

'' (1957) – 'Jughead' Carson *''

'' (1957) – Arthur Turner *'' The Wayward Bus'' (1957) – Ernest Horton *''

'' (1958) – Cmdr. David Forest *'' Pepe'' (1960) – Ted Holt *'' Hemingway's Adventures of a Young Man'' (1962) – Billy Campbell *''

'' (1963) *''

'' (1977) – Clyde Tolson (final film role) Radio: *'' Philco Radio Time'' (1948) *'' Lux Radio Theatre'' (1949–1954) (multiple adaptations) Television: *'' The Four Just Men'' (1959–1960) *'' The Untouchables Dexter Bayless (1962) *'' The Governor & J.J.'' (1969–1970) – Gov. William Drinkwater *'' Here's Lucy'' 1971 *''

'' (1973–1974) – Frank Faraday Stage: *'' Babes in Arms'' (1937) *'' I Married an Angel'' (1939) *''Stars in Your Eyes'' (1939) *'' Burlesque'' (1958) *'' Take Me Along'' (1961) *''

Guys and Dolls ''Guys and Dolls'' is a musical with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows. It is based on " The Idyll of Miss Sarah Brown" (1933) and "Blood Pressure", which are two short stories by Damon Runyon, and also b ...

'' (1961–1965) *''

High Button Shoes ''High Button Shoes'' is a 1947 musical with music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Sammy Cahn and book by George Abbott and Stephen Longstreet. It was based on the semi-autobiographical 1946 novel ''The Sisters Liked Them Handsome'' by Stephen Longst ...

'' (1964) *''Catch Me If You Can'' (1965; 1972) *'' The Odd Couple'' (1966–1968) *''

'' (1969–1970) Other: *'' Tournament of Roses'' (narrator) (1954) *''Testimony of Two Men'' (TV mini-series) (1977)

Box office ranking

For a number of years, movie exhibitors voted Dailey among the most popular stars in the country: *1949 – 19th (United States) *1950 – 21st (United States)

References

External links

* * * * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Dailey, Dan 1915 births 1978 deaths American male film actors American male dancers American male television actors American male musical theatre actors American male radio actors Blackface minstrel performers Vaudeville performers Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale) Male actors from New York City Singers from New York City Best Musical or Comedy Actor Golden Globe (television) winners Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer contract players United States Army personnel of World War II 20th-century American male actors 20th-century American singers United States Army officers 20th-century American dancers 20th-century American male singers