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 Rodgers and Hammerstein was a theater-writing team of composer Richard Rodgers (1902–1979) and lyricist-dramatist Oscar Hammerstein II (1895–1960), who together created a series of innovative and influential American musicals. Their popu ...

musicals ''

Oklahoma! ''Oklahoma!'' is the first musical written by the duo of Rodgers and Hammerstein. The musical is based on Lynn Riggs' 1931 play, ''Green Grow the Lilacs''. Set in farm country outside the town of Claremore, Indian Territory, in 1906, it tells ...

'' (1955) and ''

Carousel A carousel or carrousel (mainly North American English), merry-go-round (international), roundabout (British English), or hurdy-gurdy (an old term in Australian English, in SA) is a type of amusement ride consisting of a rotating circular pla ...

'' (1956) and who played the leading man opposite

Doris Day Doris Day (born Doris Mary Kappelhoff; April 3, 1922 – May 13, 2019) was an American actress, singer, and activist. She began her career as a big band singer in 1939, achieving commercial success in 1945 with two No. 1 recordings, " Sent ...

in '' On Moonlight Bay'' (1951) and sequel '' By The Light of the Silvery Moon'' (1953).

Early life

Born in

East Orange East Orange is a city in Essex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 U.S. census, the city's population was 69,612. The city was the state's 20th most-populous municipality in 2010, after having been the state's 14th most-pop ...

in Essex County in northeastern New Jersey, United States, to Scottish parents, MacRae graduated in 1940 from

Deerfield Academy Deerfield Academy is an elite coeducational preparatory school in Deerfield, Massachusetts. Founded in 1797, it is one of the oldest secondary schools in the United States. It is a member of the Eight Schools Association, the Ten Schools Admi ...

in Deerfield, Massachusetts, and he thereafter served as a navigator in

IX Troop Carrier Command The IX Troop Carrier Command was a United States Army Air Forces unit. Its last assignment was with the Ninth Air Force, based at Greenville Army Air Base, South Carolina. It was inactivated on 31 March 1946. As a component command of the Ninth ...

in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. Before this, he attended Nottingham High School in Syracuse, New York. Gordon was descended from the

Clan MacRae The Clan Macrae is a Highland Scottish clan. The clan has no chief; it is therefore considered an armigerous clan. Surname The surname Macrae (and its variations) is an anglicisation of the patronymic from the Gaelic personal name ''MacRaith ...

Career

Singer

MacRae was a baritone. Winning a contest enabled him to sing at the

1939 New York World's Fair The 1939–40 New York World's Fair was a world's fair held at Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in Queens, New York, United States. It was the second-most expensive American world's fair of all time, exceeded only by St. Louis's Louisiana Pur ...

with the

Harry James Harry Haag James (March 15, 1916 – July 5, 1983) was an American musician who is best known as a trumpet-playing band leader who led a big band from 1939 to 1946. He broke up his band for a short period in 1947 but shortly after he reorganized ...

and Les Brown orchestras.

Broadway

He made his

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...

debut in 1942, acquiring his first recording contract soon afterwards. Many of his hit recordings were made with

Jo Stafford Jo Elizabeth Stafford (November 12, 1917July 16, 2008) was an American traditional pop music singer, whose career spanned five decades from the late 1930s to the early 1980s. Admired for the purity of her voice, she originally underwent classi ...

. He was a replacement performer on '' Junior Miss''.

Radio

On radio in 1945, his talents were showcased on the ''Gordon MacRae Show'' on the CBS network in collaboration with the conductor

Archie Bleyer Archibald Martin Bleyer (June 12, 1909 – March 20, 1989) was an American song arranger, bandleader, and record company executive. Early life Bleyer was born in the Corona section of the New York City borough of Queens. His father was a well-k ...

. The show featured emerging musical talent, including the accordionist

John Serry Sr. John Serry Sr. (born John Serrapica; January 29, 1915 – September 14, 2003) was an American concert accordionist, arranger, composer, organist, and educator. He performed on the CBS Radio and Television networks and contributed to Voic ...

MacRae was also the host and lead actor on '' The Railroad Hour'', a half-hour

anthology series An anthology series is a radio, television, video game or film series that spans different genres and presents a different story and a different set of characters in each different episode, season, segment, or short. These usually have a di ...

made up of condensed versions of hit Broadway musicals. The programs were later released as popular studio cast albums, most of which have been reissued on CD. In 1946, he was in the revue ''Three to Make Ready'', which ran for 326 performances.

Film

MacRae signed a contract with Warner Bros. in 1947. In 1948, he appeared in his first film, '' The Big Punch'', a drama about boxing. He followed this with a film noir with

Virginia Mayo Virginia Mayo (born Virginia Clara Jones; November 30, 1920 – January 17, 2005) was an American actress and dancer. She was in a series of comedy films with Danny Kaye and was Warner Brothers' biggest box-office money-maker in the late 1940s. ...

, '' Backfire'' (made in 1948, released 1950). MacRae's first on-screen musical was ''

Look for the Silver Lining "Look for the Silver Lining" is a 1919 popular song with music by Jerome Kern and lyrics by B.G. DeSylva. Background The song was written in 1919 for the unsuccessful musical ''Zip, Goes a Million''. In 1920, it was publishedSuskin, Steven. ...

'' (1949), a biopic of

Marilyn Miller Marilyn Miller (born Mary Ellen Reynolds; September 1, 1898 – April 7, 1936) was one of the most popular Broadway musical stars of the 1920s and early 1930s. She was an accomplished tap dancer, singer and actress, and the combination of these ...

( June Haver), where MacRae played Frank Carter. David Butler directed. MacRae was reunited with Haver and Butler in ''

The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady ''The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady'' is a 1950 American musical film directed by David Butler. It stars June Haver and Gordon MacRae. The story is mostly about the lives of musical performers in New York in the closing years of the 19th century. M ...

'' (1950). Warners put him in a Western, '' Return of the Frontiersman'' (1950). Then he starred with Doris Day in '' Tea for Two'' (1950), a reworking of ''

No, No, Nanette ''No, No, Nanette'' is a musical comedy with lyrics by Irving Caesar and Otto Harbach, music by Vincent Youmans, and a book by Otto Harbach and Frank Mandel, based on Mandel's 1919 Broadway play ''My Lady Friends''. The farcical story involves ...

'', also for Butler. Public response was enthusiastic. MacRae and Day were teamed again in '' The West Point Story'' (1951) starring

James Cagney James Francis Cagney Jr. (; July 17, 1899March 30, 1986) was an American actor, dancer and film director. On stage and in film, Cagney was known for his consistently energetic performances, distinctive vocal style, and deadpan comic timing. He ...

and Mayo, '' On Moonlight Bay'' (1951), and the all-star

Korean War {{Infobox military conflict , conflict = Korean War , partof = the Cold War and the Korean conflict , image = Korean War Montage 2.png , image_size = 300px , caption = Clockwise from top: ...

tribute, '' Starlift'' (1951). MacRae was in a military school musical, '' About Face'' (1952) with Eddie Bracken, then he and Day did a sequel to ''On Moonlight Bay'', '' By the Light of the Silvery Moon'' (1953). That same year, he starred opposite Kathryn Grayson in the third film version of ''

The Desert Song ''The Desert Song'' is an operetta with music by Sigmund Romberg and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, Otto Harbach and Frank Mandel. It was inspired by the 1925 uprising of the Riffs, a group of Moroccan fighters, against French co ...

'' and teamed with

Jane Powell Jane Powell (born Suzanne Lorraine Burce; April 1, 1929 – September 16, 2021) was an American actress, singer, and dancer who first appeared in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer musicals in the 1940s and 50s. With her soprano voice and girl-next-door ima ...

in '' Three Sailors and a Girl'' (1953). MacRae's best known film role was Curly in the big screen adaptation of ''

'' (1955) alongside

Shirley Jones Shirley Mae Jones (born March 31, 1934) is an American actress and singer. In her six decades in show business, she has starred as wholesome characters in a number of musical films, such as ''Oklahoma!'' (1955), '' Carousel'' (1956), and ''The M ...

. He and Jones were used on another

adaptation, ''

'' (1956), at 20th Century Fox (now

20th Century Studios 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 ...

). MacRae played Buddy De Sylva in '' The Best Things in Life Are Free'' (1956) for 20th Century-Fox.

Television

MacRae appeared frequently on television, on such variety programs as '' The Ford Show, Starring Tennessee Ernie Ford''. He also appeared on drama shows such as ''

Lux Video Theatre ''Lux Video Theatre'' is an American television anthology series that was produced from 1950 until 1957. The series presented both comedy and drama in original teleplays, as well as abridged adaptations of films and plays. Overview The ''Lux Vi ...

''. During Christmas 1958, MacRae and Ford performed the Christmas hymn "

O Holy Night "O Holy Night" (original title: ) is a well-known sacred song for Christmas performance. Originally based on a French-language poem by poet Placide Cappeau, written in 1843, with the first line (Midnight, Christian, is the solemn hour) that c ...

". Earlier in 1958, MacRae guest-starred on the short-lived NBC variety series ''The Polly Bergen Show''. He starred in the TV musical '' The Gift of the Magi'' (1958). Thereafter, MacRae appeared on ''

The Ed Sullivan Show ''The Ed Sullivan Show'' is an American television program, television variety show that ran on CBS from June 20, 1948, to March 28, 1971, and was hosted by New York City, New York entertainment columnist Ed Sullivan. It was replaced in Septembe ...

'', '' The Dinah Shore Chevy Show'', ''

The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in ...

'', and ''

The Bell Telephone Hour ''The Bell Telephone Hour'' (also known as ''The Telephone Hour'') is a concert series that began April 29, 1940, on NBC Radio, and was heard on NBC until June 30, 1958. Sponsored by Bell Telephone as the name implies, it showcased the best in ...

''.

Stage

He continued his musical stage career, often performing with his wife, as in a 1964 production of '' Bells Are Ringing'', also performing as Sky Masterson in the popular musical ''

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 als ...

'', with his wife playing the role of Miss Adeleide, reprising her Broadway role at the Gammage Memorial Auditorium in Tempe, Arizona. In the late 1960s, he co-hosted for a week on ''

The Mike Douglas Show ''The Mike Douglas Show'' was an American daytime television talk show that was hosted by Mike Douglas. It began as a local program in Cleveland before being carried on other stations owned by Westinghouse Broadcasting. The show went into natio ...

''. He also toured in

summer stock In American theater, summer-stock theater is a theater that presents stage productions only in the summer. The name combines the season with the tradition of staging shows by a resident company, reusing stock scenery and costumes. Summer stock th ...

and appeared in nightclubs. In 1967, he replaced Robert Preston in the original Broadway run of the musical ''

I Do! I Do! ''I Do! I Do!'' is a musical with a book and lyrics by Tom Jones and music by Harvey Schmidt which is based on the Jan de Hartog play '' The Fourposter''. The two-character story spans 50 years, from 1895 to 1945, as it focuses on the ups and do ...

'', starring opposite

Carol Lawrence Carol Lawrence (born Carolina Maria Laraia; September 5, 1932) is an American actress, appearing in musical theatre and on television. She is known for creating the role of Maria on Broadway in the musical ''West Side Story'' (1957), receivin ...

, who had taken over the role from

Mary Martin Mary Virginia Martin (December 1, 1913 – November 3, 1990) was an American actress and singer. A muse of Rodgers and Hammerstein, she originated many leading roles on stage over her career, including Nellie Forbush in ''South Pacific'' (194 ...

Later career

MacRae guest starred on '' McCloud''. He had supporting roles in the films '' Zero to Sixty'' (1978) and ''

The Pilot A pilot is a person who flies or navigates an aircraft. Pilot or The Pilot may also refer to: * Maritime pilot, a person who guides ships through hazardous waters * Television pilot, a television episode used to sell a series to a television n ...

'' (1980).

Personal life

He was married to Sheila MacRae from 1941 until 1967. They met on the set of a play and it was "love at first sight." The couple were the parents of four children: actresses Heather and

Meredith MacRae Meredith Lynn MacRae (May 30, 1944 – July 14, 2000) was an American actress, singer and talk show host. She is most remembered for her roles as Sally Morrison on ''My Three Sons'' (1963–1965) and as Billie Jo Bradley on '' Petticoat Junctio ...

, and sons William Gordon MacRae and Robert Bruce MacRae. Sheila later married television producer Ronald Wayne. MacRae's second marriage was to Elizabeth Lambert Schrafft on September 25, 1967, and together they had one daughter, Amanda Mercedes MacRae born in 1968. They remained married until his death. He battled alcohol problems for many years, but overcame them by the late 1970s.

Death

MacRae suffered from cancer of the mouth and jaw. He died in 1986 of

pneumonia Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung primarily affecting the small air sacs known as alveoli. Symptoms typically include some combination of productive or dry cough, chest pain, fever, and difficulty breathing. The severi ...

, at his home in Lincoln, Nebraska, aged 64. He was buried at the

Wyuka Cemetery Wyuka Cemetery is the largest cemetery in Lincoln, Nebraska. In 1890, Lincoln's Bnai Jeshurun Congregation, a Reform congregation, began using a section of Wyuka. History Wyuka Cemetery was established in Lincoln, Nebraska, by an act of the ...

in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Filmography

Stage work

* '' Junior Miss'' (1942, Broadway, replacement for Walter Collins) * ''Three to Make Ready'' (1946, Broadway) * ''

'' (1955, Music Hall at Fair Park) * '' Annie Get Your Gun'' (1960, Starlight Theatre) * '' Bells Are Ringing'' (1961, Columbus, Ohio) * ''

'' (1963, summer stock tour) * ''Bells Are Ringing'' (1964, summer stock tour) * ''Jerome Kern's Theatre'' (1966,

Avery Fisher Hall David Geffen Hall is a concert hall in New York City's Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts complex on Manhattan's Upper West Side. The 2,200-seat auditorium opened in 1962, and is the home of the New York Philharmonic. The facility, designe ...

) * '' Kismet'' (1966, Columbus, Ohio) * ''

'' (1967, summer stock tour) * ''

'' (1967, Broadway, replacement for Robert Preston) * '' Golden Rainbow'' (1969, summer stock tour) * '' Milk and Honey'' (1972, Columbus, Ohio) * '' Paint Your Wagon'' (1978, Columbus, Ohio)

Radio

MacRae replaced Frank Sinatra on a radio program in 1943, but he soon had to leave for military service. In 1946, he was the "singing emcee" of ''The Teentimers Club'', a Saturday morning program. From 1945 to 1948 he also hosted and performed on ''The Gordon MacRae Show'' for the CBS radio network. He also appeared in programs as shown in the table below.

Discography

This is Gordon Macrae Capitol Records

Solo

* " Love Is a Many Splendored Thing" * "Easy to Love" * " Hair of Gold, Eyes of Blue" * " It's Magic" * " Rambling Rose" * "Love Is the Sweetest Thing" * "Here's to a Wonderful Christmas" * "The Merry Christmas Waltz" * "The Secret"

with Jo Stafford

* "

'A' — You're Adorable "A' You're Adorable" is a popular song with music by Sid Lippman and lyrics by Buddy Kaye and Fred Wise, published in 1948. Charted versions The most well-known version was recorded by Perry Como, with The Fontane Sisters on March 1, 1949. T ...

" * "

Dearie "Dearie" is a popular song. The music was written by David Mann, and the lyrics, by Bob Hilliard. The song was published in 1950. The song is about reminiscences, and often sung as a duet. When done as a duet, each one of the singers asks the ...

" * " My Darling, My Darling" * "Say Something Sweet to Your Sweetheart" * "

Whispering Hope ''Whispering Hope'' may refer to; * "Whispering Hope" (song), a song written in 1868 by Septimus Winner Septimus Winner (May 11, 1827 – November 22, 1905) was an American songwriter of the 19th century. He used his own name, and also the pse ...

" * "

Echoes Echoes may refer to: * Echo (phenomenon) Film and television * ''Echoes'' (2014 film), an American supernatural horror film * ''Echoes'' (miniseries), a 2022 Netflix original drama series * "Echoes" (''Fear Itself''), an episode of ''Fear Itse ...

" * "There's a Small Hotel" (Jo Stafford album "Meet Jo Stafford") * "When I Grow Too Old to Dream" (Jo Stafford album "Meet Jo Stafford")

Singles

In popular culture

* MacRae is mentioned in the song " Oklahoma U.S.A." by

The Kinks The Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, north London, in 1963 by brothers Ray and Dave Davies. They are regarded as one of the most influential rock bands of the 1960s. The band emerged during the height of British rhyt ...

, as the song's subject daydreams of "riding in the surrey with the fringe on top" with "Shirley Jones and Gordon MacRae". * In a 1980 episode of ''

Alice Alice may refer to: * Alice (name), most often a feminine given name, but also used as a surname Literature * Alice (''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland''), a character in books by Lewis Carroll * ''Alice'' series, children's and teen books by ...

'' called "Dog Day Evening", Vera uses Gordon MacRae's name in a rhyming game.

References

External links

Appearance On What's My Line 9/30/62

Gordon MacRae on NBCs "The Railroad Hour"

Gordon MacRae Discography on CastAlbums.og

Gordon MacRae Discography on Discog.com
* *
Gordon MacRae on MusicBrainz.org

Biography
from Starpulse

{{DEFAULTSORT:Macrae, Gordon 1921 births 1986 deaths 20th-century American male actors American male film actors American male musical theatre actors American people of Scottish descent Deaths from cancer in Nebraska Capitol Records artists Deaths from oral cancer Nottingham High School (Syracuse, New York) alumni Deerfield Academy alumni Musicians from East Orange, New Jersey United States Army Air Forces officers Apollo Records artists 20th-century American singers Warner Bros. contract players Actors from Lincoln, Nebraska Musicians from Lincoln, Nebraska Actors from East Orange, New Jersey 20th-century American male singers Traditional pop music singers United States Army Air Forces personnel of World War II Military personnel from New Jersey

Early life

Career

Singer

Broadway

Radio

Film

Television

Stage

Later career

Personal life

Death

Filmography

Stage work

Radio

Discography

Solo

with Jo Stafford

Singles

In popular culture

References

Further reading

External links