Rise Stevens RIP

[StratasFan]

http://www.fanmail.biz/110147.html

Just to let you know that Rise Stevens died on Wednesday. Passing of a fabulous singer.

[cschultz-2]

Thanks for posting the news. Rise Stevens was a wonderfully talented actress also, as illustrated by her appearance in Leo McCarey's "Going My Way," the 1945 Academy Award-winner for Best Picture.

As Jennie, the opera star 'jilted' by Bing Crosby's Father Chuck O'Malley (an Academy Award-winning performance by Crosby), Stevens more than held her own in the company of such veteran scene-stealers as Frank McHugh, William Frawley, Barry Fitzgerald (still another Academy Award-winning performance), and of course Bing Crosby himself.

Stevens' performance of the aria from Bizet's "Carman" in that beautiful film was notable enough, but also lending her expressive voice to the lovely and plaintive title song, accompanied by a choir of children, was a genuinely-moving and memorable moment in film history. If you've never seen "Going My Way," you're truly missing one of the best movies ever produced.

Rise Stevens was a gifted, blessed singer, personality, actress, and human being. She wil be missed indeed.

[StratasFan]

I thought she had a very nice screen persona. Very sweet in "Going My Way". Also, she is pretty swell in "The Chocolate Soldier", opposite singer Nelson Eddy. They made a fabulous pairing for that film and were lovely sounding together.