For almost two decades, Monica Lewis was the idealized, wholesomely sexy sound and image of apple-pie America, lending a curvaceous, dimpled smile and melodious voice of hope to thousands of U.S. troops through two of the 20th century’s greatest wars. She starred on the very first “Ed Sullivan Show” telecast, had numerous hit records including “Put the Blame on Mame,” “A Tree in the Meadow,” “A Kiss to Build a Dream On,” “Autumn Leaves” and “I Wish You Love,” and provided the memorable singing voice for the popular cartoon character “Miss Chiquita Banana”.
TO LISTEN CLICK bolded link below:
Rex Sikes’ Movie Beat chats with actress/singer Monica Lewis
Monica’s course to classic song styling was set as a child. She was the youngest of three children born to musical parents: Her father, Leon, was a symphonic composer and pianist, and her mother, Jessica, sang with the Chicago Opera Company. After the Great Depression forced the Lewis clan to relocate from Chicago to New York City, there was no shortage of sibling rivalry: Monica’s sister, Barbara, established herself as an accomplished concert pianist, while her brother, Marlo, co-created Ed Sullivan’s landmark television show, TOAST OF THE TOWN.
Having studied voice with her mother since a mere toddler, Monica quit junior college at 17 to work as a radio vocalist. In the mid-1940s she had her own program on WMCA. This and other early airwaves successes led to her debut at Manhattan’s legendary Stork Club and subsequent discovery by the “King of Swing,” Benny Goodman, who signed her to appear with his popular band. She quickly ascended as a radio vocalist/co-host on programs including BEAT THE BAND, THE REVERE CAMERA HOUR and the CHESTERFIELD SHOW,” sharing the microphone with Frank Sinatra. Monica became one of the country’s highest-flying songbirds, working with record labels such as Signature, Decca, Jubilee, Capitol and Verve to create numerous timeless hits and classic albums.
Her TV appearances included Ed Sullivan’s very first broadcast in 1948 and nearly every other major variety show opposite legends such as Bob Hope, Danny Thomas and the comedy duo of Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis, with whom she had first appeared at New York’s Copacabana.
Records and television led to movies, and in 1950 MGM signed Monica to an exclusive multimedia contract. She was groomed in true MGM style – given singing and romantic roles in such films as THE STRIP with Mickey Rooney, INSIDE STRAIGHT with Barry Sullivan and EXCUSE MY DUST with Red Skelton. She also co-starred in the Marge and Gower Champion musical EVERYTHING I HAVE IS YOURS, in which she sang the title song and became the only woman other than Marge to ever dance on screen with Gower. Additional appearances followed in AFFAIR WITH A STRANGER, starring Victor Mature and Jean Simmons, and THE D.I. with Jack Webb.
Monica eagerly volunteered her talent for the war effort, becoming the darling of U.S. servicemen worldwide through the war bond drive, military radio broadcasts and a 1951 USO tour of South Korea with celebrated entertainer Danny Kaye. Back at home she delighted the masses as a chart-topping jukebox chanteuse and Burlington Mills hosiery’s “Miss Leg-O-Genic.” Glamorous gams aside, she was the advertising world’s favorite face: Piel’s Light Beer, Camel Cigarettes, Pepsi-Cola and General Electric were among the many major companies which sold their products with Monica’s visage. She also spent 14 years as the tuneful voice of the animated Miss Chiquita Banana, in a series of classic cartoon shorts that were shown in movie theaters.
From an insecure kid who could sing her heart out, and did, Monica matured into a woman of the world – eventually slowing down her music career to begin Life II as Mrs. Jennings Lang. When she married this colorful and innovative MCA/Universal Studios production executive in 1956, she not only became his partner but the mother of his young children: Michael, a jazz pianist, and Robert, an attorney. Monica and Jennings had a third child together, Rocky Lang, now a noted Hollywood writer, director and producer.
Monica herself became a featured player in several of her husband’s blockbuster Universal movies, including CHARLEY VARRICK, ROLLERCOASTER, AIRPORT ’77, THE CONCORDE–AIRPORT ’79 and the Top 100 box-office hit EARTHQUAKE.
In the 1980’s and 90’s, Monica made a few choice cabaret appearances and recorded several new albums, among them “My Favorite Things,” “Monica Lewis Swings Jule Styne” and “Why Did I Choose You?”, a tribute to her 40-year marriage to Lang.
Monica recently completed her photo-filled memoir, “Hollywood Through My Eyes,” which is now available from Cable Publishing.
Monica Lewis Official Website & her book Hollywood Through My Eyes
