Helen Morgan: A Life of Glamour and Tragedy
Helen Morgan, born on August 2, 1900, was a renowned American singer and actress who made a lasting impact on the world of entertainment. Her captivating voice and captivating stage presence earned her the title of quintessential torch singer, and she quickly rose to fame in the vibrant Chicago club scene of the 1920s.
Morgan's breakthrough role came in 1927 when she starred as Julie LaVerne in the original Broadway production of Hammerstein and Kern's iconic musical, Show Boat. Her powerful performance left a lasting impression, and she went on to reprise the role in the 1932 Broadway revival, as well as in two film adaptations, a part-talkie made in 1929 and a full-sound version made in 1936.
Despite her notable success, Morgan struggled with bouts of alcoholism, which ultimately took a toll on her life and career. She did, however, experience a resurgence in her stage career when she took on the title role in Hammerstein and Kern's Broadway musical, Sweet Adeline, in 1929.
Morgan's life was marked by both glamour and tragedy. She died of cirrhosis of the liver at the age of 41, a tragic end to a life that had once shone so brightly. Her legacy lives on, however, and she continues to be remembered as a talented and iconic performer.
In addition to her work on stage, Morgan appeared in at least 15 films, including Show Boat (1929),Applause (1929),Marie Galante (1934),and Show Boat (1936). Her life and career have been immortalized on screen, with Polly Bergen portraying her in the Playhouse 90 drama The Helen Morgan Story and Ann Blyth starring as her in the 1957 biopic based on the television drama.
