Betsy Gay (born February 2, 1929) is an American former yodeler and actress.[1] She was born in Waterford, Connecticut to Charles and Helen Gay, who were also entertainers. She appeared in films, television, and radio shows. Her film career mostly consisted of bit-part roles during the Golden Age of Hollywood, such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1938), Our Gang Follies of 1938 and Mystery Plane (1939).[2] Her final role was in 1943. Throughout her singing career, she worked alongside the likes of Dale Evans, Stuart Hamblen, and Tex Williams. She won a yodeling competition in California two years in a row in the mid-1940s. She had several music recordings with labels such as Capitol Records and Decca Records.[3]
Betsy Gay | |
|---|---|
| Born | Elizabeth Ann Gunst February 2, 1929 Waterford, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Yodeler, film actress |
| Years active | 1936–1970s |
| Spouse |
Thomas Cashen
(m. 1954; died 2005) |
Personal life
editGay was married to Thomas Cashen between 1954 and 2005.[4] The couple had five children in total.
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1936 | The Pinch Singer | Broadway number performer |
| Arbor Day | Dancing girl | |
| 1937 | When You're in Love | Performing arts student |
| Nothing Sacred | Group singing role | |
| It Happened in Hollywood | Sis | |
| Our Gang Follies of 1938 | Blonde girl fan of Alfalfa | |
| 1938 | The Adventures of Tom Sawyer | Susie Harper[5] |
| Came the Brawn | Effie | |
| 1939 | Mystery Plane | Betty Lou as a young girl |
| The Zero Hour | Orphan | |
| At the Circus | Circus midget | |
| 1941 | Bachelor Daddy | Girl at the movie |
| 1942 | How Spry I Am | Young girl |
| 1943 | What's Buzzin', Cousin? | Saree |
References
edit- ^ "Los Angeles After Dark". The Southwest Wave. February 21, 1946. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
- ^ "Betsy Gay, Original 'Little Rascal', Musician". SCV TV. June 3, 2019. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
- ^ "Betsy Gay". Hillbilly Music. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
- ^ "Untitled". The Tidings. February 21, 1946. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
- ^ Gevinson, Alan (1997). Within Our Gates Ethnicity in American Feature Films, 1911-1960. University of California Press. p. 53. ISBN 978-0520209640. Retrieved 2023-01-30.