Born 1920 near Snoqualmie Falls, Washington, American film and television actress Ella Raines studied drama at the University of Washington and was appearing in a play there when she was seen by director Howard Hawks. She became the first actress signed to the new production company he had formed with the actor Charles Boyer, B-H Productions, and made her film debut in Corvette K-225 (1943) which Hawks produced.
Immediately following her role in Corvette K-225, Raines was cast in the all-female war film Cry "Havoc" (also 1943). She starred in the film noir Phantom Lady, the Preston Sturges comedy Hail the Conquering Hero, and the John Wayne western Tall in the Saddle (all 1944).
Raines began appearing in such films as The Strange Affair of Uncle Harry (1945) and the thriller The Web (1947). With the exception of Brute Force (1947), in which Raines appeared with Burt Lancaster, none of her later films were nearly as successful as her earlier movies and her career began to decline.
In 1954 and 1955, Raines starred in the television series Janet Dean, Registered Nurse. She also appeared in some television series, and retired from acting in 1957, but made one further screen appearance with a guest role in the series Matt Houston in 1984.
Raines has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her contribution to motion pictures at 7021 Hollywood Boulevard, and for television at 6600 Hollywood Boulevard.
Take a look at these glamorous photos to see the beauty of Ella Raines in the 1940s.
Immediately following her role in Corvette K-225, Raines was cast in the all-female war film Cry "Havoc" (also 1943). She starred in the film noir Phantom Lady, the Preston Sturges comedy Hail the Conquering Hero, and the John Wayne western Tall in the Saddle (all 1944).
Raines began appearing in such films as The Strange Affair of Uncle Harry (1945) and the thriller The Web (1947). With the exception of Brute Force (1947), in which Raines appeared with Burt Lancaster, none of her later films were nearly as successful as her earlier movies and her career began to decline.
In 1954 and 1955, Raines starred in the television series Janet Dean, Registered Nurse. She also appeared in some television series, and retired from acting in 1957, but made one further screen appearance with a guest role in the series Matt Houston in 1984.
Raines has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her contribution to motion pictures at 7021 Hollywood Boulevard, and for television at 6600 Hollywood Boulevard.
Take a look at these glamorous photos to see the beauty of Ella Raines in the 1940s.