Vera-Ellen: The Magic and the Mystery

by Howard David Soren

Vera-Ellen should have been one of Broadway and Hollywood’s most enduring stars. She was a fine dramatic and light comedic actress, and was considered by a number of authorities to be the greatest all-around dancer of her generation. And for a brief moment in 1950, she was an American household name, as famous as Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio or General Douglas MacArthur. She could do tap, toe dancing, adagio, modern dance (formerly known as dramatic dancing), comic dancing, partnered dancing, prop dancing, Apache dancing and advanced acrobatics. She could also sing well enough to be featured on Broadway and television. Her obsessive perfectionism was legendary; nobody worked harder on a routine or accomplished it with greater attention to detail. Not only were each of her steps perfect but the transitions from step to step were flawless and remarkably beautiful to observe. Like Fred Astaire, who admired her, she had the ability to make each complex routine seem effortless, as if she were expressing herself spontaneously. Vera-Ellen's work in films such as On The Town, White Christmas, Words and Music, Three Little Words, The Belle of New York and Call Me Madame will never be forgotten by film musical fans. This much anticipated biography will not disappoint those fans.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Film, Womens

256 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 2000

Reviews

[Herb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a rare bio of a great, but pretty well forgotten dancing movie star of the 1940's and 50's...probably the only time most people see her on TV is every Christmas when "White Christmas" is shown. She's one of the four principals (Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney & Danny Kaye) in this holiday classic.
I learned a lot about her that surprised me, because she was very reclusive. There is also some genuine heartbreak I didn't expect, plus being very surprised to learn that she was anorexic.
All in all, I feel she was a neat lady who really should have been remembered better.

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was obviously a labor of love. The author's admiration and adoration for Vera-Ellen was apparent on every page. I, as an Old Hollywood lover and Vera-Ellen fan, am very grateful that this book exists, since it is the only biography on her, to my knowledge.

Where this book suffers is typical of biographies where available facts on the subject are limited. There's a lot about Vera-Ellen that was kept private and remains so (hence, the 'mystery' alluded to in the title) and, in terms of a prototypical Old Hollywood movie star, her life was rather uneventful. She retired early, lived her retirement predominantly in seclusion, and died young. Therefore, to fill the pages necessary to make a decent-sized book, we have a large portion of it made up of full-length synopses of her movies rather than a quick blurb that usually suffices in biographies to keep the flow going (and also doesn't give spoilers in case anyone cares to view the films) as well as the author's personal opinion of these movies--many of which I disagreed with.

I don't condemn Mr. Soren for his personal views on Vera-Ellen's films when they differ with mine, but after a while, it seemed like he found fault with everything and everyone in her movies except Vera-Ellen and his praise of her was a bit over the top at times. Almost every director was blamed for incompetence and her movies' failures. Where personal preferences of her films are concerned, as I stated, Mr. Soren and I differ and I can accept those differences; but I must say his subtly snide evaluation of the classic 'White Christmas' was offensive to me and I can't help but think he kinda misses the point of the film and downplays not only how great of a film it is, but, moreover, how much it's still loved and hailed by viewers today simply because of his own personal dislike of it.

Because it's a labor of love rather than a commissioned or authorized work, it obviously did not get the pre-publication treatment of a large-market book. There are errors and typos and repetitions throughout as well as too-frequently used phrases and expressions that would have been caught with better editing. I usually have little tolerance for this; but, considering the lengths this author went to to produce this book and the strenuous effort it must have required, I'm more forgiving in this case.

The best thing about this book is the wonderful abundance of photographs. Because Vera-Ellen never rose higher than a starlet during her film career, she isn't often seen and most of the pictures you find of her are studio portraits and film stock photos. It was wonderful seeing candids and other rare photographs of her.

[Alannah Purslow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book so much. I am a big Vera-Ellen fan and the elaborate details, especially concerning her dance routines on film, were delightful to read.

My only gripe with this book, as mentioned by other reviewers is that he gains a gradually worsening opinion of her works as the book goes on. In other words praising nothing but her. I disagreed with a few of his opinions and/or claims, particularly the undue slamming of “White Christmas”. He addresses the “anorexia/high necklines” rumour earlier in the book but contradicts himself on the possible reasoning for the rumour’s existence.

The author has really done his research and you can tell he is a fan. Overall, it reads as objective but with a personal ‘flavour’, which I really liked.


If you are a fan of Old Hollywood, musicals (in general), or indeed a “Vera-phile” (a fan of hers, the nickname which he gives for them in the book), this biography more than deserves the read. It is about time that Vera-Ellen receives the recognition she so deserves!!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vera-Ellen: The Magic and the Mystery by David Soren.

I have always enjoyed Vera-Ellen's dancing and was looking forward to learning more about her life story. This book does a very good job in that regard. Covering her life from her birth in 1921 to her death due to cancer in 1981; a beautiful, yet tragic, story unfolds.
If you've ever watched the movie White Christmas and wondered about the lovely actress and dancer that played the sister Judy Haynes then this book is for you.
Vera-Ellen will always be one of my favorite dancers/actresses of what I call the golden movie era.
I gave this 4 stars.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I learned some very interesting facts about Vera-Ellen. However, it just tended to go on and on about every detail of her movies. If you would like to actually watch the movies and haven't seen them before, do not read this, as you will no longer need to see the films. If you're a die-hard fan and want to read pages and pages of details about her films, then by all means, read the book.

[Candi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not expect much from this book and did not get much. One of the reasons I decided to read this book is so that when I talked with my mother about what I am reading she would be interested. I also enjoy Vera-Ellen in films and I think that without knowing about the various films mention it would be less interesting.

There is plenty of interesting information. Since I don't read this type of thing much, a lot of it was new to me. The author as done some very good research, but his presentation is too fanboy. I have been vacillating between two stars "it was ok" and three "liked it". The author is very appreciative of the skill in dance and the different qualities that various dancers have. He ends up, raving about Vera Ellen while casting a shadow on others. If you like Hollywood stories you may enjoy this book, but it was not my cup of tea.

[Madison Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly fascinating biography about one of Hollywood's greatest talents, Vera-Ellen. One feels that Soren took a lot of time researching Vera, and his work shows greatly. Though he never met her, he had credible sources on her, such as her cousin, her co-stars, and her good friends, particularly Marie Windsor. His passion for Vera really shines through, and it paints a picture of such a lovely, yet somehow tragic woman. I particularly liked the chapter about her alleged eating disorder. Soren keeps it very professional and seems to be informed on the issue. It's nice to read something about her that doesn't sound like tabloid trash and instead sounds like well-researched information. The pictures are also lovely in this book!

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it. So much NOT known about her. She was born in Norwood and the house she was born is still standing and the houses she lived in are still standing. Very cool. Sad ending, death of her daughter and her. The resting places are so unkept and overlooked.

[Cami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting insight into the complicated life of Vera-Ellen. (She's the beautiful blonde dancer opposite Rosemary Clooney in White Christmas.)If you are a fan of hers, you must read this book.

[Will · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.1

[Michelle "Champ" · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't think I learned anything g I did know, but I loved the journey anyway..

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent 'fan appreciation' book.