Louise Franklin

Biography

Louise Franklin was a gorgeous, winsome lady full of sex appeal and charm who graced the movie screen and stages from the 1930s to the 1950s. She was a popular California chorus girl, dancer, and actress who appeared in popular nightclubs, soundies, race films, and black musical numbers featured in Hollywood films. She was a wonderful, vibrant dancer full of grace whose talent in dancing varied. No film was complete without Louise's presence, if she wasn't dancing in films, she was acting in them. She was an extra and dancer in most of all the California-based race films and in Hollywood films she had various roles, most of which weren't stereotypical. In the film "I Love a Bandleader," Louise played a non-stereotypical role as a sexy elevator operator who Eddie Rochester flirts and sings to. In the short scene there was no denying her beauty, sex appeal, and charm; she had all the makings of a star. Louise was one of many beautiful, ambitious black actresses who were denied fame and fortune in Hollywood and were only offered stereotypical roles but Louise, like many others, did the best with the roles she was offered by playing her roles with class. Louise danced in legendary films, "Cabin In The Sky" and "Stormy Weather," and appeared in many Lena Horne's musicals. She was also a featured dancer in Duke Ellington's Jump For Joy and many other stage shows. In the black community, Louise Franklin was regarded as one of the most popular beauties. She received publicity and notoriety in the black press. She appeared on the cover of Jet magazine and in other popular black magazines showcasing her beauty. By the mid-1950s Louise retired from show business.