Emailed
September 2006: Hello: I came across
your wonderful site on Mary Beth Hughes and enjoyed it very
much. I have always been interested in her because I was
named after her. I was born in 1953 in Springfield,
Illinois, although in 1943 my mother was living in St. Louis
and working as a nurse in a hospital in Alton, Illinois. At
some point during that time, she attended a parade that
included Hollywood stars whom were raising money for war
bonds. Among the celebrities were Lucille Ball and Mary
Beth Hughes. My mother always remembered Ms. Ball's carrot
red hair and Ms. Hughes' lovely first name. When I was
born, 10 years later, her first child, she and my father
decided on Mary Beth (not Mary Elizabeth) for my name.
While growing up, I knew several other girls
named Mary Beth, but their names were shorten from Elizabeth
to Beth. I was the only actual "Mary Beth" and was proud of
it. I have seen Ms. Hughes in the "Ox Bow Incident" and saw
her several weeks ago in a movie with Esther Williams.
Could you ever get an interview with her only child,
recalling his memories of his mother? Again, thanks for the
great website. Best wishes, Mary Beth R. Emailed
May 2006: Hi., Emailed
July 2005: Hi, W. Ballard
: I just wanted to
compliment you on having such a beautifully designed and
informative web site. Though I have seen only a few
"Mary Beth" films, I am a collector of motion picture poster
art and thought you may like to add the following to your
"web" poster collection . Though she is pictured
predominantly on the FREE. BLONDE AND 21 one sheet [
27"x 41"] and title lobby card [ 11"x14"] - she
is pictured in only 3 scenes in the set of 8 lobby cards
. I have also included
the one sheet - STAR DUST which was a springboard
to stardom for Linda Darnell as well as for other
Fox hopefuls. Mary Beth - though not pictured
- does receive billing. Enjoy - and once again
compliments on your web site. GARTH Emailed
May 2005: You're welcome to
upload these pictures to your web site. As to where the
pictures came from, my grandparents and their
relatives are from the Alton/East St. Louis area.
I can only assume that was the connection. Rich Wessel ------------------------- Emailed
October 2003: That was a nice site
you put up for Ms. Hughes. Mary Brian was another forgotten
great actress who just passed away. Mr. Campis -------------------------- Emailed
September 2003: I went to cosmetology
school with her in 1977 . Mick (Mick said that Mary
Beth went into hiding on my web site!) -------------------------- Emailed
Spring 2003: While I have no stories
or pictures to share about the lovely Mary Beth Hughes, I
would just like to say one or two things. I first became aware of
Ms. Hughes when I purchased a boxed set of Mystery Science
Theatre 3000 that just happened to have "I Accuse My
Parents" in it. Although I didn't think the movie was all
that bad, I was particularly taken by Ms. Hughes acting
ability. As you've mentioned in your site, her eyes are very
expressive (as well as incredibly captivating). As far as
I'm concerned, she was the only actor in that entire movie
who wasn't "cardboard" or stereotypical. While everyone else
seemed to just be playing their part, it felt to me like she
had embraced Kitty Reid and "became" her. I can't tell you how
many times I've watched that movie over and over again. And,
everytime I do, I find a new reason to fall in love with Ms.
Hughes. Secondly, after some
trying and failing, I finally managed to come across your
site and I must say that I'm quite delighted to find it. You
have created and maintained a wonderful tribute to a
beautiful and talented woman who should have made a bigger
splash in Hollywood than she did. So, thank you very much
for this site. I will bookmark and return to this site
again and hopefully have something to contribute as
well. Sincerely, Cam -------------------------- Emailed
Winter 2003: I met Mary
Beth in 1944 on the set of "Timber Queen" I believe it was
made at Pine and Thomas the quickie. Seven day shooting
schedule! My father was the Make-up artist on that movie. I
can agree with you she was beautiful. Ted North was on the
set and I met him also. My father's name was Jules
Michelson, you can find on...WWW.IMDB.com. Mike
Michelson -------------------------- Emailed
summer 2002: I found your
Mary Beth Hughes website and I wanted to write you to give
you some more information about Mary Beth. From 1989 to
1991, I worked at a Telemarketing company called TeleTech ,
in Sherman Oaks, California. Mary Beth was one of my
co-workers, selling US Sprint long distance over the phone.
I remember her being smart and funny and wouldn't take any
BS from anyone. One funny
story happened in 1990, I think. The telecenter where we
worked was also the location where the 1-800 calls for the
television show "Unsolved Mysteries" came in. One evening,
the TV crew was in the parking lot, setting up to film
Robert Stack, the show's host, standing in front of the
phone banks. Mary Beth was working late and learned that
"Unsolved Mysteries" was going to be filming. So, she
quicklywalked over to the first Production Assistant she
could find and demanded " Where's Bobby? I want to talk to
Bobby!" The poor PA,
said " Uh...Mr. Stack ?" Mary Beth said, " Yeah, Bobby."The
PA said importantly, " Mr. Stack is in his trailer. He
doesn't see anyone ." Mary Beth indignantly said, " Well,
tell Bobby that Mary Beth Hughes is out here!" "Does he know
who you are ?" the PA asked."He should" Mary Beth said, a
twinkle in her eye, "We dated for a year and a
half." So, the PA
got Stack to come out of his trailer and he and Mary Beth
talked until he had to go and film his segment.We all got
laid off in May of 1991 (on my birthday, go figure), and I
lost touch with her after that. She was a
classy dame. Thanks for
your website. I hope you enjoyed my news. All The
Best, Erich ------------------------------------------------ Emailed
summer 2001: ------------------------------------------------- Early
2001:
Mary
Beth's Film, Radio & TV debues
I had mentioned if I came across anything on Mary Beth
Hughes I'd let you in on it. I came across these DVDs
today at Tower Records. They're new to me so I am looking
forward to viewing them. Only $6.99 each ! I have since told
friends & others of your web site & the feed back
has been very impressive ! Thanks again for sharing Mary
Beth with me & others . Sincerely
GARTH
The message in the first picture was to my grandparents, the
message in the second picture was to my father. I would like
to see the messages stay in the picture, if
possible.
She also told me she didn't think premieres were glamourous
because they took back her clothes afterward.
Regards,
Good luck,
Dear W. Ballard,
According to a male reader out in Western USA, around 1940,
Mary Beth Hughes was on a personal appearance tour with Elsa
Maxwell, Mary Healy, as a group of 4 starlets. Mary Beth was
accompanied by her mother, Fosetta. His parents took him
down to the Chicago Theater (or the Oriental) Chicago Loop,
where Mary Beth was appearing. Peter Lind Hayes was courting
Mary Healy while this tour was 'on the road,' and visited
Mary Healy backstage while he was there with his parents
between shows. Not long after, Mary Beth began touring with
Red Skelton, and often performed in Chicago at the "Chez
Paree." Mary Beth would often invite his parents to her club
debues and pay for their enitire evening out.
According to reader, Myk Price (grandchild of Mary Beth's
assistant, Beatrice Price) in 1972-1973, Mary Beth lived in
what was the Sepulveda, California area, now known as North
Hills. There was a gentleman whom she started spending time
with(probably Nick Stewart). He had a daughter who was about
Myk's age (7). Myk stated that Mary Beth gave him his very
first accordion and a stack of Jo Ann Castle albums, which
he used to teach himself the instrument (which he still has
and most of the records, too). He also wrote that Mary Beth
had a large outdoor swimming pool, and a garden with white
rocks.
Mary Beth stories from Readers
Visit historical Alton, IL - Mary Beth's birth place.
Visit Sepulveda, CA/North Hills - Where Mary Beth Lived.
Created November 2000. Last Updated 9.09.2006
© W. Ballard , All Rights Reserved