Joy Hodges
Joy Hodges
Joy Hodges, born Frances Eloise Hodges, was an American singer and actress who performed on radio, on film, on Broadway, and with big bands. Winning a contest at a theater took Hodges to Chicago, where her national career began. From there, she traversed the United States, singing on the radio, in night clubs, with orchestras, and in Chautauqua programs. She performed at the Empire Room and the Hotel Sherman, both in Chicago. One of her early jobs was being the lead singer with Carol Loftner and his orchestra. She also sang with Ted Fio Rito, Ben Bernie, Jimmy Grier, Ozzie Nelson, and Abe Lyman and their orchestras, among others. Hodges' Broadway credits include Nellie Bly, The Odds on Mrs. Oakley, Dream with Music, and I'd Rather Be Right. In 1972, she replaced Ruby Keeler in the revival of No, No, Nanette on Broadway. Perhaps the most memorable of Hodges' Broadway performances was singing "Have You Met Miss Jones?" in I'd Rather Be Right. She later said, "I became the toast of Broadway and sang the most recognizable song in America at that time — everyone adored Miss Jones." Her screen debut came in a short, A Night at the Biltmore Bowl, for RKO Pictures, and her first film, after signing with RKO for five years, was Old Man Rhythm. She also made soundies (musical short films) in addition to regular films. During World War II, Hodges sang with Harry James and his orchestra as they entertained military personnel on USO tours in Europe. On old-time radio, Hodges was the female singer on The Joe Penner Show. She left that program to make her stage debut in I'd Rather Be Right. In 1944, she filled in for Arlene Francis as host of the radio version of Blind Date when it was broadcast from Detroit. She also sang and was co-host, with Durward Kirby, on Honeymoon in New York.
Known For Acting
Most Rating 1.695
Birthday 1915-01-29
Place of Birth Des Moines, Iowa, USA
Also Known As Frances Eloise Hodges,
Follow the Fleet
1936

Follow the Fleet

Special Agent K-7
1936

Special Agent K-7

Merry Go Round of 1938
1937

Merry Go Round of 1938

Personal Secretary
1938

Personal Secretary

Service de Luxe
1938

Service de Luxe

The Family Next Door
1939

The Family Next Door

To Beat the Band
1935

To Beat the Band

Old Man Rhythm
1935

Old Man Rhythm

Laughing at Danger
1940

Laughing at Danger

Unexpected Father
1939

Unexpected Father

They Asked For It
1939

They Asked For It

Margie
1940

Margie

A Night at the Biltmore Bowl
1935

A Night at the Biltmore Bowl

Little Accident
1939

Little Accident