In the Hollywood lexicon, "blonde bombshell" is as overworked a phrase as any.
Leading that pantheon would, of course, be Marilyn Monroe, along with Jean Harlow, Mae West and Jayne Mansfield, followed by such contenders as Lana Turner, Betty Grable, Kim Novak, Carroll Baker ... and many other Hollywood stars who have been similarly described.
But a unique example was Betty Hutton, who died this week at 86.
In Hutton's case, it wasn't beauty or steamy come-hither looks in sexy roles. She was attractive but no remarkable beauty. She wasn't cast as a sex symbol. And she was known more for farce than romantic drama, although she did both.
When applied to Hutton, "blonde bombshell" did not refer to sensuality but rather explosive comedy.
Love her or hate her, Hutton was an unforgettable personality on the screen ... although she is, in fact, largely forgotten today except by a core of fans. Of which I am one.
Aside from a quick, unbilled comic cameo in a Martin & Lewis flick and a musical appearance in "Duffy's Tavern," Hutton made 18 features over her 15-year film career. And aside from bootlegs, only seven of those are on DVD:
"Annie Get Your Gun" (1950) is a wonderful showpiece for Hutton — funny, romantic and serious, with those great Irving Berlin songs. She's especially delightful with "Doin' What Comes Naturally" and her "Anything You Can Do" duet with Howard Keel.
"The Greatest Show on Earth" (1952) won the best-picture Oscar, though it is generally derided by critics today as a typically overblown Cecil B. De Mille effort. But it's fun, with a real inside look at circus life and a still-thrilling train-crash climax. Hutton co-stars with Charlton Heston.
"The Miracle of Morgan's Creek" (1944) is by filmmaker Preston Sturges, and his sharp wit is all that kept the censors away from this hysterical wartime satire about Hutton getting pregnant and not knowing who the father is.
"Here Come the Waves" (1944) has Hutton at her best playing two roles — one of them quite subdued — in this Bing Crosby naval comedy. (In the box set: "Bing Crosby: Screen Legend Collection.")
"Star Spangled Rhythm" (1942) is a variety show with an array of musical and comedy talent, with Hutton in a lead role. (On a Bob Hope double-bill DVD with "My Favorite Blonde.")
"The Perils of Pauline" (1947) is a very funny fictionalization of the silent-movie serial queen, and "The Stork Club" (1945), a lesser but enjoyable comedy, features one of Hutton's biggest hit songs, "Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief." (Available as a DVD double-bill).
In addition to her films and live nightclub performances, Hutton also had a half-hour sitcom for one season (1959-60), the 1954 TV special "Satins & Spurs" (which bears a strong resemblance to "Annie Get Your Gun," though not nearly as good), and guested on a number of musical-variety shows and a handful of dramatic shows, including "Gunsmoke" (1965).
Most critics feel "The Miracle of Morgan's Creek" is her best film, and it may be. But she is a lot of fun in a lot of other movies. And nowhere does she come across better than in her first picture.
Looking at "The Fleet's In" (1942) — a light comedy in which she plays fourth-fiddle to William Holden, Dorothy Lamour and Eddie Bracken — it's easy to see why Hutton became an overnight sensation.
Holden plays a shy sailor trying to woo patrician Lamour, and Bracken is his comical buddy. But Hutton, as Lamour's roommate, is a riot, and she handily runs away with the picture. She also gets to sing one of her biggest hits, the hilarious "Arthur Murray Taught Me Dancing in a Hurry." And her great comic chemistry with Eddie Bracken lead to their being teamed in several more films.
Alas, "The Fleet's In" has never been released on home video. Nor have most of Hutton's movies.
She's way overdue for a box set.
E-mail: hicks@desnews.com