Irene Manning: WWII Pin Up and Forgotten Star of Hollywood’s Golden Era and Wartime Voice of America
Early Life and Musical Roots
Irene Manning, born Inez Harvuot on July 17, 1912, in Cincinnati, Ohio, was raised in a family that cherished music. The youngest among five siblings, her earliest memories included family picnics filled with group singing—an environment that nurtured her budding passion. Her sisters would later joke that Manning’s love of singing was so deep she would serenade them in her sleep.
From Opera to the Silver Screen
Before her transition to film, Manning was a trained opera singer, fluent in multiple languages, including German. She briefly performed under the name Hope Manning and made her cinematic debut in 1936’s The Old Corral alongside Gene Autry and a then-unknown Roy Rogers (billed as Dick Weston). Manning once quipped that she had moved from “light opera to horse opera”—a witty nod to her versatility.
The Old Corral earned the rare distinction of being Gene Autry’s only three-star-rated film, due in large part to Manning’s elegant performance.
Wartime Stardom and Glenn Miller Collaboration
One of Irene Manning’s most historically significant contributions came during World War II. While touring with a USO troupe in England, she was invited by legendary bandleader Glenn Miller to collaborate on a series of swing recordings translated into German. These tracks were broadcast into Nazi Germany by the American Broadcasting System in Europe (ABSIE) as part of a psychological warfare campaign.
These recordings, made shortly before Miller’s tragic disappearance in December 1944, remain among his final works—cementing Manning’s place in wartime broadcasting history.
Hollywood Highlights
Manning’s Hollywood career peaked during the early 1940s under contract with Warner Bros. Her most memorable role came in Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942), where she starred as Fay Templeton opposite James Cagney. In a challenging scene, Manning sang, acted, and played piano simultaneously—an impressive feat that showcased her extensive training.
Her additional credits include:
- The Big Shot (1942) – with Humphrey Bogart
- Spy Ship (1942) – a daring wartime drama
- The Desert Song (1943)
- Shine On, Harvest Moon (1944)
- The Doughgirls (1944)
- Escape in the Desert (1945)
MGM and the Jeanette MacDonald Rivalry
At one point, MGM eyed Irene Manning as a potential replacement for Jeanette MacDonald, whose demands were frustrating studio executives. Though Manning never appeared in an MGM film, insiders claimed her vocal talents were superior—a sentiment shared by Manning herself.
Post-War Career and Later Life
After the war, Manning returned to her theatrical roots, starring in Broadway’s The Day Before Spring and performing in London productions of DuBarry Was a Lady and Serenade. Her time in the UK also led to a successful run as host of the BBC show An American in England until 1951.
Back in the United States, she pivoted to nightclubs, television, and eventually retired from performance to teach acting and voice.
Death and Legacy
Irene Manning passed away on May 28, 2004, at the age of 91 in San Carlos, California, due to congestive heart failure. She was survived by five stepchildren from her fifth marriage to aerospace engineer Maxwell Hunter II, who predeceased her in 2001.
Fun Facts About Irene Manning
- She toured with Bob Hope during WWII.
- She was a master sight-reader, allowing her to excel in live performance scenarios.
- Her brief appearance in Spy Ship as a villainous collaborator was a bold casting choice during wartime.
- Yankee Doodle Dandy remains one of the top 100 films of all time according to the American Film Institute.