| Jane Froman/More Biographical Facts |
| Parents - Anna T. Barcafer and Elmer Ellsworth Froman Jane Froman graduated from Christian College, Columbia, Missouri, with an associate degree in French. She later attended the University of Missouri School of Journalism. Jane Froman did not graduate but went to study voice in Cincinnati at the Conservatory of Music from 1928 to 1930. Jane moved to Chicago and was hired by NBC radio. She began to receive offers to perform in theater and make guest appearances in New York City. Jane moved to New York City in 1933. First big break - She got a job on the Chesterfield radio program that also starred Bing Crosby. She sang in the 1933 Ziegfeld Follies. In September 1933, she married Donald McKaig Ross, an entertainer. 1934- Jane was voted the number one girl singer on the air. Jane's first film was "Stars Over Broadway," in 1935. Jane's second film was "Radio City Revels," in 1938. Jane began making nightclub appearances in 1940. Also in 1940, Jane starred with Ray Bolger and Jimmy Durante in Broadway's,"Keep Off the Grass." In May, 1941, Jane performed in the first camp show for servicemen at Camp Dix, New Jersey. She also appeared in the first USO shows that month at Fort Belvoir and Fort Meade. 1942-- Jane was one of the first entertainers to volunteer to entertain the troops overseas. During this time she also continued to perform in clubs, radio, and a Broadway production, "Laugh Town Laugh," with Ed Wynn. February 22, 1943 - While enroute to Europe to perform in USO shows, Jane's plane crashed in the Tagus River at Lisbon, killing 25 of the 39 people aboard. Jane suffered a compound fracture of the right leg. Her left leg was nearly severed below the knee. She had two broken ribs, and her right arm was fractured in several places. After hospitalization, she was finally allowed to return to the United States in April, 1943 and underwent several operations. November, 1943 - Jane appeared in "Artists and Models," a Broadway show. Because she could not walk, she was transported on and off stage in a motorized wheel chair which was disguised. When performing in nightclubs, she had to be hooked to a mobile, electrically-powered piano. May, 1945 - She went, on crutches, to Europe with the USO to do shows for the occupation forces. |
| The information below has been excerpted from the Jane Froman Papers/1890-1980 |
 |