Josanne Tames Marlon

Josanne Mariani; 1954 

"Marlon Brando

Is one of the few actors who can get by on talent alone and, whether or not you like him as a personality, he falls in the category of genius as far as acting is concerned.  We never found Marlon hard to take as a human being, either.  He’s hypersensitive, which accounts for his great talent; but once he trusts you, there’ll be no trouble from him.  Seems like half the eligible girls in Hollywood claim to have dated him just before his engagement to Josanne Mariani was announced.  But his big moment while making his last picture Desiree was Joanne herself, who was secretly in Hollywood and a mystery girl on the movie set."

[Source: Movieland;  February 1955]

Edmund and Tita's Marriage Drama

Edmund Purdom
Looked like a sure bet when he took over the acting part of “The Student Prince” for Mario Lanza. Now he’s rapidly approaching the point where he is the subject of as much discussion as Lanza, who, by the way, is really on the road to recovery and may yet do “The Vagabond King” with Kathryn Grayson. You’d think Purdom would be a model of co-operation because of the tremendous break he received but those temperament rumors have been circulating about Edmund almost from the time he started “The Student Prince”. His wife, Tita, worked as a ballerina to help support the family during their lean days but she gave up her career to take care of their children after Edmund started clicking. Now, Mrs. Edmund Purdom has announced that she will proceed with plans for a separation or a divorce. At the time she announced these plans, Mrs Purdom reportedly said, “We had four years of poverty and we clung together like babes in the woods. But when he became successful it all changed. Now he says he dreads seeing me.” Edmund and Tita were married on January 5, 1951 in London. They have two children, Lilian, aged two and Marian, aged six months.

(Source: Movieland; February 1955)


Edmund Purdom (December 13, 1926 - January 1, 2009) was born in Hertfordshire, England. His acting career began in 1946 and continued almost until his death. His starring roles were mostly in the 1950s. Finding his career fizzling out, Edmund relocated to Italy where he spent the rest of his life. He was one of the main dubbers of Italian films. Married four times, his marriage to Tita Phillips from January 5, 1951 until March 5, 1956. Word has it that he was secretly seeing dating Tita's co-star. Edmund married Alicia Darr on April 10, 1957 and they were married until August 17, 1958. His best known wife was Linda Christian, former wife of Tyrone Power. Linda Christian and Edmund Purdom were married from March 24, 1962 until January 10, 1963.

Edmund Purdom and Linda Christian

Edmund Purdom was also known for lucking into some great roles. He got his role in The Student Prince from Mario Lanza. Some sources say it was because of a disagreement between Mario and the director - others say it was because Mario was seen as too heavy. One of Purdom's other starring roles, that of Sinuhe in The Egyptian, came to him after Marlon Brando turned it down.

Can Judy Take Home the Academy Award?

Judy Garland, Jack Warner, and Lauren Bacall at A Star is Born Premiere September 1954

Judy Garland
And Marlon Brando are the present favorites to get the Oscars for the best female and male star performances of 1954. Judy may have some competition from Dorothy Dandrige for “Carmen Jones” and Grace Kelly for “Country Girl” – but the sentiment is riding with Garland, and that’s a powerful factor when a Hollywoodite makes a comeback. Along with Marlon, James Mason will likely receive a nomination for “A Star is Born”; and Dan O’Herlihy for “Robinson Crusoe”. At least, that is the way voters are thinking right now.