The Belle, Jane Russell: Once A Dreamboat Turned into a

Devotee

Begum Para, a Bollywood actress who was quite popular in
her heyday, might be unfamiliar to younger audiences. She was
renowned for her striking beauty and figure. However, given the
extremely conservative standards of the Indian film censor board
dur seeing that era, many aspects of her on-screen persona and
the roles she could play were often restricted.

Begum Para was renowned for her curvaceous figure, which
was considered quite provocative by the standards of her time. In
a particular scene of one of her films, despite her being fully
clothed, the Indian censor board found her portrayal too
suggestive and halted the film's release. Undeterred, Begum Para
confronted the censor board members directly. In a bold and
defiant act, she tore open her blouse in front of them, revealing
her chest, and challenged their decision. She famously declared,
'Nature has given me this form, so what objection do you have?

Begum Para's bold and fearless stance left even the
hardened censors speechless. It was a similar story across the
ocean in Hollywood around the same time, in the glamorous
1940s. Jane Russell, a captivating beauty who would later be
overshadowed by the iconic Marilyn Monroe, was the reigning
sex symbol. The renowned filmmaker Howard Hughes signed her
to a seven-year contract and produced the daring film, 'The
Outlaw.' This western, completed in 1941, stirred up controversy
not for its violence, but for its portrayal of Russell's breathtaking
beauty. A scene showing her blouse slipping from one shoulder,
and the resulting posters, caused a sensation. The censors, both
in India and America, found themselves grappling with the
timeless question of art, beauty, and societal norms.

In the 1940s, America was much more conservative than it
is today. When actress Jane Russell was just 19, she caused a big
stir with a movie that showed a lot of her body. People were
shocked by how curvy she was, and many thought it was too
much. Government censors and even the Catholic Church didn't
want the movie to be shown because they thought it was too
suggestive. Russell herself even talked about her measurements
to prove how real her curves were. Despite all the controversy,
the movie was eventually released, but it took a long time. Even
though it wasn't a great movie, Russell became a famous star
because of one scene where her top slipped off her shoulder.

Born on a sunny June day in 1921, in the heartland of
America, North Dakota, was the enchanting Ernestine Jane
Geraldine Russell. Known fondly as Jane, she was a blend of her
Canadian grandparents' heritage and her American upbringing.
Her father, a distinguished First Lieutenant in the US Army, and
her mother, a talented actress, formed the bedrock of her life. It
was in the embrace of the American dream that young Jane was
brought into the world, her destiny intertwined with the stars
and stripes. The family's journey led them to the sun-kissed
shores of Southern California, where they settled in the idyllic
San Fernando Valley, a place that would forever hold a special
place in Jane's heart.

Jane Russell's mother enrolled her in a music school to
learn the piano. While studying music, Jane also started
participating in school plays. At the time, she was still in high
school. Initially, she aspired to be a designer. She began her
career as a receptionist. Afterward, she ventured into modeling.
At the age of 19, while working at a doctor's office, she met
Hollywood producer Howard Hughes. He offered her a role in the
film 'The Outlaw'. Her iconic scene in the film, where her blouse
slipped off her shoulder, made her a notorious star.
Subsequently, she worked with the famous comedian Bob Hope.

Her image from that film became extremely popular among
American soldiers, who would hang it in their rooms and
bunkers.

Afterward, she graced the silver screen in nearly two dozen
American films, enchanting audiences with her presence in
classics such as 'Paleface', 'Son of Paleface', 'Gentlemen Prefer
Blondes', and 'Two Little Girls from Little Rock'. Her films often
had a melodious touch, hinting at the musical journey that
awaited her. In the glittering city of Las Vegas, in 1957, she made
her solo musical debut, captivating hearts with her enchanting
voice. Her songs became beloved on the radio waves, and she
even had the privilege of recording duets with the incomparable
Frank Sinatra.

Jane Russell, having graced the silver screen as a sex
symbol, embarked on a remarkable journey towards faith and
philanthropy. Despite her glamorous Hollywood career, she
found fulfilment in motherhood, adopting three children and
establishing the 'World Adoption International Fund' to help
other families find their own.

Later in life, she became a devout Christian, founding the
Hollywood Christian Group to offer spiritual guidance to her
peers. She even hosted a religious program, 'Praise the Lord,' on
Christian television. Her transformation from a Hollywood
starlet to a dedicated philanthropist and religious leader was
nothing short of extraordinary.

A strong supporter of the Republican Party, Russell was a
vocal advocate for her beliefs. Her life took a profound turn as
she embraced sobriety, overcoming her past struggles with
alcoholism. In her autobiography, she candidly revealed that she

had chosen to retire from acting, feeling that Hollywood had
outgrown her. It's a testament to her character that a former sex
symbol could become such a devoted servant of God and
humanity.

When Jane Russell passed away on February 28, 2011, at the
age of 89, in Santa Maria, California, Hollywood once again
turned its gaze to the iconic star whose career had been marked
by controversy and censorship. As the world mourned her loss,
the industry paid tribute to her enduring legacy. Her hand and
footprints were forever preserved on the Hollywood Walk of
Fame, a fitting tribute to a woman who had left an indelible mark
on the world of cinema.                    ——DEVENDRA PATEL

TRANSLATION BY APALLAVI GUPTA