David Street

Biography

Tall, dark and handsome singer David Street seemed to have all the necessary credentials for musical film stardom in the 1940s but his career fell drastically short and today is better remembered, if at all, for his tabloid-exposed private life. He was born Patrick Devlin in Los Angeles, California, on December 13, 1917, and began singing in high school, performing locally in a trio act that led to work on a nearby radio station. He gained experience with several harmony swing groups, including "Six Hits and a Miss," "The Rhythm Rascals" and "The Melo-Aires," before touring as a vocalist with several bands and orchestras led by such established personalities as Bob Crosby ("The Bob O Links") and Freddie Slack. Universal took notice of his musical talents and signed him to a contract where he appeared in minor singing parts. He was loaned out to Republic for Moonlight Masquerade (1942) where he and Anne Jeffreys were part of a singing trio, was glimpsed in both Honeymoon Lodge (1943) and as a student in We've Never Been Licked (1943). WWII cut short this momentum when he was drafted into the Army. Following his discharge, he regained some attention recording for RCA and back on radio. Although 20th Century-Fox saw promise and signed him to a contract, he was upstaged by rising crooners Dick Haymes and Perry Como and was reduced to either specialty roles or vocal dubbing for others, notably that of William Eythe' in Centennial Summer (1946). It was Republic Studios that handed David his first co-lead role with the musical fantasy An Angel Comes to Brooklyn (1945) in a romantic triangle with unknown Kaye Dowd, whose sole lead this was, and equally unknown Robert Duke (in his film debut). He also dubbed William Marshall in Calendar Girl (1947), and appeared in a minor role in the film noir Moonrise (1948) for Republic. Columbia gave him an insignificant lead opposite Gloria Jean in the musical romancer I Surrender Dear (1948) in which he gets to sing "There's Nobody Else but Elsie" and an excerpt of "Pennies from Heaven". Nothing, however, advanced his film career despite his fine singing voice and as his appearance was rather stiff on camera. Several musical programs also came his way with little fanfare, including "The David Street Song Shop (1946), "David Street Sings" (1946) and "The David Street Show" (1947). TV proved a stronger medium for him in the 50s guesting on such shows as "The Ken Murray Show," "The Colgate Comedy Hour" "The Art Linkletter Show" and earning a regular spot on Broadway Open House (1950). He also had his own local TV show on TV (KLAC) with "The David Street Show". Street's recording career, after losing his RCA contract RCA, began falling away too after signing with minor labels such as Diamond, Rainbow and Keynote. On the sideline he composed. One song he co-wrote, "Gotta Soft Spot" was used in the film Square Dance Jubilee (1949). His last film, arguably his best cinematic showcase, was as co-star of another minor musical, the "Poverty Row" Lippert Production of Holiday Rhythm (1950) opposite one of David's many wives, Mary Beth Hughes. In addition to duets with his leading lady in the film, he solos on "Lost in a Dream." From this point on the singer turned to TV for any work on camera. Throughout the early 1950s David could be found on various TV series, usually local, including a regular appearance of KLAC's "Hollywood on Television" (1953). He also hosted "Tin Pan Alley" (1953) on the same Los Angeles local station. As his career waned, he turned more and more to alcohol. In later years, David became a church choir director to earn money and performed on occasion in night clubs. An isolated guest part in 1955 on "The Adventures of Will Hickok" did little to reverse his fortunes and a couple of severe accidents not long after, one involving an elevator and one a car, effectively damaged his career. Later work included hosting a local game show ("Greet the People"), singing at clubs, weddings and bar mitzvahs, and appeared on occasional commercials. David Street-Scott Allen Music, a company that hired out band leaders at parties. His last film was a brief appearance with Ann-Margret in the song "Isn't It Kinda Fun" in the remake of State Fair (1962). Throughout all this, David private life often made tabloid news. A frequent escort to such Hollywood beauties as Ava Gardner, Diana Lynn, Marguerite Chapman, Cleo Moore, Jane Nigh and Marilyn Maxwell, David also got heavily involved in a destructive marriage-go-round -- six to be exact. His first marriage in 1942 to Mary Frances Wilhite, the only non-pro of the six, produced a son, David, but ended within a couple of years. His second to actress Lois Andrews, formerly the child bride of George Jessel, was over within a few months before she got an annulment. He next married "B" actress/singer Mary Beth Hughes in 1948. They appeared together on TV, on film and in nightclub acts during their nearly 8 year marriage. Actress Sharon Lee was his fourth, a 1957 union that lasted 26 days. His most famous bride was probably beautiful actress Debra Paget, who was marrying for the first time. It lasted four months before it was annulled. Wife #6 (in 1958) was singer Elaine Perry, which produced daughter Melanie a decade later in 1968. This marriage stuck and lasted until his death. Diagnosed with cancer toward the end of his life, David died of complications on September 3, 1971, at age 53.