BACKSTORY: Born Julia Jean Mildred Frances Turner on February 8, 1921 in Wallace, Idaho. In search of greater job opportunities, Lana and her mother moved out to California. One school day, shortly after their arrival, fifteen-year-old Lana went for a Coke. Despite the legend, she wasn't at Schwab's Drugstore, but The Top Hat Café, a shop across the street from Hollywood High. When W.R. Wilkerson, publisher of the Hollywood Reporter, happened to be quenching his thirst at the same time, he caught sight of Lana. He gave her his card and asked her to call newly operating talent agent Zeppo Marx. This, in addition to a letter Wilkerson personally wrote, helped team her with director Mervyn LeRoy. Leroy felt her nickname, Judy, was too plain, so the two had a brainstorming session. "What about-Lana?" she suggested. She spelled it for LeRoy and waited while he said it several times and then finally nodded. "That's it," Leroy told her. "You're Lana Turner." Some of my favorite Lana films include “The Postman Always Rings Twice”, “Imitation of Life,” and “Madame X.”
