Mara Corday, a name synonymous with the vibrant, often thrilling, cinematic landscape of the 1950s, has passed away at the remarkable age of 95. A true icon of her era, Corday, known for her exotic looks and widely photographed figure, captivated audiences and became a beauty standard during what is often referred to as the Golden Age of Hollywood. Her death on February 9 in Santa Clarita, California, though initially unreported, marks the end of a life lived with a distinctive blend of glamour, grit, and unexpected turns.
Corday’s journey through Hollywood was anything but conventional. She navigated the industry from her early days as an usherette and showgirl, evolving into a celebrated pinup model before cementing her place on the silver screen. Her career spanned a fascinating array of genres, most notably her starring roles in memorable science-fiction thrillers and classic Westerns, solidifying her status as a ‘cult figure’ of the time.
This retrospective examines the multifaceted career and personal story of Marilyn Joan Watts, who became Mara Corday, charting her path from early aspirations to her indelible contributions to cinema and popular culture. Her story is one of determination, talent, and enduring friendships, painting a comprehensive portrait of a woman who left an unmistakable mark on Hollywood history.
1. **Her Early Life and the Genesis of an Iconic Name**Marilyn Joan Watts was born on January 3, 1930, in Santa Monica, California. Her early life saw her father, Emerson Watts, holding various jobs, including chauffeur and auditor, while her mother, Shirley (Wood) Watts, worked as a stenographer. It was during her teenage years that Marilyn’s aspirations turned toward a career in films, leading her to Hollywood.
Her show-business career began notably at 17, when she was hired as a showgirl for Earl Carroll’s revue at his Hollywood nightclub. She started in the chorus in 1947, quickly advancing to perform skits alongside the comedian Pinky Lee, demonstrating an early aptitude for performance beyond mere dancing. This period was crucial for honing her craft and preparing her for a larger stage.
The adoption of her professional name, Mara Corday, was a deliberate choice aimed at creating a more exotic stage persona. She later recounted that the name ‘Mara’ originated from a nickname, ‘Marita,’ given to her by a bongo player at the Mayan Theater in downtown Los Angeles, where she worked as an usherette. The surname ‘Corday’ was inspired by a perfume ad she encountered while leafing through a magazine, completing a stage identity that would become synonymous with 1950s glamour.
2. **From Usherette to Pinup Sensation: Her Entry into Hollywood**Before her cinematic breakthrough, Mara Corday’s journey into show business began with humble origins, including a stint as an usherette at the Mayan Theater in Los Angeles. Her striking physical beauty quickly became apparent, leading her to seek work as a photographer’s model to make ends meet. This phase of her career involved posing for ‘cheesecake magazines,’ a popular genre of the era that showcased alluring figures.
Her magnetic presence soon propelled her to prominence as a pinup girl. By 1955, her popularity was such that The Boston Globe reported her to be the second most popular pinup model, trailing only the iconic Marilyn Monroe, among men in the armed forces. This widespread appeal underscored her burgeoning status as a beauty icon whose image resonated deeply with the public.
Ms. Corday’s image graced the covers of numerous men’s magazines throughout the 1950s, including titles like Tempo, Sir!, Pose!, Modern Man, Picturegoer, Eye, and People Today. These extensive modeling assignments, often featuring her in bikinis and other revealing outfits, cemented her reputation as a captivating figure and a quintessential beauty symbol of the mid-20th century. Her ability to captivate audiences through still photography laid a strong foundation for her move into motion pictures.
3. **Securing a Universal Contract: The Path to Stardom**Having refined her dancing and acting skills during her two-and-a-half years at the Earl Carroll Revue, Mara Corday’s talent did not go unnoticed. After Earl Carroll’s untimely death in a plane crash in 1948, she continued to perform, dancing in Las Vegas shows and acting in a 1950 production of Anita Loos’s play ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’ at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles. These experiences solidified her performing abilities, ultimately earning her a coveted contract with Universal-International Pictures.
Under her contract with Universal, Ms. Corday was initially cast in small roles across various B-movies and television series, providing her with invaluable screen experience. Her early filmography includes appearances in ‘Two Tickets to Broadway’ (1951), where she had a bit part as a showgirl, ‘Son of Ali Baba’ (1952) as a girl on a balcony, and ‘Tarzan and the She-Devil’ (1953) as a Locopo Woman. While these roles were often uncredited or minor, they marked her official entry into the world of feature films.
These initial roles, though not headlining, were crucial stepping stones in establishing her presence in Hollywood. They allowed her to develop her on-screen persona and gain recognition within the studio system, setting the stage for more substantial parts that would capitalize on her unique appeal. Her dedication during this period reflected a clear ambition to move beyond the chorus line and into leading roles.
4. **Defining the Sci-Fi Genre: ‘Tarantula’ and Monster Movies**Mara Corday’s career took a significant turn in 1955 when she secured a ‘juicier part’ in ‘Tarantula,’ a science-fiction feature that went on to become a cult hit. In this film, she played Stephanie ‘Steve’ Clayton, a lab assistant who finds herself fleeing from a terrifying, 100-foot-tall spider that has escaped from a laboratory. Ms. Corday vividly recalled telling gossip columnist Hedda Hopper that year, about the monstrous arachnid, “The whole world is after him. He’s a pretty unhappy spider, I can tell you. I’m a lady scientist, and Leo Carroll and John Agar are playing two top roles.”
‘Tarantula’ not only became a pivotal film for Corday but also marked a significant moment in her life, as it was on this set that she met Clint Eastwood, a fellow Universal contract player who had a very brief role as a jet fighter pilot. This encounter forged a friendship that would later play a substantial part in her late career, underscoring the interconnectedness of Hollywood careers.
Her talent for navigating the ‘fright’ and ‘horror’ of monster movies led her to co-star in two other notable sci-fi films released in 1957: ‘The Black Scorpion’ and ‘The Giant Claw.’ In ‘The Giant Claw,’ Ms. Corday portrayed Sally Caldwell, a mathematician facing a gigantic bird that wreaks havoc. For ‘The Black Scorpion,’ she played Teresa Alvarez, a rancher menaced by giant scorpions. While filming ‘The Black Scorpion’ on location in Mexico, a true-life scare occurred when she discovered a coral snake in her hotel room, prompting her to quip, “After working with scorpions all day, I’m in no condition to combat snakes at night,” as quoted in the Valley Times of North Hollywood. These roles firmly established her as a prominent figure in the creature feature subgenre of the 1950s.
5. **A Notable Presence in Westerns of the Golden Age**Beyond her distinctive contributions to science fiction, Mara Corday also carved a significant niche for herself in the popular Western genre of the 1950s. Her versatility as an actress allowed her to seamlessly transition between battling giant insects and navigating the rugged landscapes of the American frontier. She appeared in numerous Westerns, often alongside established stars, showcasing her enduring appeal and adaptability.
Among her notable Western film roles was her appearance in ‘Man Without a Star’ (1955), which starred Kirk Douglas, and ‘Drums Across the River’ (1954) with Audie Murphy. In 1955, she secured the female lead in ‘The Man from Bitter Ridge,’ where she was cast opposite Lex Barker. This particular role proved significant not only for her career but also personally, as she became romantically involved with Barker during the production.
Her presence in the genre continued with prominent roles in films like ‘Raw Edge’ (1956) and ‘A Day of Fury’ (1956), and ‘The Quiet Gun’ (1957). These consistent appearances in Westerns, a staple of 1950s cinema, further solidified her status as a recognizable and reliable performer. She was adept at portraying characters ranging from resilient ranch women to saloon girls, demonstrating a breadth of performance that extended beyond the ‘scream queen’ label.
6. **The Playboy Era: Expanding Her Pinup Legacy**Mara Corday’s existing reputation as a popular pinup model reached its zenith with her appearance as a Playboy Playmate. Her widest exposure to a broader national audience came in the magazine’s October 1958 issue, where she was featured as a Playmate of the Month. This move further cemented her status as a quintessential beauty icon of the 1950s, connecting her with a publication that was rapidly shaping popular culture and defining modern sensuality.
Notably, the October 1958 issue featured two Playmates, with Corday sharing the spotlight with model Pat Sheehan. Her inclusion in Playboy underscored her enduring appeal and her ability to transcend the traditional confines of acting to become a celebrated figure in popular media. It was a testament to her widespread recognition as a symbol of allure and glamour during a time when such imagery was becoming increasingly mainstream.
This high-profile modeling achievement reinforced her image as a celebrated figure whose beauty was admired across various platforms. Her Playboy feature not only expanded her public visibility but also served to define her as a ‘cult figure’ during the Golden Age of Hollywood, demonstrating her multifaceted career that blended acting with her undeniable presence as a beauty icon.
