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Stage Name |
Birth Name | | Maria Montez |
Maria Africa Vidal
deSanto Silas | | "Queen of Technicolor" |
|
|
She was nicknamed
the 'Queen of Technicolor.' She was the second daughter
of 10 children. Maria started her career early in life in
a theatrical group in the Dominican republic. Montez first
came to the U.S. in the 1930's with her first husband. After
the marriage had ended, Maria took to modeling in New York.
Later, in 1940 Universal Studios would offer her a contract
for Lucky Devils (1941) and she would also have a daughter.
After numerous attempts at both careers,
the Aumonts, including their daughter, moved to France with
a bit more success there. Maria was not really a dancer
per say, but she did have a few dancing spots in her films
such as her Rhumba
in "That Night in Rio," but mainly they would
be of the Hawaiian, Egyptian, Belly
Dance and Spanish
type dances for her erotic, sandal wearing type roles. Montez
made her final film in Germany in 1951 which was entitled
'Camorra' ( Schatten Uber Neapal) in 1951. Montez
died of a heart attack in her bathtub.
Studios report her birth as 1919, but
most actresses gave incorrect info to studios to appear
younger, the correct date is 1912.
Maria's name comes up as there was another
Maria Montez way before her that was a famous dancer named
Marie Gilbert, aka Lola
Montez (1818-1861) ( Whom this Montez was named after)
and another called Lola Montez, aka Lola and Andre' (c.1930s)
and these three names often get confused. |
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