The Kelly Pages: Model Jack Kelly

Hi! I found this pensive pic of Jack Kelly in a 1953 movie magazine. He's labeled as a "New Face"--and what a face. :)

Here's the text that goes with the photo. It's written in kind of an odd slangy style, but I'm sure you'll be able to decipher it:

"Still in diapers and making goo-goo, Jack projected his manly personality at the very tender age of 14 days when his momma allowed him to pose for a baby soap advertisement. So right from 'pattycake' he modeled for baby clothes, food and medicine ads until he was five years old, when radio producers began to make with the offers. Jack adolesced through 10 years of appearing on every well-known ether [radio] program coming from New York, his home base. He's never been outside of grease paint. Can't live without that smell.

"Only a short hitch in the Army, which sent him to Alaska to study weather forecasting for the U.S. Air Force, caught Jack with his make-up down. After his discharge there was a very small question of Jack's studying law, but he went back to New York and launched himself on a television acting kick. His work took him to Hollywood, and he began a siege of the studios. With 25 years of hamming from the cradle behind him, it wasn't too rough for Jack. And it was very easy and smart for Universal-International to sign him up.

"That studio was presenting its annual talent review, featuring all of the young contract players on the lot, and an extra actor was needed for a sketch starring Tony Curtis. Well, sir, Kelly worked in on the blackout called All it Takes is One Good Break, and a string of breaks popped. Like featured roles in Law and Order, The Stand at Apache River, and It Happens Every Thursday. Goo-goo."

Actually, Jack Kelly didn't appear in It Happens Every Thursday. According to a TV Guide story I have, he broke his leg skiing before filming began and had to be replaced. (I guess the name of that Tony Curtis sketch was unfortunately prophetic.... ;->)

The references to JK's early modeling career in the article above reminded me of another article I found in a crumbling old magazine I bought years ago, long before I "discovered" Jack Kelly. I dug the magazine out a few months ago and was delighted to find these childhood pix of JK, which I'll share with you now:

(I especially like this pic.)