Irene Dare (born Irene Davidson, February 14, 1931[1][2] — May 29, 2020 was a young American figure skater and film star. In the late 1930s, she was described as "a small edition of Sonja Henie" and "closer to being 'another Shirley Temple' than anybody in recent years."[3]

Early life and career

Dare's parents were Mr. and Mrs. Harry B. Davidson,[1][4] neither of whom was a skater. She initially took lessons in acrobatic dancing. and was "very fond" of that activity.[5] After a figure-skating teacher who was a friend of the family saw her dance, he suggested that she try skating. His instruction started her on the road to Hollywood.[5]

Before she began working in films, Dare performed in ice shows -- 17 by the time she was 6 years old --[6] and skated at a New York club and at Madison Square Garden. Newsreels of the MSG performance were seen by a talent scout, leading to Dare's film contract.[7]

In 1938, at age 5, Dare was the world's youngest figure skater. At that point, she had been skating for 1+1⁄2 years and had appeared in 16 ice shows.[5] Also that year, Principal Productions announced plans to make a film of Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates with Bobby Breen in the title role and Dare portraying Greta.[8]

Film producer Sol Lesser learned about Dare from friends and watched her perform in New York, after which he eventually got her under contract to make films.[5]

Dare's film debut came in Breaking the Ice (1938).[6] Dare's scenes in the film included dances, somersaults, spins, and whirls on ice in elaborate sequences.[9] Her first starring role came in Everything's on Ice (1939).[10] She also performed in the film Silver Skates (1943).[11]

In 1939, Dare had a six-year film contract for $1,200 per week.[3] She also performed in the Ice Vanities show in December 1941.[12]

References

  1. 1 2 Canton, Rolf J. "Minnesotans in the Movies". Minneapolis, MN: Nodin Press. pp. 47–49. ISBN 978-1-932472-41-7.
  2. ↑ "United States Census, 1940", database with images, FamilySearch (ark:/61903/1:1:K97Z-8B3 : Sun Mar 12 04:05:48 UTC 2023), Entry for Harry Davidson and Violet F Davidson, 1940.
  3. 1 2 "Eye Observing". The Mason City Globe-Gazette. Iowa, Mason City. March 13, 1939. p. 4. Retrieved June 11, 2016 – via Newspaperarchive.com. Open access icon
  4. ↑ "Twin City Girl, 6, to Skate in Films". The Minneapolis Journal. April 17, 1938. p. 11. Retrieved April 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Sunfield, Elmer (November 1938). "Baby Queen". Hollywood. pp. 30, 44–45. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  6. 1 2 ""Breaking the Ice" Bobby Breen's Most Ambitious Screen Venture". Havre Daily News. Montana, Havre. October 1, 1938. p. 3. Retrieved June 11, 2016 – via Newspaperarchive.com. Open access icon
  7. ↑ Tildesley, Alice L. (September 18, 1938). "What Are Your Child's Chances in Hollywood?". Lincoln Nebraska State Journal. Nebraska, Lincoln. p. 34. Retrieved June 11, 2016 – via Newspaperarchive.com.
  8. ↑ "Screen News Here and in Hollywood". The New York Times. April 30, 1938. p. 18. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  9. ↑ "Talented Tots Starred In 'Breaking the Ice' At Olympic". The Altoona Tribune. September 8, 1938. p. 10. Retrieved July 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ "'Everything's On Ice' At Park With Irene Dare". Reading Times. September 14, 1939. p. 10. Retrieved July 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ "Movie Parade". Globe-Gazette. Iowa, Mason City. April 23, 1943. p. 3. Retrieved September 14, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ↑ "Ice Vanities Opens Tomorrow Night". Oakland Tribune. December 18, 1941. p. 29. Retrieved July 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.

Irene Dare at IMDb

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