Goddess of the Month – July 2011 – Gloria Pall

 A couple of months ago, KPCC’s Off-Ramp had me sitting in my car after I parked, listening to the last bits of a piece called “Voluptua – TV Love Goddess’s Rein Lasted Less Than Two Months.” It was about a television show that briefly ran in the 50′s and the star and woman behind it, Ms. Gloria Pall, was being interviewed (I highly urge everyone to give it a listen. It’s a fascinating insight into the past most of us might never have heard about).



Gloria Pall aka “Voluptua, the Goddess of Love,” would step into your tv set in her gold lame’ evening gown speaking seductively and directly to you. Her set was a lavish “loving room” adorned with silks, furs, cushions, a heart-shaped chandelier, and even a mink-covered telephone that cooed “Voluptua… Voluptua…” instead of ringing. She would read excerpts from a large heart-shaped Book of Secrets containing experiences of legendary lovers throughout history as well as how women such as Cleopatra, Helen of Troy, and Madame DuBarry seduced their men. It was a provocative counter-concept to the widely popular Vampira Show of the time.


(Credit LIFE via http://www.scpr.org) Voluptua changes in front of the camera.




Sadly, the show was canceled after a seven-week run for literally being “too hot for tv.” Religious groups and housewives petitioned and threatened to protest unless Voluptua was canceled. Despite the failure of the show, Gloria continued to pursue her career in the modeling and entertainment industries and created many successes for herself.

I was intrigued by her story, and lucky for us, she was kind and gracious to accept a short interview. I’d like to introduce you to our July Goddess of the Month (which appropriately happens to be her birth month!), the lovely Gloria Pall.



Nuala: In regards to the abrupt cancellation of Voluptua, how did you feel about that then, and how do you feel about it looking back today?



I was very upset when they canceled such a popular show! I appeared in Life Mag and Playboy at the time.

N: Is there anything in regards to the show that you would have done differently?

It was a tongue in cheek idea. All in fun, double entendre.

N: You’ve done quite a lot in your life: met and worked with icons such as Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, Kirk Douglas among others. Is there a particular moment or memory that stands out to you as your favorite?

Yes, when Kirk whispered what he was going to do to me after the movie. The cameras were rolling and they didn’t hear his whispers. However he made me blush and being a technicolor movie it would have shown up on screen.

N: (Wow, I can imagine!) What was it like to be a woman in Hollywood back then?

Well, every audition was a beauty contest. Everyone wanted to be discovered.

N: Your pinup work is iconic and beautiful. What advice do you offer to those who look up to you?

My advice to all the great beauties that come here from all over the world is: Don’t smoke, drink, swear, or do drugs. Also forget about the all night parties. Beauty fades fast and when you lose your good looks some sweet young thing from Iowa or someplace far away can readily take your place.

N: You are an idol to many people, but who is the Goddess in your life?

Personally, one of the great sex symbols of our time was Mae West. She had her own style and was very funny. I was the 1st Love Goddess on TV.

N: Any crazy stories from shooting as a pinup?

One time in the early 50′s silent movie star Harold Lloyd who became a 3D shutterbug had me pose at his multi-million dollar estate in Beverly Hills. After an hour or so, I asked him for a glass of cold water because I felt faint in the 100 plus heat. He handed me a hose, turned it on and it scalded my mouth. When I was finished shooting he didn’t even offer to pay me. He said I should pay him…HA HA!

N: What is “sexy” to you?

Suggestive poses are more sexy than raw, corny porny poses.

N: Do you have any regrets?

Yes, George Reeves who was Superman wanted me to go to a premier with him at the Egyptian theater in Hollywood. The powers that be wanted to keep me “under wraps” at the studio. I had a 7-year contract and I guess they owned me. I would have loved to have gone.

N: Do you have any other words to your fans?

Well it’s easy to say “Live your dreams” I was trying to. I created the show, although I never got screen credit. And sometimes it’s hard to get up when you get knocked down. The week I was fired, I was both in Playboy Feb’55 with 5 pages and 3 pages in LIFE Jan 31,1955 with Spencer Tracy on the cover.



N: Any projects or upcoming events you’d like to mention?

Well I keep getting invited to Graceland every year. I played a Burlesque Queen in Jailhouse Rock. There’s a famous photo of my legs with Elvis looking up at me. It’s world famous. The trip overwhelms me. Over 200,00 people show up, tremendous heatwave there, and the Airport scene is too much to cope with. It’s beyond me to cope with. I’m a homebody. I have done my world traveling in my 20′s.

***

Thank you so much, Ms. Pall for your time, your beautiful photos, and for being our Love Goddess for July. We wish you a very happy birthday! xx

You can read more about Gloria Pall and purchase her books at her website: http://www.gloriapall.com

This entry was posted on Friday, July 1st, 2011 at 11:59 am. It is filed under Goddess of the Month and tagged with Goddess, Goddess of the Month, Pin Up, Thank you, The House. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed on The House of Goddess website.