June Preston (born December 29, 1928 -) is an American Hollywood child star who went on to become one of the most notable and famous opera singers of her time. Preston made her debut at the tender age of 24 with The Metropolitan Opera "Stars of the Metropolitan Opera" tour in 1952 with the lead roll of Mimi in La Bohème opposite Metropolitan star, Jan Peerce as Adolfo. Preston was born in Glendale, California. She made her screen debut at age 4 after being spotted on the [film studio] lot and landed her first role as Mrs. Blewett's Daughter in Anne of Green Gables, and went on to do many movies including Christmas in July, Second Chorus, The Strawberry Blonde, Maytime, History Is Made at Night, Have a Heart, and guest starring in many Our Gang Follies comedies followed by signing on with major merchandising contracts for the then famous June Preston doll, apparel lines including June Preston Frocks, JP Fairy Tale Frocks, suites, hats, shoes and toys, paint sets, paper cut out books, and more. Film career: June Preston had paid a visit to the studio where an executive saw her and called for an immediate screen test, which resulted in a long-term 5-year contract at RKO Film Studios, which was unique and unheard of for a newcomer in Hollywood, then at age 9 she entered another contract with RKO for another 7 years. Her first film role was at age 4 as Mrs. Blewett's Daughter in the RKO Film Anne of Green Gables. Preston acted, sang, and danced. She quickly gained popularity and went on to work under contract with Universal Studios, Warner Bros., 20th Century Fox, MGM, Republic Pictures, Paramount Pictures, and Columbia followed by various merchandising contracts such as the "June Preston Frocks" apparel lines and the famous "June Preston Doll". She was considered to be one of the "Big Pay Babes" in Hollywood alongside Shirley Temple and Virginia Weidler. She was known for her Golden curls, cherub like features and charismatic nature. Preston was considered "One of the most beautiful children every seen in films." Meglin Kiddies: June Preston was also one of the prestigious Meglin Kiddies. She joined in 1934 and was a favorite of Neil Albright, Manager/Owner of the Meglin Dance Studio in Beverly Hills and Santa Monica who signed Preston on and said, "She is expected to develop her into a brilliant child star, under The Meglin artistic training." And she did... in addition to her movie contracts, June Preston had featured parts in numerous Meglin Kiddie short films, radio shows, Our Gang shorts and Our Gang Follies movies featuring Meglin Kiddies. Preston also performed at multiple Hollywood theaters singing and dancing and was a regular at the historic Wadsworth Theatre. Other child stars to come out of The Meglin Dance Studios were Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney, Shirley Temple, Virginia Grey, Jane Withers, Ann Miller, and several of the Our Gang child stars. Merchandising: After signing with RKO, she quickly achieved international fame and signed with various manufacturers including the then famous Edward D. Schuwall Clothing Firm in New York, who established their apparel line bearing the name "June Preston Frock" RKO Film Star by JP Loomcraft, better known now as Fruit of the Loom and "Dixie Swirl" dresses. Other manufacturers included were Edward Shuwall & Co., Blossom Infants Coat Co. Inc., H & S Sportswear, I. Schneierson & Son Co. and many more. Her apparel lines included the favored June Preston Frocks, JP Dixie Dresses, JP Sheer Frocks, and in 1944 the debut of the hugely popular JP Fairy Tale Frocks, as well as undergarments, swimsuits, snowsuits, coats, shoes, purses, hats, gloves, and handkerchiefs all sold worldwide. In addition to her apparel lines, other merchandising contracts with her likeness and name included the famous "June Preston Doll", paint sets, phonographs, movie star cut outs magazine, paper dolls, and an assortment of toys, trading cards, post cards and collector series of autographed photos, which all combined sold millions worldwide. Publicity: June Preston and Shirley Temple were similar in style. Shirley Temple was one year older than June Preston and even though they were contracted to separate film studios, they both were often billed together for singing and dancing appearances to publicity autograph events for their own apparel lines and other merchandise. Despite being friends in real life the two girls were often publicized from the very beginning as "Rivals" by the studios and trade publications, which made things difficult for June Preston professionally. It was known that Shirley Temple's mother insisted that June Preston not be present at the studio when Shirley was working on a film and Shirley was not on a lot while June Preston was working on a film. At age 9 Preston signed another long-term 7 year contract with RKO Film Studio and continued in films until the mid 1940's. Opera: After her film career June Preston went on to become a world famous opera singer. She was always known to have interest in the classics early on and at age 14, Preston was already memorizing opera scores while still in the movie industry. Upon leaving the movie industry Preston moved to Seattle, Washington with her parents and began studying with a vocal coach in their home. June Preston's producer/conductor was Gustavo Stern. Stern heard her vocalizing through a window as he was passing by her home and immediately knocked on the door and said she had tremendous talent and asked if he could have the honor to coach her, she was 16 at the time and he coached her for several years throughout her college years at the University of Washington. Within this time period, Preston performed with the Seattle Civic Light Opera Company with which Stern conducted several operettas featuring Preston, such as Camille in The Merry Widow, Marietta in Naughty Marietta. At age 20, Preston was sponsored by Coca Cola and she began touring Central and South America performing in top Opera Houses such as, the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires which has near-perfect acoustics, Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica, Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City, Teatro Municipal in Santiago, Chile, Teatro Municipal, Rio de Janeiro, Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona. As well as performing recitals for Kings, Presidents, and Diplomats. There were several US Embassy galas in honor of June Preston throughout Central and South America where she also performed as the featured guest. Preston was considered the "Established favorite in the lyric theaters in Central and South America." In 1960 Preston returned to the US and made her debut at the St. Louis Symphony Hall as a guest star under the baton of Leopold Stokowski as the feature singer for the thrilling last movement finale of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. Other guest stars included, Isaac Stern, Leonard Bernstein, Leslie Chabay and Jean Madeira. Preston continued under the baton of Leopold Stokowski with St. Louis Orchestra and New York Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra performing at Carnegie Hall and other venues until 1962 when she began her European recital and concert tour. Preston debut at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, and thereafter touring throughout Europe performing in the most prestigious Opera Houses in Europe such as Palais Garnier, Teatro alla Scala, Gran Teatre del Liceu, Gran Teatre del Liceu, Teatro Nacional de São Carlos, and many more. The majority of Preston's performances were overseas. Walter Winchell was feared by many, he could make you or break you in the entertainment world, but he had great admiration for June Preston and followed her career early on. She was mostly performing abroad but Winchell still would find the time to drop her a line from time to time. Winchell was a huge fan and always wrote fondly of her in his column. In 1962 while on her European tour, Preston met her future husband at the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie in Bruxelles, Belgium where she was performing a solo recital with pianist Stranton Carter. Prior to the performance that evening, she arrived with her accompanist for rehearsal but the page turner did not arrive, then in her words, "A handsome man came up to her and offered to turn the pages." This man was the famous Belgian concert violinist Saul Hoüben. He was rehearsing earlier that day for an upcoming performance of his own and "came to her rescue". Saul Hoüben, was a favorite of Queen Elizabeth of Belgium who had been following his progress since he was a child and later presented him with an award for excellence in 1955. He was considered a child prodigy performing his first concerto at age 4. Saul Hoüben and Yehudi Menuhin became childhood friends when the Menuhin's moved to Paris and Menuhin studied in Belgium. Hoüben and Menuhin studied together for several years and remained friends long after that. In 1964, upon Preston's return to the States, Preston continued to perform under the baton of Leopold Stokowski at Carnegie Hall and with the St. Louis Symphony and the New York Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra with high praises for her passionate performances, it was common that people were so taken by her concert performances that at the finale, there was a long pause prior to applause because the audience was completely mesmerized. Repertoire (Role and "Opera"): Carmen, "Carmen", Mercédès, "Carmen", Mimi, "La bohème", Floria Tosca, "Tosca", Violetta, Valéry, "La Traviata", Cio-Cio-san, "Madame Butterfly", Lulu, "Turandot, Aida, "Aida", Salome, "Salome", Berta, "The Barber of Seville", Desdemona, "Otello", Octavian Count Rofrano, "Der Rosenkavalier", Gilda, "Rigoletto", Suzel, "L'amico", Adele, "Die Fledermaus", Marguerite, "Faust", Margherita, "Mefistofele", Camille, "The Merry Widow", Cunegonde, "Candide", Countess Rosina Almaviva, "The Marriage of Figaro", Charlotte, "Werther", Clara, "Porgy and Bess". Preston favored recitals above all, and was also particularly well known for her concert recitals ranging from Beethoven, Mozart, Bach, Brahms to Puccini and Strauss. Marriage: Preston married concert violinist, Saul Hoüben and they had a child at which point Preston semi-retired. Preston said, "She did not want to put her child through the demanding life that comes with constant touring." Preston wanted to take care of her child and be there for her because she" knew what it was like growing up in the film industry and did not want her child to go through the hardship of being taken care by others instead of ones own parents." In 1982 Preston's husband, Saul Hoüben passed away. Preston continued to performed various concert recitals for benefits and friends, but did not want to return into the circuit and officially retired in 1990. Induction: In 1989, Preston was inducted into the West Seattle High School Hall of Fame for her Film and Opera career. In 1994, Preston came out of retirement for a farewell concert performance in Seattle, WA where it all began, which included an aria "Lamento" specifically written for her by her long time friend Writer/Composer Martin Kalmanoff. Preston never remarried and now lives with her daughter, Sabrina and her husband. Preston says, "She has no regrets, and would do it all over again exactly the same way." - IMDb Mini Biography By: S.J. Preston
