"LAKELAND'S STAR" SINGER/ACTRESS LANGFORD DIES

Saddened to hear of the passing of a wonderful singer/actress from the World War II era, Frances Langford, at her Jensen Beach home. She was 92 years young.

Ms. Langford, who was actually born in Hernando in Citrus County in 1913 as Frances Newbern, moved to Lakeland and attended Lakeland High School beginning in 1928. She was discovered by bandleader/singer Rudy Vallee when he was in Florida for a performance and heard her sing on a Tampa radio broadcast, and enjoyed a career that spanned radio, records, and movies from the 1930s to the 1950s. Among her best known roles were opposite Don Ameche on the popular radio comedy "The Bickersons", and she is likely best known for her rendition of the song "I'm In The Mood For Love", which was writter for her when she appeared in the 1935 movie "Every Night At Eight".

She was also among the most popular performers on Bob Hope's USO tours of military bases and hospitals for many years during World War II and the conflicts in Korea and Vietnam.

The Lakeland Ledger features this article which looks at Ms. Langford's career and life.