• LIFE

Betty Grable Was Famous For Her Legs. Here’s What She Thought About That

2 minute read

When Betty Grable was profiled in the June 7, 1943, issue of LIFE, she shared headline status with another entity: her own legs, which the magazine dubbed a “major Hollywood landmark.” The previous February, an impression of her leg had been immortalized in the cement in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theater, and the limbs were reportedly insured for $1 million at one point.

In fact, the published photo essay was nearly all legs. The face of the actress—who was born 100 years ago this weekend, on Dec. 18, 1916—is seen in only one of the 14 pictures that accompany the story. Here, Grable’s face has been restored to several of them.

And, while Grable clearly knew that her legs had helped make her famous, the LIFE profile hints that even in 1943 the reduction of a woman to one body part—and not her brain—could rub the wrong way. As the magazine reported, her first jobs in Hollywood had involved merely posing for publicity stills or standing in as a leggy extra. Her breakthrough into starring roles was delayed by her studio’s focus on her lower-half looks. And she maintained a humorously pragmatic attitude about the whole thing.

“They are fine for pushing the foot pedals in my car,” Grable told LIFE.

Grable—whose pinup image was recently named one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential Photographs of All Time for its prominent place in the hearts of America’s enlisted men during World War II—died in 1973.

Betty Grable's Hollywood landmark legs, 1943.
Caption from LIFE. The legs at work on the set. They are clad in this costume in Betty's latest screen appearance, Coney Island, a picture which dwells on them at considerable length.Walter Sanders—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Betty Grable's Hollywood landmark legs, 1943.
Caption from LIFE. The legs relaxing. Betty is athletic, but she does not have to take special exercises or massages to keep her figure shaply.Walter Sanders—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Betty Grable's Hollywood landmark legs, 1943.
Betty Grable's Legs.Walter Sanders—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Betty Grable's Hollywood landmark legs, 1943.
Betty Grable getting cold cream applied to her legs by LIFE photographer Walter Sanders as he prepares her for a photo session at studio.Walter Sanders—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Betty Grable's Hollywood landmark legs, 1943.
Caption from LIFE. Betty poses the legs for a still shot on a studio beach set. She has made more such leg art stills than any other actress. Walter Sanders—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Betty Grable's Hollywood landmark legs, 1943.
Caption from LIFE. Going to studio in the morning, Betty steps into roadster. Once asked to comment on her hips, well displayed here, she said, "They're just where my legs hook on." Walter Sanders—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Betty Grable's Hollywood landmark legs, 1943.
Caption from LIFE. In her dressing room at 20th Century-Fox studios Betty pulls on black mesh stockings for a scene that will feature the legs.Walter Sanders—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Betty Grable's Hollywood landmark legs, 1943.
Betty Grable modeling a one-piece bathing suit while showing off her famous legs.Walter Sanders—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Betty Grable's Hollywood landmark legs, 1943.
Caption from LIFE. In the course of a day Betty's legs walk, climb stairs, dance and are generally flexed like other legs. Here the legs are shown as she prepares morning shower at home.Walter Sanders—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Betty Grable's Hollywood landmark legs, 1943.
Caption from LIFE. Impression of Betty's leg made in court of Grauman's Chinese Theater. "Thanks Sid" is addressed to Mr. Grauman.Walter Sanders—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Betty Grable's Hollywood landmark legs, 1943.
Caption from LIFE. Betty models a coat of her own design which features decorations of Army corps and rank insignia. Betty is one of the biggest pin-up favorites of servicemen everywhere.Walter Sanders—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

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Write to Lily Rothman at lily.rothman@time.com