Laurie Mitchell

A prime pin up attraction ("Miss Body Beautiful", "Miss Bronx"), auburn-haired Mickey Koren was raised in the East Bronx and began her career as a juvenile model. She moved with her family to California while still in her teens. After attending classes at the Ben Bard Drama academy in Hollywood, Laurie appeared in stage productions in southern California (then using the name Barbara White, following a marriage to trumpet player and magician Larry White). Having segued into motion pictures -- beginning with a bit part as a good time girl in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)] -- she languished for several years near the bottom of the bill in second features, alternating with marginally better guest spots on TV in anthology dramas and westerns. Though usually typecast as 'saloon girls' in often stilted fare, she later recalled "... they were crappy pictures, but I loved it. It was a great, great experience." A co-starring role in a minor musical comedy aimed at the youth market (Calypso