Marlene Cameron

Born Marlene Blatz in Brooklyn/Queens, New York. Mother and father were entertainers. Her father, John Blatz, was a trumpet player who appeared in the road company of "Broadway" with Lee Tracy in the 20s. Mother, Marion Cameron Blatz, was a George White Scandals "pony showgirl." She also worked at the Cotton Club in Harlem, New York, as a cigarette and hat check girl. By the age of two and a half Marlene was being trained as a dancer and singer. She made her debut at the age of three singing and dancing in a group called "The Cheer Givers Club." She became a paid performer at this time. This group was organized and managed by a woman named Essie Herman, a Bronxite. At age four and five Marlene performed in small clubs in and around the New York City area that were arranged by Essie Herman. About this time Marlene performed at Sing Sing prison, twice! Marlene's mother continued to train her to read so by age six she was reading cold scripts with the help of other trainers her mother f