Bernadine Hayes; ‘Queen of Radio’ Did Films as Well
Bernadine Hayes, a former “Queen of Radio” who broke into films as a $10-a-day extra and went on to portray a series of vixens and “other women” in more than 20 motion pictures, has died.
She was 75 and died at her Los Angeles home of heart problems.
Chosen the most beautiful woman in radio in 1931, Miss Hayes came to Los Angeles from Chicago as a band vocalist at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. After several years of singing and extra work in films, she landed a role in “Absolute Quiet” in 1936.
Until her retirement in 1949, she had been seen in such films as “Idiot’s Delight” opposite Clark Gable and “Living in a Big Way” with Gene Kelly. Other feature credits include “This Gun for Hire,” “Great Guy,” “The Emperor’s Candlesticks,” “King of Chinatown” and “Woman in the Night.”
She also appeared occasionally in local stage productions.
Her survivors include a daughter, Madrine, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
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