When Betty Grable was featured in Life magazine on June 7, 1943, she shared headline status with another entity: her own legs, which the magazine called "Hollywood's major landmark." In February last year, the marks on her legs were immortalized in the cement in front of the Grauman Chinese Theatre, and her limbs were reportedly insured for $1 million at one point.
In fact, almost all of the published photographic articles are legs. The actress's face appears only in one of the 14 photos that accompany the story.
And, while Grabl was well aware that her legs helped her make a name for herself, the LIFE profile hinted that even in 1943, shrinking a woman to a part of her body — rather than her brain — could behave in the wrong way. As the magazine reported, her first job in Hollywood was simply posing for promotional stills or standing up as a leg extra. Her breakthrough into starring roles was delayed as her studio focused on her lower-half exterior. She maintains a humorous and pragmatic attitude towards the whole thing.
"They (the legs) are good enough to push the pedals in my car," Grable told LIFE.
Betty worked on set
Relax your legs. Betty is athletic, but she doesn't have to do special exercises or massages to stay in shape
Betty Grabble, 1943.
Betty applied cold cream to life photographer Walter Sanders as she prepared for her photo in the studio.
Betty poses for still shots on studio beach. She has produced more leg art stills than any other actress
On the morning trip to the studio, Betty stepped out of the sports car.
In her dressing room at 20th Century Fox Studios, Betty put on black mesh stockings and shot a scene featuring her legs.
Betty Grabble, 1943.
For the course of a day, Betty walked on her legs, climbed stairs, and danced. Here, when she was ready to take a shower at home in the morning, her legs were exposed.
Betty Graber's legs