Actress. Singer. Born Priscilla Mullican, the youngest of four sisters in Indianola, Iowa. She attended the Feagin School of Dramatic Arts in New York City before joining her sisters in a singing act with Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians. The sisters toured with the band for five years. She then signed a contract with Warner Brothers in 1937 and made her first film, 'Varsity Show,' that same year. She teamed with her sisters, Rosemary Lane and Lola Lane, to make the hit 'Four Daughters' in 1938. In 1939, while under consideration for the role of Melanie Wilkes in 'Gone With the Wind,' she co-starred in 'The Roaring Twenties' with James Cagney. She was suspended several times by Jack Warner for refusing to take roles she regarded as poor. She was finally cast in Alfred Hitchcock's 'Saboteur' in 1942 and, in perhaps her most recognizable role, in 'Arsenic and Old Lace' opposite Cary Grant in 1944. She appeared in only two more films, 'Fun on a Weekend' in 1947 and 'Bodyguard' in 1948 before retiring from film work. Following her retirement, she accompanied her husband, Colonel Joseph A. Howard, USAF, around from the world from base to base, often singing at camp shows. The couple eventually settled in New England and had four children. Priscilla made a brief comeback in 1958 as host of 'The Priscilla Lane Show' on Boston television. She died from in Andover, Massachusetts, at the age of 79. She was buried in Arlington National Cemetery next to her husband.
Actress. Singer. Born Priscilla Mullican, the youngest of four sisters in Indianola, Iowa. She attended the Feagin School of Dramatic Arts in New York City before joining her sisters in a singing act with Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians. The sisters toured with the band for five years. She then signed a contract with Warner Brothers in 1937 and made her first film, 'Varsity Show,' that same year. She teamed with her sisters, Rosemary Lane and Lola Lane, to make the hit 'Four Daughters' in 1938. In 1939, while under consideration for the role of Melanie Wilkes in 'Gone With the Wind,' she co-starred in 'The Roaring Twenties' with James Cagney. She was suspended several times by Jack Warner for refusing to take roles she regarded as poor. She was finally cast in Alfred Hitchcock's 'Saboteur' in 1942 and, in perhaps her most recognizable role, in 'Arsenic and Old Lace' opposite Cary Grant in 1944. She appeared in only two more films, 'Fun on a Weekend' in 1947 and 'Bodyguard' in 1948 before retiring from film work. Following her retirement, she accompanied her husband, Colonel Joseph A. Howard, USAF, around from the world from base to base, often singing at camp shows. The couple eventually settled in New England and had four children. Priscilla made a brief comeback in 1958 as host of 'The Priscilla Lane Show' on Boston television. She died from in Andover, Massachusetts, at the age of 79. She was buried in Arlington National Cemetery next to her husband.
Bio by: Iola
Inscription
HIS WIFE
Family Members
Advertisement
See more Lane memorials in:
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
