Betty York, A Mini Bio |
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| Written by: Betty York, Florida, USA | Date: 14.03.2016 |
 John
and Betty in Dayton, Ohio, May 1997 for the "Cinerama Holiday" reunion
party. Picture by Thomas HauerslevI felt a little left out [from the California Zephyr story] for it seemed I did nothing of note after the movie which is far from the truth. • Go to The Thrill of a Lifetime - A Diary from the set of "Cinerama Holiday" by Betty York When we [Johnny and I] separated I went to NY and successfully broke into photographic modelling and TV commercials, making good use of my SAG (film) membership which unions required. I also did freelance greeting card designs, building on the years I spent as a designer with the Hallmark Card Company in Kansas City. I met my next husband Van McNeel on a blind date in New York where we eventually were married and I moved to Atlanta where Van was living and that is where our son was born. Every city I lived in I always modeled and did card designs, most notably exclusive Christmas Card designs for Bergdorf Goodman which were always advertised in the Sunday New York Times as well as California Artists. According to the BG Stationery Manager my cards were always in demand by the ladies who lived on Fifth Avenue and Park Avenue and as he put it "owned fine art". I lived in Clearwater, Florida for a number of years and was the Producer and co-host of the brand new ABC TV affiliate. Then I became the Fashion Coordinator for the finest Department Store in the ST. Petersburg Tampa Clearwater area, an Allied Stores affiliate which is now owned by Macy's. I moved to San Francisco around 1969, did several short term marketing positions while still doing photographic modelling and eventually joined Holiday Inns in SF in their sales offices, and worked my way up to being Director of Sales and Marketing for the Holiday Inn on Fisherman's Wharf, the biggest money maker for the firm in those years. My specialization was the Tour and Travel markets and I was fortunate to travel for many years internationally in that position. I took early retirement in 1992 and eventually moved to Sarasota, Florida where I have very happily lived ever since. Since retiring I resumed painting in oils and watercolor and I have made many painting trips with art groups and instructors to Italy and Provence. Many people have collected my paintings until they had no more space. I do freelance work as an Interior Designer, a field I love. For 17 years I have been on the Board of the Sarasota Opera Guild, a volunteer arm of the Sarasota Opera Association with several different positions. I tried to retire last year but they named me Director Of Public Relations and I am now back on the Board. I have not been idle since "Cinerama Holiday", but do credit that film for giving me a taste of what lay beyond the border of Kansas City. |
More in 70mm reading: The Thrill of a Lifetime - A Diary from the set of "Cinerama Holiday" California Zephyr and Cinerama Holiday Flicker Alley presents "CINERAMA HOLIDAY" in70mm.com's Cinerama page Cinerama Remaster Internet link: |
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