Charmayne Smith

Charmayne Smith King is a former Miss Dallas, Miss Texas and in 1939 a semi-finalist in Miss America.^[1][2]

She became interested in Dramatic acting at the age of five years, by the age of 10 she was modeling professionally. After placing as a semi-finalist in the Miss America contest she went to work for MGM Studios in New York. Later, while studying dramatics at the University of Texas and S.M.U., she began doing soap box operas for a recording company and emceed live radio shows. During that time she received the honorary title of Colonel in the United States Army. Shirley Temple was the only other woman so honored before honorary titles were cancelled.

After World War II, Charmayne went to Tokyo as Theatrical Director of the Soldier Show Program. Here she worked with a staff of five professional theatrical technicians to produce legitimate theater and musicals on one of the largest stages at the Ernie Pyle Theater (since burned down). During these five years in Japan, Charmayne also served as Music Director for American Armed Forces Radio Service. Among other duties, she wrote, directed and produced a daily radio program and broadcast from Tokyo Rose's former studio.

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