I discovered NewspaperArchive.com in September 2004. It is an online service providing access to millions of newpaper pages from hundreds of newpapers. I subscribed with little hesitation and began an exhaustive, year by year, search for "Barbara Hale." A total 5,770 matches were found. Of course, some of these matches were not our Barbara Hale. And many were simple movie ads or TV listings. Sorting out the meaninful stories about Barbara took about eight weeks. I looked at many hundreds of pages. In the end, I found useful stories or pictures on about 268 pages. Because of licensing rules, the material can't be directly posted here. Below are descriptions of some of the early items found.

The number of matches found by year provides an index to Barbara's popularity. Since I love charts, I made one. See it here. Use back to return. Movie ads had the most effect in the 40s and 50s. Television listings came in the 60s. Perry Mason reruns in cities across the country show up through the 70s. There's a small spike in 1985 when Perry Mason returned and a larger one in 1993 when Raymond Burr died.

As of January 2005, the Newpaper Archive has added about 600 new matches.

1942

1942-04-16 Progress Review (La Porte City, Iowa)
An ad for a search-contest to find the "midwest's V-Girl" sponsored by "Vitamin Enriched Omar Wonder Flour" features full-length picture of Barbara.

1942-07-01 The Iowa Recorder (Greene, Iowa)
An ad announcing the winner of the "The Midwest Omar V-Girl" contest. Listed as one of the" Judges in the finals" is "Miss Barbara Hale, Omar V-Girl model."

1943

1943-05-01 Nevada State Journal (Reno, Nevada)
Walter Winchell, in his Winchell On Broadway column, reports that "Dennis Day and Barbara Hale are a serious combine."

1943-05-26 Syracuse Herald-Journal (Syracuse, New York)
June Brides Trousseau With Tailored Suit is a photo feature wherein "Barbara Hale of the cinema models three costumes."

1943-07-21 Reporter (Nashua, Iowa)
A photo of Barbara titled Harvest Queen. Caption: "Prize onions and turnips from the Victory gardens of residents of Beverly Hills, Calif., are displayed by Barbara Hale shortly after she was named queen of a harvest show there."

1943-08-17 Edwardsville Intelligencer (Edwardsville, Illinois)
She'll Swoon is a full-length leggy-photo of Barbara in a bathing suit. Caption: "Envy of a million girls is Barbara Hale, one-time Chicago model, who will play Frank Sinatra's sweetheart in a forthcoming musical."

1943-10-07 Indiana Evening Gazette (Indiana, Pennsylvania)
Erskine Johnson, in his Hollywood News column, mentions Barbara's "debut as Frank Sinatra's girl friend in 'Higher and Higher'" and says "Her next role will be opposite George Sanders in 'International Zone'..."

1944

1944-01-16 Nebraska State Journal (Lincoln, Nebraska)
A photo of Frank Sinatra kissing a smiling Barbara on the cheek. The caption points out that Barbara is an "ex-Chicago model."

1944-03-27 Independent Record (Helena, Montana)
Erskine Johnson, in his In Hollywood column, mentions that Barbara "went home from the set of the new Fibber McGee and Molly picture with the mumps the other day and everyone has been holding their breath to learn whether they've been exposed."

1944-04-23 Council Bluffs Nonpareil (Council Bluffs, Iowa)
Strand Beauties is a captioned photo of Barbara and seven other girls that appear in the Kay Kyser musical film Around the World.

1944-05-17 Zanesville Signal (Zanesville, Ohio)
Walter Winchell, in his On Broadway column, reports that "Dennis Day is courting Barbara Hale."

1944-10-28 Lima News (Lima, Ohio)
A photo of Barbara and two other girls from Around the World. The caption notes that the film "opens Saturday midnight at the Lyric theater."

1944-11-13 Gazette and Bulletin (Williamsport, Pennsylvania)
Spirit of Sixth Loan photo. Caption: "Actress Barbara Hale (above) of the films gets into the spirit of the Sixth War Loan drive with this new fall outfit featuring the numeral '6' as its decorative motif."

1945

1945-03-28 Nevada State Journal (Reno, Nevada)
Jimmie Fidler, in his column Fidler in Hollywood, says "Altar-bound: RKO's Bill Williams and Barbara Hale.

1945-09-18 Herald Press (St. Joseph, Michigan)
Early Bird is a full-length photo of Barbara in a very short skirt carrying and armful of packages. Caption: "Christmas may seem quite a long way off to many, but here's Barbara Hale, Hollywood starlet, to remind you that there are many Yanks in far-away spots and getting those precious packages on their way is important."

1945-09-22 Walla Walla Union-Bulletin (Walla Walla, Washington)
The News of the Day in Pictures feature includes one of Barbara, seen waist-up in a coat, mailing a yuletide gift early.

1946

1946-01-15 Monessen Daily Independent (Monessen, Pennsylvania)
In Mint Condition is a full-length photo of Barbara in a two-piece bathing suit that is covered with coins. With caption.

1946-01-16 Maryville Daily Forum (Maryville, Missouri)
Another full-length photo (untitled) of Barbara in the coin-decorated bathing suit. Caption: "For Looks Only-- And Why Not? There have been quite a few unusual bathing suits photographed on Hollywood cuties, but tops in swim wear is that worn by Barbara Hale in RKO's 'Lady Luck.' Decorated with dozens of coins sent to Miss Hale from servicemen all over the world, the suit is for wear in the picture, but not in the water. --NEA Photo." [Note: There was a similar suit in the film without the coins.]

1946-01-26 Walla Walla Union-Bulletin (Walla Walla, Washington)
A photo of Barbara, seated, in a two-piece bathing suit. Caption: "Swim Girl --Film Actress Barbara Hale appears all set to jump into the surf in her new bathing suit.

1946-03-11 Waterloo Daily Courier (Waterloo, Iowa)
Louella Parsons comments in an article that Barbara Hale and Bill Williams attended the party after the Academy Awards at the Mocambo as part of the "RKO contingent."

1946-03-17 Coshocton News (Coshocton, Ohio),
A large article, by Victor Gunson, titled Barbara Hale Is Now In Stardom After 3 Years. It is on the front page of the "Stage, Screen, Radio" section. Barbara is shown in two pictures: A head-shot and a large one with Robert Young outside her portable dressing room. The piece describes Barbara's current situation and career in some detail. It notes that she has "attained full fledged stardom." That "one of filmland's most likeable young men, Bill Williams," is devoted to her. That she and he "are co-starring together in a comedy, 'A Likely Story.'" That she is preparing to celebrate her 24th birthday on April 18. That, although they aren't talking, she and Bill are likely to be married before her next birthday. That she "lived in the Hollywood Studio Club until a month ago" and is now "getting her first experience as a homemaker in her new house" in the San Fernando valley. That she "bought the kind of house she would have liked to have if she had never left her home town of Rockford, Ill., to become a movie star." That the house has six rooms and a "small yard with a doll house." That "the house is to be repainted a rich French gray with blue trim." That she is "just acquiring drapes and furniture." That, "at first she slept on the floor on a mattress borrowed from a friend." That she is in no hurry and intends to make this house into a home. That her "sketching talents -- she studied commercial art in Chicago -- are being put to good use in furnishing and decorating her home and laying out her small garden." That she never "intended to be an actress." That she dabbled in amateur acting while attending Rockford High School. That, "immediately upon graduation she entered the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts" and that, after two years there, a life changing incident occurred. "Barbara was standing on a Chicago corner waiting for a street car when she was handed a card from a passing automobile. It read: 'Come and see us. Al and Connie Seaman -- Chicago Models Bureau.'" She did and soon became one of "Chicago's top models." That, a few weeks later, "a talent scout, on his way to Hollywood from New York, stopped off" to see her. That two weeks later, "with a contract in her pocket, she was on her way to Hollywood." That, "within 24 hours, she was in her first picture, with Hal Peary, 'Gildersleeve's Bad Day.'" That her bosses "gave her full startdom when she played opposite Robert Young in 'Lady Luck.'" That they also gave her a "beautifully appointed portable dressing room with her name on the door." That "she expects to be finished with her co-starrer [A Likely Story] with Boy Friend Bill Williams before her birthday rolls around."

1946-03-21 Lethbridge Herald (Lethbridge, Alberta)
A picture of "RKO Star" Barbara is featured in an ad for Max Factor Hollywood Color Harmony Make-Up.

1946-03-22 Walla Walla Union-Bulletin (Walla Walla, Washiongton)
The In Hollywood (no byline) column discusses calendar-artist Zoe Mozart's [info here] opinions of Hollywood "art models." For the article, she has graded the top Hollywood glamour girls for their figures. At the top, with 100 points, are Ida Lupino, Jeanne Crain, Mary Anderson and Peggy Knudsen. At the bottom, with 50 points, isVeronica Lake. Barbara got 60 points. [A tough grader!]

1946-04-12 Joplin Globe (Joplin. Missouri)
Jimmie Fidler, in his column Jimmie Fidler In Hollywood, says "Bill Williams and Barbara Hale have set their altar date for mid-June; RKO has soothed the groom-to-be's financial worries with a big pay boost."

1946-05-03 Joplin Globe (Joplin. Missouri)
An ad featuring a full-length photo of Barbara modeling the Cruiser Combo, a two-piece sun suit (?) by Koret of California. The price: $7.98.

1946-05-10 Walla Walla Union-Bulletin (Walla Walla, Washington)
The In Hollywood (no byline) column says "Friends insist that Barbara Hale and Bill Williams have marked down Jun 18 as their probable wedding date. They're not talking."

1946-06-05 Edwardsville Intelligencer (Edwardsville, Illinois)
Film Couple To Wed At Rockford, Ill. (Hollywood, June 5) "Barbara Hale and Bill Williams will fly Friday [June 7] to Rockford, Ill., her hometown, to be married in a little stone church where many of her girlhood chums were wed, they disclosed today." "After the wedding, they will have a motor honeymoon, including a trip to Niagara Falls, and a visit to Louisiana to spend a few days with one of Miss Hale's friends." "The exact time of the wedding has not been set." "For the past weeks, the two have been fixing up a honeymood cottage here."

1946-06-06 Waterloo Daily Courier (Waterloo, Iowa)
A column by Dorothy Manners says that Barbara "wants and old-fashioned wedding with all the trimmings" and that Renie, an RKO costume designer, has "already designed her wedding gown, 'a white cloud with seed pearls' in the 1860 period."

1946-06-14 Waterloo Daily Courier (Waterloo, Iowa)
A column by Dorothy Manners says that Barbara "returns from her honeymoon" to go into the film Trail Street with "Randy Scott at RKO." It also says that Barbara and Bill have "landed a brand new car and will honeymoon through Virginia, New York, Niagara Falls, Yellowstone Park and other romantic spots before returning to Hollywood."

1946-06-16 Joplin Globe (Joplin, Missouri)
Jimmie Fidler, in his column Jimmie Fidler In Hollywood, says "By premarital agreement, Barbara Hale, soon to wed Bill Wiliams, will buy the house; he'll buy the furniture, the family car and a sailing boat."

1946-06-24 Bradford Era (Bradford, Pennsylvania)
Harrison Carroll, in his column Behind the Scenes in Hollywood, writes that "Barbara Hale and Bill Williams are going to be heartbroken. RKO is summoning Barbara back here July 12 to start 'Trail Street.'" He says that this will cut their long honeymoon to about a week but that Barbara can expect some surprises when she gets back. "Bill has bought her a new car and a 30-foot sailboat."

1946-06-24 Dixon Evening Telegraph (Dixon, Illinois)
An Associated Press article, Bill Williams, Barbara Hale in Niagara Falls, with a byline of Rockton, Ill., says that Bill and Barbara "went on a Niagara Falls honeymoon today after what they had hoped would be a quiet wedding but which attracted 2500 persons instead." They were married in the Old Stone Church in Rockton on Saturday [June 22] by Dr. B. F. Allen. Dr. Allen is pastor of the First Baptist church in Barbara's nearby home town of Rockford. Dr. Allen did not allow photographers during the wedding but repeated it later for the cameras.

1946-06-24 Syracuse Herald-Journal (Syracuse, New York)
Film Stars Wed. A captioned AP Wirephoto (see at Annex) showing Bill and Barbara leaving the Old Stone Church in Rockton, Ill., where they had been married.

1946-06-26 Vidette Messenger (Valparaiso, Indiana)
This Is Real Life. A captioned International photo showing Bill and Barbara "cutting the wedding cake following their marriage in Rockford, Ill., the bride's hometown."

1946-07-30 Joplin Globe (Joplin, Missouri)
Jimmie Fidler, in his column Jimmie Fidler In Hollywood, tells another version of Barbara's life story. He says "she's a Chicago kid" who took a "part time job modeling clothes" to help finance her studies at a "Windy City art school." That the owner of the agency was an old-time friend of RKO's publicity director. That he mentioned "the girl in one of his letters as a distinct screen possibility." The studio's talent scouts were alerted and "presto, Miss Hale landed a contract." That "when she arrived in Hollywood, about a year ago, she'd had no dramatic experience or training whatever." That "with only two tiny bit roles to ready her for it" she has just completed "a very exacting lead role in a picture starring Robert Young." That "I've seen the finished picture, 'Lady Luck,' and I'm amazed by the fact that Miss Hale more than holds her own. Unless you're willing to accept the theory that she's a natural acting genius (I'm not), the only possible conclusion is that any personable girl, intelligent enough to understand and follow good direction, can click in pictures if given an opportunity. It leaves one wondering why such a tremendous premium is placed on Hollywood's 'average' actresses."

1946-08-07 Waterloo Daily Courier (Waterloo, Iowa)
Soda-Water Paste Remedy for Sunburn. An article by Alicia Hart, NEA Staff Writer, about a home-remedy for sunburn in which Barbara "claims she has saved her skin with this remedy." Features a photo of Barbara.

1946-08-18 Joplin Globe (Joplin, Missouri)
Jimmie Fidler, in his Aug. 17 column Jimmie Fidler In Hollywood, says "Newly-weds Barbara Hale and Bill Williams, gifted with a 'pay nothing' honeymoon in Hawaii by the Matson Steamship Company."

1946-09-04 Hopewell Herald (Hopewell, New Jersey)
Virginia Vale, in her Star Dust column, says that Barbara and Bill "are back in Hollywood after a cross-country honeymoon during which they travelled 7,400 miles-- 6,000 by automobile, the rest by air."

1946-09-15 Syracuse Herald-Journal (Syracuse, New York)
A hips-up photo of Barbara. Caption: "The Queen Was In The Garden, hanging up clothes; along came a cameraman and snapped this pose. Barbara Hale pins a mess of husband Bill Williams' socks on the line at their Hollywood cottage."

1946-09-29 Syracuse Herald-Journal (Syracuse, New York)
A photo of Barbara and Bill in swimming attire. Barbara appears to be raking the lawn while Bill sprays her back with water from a garden hose. Caption: "Barbara Hale and Bill Williams, also of the films, show how to keep cool while gardening."

1946-11-08 Zanesville Signal (Zanesville, Ohio)
Gene Handsaker, in his Hollywood column, writes about Barbara and Bill and a visit to their new house. He says that "each of these brown-eyed, wholesome youngsters is riding a star fast ascending the movie firmament." That "Barbara, 24, gets homesick for her folks in Rockford, Ill., and 26-year-old Bill, whose childhood bed was a bathtub in a Brooklyn tenement house, is grateful for the first real home he has ever known." That they were married last June and "have just finished redecorating the little home they bought in North Hollywood." The author stops by for a visit. Barbara brings "a tray full of pretzels, potato chips and bottled cokes into the living room." Barbara says "It's the small-town neighborliness that's so wonderful here." The author writes about Barbara's appearance and that she costars with Robert Young in Lady Luck. There is some discussion a few of the neighbors and how helpful they are. None are movie folk. "Eddie Hall, an electrical parts dealer, assisted Bill with the proper connections on some yard floodlights." The author then writes about Bill. He was "born Herman August William Katt" and is the "blonde, crinkly-haired son of a Brooklyn bread truck driver." That he likes to work in the in the yard between movies. That "he got into movies by way of a vaudeville and night club adagio act." That he "costarred with Susan Hayward in 'Deadline at Dawn.'" Next, the writer turns to the house. We learn that it "is decorated in smart blues, greens and reds-- all Barbara's ideas-- and furnished with antiques." That "in the garage was a half-completed cover Bill was building for the washtub; also his battered old coupe-- 'named True love; it never runs smooth' --in which Barbara and Bill had their first date. (They went to a movie on a 'Dutch treat' basis.)" It's said that "Barbara and Bill live on a budget" of $35 a week for incidentals. That they are "salting most of their earnings into annuities." That there is "a special fund of $300 put aside for a baby." "'We're hoping for boy and girl twins,' Barbara confided."

1946-12-02 Middletown Times Herald (Middletown, New York)
Louella O. Parsons, in her Hollywood column, says that "Barbara Hale and Bill Williams are expecting the stork. Should be a cute baby with two attractive parents."

1946-12-04 Berkshire County Eagle (Pittsfield, Massachusetts)
Movie Stars At Palace Theater Friday. "Barbara Hale and Bill Williams" ... "will make a one-day personal appearance visit to Pittsfield in connection with the opening at the Palace Theater of the new RKO picture, 'San Quentin.'" "Miss Hale is currently at the Palace in 'Lady Luck.'" Bill's films, Those Endearing Young Charms, Deadline at Dawn and Till the End of Time are mentioned. And that "he and Miss Hale have just made their first picture together, 'A Likely Story,' which is to be released shortly after Christmas." The article explains that "neither appears in 'San Quentin,' but are touring the country as part of the picture's promotional program." And that "they will make two appearances at the Palace Friday, at 4:15 and 9:30."

1946-12-07 Berkshire Evening Eagle (Pittsfield, Massachusetts)
Red Letter Day For Russo. A photo related to the personal appearance mentioned above. The caption says that it "was a banner attraction for movie goers, especially for Thomas C. Russo, 43 Yorkshire Avenue, who has known Williams since 1936. Russo was a photographer with Bruno of Hollywood and met Williams, then a member of the Stuart Morgan acrobatic troupe, in New York." In the waist-up photo, Russo, in the middle, has his arms around Bill (left) and Barbara (right). Everybody has big smiles.

1947

1947-01-06 Portland Press Herald (Portland, Maine)
Patricia Gould, in her Movies And Music column, reports that "Bill Williams and his Wife Barbara Hale are back in Hollywood after a two-month personal appearance tour which brought them to Portland a short time ago." It is said that Bill is now scheduled to "play a featured role" in Alice Adams which is "set for early production."

1947-01-07 Middletown Times Herald (Middletown , New York)
Louella O. Parsons, in her Hollywood column, says "despite loud denials, 'tis said that Barbara Hale and Bill Williams are expecting the stork. These denials are an old Hollywood custom. Remember Jeanne Crain and Betty Grable?"

1947-01-19 Port Arthur News (Port Arthur, Texas)
A captioned photo of Barbara and Robert Young of a scene from Lady Luck.

1947-02-02 Post-Standard (Syracuse, New York)
Today's Cover Girl is the story that goes with a large, full-length photo of Barbara on the cover of the Sunday magazine section of the paper. It tells us that she is a "vivacious beauty who recently married actor Bill Williams at an old-fashioned church wedding." That she "starts her matrimonial career off with the same film status as her husband . . . an RKO Radio star." That she met her husband "over a couple of cokes in their fledgling days . . . when both were appearing on the same studio lot in 'West of the Pecos.'" That "she shared stellar honors with Robert Young and Frank Morgan in RKO Radio's fun-packed romance-comedy 'Lady Luck' . . . a hilarious story about chronic gamblers." That she thus "achieves her first stardom in big time film fare since her 1943 screen debut in 'Gildersleeve's Bad Day.'" That she is "a successfil alumnus of the famed Studio Club . . . which luxuriously houses many of Hollywood's most promising startlets. That "Barbara leaped into temporary screen prominence when she took Frank Sinatra's first screen kiss with aplomb as his leading lady in 'Higher and Higher.'"

1947-02-20 Soda Springs Sun (Soda Springs, Idaho)
Virginia Vale, in her Star Dust column, says that the displays in the art gallery sequence in the movie The Locket include "oil paintings by Barbara Hale."

1947-02-26 Syracuse Herald-Journal (Syracuse, New York)
Turn Down Movie Bid says that Bill Williams and Barbara Hale have turned down a studio offer to do another co-starring picture because they're expecting a baby.

1947-03-02 Port Arthur News (Port Arthur, Texas)
Grace Foote, in her Of Mikes And Men column, say that Robert Young and Barbara Hale will recreate their original film roles in Lady Luck "when the world radio premiere of that rolicking comedy is presented on the CBS This Is Hollywood Saturday night...."

1947-03-10 Pottstown Mercury (Pottstown, Pennsylvania)
Jimmie Fidler, in his In Hollywood column, states "If box office magnetism and the ability to win private life friends were synonymous, Barbara Hale would finish 1947 as one of the screen's greatest stars."

1947-06-05 Joplin Globe (Joplin, Missouri)
Jimmie Fidler, in his In Hollywood column, reports "the Barbara Hale-Bill Williams heir is due July 18, via Caesarian section..."

1947-06-17 Bradford Era (Bradford, Pennsylvania)
Harrison Carroll, in his Behind the Scenes in Hollywood column, says that Barbara Hale and Bill Williams expect their heir in three weeks and that Bill is in the St. Johns hospital. "Six weeks ago, he threw his sacroiliac out, then he had pleurisy and finally he had a recurrence of an old knee injury from swimming days. They are loading him full of penicillin and he hopes to be out of the hospital and well before Barbara has to go in."

1947-06-20 Dixon Evening Telegraph (Dixon, Illinois)
Bob Thomas, in his Hollywood column, says that "Bill Williams is not happy with his fate at RKO. In several months he has done little more than pose for magazine pictures with his wife, Barbara Hale."

1947-07-05 Middletown Times Herald (Middletown, New York)
Louella O. Parsons, in her Hollywood column, says that Barbara goes into Cedars of Lebanon the middle of the the month to have her baby and that Bill will also enter the hospital for treatments for his leg. "He's still wearing a cast because of the fracture he suffered three weeks ago."

1947-07-12 Pottstown Mercury (Pottstown, Pennsylvania)
Jimmie Fidler, in his In Hollywood column, reports that Bill won't be able to drive his wife to the hospital for the birth of their baby. "Bill has his leg in a cast as the result of an accident in his work-shop while he was making a cradle for the bambino."

1947-08-18 Daily Gleaner (Kingston, Jamaica)
A small ad featuring Barbara's head and a box of Kolynos Dental Cream.

1947-10-09 Bridgeport Telegram (Bridgeport, Connecticut)
An evening radio schedule entry for "10:00 - Family Theater: Bob Hope and Barbara Hale in 'T-Formation' with Joan Leslie - WICC."

1947-12-03 Pottstown Mercury (Pottstown, Pennsylvania)
A captioned photograph, Mayor Talks Movies, showing a waist-up shot of a man and Barbara. Caption: "Mayor William O'Dwyer of New York, campaigning to have more movies made in his city, talks with Barbara Hale, actress featured in a picture being shot entirely in Gotham." Barbara is wearing a strapless evening dress.

1947-12-24 Coshocton Tribune (Coshocton, Ohio)
Erskine Johnson, in his In Hollywood column subtitled Hollywood, 1947, In Retrospect, states "Daughter born to Barbara Hale."

1948

1948-01-15 Nevada State Journal (Reno, Nevada)
Jimmie Fidler, in his Fidler In Hollywood column, says that Bill and Barbara, now that they are married, "object to being teamed in pictures on the reasonable ground that the public should not be given a chance to tire of them both, thereby cutting off their entire family income."

1948-02-02 Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune (Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin)
Erskine Johnson, in his In Hollywood column, says that Barbara and Bill "have decided to go their separate ways--career wise. No more joint publicity and no more co-starring roles" He also says that Barbara is "due for a build-up as a first-rate dramatic star" because of her performance in The Window.

1948-02-05 Joplin Globe (Joplin, Missouri)
Jimmie Fidler, in his Jimmie Fidler In Hollywood column, says "Miss Hale, until recently one of Hollywood's most determined opponents to the 'new look,' admits that she was converted during a recent visit to New York, when she discovered that long skirts effectively conceal long underwear."

1948-02-08 Portland Sunday Telegram (Portland, Maine)
An article titled Hale-Williams Combo To Be Broken Up recalls that Barbara and Bill "made a personal appearance at the Empire Theater last fall" and that they have "decided to go their separate ways--career-wise." It also says that Barbara "has somewhat out-distanced her husband in the Hollywood sweepstakes and is due for a build-up as a first rate dramatic star." That "her upward progress and popularity has been steady and her latest role, as the heroine in The Window, was the clincher."

1948-02-12 Bradford Era (Bradford, Pennsylvania)
A radio item for WESB stating that Barbara HAle and Zachary Scott would appear in "The Family Theater" production of "Out of the Wilderness" at 10 to 10:30 PM tonight.

1948-02-25 Indiana Evening Gazette (Indiana, Pennsylvania)
Bob Thomas, in his Hollywood News column, says that "Barbara Hale is now playing a school marm in 'The Boy With Green Hair.'"

1948-03-26 Bradford Era (Bradford, Pennsylvania)
Harrison Carroll, in his Behind the Scenes in Hollywood column, tells of 16-year-old James Sheridan of Evanston, Ill., who wrote a song called "Babsy" in honor of Barbara Hale and that "he sent it to Barbara and now Ray Gilbert, Academy award nominee, will supply lyrics. Moreover, Dick Haymes probably will introduce the tune on the air."

1948-04-21 Maryville Daily Forum (Maryville, Missouri),
A Likely Story features a picture of Barbara and Bill and a writeup of the film "which will be shown at the Tivoli theater tonight and Thursday night." It describes the film as a "sparkling comedy drama" in which "an ex-marine finds at long last the girl who will make life worth living." Unfortunately, said marine "mistakenly believes that he won't be on earth long enough to matter." The help of "two gallant underwotld chjaracters" is needed to "make love and life both endure." Featured in the film is "Lanny Rees as Miss Hale's pert young brother and Sam Levene as an accommodating crook and promoter of romance." Also appearing are Dan Tobin, Nestor Paiva and Max Willenz.

1948-05-01 Reno Evening Gazette (Reno, Nevada)
Rules Helldorado features a picture of Barbara in cowgirl garb sitting on a fence. The caption says "Movie star Barbara Hale has been chosen to reign over the Helldorado celebration at Las Vegas from May 13 through 16. The pageant and rodeo celebrate the birthday of the southern Nevada city."

1948-05-13 Nevada State Journal (Reno, Nevada)
Jimmie Fidler, in his Fidler In Hollywood column, says that Barbara is a "double threat artist. Miss Hale, in addition to her work as an actress, designs baby dresses, and so skillfully that an eastern manufacturer has purchased several of her designs and will market them on a royalty basis."

1948-07-15 Pottstown Mercury (Pottstown, Pennsylvania)
Edith Gwynn, in her Hollywood column, says that Barbara "canceled several weeks of Summer stock to be with her ever lovin' spouse, Bill Williams in Hollywood."

1948-08-12 Independent Record (Helena, Montana)
Erskine Johnson, in his In Hollywood column, says that Barbara "is up for 'Mrs. Mike,' opposite Dick Powell, now that June Allyson is out of the film because of approaching motherhood."

1948-08-20 Bradford Era (Bradford, Pennsylvania)
Harrison Carroll, in his Behind the Scenes in Hollywood column, says "Barbara Hale turned down a long term contract at Warners."

1948-10-22 Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune (Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin)
Erskine Johnson, in his In Hollywood column, says the "reuniting of Bill Williams and Barbara Hale in 'The Clay Pigeon' was a smart move by RKO. They top almost every exhibitor popularity poll."

1948-11-04 Syracuse Herald-Journal (Syracuse, New York)
A large On The Screen feature by Marjorie Turner titled Williams Scorn Career Hazard includes a photo (see at Annex) of Bill hugging Barbara. "Meet a married couple who are not afraid that both being actors will spoil their marriage." The author met "Barbara on the street, rushing to do errands before she must report to work on the set." Barbara is described as looking like a "particularly lovely college girl." She is said to be "26 years old, but looks younger, has beautiful brown hair and eyes and a soap-and-water complexion." A few minutes later, the author "saw Bill at work doing a scene for 'The Clay Pigeon.'" Of the marriage hazard, Bill comments "It'll never bother us." There is some discussion of the topic then the author says that, "a couple of weeks after this, Bill left RKO and went to MGM where he will play a role in 'The Stratton Story.'" The author then recounts the story of Barbara and Bill's meeting at RKO. Their dating, "They were no hands for nightclubs." Their marriage "with all the conventional trimmings, in Rockford." Their honeymoon "which included Niagara Falls." And that they "settled down in a small house in Fernando Valley" (sic) where "Bill has a woodworking shop" and "now they have a baby." In conclusion:"The Williams are typical of a large segment of Hollywood, solid and unspectacular, earning a fine living in films and making no noise about it whatever."

1948-11-27 Walla Walla Union-Bulletin (Walla Walla, Washington)
Erskine Johnson, in his In Hollywood column, says that "Bill Williams and Barbara Hale, one of Hollywood's happiest married couples, have decided to separate--on the screen. "'The Clay Pigeon' will be their last co-starrer."

1948-12-14 Pottstown Mercury (Pottstown, Pennsylvania)
Edith Gwynn, in her Hollywood column, says that "Universal won't be borrowing Gloria de Haven to play opposite Donald O'Connor in 'And Baby Makes Three' after all." [Note: Barbara later starred in this picture opposite Robert Young.] In a separate item, she says "R.K.O. is very happy about Barbara Hale landing the femme lead in 'Jolson Sings Again' at Columbia. It will give her star billing in 'Clay Pigeon,' Barbara's last picture there, but that studio still has three unreleased pictures of hers."

1949-02-19 Joplin Globe (Joplin. Missouri)
Jimmie Fidler, in his Fidler In Hollywood column, says "I'm amused by the unsuccessful efforts of Barbara Hale and her husband, Bill Williams, to disassociate their professional lives." He notes that "they met and married when they were under contract at RKO-- and RKO promptly teamed them in several pictures." Barbara and Bill decided that, from their standpoint, this was not good business. "If one of the pictures failed, they would both suffer serious-- and still worse, simultaneous-- setbacks." Working at different studios would solve this problem. If "one lost out, the other would be unaffected and able to keep the family income in healthy condition. I think they were relieved when their contracts at RKO ran out. But the relief didn't last long. They're both drawing paychecks from Columbia now-- and their new bosses, being used to them as a screen team, are trying to reunite them in a series of comedy romances."

1949-03-02 Wellsboro Agitator (Wellsboro, Pennsylvania)
Inez Gerhard, in her Star Dust Stage Screen Radio column, says that "Barbara Hale has a wonderful fan club. With headquarters in Philadelphia, it bought radio time to tell the world about Barbara's work in RKO's 'The Window' and 'The Boy with Green Hair.'"

1949-03-21 Bradford Era (Bradford, Pennsylvania)
A radio listing. At 8:30 PM, on WESB-FM, 97.5 Meg., appearing in "The Hat," Barbara Hale and Bill Williams.

1949-03-23 Portland Press Herald (Portland, Maine)
Hedda Hopper, in her Looking At Hollywood column, says that "Evelyn Keys was suspended by Columbia for refusing Baby Was Here with Ronnie Reagan. So the part goes to Barbara Hale, who plays in Jolson Sings Again."