Hazel Brooks, model, pin-up and Hollywood star of the 1940s is all but forgotten now. Except for here…‘Known among the wags of Hollywood as “The Human Heat Wave”’, as the caption of one of her publicity stills puts it, she was lucky in love but not in her career. Or perhaps, when push came to shove, her marriage was more important to her than her career.Hazel Brooks' MGM years and beforeThe story starts in 1941 and Hazel, age 17, is working as a model for New York’s two leading agencies of the period – Walter Thornton and Harry Conover. With her red hair, green eyes, high cheekbones and svelte figure she certainly has what it takes.1944. Hazel Brooks, 'chosen by servicemen as the girl about whom they would like to dream'. Photo probably by Laszlo Willinger. Read more.So it’s not surprising that she’s ‘discovered’ by Arthur Freed, who has recently become head of his own unit at MGM and has quite a track record as a talent spotter. He is in the process … [Read more...]