Diehard fans still remember Betty Hutton

In the Hollywood lexicon, "blonde bombshell" is as overworked a phrase as any.

Leading that pantheon would, of course, be Marilyn Monroe, along with Jean Harlow, Mae West and Jayne Mansfield, followed by such contenders as Lana Turner, Betty Grable, Kim Novak, Carroll Baker ... and many other Hollywood stars who have been similarly described.

But a unique example was Betty Hutton, who died this week at 86.

In Hutton's case, it wasn't beauty or steamy come-hither looks in sexy roles. She was attractive but no remarkable beauty. She wasn't cast as a sex symbol. And she was known more for farce than romantic drama, although she did both.

When applied to Hutton, "blonde bombshell" did not refer to sensuality but rather explosive comedy.

Love her or hate her, Hutton was an unforgettable personality on the screen ... although she is, in fact, largely forgotten today except by a core of fans. Of which I am one.

Aside from a quick, unbilled comic cameo in a Martin & Lewis flick and a musical appearance in "Duffy's Tavern," Hutton made 18 features over her 15-year film career. And aside from bootlegs, only seven of those are on DVD:

• "Annie Get Your Gun" (1950) is a wonderful showpiece for Hutton — funny, romantic and serious, with those great Irving Berlin songs. She's especially delightful with "Doin' What Comes Naturally" and her "Anything You Can Do" duet with Howard Keel.

• "The Greatest Show on Earth" (1952) won the best-picture Oscar, though it is generally derided by critics today as a typically overblown Cecil B. De Mille effort. But it's fun, with a real inside look at circus life and a still-thrilling train-crash climax. Hutton co-stars with Charlton Heston.

• "The Miracle of Morgan's Creek" (1944) is by filmmaker Preston Sturges, and his sharp wit is all that kept the censors away from this hysterical wartime satire about Hutton getting pregnant and not knowing who the father is.

• "Here Come the Waves" (1944) has Hutton at her best playing two roles — one of them quite subdued — in this Bing Crosby naval comedy. (In the box set: "Bing Crosby: Screen Legend Collection.")

• "Star Spangled Rhythm" (1942) is a variety show with an array of musical and comedy talent, with Hutton in a lead role. (On a Bob Hope double-bill DVD with "My Favorite Blonde.")

• "The Perils of Pauline" (1947) is a very funny fictionalization of the silent-movie serial queen, and "The Stork Club" (1945), a lesser but enjoyable comedy, features one of Hutton's biggest hit songs, "Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief." (Available as a DVD double-bill).