Article content There was a provincial election on this week in June, 1949. Rescuers were conducting a desperate “air, land and sea search” for a missing fishing captain over Graham Island in Haida Gwaii. A natural gas pipeline was about to open between Alberta and B.
C. But for many people, the biggest story of the week was movie star Mickey Rooney getting married to actress Martha Vickers. “‘Half Pint’ of Movies Weds Bride Foot Taller Than Self,” read a front-page headline in The Vancouver Sun.
“I’ve got me a wonderful girl,” the pint-sized actor beamed, squeezing the lace-covered waist of Mrs. Rooney No. 3.
“If I don’t make this one last, there’s something wrong with me.” The five-foot-two Rooney had started acting at six and become a star portraying teenager Andy Hardy in a series of films for MGM. Starting in 1937, he made 16 Hardy films, and from 1939-41, was reputed to be the biggest box office draw in Hollywood.
But his star had dimmed a bit by 1949, so Hollywood columnists were bold enough to make fun of his height and penchant for short marriages. “The Andy Hardy of movieland lost (first wife) Ava Gardner because he was ‘always running home to mother,’ and (second wife) Betty Jane Rase because ‘too many people were living with us,’” noted United Press Hollywood correspondent Virginia MacPherson. “(So he) pulled a fast switch late Friday and took his third bride in hushed-up secrecy.
” The couple were married shortly after Vick.