Alma Carroll

The daughter of Mrs. Ernest A. Stevens,[2] Carroll first appeared in films in a role in an Our Gang short in 1927, when she was 3 years old. She attended University High School and worked as a photographer's model [3] She planned to be a teacher[4] or a doctor[1] until her entry in a beauty contest changed the direction of her career.[4]

When she was 18, Carroll signed with Columbia Studios.[3] Her first film was Submarine Raider, which was followed by Parachute Nurse.[5] She also appeared in They All Kissed the Bride, Belle of the Yukon, Cinderella Jones, and Up in Arms.[1]

In 1941, representatives of the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps selected Carroll as "Miss America of National Defense".[2] The competition in Venice, California, involved 100 or more young women.[6] After her victory, Carroll and "traveling welcomette" Janet Mantell, toured military bases around the United States, including those in Salt Lake City, Denver, Omaha, and Quantico.[7] The tour totaled 9,000 miles, with expenses paid by the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce.[5]

The following year, Carroll joined a group of film stars on the Hollywood Victory Caravan, which toured the United States and raised $800,000 for Army and Navy relief funds. After the caravan ended, she continued to perform with Bob Hope in shows at military bases in California.[3]

In 1944, Carroll was featured as a beauty contest winner in the film Atlantic City.[8]

Carroll married artist Bill Lignante, and the couple visited California military hospitals, where he sketched wounded servicemen.[3] She had previously been married to writer George Giroux.[9]