Richard Ewing Powell, born on November 14, 1904, in Mountain View, Arkansas, was
an American singer. He began his career as a musician with the Charlie Davis
Orchestra and recorded several singles for Vocalion label in the late 1920s. In
1932, Warner Bros. offered Powell a film contract after being impressed by his
singing and stage presence. His debut film role was as a singing bandleader in
Blessed Event. Powell's career took off with roles in musical films such as 42nd
Street (1933) and Footlight Parade (1933). He starred in numerous films
throughout the 1930s and 1940s, inclu...