Allison Hayes (born Mary Jane Hayes; March 6, 1930 – February 27, 1977) was an American film and television actress and model.

Early life Allison Hayes was born to William F. Hayes, chief engineer of the Navy Department's Bureau of Ordnance and Charlotte Gibson Hayes in Charleston, West Virginia. In 1948 she graduated from Calvin Coolidge High School. Hayes won the title of Miss District of Columbia in August 1949. She represented D.C. in the 1949 Miss America pageant. Although she did not win the competition, it provided her with the opportunity to work in local television before moving to Hollywood to work for Universal Pictures in 1954.

Career

Before Hayes became an actress, she was a model with the Phyllis Bell agency in Washington, D. C.

A social function led to Hayes's working in films. After the secretary to the Peruvian embassy escorted Hayes to an event, he sent her picture to Universal. A screen test resulted in a contract and a change of her name to Allison Hayes.

Hayes made her film debut in the 1954 comedy Francis Joins the WACS. Her second film, Sign of the Pagan, provided her with an important role in a relatively minor film. Opposite Jack Palance, she played the part of a bewitching woman. Despite the strength of her second film role, she played minor roles in her next few films. Originally cast in Foxfire (1955 film), she was removed from the film during a lawsuit filed against Universal Pictures for injuries, including broken ribs, that she had sustained during the filming of Sign of the Pagan. Released from her contract, she was signed by Columbia Pictures in 1955.

In Chicago Syndicate, her first film for Columbia, Hayes played Joyce Kern – alias Sue Morton – who seeks vengeance for the death of her father at the hand of local gangster Arnie Valent. Count Three and Pray gave her the role that she later described as the best of her career. Hayes played with Van Heflin, co-starring with Raymond Burr and Joanne Woodward in her debut. As an arrogant Southern belle, she was in love with Heflin, returning from the Civil War as a minister. After being spurned by him, Hayes is reduced to becoming Burr's live-in "housekeeper". Hayes had several well-played dramatic scenes. However, when the film was released much of the attention of reviewers was focused on Woodward, and Hayes was largely ignored. She appeared in films such as The Steel Jungle, Mohawk, and Gunslinger (all 1956), but a fall from a horse during the filming of the latter left Hayes with a broken arm and unable to work. After she recovered, she began appearing in supporting roles in television productions.

In 1958, she played in several B movies, including Wolf Dog as well as taking the lead role in Attack of the 50 Foot Woman, where she plays the part of an abused socialite who grows to giant size because of an alien encounter. In this film, she starred with Yvette Vickers and William Hudson, and it is probably her best-known role.Hogan, David J. (1997). Dark Romance: Sexuality in the Horror Film, p. 65. McFarland Classics. The film did not lead to better roles, though she remained constantly employed and found work as a model. During 1963 and 1964, she played a continuing role in General Hospital but by this time her movie career was virtually over.

In 1958, she appeared in the recurring role of Ellie Winters, poker dealer/secret agent, in seven episodes of the western series Bat Masterson starring Gene Barry. In 1959, she was cast in season 2, episode 7 of Rawhide as Rose Morton. A close friend of Raymond Burr since filming Count Three and Pray, she made five guest appearances on Perry Mason during this time, including the role of Pearl Chute in the 1962 episode "The Case of the Bogus Books".

As her acting career declined, she began to experience severe health problems and was unable to walk without a cane. In severe pain, her usually good-natured personality began to change and she became emotional and volatile, making it difficult for her to secure acting work. She was given a minor role in the 1965 Elvis Presley film Tickle Me, and made her final appearance in a guest role on Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. in 1967.

Later years and death Hayes later said that the pain of her illness caused her to contemplate suicide, and that her doctors did not take her symptoms seriously. Reading a medical book about the metal poisoning of factory workers, Hayes recognized the symptoms described as being similar to her own. Hayes began to question the ingredients of a calcium supplement made from bone meal she had been taking for a long time. When she employed a toxicologist to test a sample of the product, he determined that it had an extremely high content of lead and concluded that Hayes was most likely suffering from lead poisoning. Hayes mounted a campaign to have the FDA ban the import or sale of the food supplement.Davis, W. Marvin (2006). Consumer's Guide to Dietary Supplements and Alternative Medicines, pp. 1–3. The Haworth Press, Inc.

An invalid, Hayes moved to San Clemente, California, and her health continued to deteriorate. In 1976, she was diagnosed with leukemia and was treated regularly in La Jolla, California. While at the hospital receiving a blood transfusion, her condition unexpectedly and rapidly deteriorated as she experienced chills, flu-like symptoms and intense pain. She was transferred to the University of California Medical Center in San Diego, California on February 26, 1977, where she died the following day, at age 46. Hayes was interred with her father at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California. Her mother Charlotte died eight months later and was buried in a nearby unmarked grave. In a letter that arrived after her death, the FDA advised her that amendments were being made to the laws governing the importation of nutritional supplements, largely as a result of her situation.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes1954 Francis Joins the WACS Lt. Dickson So This Is Paris Carmen Alternative titles: Three Gobs in Paris and So This Is Paree Sign of the Pagan Ildico1955 The Prodigal Minor role Uncredited The Purple Mask Irene de Bournotte Double Jeopardy Barbara Devery Alternative title: Crooked Ring Chicago Syndicate Joyce Kern, alias Sue Morton Count Three and Pray Georgina Decrais Alternative title: The Calico Pony1956 The Steel Jungle Mrs. Archer Mohawk Greta Jones Gunslinger Erica Page1957 The Undead Livia Zombies of Mora Tau Mona Harrison Alternative title: The Dead That Walk The Unearthly Grace Thomas The Disembodied Tonda Metz1958 Attack of the 50 Foot Woman Nancy Fowler Archer as the title character Wolf Dog Ellen Hughes A Lust to Kill Sherry Hong Kong Confidential Elena Martine 1959 Pier 5, Havana Monica Gray Counterplot Connie Lane1960 The Hypnotic Eye Justine The High Powered Rifle Sharon Hill Alternative title: Duel in the City1963 The Crawling Hand Donna Alternative title: Don't Cry Wolf Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed? Mrs. Grayson 1965 Tickle Me Mabel

Television Year Title Role Notes 1955 Four Star Playhouse Christine 1 episode1957 The Ford Television Theatre Marian Abbott Death Valley Days Mary Granger The Millionaire Linda Kendall The Web Blonde 1957–1959 Tombstone Territory Various roles 4 episodes 1958 Cool and Lam Evaline Dell Television pilot 1958–1960 Bat Masterson Ellie Winters 7 episodes1959 Mike Hammer Miriam Courtney 1 episode The Rough Riders Ellen Johnston Markham Marina Captain David Grief Melba World of Giants Rawhide Rose Morton The Alaskans Stella 1960 Richard Diamond, Private Detective Angel Case Men into Space Mandy Holcomb 77 Sunset Strip Marianne Winston Episode: "The Parallel Caper" The Untouchables Mrs. Charles "Pops" Felcher 1 episode 1960–1965 Perry Mason Various roles 5 episodes1961 Acapulco Chloe Episode: "Bell's Half Acre" The Case of the Dangerous Robin 1 episode Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre Millie Laramie Francie Surfside 6 Lotta Episode: "Prescription for Panic"1962 Ripcord Laura Coulter 1 episode Bachelor Father Loretta Kraft Mystery Theatre 1963–1964 General Hospital Priscilla Longsworth Unknown episodes 1966 The F.B.I. Anne Frazier 1 episode1967 The Iron Horse Dana Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. Rose Pilchek 2 episodes, (final appearance)

References

External links

Allison Hayes at Turner Classic Movies Allison Hayes in Trailer for Attack of the 50 Foot Woman Allison Hayes Biography Brian's Drive-In Theatre – biographical fansite