Finnish-born dancer and actress Taina Elg, 95, died on May 15. A ballet dancer from an early age, she performed with the Finnish National Ballet, Sadler's Wells, and the Grand Ballet du Marquis de Cuevas. She was dancing (or acting) in films as early as 1941, and was talent-scouted by MGM in the 1950s. Her most famous film was the musical Les Girls (which unfortunately was pronounced as “Lay Girls” or “Lez Girls” by many); she also was seen in Diane, The Prodigal, Gaby, Imitation General, and Watusi (the tribe, not the dance). Elg also had a long stage career, Tony-nominated for Where’s Charley? and in later years she turned up in It Takes a Thief, Hercules in New York (with Arnold Schwarzenegger!), The Adams Chronicles, and One Life to Live. She was married three times, including to Finnish-American jazz guitarist Raoul Björkenheim. On a personal note, Taina Elg was an absolute doll when I was writing my Kay Kendall bio, and gave me some great Les Girls backstage dish (which you will have to read the book to find out!).
Taina Elg and Gene Kelly in Les Girls: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fJe1Q3395E
