Later career Veronica Lake

lake , alan ladd in trailer blue dahlia (1946)

lake made 2 films produced john houseman, miss susie slagle s , blue dahlia (both 1946). while waiting films released in 1945, took stock of career claiming, had learn acting. ve played sorts of parts, taken came along regardless of high merit. in fact, ve been sort of general utility person. haven t liked roles. 1 or 2 pretty bad .

one role lake liked hold blonde (1945), supporting eddie bracken (in part turned down bob hope). s comedy, rather carole lombard used ... represents real change of pace . thought had part in blue dahlia.

lake expressed interest in renegotiating deal paramount:

the studio feels way too. have indicated going fuss more pictures in appear. think ll enjoy being fussed about... want turning point , think will. free , clear of unpleasant characters, unless justified. ve had varied experience playing them , appearing heroines. roles haven t been noteworthy , not spotlighted, think ve been beneficial in 1 way or another. here on there should pattern of development, , going fight if necessary, though don t believe because understanding here @ paramount.

she made first film outside paramount since became star, western, ramrod (1947), directed then-husband andre detoth, reunited joel mccrea, despite earlier reservation. @ home studio had cameo in variety girl (1947) united ladd last time in saigon (1948), in returned former peek-a-boo hairstyle; movie not particularly received. neither romantic drama, isn t romantic (also 1948) or comedy sainted sisters (1948). in 1948 paramount decided not renew lake s contract.

leaving paramount

lake moved 20th century fox make slattery s hurricane (1949), directed detoth. support role , there not many other offers. in 1950 announced , detoth make before wake (from suspense novel mel devrett) , flanagan boy. neither made. appeared in stronghold (1951), later described dog , independent production lippert pictures shot in mexico. (she later sued unpaid wages on film.) lake , detoth filed bankruptcy same year.

the irs later seized home unpaid taxes. on verge of nervous breakdown , bankrupt, lake ran away, left detoth, , flew alone new york.

new york

publicity photo c. 1950s

in summer of 1951, fed up; 2 marriages had failed, , typecast in hollywood sex symbol. result of disillusionment hollywood , not liking did people, walked out on hollywood, took 3 children, , headed new york restart career. lake wanted leave sexy image behind, , new york offered opportunity work in theater , new medium, television.

said, ll in couple of months, recalled lake. never returned. enough enough already. did want 1 of walking dead or real person?

she performed in summer stock , in stage roles in england. in october 1955, collapsed in detroit, had been appearing on stage in little hut.