Singer and Actress. Born Winifred Hanson in Greenport, New York, she performed in vaudeville and made her Broadway debut in 1919. As a featured act in such musicals as the George White "Scandals" revues in 1923 and 1924, and the long-running hit "Gay Paree" (1925), Lightner became known as "The Song a Minute Girl" for her ability to tear through a tune in less than 60 seconds. Moviegoers were introduced to her brassy vocal style in a handful of Vitaphone shorts in 1927, and she went on to score triumphs in the feature films "Gold Diggers of Broadway" (1929), "Your Show of Shows" (1930), and "The Life of the Party" (1930). But her Hollywood career faded as quickly as it rose and she retired from show business in 1934. Lightner's other films include "She Couldn't Say No" (1930), "Sit Tight" (1931), "Manhattan Parade" (1932), "She Had to Say Yes" (1933), and "Dancing Lady" (1933). She was married to director Roy Del Ruth from 1941 until his death. Their son is Hollywood cinematographer Thomas Del Ruth ("The Breakfast Club", TV's "The X-Files").
Singer and Actress. Born Winifred Hanson in Greenport, New York, she performed in vaudeville and made her Broadway debut in 1919. As a featured act in such musicals as the George White "Scandals" revues in 1923 and 1924, and the long-running hit "Gay Paree" (1925), Lightner became known as "The Song a Minute Girl" for her ability to tear through a tune in less than 60 seconds. Moviegoers were introduced to her brassy vocal style in a handful of Vitaphone shorts in 1927, and she went on to score triumphs in the feature films "Gold Diggers of Broadway" (1929), "Your Show of Shows" (1930), and "The Life of the Party" (1930). But her Hollywood career faded as quickly as it rose and she retired from show business in 1934. Lightner's other films include "She Couldn't Say No" (1930), "Sit Tight" (1931), "Manhattan Parade" (1932), "She Had to Say Yes" (1933), and "Dancing Lady" (1933). She was married to director Roy Del Ruth from 1941 until his death. Their son is Hollywood cinematographer Thomas Del Ruth ("The Breakfast Club", TV's "The X-Files").
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
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