A song in her heart

There she was, sitting in a makeup room that smelled of Shalimar perfume. She was wearing a black top and turquoise felt skirt. She looked up, put out her hand and said, “Hi, I’m Jane Froman.”

Barbara Buoncristiano still remembers that moment, more than 50 years later. Not only because she was an eighth-grader and had just met her idol, but because it changed her life.

Not long after their meeting, Froman, a Missouri native and Hollywood star, asked Buoncristiano to help a girl she knew who had problems getting along with other kids. Buoncristiano did just that. Later, that girl’s parents, who ran a charitable organization, offered Buoncristiano a scholarship to Barnard College, something Buoncristiano never dreamed of because of her working-class background.

Buoncristiano went on to get double master’s degrees in government and theater administration at Columbia University in New York City. She later worked as an administrator at the university, and now works as director of compliance in the New York State Division of Human Rights.

Buoncristiano’s story doesn’t stand alone. More than a dozen others shared how Jane Froman inspired and influenced them when they gathered at the Boone County Museum in Columbia last weekend. The group of fans and friends meets every year in memory of Froman.

“She was a strong, cour­age­ous and giving woman,” said Ilene Stone, a writer from California who wrote a book about Froman. “She survived an airplane crash. She sang for U.S. servicemen when she was still on crutches. Most people have hard times, but she never quit.”

Froman was born in 1907 in University City. She became a famous singer, an actress and a TV hostess with three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

During World War II, Froman volunteered to bring entertainment to U.S. soldiers on the front line. In 1942, during her USO flight to Europe, her plane crashed outside Portugal, but she survived. After going through dozens of surgeries, she returned to Europe to fulfill her commitment while still recovering.

She retired in 1961 in Columbia and was active in volunteer work and community service. She died in 1980 at her home.

This year, the group of fans came from New York, Chicago, South Carolina, California and Kansas — most were teenagers when Froman hosted her TV show on CBS.

“We used to call her Auntie Jane and give her gifts,” said Barbara Seuling, a writer from New York who just wrote a biography about Froman. “She told us that we shouldn’t spend money on her, and helped us to set up a foundation to help other troubled kids.”

Seuling recounted a story about when Froman was performing for U.S. servicemen in 1942 in Columbia. She noticed there wasn’t a single black serviceman in the audience. She hastily put together another concert at her own expense for black soldiers, at a time when it was frowned upon to mix races.

All these stories shouldn’t be forgotten, the group said. A centennial celebration of Jane Froman is planned for Nov. 10, 2007, to memorialize the legendary Columbia citizen. A 1952 movie based on Froman’s life, “With A Song In My Heart” starring Susan Hayward, will be shown on the occasion.

Columbia Mayor Darwin Hindman will proclaim the day “Jane Froman Day,” according to the group.

“We want to keep her courage and spirit alive and let people know what she has accomplished, as a singer and a person,” Seuling said.