Anita O'Day

Anita Colton is born to James and Gladys in 1919, the product of an out-of-wedlock pregnancy and a quick marriage. An irresponsible man, James leaves Anita and her mother to fend for themselves, and Gladys becomes an unhappy, grim individual who can show no affection toward her only child. Anita grows into a strong-willed adolescent who wants nothing to do with school and who, at thirteen, leaves home to participate in dance marathons, a popular activity during the Depression. At this point, she changes her last name to O'Day. Her one love is singing, however, and she begins to participate in the talent portions of the marathons, gaining some small recognition. Forced back into school by a truant officer, Anita then hits Uptown Chicago on the weekends, thriving on jazz singing and obtaining a few opportunities to sing, as she is hired to dance, waitress, or run dice...