Dyanne Thorne
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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Dyanne Thorne (October 14, 1936 – January 28, 2020) was an American actress, stage performer and vocalist. She was known for her stage work in Las Vegas and as the lead actress in the Ilsa film franchise of the 1970s.
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Career
Dyanne Thorne began her career in show business as a band vocalist and New York stage actress. She was also popular as a comedic sketch artist/talking foil. Comedy albums, with Allen & Rossi, Vaughn Meader and Loman & Barkley, earned her appearances on many T.V. variety shows such as The Tonight Show, Red Skelton, Steve Allen, Merv Griffin, and with Tim Conway at Caesar's Palace Hotel in Las Vegas.
Filmed in New York City, Thorne's first major film role was in Norman Chaitin's Encounter, which was also an early screen credit for Robert De Niro. Moving to Hollywood to appear on T.V.'s Star Trek, and star as yet another villainess in Crown International's thriller Point of Terror, opened the door to several more movie roles.
In 1975, Thorne married composer, conductor, musician and actor Howard Maurer and subsequently starred in five films together. The duo also co-produced and starred in several Las Vegas Strip showroom productions and their careers took them around the world.
As an actress, Thorne was best known for her characterisation of the heinous international dominatrix and soldier of fortune "Ilsa". After her debut as Ilsa in Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS, she reprised the role in the sequels Ilsa, Harem Keeper of the Oil Sheiks, Ilsa, the Tigress of Siberia and an unofficial entry Greta, the Mad Butcher by director Jess Franco.
Later years
Contrary to some publications, Thorne did start, but she did not complete, her studies for a degree in anthropology. Instead, during 10 years of simultaneous acting, she earned a Ph.D. in Comparative religion.
As church ordained, non-denominational ministers, Thorne and Maurer created A Scenic Outdoor Wedding as an alternative to commercial chapel weddings.
Death
Dyanne Thorne died on January 28, 2020 at the age of 83. She is survived by her husband, Howard Maurer.
- God and I Love, Loved, and will always Love you.
Pop culture
In 1991, Danish art rockers Sort Sol released the album Flow My Firetear. Track 9, "Dyanne Thorne", is a homage to the artist.
Selected filmography
- Sin in the Suburbs (1964), Yvette Talman
- Encounter (1965), Wicked Lady
- Point of Terror (1971), Andrea
- The Erotic Adventures of Pinocchio (1971), Fairy Godmother
- Blood Sabbath (1972), Alotta
- Snatched Women (1974)
- Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS (1974), Ilsa
- The Swinging Barmaids (1975)
- Ilsa, Harem Keeper of the Oil Sheiks (1976), Ilsa
- Chesty Anderson, USN (1976), Nurse
- Beyond Fulfillment (1975)
- Ilsa, the Tigress of Siberia a.k.a. The Tigress (1977), Ilsa
- Ilsa, the Wicked Warden a.k.a. Greta, the Mad Butcher, Wanda, the Wicked Warden and Ilsa: Absolute Power (1977), Greta
- Hellhole (1985), Crysta
- Real Men (1987), Dad Pirandello
- Exploitation (2012), Dyanne Thorne
- House of Forbidden Secrets (2013), Greta Gristina
- House of the Witchdoctor (2013), Rose
TV appearances
- Felony Squad (1966), Diana Porter - in the episode "The Terror Trap"
- Felony Squad (1966), Miss Lucas - in the episode "Miss Reilly's Revenge"
- Star Trek (1968), First Girl - in the episode "A Piece of the Action"
- Space (1985), Entertainer
