Jean O'Rourke, his wife, and Roy Rognan, a talented individual, collaborated to create a humorous comic ballroom dance act called "Lorraine and Rognan". This remarkable duo made a specialty appearance in two Paramount musical films, "The Fleet's In" (1942) and "Salute for Three" (1943). In "The Fleet's In", they performed to the tune of "I Remember You" accompanied by Jimmy Dorsey's orchestra. Meanwhile, in "Salute for Three", they entertained at a serviceman's canteen, showcasing their exceptional dance skills.
Unfortunately, their lives were cut short when they were among the 39 passengers on the ill-fated USO plane that crashed off the coast of Lisbon, Portugal, on February 22, 1943. The survivors included singer Jane Froman, who miraculously survived the disaster along with Jean Lorraine, but tragically, Roy Rognan lost his life in the crash.
The devastating event and Jane Froman's remarkable recovery inspired the 1952 biographical film "With a Song in My Heart" (1952),starring Susan Hayward. In its review of "Salute for Three", Variety magazine praised Jeanne Lorraine and the late Roy Rognan, stating, "They score heavily with their classic comedy ballroom dancing."
