Segal, a former Pittsburgh journalist, has launched a new digital repository, the Joan Dixon Reference Archive, that reconstructs the life and career of the forgotten RKO contract player. The meticulously assembled archive draws on contemporary newspapers and magazines, studio records, interviews and other archival sources to document Dixon’s films, career and personal life.
Dixon (1930–1992) was an actress and model born in Virginia and primarily raised in the Miami area. She starred in eight RKO Radio Pictures films released from 1950 through 1952 and played the leading lady opposite Western star Tim Holt in five Richard Martin ‘Chito’ westerns. Dixon is perhaps best known for playing Diane Morley, a grifter with a heart of gold, in the 1951 RKO film noir “Roadblock.” Her movie career was closely tied to reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes, who held her under contract.