Editing Arlene Dahl (section)

===Early career===
A year after graduation from high school, Dahl lived in [[Chicago]], where she worked as a buyer for Marshall and Brown. She then traveled to New York and worked as a model for the Walter Thornton Model Agency,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Pieck|first=Kaaren|date=Oct 1950|title=Lucky Dahl|page=59|work=Modern Screen}}</ref> where she successfully auditioned for a part in the musical ''Mr. Strauss Goes to Boston'' in 1945. This led to her gaining the lead in another play, ''Questionable Ladies'', which was seen by a talent scout from [[Hollywood (film industry)|Hollywood]].<ref name="life"/>

Dahl had an uncredited bit part in ''[[Life with Father (film)|Life with Father]]'' (1947). She was promoted to leading lady in ''[[My Wild Irish Rose]]'' (1947) with [[Dennis Morgan]], a big hit that led to an offer from MGM for a long-term contract.<ref name="life"/>