Ms. Russell was the dream of any 12 to 14 year old boy, speaking from personal experience. But, in retrospect, she was truly a fine acctress... witness her 1956 film "The Revolt of Mamie Stover". All of her later work was overshadowed by Howard Hughes' showcasing her.... ummm, finer points in "The Outlaw".
Interestingly, that film wasn't released for general distribution until 1946 although it was made in 1941... couldn't find a censor that would put a stamp of approval on it until 1946 so I read...
Hughes' single minded view of her ample pulchritude prevented exposition her real talents for a long time...
Met her once... even shook hands with her near her home (at the time) in Sedona, Arizona... fine lady.