Natalie Schafer (November 5, 1900 - April 10, 1991)

I know what you are all thinking...Mrs. Howell from "Gilligan's Island." That's very true, she was Mrs. Howell on "Gilligan's Island" but I have never watched an episode of the show from beginning to end in my entire life. I will say that she was a wonderful actress and Jim Backus was a wonderful actor so I am sure they were perfect as "the millionaire and his wife" despite the fact that she was thirteen years older than he was in real life. In addition to Broadway Schafer appeared in close to thirty films and guest starred on such shows as "Climax!", "Letter to Loretta", "Playhouse 90", "The Beverly Hillbillies", "77 Sunset Strip", "Mayberry R.F.D.", "Mannix", "Vega$", "Phyllis", "Three's Company" and "The Brady Bunch." The reason I am mentioning her is because for me she will always be Miss Phoebe Emerson, owner of Miss Emerson's Charm School in the "I Love Lucy" episode "The Charm School" which originally aired on January 25, 1954. She also appeared with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz in their 1956 motion picture Forever Darling. Her well togetherness and composure as she deals with the zany Mrs. Ricardo and Mrs. Mertz is priceless and her performance is beloved by any "Lucy" fan.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Remembering the Cast of "Make Room for Daddy" / "The Danny Thomas Show" (583)

It was one of the longest running family sitcoms in television history.  Right there along side "I Love Lucy", "The Honeymooners", "Father Knows Best" and "My Little Margie" it was one of the most beloved programs of the day.  It began on ABC as "Make Room for Daddy" on September 29, 1953.  After 120 episodes the title changed to "The Danny Thomas Show" and in 1957 the program moved to CBS.  After a healthy eleven year run the show ended on April 27, 1964 after producing 351 episodes total.  In 1970 a majority of the cast returned for the show "Make Room for Granddaddy" which lasted from 1970 to 1971 producing 24 episodes.  The cast was headed up by Danny Thomas who played nightclub entertainer Danny Williams.  Jean Hagen played his wife Margaret, Rusty Hamer played his son Rusty and Sherry Jackson played his daughter Terry.  Jackson played Terry from 1953 to 1958 followed by Penny Parker who played the role from
Read more

Doris Packer (May 30, 1904 - March 31, 1979)

She began in New York on Broadway and then started appearing on radio. Some of her radio credits include "Henry Aldrich" and "Mr. & Mrs. North." When she became a widow in 1953 she relocated to California where she began appearing on film and on television. Her first film was Meet Me at the Fair. She also appeared in The Perils of Pauline in 1967. She is best remembered as Mrs. Cornelia Rayburn, Beaver's Principal on "Leave it to Beaver." She also had a recurring role on "The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis." Her final film appearance was in Shampoo in 1975... Other Television Credits: "The Great Gildersleeve" "Jane Wyman Presents the Fireside Theatre" "The Bob Cummings Show" "The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show" "I Love Lucy" "Lux Video Theatre" "The Jack Benny Program" "The Thin Man" "Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse" "Maverick" &quo
Read more