Ethel Merman (January 16, 1908 - February 15, 1984)

Ethel Merman was one of the greatest stars that ever shined on the Broadway stage. With her great stage presence and booming voice she was able to make any role she played believable. Among her Broadway credits are Stars in Your Eyes, Girl Crazy, Something for the Boys, Anything Goes (her understudy was Vivian Vance), DuBarry was a Lady (her role in the film version was played by Lucille Ball), Call Me Madam, Hello, Dolly! and Annie Get Your Gun. In 1959, she was the first actress to play Mama Rose in the play Gypsy which was based on memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee. In 1936 she appeared in the film version of Anything Goes opposite Bing Crosby and Ida Lupino and in 1953 she appeared in the film version of Call Me Madam opposite Donald O'Connor and George Sanders. On television she appeared as herself on dozens of programs including "The Milton Berle Show", "The Colgate Comedy Hour", "The DuPont Show of the Month", "The Dinah Shore Chevy Show", "The Bob Hope Show", "The Jerry Lewis Show", "The Judy Garland Show", "The Lucy Show", "What's My Line?", "I've Got a Secret", "Gypsy", "That Girl", "The Joey Bishop Show", "The Dean Martin Show", "Toast of the Town", "The Carol Burnett Show", "The Mike Douglas Show", "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson", "Dinah!", "The Muppet Show" and "The Merv Griffin Show." In character she appeared on "General Electric Theater", "Kraft Suspense Theatre", "Batman" and "The Love Boat." Her final film appearance was in 1980's Airplane opposite Robert Hays, Lloyd Bridges, Peter Graves and Robert Stack. In the film she played Lieutenant Hurwitz and spoofed her famous role from Gypsy. As long as we have the wonderful treasures that Ethel Merman left behind...everything will always be coming up roses.

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