Elvia Allman (September 19, 1904 - March 6, 1992)

Between 1935 and 1990 Elvia Allman was one of the busiest character actresses in Hollywood. She began on radio, appearing on such programs as "Burns and Allen" (as Tootsie Stagwell), "The Abbott and Costello Show" (various) and "My Favorite Husband" (various). She had a regular role on "Blondie" as Cora Dithers. In 1935 she lent her voice to the first of many Walt Disney animated shorts. She originated the role of Clarabelle Cow. When television took over Allman was no stranger. She appeared on numerous programs including "The Abbott and Costello Show", "The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show", "I Married Joan", "Our Miss Brooks", "Duffy's Tavern", "The Gale Storm Show", "December Bride", "The People's Choice", "The Ann Sothern Show", "The Bob Cummings Show", "The Ford Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show", "The Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse Presents the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show", "Bachelor Father", "The Andy Griffith Show", "Mister Ed", "Perry Mason", "Pete and Gladys", "Hazel", "The Jack Benny Program", "Dennis the Menace", "General Electric Theater", "The New Phil Silvers Show", "Wagon Train", "My Favorite Martian", "The Addams Family", "The Dick Van Dyke Show", "The Smothers Brothers Show", "Green Acres", "Bewitched", "McHale's Navy", "The Munsters", "The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet", "My Three Sons", "The Lucy Show", "Adam-12", "The Debbie Reynolds Show", "Love, American Style", "The Odd Couple", "The Doris Day Show", "Quincy, M.E.", "Sanford", "Gimme a Break!", "Alice" and "Murder, She Wrote." She reprised her role of Cora Dithers in the television version of "Blondie." In the world of "I Love Lucy" fans and devotees Allman is among the heroes. She had the honor of playing the forewoman in the infamous episode "Job Switching" where Lucy and Ethel take jobs in a candy factory. Her line "SPEED IT UP A LITTLE!!!!" will forever be seered into every "Lucy" lovers mind. She made two other appearances on the program one as a rough around the edges elderly lady that Lucy and Ethel encounter and the other as magazine writer Nancy Graham. In the late 1960's she had a recurring role as Elverna Bradshaw on "The Beverly Hillbillies" and a recurring role as Selma Plout on "Petticoat Junction." In 1975 she played Martha Kent in the television adaptation of the Broadway musical "It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Superman!" In 1977, she replaced Margaret Hamilton as Grandma Hester Frump in the television reunion "Halloween with the New Addams Family." In 1990, at the age of 86, Allman reprised her role of Clarabelle Cow in the Disney production The Prince and the Pauper. This would prove to be her final acting role. Some minor film credits include brief appearances in Breakfast at Tiffanys and The Nutty Professor. Thank you Elvia Allman for all your wonderful contributions. You will be with us for a long long time to come.

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