November 12, 1990

Born: April 30, 1908

She died on this day twenty years ago. Her career began in the 1930's with the film Stage Door which put her along side other great actresses such as Katharine Hepburn, Lucille Ball and Ann Miller. Some other films include At the Circus (with the Marx Brothers), Mildred Pierce, Anatomy of a Murder, Grease and Grease 2.

In the 1950's she became a household name as high school English teacher Connie Brooks on the radio series "Our Miss Brooks." In 1952 the program moved to television and lasted four seasons. In 1956 a motion picture version featuring the entire cast was released. The actress is one of the few to have played the same character on radio, television and film.

After "Our Miss Brooks" ended "The Eve Arden Show" began but sadly only lasted the 1957-1958 television season. Her next attempt at a regular television series came in 1967 with "The Mothers-in-Law" in which she co-starred with Kaye Ballard. The show lasted until 1969 and produced 56 episodes...

Also in the 1960's she appeared on Broadway in Hello, Dolly! and Auntie Mame. She attempted a return to Broadway in the 1980's but the plans never materialized...

In one of the most beloved episodes of "I Love Lucy" she makes a brief cameo as herself which is a favorite among many die hard fans. The episode "L.A. at Last" finds Lucy (Lucille Ball), Ethel (Vivian Vance) and Fred (William Frawley) having lunch at the famous Brown Derby restaurant. Naturally the ladies are hunting for movie stars and while looking at all the pictures on the wall Lucy can't place who is in the one behind the next booth. Ethel leans over to the lady and asks "In that photo there is that Shelley Winters or Judy Holliday?" to which the lady in the next booth turns around and says "Neither it's Eve Arden" before getting up and leaving...

In a 1966 episode of "Bewitched" she made a memorable appearance as Nurse Kelton in the episode in which the beloved Tabitha is born. Nurse Kelton and the fierce Endora (Agnes Moorehead) lock horns several times. Nurse Kelton chases Endora out when visiting hours end but the elder witch uses her powers to re-enter the room. When she is discovered Nurse Kelton asks "How did you get back in here? I didn't think Houdini could do it." Endora's reply "Houdini had a lot to learn."

Other television guest appearances include "Maude", "Alice", "Hart to Hart", "The Love Boat", "Vega$", "Ellery Queen", "Love, American Style", "The Danny Thomas Hour", "The Red Skelton Show" and "The Man from U.N.C.L.E."

Her final acting role was in 1987 as Lillian Nash Darlington, a nemesis of Angela Channing (Jane Wyman) on the prime time soap opera "Falcon Crest."

A great lady who was the picture of class, elegance and professionalism - her wonderful voice was perfect for radio and television and her delivery was priceless.

Twenty years after her passing...

In Memoriam Remembers: Eve Arden