738

February 19, 2013 marks the 44th anniversary of this lady's passing.

Born: May 31, 1899

She was a very busy character actor in Hollywood in the 1940's, 1950's and 1960's.  She appeared in numerous films however most of her appearances were uncredited.  1952's Singin' in the Rain featured her as Dora Bailey, once again an uncredited but memorable part.  Some other film appearances include The Long, Long Trailer and Please Murder Me. 

On television she made appearances on several programs including "Racket Squad", "Beulah", "The Public Defender", "The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show", "The Ray Milland Show", "Four Star Playhouse", "Cavalcade of America", "Private Secretary", "December Bride", "G.E.True Theater", "Lassie", "Bachelor Father", "The Bob Cummings Show", "Dennis the Menace", "The Gale Storm Show", "Date with the Angels", "The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet", "The Donna Reed Show", "Angel", "Make Room for Daddy", "Dr. Kildare", "Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre", "The Addams Family", "The Lucy Show", "Bewitched", "The Dick Van Dyke Show", "Burke's Law", "My Favorite Martian", "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.", "The Smothers Brothers", "Mannix" and "Gomer Pyle: USMC." 

Between 1955 and 1964 she made 7 appearances on "The Jack Benny Program" as Jack's fan club president.  "I Love Lucy" fans will recognize her as Mrs. Mulford, owner of Lucy's favorite hat shop in the episode "Ricky Loses His Temper" and as Martha, a perspective tenant of the Mertzes in the episode "Lucy and Superman."  Between 1958 and 1960 she appeared in 11 episodes of "Leave it to Beaver" as Mrs. Margaret Mondello.  She made 21 appearances as Flora MacMichael on "The Real McCoys" between 1957 and 1963.  During the 1961-1962 television season she played Mrs. Barnes in 20 episodes of "The Joey Bishop Show."  

In 1965 she was cast as Mrs. Harriet Cooper, the dotty aunt of Dick Grayson (Burt Ward), the youthful ward to millionaire Bruce Wayne (Adam West) on the action series "Batman."  Along with Adam West and Burt Ward as the caped crimefighters the cast also included Alan Napier as Alfred, the Wayne Butler, Neil Hamilton as Police Commissioner Gordon and Stafford Repp as Police Chief O'Hara.  "Batman" began on January 12, 1966 and was an immediate success.  Aunt Harriet was a very loyal supporter of Batman and Robin and sometimes she found herself menaced by their rogues gallery.  In addition to being kidnapped by Zelda (Anne Baxter) she also encountered The Joker (Cesar Romero), Mr. Freeze (Otto Preminger), The Penguin (Burgess Meredith), The Clock King (Walter Slezak) and The Catwoman (Julie Newmar).  Her trademark expression whenever trouble arose was always "Mercy Alive!"

Aunt Harriet found herself as a target of the villainous Chandell (Liberace) and his twin brother Harry (also Liberace) in the episodes "The Devil's Fingers" and "The Dead Ringers" who were out to acquire her fortune.  In the episode "Marsha, Queen of Diamonds" the Queen (Carolyn Jones) kidnaps Robin, Gordon and O'Hara and blackmails Batman into marrying her.  Alfred and Aunt Harriet leap into action with Alfred pretending to be a lawyer and Aunt Harriet pretending to be the long lost 1st wife of Batman.  Marsha is shocked that Batman would be a bigamist and flees.  By the end of the series Aunt Harriet had appeared in 84 episodes.  She appeared only twice during the final season due to health issues.  Her last mention is in the episode "Louie's Lethal Lilac Time" when Bruce and Dick are kidnapped by Louie, the Lilac (Milton Berle) and Alfred tells the reporters that Mrs. Cooper is in shock upstairs.  

She passed away on February 19, 1969 following a heart attack.  Her final two projects aired after her death.  She appeared in an episode of "The Doris Day Show" which aired on March 11, 1969 and she also appeared in a TV movie "Hastings Corner" which aired on January 14, 1970.

It is very important to remember the character actors of yesteryear.  They were the backbone of the finest productions we ever had the honor of watching.    

In Memoriam Remembers:
Madge Blake    

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