Edna: Margie, look what's on TV tonight, it's that movie On the Town. My lands, how those actors can dance and sing! I used to have such a soft spot for that gutsy Betty Garrett. Remember her?
Margie: Edna, is she the one you always tried to imitate? I know you can't carry a tune in a bucket.
Edna: I can sing better than you can, you harpy. And she ended up with Frank Sinatra in that movie, as you'll recall. I can think of worse people to imitate.
As I was saying, I just loved her so much in everything I ever saw her in. Do you remember when she was on Laverne and Shirley as Mrs. Babish the landlord? It was so nice to see her on TV every week, that's for sure.
Margie: Edna, that Frank was a smooth one. There's a man who knew how to sing and dress.
Oh, I never missed that Laverne and Shirley. They sort of reminded me of us. Mrs. Babish was a good role.
Edna: That was a good role for her, you're right. You know, I didn't remember this until we started talking about her, but she and her husband were both blacklisted during the McCarthy hearings. Her husband never really got good acting work again after that, although she went on to do a lot of TV and stage work, bless her heart.
Did you know she's still alive, Margie? She got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame back in 2003, which she definitely deserved. And I guess she directs plays and wrote an autobiography. I'm glad she's still around, it seems like there are so few celebrities left from Hollywood's golden age.
Margie: She's still alive? I'd sure love to meet her. You're right about the golden age. Men were gentlemen and ladies were ladies.
I'm going to the library and get her book.
Edna: She's most definitely still alive, and still acting too. Look at what I found on her imdb.com profile: she's in a movie! They're still working on it, but it also has that nice Jim Beaver in it. Anything that has Bobby from Supernatural and Mrs. Babish in it is bound to be entertaining.
Maybe we should write her and ask for an autograph.
Margie: Edna, you get the pen and paper and I'll make us some Special Tea.
Edna: Sounds like a plan, sister.
5 comments:
On The Town is one of my all-time favorite movies! I always felt that the writers were a bit unfair to Betty Garrett's character, the cab driver - making her look so desperate about Frank Sinatra. She was so great, she didn't need to act that way! And I am sure that Betty did not approve. I thought she was terrific.
Edna: I know what you mean, Miss Lidian. They did play up her character's desperation for comedic effect--perhaps too much. But yes, she still did a great job. :)
Fascinating post. Really. I had no idea about Betty Garrett-- and that's a sad story about her husband too. Thanks for the tidbit.
Also I don't see how she could refuse if she'd see this post. You'll have to include a link with your request. Take a picture when you get it and post it for us, y'hear? :)
thanks for advertising on my site with entercard, I am adding you to my bookmark list to drop on everyday. Thanks again.
juzten
Daily Free Software
She's not only alive, she's partying! Betty appears with some regularity on my friend's blog, Here In The Hills. It's a great account of a former actress/writer/singer and her continuing friendships with people of all ages who are in the arts.
Post a Comment