Alive and kicking!

Edna: Margie, when poor Elizabeth Taylor died a couple of weeks ago, they said on the news that she was among the last of Hollywood's greatest stars. That got me to thinking, and I do believe they might be right. There just aren't that many folks left from Hollywood's golden age, are there?

Margie: There's sure not, sister. Why, just the other night, I watched a movie with Jean Harlow and Clark Gable. She was so elegant and he was so dashing. You sure didn't see them go out in public half-nekkid or wearing their bedclothes. People have lost all sense of what good taste means.

Edna: If by "people" you are referring to yourself, then you are surely correct.

You know, though, I bet you'd be surprised by which old-time Hollywood stars are still alive. Speaking of Clark Gable, guess which of his famous co-stars is still around? Miss Olivia de Haviland from Gone with the Wind, that's who! My lands, she's going to be 95 this year, can you imagine?

Margie: Lord a mercy, she's younger than you! You're still alive, aren't you? Edna, I bet there's folks who wonder if we're still alive. Well, maybe not. I think everybody who knew us is most likely dead now.

Edna: You hush up, Olivie de Haviland is not younger than me! I am trying to make a point here, sister. Just like us, there are plenty of celebrities who maybe you thought were dead but they aren't. People like Maureen O'Hara, who was so wonderful in Miracle on Thirty-Fourth Street. She's going to be 91 years old this year, bless her heart. Or Ernest Borgnine, who just got a Lifetime Achievement award from the Screen Actors Guild earlier this year. Or, my lands, Doris Day! She just had a birthday on Sunday, may she have many more.

Maureen O'Hara:  still alive.

Edna: Today's young stars can learn a thing or two from our living legends. Maybe they need to get off of their facebooks and 3G phones and Blackberries and go pay their elders a nice visit.

Margie: Edna, I agree with everything you said. Calling all handsome gentlemen to come visit this elder. I've still got plenty of life left in me and I want to enjoy it. Edna, is it okay if I post our phone number?

Where did all the glamour go?

Marisa Tomei at the 2011 Academy Awards Edna:  You know, I don't care what all the fashion gurus say, I loved that Miss Marisa Tomei wore a vintage gown at the Oscars a couple weeks ago.  I think it takes a strong personality and a genuine appreciation for glamour to be willing to wear an old dress on the red carpet.  And not just any old dress, either.  It was a 1950 Charles James gown.   These days, celebrities often show more skin than they hide.  And don't even get me started on the nonsense that Lady Gaga calls "style."  As far as I'm concerned, the world needs more old-fashioned glamour in it. Audrey Hepburn (in Givenchy) and William Holden in "Sabrina", 1954. Margie: Some people show more stupidity than they hide too, sister. Edna:  Spoken like an expert, folks!

Happy Birthday Barbara Payton

Margie: Edna, today is the birthday of actress Barbara Payton (1927- 1967). I bet our readers never heard of her. Actually, I probably never would have either but she was in some of the movie magazines I used to read.

Remember that magazine called Confidential? Lawsy me, I didn't dare let Mama catch me reading that. She said movie magazines were "pure trash."

Edna: Hmm, count me in with our readers who've never heard of her. But I have to say, it doesn't surprise me one bit that you'd be reading magazines Mama thought was trashy.

Goodness, but she wasn't very old when she died. What happened?

Margie: Edna, it's a tragic story. She supposedly got her movie roles via the old casting couch routine then she began drinking which led to her being called a "party girl." That was not what a female wanted to be called back then.

In the end she died a prostitute on a park bench. I wonder if the library has her autobiography?

Edna: Oh my, that is a sad story! But I bet it's not an unusual one, especially for Hollywood in those days. I'd be curious to read her autobiography, her story sounds like the kind of thing they would make a movie-of-the-week out of.

Would I know any of her movies?

Margie: Probably not. You never liked that kind. I do know one thing for sure, Edna. She was a smart lady to have an affair with that delicious Guy Madison. What a hunk!!!

Edna's Fun Friday: Child Singers

Edna: When I was just a little girl, Daddy took Margie and I to the picture show, which was something we did pretty often of a Saturday afternoon. But one Saturday was special, it was the day I saw Baby Rose Marie singing her heart out on screen in a film short before the main feature. And oh, a dream was born! How I begged Mama and Daddy to let me go straight to Hollywood to be a child singer, just like Baby Rose Marie. The fact that I couldn't carry a tune in a bucket didn't mean anything to me, I just saw a little girl up on screen who looked just like me, and I wanted to do it too.

Many years later, I was delighted to find a grown-up Rose Marie starring in one of my favorite TV shows of all time, The Dick Van Dyke Show. Rose Marie is still alive today, bless her heart. I wonder if she can still belt out the tunes?

Baby Rose Marie singing "You're Gonna Lose Your Gal" (1934)


Video clip courtesy of GoodOldDays

Fun Friday: Ricardo Montalban

Edna: Margie, our topic for today's Fun Friday post isn't very fun. I'm sure our readers know by now about the recent death of veteran actor, Ricardo Montalban. I was so sad to hear of his passing.

Margie: I agree, Edna, but I certainly do have fond memories of dancing with Ricardo. He was such a charming man.

Edna: Margie, you never met that man in your entire life! You know that his estate can sue you for lying, don't you?

But you are right, he was certainly light on his feet in his movies. Oh, and that voice! I swooned more than once while that man was talking, let me tell you.

Margie: Edna, don't believe me. I don't care. Go look at this video of Ricardo and me dancing. You know that's me but I used my screen name.

Edna: That is not you, you ninny! Lordy folks, don't pay her any attention, I truly think her mind is starting to go. But do enjoy this clip we found, and head on over here if you want to learn more about Ricardo Montalban and his work as an actor and activist for other Latino actors.

We'll miss you, Ricardo.



Clip courtesy of Two Weeks with Love from MGM, 1950

Edna Does Hollywood

Dear Sister,

Did you know that there’s a Hollywood here in Florida, too? But people just look at me funny when I ask them which way to the movie studios. People are ruder here than they are back in Kansas, that’s for sure. Anyway, this postcard is of Hollywood Boulevard, which has this big circle right in the middle of it. We went round and round and round that thing on the Biddy Bus before we could get off of it. I like to fell over once we got home, I was that dizzy.

Shut up Margie, I can hear you saying something snide right now!

Love, Edna



Margie: Lord a mercy! I knew Edna would go down there and show her ignorance and I was right. I hope she doesn't tell them she's from Jericho because they'll think we're all hillbillies.

If Edna thinks she was dizzy from going in circles then wait until she finds out that I borrowed her new dress today and wore it for the mailman.

Exclusive: Jennie Sword Visits The Basement

Margie and Edna are pleased to announce an exclusive interview with Jennie Sword. Jennie is known quite fondly to "Jericho" fans as "Townie Jennie," an extra on the CBS series. She was kind enough recently to sit down and answer questions from two nosy old ladies. Thank you, Jennie!

+++++++++++++++++++

Edna: Jennie dear, you remind me so much of someone who lives here in Jericho, although we haven't seen much of her lately. There was this quiet young lady, very sweet, who used to wander around town—you usually saw her in crowds and such. You two look an awful lot alike, you wouldn't happen to be related to her, would you?

Jennie: You must be talking about my cousin Jessie! Yeah, my grandmother always said we look alike. I hope she's well. You know she's been through a lot in that town. Getting caught up in mortar attacks and battles with her neighboring town and all. She's a sweet person who tries to help others when she can. We gotta get her away from her horses and helping those nice people long enough to find her a good boyfriend. Would be nice for the girl to have someone nice to lean on after all she's been through there.

Margie: Miss Jennie, when Edna and I come visit you in California, what favorite spots of yours would you like to show us? Could you take us to meet April Parker-Jones and all the single gentlemen you know?

Jennie: Oh, yes April and I would love to take you ladies to a nice lunch or dinner. I'd love to take you to places like Griffith Park Observatory and surrounding areas there like the Equestrian Center. Do you ladies like horses? I could take you riding. We could go to the beach and there are several botanical gardens I know of that I think you both would love. Lots of museums too. The Huntington Gardens has both a museum and huge botanical garden and an English tea room I think you'd enjoy. We could go to the Getty Museum and the Getty Villa. Maybe take in a good play at a nice theatre. There are plenty of Hollywood "hot spots" we could take you to if you want to enjoy some nightlife. There's a lot we could do!

Single men? Well, there's plenty of them here but the good ones are hard to find because they are usually already taken or gay or when you think you find a good one, often they end up having some kind of "issues" that need some work but there are some random gems hidden around here. So maybe with some luck we can find a couple of those gems for you ladies to meet!

Edna: My sister and I are great fans of creative people. I understand that you are an actress, but do you have any other creative outlets? Is there anything in particular that you're working on now?

Jennie: Oh Edna, I have many! I've explored several of my creative sides from painting and drawing to doing digital visual effects to dancing but currently, I enjoy writing screenplays, playing score music on piano and doing nature and art photography. I also enjoy my garden which I find is also a creative outlet. I have a thing for the English cottage style gardens so I like to play around with that. I've been doing a little of all of those things lately. I recently had a new idea for a screenplay so I wrote an outline for it. I'm also taking up archery but that's more of a sport I'd say. I stay pretty busy!

Margie: Jennie, I was once told I could be a movie star but things didn't work out. When you make a movie who would you most like to have as your male lead? Do you think I could still make it in the movies?

Jennie: Hands down - Johnny Depp! I've loved his acting since I can remember. I think he's so naturally gifted and he takes risks and does things his way which is a lot like I tend to do. I love his choices on which projects he wants to be involved in. He'd be so fun to work with. So creative - I think he would understand my way of working and thinking. He's the coolest thing since sliced bread! Talented, beautiful, an amazing father and partner to his girl. Inspiring all around.

Oh yes Margie, it's never ever ever too late to follow a dream! Dreams happen at any time in life. Dreams can evolve. Whether it's a new dream or a life long dream you should go for it!!! Anything is possible if you believe in yourself and in what you want to do and put your heart and mind to it and work for it. You have to love yourself too! Know that you deserve to reach that goal that your heart so desires and live in the moments that lead you there!


You are lovely ladies. Thank you for your kindness and support! Best wishes to you both!
~ Jennie ~

Margie and Edna: Past Vacations

Edna: Margie, summertime always makes me think of going on vacation. Why don’t we go anywhere anymore like we used to? Remember that year Mama and Daddy packed us up in the Model T and took us down to San Antonio to see the Alamo? That was surely a fun trip, even though it was hot as Hades down there in Texas.

Margie: We don't go anywhere, Edna, because you always want to drive and you can't see. If I drive you boss me around.

I do remember the Alamo. It was so hot that I almost went skinny dipping but I was too scared that Daddy would catch me and tan my hide. I remember one of the gentlemen at the Alamo took a shine to you, Edna.

Edna: Which is why Daddy high-tailed us right back out of Texas, he was worried about keeping my virtue safe. He knew yours was already compromised, you hussy.

Do you remember when we took that train trip out to Hollywood because you wanted to star in the “talkies”?

Margie: Edna, I told Daddy about your "virtue." Remember when he threatened to lock you in your room for the rest of your life?

I do remember that train ride. I could have been a star in Hollywood if only I hadn't let that sweet-voiced man talk me into going to Reno.

Edna: I think the movie industry breathed a sigh of relief when that happened; the world couldn’t have taken seeing you up there on the silver screen. Your face would have given even King Kong the scare of his life.

So, should we go somewhere this summer? I bet Cousin T would drive us anywhere we wanted to go.

Margie: Edna, I'm not the one who looks they got beat with an ugly stick. Hussy.

Where shall we go? We can't let Cousin T drive unless we lock up the Special Tea first.

Edna: Well, I got a letter from Aunt Biddy down in Florida and it sounded like she wanted some company, but she hates you. Maybe you'd better think of somewhere else to go.

Margie: Edna, I'm not going near that crazy woman. You'd better not go either. You know Daddy never wanted us anywhere near that fruit loop.

I'll get Cousin T to drive me to Hawaii.