"Ann Miller comes onto this show camera-ready; she's wearing a designer dress; her makeup is exquisite; her hair is perfect and she even smells nice. It's such a pleasure for us. You know what I mean -- so many of the people come here in jeans with their hair flying all over. What's so special about that? You can get that at home." -- An associate producer for The Merv Griffin Show, 1983
Many years ago, I saw Jim Bailey perform as Judy Garland at The Cinegrill at The Hollywood Roosevelt. "Judy" read a list of names of famous friends in the audience, the patter went something like, "They've given me a list of people who are here that I know. No last names. The list goes, 'Ann, Shirley...' Ann Shirley! Is she still around?" Huge laugh from the crowd. Ann was of course Miss Miller, Shirley was Miss Shirley Jones. All within elbow rubbing distance to this member of the Hoi Polloi. I'll never forget that night. The stars weren't all in the sky.
ReplyDeleteThat reminds me of a performance I saw by Tommy Femia (sort of New York City's answer to Jim), when the lighting director missed a cue, and then put the spot far off its mark. Tommy/Judy quipped, "Ladies and gentlemen, Miss June Allyson on lights!"
DeleteAnd Judy "This was the gold lamé outfit I waahr in _Hit the Deck_ !"
ReplyDeleteYES!!
DeleteAnd in relation to the previous day's post, don't forget the powdered donuts that she keeps on hand in case Doris stops by.
Deleteyou could always tell she simply enjoyed the whole experience of being a movie star.... like a little girl that was let into a secret club! she is such a pure joy on screen an in her interviews!
ReplyDeleteI think you nailed exactly what I love most about Annie -- her complete and utter devotion to the old fashioned concept of what being a "movie star" was all about, without EVER being pretentious-grand-lady about it.
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