Lauren Bacall on "What's My Line"

If you want a real peek at a celebrity's impish side, the way they might have appeared at a cocktail party, AND you're interested in stars of Hollywood's golden age, there is no better way in than through the celebrity guest spots on What's My Line, the game show that aired from 1950-1967 and featured a very erudite and witty panel of columnists and media celebrities who tried to figure out what a person's "line" was through a series of "yes or no" questions.

The "mystery guest" spot required the panel to cover their eyes with face masks (Arlene Francis' is particularly reflective of her personal brand of kooky glamour) and the celebrity would employ tricks to disguise their voices, or if the celebrity's voice was instantly recognizable, as in the case of Judy Garland, the guest would have a bell to ring for "yes" and clicker for "no". 

In watching this particular clip featuring Lauren Bacall just after she finished filming How To Marry A Millionaire, I was surprised by how flirty and coquettish and almost...demure she was.  I've always known and loved Bacall as the sophisticated, confident, and salty lady she was onscreen, and that she relaxed into as she aged.  So to see her in this context was loads of fun.  Hope you enjoy.

 

And if this clip has piqued your interest, there are plenty more What's My Line celebrity spots available on Youtube, including Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, Kim Novak, Jimmy Stewart, Judy Garland and Eleanore Roosevelt!  I personally recommend the clip with Rosalind Russell.

Uncertainty...

It's been a somewhat tenuous time as of late, as I've been trying to figure out what the future holds.  My job situation is somewhat unstable, my romantic life is undeveloped, and close friends of mine are off on exciting new adventures of one kind or another.

Me???  I'm beginning to realize that if I plan on staying in the Austin area, any hopes of making a larger income based on creativity is...limited.  That's not to say that some people haven't been able to make a go of it, but in my areas of expertise??  Let's just say Chicago has been calling, and has been calling ever since I my exploratory visit about five years ago.  Now I realize I'm not getting any younger, and that it might take some time to establish myself in a new town, and that it's a lot of hard work.  I hear you.  But, it would be exciting as well, and feel like really living, rather than just...coasting. And if the effort is motivated by desire, then it doesn't really feel as much like work, does it?  As far as here?  Austin?  At this moment I don't see the next four or five years as very different from what they have been, and I just don't want to accept a future of drifiing from  one job to another that has very little to do with my passions, true talents, and desires.   

That said, I am currently in a lease which goes to June, so until then, I am here.  In the mean time I am open to finding the perfect position, preferably in an industry focused on creativity and communications.  I can dream, right? 

Obsession: Once Upon A Brothers Grimm

I've loved fairy tales for as long as I can remember.  In kindergarten I had a huge book of them that I checked out from the library multiple times.  And I coveted the illustrated version of Disney's Snow White that my cousins owned, and whenever I visited them always found a time to break away from them and pore over its pages for a few moments.  My Aunt would always tell them to me when she put me to sleep, and the only way my mother could get me to sit still while she cleaned my ears out was to mention a long list of fairy tale and Disney characters that she was pulling out of there.  Disgusting, but true.   

So it stands to reason that a television special entitled Once Upon A Brothers Grimm was little kid eye candy.  So colorful, and exciting, and suspenseful.   When you're a kid you have this magical power to suspend all disbelief, and so I was truly and utterly engrossed.  It's a power I really miss in  my slightly snarky years.  It's available at Amazon, so I can't wait to order it and re watch it...

 

Yes it's campy as shit and unintentionally funny.  Yes, it's got Paul Sand (ugh) and yes Terri Garr is blatantly lip synching and yes Ruth Buzzi is an inappropriate cast as the Miller's daughter in Rumplestilsken, but it's fucking Ruth Buzzi!  In a 1970's fairy tale extravaganza!! 

Others in the cast include Dean Jones, Chita Rivera, Arte Lang, and many more...