Alice Ghostley

Automatic Washer - The world's coolest Washing Machines, Dryers and Dishwashers

Help Support :

Was Watching The PBS Series

On televison comedy and Paul Lynde was covered a bit, with interviews with those who worked with him including Kaye Ballard.

According to Miss. Ballard, what you saw with Mr. Lynde is what you got in person. He was a "curmudgeon" to a fault, though today one supposes it would be called "bitter old aunty" (no offence meant)or something like that.

Apparently, again according to Miss. Ballard everyone from Broadway to Hollywood to the televison bosses knew he was gay, and Mr. Lynde knew that they knew but he wouldn't dare "come out". Mr. Lynde also knew he was not being offered roles, parts and such because of his sexuality. So he was stuck playing whatever tidbits were thrown his way, especially when it came to television.

Television was where many famous back in the day stage and film stars were ending up to make money. From Kaye Ballard, Milton Berle, Eve Arden, and so many, many more. Most would have loved to go back to film and or stage, and some did, but television was where the money was at, especially for "also rans".

Anywho, during this PBS program, they showed several skits of Mr. Lynde's that had me in stitches. Some from his "Hollywood Squares" days (Question to Mr. Lynde: According to Ann Landers, what is the one thing one should never do in bed?" Rely from Mr. Lynde (deadpan and without missing a beat), "Point and laugh".

There was another quiz show where the contestant does not see persons they are asking questions of, and Mr. Lynde was cast as a female wrestler (this was in the 1960's or so), and he is in drag. The female contestant asks:"..... you were female champion in 1955, 1956, 1959... what happened in 1957?" Mr. Lynde responsds: "oh let me see, that was the year I was so busy having the twins...."

Back to AG:

Didn't she pass away some time ago? Why the long delay in her burial? Glad to see she is finally at rest.

As for Bewitched, aside from the chid actors who played "Tabitha" and "Adam", only "Doctor Bombay" is still around. Every single other major cast member has passed on. Some even though much younger than AG, died long before her.
 
Alice Ghostley

Was great in Bewitched, but she did so many other wonderful roles.

Have to say my favourite was "Bernice", the only one who despite her being a bit daft, was able to not only at times keep up with Suzanne,but her in her place as well.

Anyone who is either from the South, or has lived there knows every family as at least one "Bernice", "Suzanne", and "Brother Boy" lurking about somewhere! *LOL*

L.
 
> According to Miss. Ballard, what you saw with Mr. Lynde is what you got in person. He was a "curmudgeon" to a fault, though today one supposes it would be called "bitter old aunty" (no offence meant)or something like that. <

There were three distinct Pauls. When he was sober he was very quiet, and usually shy. With a few drinks in him, that's the Paul you see in most of his TV and film roles. He was extremely intelligent, with a wit as sharp as a razor blade. I've already mentioned the third Paul.

Paul's drinking started in earnest after he lost Bing, his partner, in 1965. This was long before I knew him, but John said Paul was horribly traumatized and never fully recovered from the experience. Bing was showing Paul a trick, where he hung off a balcony by his fingertips. He started to slip, and Paul desperately tried to pull him back up. But Bing fell several stories to his death, with Paul watching.

Shortly thereafter he landed his role on Bewitched, and in later episodes, if you listen closely he's actually slurring his lines -- he was usually crocked.

As for his acting career, Allen's comment is correct. He was always moreless the same character with different names. Paul fancied himself a potential leading man, but he didn't have the acting range to accomplish it. He also blamed Hollywood Squares for ruining his chances at a film career, but it had more to do with his lack of acting range (and drinking problem) than anything else.
 
Can You Imagine?

Charles Nelson Reilly, Paul Lynde and perhaps Liberace having a "b**ch* session after a few drinks? Now THAT would have been something to see. Would have put "The Women" to shame! *LOL*

Would throw in Roddy MacDowell, but just cannot imagine him ever getting down and dirty.

L.
 
Another Good "Hollywood Squares" Response

Peter Marshall: In the Lewis Carroll book, "Alice In Wonderland", what character kept saying 'I'm late, I'm late'?

Paul Lynde: Alice, and her mother's sick about it.
 
Paul Lynde & Bewitched

Like many other actors on that show besides "Sam" and "Darrin", Paul Lynde was on the show as another character before becoming "Uncle Arthur".

PL played a driving instructor who was driven nearly mad by Endora and every now and then by Sam. The former kept popping in and out of the back seat and other pranks to drive the poor soul up the wall, while the other not quite getting the hang of parallel parking decided "P" for "Park" simply meant twitching her nose and having he car move sideways into a spot. Oh how one wishes it was that easy! *LOL*
 
Now I remember her.

But of course she was a hoot on Designing Women as Bernice especially when her medication was kicking in!!

Spiceman1957++8-16-2009-23-33-46.jpg
 
Bewitched cast members still living

I know of two:

1. Bernard Fox, "Dr. Bombay"

2. Erin Murphy, "Tabitha"

The fraternal twin boys who played "Adam", who allegedly were illegitimate sons of Tony Curtis, are alive, I don't know their names.
 
I always thought the Elizabeth Montgomery got kinda strange after Bewitched ended. She tried to get as far away from Samantha as possible, and chose roles that were more "artsy" and an example of the "acting craft" than entertaining.
She also was not as endearing as she was when she was playing Samantha.
 
In honor, I remember you kindly, Alice Ghostly! A wonderul and talented actress!!
I also remember, The Paul Lynde Show. Does anyone else? It only lasted one or two seasons, but it was a hoot! I remember a scene when he was at his office with a young secretary. She was on a ladder getting a book, and Paul Lynde looked at her ass and said "Judy, Judy, Judy!" His wife walked in and he said with that wonderful smirk, "Martha, Martha, Martha!" A great show!

Again, I wanted to share that with you. I didn't mean to detract from Alice Ghostly by any means!
 
Never could quite figure out why a witch would want to be a maid. I wonder if Alice ever said "What's my motivation" to the director...

Seemed to be quite a class system in the witch world wasn't there.
 
Paul Lynde

Sorry to hijack the thread about Alice Ghostley, but seeing as though Paul Lynde has been mentioned, was he also the character voice of the cartoon villain, the Hooded Claw in the perils of Penelope Pitstop?
 
Back
Top