CECELIA SISSON

 Tonight's chuckle. I adored Carol Channing.I noticed while my implants get more fined tuned before the final ones are made, (two more weeks) I find this happens to me once or twice a day. So I did a part of this skit at work one day. They howled.

IN THREE WORDS

In the weekly feature, I'll share a guest with you all, and you tell me in only three words what come to mind.

In Three Words...

Carol Channing 

THE GREAT CRAIG RUSSELL

Craig Russell, who delighted and sometimes shocked audiences with his impersonations of Mae West, Judy Garland and Peggy Lee,led the way for drag in Canada. 

Born in Toronto, Mr. Russell became interested in show business after meeting Miss West in 1965. At the age of 17, he moved into her house in Los Angeles and worked as her part-time secretary. He left several months later, apparently after a dispute, and returned to Toronto to study hairdressing. He remained a devoted fan, however, and years later the walls of his apartment remained covered with memorabilia given to him by the actress.

He made his first stage appearance in 1970 when he impersonated Tallulah Bankhead at a gay club in Toronto. For years he was among the best-known female impersonators in North America.His performance in the 1977 film "Outrageous," in which he played a flamboyant drag queen, won Mr. Russell the awards for both best actor and best actress at the Virgin Islands Film Festival. He also was named best actor at the Berlin Film Festival for the role.

His career soured when a four-city tour of Western Canada in 1981 was canceled after Mr. Russell undressed onstage and threw wigs and jewelry at the audience. He was later barred from a talk show in Vancouver.Starting in Toronto gay venues in the late 1960s, he went on to tour North America, the United Kingdom and Europe. He developed a TV and film career, and was a known performer in the global entertainment industry. He not only proved drag as an art form, but demonstrated there was an audience for it. In an era when homosexuality was illegal, Russell performed every week in some of the biggest North American venues in and out of gay neighborhoods. He was the most mainstream drag performer in the world long before drag performer RuPaul hit the scene.He rubbed shoulders with top stars, and earned the respect of entertainers he imitated. Davis called him brilliant. Lee said he was her favorite impersonator.

Russell’s entourage grew to include a promoter, makeup artist, dresser and full band under the direction of musician Paul Hoffert, the co-founder of Lighthouse. They regularly took top billing in Provincetown, Mass., and went on to do shows in San Francisco, Amsterdam and Berlin, playing large theatres. The highlight for him was his first performance at Carnegie Hall.By 1980, Russell’s career began to ebb. Struggling with drugs, alcohol and fame, disastrous performances in New York and Vancouver tarnished his reputation. He later made a sequel to Outrageous. It flopped.Russell died of an AIDS-related stroke in 1990. His last years were so publicly marked by struggle, his legacy was mudded.But no denying he was a trailblazer and a very talented soul. He here was doing the fabulous Carol Channing....how befitting.

I can only surmise they are having one hell of a show today together.

HELLO DOLLY

Rest in peace dear Carol. This queen will miss you dear.And we dear people will never see the likes of this legend again. One of a kind.

Carol Channing

January 31 1921- January 15 2019

RASPBERRIES!

Let's all take a bow and wish the fabulous and lively Carol Elaine Channing... actress, singer, dancer, comedian and most notable for starring in Broadway and film musicals, where her characters typically radiate a fervent expressiveness and an easily identifiable voice.....a very Happy 97th Birthday today!!!!!

On her special day she's here to toast and say.........

THE ONE AND ONLY CAROL CHANNING

 

Carol Channing starred as Lorelei Lee in 1949's Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and in addition starred in an array of Broadway productions, winning a Tony for her landmark role in Hello, Dolly!  It also happens to be one of our favorites talents here at the Casa du Borghese, and today the fabulous Ms. Channing turns 95!

 

She was born in Seattle, Washington. When she left home to attend Bennington College, her mother informed her that her father, a journalist whom she had believed was born in Rhode Island, was actually a light-complected African-American born in Augusta, Georgia who had passed for white, saying that the only reason she was telling her was so she wouldn't be surprised "if she had a black baby". She kept her heritage secret so she would not be typecast on Broadway and in Hollywood, ultimately revealing it only in her autobiography, Just Lucky I Guess, which was published in 2002, when she was more than 80 years old. As an actress, Channing’s career was built largely on two roles, Lorelei Lee in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Dolly Gallagher Levi in Hello Dolly!. She is easily recognized by her distinctive voice and wide eyes...and we adore her.

 

"I'm allergic to chemicals in food so I eat only organic foods. I've never missed a show so it must be doing something.”

 

“Laughter is much more important than applause. Applause is almost a duty. Laughter is a reward.”

"My mother said to me, "You're revolting. And on top of that, you're not very feminine." Well, that led me to the stage, which is an accepting and comfortable place. So in a way I have my mother to thank."

 

“The First 80 Years Are the Hardest"

 

"I'm terribly shy, but of course no one believes me. Come to think of it, neither would I."

 

 

Carol Channing....January 31, 1921

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Love Boat Follies

Now don't even ask me how I came across the clip. Remember the show Love Boat? If you watched it you will probably remember seeing this then. It was one of my favorite episodes as I love me some MGM Girls. This show had the beauty and talent of the incredible Della Reese, Ethel Merman,Ann Miller,and Carol Channing.

All these gorgeous ladies were playing the parts of the various characters mothers or in-laws. They all had such good chemistry together with all their grande dame attitudes and banter, and I believe it was Ethel Merman's last filmed performance. And I just LOVE ANN MILLER. Always have. She was such a beautiful woman and that hair in the clip... it sure looks like it could with stand some very high winds!

The Queen of Hearts

Ever since the Mistress was a wee one, I have always liked the story of Alice In Wonderland. I can not wait to go see Tim Burton's version of the masterpiece in March when it is released. And my favorite characters has always been the Queen of Hearts. Over the years, I have seen many versions of the movie and the actress who played the part. What's not to love about the Queen? She wears all the over the top make-up, huge gowns, ornate head piece and jewelry, and always has a elegant coif! A drag queens dream come true! Hell the Mistress even did a Queen of Hearts one year.! Complete with a huge red feather heart shaped fan! But no, there has been many actress who played the part, and each added their own twist to it. Here are some of my favorites.Miranda Richardson played the part of the Queen in NBC'S 1999 updated version from the 1985 movie. Miranda probably played the most twisted version of the part. With her voice and looks- she just looked plain old loco!

Jayne Meadows, who I loved as a actress, really did a good Queen. Boy was she mean as hell! She played the part in NBC'S version in 1985. It was a three night event! Yea, I have that one on VHS!

Teri Hacther played the part in a LA stage version.

Helena Bonham Carter will be playing the part in the much anticipated movie version.

Katy Bates will be playing the part in the up-coming Sci-Fi Channel's futurist version of the story.

The other character I liked was Carol Channing's White Queen in the musical version of NBC'S 1985 movie. How can one not like Carol's raspy voice,her wailing of the arms, and her plain old campiness! And she does sound like a sheep before the transformation. Here she is singing Jam from the movie. Tootles!