Was she always cast as the snappy, snarky best friend?
Eve Arden's Career
by Anonymous | reply 67 | February 20, 2019 4:16 PM |
She and Lucy, early in their careers, called themselves the "drop gag girls." They would enter a scene, make a smart remark, and exit.
by Anonymous | reply 1 | November 23, 2014 2:50 AM |
R1
Pretty much. Even as Nurse Kelton on Bewitched Miss. Arden was quick with the snappy lines and witty remarks.
However if you catch Eve Arden's first big picture, Stage Door you'll notice the same fast talking/smart mouth/witty character that got EA noticed and was the blueprint for many future roles.
by Anonymous | reply 2 | November 23, 2014 3:00 AM |
I absolutely loved her and Kay Ballard in The Mothers-In-Law!
by Anonymous | reply 3 | November 23, 2014 3:04 AM |
If you can't be an athlete, be an athletic supporter.
by Anonymous | reply 4 | November 23, 2014 4:03 AM |
Hi Eve!
by Anonymous | reply 5 | November 23, 2014 4:11 AM |
Eve was one of the best. Like Thelma Ritter, no one could touch her when it came to smart comments and wisecracks,
by Anonymous | reply 6 | November 23, 2014 4:26 AM |
Was Thelma Ritter gay?
by Anonymous | reply 7 | November 23, 2014 4:30 AM |
She used to shit in Natalie Schafer's mouth.
by Anonymous | reply 8 | November 23, 2014 4:32 AM |
I understand she was a practicing Lesbyterian.
by Anonymous | reply 9 | November 23, 2014 4:36 AM |
Loved her in Mildred Pierce. I also loved her when she got huffy with Ethel on I Love Lucy.
by Anonymous | reply 10 | November 23, 2014 4:39 AM |
Something about her reminds me of my grandmother. I love her!
by Anonymous | reply 11 | November 23, 2014 4:58 AM |
Thelma's wasn't gay - married with kids.
by Anonymous | reply 12 | November 23, 2014 6:31 AM |
Was Arden much different in her sitcom (Our Miss Brooks, I think it was called)? She was the lead, which made a change from her "wiseacre friend" roles.
by Anonymous | reply 13 | November 23, 2014 6:34 AM |
Miss Brooks was pretty sharp herself. But she had a big romance (with Mr. Boylston), and that softened her image somewhat. Connie Brooks was vulnerable when it came to the subject of Mr. Boynton.
by Anonymous | reply 14 | November 23, 2014 6:43 AM |
I sat at her table at the Tonys Walforf after party. She was haughty but told some great stories about old Hollywood, including Edward Everett Horton's Sunday brunches. Noel Coward was at the table next to us. She said; "The only man in the world, who co could get away with a brown tuxedo." Streisand was there for a half hour and kept her back to everyone while waiting to leave. So many wonderful people, I'm sure would have loved to meet her.
by Anonymous | reply 15 | November 23, 2014 6:49 AM |
and a beautiful woman too in those 1940s movies.
She stole the scene with one liners!
Loved her in Mildred Pierce--right from her first scene, you can tell you are watching a real actress.
by Anonymous | reply 16 | November 23, 2014 2:10 PM |
WTF is Tonys Walforf??
Please elaborate r15?
by Anonymous | reply 17 | November 23, 2014 2:51 PM |
Could it possibly be a party at the Waldorf after the Tony awards ceremony...? I dunno. But even if every word was spelled incorrectly and the grammar was way off kilter I think that's the clearest conclusion. But that's just me.
by Anonymous | reply 18 | November 23, 2014 3:11 PM |
R18, please cut R15 some slack. He was pretty clearly drunk or otherwise disabled. His last sentence is fairly conclusive evidence.
by Anonymous | reply 19 | November 23, 2014 3:31 PM |
Why was she typecast?
Margaret Hamilton: I love the Wizard of Oz, which part would I play?
Agent: The witch, what else?
That's why.
by Anonymous | reply 20 | November 23, 2014 6:36 PM |
How did it come to pass that Eve Arden wasn't cast in "The Women"? Her snappy delivery of witty lines made the picture right up her street it would seem.
by Anonymous | reply 21 | November 23, 2014 11:32 PM |
In those days, studios generally only cast their pictures with performers under contract. I assume Miss Arden was not at MGM at the time.
by Anonymous | reply 22 | November 24, 2014 1:19 AM |
I loved her arched eyebrow action. She could convey a whole lot just raising that eyebrow.
Favorite one liner in Mildred Pierce comes courtesy of Eve and it is directed at that gorgeous bear, Jack Carson, as he eyes her up and down:
"Well, leave something on me. I might catch cold."
by Anonymous | reply 23 | November 24, 2014 1:26 AM |
She was said to be one of the best Dollys among those who replaced Channing onstage. Would have loved to have seen her.
Could have been a great Mane, too. Or at least Vera.
by Anonymous | reply 24 | November 24, 2014 1:32 AM |
R22
Thanks, but what a shame. Eve Arden would have been a scream in "The Women".
by Anonymous | reply 25 | November 24, 2014 1:43 AM |
[quote]R24
I agree. I did see HELLO DOLLY with Betty Grable, Ginger Rogers & Pearl Bailey so had my fill.
by Anonymous | reply 26 | November 24, 2014 1:43 AM |
She starred on radio as "Our Miss Brooks" for several years with Jeff Chandler as Mr. Boynton.
by Anonymous | reply 27 | November 24, 2014 1:45 AM |
One of Eve's best lines is from ZIEGFELD GIRL:
"You know, I think I'll adopt a baby. A boy, about 21."
She mostly freelanced and was only signed by Warners in 1941 or thereabouts, who promptly lent her everywhere. I think the only studios she didn't work at was Monogram and PRC.
Like Ann Sothern, Eve was not that well-served with their respective TV shows. The writing of PRIVATE SECRETARY and OUR MISS BROOKS is really limp and disappointing.
It breaks my heart to report she was a big conservative Republican.
by Anonymous | reply 28 | November 24, 2014 2:01 AM |
I so agree, r28! As a little kid I loved endlessly watching morning reruns of her on our Miss Brooks, as well as Ann Sothern on Private Secretary, but I'm now shocked at how bad those shows really are.
Joan Davis and I Married Joan fare a bit better.
But only I Love Lucy really holds up.....and for me, also Love That Bob! and Burns and Allen.
by Anonymous | reply 29 | November 24, 2014 4:26 AM |
R15 here. It was late when I posted. You would think you would appreciate the story. This is why people don't bother telling their stories. Forgive me, I'm getting old. And it was at the Waldorf after the Tonys.
by Anonymous | reply 30 | November 24, 2014 5:26 AM |
Being a big conservative Republican back in her day was not the same thing as it is today.
by Anonymous | reply 31 | November 24, 2014 10:05 AM |
[quote] Could have been a great Mane, too. Or at least Vera.
The word is beard, darling. And what the fuck's a Vera?
by Anonymous | reply 32 | November 24, 2014 10:41 AM |
It's what your husband's gay friends call him behind your back, Deborra-Lee.
by Anonymous | reply 33 | November 25, 2014 2:57 AM |
True, r31.
But then, being a big progressive Democrat then is not the same as today either.
by Anonymous | reply 34 | November 25, 2014 3:03 AM |
I love that Judy Garland was always a Democrat, like her pal Betty Bacall.
by Anonymous | reply 35 | November 25, 2014 4:12 AM |
[quote]This is why people don't bother telling their stories.
I agree R30. There has been a huge invasion of jackasses at DL recently.
by Anonymous | reply 36 | November 25, 2014 5:58 AM |
Forgive me, r30, I'd love to hear your stories.
But the way you posted that anecdote at r15, I couldn't understand what or who you were talking about.
Were Eve, Noel Coward and Barbra Streisand really all at a Tonys party together? What year was that?
by Anonymous | reply 37 | November 25, 2014 12:38 PM |
The only one of those 50s comedies that really holds up is Burns and Allen. It's wonderfully written and well acted, but also, has that incredible surreal touch of having George watch the program on his tv as it unfolded. Bea Benederet was also amazing. Didn't hurt that Ronnie Burns was so handsome.
Allen was a comic genius. Burns was the best straight man ever (so to speak). The odd thing is, when they started, it was the opposite -- their first act had Burns being the comic and Allen being the mug. It didn't work well, so Burns suggested they switch roles.
Good suggestion, George.
by Anonymous | reply 38 | November 25, 2014 12:48 PM |
Played Dolly in one of the HELLO, DOLLY! Companies.
by Anonymous | reply 39 | November 25, 2014 2:04 PM |
Burns and Allen in Dolly! would have been magic. And both could dance like a dream.
by Anonymous | reply 40 | November 25, 2014 7:39 PM |
Saw "Anatomy of Murder" on television last night. Miss. Arden gave few good wisecracks but all and all the role was rather "straight" forward.
by Anonymous | reply 41 | December 10, 2014 1:05 AM |
Love that idea, R40! They're fab in "A Damsel in Distress" with Fred Astaire, keeping up with him step for step. Too bad there wasn't a chance for it to happen because of Gracie's death. George would still have been a great and different mellow Horace. Which Dolly might he have been good with?
by Anonymous | reply 42 | December 10, 2014 1:35 AM |
Never understood on what planet Harry Von Zell was supposed to be considered "attractive".
by Anonymous | reply 43 | December 10, 2014 1:42 AM |
Lucille Ball, Eve Arden and Ann Miller all have supporting roles in STAGE DOOR, giving support to Kate Hepburn, Ginger Rogers and Andrea Leeds
by Anonymous | reply 44 | December 10, 2014 2:34 AM |
Joan Fontaine, Paulette Goddard and Mary Boland all have supporting roles in THE WOMEN, giving support to Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford and Rosalind Russell.
by Anonymous | reply 45 | December 10, 2014 3:22 AM |
Would Norma Shearer have gotten the lead in "The Women" had she not been married to you know who?
One wonders what another actress would have done with the role of Mary Haines. Someone not so rooted in the theatre acting school of the 1920's. *LOL*
by Anonymous | reply 46 | December 10, 2014 4:10 AM |
Did Eve get along with Joan Crawford during the making of 'Mildred Pierce'?
Did Joan bone her?
by Anonymous | reply 47 | February 18, 2016 12:19 PM |
I haven't seen it in MANY years, but I remember really enjoying her (and the movie) in The Dark at the Top of the Stairs.
by Anonymous | reply 48 | February 18, 2016 1:07 PM |
I want to see dat movie, R48.
by Anonymous | reply 49 | February 18, 2016 1:39 PM |
R46 MGM chief LB Mayer had a to beg Shearer to do The Women, as she didn't want to play the role. By the way "You know who" (Irving Thalberg) had been dead for over 3 years by this time.
by Anonymous | reply 50 | February 18, 2016 1:46 PM |
Anyone who is interested in the inside story of MOOSE MURDERS, the infamous one-performance flop of 1983 that pretty much ended Eve Arden's career (she was fired in previews) should read Arthur Bicknell's book 'Moose Murdered: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love My Broadway Bomb".
by Anonymous | reply 51 | February 18, 2016 1:50 PM |
[quote]on what planet Harry Von Zell was supposed to be considered "attractive".
I did
by Anonymous | reply 53 | February 18, 2016 2:10 PM |
[quote]The only one of those 50s comedies that really holds up is Burns and Allen.
Only if you have never heard the radio show. It's a pale and I mean pale comparison to the Burns and Allen radio show.
by Anonymous | reply 54 | February 18, 2016 2:12 PM |
I've been listening to Our Miss Brooks on the Archive (dot) com and she is absolutely AWFUL in it. She keeps missing her mark, flubbing her lines and laughing at her own jokes. The show is OK for a 50s comedy, but Gale Gordon is exactly, 100% the same as Mr Mooney, but I can tolerate this, but Eve was easily the worst radio actress I've ever heard.
by Anonymous | reply 55 | February 18, 2016 2:13 PM |
Lol R55, how lovely you can be!
by Anonymous | reply 56 | February 18, 2016 2:15 PM |
Burns and Allen was the single greatest tv comedy of the 50s -- it is totally watchable today. Burns was a comic genius, as others have noted. But Gracie Allen was the real star. No one could turn the world topsy-turvy as quickly as she could.
And yes, Ronnie, who was adopted, was damn good-looking.
by Anonymous | reply 57 | February 18, 2016 2:34 PM |
Eve I can't believe
that you could mean
what you just said
Think of what you are
How very far you are from being real
Eve, I wouldn't lie
The open sky is not your home
Wide as it may be
Reality is here among the stones...
by Anonymous | reply 58 | February 18, 2016 2:44 PM |
R45, even Rita Hayworth, then Cansino, had a walk on in The Women. You are also forgetting Paulette Goddard (former Mrs/ Charlie Chaplin, painted by Diego Rivera, etc. etc.), Marjorie "Ma Kettle" Main, Hedda Hopper, etc. etc. Only Lassie, it seems, wasn't in it.
Love, love Stage Door, too. My favorite bit actress is in both Stage Door and The Women, Margaret Early. She is the one who gets one line in a play at the end of SD, and is looking for her grandmother, who is southern, in TW.
by Anonymous | reply 60 | February 19, 2016 3:54 PM |
Her stage name, Eve Arden, was rumored to be from Evening in Paris Perfume and Elizabeth Arden.
by Anonymous | reply 61 | February 19, 2016 3:55 PM |
I am shocked and dismayed that this thread only got 61 replies.
by Anonymous | reply 62 | March 26, 2017 10:48 PM |
[quote]Burns and Allen was the single greatest tv comedy of the 50s -- it is totally watchable today.
Some of Jack Benny's stuff has aged well also, including his radio shows.
by Anonymous | reply 63 | March 26, 2017 11:22 PM |
That recent our Miss Brooks thread is chock full of fun stories
by Anonymous | reply 64 | March 27, 2017 1:13 AM |
OP. Because looks 2, snark 10.
by Anonymous | reply 65 | March 27, 2017 1:16 AM |
I’ve seen most movies with Eve Arden and enjoyed them with the exception of The unfaithful 1947. She was not in the least bit funny in fact she was downright nasty.
Am I the only one who feels this way?
by Anonymous | reply 66 | February 20, 2019 2:43 PM |
Her last few roles when she was older weren't the witty, sassy dame. She played the principal in Grease and especially the baroness in Under the Rainbow as downright befuddled.
Eve does seem really dykey (in the best possible way), but she was married with kids. But the kids were adopted. And she and the husband both enjoyed antiques. So.
by Anonymous | reply 67 | February 20, 2019 4:16 PM |