Though Kirby appeared as a host, announcer, or guest on other television programs, most notably as co-host on Allen Funt's show, Candid Camera, his tenure as a regular on television's The Garry Moore Show brought him national attention as did another regular, Carol Burnett. The versatile performer acted in sketches, sang, and danced, transitioning with ease from slapstick to suave product pitchman. He and Moore joined forces for humorous skits, spoofing a historical event, or portraying any number of comical characters. The 6' 4" Kirby's mellow personality served him well, often becoming a foil in skits. Kirby authored three books: My Life, Those Wonderful Years; Bits and Pieces of This and That; and a children's book, Dooley Wilson.
Tuesday, December 21, 2021
It's Durward Not Durwood
Though Kirby appeared as a host, announcer, or guest on other television programs, most notably as co-host on Allen Funt's show, Candid Camera, his tenure as a regular on television's The Garry Moore Show brought him national attention as did another regular, Carol Burnett. The versatile performer acted in sketches, sang, and danced, transitioning with ease from slapstick to suave product pitchman. He and Moore joined forces for humorous skits, spoofing a historical event, or portraying any number of comical characters. The 6' 4" Kirby's mellow personality served him well, often becoming a foil in skits. Kirby authored three books: My Life, Those Wonderful Years; Bits and Pieces of This and That; and a children's book, Dooley Wilson.
Tuesday, June 8, 2021
The Cantankerous Housekeeper
Nora Marlowe was born in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1915. The hefty American character actress would often be cast as a maid, a nurse, or in a 19th-century setting. She appeared uncredited in a few notable films such as the gun-toting housekeeper in North by Northwest, I'll Cry Tomorrow and The Thomas Crown Affair. But it is her numerous television credits that are unfathomable, whether in a short scene or recurring roles like Law of the Plainsman, The Governor & J.J. and perhaps most famously as Flossie Brimmer, the boarding house owner on The Waltons from 1973 until her death in 1977. That same year, she played an uncompromising maid, Viola, on The Rockford Files (above). She would rearrange items in his trailer [logically] which he could never find. She became fed up with Rockford's messes after thugs repeatedly "rearranged" the trailer's interior. Jim was not all that disappointed when she gave him notice.
