Tallulah Bankhead

[+ Hoover42]

Was that hers? One of my favorite lines.

 

But I understood it was coined specifically with reference to Cardinal Spellman.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Spellman

 

Yes, the quote is from Ms. Bankhead. But, I'm not certain about the Anglican priest; that's what little I recall from something I read ages ago. Cardinal Spellman would be perfect though, don't you think?

[+ Charlie]

I don't know why, but "Lifeboat" was shown quite often on TV in the 1950s. I must have seen it ten times as an adolescent.

[Luv2play]

I'm not certain about the Anglican priest; that's what little I recall from something I read ages ago. Cardinal Spellman would be perfect though, don't you think?

 

I'm inclined to believe the Anglican priest, rather than Cardinal Spellman. In the high Anglican church, they throw around the incense like the best of the Catholics. I think even Tallulah wouldn't have said that in a Cardinal's presence, but I may be wrong!

[+ Lucky]

This play had it's first perfomances at the Pasadena Playhouse (with Valerie Harper) in 2008. It was well reviewed in Los Angeles. I saw it with a friend and we were both expecting it to be "Camp" but it was deeper. Harper does much more than an impression.

The play is set at a looping session, where she required to re-record a single line of dialog from her last fillm. The play is both very funny, and sadly touching.

 

Thanks for that info, b2b, as it helped me find the review of that show from the LA Times. They did say this of her performance, though:..."Valerie Harper, who plays Bankhead with an all-out camp attack that softens over time into something more recognizably human."

 

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/arts/la-et-looped10-2008jul10,0,5036068.story

[+ Gar1eth]

A new Broadway play starring Valerie Harper as Tallulah Bankhead called "Looped" starts previews February 19th.

 

Ask most young gay guys who Tallulah Bankhead is and see if you get a blank look. I usually do.

 

Supposedly when she was asked if Rock Hudson was gay she replied "I don't know dahling, he never sucked my cock".

 

This could be a very funny show. I've got my fingers crossed

 

You have to give some slack to the young gay guys. I mean she died in 1968--over 40 years ago. I just turned 49 and think I mainly remember her from having been on Batman--although I've seen parts of Lifeboat.

 

Gman

[Luv2play]

Your post about Tallulah appearing in Batman reminded me of how her career took a nosedive later in life. Rather than just hang it up, which she should have done, she went on TV and played a number of mostly forgetable roles. Her looks were ravaged by years of boozing and smoking (one only has to wonder what drugs she was also involved in) and her final years were pathetic. She was buried in her cigarette burned dressing gown, as she wanted.

[seeker630]

Gay history?

 

It's a shame that gay young men today are forgetting some of the major gay idols of the past. They are part of gay history.

Tallulah Bankhead was certainly idolized by gay audiences back in the 40's, 50's and 60's. Her role in Hitchcock's "Lifeboat" is a film classic.

ED

While her career and personality merit remembering in general, I'm not sure she qualifies as a significant part of gay history. The fact that she was 'idolized by gay audiences'...how significant is that? Should we expect all gay men to remember the tastes & interests of previous decades?

I'm very interested in hearing other opinions here - I'd guess mine is a minority one.

(Please note that I am not dimninishing her in any way - I just wonder why we should want gay men in particular to remember her.)

[CGFD]

Two thoughts on this thread: Boy, I miss Charles Pierce! What a great talent. HYSTERICAL!! Anybody see his act "All Singing! All Dancing! All Dead!" BRILLIANT

As for Ms Harper as Bankhead, I suggest you skip it.

[Guest alanm]

While her career and personality merit remembering The fact that she was 'idolized by gay audiences'...how significant is that? I'm very interested in hearing other opinions here - I'd guess mine is a minority one.

(Please note that I am not dimninishing her in any way - I just wonder why we should want gay men in particular to remember her.)

 

I agree with you. I am not sure her witty comments mean all that much to gay men, unless you also know that first and foremost Tallulah Bankhead was a respected star on Broadway, and worked sucessfully with Lucille Ball in TV & Hitchcock in films. Even then, Bankhead is a relatively minor gay icon compared to people like Madonna and Judy Garland.

[+ purplekow]

But it should be recognized that Tallulah was a gay icon before Stonewall and being a gay icon could mean death to a career. She was open about her sexuality when women did not publicly discuss sex and heaven forbid lesbianism. So she was, in a way, a pioneer.

[Luv2play]

Although Talullah was outspoken on sexual matters, she wasn't the only female actor of her time to test the limits. Mae West took on sex head-on and wrote all her own scripts to maximize the sexual inuendo while still keeping inside the limits of the Hays Office, which censored films from the '30's to the '60's. Of course, Miss West was an ardent heterosexual but was not averse to having lots of semi-naked male beefcake to back up her shows, which drew a gay following.

 

Marlene Dietrich also blurred the lines of sexuality in films and on stage by dressing as a man, when women didn't even wear pants in public. She also was a gay icon of her time. There were other actresses of the time who in their private lives embraced the gay lifestyle but few were so public with their opinions as Miss Bankhead.

[seeker630]

Thanks for that addiitonal info!

 

But it should be recognized that Tallulah was a gay icon before Stonewall and being a gay icon could mean death to a career. She was open about her sexuality when women did not publicly discuss sex and heaven forbid lesbianism. So she was, in a way, a pioneer.

PK, that additional info makes me re-consider - especially if she was open about her sexuality. The point I was trying to make was that, IMHO, simply being admired by gays doesn't really qualify for much beyond a footnote in 'gay history'.

[jackhammer91406]

Reviewed in Los Angeles

 

This show was previewed last year at the famous Pasadena Playhouse. According to the reviews, she did a fairly good job evoking the celebrated lush. The first link is to some reviews blurbs. The second is to a brief synopsis.

 

http://www.loopedonbroadway.com/loopedquotes.jpg

http://www.loopedonbroadway.com/about.jpg

[CowboyUp]

In Previews. Seen it?

 

"Looped" began previews on Broadway Feb. 19: http://www.loopedonbroadway.com/. Has anyone on the MC seen it yet? Hope its good. Opening night is March 14.