On a Sunday in which Hudson Valley temps hit 90 degrees Fahrenheit - rough on this "weather wuss" San Francisco Bay Area native - and physical energy is definitely flagging, we at Way Too Damn Lazy To Write A Blog are reminiscing about a dynamic duo that, like Adam West and Burt Ward, resolutely does not fall into the love 'em or hate 'em category: George Burns & Gracie Allen.
So today, while guzzling one cold drink after another, we continue the topic of comedy teams from our previous post - and find ourselves fondly remembering George and Gracie, who are still loved, almost 55 years after Gracie's passing.
We've posted the first Burns & Allen silver screen appearance, performing their vaudeville routine in Lamb Chops, Vitaphone Varieties #891, released October 14, 1929, at least three or four (or five) times on this blog. Never tire of seeing it!
George & Gracie reprised this routine beautifully on The George Burns & Gracie Allen Show.
The team began their movie career at Paramount Pictures, where, in 1930-1933, they starred in a series of very funny 1-reelers, some involving a "breaking the fourth wall" concept that would continue into their radio and television careers.
By the time Burns & Allen had made a few of these Paramount short subjects, they were regulars on radio's Guy Lombardo show. They would get their own popular radio show in September 1934.
The short subjects and success on radio led to appearances in a slew of Paramount features, starting with The Big Broadcast and including such comedian-packed movies as International House and Six Of A Kind.
Could George and Gracie sing and dance? You bet they could! Here they are, keeping up with none other than Fred Astaire in A Damsel In Distress!
A mystery novel, The Gracie Allen Murder Case, was penned by novelist S.S. Van Dine, with Gracie herself assisting super-sleuth Philo Vance on the whodunit. It would be reprised as a movie.
The Gracie Allen Murder Case even inspired a board game.
Gracie sings, dances and gets big laughs as an ace supporting player - for the most part unaccompanied by George - in the Eleanor Powell MGM musical Honolulu. This was the last feature film appearance by Burns & Allen.
Meanwhile, Gracie tired of the intense schedule involved in doing the movie shoots, so the team renewed their energies on the radio show.
Their success on radio led to a television show that ran for eight seasons.
Do we love The George Burns & Gracie Allen Show? Yes.
Anyone who has been lucky enough to enjoy at least a somewhat successful marriage or long-term relationship/partnership can relate to the following song, a great one George & Gracie performed lovingly on The Burns & Allen Show
Sometimes, George & Gracie would be guest stars on other TV and radio programs.
George is the guest star on a particularly wonderful and hilarious Jack Benny Program - needs to be seen from start to finish! Gracie (voice only), in one of her last show business appearances, has a very brief but memorable cameo.
While, admittedly, we're a couple of days late to celebrate the birthday of Gracie Allen (July 26, 1895), paying tribute to this wonderful and original comedy team pleases the old time radio and classic movie nuts at Way Too Damn Lazy To Write A Blog no end.
For more (and there's lots more), see the Burns & Allen Archive channel on YouTube.
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