This Day in Humor with Mike Durrett


Born 1892: Eddie Cantor, legendary entertainer -- often referred to as "banjo-eyed," alluding to his odd orbs which he rolled for much mirth -- was one of the biggest stars of the early half of the 20th century, as a songwriter ("Merrily We Roll Along") and popular vocalist alternating with corny, and sometimes risqué, comedy through Vaudeville, stage, films, television, and nightclubs. His motion pictures include "Whoopee!" (1930), "Palmy Days" (1931), and "Kid Millions" (1934) with his successes continuing into TV as one of the rotating guest hosts (among Martin and Lewis, Jimmy Durante, Abbott and Costello, and others) on high profile "The Colgate Comedy Hour" (1950-55). Died 1964.

Born 1902: Tallulah Bankhead, actress and real-life character, said to be the inspiration for embittered Margo, the Bette Davis role, in "All About Eve" (1951). Died 1968.

Quotations of Tallulah Bankhead:

• "I'm as pure as the driven slush."
• "It's the good girls who keep diaries; the bad girls never have the time."
• "My father warned me about men and booze, but he never mentioned a word about women and cocaine."

Born 1915: Garry Moore, prime time game show (1952-64's "I've Got a Secret") and comedy-variety host and performer (1958-67's "The Garry Moore Show"). Died 1993.

Born 1921: Carol Channing, Tony Award-winning musical-comedy star, made her career on Broadway in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" (1949) as Lorelei Lee (played by Marilyn Monroe in the 1953 film) and became an icon in "Hello, Dolly!" (1964).

Born 1937: Suzanne Pleshette, actress, made her film debut playing straight to Jerry Lewis in "The Geisha Boy" (1958). Later, turning to television, she was Emily Hartley in the long-running "The Bob Newhart Show" (1972-78).

Born 1940: Stuart Margolin, actor, Angel of "The Rockford Files."

1941: "Buck Privates,", the first starring vehicle for hot stage and radio comedians Bud Abbott and Lou Costello opened in movie theatres.

1941: "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" released, the only screwball comedy directed by Alfred Hitchcock, as a favor to his friend, star Carol Lombard.

Born 1970: Minnie Driver, actress, occasionally seen in comedy films (1997's "Grosse Point Blank") and delightful as the voice of Jane in Disney's animated feature "Tarzan" (1999).

Copyright ©2003 Mike Durrett. All rights reserved.