FreddieMertz Posted March 19, 2014 Report Share Posted March 19, 2014 Q: “What was Dorothy about?” A: “Two weeks.” – Archive of American Television interview with Bob Carroll, Jr. Dorothy was a four episode sitcom tryout/Facts of Life knockoff that was written by Lucy writers Bob Carroll, Jr. and Madelyn Davis. It starred Tony-winner Dorothy Loudon as an out-of-work Broadway star who goes to teach at an all girls school. Here is a full article on the subject: http://classictvhistory.wordpress.com/2012/11/05/dorothy/ After reading the article, the story behind this series fascinated me. I found all the videos I could: Here are some short clips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4HeucwmBT8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNDoMyGcGbg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9w_rc0wi1b0 I wasn't familiar with Dorothy Loudon, but looked her up on YouTube; and I can safely say she is hilarious! A Gershwin Song-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6Sp_ig4YXA A Brilliant Sondheim Melody-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQcUdSwHD_w Clearly, the show should have been tuned finer. Dorothy Loudon, who I'd never known about until this show; is fantastic. Do you think it was better than Facts of Life? Should it have been picked up for a full season? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryCarter Posted March 19, 2014 Report Share Posted March 19, 2014 Dorothy Loudon was a fantastic talent. Dorothy actually premiered three weeks before The Facts of Life. Dorothy had four core girls while The Facts of Life had a much larger group of girls in their first season that were whittled down to four (Jo, who was very similar to Dorothy's Frankie character was added) for season two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvsbway Posted March 19, 2014 Report Share Posted March 19, 2014 Dorthy was the original Miss Hannigan in Annie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C L A U D E Posted March 19, 2014 Report Share Posted March 19, 2014 Dorothy was one of the best Broadway stars of all time and you should google her Tony appearances, she was always the show stopper of any Tony Award show, just brilliant! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Posted March 19, 2014 Report Share Posted March 19, 2014 Another Dorothy tidbit. She was Carol Burnett's replacement as a regular on The Garry Moore show for its last 2 seasons after Carol left. Generally similar style and look as Carol, but by all reports Carol was sorely missed. I've never seen a Garry Moore Show except for those sold as "the Carol Burnett Christmas Episodes"--the packaging of which made you believe you were getting actual Carol Burnett Shows. People complained and I think they took this DVD off the market. I, on the other hand, was glad to get a glimpse of Garry's show. Marion Lorne was also a regular before her Bewitched days. Probably videotaped by this time but it had the feel of a live variety show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C L A U D E Posted March 19, 2014 Report Share Posted March 19, 2014 Oh yeah, I remember how disappointed we all were when Dotty replaced Carol but then, years later she wound up being one of the greatest on Broadway, I was so happy for her. Google her to see some of the best numbers ever, at the Tonys one year, they showed some of her scenes from Annie, she was incredible, dancer singer comic, she could do it all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryCarter Posted March 19, 2014 Report Share Posted March 19, 2014 I've seen a few Garry Moore shows and really enjoyed them. Lucy was on to promote The Facts of Life, but only talked to Garry and showed outtakes from the film. She never appeared on camera with Carol or any of the other regulars. Carol, of course, replaced Dorothy in the film versions of Dorothy's two most successful stage ventures: Annie and Noises Off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FreddieMertz Posted March 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2014 Oh yeah, I remember how disappointed we all were when Dotty replaced Carol but then, years later she wound up being one of the greatest on Broadway, I was so happy for her. Google her to see some of the best numbers ever, at the Tonys one year, they showed some of her scenes from Annie, she was incredible, dancer singer comic, she could do it all.I have seen her Tony appearances-one of them is the YouTube link towards the end labeled as a Gershwin song; she sings 'Vodka' and does some ad libbing towards the end...Hilarious! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C L A U D E Posted March 19, 2014 Report Share Posted March 19, 2014 Agreed, Vodka was excellent and you can tell how the crowd just loves her and expects something really great from her, always. She did another one at a Tony tribute to the composer of Mame, coming in on a Rolls Royce and still another one where she performs the terrific song Broadway Baby, she's wearing green hosiery and tells the crowd she was up all night painting her legs green. I think my third favorite but not as entertaining is when she does a duet of Crazy and some other song and shows her greatness by going from one to the other so easily. And finally you have to see her singing and dancing the year Annie was nominated, she was just perfect for that part. Now that IS a case where she should have done the film instead of Burnett, but like Lucy in Mame, Burnett was the bigger name and the obvious bigger draw for an audience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FreddieMertz Posted March 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2014 -You could drive a person crazy is the second link- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C L A U D E Posted March 19, 2014 Report Share Posted March 19, 2014 Sorry, didn't play them because I figured I had seen them so many times, will go there now, sorry! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C L A U D E Posted March 19, 2014 Report Share Posted March 19, 2014 You're missing Broadway Baby in your mini tribute, then find the Tony award show where Annie has it's best numbers showcased with Dotty being the best of the lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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