The death of comedienne Gracie Allen...
Item # 581126
FITCHBURG SENTINEL, Fitchburg, Massachusetts, August 28, 1964
* Gracie Allen death
* Comedienne duo and wife of George Burns
This 20 page newspaper has a three column headline near the bottom of the front page: "Gracie Allen Dead At 58" with caption: "Lovable 'Nitwit' Heart Attack Victim--" and photo (see photos).
Other news, sports and advertisements of the day throughout. Good condition.
wikipedia notes: Gracie Allen (July 26, 1895[1] – August 27, 1964) was an American comedian who became internationally famous as the zany partner and comic foil of husband George Burns. Burns himself phrased it perfectly in a gag that got laughs no matter how often he repeated it for the rest of his life: "One day, the audience realized I had a terrific talent. They were right. I did have a terrific talent. And I was married to her for 38 years."
In a career spanning vaudeville through television, Gracie Allen's daffy character became a national institution. Highly intelligent in real life, her character's humor came from a near perfect ability to misunderstand whatever was said to her. If a word had multiple meanings, Gracie could be counted on to choose the wrong one every time. What made the character so endearing was her good-natured patience with the rest of the world — which clearly wasn't as bright as she was.
A classic example of Gracie's miscommunication:
George: (looking at Gracie, who is arranging a large vase of beautiful flowers) Grace, those are beautiful flowers. Where did they come from?
Gracie: Don't you remember, George? You said that if I went to visit Clara Bagley in the hospital I should be sure to take her flowers. So, when she wasn't looking, I did.
Category: The 20th Century
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