“SOMEONE IN A TREE”- My view of Johnny Carson’s last night- Page 4

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 1/25/05 at 4:00pm

Beacon, if you don't stop using those quotes from ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES in your signature, I will be forced to brag on the fact that I wrote the FABULOUS score that is playing under all the dialogue, and than the ego police will rightfully arrest me!

As for YOU RightSaidRick, my Carson "essay" is just further proof of the joy and music you buried when you...well, when you buried me Updated On: 1/25/05 at 04:00 PM

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 1/25/05 at 4:01pm

Ooooo...it's a reunion of the good, the bad and the ugly, with interchangable characters! Rick, if I mate you with Cousin It what would the kids look like? Eddie my love toting his Eagles passion. X0.
Not since the 3 Stoogies have I had such a nyuck, nyuck, nyuck today!

Master, you know you've gotta have testicles to stay in this business...male or female. Little guys have the biggest one of all. Why I've even grown them! Don't know how you guys walk around with all this equipment. Really, re-think this thing...nah just let it go.

PENNY! @#$#$%
Pati b.'s evil twin

[birdlives]

Posted: 1/25/05 at 4:02pm

Ya know, even if Marc WAS a raging egomaniac, he'd have every right to be. Anyone who was responsible for as much as a note of music in the SOUTH PARK movie should be granted an eternal get out of jail free card for any offense.

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 1/25/05 at 5:10pm

OKAY OKAY OKAY OKAY


jeez!


Marc's remininces of Bette and Carson are actually pretty terrific.

But I wanna know what he's not telling about his experiences with Virgina Mayo.

Updated On: 1/25/05 at 05:10 PM

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 1/25/05 at 5:46pm

Virginia Mayo's popularity as a musical comedy star as well as an accomplished dramatic actress and comedienne spans several generations of film and theatergoers

and I, Marc Shaiman, am responsible for it all.

In terms of film (she has starred in over 45 motion pictures), today's youthful audiences are fully acquainted with such great Mayo performances as the tough gun-moll in "White Heat" (opposite James Cagney): the errant young wife in Samuel Goldwyn's "The Best Years Of Our Lives" (which boasted an All-Star cast and captured 9 Academy Awards); the burlesque queen in the delightful musical comedy "She's Working Her Way Through College"; Lady Barbara Wellesley in "Captain Horatio Hornblower" with Gregory Peck and those wonderful musical Comedies she did with Danny Kaye for Samuel Goldwyn.

for which I, Marc Shaiman, wrote all the music, staged the dances and catered the lunches.

Virginia was born Virginia Clara Jones in St. Louis, Missouri and got her show business start at the age of six by enrolling in her aunt's "School of Dramatic Expression". Even at the early age of six, Virginia planned to become a star and this determination and natural talent led to a prestigious role with the St. Louis Municipal Opera Company. She soon toured the United States in a musical comedy act called "Pansy the Horse" and changed her last name to Mayo.

I told her to change her name to Mayo over a particularly dry turkey sandwich at the Stage Deli.

Soon after she joined nightclub kin, Billy Roses' new revue at his famed Diamond Horseshoe nitery and was spotted by visiting Hollywood mogul, Samuel Goldwyn. Goldwyn was so impressed with Virginia's talent and beauty that the legendary producer immediately signed her to a contract. During her tenure with Goldwyn Studios she appeared opposite Danny Kaye in a series of totally charming musical comedies. These included "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty", "The Kid From Brooklyn", Wonder Man and "A Song Is Born".

Yes, a song WAS born, and guess who the father was?? Yep, no other but I, Marc Shaiman!

Among her personal favorites made for Warner Brothers, where she was that studios top money-making star for several years (and in the national box office Top 10) are "She's Back On Broadway", "She's Working Her Way Through College", opposite her frequent dancing co-star Gene Nelson, "Colorado Territory" with Joel McCrea, the aforementioned "White Heat" and "The Iron Mistress" opposite Alan Ladd. Most were in color, providing the ideal setting for Virginia's hazel green eyes, golden blonde hair, and porcelain complexion.

Guess who did her make-up? That’s right…I, Marc Shaiman!!

Virginia has appeared opposite some of the greatest leading men in cinema history. Rex Harrison in "King Richard and the Crusaders", Paul Newman in "The Silver Chalice, Robert Stack in "Great Day in the Morning", Bob Hope in "The Princess and the Pirate", Burt Lancaster in "The Flame and the Arrow", Kirk Douglas "Along the Great Divide" and of course Ronald Reagan in "The Girl from Jones Beach". The list is seemingly endless!

Well, let’s not forget me, I, Marc Shaiman in “She’s Blowing Her Own Horn”!

Theatergoers of all ages have delighted in her musical an comedy performances during productions of "No No Nanette", "Barefoot in the Park", "Forty Carats", Hello Dolly", "Butterflies Are Free", "Move Over Mrs. Markham". Prior to his untimely passing, Virginia and her husband, actor Michael O'Shea (of Jack London film fame) co-starred in such hits as "Tunnel of Love, "Fiorello", and "George Washington Slept Here". She has also starred in "Cactus Flower", "How the Other Half Loves", and the musical comedy, "Good News".

The REAL good news is that “HAIRSPRAY” is still packin’ them in at The Neil Simon Theatre!

Virginia has appeared on many television shows including: Police Story, Night Gallery, Merv Griffin, Dinah Shore and Mike Douglas shows as well as numerous variety specials. Other television appearances include featured roles on Remington Steele, Murder She Wrote, The Love Boat and a 12 episode run on the notorious daytime soap "Santa Barbara".

I, Marc Shaiman, once drove through Santa Barbara on my way to a Marc Shaiman Film Festival.

When at home in Thousand Oaks, California, Virginia Mayo pursues her other avocation: Painting, working primarily in oils and watercolors, the three favorite men in her life are her adorable grandsons and she says the role of "loving grandmother" is truly challenging.

I, Marc Shaiman, unfortunately feel it necessary to call “Child’s Protective Service’s” to report this odd statement. Updated On: 1/25/05 at 05:46 PM

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 1/25/05 at 6:21pm

tick, tock...tick, tock...boy, nothing like a Virginia Mayo bio to kill a thread!

**crickets** Updated On: 1/25/05 at 06:21 PM

Posted: 1/25/05 at 6:23pm

[Magicfingers2]

Posted: 1/25/05 at 10:24pm

Marc Shaiman, after that brilliant Virginia Mayo history, I'LL stick my nose up your butt, thanks for giving an "old timer" a laugh and thrill!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 1/25/05 at 10:29pm

I'll have some of that Virginia ham, but hold the Mayo.

[wilbur]

Posted: 1/26/05 at 12:39am

Marc,
I was almost asleep but Virginia Mayo had me laughing out loud.You suffers fools in such a gracious and ebullient fashion. Thank you for doing your duty. Henceforth you are, at all costs, to express yourself about historical or otherwise one-of-a-kind experiences.I do. Let them eat cake or Dolly Madison or whatever is around. We all die in the long run, we are all together and up in all these trees and have to fill the void somehow. You are a gem and thank you again.I really miss Johnny and glad you were a part of the team.

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 1/26/05 at 1:30am

Wilbur!

whoever you are, I love you!

Posted: 1/26/05 at 1:36am

I don't get the problem with Mr. Shaiman posting from his own perspective - that's what we ALL do. What's he supposed to do, pretend he's a busboy from Topeka? It's his reality, and we enjoy hearing about it - just like we enjoy hearing about many other posters' life experiences.

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 1/26/05 at 1:58am

D, enough with the Mr. Shaiman bit, please, call me M

Posted: 1/26/05 at 2:01am

Does that make Scott and you 'S & M'? I like it

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 1/26/05 at 2:21am

oh Lord

[kec]

Posted: 1/26/05 at 4:17am

Coming late into this discussion...

Mr. Shaiman, thank you for sharing your experience. I never saw that final Tonight show, and your memories brought it vividly to life.

[kec]

Posted: 1/26/05 at 4:17am

Coming late into this discussion...

Mr. Shaiman, thank you for sharing your experience. I never saw that final Tonight show, and your memories brought it vividly to life.

[kec]

Posted: 1/26/05 at 4:18am

Apologies for the double posting... the computer told me the original didn't go through...

[wilbur]

Posted: 1/28/05 at 10:26pm

Marc, I love you right back.Wilbur

[alterego]

Posted: 1/28/05 at 11:14pm

The post from RightsaidRick...um is that for real? Give me a break.

Loved the Virginia Mayo blurb Marc. I for one would have loved to have seen her in that modern theatre classic Move Over Mrs Markham.

You cater lunches too? Is there no end to you talents? And on another topic, just when can we expect to see Hairspray in Australia?

[sabrelady]

Posted: 1/29/05 at 10:14am

"MAYo May ay o-
Mark Shaiman Keep posting
Me never go home!"