Pretty girls sell cigars, shower heads, and batteries.

(This post began with an observation that there should be a "make a wish foundation" for grownups. A little typing and backspacing turned into this.)

Top: George Burns in Oh, God! Bottom: George and Gracie.

My Grandma Grandy (Mom's mom, née Damon), grew up with George Burns and Gracie Allen on radio and TV, and I was in her living room in Fairview, PA when she tsk'd and pshaw'd at George escorting feathered showgirls who hung off each arm and towered over him. I'm sure it was more the double-entendres that she disliked (and I was too young to understand) than disrespect for Gracie's memory, for Gracie had died some years before and George was becoming a geriatric romeo.

I think the suggestive and Oh, God! George Burns was probably closer to the real George that we didn't get to know in vaudeville, radio, or early TV, but that George had also been devastated by Gracie's death. I recall seeing silent black-and-white footage of Jack Benny assisting George Burns after Gracie's graveside service. Burns appeared nearly unable to hold himself up. Gracie died in 1964. Benny in 1974. Burns in 1996.

George, cigars, and pretty girls.

George, shower heads, and pretty girls.

George, batteries, and pretty girls.

Say goodnight, Gracie

[2015-10-12]

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Oh, yes… there ought to be a "make a wish foundation for grownups," only it might better be called "The Erase a Regret Foundation," or "Die Happy Foundation," or "I Wish I Were 18 Again Foundation."

And there you have your George Burns connection.

[2014-11-15]

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