Speaking of "Bewitched" check out my "Agnes Moorehead Archives"

[CMT]

I noticed that there are lots of fans of the wonderful tv series, "Bewitched" on DU and I've never really spoken of it on this board before but I'm writing a book on Agnes Moorehead, the great character actress who played "Endora".

This has been a fun and fascinating project for me. I live in Madison, Wisconsin and her papers (159 boxes of them) are stored at the State Historical Society here. I've spent lots of Saturdays rummaging through those boxes and found some interesting things which I've submitted to the Bewitched fan site, Harpies Bizarre. Here is a link of some of the stuff I've provided them from the archives:

http://www.harpiesbizarre.com/agnesarchives.htm

In addition to the archives I've also been fortunate to interview some wonderful people who knew and worked with Miss Moorehead including: Jane Wyman (no I didn't dare ask her anything about Ronald Reagan), Karl Malden, Joan Fontaine, Jane Wyatt, Rose Marie, Himan Brown (the great radio innovatator still going strong at 92), Conrad Binyon (who played "Butch" on Moorehead's 1940's radio show, "Mayor of the Town"), Richard Anderson, Carol Lynley, Laraine Day, William Asher (Liz Montgomery's ex-husband and the producer/director of Bewitched), Kasey Rogers (played Louise Tate on Bewitched), Mrs. Dick (Joey) York (wife of the first Darrin), among others.

Knowing what a diverse group we have on DU and have any stories to share regarding Miss Moorehead I would love to hear them--or if you know anyone who may have known Agnes Moorehead I'd love to hear from you.

Thank you.

[Must_B_Free]

1. The real interesting one is Gladys Kravitz

the woman with an old wizened apple head.

[CMT]

2. yes, the first Gladys Kravitz

a marvelous character actress named Alice Pearce was brilliant and she won an Emmy for her interpetation of Gladys--more nosy less mean spirited--after she died in 1966. Marion Lorne who played Aunt Clara also was awarded an Emmy for BW after her death.

Liz Montgomery and Agnes Moorehead though nominated many times for there roles on BW never were awarded, though AM got an Emmy for a guest appearance in an episode of "The Wild Wild West" titled, "Night of the Vicious Valentine."

[Skittles]

8. can you believe

the original Gladys Kravitz was only 48 when she passed away from ovarian cancer? Just 2 years older than I am now. YIKES!

[arwalden]

3. Oh My Gay Stars! I **LOVE** Agnes Moorehead!!!

She and Marion Lorne are two of my all-time favorites.

-- Allen

[CMT]

4. they are my two favorites from that show as well

I also like the first Darrin, Dick York, though Dick Sargent was a good actor as well.

[arwalden]

5. Dick York was much better...

... I grew to dislike Dick Sargent in later years when I realized how many mannerisms he shared with an ex of mine. It's not his fault... it's my hang-up.

I covet Samantha's stovetop and range. I want one!

I think the remodeled kitchen wasn't nearly as nice as the original one. Even though Marion Lorne had passed away, the set designers should have left Aunt Clara's "entry closet" in place (rather than adding an extra set of back-stairs).

I can't recall where I saw it... but one of the Bewitched fan sites had a panoramic photo of Samantha's living/dining/entry/hallway it was pretty cool. Near as I could tell it was cobbled together from many different still images with the actors "airbrushed" out.

-- Allen

[Skittles]

9. Allen

who is Marion Lorne? Post a pic!

[arwalden]

13. Skittles... Here You Go. Photos Of "Aunt Clara"

[Rabrrrrrr]

6. A phenomenal actor she was

how about some stuff on your website about her relationship (professional, I'm not implying a romantic one) with Orson Welles?

[CMT]

11. Hi

well it is not my website it is a site dealing with the tv series Bewitched and I would have loved to have them use some AM/Orson Welles material but they pretty much wanted it primarily dealing with the Bewitched years.

[Rabrrrrrr]

12. Ah, yes I see

I re-read your post and see that you provided info to them. Thought you had made it. :-)

[Skittles]

7. I'm curious

wasn't Agnes one of a group of actors who filmed in supposedly radioactive sands in a desert area somewhere in the states? And that a lot of the actors in that movie subsequently died of cancer?

on edit - forgive me if you allude to this in your link - I've got heavy-resouce work program running and cannot open links at this time

[Rabrrrrrr]

10. Yes

The film was "The Conquerors", including also possible cancer to John Wayne and Susan Hayward.