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Friday, January 26, 2007
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9 comments:
I never could see how Betty Hutton got this staring role. No circus showgirl was ever that awkward. Even the hair is wrong. That voice made me grit my teeth.
When she sings, all I hear is squeeling, & hollering.
Was recently watching the Turner cable chanel and they were doing a Betty Hutton bio. it mentioned the GSOE making of the movie. As the story goes Miss Hutton preped a lot before approaching Mr.DeMille. She learned to skin the cat and a few more didos and monkey shines on the trap bar and it worked; she got the job.
Nobody less than Antoinette Concello was impressed by Betty's ability to learn. She remarked that Betty learned more in three months than anyone expected, and did quite well up there. Look for Ms. Concello and Fay Alexander on the board with Betty, whose Holly was pressed into service with the flying act.
I totally disagree with the Betty Hutton comments. So what she was behind the scenes, hair and how she treated others. She and everyone else in the movie were great. Matter of fact that movie saved the RBBB show at that time period. How about all those GREAT RBBB acts? If you remember everyone was watching TV. Just like what we are going through today with the kids staying on computers..And lets don't forget C.B only won ONE Academy Award....Thanks to the GSOE..Hats off to C. B. DeMille.
It seems that Betty Hutton did ankle drops with the mechanic on the single trap and some other stunts - also worked in the flying act. Can someone identify who actually did the doubling for Betty Hutton on the more difficult stunts such as the one arm swings and et.? Have been told La Norma Fox and possibly Galla Shawn aka Tiny Gallagher doubled for Betty and Faye Alexander for Cornelle Wilde. Can someone please elaborate on the doubling for aerial stunts? Thanks.
Last May at the Circus Historical Society covention in Sarasota, we had a panel discussion featuring 7 Ringling performers who were on the show in 1951 and appeared in the film.
They each spoke at length about the fiming and the Hollywood stars. All said that all the stars were wonderful to the circus people even Betty Hutton although she had a mouth like a sailor. Their favorite was Dorothy Lamour. She hung around with the performers and the clowns. Demille had told his cast and crew to remember that they were joining the circus world and not to put on "airs".
Betty Hutton had several stunt doubles for the more difficult routines. Jeanne Sleeter doubled in the flying act. La Norma doubled in the distant shots on the single trap and also the one arm flanges. Dita Chaludi did the headstand.
Cornel Wilde's doubles were Jackie LeClair for the pull up and knee drop. Faye Alexander doubled in the flying and the fall. I believe Bill Snyder was the catch double during the flying return act. Trisco did the chair routine.
Jeanne Sleeter doubled for parts of the elephant act for Gloria Grahame.
Dorothy Lamour didn't need a stunt double as her scenes with the iron jaw act were either cut or never filmed.
Jimmy Stewart even had a double. He was not in Sarasota for the filming (he was awaiting the birth of his twins)but joined the show/filming in Philadelphia. I believe it was Bones Brown who doubled for him in Sarasota. Look closely at the scene where Sebastian falls and Buttons comes in to help him. The facial features are not the same as Stewart's. Also the scene in clown alley at the begining when Brad first sees Buttons. It's not Stewart until they cut to a closeup with Emmett Kelly. That part was later filmed in Hollywood.
Hope this helps a little.
Dom Yodice
Thank you Dom as your write up on Greatest show on Earth is the best.
When word got out DeMille was going to film it I think everyone in hollywood wanted in on it.
Betty Hutton sent DeMille flowers and worked out training to get DeMille to star her. DeMille liked it when your were willing to take the extras to make a picture look great.
All the troppers loved Dorothy Lamour as she fit right in with them.
Jimmy Stewart, I will never forget. Ronald Regan, came to Beaumont, Texas trying to get elected President. I worked at a local tv station then and we covered the event and guess who came in with Regan. You guessed right so we had the press pass to get behind the lines. Well never being afraid of anything I saw Stewart get off the plane after Regan coming towards the crowd and went up to him and said hello Buttons. What a wonderful person and we talked about for a few minutes about the film. WOW, I did not wash my hand for weeks.
I had nothing to get autographed so the next day they had a breakfast planned for press coverage. I worked it for free and then I had my 1 sheet movie poster all folded and ready with pin in hand. On the way out here goes secret service, Regan and Stewart. I asked for an autograph and Mr. Stewart stopped signed the poster and said where did you get that old thing. I was in hog heaven. The Beaumont fire department still talks about it to this day.
I have seen Greatest Show on Earth over 500 times and still find new things I missed before, and what a great record of what once was and never will be again. Ah memories!!!
Harry Kingston
Thank you Dom Yodice for that great information on the doubling for aerial work in GSOE. I was surprised at how little I did know about the doubling - Just great information - Thanks Again.
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