Classic TV Actress of the Month: Marlo Thomas (Part 1)

Marlo Thomas is one of the most iconic TV stars of all time. I mean everyone remembers That Girl. Marlo was cast as Ann Marie, a struggling actress trying to make it in New York, juggle family and a boyfriend. She led the wave of strong and independent women later followed by Mary Tyler Moore. This month will be all about Marlo. And I start with some notable facts about her.

Born Margaret Julia Thomas on November 21, 1937 in Deerfield , Michigan.

Father is Danny Thomas (Make Room For Daddy)

Married to Phil Donahue since 1980

Attended Beverly Hills High School

She is of Lebanese and Italian origins. Her father is Lebanese and her mother is Italian. Her mother's maiden name was Rose Marie Cassaniti.

Godmother is Loretta Young

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital national outreach director.

She studied drama at HB Studio in Greenwich Village in New York City.

Has wrote several books including The Rights Words at the Right Time (2002), Free To Be...You and Me (2008) and her memoir, Growing Up Laughing in 2010.

ALL GOOD THINGS in JULY

Just a quick word about the things I have planned for my blog next month. First up, the classic TV actress will be That Girl herself, Marlo Thomas. Expect photos, facts, and anything and everything about the wonderful Marlo. My guest for the month will be my friend and blogger of Comet Over Hollywood and ace reporter at The Shelby Star, Jessica Noelle Pickens. And over on my FB page, where me and Desiree share this movie pick of the day event with a chosen star of the week, some of the stars we shall be doing shall include birthday gal Olivia de Havilland and William Holden. So please join me at either place for some good old classic fun.

The Greatest TV Comedies - That Girl (1966 - 1971)

The adventures of fun loving and adorable Ann Marie (played by Marlo Thomas in her most recognized role) in Manhattan was one of my favorite shows that I watched during the 80's when WTBS was showing reruns at that time. The premise was simple as small town Ann Marie (great name by the way) leaves home and heads to New York to become an actress. Of course things are never easy and for 5 years Ann was put in about every comical situation you could think of. Marlo Thomas, daughter of Danny Thomas was awesome as Ann. Her performance is one of the best ever by anyone for television. The character of Ann could have easily become annoying and unfunny after awhile but Thomas kept her genuine and real. I'm sure there were tons of women and young girls that could relate to the problems and situations that Ann faced on a weekly basis. It also helped that writing was sharp and funny. It should be as it was created by Sam Denoff and Bill Persky, who wrote many episodes of The Dick Van Dyke Show. And let's not forget that Marlo was a trendsetter as Ann was a young and single gal trying to make it on her own way before Mary Tyler Moore came along with her self titled series. Moore's show didn't air until 1970.

Ann would soon hook up with boyfriend Donald Hollinger (wonderfully played by Ted Bessell, a great light comedian, who jelled perfectly with Thomas). Donald would be the straight man to the wacky Ann, but he got in several laughs of his own as well. Also great was Lew Parker as Ann's exasperated dad and Rosemary Camp as Ann's mom. The running gag was that Ann's dad couldn't stand Donald and he was always suspecting the worse of Donald. The whole cast was just entertaining to watch and the show itself was always good for laugh aloud moments. Thomas proved to be a very gifted comedienne who wasn't adverse to getting down with physical comedy. She was a natural at it. And her being easy on the eyes didn't hurt matters either. I definitely recall having a crush on her while growing up. She was always wearing the newest and hippest clothes and lived in a huge one bedroom apartment. Don't ask how she afforded those things as she was always struggling to keep her job. But that was the best thing about this show. It never got serious or quibbled over such things like that. It's sole purpose was to make audiences laugh and forget about all the unrest going on in the turbulent 60's.

Featuring a cool opening sequence which focused solely on Ann gazing through a train window of the New York skyline, wearing if I remember correctly white gloves and a sailor hat. Then gazing at the billboards of Broadway, seeing herself as a queen in a store window display or flying a kite in Central Park. Take that Holly Golightly. That Girl would have a very successful 5 year run on ABC for a total of 136 episodes. It's said that ABC wanted Ann to marry Donald, but Marlo balked, saying it would be a betrayal of the single women who had watched the show all along to imply that the only happy ending was marriage. The show went off the air with Ann and Donald engaged and stuck in an elevator while on the way to a women's liberation meeting. That's Ann Marie all the way, playing by her own rules to the very end. The show is currently available on DVD which would be a great addition to anyone's classic film and TV library. Amazon is selling each season set for about $30 bucks. Anyway That Girl is a cherished memory of mine and it is one of the all time greatest TV comedies.






Ann: That's what I love about the theater! You know what I
mean, Donald? One day you're nobody, and the next,
Ethel Merman is stuffing your cabbage!