I'm Just a Square (In a Social Circle)

[Forgotten Man]

For all those Betty Hutton lovers out there...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hccsA5wv_hE

This song is so funny... and, kinda says who I really am. I think Betty and I would have been swell friends!

Enjoy,

FM~

 

[Forgotten Man]

"finger bowls irk me the worst... they never quench my thirst!"lol

Come on, don't tell me I'm the onlyone who loves this clip![huh]

FM~

 

[Mike in Seattle]

When she died earlier this year, there were loads of clips of her stuff. One of the best, IMHO, was one of the last concerts she gave. Las Vegas, I think about 15+ years ago. She almost lost it after the first number - she was absolutely amazed that she got a rousing standing ovation and that they remembered her.

 

[Forgotten Man]

I just adore her personality and spunk! She was also quite a cutie! The baby of the Hutton’s and I wish I had the chance to meet her!

FM~

 

[Ed Bass]

Betty lived locally here in Palm Springs and was a very close friend of a good friend of mine.
My wife and I had the opportunity to meet her a few years ago at a social gathering for dinner at our friend's home. It was a quiet evening with just a few people. Betty was very nice and quite humble about her Hollywood past. All in all a very enjoyable time.
Best, Toots

 

[Forgotten Man]

OoOoOoOoOoH You lucky so and so!!!

FM~

 

[Ed Bass]

OoOoOoOoOoH You lucky so and so!!!

FM~

Ha Ha...Thanks FM.

Actually I think I'm just geographically lucky. There are many classic era celebrities living here. Eleanor Parker is just down the road and Jim Garner used to shop in the same grocery store we did. A few weeks ago Brian Setzer was eating Chinese food at the next table. You see them from time to time, but, luckily, most of the locals are cool enough to just give them their space without crowding them for autographs. If you know what to look for you can spot them. Sometimes a well dressed older woman in a scarf with dark sunglasses is worth a second glance.

It's almost like seeing an elusive animal in the wild. If you don't disturb them you can observe at close range. Sometimes you make casual small talk or just give a courteous nod. I think they truly like the anonymity.

Best, Toots

 

[Forgotten Man]

Oh, isn't that fun!

Here's another clip I just adore of Betty's... she just cracks me up! And how Bob Hope describes her: A vitamin pill with legs! Haha, just perfect!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClGNm89GZBE

FM~

 

[Ed Bass]

Bob Hope! Palm Springs' honorary Mayor forever.
You'd see him on Palm Canyon Drive from time to time just walking, shopping and greeting people. What a truly great guy. I never miss a chance to catch his early movies on TCM.
(Hey! It's Me! Peanuts...Peanuts White!...)

Best, Toots

 

[Mike in Seattle]

The sad thing is she really got shabby treatment (to put it mildly) from Hollywood. She talked about it in an interview on TCM. From day one, everyone on the set of Annie Get Your Gun let her know they didn't appreciate...well, quite frankly, hated her...for her getting the lead over Judy Garland. And Garland, a good friend of hers, repeatedly told everyone Garland's the one who decided to drop out of the picture, and thought Hutton was a great replacement in the lead. But in Hollywood, I suppose it makes a better story for everyone to assume Hutton's conniving and scheming to cut Garland out of the picture.

Then Betty & her mother flew, at her own expense, from Hollywood to NY for the world premiere of the picture. Since she hadn't heard from the studio, she calls Hollywood to find out if they're sending a limo and/or what time she's to show up at the theater for the premiere. The studio tells her she's not invited, and worse, she's forbidden to show up at the premiere at all or even speak to any meadia.

She said that she went back to Hollywood, completed her contract (one more picture, I think it was) and refused all future offers. A great talent completely wasted, if you ask me. She worked as a housekeeper in a convent for years. At the urging of a priest, she did a few shows a number of years ago and found she was still known, still loved by many.

At least I've got a dozen or so MP3's of her recordings I happened across shortly after she died, and there's loads on YouTube. I was just thinking of her earlier this today when I watched L.A. Confidential, since she's on the soundtrack, and then happened across this post.

 

[Forgotten Man]

Yep, she had a very rocky Hollywood experience, it's a real shame because she was popular with the public in many regards... I'd have loved to meet her and tell her just how much I enjoy her work and to say: To heck with all Hollyweird Betty, in my book, you're TOPS!

She was also battling with depression for many years, for someone with such a sparky personality, she lived a very quiet kinda life... it's sad really. Her older sister Marion sang with Glenn Miller for a few years and enjoyed a healthy career and made a name for herself... Betty tried but, Hollywood just gave her the shaft! I'll never forget her amazing roll in "Here Come The Waves" and "The Fleet's In"... she was just as cute and funny in those movies as the others!

My self along with a close friend of mine wish we could have met her and taken her out to dinner in one of our old cars dressed in our best and laugh and sing old songs... I'm sure we'd have been good friends!

Betty was great!

FM~

 

[Haversack]

While her work for Preston Sturges is gut-wrenchingly funny, I think my favourite bit of Betty Hutton is her role as Polly, the studio receptionist in the 1942, "everybody on the Paramount lot", revue, _Star Spangled Rhythm_. The part where she was trying to get over the studio wall with the 'assistance' of the human tar baby is incredible physical comedy.

Haversack.

 

[The Wolf]

I loved Betty Hutton in all her movie and radio appearances.
"Star Spangled Rhythm" and "The Miracle at Morgan's Creek" are my favorites.
Her last interview was on TCM, I think with Robert Osborne, she seemed very open but it was off-putting that she had large glasses that didn't fit well so she was constantly pushing them back up on her nose.

Sincerely,
the Wolf