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Post by JeriJet on Oct 8, 2012 9:12:46 GMT -5
I spotted Ellen Corby in yet another movie yesterday -- Goodbye, My Fancy (1951) w/Joan Crawford and Robert Young. I noticed that her voice was quite high, feminine, almost "squeaky".... and remembered that her voice was high in I Remember Mama, too....
Anyway, decided to do some research. She was born in either 1911 or 1913 and left for Hollywood in the early 1930's, wanting to be an actress. She worked as a script assistant for over 12 years -- so, no wonder she contributed to The Waltons scripts !! I bet she did more than we know about.....
She appeared in about 28 movies "uncredited" before her first credited role in 1947. !! Then, 3 more uncredited before "Mama" in 1948......
So, back to her voice -- I wonder when it changed so dramatically to the Gravel Gertie voice in The Waltons..... and, was it just old age or was she a heavy smoker ??
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Post by flyaway on Oct 8, 2012 12:31:40 GMT -5
I almost watched that movie yesterday, but got busy.
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Post by carol on Oct 8, 2012 12:42:55 GMT -5
I believe she was a heavy smoker. I think Mary mentioned it in her book.
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Post by goodnight on Oct 8, 2012 17:58:10 GMT -5
I believe she was a heavy smoker. I think Mary mentioned it in her book. I'd wager that could have possibly been what lead to her stroke. At least one of the things.
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Post by Marilyn on Oct 8, 2012 22:43:34 GMT -5
Yes smoking will sure lower the voice. She's pretty lucky she lived as long as she did and avoided lung cancer.
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Post by travis on Oct 10, 2012 22:24:08 GMT -5
I think her voice was a little deep when she sold Barney that dud car back around 1965 or so on her guest appearance in Mayberry. As far as the movies in the early 30's. I thought most of the voices were shrill. I always thought it was due to bad production and the fact several actors were struggling to transition from silent to talkies..
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Post by JeriJet on Oct 11, 2012 6:08:35 GMT -5
I think her voice was a little deep when she sold Barney that dud car back around 1965 or so on her guest appearance in Mayberry. As far as the movies in the early 30's. I thought most of the voices were shrill. I always thought it was due to bad production and the fact several actors were struggling to transition from silent to talkies.. ummm..... her movies weren't until the late 40's, early 50;s......
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Post by Marilyn on Oct 11, 2012 13:30:00 GMT -5
I think Travis meant movies in general and not Ellen Corby. I remember too, how shrill the voices of everyone were in the early movies. Had to be the sound equipment.
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Post by jerryboy on Oct 11, 2012 22:18:11 GMT -5
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Post by goodnight on Oct 12, 2012 12:17:06 GMT -5
Did she ever appear in any other shows after her stroke, other than the Walton's?
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Post by Tonyray on Oct 12, 2012 22:11:49 GMT -5
Saw her in The Ghost and MR. Chicken a few night ago. She played Luther's (Don Knotts) former school teacher.
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Post by Marilyn on Oct 12, 2012 22:38:42 GMT -5
After her stroke, she had those very limited appearances in the Waltons and that's it. Does anyone know how long she lived after the stroke?
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Post by travis on Oct 12, 2012 22:51:09 GMT -5
Marilyn..thank you! You knew what I meant and Jeri was correct as well saying Ellen did not play roles until the 1940's.NOW..I can share Ellen had a stroke in 1977..and lived until 1999. what I did not know and for all of us who love the western movie SHANE..I cannot remember her..I just recall the little boy yelling at the end..'Shane..Shane'..lol
What was her role?
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Post by Marilyn on Oct 12, 2012 23:56:59 GMT -5
Wow, I never would have guessed she went on to live another 22 years after that debilitating stroke! I also had no idea she played a reocuring role in the 1965-1967 TV series Please Don't Eat the Daisies. I don't remember SHANE too much, so just tell me the answer por favor.
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Post by Tracey on Oct 13, 2012 1:25:13 GMT -5
Marilyn..thank you! You knew what I meant and Jeri was correct as well saying Ellen did not play roles until the 1940's.NOW..I can share Ellen had a stroke in 1977..and lived until 1999. what I did not know and for all of us who love the western movie SHANE..I cannot remember her..I just recall the little boy yelling at the end..'Shane..Shane'..lol What was her role? She was Mrs. Liz Torrey in Shane
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