From the bottom of my heart, thank you for posting this video. I was floored when I learned she was 54 at the the time of OZ...I would not have guessed that in the least. I remembered her roles in the early 30's, and that she was married to Florence Z. I had no idea of how she worked to retire his debt to creditors. Remarkable actress, classy lady, absolute talent and screen legend. I somehow know God knows what a special angel He has, with Billie Burke. Again, thank you dear, for posting this.
I will be speaking on Billie Burke's role as Glinda the Good Witch and on her early theatre stardom at Kansas State University on Saturday, 3 October - and signing copies of "Mrs. Ziegfeld: The Public and Private Lives of Billie Burke".
Dear Baybea, Ms.Burke also wrote a second memoir"With Powder On My Nose" and she also appeared in the Hal Roach romantic drama"Zenobia"With one of my heroes Oliver Hardy of L&H.
I googled the name Billie Burke because about 3 years ago i bought a scrapbook for about 5 dollars. The girl who made this scrapbook many attended plays. Inside scrapbook I found a signed Billie Burke picture in a pasadena playhouse program book. The book was of a play called "My mother was a bachelor" which took place in the Pasadena Playhouse dated Nov. 11, 1954. Anyway, I wanted to share that because I got really excited when I discovered that she was the good with in The Wizard of Oz.
Very nice video tribute. Florenz Ziegfeld was my Great, Great, Great, Great Uncle on my grandmothers side of the family.
During a visit with my sister (whom lives in California) - i got the chance to meet Patricia Ziegfeld-Stephenson & her husband Bill at their home in Brentwood. They were very kind and it was a pleasure meeting them.
Lovely tribute to a truly fascinating actress. Of course she's known as Glinda from the Wizard of Oz, but she had quite a distinguished career in the theater in Britain and the US. What I admire about her most is that she was able to pay back the enormous debt her husband (Flo Ziegfeld) had left when he died. Took a lot of guts -- going from very wealthy to just the opposite. Her book, WITH A FEATHER ON MY NOSE, is delightful. Thanks for sharing.
The thing that strikes me is she is ANCIENT, yet seems so accessible. It's like you could bridge the century that separates us easily. Maybe it's her youthful looks in Oz. But I mean, my God, she was in her 50s in the Golden Age of Hollywood. That means she saw it all. Vaudeville, the Silents. Everything. She was in on the ground floor. Yet I can almost...touch her.
I have done a few of these mini biographies and I take my time to make them unique to each person. I try to find music that is suitable to the biographical presentation :)
Ziggy was a philanderer, yet this beautiful creature put up with it. How much of an alpha male this guy must have been for someone like Billie to stay with him? We shlubs can only imagine.
For those who liked the movie "Somewhere in Time", well she could be the genuine 1912 beautiful actress. I sure damn well would go back to meet her if I could.
I want to go out with Billie Burke. I want a time machine that will go back to 1981, pick me up at age 22, then go back to 1907 to meet 22 year old Billie. Let's see. Why would a beautiful actress pick me? Well, I could enchant her with my power to predict teh future.
I'm writing a biography of Miss Burke, to be released in 2009. You've really captured her - wonderful tribute to a great lady and a fine actress. Thank you!
I'm wondering in your biography next year. Did she ever find another man to love, who loved only her? How close was she to her daughter? Was Flo the love of her life, she's burried next to him in california.
Billie received several proposals after Flo's death, but chose to remain single. She was very close to her daughter - Patricia was a wonderful, strong, grounded person, just what Billie needed. Billie and Flo are buried in Kensico Cemetery, Westchester County, New York.
I discuss this at length in my forthcoming book. I can tell you, though, that she was nothing like Clara Topper. Great sense of humour, but Billie was no feather-brain.
bea - I'm afraid I have yet again fallen victim to the youtube comment eater. I am often one of the frst to comment and it seems that shen the poster answers, some of the first comments are lost. This means I can't see your reply to me. I'm very upset that YT chooses not to fix this problem because I miss the communication.
I came here to see my comment reply, but it disappeared! I think I mentioned that i never connected her to the Topper series. It used to be in reruns here in NYC in the late 70's.
I remember those movies too...they'd play them on Sat. afternoons on T.V. Just like the Tarzan series and those clamation movies. I loved watching them! ((Martha)) have a nice long weekend.:)
I've always been a 'star gazer' and there are certain actors that I've adored. I figure, maybe some people didn't know this actor also did other movies. Thanks for watching and enjoying :)
Watched it twice - it was sooo nice. I was born too late - I loved her hair and clothes when she was in her early 20's. Didn't know that she wrote a book, I'm going to see if there are still copies available. Love you videos. xoxxoox
They don't seem to play those older movies very often but I am sure your local library has copies or you may be able to rent the Topper movies from a vid. store. Glad you liked the vid. :)
I love making videos like this it's very enjoyable for me to research about some of my favourite stars. Happy to have made this ((Urgelt)) and glad you enjoyed :)
Yes, a natural beauty and apparently, she was also very humorous. She had great comedic timing but I think that was in her karma; her father was an internationally known circus clown.
Baybea! That was lovely! I never connected her as the same actress who did the Topper series! I loved that show! When I was in Juinior High, it ran on Saturday mornings here in NYC.
Yes! I remember the show on Sat's. But you know, I never made that connection of her playing Glinda. She was a wonderful actress and comedian. :) thanks for watching
Billie Burke was a very attractive woman-I wish I'd been married to her!! This is a good video,so thanks!!
CelebrateDiversity1 2 weeks ago
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for posting this video. I was floored when I learned she was 54 at the the time of OZ...I would not have guessed that in the least. I remembered her roles in the early 30's, and that she was married to Florence Z. I had no idea of how she worked to retire his debt to creditors. Remarkable actress, classy lady, absolute talent and screen legend. I somehow know God knows what a special angel He has, with Billie Burke. Again, thank you dear, for posting this.
BearyHairy 1 year ago
Very nice video.
operamichael 1 year ago
"Age is something than doesn't matter,unless you are a cheese"what a beaiful words.
gomamon100 1 year ago
magical
flowerwillow 2 years ago
Thank You very much for this post.
betteroffsingle 2 years ago
I will be speaking on Billie Burke's role as Glinda the Good Witch and on her early theatre stardom at Kansas State University on Saturday, 3 October - and signing copies of "Mrs. Ziegfeld: The Public and Private Lives of Billie Burke".
Grant Hayter-Menzies
HayterMenzies 2 years ago
Dear Baybea, Ms.Burke also wrote a second memoir"With Powder On My Nose" and she also appeared in the Hal Roach romantic drama"Zenobia"With one of my heroes Oliver Hardy of L&H.
143AC 2 years ago
I own a commercially produced boardgame from 1905 with her picture in the middle of the game board. Call me lucky, contact me for addl. info.
Adamsays29 2 years ago
@Adamsays29
what is the name of the board game please ?
thanx,
emily
emilyteagarden 1 year ago
Her beauty could silence today's immoral young women just obsessed with how they look.
Operalover12002 2 years ago
Lovely video, Dear Baybea, If there ever was a film based on this womans life, who do you think would be the best one to play her?
lonerose05 3 years ago
carol kane, bernadette peters? I remember her in Father of the Bride, she was the future mother-in-law to young Elizabeth Taylor.
pasfresh123 3 years ago
I googled the name Billie Burke because about 3 years ago i bought a scrapbook for about 5 dollars. The girl who made this scrapbook many attended plays. Inside scrapbook I found a signed Billie Burke picture in a pasadena playhouse program book. The book was of a play called "My mother was a bachelor" which took place in the Pasadena Playhouse dated Nov. 11, 1954. Anyway, I wanted to share that because I got really excited when I discovered that she was the good with in The Wizard of Oz.
ASpiderGirl 3 years ago
Very nice video tribute. Florenz Ziegfeld was my Great, Great, Great, Great Uncle on my grandmothers side of the family.
During a visit with my sister (whom lives in California) - i got the chance to meet Patricia Ziegfeld-Stephenson & her husband Bill at their home in Brentwood. They were very kind and it was a pleasure meeting them.
kellyintampa 3 years ago
Wonder what her life would have been like,if she married like her daughter.
lonerose05 3 years ago
Lovely job!
bobjohnson513 3 years ago
Dear baybea, Your video is wonderful, it's a great tribute to a lovely, talented woman. Thanks! Fondly, V.
vt32943 4 years ago
Beautiful job! Love Billie Burke!
norfolk03 4 years ago
billie is my cousin on my dads side
xmdbaltim0rex 4 years ago
oh, how nice! I hope I did your cousin justice with this tribute video :)
baybea 4 years ago
i'm really sorry that she died
maya63p 4 years ago
Well, she'd be 120 if she was alive today.
bobjohnson513 3 years ago
I really love this!!!!
Jewelerica 4 years ago
:) I'm glad
baybea 4 years ago
Lovely tribute to a truly fascinating actress. Of course she's known as Glinda from the Wizard of Oz, but she had quite a distinguished career in the theater in Britain and the US. What I admire about her most is that she was able to pay back the enormous debt her husband (Flo Ziegfeld) had left when he died. Took a lot of guts -- going from very wealthy to just the opposite. Her book, WITH A FEATHER ON MY NOSE, is delightful. Thanks for sharing.
erzbet07 4 years ago 2
you're very welcome. :) She was a woman of courage and pride.
baybea 4 years ago
Ziggy looks like a mannequin in that picture at 1:27.
judithdurham 4 years ago
The thing that strikes me is she is ANCIENT, yet seems so accessible. It's like you could bridge the century that separates us easily. Maybe it's her youthful looks in Oz. But I mean, my God, she was in her 50s in the Golden Age of Hollywood. That means she saw it all. Vaudeville, the Silents. Everything. She was in on the ground floor. Yet I can almost...touch her.
fruticetum 4 years ago
wow..lol..you sure like Billie Burke! She was a pretty special lady and certainly kept her youthful looks throughout her life.
baybea 4 years ago
I do have a crush on Billie. And thank you for producing this wonderful video. I love the music that goes with it.
fruticetum 4 years ago
I have done a few of these mini biographies and I take my time to make them unique to each person. I try to find music that is suitable to the biographical presentation :)
I love old Hollywood :)
baybea 4 years ago
Ziggy was a philanderer, yet this beautiful creature put up with it. How much of an alpha male this guy must have been for someone like Billie to stay with him? We shlubs can only imagine.
fruticetum 4 years ago
For those who liked the movie "Somewhere in Time", well she could be the genuine 1912 beautiful actress. I sure damn well would go back to meet her if I could.
fruticetum 4 years ago
I want to go out with Billie Burke. I want a time machine that will go back to 1981, pick me up at age 22, then go back to 1907 to meet 22 year old Billie. Let's see. Why would a beautiful actress pick me? Well, I could enchant her with my power to predict teh future.
fruticetum 4 years ago
This is a well done video. 5*
phillipah7 4 years ago
thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it :)
baybea 4 years ago
Alright...I think TOPPER is playing tricks with the comments..they've suddenly appeared again lol
baybea 4 years ago
I'm writing a biography of Miss Burke, to be released in 2009. You've really captured her - wonderful tribute to a great lady and a fine actress. Thank you!
Grant Hayter-Menzies
HayterMenzies 4 years ago
I'm wondering in your biography next year. Did she ever find another man to love, who loved only her? How close was she to her daughter? Was Flo the love of her life, she's burried next to him in california.
lonerose05 3 years ago
Billie received several proposals after Flo's death, but chose to remain single. She was very close to her daughter - Patricia was a wonderful, strong, grounded person, just what Billie needed. Billie and Flo are buried in Kensico Cemetery, Westchester County, New York.
HayterMenzies 3 years ago
How was she different from the characters she played on film, silly, but funny women.
lonerose05 3 years ago
I discuss this at length in my forthcoming book. I can tell you, though, that she was nothing like Clara Topper. Great sense of humour, but Billie was no feather-brain.
HayterMenzies 3 years ago
that was fascinating. i had no idea the good witch was in her mid fifties. it gives me hope.
BuckNakedDragKing 4 years ago
Many more years of stardom for you :) thanks for enjoying the video
baybea 4 years ago
To others who commented on here and are lost in the YTcybercabinet...thanks and appreciate you viewing this video and enjoying it.
I wish YT staff would stop fiddling with things that worked perfectly fine
baybea 4 years ago
bea - I'm afraid I have yet again fallen victim to the youtube comment eater. I am often one of the frst to comment and it seems that shen the poster answers, some of the first comments are lost. This means I can't see your reply to me. I'm very upset that YT chooses not to fix this problem because I miss the communication.
snarkdetriomphe 4 years ago
this is awful how the comments and replies are disappearing :(:( Well, I think I replied that I'm glad you enjoyed viewing.
baybea 4 years ago
I came here to see my comment reply, but it disappeared! I think I mentioned that i never connected her to the Topper series. It used to be in reruns here in NYC in the late 70's.
Maxxie753 4 years ago
These comments & replies deletions are getting very frustrating!
Yes, I didn't connect her to Glinda the good Witch. That's why I like doing these kinds of videos. Love researching and finding things out. :)
baybea 4 years ago
Awe thanks Bea for bringing back wonderful memories, I remember watching those old movies! Great video!
Jinxie228 4 years ago
I remember those movies too...they'd play them on Sat. afternoons on T.V. Just like the Tarzan series and those clamation movies. I loved watching them! ((Martha)) have a nice long weekend.:)
baybea 4 years ago
Thanks for bringing these stars back to our attention.
Beautiful tribute.
yellowlabrador 4 years ago
I've always been a 'star gazer' and there are certain actors that I've adored. I figure, maybe some people didn't know this actor also did other movies. Thanks for watching and enjoying :)
baybea 4 years ago
Very nice tribute, Baybea!
-- Matt
TheHappyShow 4 years ago
thanks Matt...I need to catch up on my video viewing. I know I'm far behind.
baybea 4 years ago
Bea, I'm glad you made this! It's a beautiful job and a wonderful tribute! You certainly took me back - those old Topper shows! - roc
popparoc46 4 years ago
I wonder if others never made the connection that the lady who played Glinda was also Clara. :)
baybea 4 years ago
Watched it twice - it was sooo nice. I was born too late - I loved her hair and clothes when she was in her early 20's. Didn't know that she wrote a book, I'm going to see if there are still copies available. Love you videos. xoxxoox
AuntLissa53 4 years ago
They don't seem to play those older movies very often but I am sure your local library has copies or you may be able to rent the Topper movies from a vid. store. Glad you liked the vid. :)
baybea 4 years ago
I've seen all the Topper movies - and just ordered her TWO???? books from our library. Now you have me on a mission.!!! Have a fun day today.
AuntLissa53 4 years ago
I enjoyed this tremendously, Bea. A marvelous actor, well-remembered. The music selection was outstanding, too. Thank you for making this!
Urgelt 4 years ago
I love making videos like this it's very enjoyable for me to research about some of my favourite stars. Happy to have made this ((Urgelt)) and glad you enjoyed :)
baybea 4 years ago
This was wonderful Bea!
Tinkerlove13 4 years ago
It's fun to make these videos. I've always loved biography shows and finding out about people. Enjoy your long weekend ((Marykay))
baybea 4 years ago
oh that was lovely. I always loved the 12 minutes of Billie Burke!
snarkdetriomphe 4 years ago
Me too! And for someone who was only in that movie 12 minutes, she made a great impact on a little girl (me).:)Thanks for viewing
baybea 4 years ago
she is beautiful
Anjelikka 4 years ago
Yes, a natural beauty and apparently, she was also very humorous. She had great comedic timing but I think that was in her karma; her father was an internationally known circus clown.
baybea 4 years ago
Baybea! That was lovely! I never connected her as the same actress who did the Topper series! I loved that show! When I was in Juinior High, it ran on Saturday mornings here in NYC.
Maxxie753 4 years ago
Yes! I remember the show on Sat's. But you know, I never made that connection of her playing Glinda. She was a wonderful actress and comedian. :) thanks for watching
baybea 4 years ago