I can't think of her name either. She was very famous in her day, back when radio was King of the Galaxy. Nowadays, too many folks have forgotten what a joke means. They would take this "Adult Baby" act with full seriousness. She would be interviewed by Nancy Grace with her Manager sitting next to her. The Manager would be an older man with Pinz Nez glasses, a shiny gold Fob, and a very expensive three piece suit. He has been appointed as her Conservator or as some say, her 'minder'./ Rasputin figure. Nancy Grace would stare at this woman wordlessly for over a minute. Then she's say, "I'm sorry to keep staring at this Lady here, but when I look at her, you know what name immediately comes to mind and I wish it didn't? Jon Benet Ramsey. You heard me. I know I'm gonna get slammed on Twitter, well, as President Bush once said, Bring It On, Bitch!"
One of my all-time favorite "radio history" pictures. At Brice's zenith, she was a nationwide and international favorite, with sponsors like General Mills, Sanka and others in a long line hoping to be a part of "Baby Snooks" - the original "Funny Girl." As her legend grew (that of playing a troublemaking youngster, 40 years younger than Brice, herself,) so did her precociousness. To CBS (and later, NBC Radio) executives, Fanny Brice could do no wrong - and she had the backing of Williams S. Paley to prove it. Nothing was off limits to her.
This picture is from the famed "Columbia Square" - the $2-million showcase of six floors that housed KNX Radio, an early TV studio (for KNX-TV, now KCBS 2) and many studios, including a shortwave radio studio. The shot was a publicity still taken inside the CBS Radio LA Master Control where many CBS Radio shows started and were sent by equalized phone lines (that took up an entire floor of Columbia Square) to CBS stations and affiliates from west coast to east. Columbia Square was just blocks from the massive NBC Radio complex. Columbia Square gave way to CBS Television City which is still in use.
Leaving Fanny Brice in that control room was enough, if you are familiar with the Baby Snooks Show, to run shivers up of the spine of engineers and executives for the trouble always to ensue. A tremendous talent, comedienne, Siegfeld Follies vaudevillian, singer, actor and one responsible for the early careers of many of Hollywood's finest. Streisand was exceptional in "Funny Girl" - 12 years after Brice passed of a brain hemmorage in 1951, at the time the battle was on to save radio's "Golden Age" from the infant "TV". How radio -- and television -- have changed. Nice memories. Thanks, Rich.
Fanny "Baby Snooks" at the controls of the KGO "PPM" encoder during a recent "Karel Show." "Can I makes this thing go any lowers? This show sucks major big and is smelling up the joint. It is so bad, and we've lost so much money, Cumulus has ordered all clocks to have only a minute hand and a seconds hand. Lew Dickey is "My Man." Karel has nothing on me, honey. I don't care about no 50,000 watts and I know how to use 'em."
Another piece of Fanny Brice "Baby Snooks" lore. She was not easy to work with, even at age 50. She was totally in charge and in control. She hated to rehearse and proudy said so, "I don't do a show until I'm on the air, kid."
Brice was also meticulous in how she presented herself to your legions of fans in the 40s. She would never think of appearing on stage, in a studio, a parade or before her public without being dressed as Baby Snooks, right down to the shoes and the bow in her hair and bright red lipstick.
She demanded, by contract, that the print of her scripts (which she sometimes followed) to be written in not just large, but VERY LARGE print to avoid her having to wear glasses during a show. She was afraid that even though listeners could only imagine what Baby Snooks looked like, she wouldn't face a large studio audience by wearing glasses or being out of costume. Ever. Even in promotions for both CBS and NBC, she was in full character and dress for any function from a parade to walking into the studio.
Rich, are you talking about "crazy renee?" When I left kgo someone told me she was re-hired. I really couldn't believe my ears. Then I heard she was running the station! Stories Iike these confirm to me my decision to leave when I did was 100% correct even if I didn't love my current job, which I do.
Ronn's new Executive Producer. I hear she loves new and old gadgets. Rene has to be impressed.
Is that Pee Wee Herman's mother ???
ReplyDeleteAin't gonna help.
ReplyDeleteI can't think of her name either. She was very famous in her day, back when radio was King of the Galaxy. Nowadays, too many folks have forgotten what a joke means. They would take this "Adult Baby" act with full seriousness. She would be interviewed by Nancy Grace with her Manager sitting next to her. The Manager would be an older man with Pinz Nez glasses, a shiny gold Fob, and a very expensive three piece suit. He has been appointed as her Conservator or as some say, her 'minder'./ Rasputin figure. Nancy Grace would stare at this woman wordlessly for over a minute. Then she's say, "I'm sorry to keep staring at this Lady here, but when I look at her, you know what name immediately comes to mind and I wish it didn't? Jon Benet Ramsey. You heard me. I know I'm gonna get slammed on Twitter, well, as President Bush once said, Bring It On, Bitch!"
ReplyDeleteIs that Joe E. Brown dressed in drag?
ReplyDeleteBaby Snooks..a radio legend...Fanny Brice ?
ReplyDeleteDing ding, we have a winner!
DeleteThe Baby Snooks character she played.
Fanny Brice! Babs played her in Funny Girl ...
ReplyDeleteOne of my all-time favorite "radio history" pictures. At Brice's zenith, she was a nationwide and international favorite, with sponsors like General Mills, Sanka and others in a long line hoping to be a part of "Baby Snooks" - the original "Funny Girl." As her legend grew (that of playing a troublemaking youngster, 40 years younger than Brice, herself,) so did her precociousness. To CBS (and later, NBC Radio) executives, Fanny Brice could do no wrong - and she had the backing of Williams S. Paley to prove it. Nothing was off limits to her.
ReplyDeleteThis picture is from the famed "Columbia Square" - the $2-million showcase of six floors that housed KNX Radio, an early TV studio (for KNX-TV, now KCBS 2) and many studios, including a shortwave radio studio. The shot was a publicity still taken inside the CBS Radio LA Master Control where many CBS Radio shows started and were sent by equalized phone lines (that took up an entire floor of Columbia Square) to CBS stations and affiliates from west coast to east. Columbia Square was just blocks from the massive NBC Radio complex. Columbia Square gave way to CBS Television City which is still in use.
Leaving Fanny Brice in that control room was enough, if you are familiar with the Baby Snooks Show, to run shivers up of the spine of engineers and executives for the trouble always to ensue. A tremendous talent, comedienne, Siegfeld Follies vaudevillian, singer, actor and one responsible for the early careers of many of Hollywood's finest. Streisand was exceptional in "Funny Girl" - 12 years after Brice passed of a brain hemmorage in 1951, at the time the battle was on to save radio's "Golden Age" from the infant "TV". How radio -- and television -- have changed. Nice memories. Thanks, Rich.
Rich, you look a lot better as a woman, maybe you should..........
ReplyDelete10:19 Shut Yo Mouf! (But I'm talkin about Shaft!)
DeleteFanny "Baby Snooks" at the controls of the KGO "PPM" encoder during a recent "Karel Show." "Can I makes this thing go any lowers? This show sucks major big and is smelling up the joint. It is so bad, and we've lost so much money, Cumulus has ordered all clocks to have only a minute hand and a seconds hand. Lew Dickey is "My Man." Karel has nothing on me, honey. I don't care about no 50,000 watts and I know how to use 'em."
DeleteAnother piece of Fanny Brice "Baby Snooks" lore. She was not easy to work with, even at age 50. She was totally in charge and in control. She hated to rehearse and proudy said so, "I don't do a show until I'm on the air, kid."
DeleteBrice was also meticulous in how she presented herself to your legions of fans in the 40s. She would never think of appearing on stage, in a studio, a parade or before her public without being dressed as Baby Snooks, right down to the shoes and the bow in her hair and bright red lipstick.
She demanded, by contract, that the print of her scripts (which she sometimes followed) to be written in not just large, but VERY LARGE print to avoid her having to wear glasses during a show. She was afraid that even though listeners could only imagine what Baby Snooks looked like, she wouldn't face a large studio audience by wearing glasses or being out of costume. Ever. Even in promotions for both CBS and NBC, she was in full character and dress for any function from a parade to walking into the studio.
And amazing time, radio was, back then.
Brice was way ahead of her time!
DeleteRich, are you talking about "crazy renee?" When I left kgo someone told me she was re-hired. I really couldn't believe my ears. Then I heard she was running the station! Stories Iike these confirm to me my decision to leave when I did was 100% correct even if I didn't love my current job, which I do.
ReplyDeleteI can feel the electricity running through those boards. The Golden Age of Radio.
ReplyDeleteWoke up from a deep sleep, after having a nightmare triggered by that creepy-ass picture!
ReplyDelete