Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Phyllis Diller (1917 – 2012)

AEET honors the late great actress and comedian, Phyllis Diller, who passed away yesterday at the grand old age of 95, with highlights from one of her funniest books, Phyllis Diller's Marriage Manuel, (Doubleday / 1967, featuring fab illustrations by Susan Perl.) Diller moved to Webster Groves, MO in 1961, and honed her act in St. Louis clubs such as Gaslight Square's Crystal Palace in the mid-1960s, getting her first start on the Charlotte Peters Show in STL, where many got their start... St Louis was always home to her. R.I.P.



















7 comments:

Frank Forte said...

great post! Never even heard of Susan Pearl. She's my new favorite.

Mr. Karswell said...

>Never heard of Susan Perl before

Her stuff could be found in lots of great mags from the 60's too... here's an AEET post from last year, Frank, that has more of her stuff:

http://andeverythingelsetoo.blogspot.com/2011/12/offbeat-christmas-61.html

JMR777 said...

She was a remarkable funny lady. I think she provided her unique voice talent to "Mad Monster Party" as the bride of Frankenstein.

Mr. Karswell said...

She provided her unique physical appearance to the character as well... great film!

Mr. Cavin said...

Awesome. Pearl's scratchy grotesques are all wicked and awesome. I'm not used to seeing her in such a nearly Steadman-like mode.

And rest in peace, Ms. Diller. From another fan.

Pappy said...

My late mother-in-law, Ginny, dressed as Phyllis Diller one year for a Halloween party. Everyone commented on how much she looked like Diller and Ginny went home angry! Haha. She looked a lot like Phyllis Diller even without dressing as her.

Mr. Karswell said...

Haha, great story Pap!