Oh, to be a fly on the wall - #943 in a series...

Romy Schneider and Sophia Loren

Jayne Mansfield, Liza Minnelli, Mitzi Gaynor, Kaye Ballard

Edith Piaf reading the palm of Django Reinhardt

Ramon Novarro and Robert Montgomery

Divine makes her thoughts known on the Trumps

Razzle Dazzle no more

It is with tears in our eyes that we bid a fond farewell to our beloved Patron Saint of Bugle Beads Miss Mitzi Gaynor, who has razzle-dazzled her way off to Fabulon today.

The star to end all stars, she shimmied, shook and high-kicked her way through myriad musicals, TV specials and award ceremonies in her long, long career - her screen legacy includes such classics as My Blue Heaven, There's No Business Like Show Business, Anything Goes, Les Girls and, of course, South Pacific. We are going to miss her terribly!

Mitzi Gaynor - Honey Bun

Mitzi Gaynor - Limehouse Blues

Mitzi Gaynor - Let Go!

RIP, Francesca Marlene de Czanyi von Gerber, aka Mitzi Gaynor (4th September 1931 - 17th October 2024)

One hundred and one pounds of fun

It's our Patron Saint of Bugle Beads, Miss Mitzi Gaynor's 92nd birthday!

All hail.

Mitzi Gaynor - Honey Bun

Many happy returns, Francesca Marlene de Czanyi von Gerber aka Mitzi Gaynor (born 4th September 1931)

A Camp Diva Xmas

Cheers from Jean Dawnay, Princess George Galitzine, last of the 50s "supermodels" (22nd March 1926 - 21st December 2016).

Seasons Greetings from Cher (and the Lennon Sisters):

Cher with the Lennon Sisters - Santa Baby

...from the marvellous Noele Gordon:

Noele Gordon - We Need a Little Christmas

...from Signorina Raffaella Carrà:

Raffaella Carra - Medley Canzoni Natalizie

...from Conchita Wurst (with a little help from Dame Shirley Bassey):

Conchita Wurst - Diamonds Are Forever

...from Miss Mitzi Gaynor:

Mitzi Gaynor and the Toy Soldiers - White Christmas

...and from Miss Bette Davis [actually 'Miss' Jimmy James, but we shan't quibble]!

Jimmy James as Bette Davis - Feliz Navidad

Now that's what I call a carol service!

Yesterday they told you you would not go far

[Ethel Merman by Mark Hanauer]



Describing Miss Merman's 1954 classic movie There's No Business Like Show Business (in which she co-starred with Marilyn Monroe and Mitzi Gaynor), Mr Bobby Rivers said:

In the 1940s, Universal could have made five Donald O'Connor musicals with the budget for this one number alone. Early in the story, we had two Catholic parents freak out when their son wanted to become a priest instead of procreating and supplying them with grandkids. Now we get a finale that makes a gay pride parade in West Hollywood look like the chain gang in Cool Hand Luke. Merman, Marilyn, Mitzi, a rousing showtune, dozens of chorus dancers in pastels and men in uniform. Oh, Sweet Baby Jesus.

My thoughts exactly...

There's No Business Like Show Business finale

"I can never remember being afraid of an audience. If the audience could do better, they'd be up here on stage and I'd be out there watching them."

"There's such a thing as theater discipline. One player doesn't appropriate another's inventions."

"I've made a wonderful living playing that theatrical character - the professional brassy dame."

"I can hold a note as long as the Chase National Bank."

Ethel Merman (born Ethel Agnes Zimmermann, 16th January 1908 – 15th February 1984)

Les Girls

Gene Kelly with Mitzi Gaynor, Kay Kendall, Taina Elg in "Les Girls" (1957)

Mitzi Gaynor (born 4th September 1931)

Mitzi Music Monday

Unlikely conversations - when legends meet...

Jayne Mansfield, Liza Minnelli, Mitzi Gaynor, Kaye Ballard


Joan Crawford, Judy Garland

...but what did they find to talk about?

Miss Razzle-Dazzle

"There are so many really good dramatic actresses that are not working right now. And there are many who cannot sing and dance and shake their butt...and I really enjoy that."

"When you have your overture and there’s people in the house – who paid money to come see you and who want to be with you – who have heard about you or know you from somewhere – do you know what a thrill that is? Can you imagine? Let me at them!"

Mitzi Gaynor (born 4th September 1931)

Visit my regular blog Give 'em the old Razzle Dazzle for more Mitzi Gaynor (in celebration of her 80th birthday)...