Bernadette Peters on WHAT'S MY LINE? (1974)

[TulitaPepsi]

Posted: 8/31/11 at 6:29pm

I'm sure this clip has been posted here before, but this was the first time I've seen it. Bernie gets grilled by Arlene Francis, Soupy Sales, Fannie Flagg and Allen Ludden.

Thirty-seven years later, she looks practically unchanged. It's so bizarre to see her as a fluffy '70s California blonde!
Bernadette

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 8/31/11 at 6:45pm

I forgot Larry Blyden hosted at one time.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 8/31/11 at 7:35pm

The Bernadette Peters I grew up with WAS a fluffy '70s California blonde.

[TheHappyPhantom]

Posted: 8/31/11 at 10:46pm

Wow...she hasn't aged a day!!

[redmustang]

Posted: 8/31/11 at 11:11pm

Still cute as a button.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 9/1/11 at 6:12am

Sweet! Thanks for posting that.

How sad is it for me to have had my heart warmed by the gentlemen standing up for her when she came over to shake hands. I yearn for the old days.

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/1/11 at 8:19am

So great to see Bernadette with Larry Blyden (two Broadway stars!).

I can't believe how she has barely aged in 37 years. What a lady, and what a career!

[TulitaPepsi]

Posted: 9/1/11 at 10:01am

"Do you have red hair?" :)

Amazing isn't it?! Time really stands still for her.

Just for fun, here's another mid-'70s Bernie blast from 1975. She is THE great Roxie that never was.

Best comment:

holy moly, this is incredible. a great number by a? great lady, from a terrific variety show! i miss the days of extended wide shots with no quick-cut edits, so you can actually see the dancers and the dance steps. today's short attention span edits during musical numbers drive me up the wall (are you listening, "glee"?). thank you for posting this. :)

Bernie does Roxie

Updated On: 9/1/11 at 10:01 AM

[ChenoKahn]

Posted: 9/1/11 at 12:46pm

I always watch that video.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 9/1/11 at 2:55pm

Thanks for that clip, Tulita. I've watched it several times and I still can't decide whether that little drop around 1:38 is deliberate or accidental. Granted, her next line is "Hold on , hon...", but that sharp little glance down at the guy holding her makes me wonder.

[TulitaPepsi]

Posted: 9/1/11 at 3:24pm

Cheno, it's a very addictive number! It's easy to forget (for me, anyway) that Bernadette has been around for over thirty-five years AND LOOKS (and practically sounds) EXACTLY THE SAME.
And seeing that number makes me want to see her do something squeaky and fun next.

Ghostie: I studied that moment, and think it's an accident. It's just the matter of the dancer adjusting getting his grip Bernies butt.

It's such a bizarre number - Bernadette and her form-fitting Bob Mackie outfit are the only things that work. The set is ugly and choreography is just strange. It's as if they knew they couldn't replicate Fosse and tried to figure out a substitute that isn't very good. And even though it is 1975, they couldn't have any moves that might be seen as too raunchy.

Aside from Bernadette bumping her rump in closeup ! :)

Updated On: 9/1/11 at 03:24 PM

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 9/1/11 at 3:46pm

Yes, I think so, too, and the line is an odd coincidence. It would be an odd choice (but hey, it was the 70's), but she and the dancer covered so smoothly than I was curious what others thought. I've seen so many stage mishaps - it never fails to amaze how well many professionals handle them. Some, as in the case of Nathan Lane, seem to live for them. No one can spin a malfuctioning set, a missed cue, a dropped line into comedy gold faster or better than him.

Completely agree with you about the choreography.
How Anita Morris recovers from an onstage incident

[TulitaPepsi]

Posted: 9/1/11 at 4:13pm

Brilliant 'save'!

She looks down, slightly laughs and doesn't miss a beat - and just holds the fabric around her waist for the rest of the number.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 9/1/11 at 4:24pm

...tucks the skirt under the band of her dance belt, and ends the number with her hand on her hip just like she meant to do that. My God but she was fantastic.

A few years back Pal Joey linked to a bunch of those What's My Line shows. I'm not sure I've ever forgiven him for that. Highly addictive.