Jane Withers Obit Fact Check

[Tag]

Jane Withers Obit Fact Check#1

Posted: 8/9/21 at 10:30am

BWW please delete:
"Withers made her Broadway debut in 1971 in the musical comedy Sure, Sure, Shirley, which also brought Shirley Temple out of retirement."
from Jane Withers' obit.
That isn't true.

[dramamama611]

Jane Withers Obit Fact Check#2

Posted: 8/9/21 at 10:38am

What part of that statement isn't true? (I'm not saying you're wrong, as I certainly have no idea. Asking them to delete it just on your say so is a bit odd.

If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it? These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.

[Tag]

Jane Withers Obit Fact Check#3

Posted: 8/9/21 at 10:42am

The show didn't exist and they both never appeared on Broadway.

[BrodyFosse123]

Jane Withers Obit Fact Check#4

Posted: 8/9/21 at 10:44am

Tag said: "BWW please delete:
"Withers made her Broadway debut in 1971 in the musical comedy Sure, Sure, Shirley, which also brought Shirley Templeout of retirement."
from Jane Withers' obit.
That isn't true."

Per a 1971 NYT review/article, this is indeed true and yes… much to many’s surprise, Shirley Temple Black did take a break from her government duties to take part in this production. 

https://www.nytimes.com/1971/02/28/archives/sure-sure-shirley-next-sure-sure-shirley.html

[Tag]

Jane Withers Obit Fact Check#5

Posted: 8/9/21 at 10:46am

It's a parody article.

[yfs]

Jane Withers Obit Fact Check#6

Posted: 8/9/21 at 10:48am

The article is a parody. No author credits, no theater listed, and a declaration that "75% of the audience" collapsed after Shirley's big number because the performance was a benefit for diabetics. It was tweaking the then-current craze for nostalgia. Not listed on IBDB or anywhere else. It was never meant to be taken seriously. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Jane Withers Obit Fact Check#7

Posted: 8/9/21 at 10:55am

Whoopsie. I lightly scanned the article. It’s listed on Withers’ Wikipedia page which is why many (including BWW) are including it on her obituary unaware that NYT article/review was a joke. IBDB does not list the show nor Jane Withers so that’s that right there.