So sad to read today of her passing. I'll always treasure her performance as Dolly Levi in an in the round production of HELLO DOLLY I saw with my folks back in the late 60's-- I'm guessing it was North Shore Music Theatre in Massachusetts. I can still remember nearly every detail of the staging. Most of all, Betsy just exuded joy and warmth-- she was my first Dolly and I held every other one I saw later (including Carol and Pearl) up to the very high bar she set.
Got to meet her at The Broadway Cares Equity Fights AIDS Flea Market. She was lovely. RIP.
She did a lot of summer stock and regional theater, including musicals. I had an older friend who had seen Mary Martin and all her replacements in the original South Pacific, as well as all the subsequent NYC productions (City Center, 1960s Lincoln Center, City Opera), and various regional productions. It was his favorite show. Of all the Nellie Forbushes he had seen, he told me, the finest was Betsy Palmer. She played the part several times.
Yes, great career and a significant talent. Unfortunately, she has to be remembered for "Friday the 13th." She had so many great theatre performances and always worked the nearby Pocono Playhouse back in the summers when it not only still existed (because of people like Ms. Palmer) and was a great venue. All the young ones on here have no idea who she was or how talented and gracious she was. Classy lady.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/11/04
Didn't realize she was so young in the film version of MISTER ROBERTS. Love the way she shriveled Ensign Pulver's (Jack Lemmon) ego with her devastatingly delivered parting shot of "So long, harmless."
She was amazing on tour in Love Letters in the early 90's
"Yes, great career and a significant talent. Unfortunately, she has to be remembered for "Friday the 13th."
There is absolutely nothing unfortunate about it at all.
She embraced her place as a horror fan favorite. She loved that she was a horror icon.
And she was always gracious to those fans.
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