Awww, Rasberries! Ode to Le Channing.

Carol Channing almost made it to her 98th birthday
(Jan. 31!).

She was born in Seattle in 1921 and 

raised in San Francisco.

Above in her break-out role as Lorelei Lee in
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1949),

and was called by Brooks Atkinson of the NYTimes,

 “the most fabulous comic creation of this dreary period in history.”

Above, a pic from Show Girl,

an almost one-woman show that Carol did in 1961

on Broadway.

Jules Munshin also starred, and music was by Charles Gaynor.

For a sample, see the 2 on the Aisle Facebook page!

Carol attended Bennington College in Vermont,

but headed off to New York to audition.

She  became an understudy to Eve Arden in the Cole Porter musical 

“Let’s Face It,” 

and then played a nurse in the flop "Proof Thro' The Night".

A year later, doing benefits in L.A.,

she caught the eye of Marge Champion (of Gower and),

and landed a role in Lend An Ear (1948).

When that show moved to Broadway, 

Anita Loos (book writer par excellence) knew Carol was
"Just A Little Girl From Little Rock",

and Le Channing became Le Lorelei.

A great shot of Carol in/with "Gentlemen"

 Howard Morris and Bob Neukum.

A decade later,

after Wonderful Town, Show Girl, and touring with her act,

she became Dolly Levy in Hello, Dolly! (1964).

A 10 time Tony Winner, including one for Carol. 

She would tour with the show, 

as well as return for revivals in 1977, 1982, and 1994,

performing the role over 5,000 times. 

Below with composer Jerry Herman and that

"cuddly" cash register.

Carol did only one movie, surprisingly...in 1967.

Thoroughly Modern Millie with Julie Andrews and Mary Tyler Moore.

A nod from the Academy, and a Golden Globe!

She played Muzzy Van Hossmeer...

and also "A Jazz Baby!"

Lots of TV spots,

above with another Dolly, Pearl Bailey.

Tiny Tim? Ringo Starr?

Let's just say everybody wanted to be in her radius.

With Betty White, Mary Tyler Moore, and Lynn Redgrave.

Carol never celebrated her birthday 'til her 72nd one

 when she was heralded by then-President, Bill Clinton.

When she told him this was her first birthday celebration,

he replied, "Well, then this is your first birthday!"

She continued to perform into her 80's., 

believing that she had not yet peaked.:

“Shirley Temple peaked at 7,” she said. 

“I haven’t gotten myself together yet.”