Arlene Harris

Arlene Harris (July 7, 1896 – June 12, 1976) was a Canadian-born American radio, film, and television actress. (Another source gives her date of birth as July 7, 1898.)[1] She was best known for her role as "the human chatterbox" on Al Pearce's radio program.[1]

This article is about the actress. For the inventor, see Arlene Harris (inventor).
Arlene Harris
Publicity photo of Arlene Harris
Born(1896-07-07)July 7, 1896
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
DiedJune 12, 1976(1976-06-12) (aged 79)
Woodland Hills, California, U.S.
OccupationActress

Early years

Harris was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and was educated primarily in England.[2] During the first three years of Harris's life, she was unable to hear.[3] At age 5, she was entertaining her family with comedy sketches. When she was older, she "branched out into the art of impersonating."[4]

Vaudeville

Harris toured in vaudeville as Arlene Francis in the 1920s.[1] She had to retire after being injured in an automobile accident, but the Great Depression in the United States caused her to return to entertaining—this time in radio.[1]

Radio

Before her career in film, Harris was well known as a comic actress on the radio program, The Chatterbox.

She first appeared on radio on KFWB in Hollywood, California.[1] She was a regular on Al Pearce and His Gang,[5] where she was known as "The Human Chatterbox" in monologues that involved telephone conversations with an unheard friend.[6] A CBS statistician once calculated that she averaged four words per second during one of her rapid-fire monologues.[3] She also co-starred with Pearce in Here Comes Elmer.[7]

Harris played Mummy Higgins on The Baby Snooks Show[1] and was heard on Ina Ray Hutton's program[6] and Fare for Ladies.[8]

Television

Harris played herself in an episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show in 1964,.[9][10] She also appeared on Panorama Pacific and made guest appearances on several TV programs.[11]

Recognition

Harris has a star at 6250 Hollywood Boulevard in the Radio section of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It was dedicated February 8, 1960.[12]

Personal life

Harris was married to Dr. Harry G. Harris.[4]

Death

Harris died June 12, 1976, at the Motion Picture Country Home in Woodland Hills, California.[6]

References
  1. DeLong, Thomas A. (1996). Radio Stars: An Illustrated Biographical Dictionary of 953 Performers, 1920 through 1960. McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-2834-2. P. 121.
  2. Dache, Dorothy (February 16, 1937). "What About Arlene, the Chatterbox of 'Al Pearce's Gang'?". Harrisburg Telegraph. Pennsylvania, Harrisburg. p. 23. Retrieved May 13, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  3. Nicoll, Bruce (February 28, 1937). "Behind the Mike". The Lincoln Star. Nebraska, Lincoln. p. 38. Retrieved May 13, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  4. "Radio Riddle Answer". Washington Court House Record-Herald. Ohio, Washington Court House. January 19, 1938. p. 7. Retrieved May 13, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  5. Sies, Luther F. (2014). Encyclopedia of American Radio, 1920-1960, 2nd Edition. McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-5149-4. P. 15.
  6. "Arlene Harris Tribute Sunday; Willson In Anaheim Friday". Santa Ana Register. California, Santa Ana. June 17, 1976. p. 28. Retrieved May 13, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  7. "Here Comes Elmer". Harrisburg Telegraph. Pennsylvania, Harrisburg. December 23, 1944. p. 23. Retrieved May 13, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  8. "Arlene Harris to Present 'Talk of the Town' for Club". The San Bernardino County Sun. California, San Bernardino. April 6, 1969. p. 39. Retrieved May 13, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  9. "(TV listing)". Independent Press-Telegram. California, Long Beach. March 29, 1964. p. 118. Retrieved May 13, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  10. The Return of Edwin Carp Archived 2012-04-10 at the Wayback Machine - Season 3  : Ep. 27 of the Dick Van Dyke Show
  11. "Woman's Club Monday Meeting Time Advanced". Redlands Daily Facts. California, Redlands. November 18, 1961. p. 3. Retrieved May 13, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  12. "Arlene Harris". Hollywood Walk of Fame. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
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