Arlene Harris

Arlene Harris
Arlene Harris
	Publicity photo of Arlene Harris
Born	July 7, 1896; Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Died	June 12, 1976 (aged 79); Woodland Hills, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actress

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]

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

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f 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.
^ 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.
^ ^a ^b Nicoll, Bruce (February 28, 1937). "Behind the Mike". The Lincoln Star. Nebraska, Lincoln. p. 38. Retrieved May 13, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
^ ^a ^b "Radio Riddle Answer". Washington Court House Record-Herald. Ohio, Washington Court House. January 19, 1938. p. 7. Retrieved May 13, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Sies, Luther F. (2014). Encyclopedia of American Radio, 1920-1960, 2nd Edition. McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-5149-4. P. 15.
^ ^a ^b ^c "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.
^ "Here Comes Elmer". Harrisburg Telegraph. Pennsylvania, Harrisburg. December 23, 1944. p. 23. Retrieved May 13, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "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.
^ "(TV listing)". Independent Press-Telegram. California, Long Beach. March 29, 1964. p. 118. Retrieved May 13, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
^ The Return of Edwin Carp Archived 2012-04-10 at the Wayback Machine - Season 3 : Ep. 27 of the Dick Van Dyke Show
^ "Woman's Club Monday Meeting Time Advanced". Redlands Daily Facts. California, Redlands. November 18, 1961. p. 3. Retrieved May 13, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Arlene Harris". Hollywood Walk of Fame. Retrieved 13 May 2016.