a biography of the day-tallulah bankhead

[niyad]

Tallulah Bankhead was born in Alabama, daughter of Congressman William Bankhead (later Speaker of the House, 1936-40). Her mother died of complications from childbirth several weeks later, and she was raised in part by her aunts and grandparents. She was educated in New York City, Staunton, Virginia, and Washington, DC. Her exhibitionist personality was apparent from an early age.


. . . . .

Tallulah Bankhead retired from the stage in 1950, beginning a radio show with many celebrity guests. In 1952 she hosted for a television show and published her autobiography. She appeared on Steve Allen and Lucille Ball's television shows and starred in a nightclub act in Las Vegas.
. . .

Tallulah Bankhead married actor John Emery in 1937 and they divorced in 1941. She had no children. After her 1942 success, she bought a home in rural New York where she entertained frequently. Estelle Winwood and Patsy Kelly were among the guests who lived with her there. Her name was linked during her lifetime with many people -- men and women -- and she carefully nurtured her wild reputation.

Tallulah Bankhead was active in politics, supporting Democratic and liberal causes and campaigning for Franklin D. Roosevelt. She was also a fan of the New York Giants.


http://womenshistory.about.com/od/actresses/p/tallulah.htm

[hlthe2b]

1. My beloved girlie dog I lost in June was named for Tallulah, after reading a comment from

Marlene Dietrich, who described Bankhead as the wildest woman she'd ever known....

My own beloved Tallulah was likewise quite the wildly affectionate girlie as a pup..


I have a biography on Bankhead that I got at a collector used book store... She was truly a woman before her time!

[no_hypocrisy]

2. I paid homage to Ms. Bankhead in my own way.

I was working midnight shift at an answering service almost 20 years ago. You got cranks and cranky callers at that time.

One night, I got more than the usual dullard. I got someone who wanted to get me fired for sport.

The caller wanted my name to report me to the supervisor in the morning. (Not necessary as I was the sole operator for the business at 3:30 a.m.) Strike that, the caller demanded my name, "Who is this???!!!!"

I told a long breath and in my most husky southern drawl, I responded, "It's Talluuuulahhhh, dahhhhhhhhrling . . . . "

I didn't get fired the next day but I won the respect of my sisters in solidarity as my legend spread throughout the shifts.