I was born in 1994. Seeing people like Bea Lillie, Fanny Brice and so many more who were so talented and born nearly 100 years before me amazes me!!!! I wonder what she's seen in her life. Bea was Canadian by birth and died in England. How amazing! (this is my inner history major coming out.)

What a treat to see and hear her

She married Lord Peel in the 1920's, but they soon separated. She had a son who died in World War II. In her declining years she had a friend and companion named Philip Huck who looked after her. On the day after she died, he died of a heart attack. She may have been a lesbian, but no one knows for sure. But one thing is certain. She was one of the funniest people on earth. Bless her memory, and thank goodness that we have her hilarious songs preserved on recordings and videos.

@christopher2073

4 жыл бұрын

When she answered the phone she would say, 'C'est Lady Peel qui parle'.

@margiebrogdon9552

Жыл бұрын

I just read her biography "Beatrice Lillie The Funniest Woman in the World" by Bruce Laffey who used to work with her as one of her assistants. He said that she wasn't a lesbian, even though people wondered. I wish she'd made more movies so we could see her more often now.

In fanny's autobiography she and Bea were passengers on a steamer from England to New York and watched a little girl and her old rich grandfather; the little English girl was bouncing a ball and said "Why don't you 'ply' with me, Grandpa-pa?" Later that day Fanny and Bea were playing cards in the salon and this titled older gentleman studied his cards too long---Bea chirped, "Why don't you 'ply' with me , Grandpa-pa?" and Fanny fell off her chair laughing.

Fabulous! First time I have SEEN her perform her revue material, only heard recordings before. Many thanks.

Our Maple Leaf flies high and proud every time we hear this!

@PUAlum

2 жыл бұрын

as well it should! I'm just now hearing it for the first time....three years later! Surely this woman is considered a national treasure there!

Pure magic

Had to check out this performer Bea Lillie after listening to Jerry Lewis sing her praises and speak of her unsurpassed "rhythm". He said Carol Burnett had a degree of that rhythm.

So much fun Saw her on stage in NYC back in early 60s. Believe it was musical version of Blithe Spirit Totally stoled the show!

@pchabanowich

8 жыл бұрын

How I envy and praise that experience!

@SymphonyBrahms

5 жыл бұрын

It was the musical version of Blithe Spirit, and it was called High Spirits, based on Noel Coward's play and directed by him. Bea Lillie played Madame Arcati, and yes, she stole the show.

@dianaaljadeff2983

3 жыл бұрын

She was nominated for High Spirit in.the 1963-64 season but lost to Carol Channing for Hello Dolly

It is so sad to me that so much of this incredible live entertainment history sits languishing is archives. Digitize! Thanks for sharing...

Just loving this, first time seeing this!

Lovely, oh so lovely.

@chrisantenen9098

10 жыл бұрын

never stop loving this. It's comforting.

Inimitable ❤️

Now you know why we love faeries (the real ones).

Thanks so much for sharing! This is beautiful History! WOW!

genius!!!

wonderful!

I was never a big fan of Ed Sullivan, but the way he expressed himself with Bea Lillie here has elevated my estimation of him greatly.

I was hoping someone had posted her appearances on Jack Paar's talk show when talk shows had guests who actually shared interesting banter with the host and audience.

Her timing!

When showbiz had some class.

I think that it is so amusing that Bea Lillie talks about Amelita Galla-Curci and Kirsten Flagstad singing "There Are Fairies At The Bottom Of Our Garden" as well as herself! It's too bad that Flagstad did not record it!

Wow, seems like Madeline Kahn must have been heavily influenced by her.

Of course, David Johansen recently played this on his Mansion of Fun show. EPIC!!!

Poignant that she mentions her friend Fanny Brice - Miss Brice died on Bea's birthday May 29, in 1951. Swell clip.

alec guinness ran into her on the QE II she was wearing a bikini and a mink coat--I think alec adored her

@pchabanowich

8 жыл бұрын

One of those silly quotes which might be true: Bea to the Captain of that voyage: "Goodness, when does this place get to New York?" The wit was effulgent.

@koosriedijk3872

3 жыл бұрын

Bob, I guess you mention the "wrong" QUEEN. You wrote the QE II, but that ship came into Transatlantic service in 1969, so Bea would have been AT LEAST 75 years, haha!! (born in 1894) . It was no doubt the "old" Queen Elizabeth, built 1940, but in service not until after the war(1946-onwards) Maybe it was even the Queen Mary (1936, so even more in the age-line of exposing yourself!!!) . I wonder what year Bea (1894) and Alec (1914, so 20 years her junior) met actually on the crossing. But you could be right that Bea was wearing a bikini and a mink coat at the high age of 75 plus(!) , she was the kind of woman not afraid of hilarity. Bless her, one of the funniest women in this field.

@koosriedijk3872

3 жыл бұрын

Bea at her best (also on youtube) in Bea Lillie Song and dance routine from 1957 (when she was already 63 years) Brilliant, maybe one of the funniest things I saw her do.

I adore this droll lesbian who was also known as Lady Peal, as she was married to Lord Peal, of course. A Great Eccentric~!!

@vino140

6 жыл бұрын

Peel. Lady PEEL.

@unclelouie3828

6 жыл бұрын

Droll lesbian? Another queen's comment.

A different time.

Wonderful! Wish the sound was better, but so great to see Bea on Ed Sullivan ... Wonder what year this was?? Bea Lillie and George Formby ... classic performers who can teach contemporary performers so much ...

@vino140

6 жыл бұрын

It's the 1950s.

@strooomon

Жыл бұрын

1952

Oh, yes... Ed..... those "areas" from operas. LOL.

@SymphonyBrahms

5 жыл бұрын

And thank goodness that Ed presented those arias and even complete scenes from opera on his show. Because of that we have videos of performers like Bjorling and Callas singing their greatest roles.

I knew a guy once whose name was Ford Lincoln Mercury.

So deliciously camp!

2:28 - 2:37 lmao

Carol Burnett could have set her self to copy this performer as much as other stand-ups copied Bill Cosby etc

I do wonder if Ed Sullivan knew of Bea's lifestyle. Not that it matters, but in those days it was scandalous. Oh my! I don't think the public at large knew about it until after her death. Am I wrong? Who knows the story?

@capt.molyneaux7037

10 жыл бұрын

What are you talking about? Ehh?

@wiguy3

10 жыл бұрын

Vino She was a lesbian and in those days it just wasn't talked about much publicly.

@capt.molyneaux7037

10 жыл бұрын

wiguy3 The great stars (in this case ladies) always are. Or ac-dc.

@unclelouie3828

6 жыл бұрын

Who gives a shit? It's "her" private life.

@buffedtrainer1

4 жыл бұрын

@@unclelouie3828 what a nasty comment. you must be a Trumpster

What a contrast to today's "entertainment "...... Some freak on stage monotonously informing us that he'll slap his female dog companion........ and if you don't applaud ...you're rayshist !