 The Buggiest Bugaloo! You already know just about everything there is to know about The Bugaloos, the young ones, that is. I mean, Wayne Laryea, John Philpott, John McIndoe, and Caroline Ellis are household names by now. But do you know anything about the "older" generation of stars on that fab show? Well, we thought you'd like a little look at someone who deserves some of the applause...just because she's so darn wonderful and talented. As Benita Bizarre, the "rock witch," this gal is just tremendous, and probably the buggiest Bugaloo of them all! Martha Raye, whom most of you know and never heard of until the fabulous Bugaloos got on the air, is a veteran stage and screen star with too many credits to her name to account for her. There's just not enough paper, honest! Maybe some of you knew that she had a starring role in the recently completed movie "Pufnstuf," based on the TV series with your friend and mine, Jack Wild. Martha Raye, in addition to her many tours in Vietnam to entertain the troops, has distinguished herself in various facets of show biz, including vaudeville (what's that again?) nightclubs and radio. (Better ask mom and dad what vaudeville was!) Born in Butte, Montana, Miss Raye made her vaudeville debut at the tender age of three with her parents, Pete Reed and Peggy Hooper. When she was fifteen, she toured the famous Leow's circuit (better ask mom and dad about that one, too) as a single act, and then joined up with Will Morrisey's act for the next three years. Martha had a long and exciting career in films playing opposite some of the most famous talents of her time, including Bing Crosby and Charlie Chaplin. She starred with Al Jolson for two years on his radio show, then with Milton Berle on his TV show, then finally on a show of her own, The Martha Raye Show on NBC-TV. Martha's most recent accomplishment was as the lovable matchmaker in the Broadway smash hit, "Hello, Dolly!" We just
though you'd like to know a little bit about one of the "other" stars
on
one of your fave shows. It helps bridge the generation gap! |