Saturday, August 14, 2010

Scarlett's Curtain Dress Meets Carol Burnett (Silly Video Extraordinaire)

Saturday, August 14, 2010


Susan reporting:

It IS the weekend, our time for silly history videos, and this has to be one of the silliest videos of all time. Originally broadcast in 1976 as part of The Carol Burnett Show, this lengthy (it's in two parts) spoof of Gone With the Wind is called Went With the Wind. Without requiring a Spoiler Alert, I will say that Scarlett's famous Curtain Dress plays an important role in Burnett's, ah, interpretation. And here's real proof that each version has achieved its place in American popular history: both have been immortalized as Barbie dolls.

Many thanks to Marilyn Watson for tracking down the Carol Burnett sketch on YouTube.

8 comments:

Jane O said...

It's as funny now as it was when it was new!

nightsmusic said...

As much as I love GWtW, I haven't been able to see Scarlett in her drapery dress the same way since I saw that CB sketch so many years ago.

Did you know, Victoriana Magazine had an article the other day on a museum in TX trying to raise funds to restore all of Scarlett's dresses?

http://www.victorianamagazine.com/archives/5791

The Down East Dilettante said...

This was such an inspired moment, and it still makes me laugh myself silly

Lauren said...

Oh that is too funny! I knew the 'curtain dress' was coming, but I still laughed out loud when it finally appeared. Now I know why my Granmom loved this show so much. I remember watching it with her when I was little, but now I get the jokes. Thanks for posting!

Isabella Bradford/Susan Holloway Scott said...

It is an inspired bit of tv - silliness like this never goes out of style. The Carol Burnett Show was wildly popular in its day, and ran for many years, but Carol and the curtain-rod remains one of the funniest scenes.

Theo, I suspect Victoriana received the same press release appeal that I did. Let's hope all that PR garners the funds for them to preserve the costumes!

Anonymous said...

Oh, I love Carol Burnett. Such a comedic genius. I mean, that curtain rod!

MrsT said...

the dress was truly 'wonderful', but the hat from the drapery ties was the perfect cap on the performance!

JaneGS said...

I remember seeing that skit for the first time when I was a teenager enthralled with GWTW and a devoted watcher of the CB show. I laughed until I cried, and then laughed some more. It is truly hilarious.

I think the CB doll dressed as Scarlett is hands-down the best Barbie ever. Thanks for that!

 
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