Bestselling authors Loretta Chase & Susan Holloway Scott gossip about history, writing, and yes, shoes.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Scarlett's Curtain Dress Meets Carol Burnett (Silly Video Extraordinaire)
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.
It's as funny now as it was when it was new!
ReplyDeleteAs 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.
ReplyDeleteDid 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
This was such an inspired moment, and it still makes me laugh myself silly
ReplyDeleteOh 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!
ReplyDeleteIt 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.
ReplyDeleteTheo, 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!
Oh, I love Carol Burnett. Such a comedic genius. I mean, that curtain rod!
ReplyDeletethe dress was truly 'wonderful', but the hat from the drapery ties was the perfect cap on the performance!
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteI think the CB doll dressed as Scarlett is hands-down the best Barbie ever. Thanks for that!