Comments on: Here’s to you, Mrs. Robinson…

By: larry

larry — Sat, 11 Jun 2005 19:41:27 +0000

Saw an interview a few years ago. Asked, “Why Mel Brooks?”, she replied, “He makes me laugh.”

Great actress. Great woman. Great couple. So very sorry for your loss, Mel.

By: neo-neocon

neo-neocon — Wed, 08 Jun 2005 19:58:26 +0000

The usual superlatives just don’t do it with Bancroft. She was beyond wonderful. Something about her always said “character,” no matter what character she might be playing. What an actress! I was fortunate enough to see her (I was a small child; practically a fetus!) in the original Broadway production of “The Miracle Worker,” and became an instant and lifelong fan.

I also thought of Mel Brooks when I heard the news, and how irreplaceable she must be for him.

Here’s my tribute to Bancroft.

By: Patrick Tyson

Patrick Tyson — Wed, 08 Jun 2005 19:31:44 +0000

Anne Bancroft’s last performance (aside from voice work) was on last season’s final episode of the HBO series Curb Your Enthusiasm. She plays herself in a small role opposite her husband. The episode, Opening Night, will air again on the HBO Comedy Channel two weeks from tonight.

http://www.hbo.com/larrydavid/episode/season4/episode40.html

By: Silicon valley Jim

Silicon valley Jim — Wed, 08 Jun 2005 19:21:37 +0000

You know, when she played Mrs. Robinson, she was only in her mid 30s, maybe early 30s during filming.

She was born September 17, 1931, so she would have been 35 or so during the filming; The Graduate was released in 1967. Of course, in 1967, I thought 35 was old.

By: Kyda Sylvester

Kyda Sylvester — Wed, 08 Jun 2005 16:45:34 +0000

I saw AB on a daytime talk show years ago. She and Mrs. Marty Feldman and Mrs. Dom DeLuise had formed a trio (Ann said they practiced in their kitchens using spoons and strainers for mikes–who hasn’t done that–LOL). They did an Andrew Sisters, IIRC, number and they were terrific. I thought how much fun parties must be with that crowd.

By: Caroline

Caroline — Wed, 08 Jun 2005 15:37:44 +0000

I was struck by how beautifully she aged. Didn’t look to me like she ever had plastic surgery (course I have no idea). But I thought she was an amizingly striking looking older woman.

By: scaramouoche

scaramouoche — Wed, 08 Jun 2005 13:10:52 +0000

Oops. Scuzi for the redundancy.

By: scaramouoche

scaramouoche — Wed, 08 Jun 2005 13:10:11 +0000

Mel and Anne were a terrific team, not only because, physically at least, they seemed so incongruous, but because he could prick her pretentions so lovingly and she always seemed to appreciate his humour.

An example–years ago, in a magazine profile, Bancroft was quoted as saying, “My body is my instrument”. To which Mel retorted, “Oh, yeah? Can it play “Begin the Beguine?”

Great quip. Great couple. Sorry for his loss.

By: scaramouoche

scaramouoche — Wed, 08 Jun 2005 13:09:29 +0000

Mel and Anne were a terrific team, not only because, physically at least they seemed so incongruous, but because they he could prick her pretentions so lovingly and she always seemed to appreciate his humour.

An example–years ago, in a magazine profile, Bancroft was quoted as saying, “My body is my instrument”. To which Mel retorted, “Oh, yeah? Can it play “Begin the Beguine?”

Great quip. Great couple.

By: Buddy Larsen

Buddy Larsen — Wed, 08 Jun 2005 12:14:30 +0000

Good time to thank Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder–who similarly lost wife and also great performer Gilda Radner–for a particular zany sort of comic sensibility that like the Marx Brothers will be hilarious–and uplifting for the way it does it– for all time.