Ann B. Davis

Actress

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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About

About this interview

In her one-and-a-half hour Archive interview, Ann B. Davis (1926-2014) talks about her early years working in theater and her first big break in television, playing the role of "Schultzy" in the 1950s sitcom The Bob Cummings Show, the role for which she was most identified in her early career. She describes her work on that series in great detail as well as describing her appearances on such series as The Perry Como Show and Arthur Murray's Dance Party, and two '60s series on which she was a regular: the musical-variety series The Keefe Brasselle Show and the sitcom The John Forsythe Show. Lastly, Davis speaks about the series for which she is most remembered, The Brady Bunch. She talks about playing the role of housekeeper "Alice" and her memories of shooting the series including descriptions of each of the cast members and anecdotes about the series' production. Davis also talks about the Brady phenomenon and the reception she has received from fans of the show. Karen Herman conducted the interview in Studio City, CA on March 13, 2004.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"I remember my first 'demographic report' on the 'Brady Bunch.' I was with a friend, who told her little girl, 'honey, you remember Shultzy?' The girl said, 'that's not Schultzy, that's Alice!' I knew that we were coming along.... Today, people with three-piece suits and briefcases suddenly become twelve when they're walking by me. That just breaks me up and I love it!"

People Talking About ...

Highlights

Ann B. Davis on the talent of Florence Henderson

00:44

Ann B. Davis on describing the dynamic between her character "Schultzy" and "Bob Collins"

01:14

Ann B. Davis on the introduction of "Sam" on The Brady Bunch

01:05

Ann B. Davis on creating backstory for "Alice," based on her own life

01:10

Ann B. Davis on what she likes about working on television

00:31

Full Interview

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Chapter 1

On her childhood; on working as an actress in community theater

On getting cast as "Schultzy" on The Bob Cummings Show, aka Love That Bob; describing the show and the characters

On Bob Cummings, George Burns, producer Paul Henning, and other cast members of The Bob Cummings Show

On the writers of The Bob Cummings Show -- and writers in general; on specific episodes of the show

Chapter 2

On winning two Emmys for The Bob Cummings Show, fans, and working in theater

On her numerous other television appearances, such as Wagon Train, The Arthur Murray Party and The Keefe Brasselle Show

On her process, and being a supporting actress

On The Brady Bunch: hair, Florence Henderson and Robert Reed

Chapter 3

On working with the child actors on The Brady Bunch

On Sherwood Schwartz and Lloyd Schwartz

On some of her memorable Brady Bunch episodes and the introduction of Alice's love interest, Sam

On the numerous Brady spinoffs and feature film

On retiring, her Christian family, her charitable work, her biggest career achievements

Shows

Arthur Murray Party, The

Ann B. Davis on dancing with Arthur Murray in a guest appearance on his show

00:31

Bob Cummings Show, The aka Love That Bob

Ann B. Davis on getting the part of "Schultzy" on Love That Bob, and what she likes about working on television

01:51

Ann B. Davis on describing the dynamic between her character "Schultzy" and "Bob Collins"

01:14

Ann B. Davis on her fond feeling toward George Burns, who was involved in the production of The Bob Cummings Show, aka Love That Bob

03:09

Ann B. Davis on working with Don Knotts on The Bob Cummings Show, aka Love That Bob

01:20

Brady Brides, The

Ann B. Davis on The Brady Brides

01:02

Brady Bunch Hour, The

Ann B. Davis on The Brady Bunch Hour

00:52

Brady Bunch, The

Ann B. Davis on getting the part of "Alice" while doing a nightclub act in Seattle

01:41

Ann B. Davis on naming the show -- The Brady Brood or Bunch ?

00:32

Ann B. Davis on figuring out the hair color of the show's characters

01:22

Ann B. Davis on creating backstory for "Alice," based on her own life

01:04

Ann B. Davis on the talent of Florence Henderson

00:44

Ann B. Davis on working with Robert Reed

02:10

Ann B. Davis on working with the child actors on The Brady Bunch

08:21

Ann B. Davis on Brady Bunch episodes including "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore" and "Cousin Emma"

02:24

Ann B. Davis on the introduction of "Sam" on The Brady Bunch

01:05

Ann B. Davis on the ending of The Brady Bunch and on the longevity of the series' popularity

02:34

Ann B. Davis on The Brady Bunch Movie

01:16

Bradys, The

Ann B. Davis on The Bradys

00:37

John Forsythe Show, The

Ann B. Davis on her appearance on The John Forsythe Show

01:42

Keefe Brasselle Show, The

Ann B. Davis on being a regular on The Keefe Brasselle Show, and remembering Barbra Streisand perform as a guest on the show, pre-stardom, and the immediate understanding of her talent

03:35

Wagon Train

Ann B. Davis on her guest appearance on Wagon Train

00:43

Topics

Comedy

Ann B. Davis on working with Don Knotts on The Bob Cummings Show, aka Love That Bob

01:18

Emmy Awards

Ann B. Davis on winning two Emmys for The Bob Cummings Show, aka Love That Bob

01:03

Fame and Celebrity

Ann B. Davis on her celebrity

03:39

Pop Culture

Ann B. Davis on her role as "Schulzty" on The Bob Cummings Show, aka Love That Bob, and her appearance on Eddie Cantor Comedy Theater

01:40

Ann B. Davis on the longevity of The Brady Bunch's continuing popularity

01:50

Professions

Actress

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Ann B. Davis on her sense of gratitude toward writers

01:56

Performers

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Ann B. Davis on her sense of gratitude toward writers

01:56

Genres

Comedy Series

Ann B. Davis on the longevity of The Brady Bunch's continuing popularity

03:39

People

George Burns

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Ann B. Davis on her fond feeling toward George Burns when she worked on The Bob Cummings Show, aka Love That Bob

03:09

Ann B. Davis on advice from George Burns on not rehashing characters she's played in other venues

00:59

Eddie Cantor

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Ann B. Davis on one of her first appearances on television, on the Eddie Cantor Comedy Theater, before getting her regular role on The Bob Cummings Show, aka Love That Bob

00:39

Bob Cummings

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Ann B. Davis on the relationship between "Schultzy" and "Bob Collins" on The Bob Cummings Show, aka Love That Bob

01:09

Ann B. Davis on her working relationship with Bob Cummings on The Bob Cummings Show, aka Love That Bob

01:52

Ann B. Davis on advice she received from fans about how to "get" Bob romantically

00:34

Richard Deacon

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Ann B. Davis on getting free drinks by doing spontaneous comedy dance numbers with Richard Deacon at Ciro's in West Hollywood

00:50

John Forsythe

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Ann B. Davis on her appearance on The John Forsythe Show

01:42

Florence Henderson

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Ann B. Davis on the talent of Florence Henderson

00:44

Paul Henning

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Ann B. Davis on her working relationship with Paul Henning on The Bob Cummings Show, aka Love That Bob

01:28

Dwayne Hickman

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Ann B. Davis on working with a very young Dwayne Hickman on The Bob Cummings Show, aka Love That Bob

00:29

Christopher Knight

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Ann B. Davis on Christopher Knight

01:13

Don Knotts

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Ann B. Davis on working with a cold and shivering Don Knotts on The Bob Cummings Show, aka Love That Bob

01:18

Nancy Kulp

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Ann B. Davis on Nancy Kulp's guest appearance on The Bob Cummings Show, aka Love That Bob, and how George Burns, who was involved in the production of the show, subtly tweaked the episode

00:55

Mike Lookinland

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Ann B. Davis on Mike Lookinland

00:12

Maureen McCormick

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Ann B. Davis on Maureen McCormick

00:48

Leslie Nielsen

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Ann B. Davis on appearing in a dramatic role with Leslie Nielsen

00:59

Susan Olsen

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Ann B. Davis on Susan Olsen

01:28

Eve Plumb

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Ann B. Davis on Eve Plumb

00:56

Robert Reed

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Ann B. Davis on working with Robert Reed

02:10

Lloyd J. Schwartz

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Ann B. Davis on how the young cast of The Brady Bunch was treated

01:46

Ann B. Davis on Lloyd Schwartz

01:09

Sherwood Schwartz

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Ann B. Davis on Sherwood Schwartz

01:28

Barbra Streisand

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Ann B. Davis on watching Barbra Streisand perform in 1963 on The Keefe Brasselle Show, when Davis was a regular on the program, and the immediate understanding of Streisand's talent

02:04

Barry Williams

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Ann B. Davis on Barry Williams

01:03