Ann B. Davis

Actress
Bob Hope Comedy Collection
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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

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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.

"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!" 

Interviewee(s)
Ann B. Davis
Highlights
Ann B. Davis on the talent of Florence Henderson
Ann B. Davis on describing the dynamic between her character "Schultzy" and "Bob Collins"
Ann B. Davis on the introduction of "Sam" on The Brady Bunch
Ann B. Davis on creating backstory for "Alice," based on her own life
Ann B. Davis on what she likes about working on television
Full Interview

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

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

Bob Cummings Show, The aka Love That Bob

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Ann B. Davis on getting the part of "Schultzy" on Love That Bob, and what she likes about working on television
Ann B. Davis on describing the dynamic between her character "Schultzy" and "Bob Collins"
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
Ann B. Davis on working with Don Knotts on The Bob Cummings Show, aka Love That Bob

Brady Brides, The

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Ann B. Davis on The Brady Brides

Brady Bunch Hour, The

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Ann B. Davis on The Brady Bunch Hour

Brady Bunch, The

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Ann B. Davis on getting the part of "Alice" while doing a nightclub act in Seattle
Ann B. Davis on naming the show -- The Brady Brood or Bunch ?
Ann B. Davis on figuring out the hair color of the show's characters
Ann B. Davis on creating backstory for "Alice," based on her own life
Ann B. Davis on the talent of Florence Henderson
Ann B. Davis on working with Robert Reed
Ann B. Davis on working with the child actors on The Brady Bunch
Ann B. Davis on Brady Bunch episodes including "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore" and "Cousin Emma"
Ann B. Davis on the introduction of "Sam" on The Brady Bunch
Ann B. Davis on the ending of The Brady Bunch and on the longevity of the series' popularity
Ann B. Davis on The Brady Bunch Movie

Bradys, The

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Ann B. Davis on The Bradys

John Forsythe Show, The

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

Keefe Brasselle Show, The

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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

Wagon Train

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Ann B. Davis on her guest appearance on Wagon Train
Topics

Comedy

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

Emmy Awards

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

Fame and Celebrity

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Ann B. Davis on her celebrity

Pop Culture

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

Actress

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Ann B. Davis on her sense of gratitude toward writers

Performers

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Ann B. Davis on her sense of gratitude toward writers
Genres

Comedy Series

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Ann B. Davis on the longevity of The Brady Bunch's continuing popularity
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
Ann B. Davis on advice from George Burns on not rehashing characters she's played in other venues

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

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
Ann B. Davis on her working relationship with Bob Cummings on The Bob Cummings Show, aka Love That Bob
Ann B. Davis on advice she received from fans about how to "get" Bob romantically

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

John Forsythe

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

Florence Henderson

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Ann B. Davis on the talent of Florence Henderson

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

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

Christopher Knight

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Ann B. Davis on Christopher Knight  

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

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

Mike Lookinland

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Ann B. Davis on Mike Lookinland

Maureen McCormick

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Ann B. Davis on Maureen McCormick

Leslie Nielsen

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

Susan Olsen

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Ann B. Davis on Susan Olsen 

Eve Plumb

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Ann B. Davis on Eve Plumb

Robert Reed

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Ann B. Davis on working with Robert Reed

Lloyd J. Schwartz

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

Sherwood Schwartz

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Ann B. Davis on Sherwood Schwartz

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

Barry Williams

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Ann B. Davis on Barry Williams  

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