Gale Storm

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 three-and-a-half-hour interview, Gale Storm (1922-2009) talks about her days as a motion picture actress and how she won a contract with RKO Studios. She recalls working with Roy Rogers at Republic Studios, and later signing a contract with Monogram Studios. She explains how she believes her film work prepared her for television, and then speaks at length about becoming one of America's sweethearts, playing "Margie Albright" on the 1950s sitcom My Little Margie. She discusses production on the show, describes working with her castmates (including Charles Farrell, who played her father), and speaks of the physical demands of shooting the sitcom. Storm also talks of releasing her first album and making appearances on variety programs like The Perry Como Show to promote the album. She also details her time as "Susanna Pomeroy" on The Gale Storm Show. Beth Eras conducted the interview on February 19, 1999 in Monarch Beach, CA.

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

"Never having done a series, I had no idea what it was going to be like and I learned very, very fast that it was going to be fast and demanding, physically, mentally, emotionally. It was really hard work, but very satisfying."

People Talking About ...
Gale Storm
Highlights
Gale Storm on her My Little Margie character "Margie Albright"
01:48
Gale Storm on her My Little Margie character Margie Albright's trademark "gurgle"
00:51
Gale Storm on the demands of working on My Little Margie
00:39
Gale Storm on her memories of working on The Gale Storm Show (aka Oh Susanna)
19:37
Gale Storm on her treasured memories of working with Jack Benny on The Jack Benny Show
03:49
Full Interview

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Chapter 1
On her childhood and early influences; on winning the contest "Jesse Lasky's Gateway to Hollywood;" on her move to Los Angeles at age 17
On being on the Gateway To Hollywood radio show; on winning a contract with RKO Studios; on working on Gateway To Hollywood

Chapter 2
On working on the film, Tom Brown's School Days; on changing her name to Gale Storm; on working on her next film, One Crowded Night; on her prolific film career during World War II; on working with Roy Rogers at Republic Studios; on signing a contract with Monogram Studios; on favorite films she worked on at Monogram
On acting techniques she learned while working for Monogram; on how her film career helped prepare her for television; on when she first heard about and saw television

Chapter 3
On how the TV show, My Little Margie came about; on the premise for the show; on the first pilot episode for My Little Margie; on her experiences working with director, Hal Yates and others on My Little Margie; on challenges the show faced
On her perspective regarding the critics' response to the show, on her character "Margie Albright" on My Little Margie; on the comparison between acting in television and acting in films; on the popularity of the show; on handling the physical comedy on the show; on My Little Margie becoming a CBS radio show

Chapter 4
On the cast for My Little Margie, the radio show; on viewer's response to the show and her character of "Margie"; on why she said she would never do another television series; on how My Little Margie impacted television; on how the character of "Margie Albright" was not a typical American woman; on how she compares to other TV characters of the time; on memorable episodes of the show
On the boxing kangaroo on the set of My Little Margie with the cast and crew; on her appearance on Robert Montgomery Presents; on the talented directing ability of George Schaefer; on working on The Jack Benny Show and other guest spots she did after My Little Margie; on the release of her first album and her appearance on The Perry Como Show to promote it

Chapter 5
On hosting the NBC Comedy Hour in 1956; on how the Blacklist affected the entertainment industry; on her memories of working on The Gale Storm Show (aka Oh Susanna;) on the cast chosen for The Gale Storm Show (aka Oh Susanna;) on the influence the sponsors had over the TV show; on doing commercials for the sponsors of the show
On the directors and writers of The Gale Storm Show (aka Oh Susanna;) on the transition of The Gale Storm Show (aka Oh Susanna) from CBS to ABC; on memorable episodes of  The Gale Storm Show (aka Oh Susanna;) on the songs she sang on the show; on guest stars she worked with on The Gale Storm Show (aka Oh Susanna;) on the plays and musicals she did after The Gale Storm Show (aka Oh Susanna)

Chapter 6
On Oh Susanna; on her stage performances; on her career highlights

Chapter 7
On her recollections of people she has worked with throughout her career -  Eddie Albert, Charlie Ruggles, Don Defore, Donald O'Conor, Eve Arden, Vincent Price, Hal Roach Jr., Hal Yates, Charlie Farrell, Hillary Brooke, Perry Como, Dinah Shore, Bob Hope, Jonathan Winters
On her recollections of people she has worked with throughout her career - John Rich,  Zasu Pitts, Aaron Spelling, Angela Lansbury, Stan Freeberg, Betty Garrett, Chuck Connors, Nelson Riddle, George Schaefer, Ernie Glucksman, Lee Bonnell, Paul Masterson
On narration of B-roll footage of stills from her career; on her stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame -  narration of B-roll footage; on the charm bracelet she received after doing the show This is Your Life -  narration of B-roll footage
Shows

Bob Hope Specials

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Gale Storm on her memories of filming scenes with Bob Hope
02:00

Colgate Comedy Hour, The

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Gale Strom on the producer of The Colgate Comedy Hou r, Ernie Glucksman
00:18

Gale Storm Show, The aka Oh Susanna

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Gale Storm on her memories of working on The Gale Storm Show (aka Oh Susanna)
19:37
Gae Storm on publicity for The Gale Storm Show (aka Oh Susanna)
00:24

Jack Benny Hour, The

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Gale Storm on working on The Jack Benny Hour
03:49

Love Boat, The

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Gale Storm on working on the romantic comedy series The Love Boat
00:48

My Little Margie

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Gale Storm on how My Little Margie came about, and a change she asked for in the pilot script
02:32
Gale Storm on the premise of My Little Margie and working with eccentric character actress Gertrude W. Hoffman (who played next-door neighbor Mrs. Odetts)
02:48
Gale Storm on her My Little Margie character Margie Albright's trademark "gurgle"
00:51
Gale Storm on the difficult work-week on My Little Margie
01:17
Gale Storm on the demands of working on My Little Margie
00:39
Gale Storm on recollections of My Little Margie via B-roll footage
04:11

Perry Como Show, The

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Gale Storm on her appearances on The Perry Como Show
02:23

Robert Montgomery Presents

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Gale Storm on her appearance on Robert Montgomery Presents
04:14

Texaco Star Theater

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Gale Storm on appearing on Milton Berle's variety show
02:16

This Is Your Life

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Gale Storm on the charm bracelet she received after doing the show This is Your Life
03:44
Topics

Characters & Catchphrases

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Gale Storm on her My Little Margie character "Margie Albright"
01:48
Gale Storm on how her My Little Margie character, "Margie Albright" was not a typical American woman
01:24
Gale Storm on her character "Susannah Pomeroy" on The Gale Storm Show (aka Oh Susanna)
00:35
Gale Storm on recollections of My Little Margie via B-roll footage
04:11

Comedy-Variety

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Gale Storm on how My Little Margie impacted television
01:43

Hollywood Blacklist

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Gale Storm on her memories of how the Blacklist affected the entertainment industry
02:42

Industry Crossroads

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Gale Storm on her memories of how the Blacklist affected the entertainment industry
02:42

Pop Culture

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Gale Storm on her My Little Margie character "Margie Albright"
01:48
Gale Storm on how her My Little Margie character, "Margie Albright" was not a typical American woman
01:24
Gale Storm on her character "Susannah Pomeroy" on The Gale Storm Show (aka Oh Susanna)
00:35
Gale Storm on recollections of My Little Margie via B-roll footage
04:11

TV's Golden Age (1940s & '50s)

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Gale Storm on how My Little Margie impacted television
01:43

Television Industry

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Gale Storm on the influence the sponsors had over TV shows, including The Gale Storm Show (aka Oh Susanna)
04:18

War

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Gale Storm on her involvement with the war effort during World War II
01:11

World War II

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Gale Storm on her involvement with the war effort during World War II
01:11
Professions

Actress

View Profession
Gale Storm on her experiences working on the radio show, Gateway To Hollywood
11:10
Gale Storm on how Lindsey Parsons affected her career
08:29
Gale Storm on advice she received from Jackie Cooper about acting
03:05
Gale Storm on her My Little Margie character "Margie Albright"
01:48
Gale Storm on hosting the NBC Comedy Hour nine times
05:22
Genres

Classic Anthology Series

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Gale Storm on her appearance on Robert Montgomery Presents
04:14

Comedy Series

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Gale Storm on handling the physical comedy on My Little Margie
04:06
Gale Storm on the premise of, production week, and her character on My Little Margie
09:37
Gale Storm on how My Little Margie impacted television
01:43
Gale Storm on her treasured memories of working with Jack Benny on The Jack Benny Hour
03:49
Gale Storm on her memories of working on The Gale Storm Show (aka Oh Susanna)
19:37
Gale Storm on working on the romantic comedy series The Love Boat
00:48

Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials

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Gale Storm on appearing on Milton Berle's variety show
26:19
Gale Storm on her appearances on The Perry Como Show
02:23
Gale Storm on hosting the NBC Comedy Hour nine times
05:22
Gale Storm on her memories of filming scenes for a special with Bob Hope
02:00
Gale Strom on the producer of The Colgate Comedy Hour Ernie Glucksman
00:18
People

Aaron Spelling

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Gale Storm on her memories of Aaron Spelling
00:48

Angela Lansbury

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Gale Storm on her memories of Angela Lansbury
00:12

Betty Garrett

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Gale Storm on how the Blacklist affected Betty Garrett and Larry Parks
02:42
Gale Storm on her memories of Betty Garrett
00:36

Bob Hope

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Gale Storm on her memories of filming scenes with Bob Hope
02:00

Bob Mackie

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Gale Storm on meeting with Bob Mackie and wearing his costumes on The NBC Comedy Hour
01:22

Boris Karloff

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Gale Storm on working with guest stars Chuck Connors, John Russell, Craig Stevens and Boris Karloff on The Gale Storm Show (aka Oh Susanna)
00:16

Chuck Connors

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Gale Storm on working with guest stars Chuck Connors, John Russell, Craig Stevens and Boris Karloff on The Gale Storm Show (aka Oh Susanna) 
01:09
Gale Storm on her memories of Chuck Connors
00:15

Dinah Shore

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Gale Storm on her memories of Dinah Shore
00:09

Donald O'Connor

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Gale Storm on her memories of Donald O'Connor working on Curtain Call at Cactus Creek
01:28

Eddie Albert

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Gale Storm on her memories of Eddie Albert, and others she worked with including: Charlie Ruggles, Don Defore, Eve Arden, Hal Roach Jr., Hal Yates, Charlie Farrell, Hillary Brooke, Zasu Pitts, Stan Freeberg, Ernie Glucksman, Lee Bonnell, Paul Masterson
19:54

George Schaefer

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Gale Storm on the talented directing ability of George Schaefer
02:12
Gale Storm on her memories of working with George Schaefer
00:08

Gertrude W. Hoffman

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Gale Storm on the premise of My Little Margie and working with eccentric character actress Gertrude W. Hoffman (who played next-door neighbor Mrs. Odetts)
02:48

Jack Benny

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Gale Storm on her treasured memories of working with Jack Benny on The Jack Benny Show
03:49

Jackie Cooper

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Gale Storm on advice she received from Jackie Cooper about acting while working with him on the film, Where Are Your Children?
02:26

John Rich

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Gale Storm on working with directors John Rich and William Seiter on The Gale Storm Show (aka Oh Susanna)
01:03
Gale Storm on her memories of working with director John Rich
00:15

Jonathan Winters

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Gale Storm on working with Stan Freeberg Jonathan Winters on The NBC Comedy Hour
00:21
Gale Storm on her memories of Jonathan Winters
01:00

Larry Parks

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Gale Storm on how the Blacklist affected Betty Garrett and Larry Parks
02:42

Milton Berle

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Gale Storm on appearing on Milton Berle's variety show
02:16

Nelson Riddle

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Gale Storm on her memories of Nelson Riddle
00:42

Perry Como

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Gale Storm on her appearances on The Perry Como Show
02:23
Gale Storm on her memories of Perry Como
00:28

Robert Montgomery

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Gale Storm on her appearance on Robert Montgomery Presents
04:14

Roy Rogers

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Gail Storm on working with Roy Rogers on three films at Republic Studios
00:35

Vincent Price

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Gale Storm on her memories of Vincent Price
00:27

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