"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."

    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.
    People Talking About ...
    Thumbnail of Gale Storm

    Gale Storm on her My Little Margie character "Margie Albright"

    01:48
    Thumbnail of Gale Storm

    Gale Storm on her My Little Margie character Margie Albright's trademark "gurgle"

    00:51
    Thumbnail of Gale Storm

    Gale Storm on the demands of working on My Little Margie

    00:39
    Thumbnail of Gale Storm

    Gale Storm on her memories of working on The Gale Storm Show (aka Oh Susanna)

    19:37
    Thumbnail of Gale Storm

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

    03:49
    Play Full Interview

    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

    13:37

    On being on the Gateway To Hollywood radio show; on winning a contract with RKO Studios; on working on Gateway To Hollywood

    14:18

    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

    18:44

    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

    10:03

    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

    16:48

    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

    12:05

    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

    12:38

    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

    16:02

    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

    18:26

    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)

    10:38

    Chapter 6

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

    59:58

    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

    13:13

    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

    06:41

    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

    09:46

    Bob Hope Specials

    Gale Storm on her memories of filming scenes with Bob Hope

    02:00

    Colgate Comedy Hour, The

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

    00:18

    Gale Storm Show, The aka Oh Susanna

    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

    Gale Storm on working on The Jack Benny Hour

    03:49

    Love Boat, The

    Gale Storm on working on the romantic comedy series The Love Boat

    00:48

    My Little Margie

    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

    NBC Comedy Hour, The

    Gale Storm on hosting the The NBC Comedy Hour nine times

    00:00

    Perry Como Show, The

    Gale Storm on her appearances on The Perry Como Show

    02:23

    Robert Montgomery Presents

    Gale Storm on her appearance on Robert Montgomery Presents

    04:14

    Texaco Star Theater

    Gale Storm on appearing on Milton Berle's variety show

    02:16

    This Is Your Life

    Gale Storm on the charm bracelet she received after doing the show This is Your Life

    03:44

    Characters & Catchphrases

    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

    Gale Storm on how My Little Margie impacted television

    01:43

    Hollywood Blacklist

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

    02:42

    Industry Crossroads

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

    02:42

    Pop Culture

    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

    Television Industry

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

    04:18

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

    Gale Storm on how My Little Margie impacted television

    01:43

    War

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

    01:11

    World War II

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

    01:11

    Actress

    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 experiences working on the radio show, Gateway To Hollywood

    11:10

    Gale Storm on her My Little Margie character "Margie Albright"

    01:48

    Gale Storm on hosting the NBC Comedy Hour nine times

    05:22

    Classic Anthology Series

    Gale Storm on her appearance on Robert Montgomery Presents

    04:14

    Comedy Series

    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

    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

    Eddie Albert

    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

    Jack Benny

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

    03:49

    Milton Berle

    Gale Storm on appearing on Milton Berle's variety show

    02:16

    Perry Como

    Gale Storm on her appearances on The Perry Como Show

    02:23

    Gale Storm on her memories of Perry Como

    00:28

    Chuck Connors

    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

    Jackie Cooper

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

    02:26

    Betty Garrett

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

    02:42

    Gale Storm on her memories of Betty Garrett

    00:36

    Gertrude W. Hoffman

    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

    Bob Hope

    Gale Storm on her memories of filming scenes with Bob Hope

    02:00

    Boris Karloff

    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

    Angela Lansbury

    Gale Storm on her memories of Angela Lansbury

    00:12

    Bob Mackie

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

    01:22

    Robert Montgomery

    Gale Storm on her appearance on Robert Montgomery Presents

    04:14

    Donald O'Connor

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

    01:28

    Larry Parks

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

    02:42

    Vincent Price

    Gale Storm on her memories of Vincent Price

    00:27

    John Rich

    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

    Nelson Riddle

    Gale Storm on her memories of Nelson Riddle

    00:42

    Roy Rogers

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

    00:35

    George Schaefer

    Gale Storm on the talented directing ability of George Schaefer

    02:12

    Gale Storm on her memories of working with George Schaefer

    00:08

    Dinah Shore

    Gale Storm on her memories of Dinah Shore

    00:09

    Aaron Spelling

    Gale Storm on her memories of Aaron Spelling

    00:48

    Jonathan Winters

    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

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