Reed & Rivers at Tribeca Talks: “Joan Rivers A Piece Of Work” in 2010
Film critic and Hollywood fixture Rex Reed knew EVERYONE in Hollywood (and knows where the bodies are buried, figuratively and literally) and said farewell to too many friends this year. His column in the New York Observer recalls nearly 2 dozen greats who passed in 2014. Here’s his memory of his best pals Polly & Joan;
“The world lost one of its most beloved entertainers in Polly Bergen, but I lost my best friend. She was a powerful singer, award-winning actress, successful entrepreneur (shoes, jewelry and Oil of the Turtle), author, television star, charity fund-raiser, women’s rights activist and an all-around great broad in the best sense of the word. She also gave the most famous celebrity-filled Oscar parties in New York, where those too important to mention lined up for her fabulous homemade chili, filling every room. (And, in the case of Milton Berle, every closet. I’ll never forget the year he followed me through the house dressed in one of Polly’s blue Pauline Trigère gowns, ripping the seams.) Nor will I forget the night I watched the whole thing on Polly’s bed, squeezed between Paul Newman and Lucille Ball. Onstage, nominated for a Tony in the Broadway revival of Follies, she was Mother Courage in sequins. At home, she was funny, irreverent and a pain in the ass, but she also brought new definitions to the words “loyalty” and “friendship.” I could tell you more, but I’m saving it for the Broadway memorial tribute on Thursday, March 26 at 3 p.m. at the American Airlines Theatre that I hope will send her off in the manner she deserves. Everyone is invited, so be there. She was the real deal, and there was nobody like her.
Every year for the past 10 years, I have spent Thanksgiving with Polly, and Christmas with Joan Rivers. With the two of them, I have eaten more turkey than all of the producers of all the movies with James Franco, Seth Rogen and Adam Sandler put together. Do you wonder why I dreaded the holidays this year? I’ll miss the dinner parties at Joan’s country house in Connecticut, where she let her hair down and emerged as a sensitive, loving, caring human being instead of a punster who used everybody and everything as comedy material (including her husband Edgar’s suicide). On the red carpet, her barbs could be cruel, but pity her victims who had no sense of humor. She managed to hide her fragile side from the outside world, even in the documentary about her life. But ask anyone who really knew her personally and they’ll tell you this: Beyond the laughter, there were tears, and a big fat heart.”
Read about his memories of Betty Bacall, Mickey Rooney, Sid Caesar, Elaine Strich, Robin Williams, James Garner and more here. (via NY Observer)
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