NECROLOGY: Were there a dictionary page combining the alliterative "sassy, strong-willed and Southern," no doubt Dixie Carter's picture would appear there, so it is with much fondness and sadness that we note her passing yesterday morning at the age of 70. I will remember her mostly for two roles -- as the strong feminist center of Designing Women (and I swear I came up with the s-s-s before seeing theirs) of course, but also as the only woman to sweep Philip Drummond off his feet.
In other passings, Meinhardt Raabe, 94, who played the Munchkin Coroner in The Wizard of Oz, is most sincerely dead.
I had no idea she was married to Hal Holbrook. I never watched Designing Women so she's really only Mrs. Drummond to me. And now I wonder what happened to that little red-headed stepchild she brought with her.
ReplyDeleteJulia Sugarbaker exemplifies all the best qualities of Southern womanhood--smart, funny, and completely willing to give you a piece of her mind--see also Ann Richards, Molly Ivins, and most of the characters in Steel Magnolias.
ReplyDeleteSad news. I have friends who have worked with both her and her husband, and both she and Holbrook are/were the kind of professionals you hope to know (also, what a cool couple!). And she was a kind and generous person, giving much to those who had less in her hometown in Tennessee.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, as a young woman from Southern roots, what a role model Julia Sugarbaker was.
that last should be "FOR a young woman from Southern roots" (me). Julia would want me to get it right.
ReplyDeleteI always did love it when Julia Sugarbaker went on a rant on DW. Awesome stuff, really.
ReplyDeleteAnd that, Marjorie, just so you will know and your children will someday know, is the night the lights went out in Georgia! One of my fave rants: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wV86kehwkc0
ReplyDeleteAnd ditto on the previous role model comment.
EW has a nice collection of Julia Sugarbaker rants.
ReplyDeleteHow sad. I actually knew one of her daughters, Ginna, VERY slightly -- she was in my year at Harvard, and lived upstairs from one of my good friends. I remember seeing her in Sweeney Todd as Johanna, and being sad that I missed seeing Dixie and Hal, who had come the previous night.
ReplyDeleteDid you just speak positively about Steel Magnolias?
ReplyDelete