My Way of Life- Barrie Chase
Anybody who knows me, knows that It’s a Mad Mad Mad World is one of my favorite films and besides Ethel Merman (who is brilliant in this picture), one of my favorite scenes is when Ethel calls her deadbeat beatnick surfer son Sylvester (Dick Shawn) to try and get a jump on the treasure hunt (long story) - which is the theme of the film. The phone goes unheard because Sylvester is watching his girlfriend do some sort of maniacal twist to blaringly loud music. The girl stares straight ahead never blinking and twists like some sexy fembot stuck on GO! It’s a brilliant moment and I’ve always loved this scene. I was fascinated with the actress who shall go down in the annals of film history as the wild bikini clad robot twist machine of that film. I recently captured a multitide of my favorite screen captures from the movie and it made me Google Barrie Chase. I had no idea she was in White Christmas and danced with Fred Astaire on his television specials. According to to IMDB and Wikipedia she retired from performing to raise a family. I wonder if she occasionally does the Mad Mad Mad World twist for the grandkids? Come on grandma, do that dance from the funny movie!
We love you Barrie Chase!
Filed under: My Way Of Life
Ah, a classic movie! Tis one of my favorites. I love when Ethel slips on the banana peel at the end and falls right on her rump. It looks so painful!
Timmy, thats one of my favorite laugh out loud film moments. “Now see here, this is all your fault” SWOOOOSH! THUD!
I don’t know if I ever told you that I went to see the 40th anniversary screening in L.A. at the Cinerama Theatre. Edie Adams was there and so was Sid Ceasar. Michelle Lee and Laine Kazan were sitting two rows behind me… during this scene with the dance I never noticed, but on the huge screen it was really clear, Dick Shawn’s ball pops out of his shorts! I swear to God! Everyone was a buzz about it at intermission.
Concerning Ms. Chase, I have a clip somewhere of an amazing dance she did with Fred Astarie on one of the Hollywood Palace shows…
jsc
Johnny, no kidding? I have to find that!
My laugh-out loud moment is when Spencer Tracy’s wife (Selma Diamond’s voice) says of their daughter, “When a girl is 6′4″ feet tall, she has to make a few concessions!” (As if to say, euphemistically, “Beggars can’t be choosers.”)
Barrie Chase has one of THE MOST EROTIC dance sequences that I have ever seen on film. Others may argue over DIRTY DANCING moments, but my choice is Barrie in IT’S A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD. The way she moves her body is enough to give any male an erection. Dick Shawn looks like he is having fun. It’s no wonder that Dick’s ball is showing during the sequence. LMAOOOOOOOOoooooooooo!!!!!!!!!
I have been looking HIGH and LOW for her photos on the NET, but no luck. I think she has developed a growing list of fans on the NET. She should develop her own website. I’m sure her photos would be popular with any age group.