Icon Rose Marie reflects on her show business career on Sunday followed by a “Meet and Greet”
by Lola Rossi-Meza
Lyons English Grille located at 233 East Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs, along with Chi-Chi Productions, proudly presents the legendary show business icon Rose Marie in a personal retrospective of her illustrious career in “An Evening With Rose Marie” on Sunday, May 27. The show, along with Mr. Lyons’ famous prime rib dinner, is $64.95 with seating at 5 p.m. and show time at 7 p.m. Please call (760) 327-1551 to make your reservations.
With re-runs of the Dick Van Dyke Show still airing on TV, most people may remember Rose Marie for her comedic role as Sally Rogers. However, in 1926, she was already performing in Vaudeville at the age of three under the name of “Baby Rose Marie” and became a radio singing star on NBC when she was five.
Born in New York City, New York, to Italian-American Frank Mazetta and Polish-American Stella Gluszcak, she was a child singer and at the height of fame with her own radio show until she was 11, also appearing in a series of films and shorts.
Her first recording session was in 1932 accompanied by the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra. Billed as “The Darling of the Airwaves” during her teenage years, she was a night club singer with assistance from several members of organized crime, years before becoming a radio comedian.
“Many people might not know this, but, Rose Marie was known as the First Lady of Las Vegas.” said promoter David Christopher, “She was the first act to open the Flamingo Hotel and Casino for mobster Bugsy Siegel.” On December 26, 1946, now 23 years old, she was one of the entertainers performing at the splashy opening along with Xavier Cugat, George Jessel, George Raft and Jimmy Durante. She married trumpeter Bobby Guy that year.
Another memorable appearance was on The Hollywood Squares as a regular panelist from 1966 through 1981. Google her and read about all the various roles she portrayed. In February of 1996, she guest-starred with her old friend, Morey Amsterdam, from the Dick Van Dyke Show on the sitcom Caroline in the City.
The Coachella Valley welcomes one of the few remaining stars who can recall nearly a century of show business history. After her presentation show, attendees will have the opportunity to ask Miss Marie questions followed by a “Meet and Greet.” See you there!
