JIM BAILEY sings Barbra Streisand on Carol Burnett
''Dont Rain On My Parade'' (1970)
James William Bailey (January 10, 1938 – May 30, 2015)
Bailey appeared in over 70 television and movie roles, including appearances on Ally McBeal, Here's Lucy, Night Court, The Rockford Files, Switch, Vega$, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The Ed Sullivan Show, The Carol Burnett Show, The Merv Griffin Show, Late Night with David Letterman, The Mike Douglas Show, The Dean Martin Show and The Joan Rivers Show. (Wikipedia)
In June 2009 Bailey played London's West End for the 40th anniversary of Judy's death. Susie Boyt from The Times wrote:
There is nothing camp or stagey about his act—it can scarcely even be described as an act, for Bailey inhabits Garland's persona to such an extent that well, there she is. It is a supreme illusion, a sort of perfect madness.
_______________
I saw Jim on the Ed Sullivan show in the early 1960's. I was entranced. Not only could a man dressed as a woman, but the fact that he could do it so well left me speechless. I saw his show live several times during the preceding decades and never was disappointed. Jim helped me see possibilities, I never envisioned before. Thank you.
My first (and only) viewing of Jim Bailey as a woman character was on NIGHT COURT. That was about 30/40 years ago (!).
ReplyDeleteI was not sure of just what was going on, but the the story line soon explained that the character was formerly Dan Fielding's 'wingMAN', now transitioned to a woman. The punchline (really!) is when Jim has had enough of Dan's constant whining and 'decks' him.
NIGHT COURT is currently in rebroadcast on 'Laff' network. We saw Jim's episode about 6 weeks ago. So it is due to be shown soon.
Velma