Got to love Connie Francis. What a talent. Still alive today. Love her music. Absolutely tragic what happened to her in the '70s and even worse her rapist was never caught/found. A star like her should have been in a secure hotel room, not an easily accessible motel room.
She was appearing at the Westbury Music Fair on New York's Long Island at the time of the rape. As her appearance extended over multiple nights, she was staying at the Howard Johnson's Hotel chain near the Westbury Music Fair. Had there been other more secure venues nearby, she likely would have stayed at one of them. At any rate, her assault and later successful lawsuit against Howard Johnson's for its negligence in not securing its rooms sufficiently is the reason that today we have much more secure rooms when staying at most hotels.
@@cnoland2000 yes, a major change in tort law started with a few lawsuits like that around that time. In many states today, and in all states then, a property owner would not be liable for the criminal acts of a person who broke into the property. The chain of causation would have been broken. But some states now do hold property owners liable for assaults committed against guests or residents for criminal assaults of third parties, landlord-tenant, innkeeper-guest, dormitory-student being the most common.
Connie is a real doll -- so sweet and always humble and appreciative of her adoring fans. I got goosebumps at the audience's reaction the moment they recognized our Miss Francis. Had to grin, too, when Connie reached up and pinched Jerry Lewis' cheek while thanking the panel members! What a good sport she was to participate in shows like this! (I recently discovered a Password episode with Alan Ludden on which Connie was a contestant. And, boy, is she smart!)
I love how Dorothy and Arline both stood for Miss Stark. Very respectful! And sad to read that Miss Stark was fired from Jungleland in 1968 by the new owners and took her own life several months later.
LA Times: the lady’s obituary one evening in 1968 in the Thousand Oaks News-Chronicle. Her favorite tiger had died, the obit said, and Miss Stark had retired her act after losing some mobility in her body. A few months later, she drafted a will and farewell note, closed her windows on the world, turned on the gas, and lay down on her kitchen table. She was either 74 or 80, depending on which records you believed. It was with these strange, long-buried memories that I returned to Thousand Oaks the next day, to see what I might discover about this remarkable figure, and what led her to spend a life in the company of oversize killer kitties. Jungleland, of course, was long gone--driven into bankruptcy in 1968 by the Mansfield incident and other problems. The fearsome, monolithic Thousand Oaks Performing Arts Center occupies the space where Miss Stark once put her tigers through their paces. The obit also mentioned--to my great pleasure--that Miss Stark was “at home behind a typewriter” and had written an autobiography. Not surprisingly, it was titled “Hold That Tiger” (by Mabel Stark, as told to Gertrude Orr, published in 1938). Wikipedia: She returned to California and finished her career at the Jungle Compound (later called Jungleland) in Thousand Oaks. Stark appeared occasionally on television in the 1960s. For example, she did a stint as one of the guests with an unusual occupation on What's My Line?, the popular Sunday night CBS-TV program. In 1968, Jungleland was sold to a new owner who disliked Stark and fired her. Soon after she left, one of her tigers escaped and was shot. Stark was angry and hurt about the animal's destruction, and felt that she could have safely secured the tiger if the owners had asked for her assistance. Three months later, she killed herself by an overdose of barbiturates. In the last pages of her autobiography, Hold That Tiger, Stark writes: "The chute door opens as I crack my whip and shout, 'Let them come,' Out slink the striped cats, snarling and roaring, leaping at each other or at me. It's a matchless thrill, and life without it is not worth while to me." She died on April 20, 1968 Mental Floss: Jungleland was bought and sold several times during Stark's tenure, and the park declined financially through the 1960s (it was finally dismantled in 1969). The new owner in 1968 did not like Stark, and fired her. The 79-year-old tiger tamer did not want to retire. The loss of her job, combined with an incident in which one of her tigers escaped and was killed, sent her into despair. Mabel Stark took an overdose of barbiturates, and was found dead by her housekeeper on April 20, 1968. According to her 1938 autobiography Hold That Tiger, Stark would have preferred to die at the hands of a tiger than by any other means, but it was not to be. She had already survived that fate.
Holy crap, that's awful. These videos and their respective comments are a double edged sword in amazing facts about recent history and sad stories of these people's deaths.
For trivia lovers, I have copied an excerpt from Mabel Stark's Wikipedia page: In 1968 Jungleland was sold to a new owner who disliked Stark and fired her. [7]Soon after she left, one of her tigers escaped and was shot. Stark was angry and hurt about the animal's destruction and felt that she could have safely secured the tiger if the owners had asked for her assistance. Three months later, she killed herself by an overdose of barbiturates. In the last pages of her autobiography, Hold That Tiger, Stark writes: "The chute door opens as I crack my whip and shout, 'Let them come,' Out slink the striped cats, snarling and roaring, leaping at each other or at me. It's a matchless thrill, and life without it is not worth while to me.
Wow, oh Wow, Wow, Wow... Awesome... Still very beautiful. Wow. I Love You, Connie. God Bless You. I have tears rolling down my face as I remember my dear Mother having me dance with her around our dining room table while she had me on her feet as we danced. It's because of my dear Mother that I have such a wonderful joy listening to your beautiful songs especially your Christmas Album, the one with The Lord's Prayer is on. That was the only Christmas Album that I remember having in our home as I was growing up. I memorised each and every song on that album. Plus many many of your great hits. I am soooo very proud of you. I am soooo very glad that you are still here on earth. I can tell by your music and stories that you are a Christian Lady. I will meet you there one day... I love you my dear sister in the Lord. I reallllllly miss my Mother. She was/still is my bestest friend that I have ever had. My mother's beautiful name is/was: Alyce Thomas Dedes (Mrs. William Treptow then leaving this world with the last name of Mrs. Frank Albrecht, from Chicago, IL, but passing away in Johnson Creek Wisconsin). God bless you, Mama. Thank you for alllllll you have done for me, and alllll the many sacrifices that you made for Linda (my sister who has also passed) as a single mother. Job well done, Mama. I appreciate everything you have done. None of your many sacrifices was done in vain. I'm very very grateful. I will always Love you, Love you, Love me... Your Little Jimmy
Thousand Oaks is my hometown, I've seen Mabel perform with her cats. I lived down the street from Jungleland, & could hear the cats roar at night. She was fired a few years later by new owners. then a tiger got loose & was killed..She was distraught by not being there to save it, she committed suicide in 1968.
The hell going through her mind after the needless death of her beloved tigers. Either she couldn't live with herself because of the guilt....or she couldn't bear her life without the tigers. Or both. Either way, what a terribly sad end to this woman's story. Beware of devoting your life to one thing or one person or one role because when that one thing is gone you risk losing your will to live.....which is such a waste as life should go on!!
She suffered so many serious maulings but never quit. She must've been addicted to the adrenaline rush/thrill of it. It was, apparently, the thing that made her feel most alive and gave her life meaning. When she lost her cats, she took her own life. But what a life.
Save The TPC: Thank you for asking. No, I no longer have tigers. I'm writing the film biography of Mabel Stark, plus a one-woman play about her. She fought her way to the top of a male-dominated profession before women had the vote, which was 1920--and reigned as the circus world's Tiger Queen for 57 years - 1911-1968.
Besides liking Connie Francis, I like Emilio Pucci. Amazing man! And Connie is beautiful and has an amazing voice! One of my favorite singers! She wasn’t on the show long enough though. My oldest sister’s voice sounded like hers. RIP Colleen 😇🥰‼️ I forgot about Miss Stark. She was just amazing too 🐅😲‼️
it's funny, as i was watching the panel question the tiger trainer, the thought came to mind, i wonder if Jerry Lewis had ever met the contestant before in regard to one of his films lol. i noticed when the contestant walked in front of the panel as she was leaving the stage, how even the women stood as she passed by... for a fleeting second, i wondered why, and then i realized it must have been because she was their elder, and as such, they were paying her respect by standing. manners are such a long forgotten concept now days.
Yes, it is a shame that pride in appearance, etiquette, manners and class have faded from our lives; I do miss the social graces. The ladies on the panel always stand for an older woman and yes, it was about respect. I am thankful to have grown up all those years ago.
Miss Stark is a very tough lady. If those tigers sensed that she had any fear of them, she could have been in trouble. Jerry Lewis was certainly an attention "hound" on this show. I wanted to use another five-letter word but decided against it.
Saw her as a kid! I remember Jungleland well!! Went there several times with my family! Watching now in 2020... 71 yrs old now I am!!! My time flies!!!
The great Connie Francis. A wonderful singer. Sadly, the audience with all the clapping and noise from the audience gave the game away. I would have liked to see more of Connie Francis. The programme makers should have insisted on just applause when the celebrity entered the studio.
Took my Dad to see her (his favorite singer) in Watertown NY in 1995. She put on a good show. We got to meet her afterwards, a very gracious lady. Prost - Slainte' - Cheers ...
Was in Ft. Lauderdale a few ago which still is recognized by Connie Francis fans as "where the boys are". Who's sorry now that they didn't make this comment?
I wish Jerry Lewis had felt more comfortable in his own persona so that he could have played the game as his own quick-witted self, without trying to "put on" one or more of his nutty characters. In the context of his movies, where character and plot are designed to go together, his technique is brilliant. But on the panel, it seems to me as if he thinks the only way to be appreciated is to "do" his character shtick, and at least for me, he's not as funny as he thinks he is in the context of the game.
Yes, although I'm sure that's why they asked him on and yes, felt that's what was expected of him. He looked too hot and uncomfortable in his jacket too.
not only was lewis not as funny as he thought, he wasn't funny at all, in my view, in the movies or on a panel show; the only thing worse than the "funny" jerry lewis, of course, was the serious jerry lewis, whose bathos was as unctuous as his hair
Jerry was very much himself while playing. I don't think you ever met him or spent much time with him. His characters drifted in and out of his speech, that WAS him. Of course, WML? producers WANTED him to be... just like himself. Jerry was always a great contributor to the panel when he was on.
@@WillScarlet1991 Thanks, glad I'm not alone. While I appreciate that he had bags of talent and charisma, I thought (from appearances on shows like this) that he was self obsessed and full of his own importance. Ready to walk over others.
eepanus star There’s an episode where Jerry fat-shames a contestant. Her line was reducing-pill salesperson. He said she obviously doesn’t uses the pills herself.
Tiger trainer Mabel Stark was my mentor on caregiving for and training tigers at Jungleland for the last 3.5 years of her life. She was the circus world's Tiger Queen for 57 years.
Roger Smith Very cool -- are you still an animal trainer? It surprises me that at age 71, someone who was as vibrant, strong and active as Mabel Stark obviously still was, (given her continuation in such a profession), nevertheless had the look of a typical "little old lady." In my experience, contemporary folks in their early 70s generally look much more youthful.
Most people haven't said much about Connie Francis. She was and one of the greatest pop singers of all time. She sang Country and sang in many languages. She's one of the best. Yes Arlene's hair looks great.
@@southerncatholicgal5548 - Connie Francis recorded a wonderful Italian song, "Mamma," recorded by Luciano Pavarotti and another opera singer, whose name escapes me. I wish that Ms. Francis had been encouraged to sing a few bars of "Mamma."
As has been mentioned by any number of commenters, the audiences' reactions to words or phrases clued the panelists (especially the delightful Miss Arlene Francis) to the contestants' "lines." I wish audiences had been warned not to be so enthusiastic. Nothing to be done about it since WML? aired so many decades ago. The program is still one of the best ever aired on television. What a treat to watch it now (12-31-2020 -- hurry up 2021 and please be a better year!).
That "miserable human being" dedicated much of his life to helping and bettering the lives of many VERY ILL children around the world. Many lives were saved due to his efforts. Perhaps we should be a little less judgemental of others, and spend that time and effort, plucking the beam out of our own eye.
@@shadowgirl8038 - Perhaps you should tend to things you know about, and go worship the ground he treated others like. I realize you just NEED to love the guy, for some strange reason, and I wouldn't try to take that away from you. But it simply cannot not change the fact that behind the scenes he was a narcissistic ass, who treated others like dirt.
Times have changed for Bennett Cerf's company, Random House. Today, Penguin Random House is owned by the German media conglomerate Bertelsmann. ViacomCBS has agreed to sell Simon & Schuster to Penguin Random House for $2 billion in a deal that will create the first megapublisher, according to the New York Times.
Being the Joni James Fan Club President I was had the pleasure of meeting Connie in her dressing room after she finished a terrific concert in suburban Chicago. I had almost an hour with her and it was like we always knew each other. She was totally down to earth, warm, and clearly highly intelligent. She asked if I knew a place she ad her staff could get a late Jewish dinner. I told her of a place and she had her secretary call the restaurant to say she and her group were coming but she asked not an announcement of her coming should be made. She said she loved meeting people but did not seem like an aloof star and she wanted her staff to be able to relax, too. What a gem!
The tiger trainer was a great WML guest! An interesting and unexpected profession. I liked the yo-yo guy too. Wish they had more time with him. I'm not a fan of Jerry Lewis as a panelist.
I like Jerry Lewis, but I agree that he's not a terribly good panelist. I get a kick out of his facial expression at around 7:28, though. He is trying so hard to keep his mouth shut -- he must have had some terribly inappropriate joke in mind that he knew he'd better not say! Also at 8:47-ish, after Mr. Pucci kisses Dorothy's hand, Jerry tries to kiss Mr. Pucci's hand and gets knocked upside the head for his efforts -- Lol!
I would add "obnoxious" to those two adjectives. This episode is the second and last time that Jerry Lewis appeared as a guest panelist on WML? The other time was on 11 November 1956; Walt Disney was the Mystery Guest that night. He appeared as Mystery Guest five times: 24 January 1954 (he and Dean Martin together); 22 June 1956; 17 July 1960; 24 June 1962; and 19 June 1966.
Poor Daly at the end. I could feel the stress myself as the panel draggggggged their questions as the clock runs down. Before the days of pre-recorded edited shows, poor John has to sweat this out every week. It makes ME nervous too because I'm a performer as well as a perfectionist!!
This Emilio Pucci segment is one of my absolute favorites from the entire series. Which Italian designer was criticizing Jackie Kennedy for the length of her hemlines? I've googled quite a bit, but don't see an answer.
Joseph Forest They WERE good friends at the beginning but that began to wane for Dean after a few years. But by that time they were legally tied together by millions of dollars worth of contracts, and I think Dean was afraid that he might not make it on his own. After all, by that stage he had two wives and 7 children to support. But eventually the situation with Jerry became so impossible for him personally that, as easygoing as he was, he just felt he had no other choice. However, even then it took a long time to sort out all the legal and financial complications.
That's the perfect way to describe him. In an early 1970's interview with Moe Howard (of The Three Stooges), he stated: "If Jerry Lewis wasn't so egotistical, I'd say he was a great comic". That says a mouthful.
I was waiting for the yo yo master to whip out his yo yo and perform but I guess there just wasn't enough time like they said. Great show! Really liked Connie Francis being on the show as well !
I was hoping that too! When I was a kid, a guy came to our local 5&10 and did a cool demonstration of Duncan yo-yos, mom bought one for my brother that lit up. I wonder if this was the same fellow we saw. I remember he was impressive with a yo-yo!
Stark was 71 years old and by today’s standards, she looked like she was 91 years old. Must’ve been one heck of a force to be reckoned with. I feel sorry for the tigers.
I can't stand Jerry Lewis. Connie can do no wrong as we all know :) Listen to that applause!!! Dorothy Kilgallen wrote an article trying to say that Connie and Dick Clark were having an affair.
Nuno Soares - Connie Frsncis recorded the song Mamma, a beautiful and poignant song also recorded by Luciano Pavarotti in Italian. Italian or English, it'll tear your heart out. Connie Francis's version was just beautiful.
@tinwoods really? You're speaking on @Clint Walker's state of mind? You know for sure it was comedy? What the f*ck was so funny about it? That's some sense of humor you got there...hardee har har...
That’s nice, but of far greater interest is whether Emilio himself is buried in one of his dresses. His ego evidenced here supports such a possibility.
What's My Line? Oh, no problem. There is, unfortunately, at least one pre-recorded episode that has been lost to the ravages of time: The April 9, 1967 episode (recorded on March 5, 1967). One of five lost color episodes, because they had been videotaped and stockpiled for alternate week/summer airing, and for some reason, were not kinescoped at the time.
Interesting that Dorothy mentions that Bennett had just returned from England and Ireland. I wonder if she is referring to a trip he planned to take place during the summer, one that hadn't actually happened yet when the show was pre-recorded.
@@loissimmons6558 She did indicate he was travelling for Random House and not on vacation, so was promoting his books in two other English-speaking nations that were then off WWII rationing, so might be able to afford them.
Check out this link about Ms.Stark mentalfloss.com/article/48808/mabel-stark-lady-tigers. SHE WAS AN AMAZING WOMAN, and maybe a little "CRAZY". After reading the article, it seems like she should have retired a lot earlier than she did!
Thanks for the upload and the Facebook "live" chat last night! Only think to add is that Ms. Stark's right hand looks like a tiger or other animal got a hold of it near the 3rd finger!
![What's My Line? - Connie Francis; Jerry Lewis [panel] (Aug 27, 1961)](/img/logo.svg){kind=logo}
