Loved Him
-
Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Charles Nelson Reilly
shadycady — 18 years ago(May 28, 2007 06:23 AM)
As a child growing up in the early 70s, I first became acquainted with the talented Charles Nelson Reilly's work when I watched him in Lidsville. He had such a fun and engaging personality, and he made it look easy. He was always enjoyable to watch even on the old game shows. He was also very intelligent.
Mommy to two little monsters -
nateba — 18 years ago(May 29, 2007 09:49 AM)
He was a friend of my mother and uncle. Part of family lore. Some of it was told to me growing up. Some of it was personal experience.
Alot of his childhood was spent in Hartford, with god-awful parents, from all reports. My grandmother ran the Lenox theater in Hartford and used to let him in free when he was a kid. He roomed with my uncle for a while in college where he first made an impression in a college production of a play called "Out of the Frying Pan". Evidently while he was a struggling actor in New York, he used to sell his blood to help make ends meet. His first job of note was as understudy to Dick van Dyke in Bye Bye Birdie. His big break came in "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" as Bud Frump the obnoxious nephew of the big boss. Evidently the producers had been unable to find an appropriate performer for the part. When Reilly auditioned it was a completely different type than they had in mind; (the freshly minted Charles Nelson Reilly
'type'
as it turned out). Anyway, the show won the Pulitzer and Reilly won a Tony. He was always warm towards my mother and took her to Sardi's during the run of "How to Succeed".
I met him backstage at "Hello Dolly" and at a later show called "Skyscraper" with Julie Harris. Incredibly nice fellow. Took us around backstage to see how all the stagecraft works.
He went on to direct and coach actors and opera singers. I last saw him about 5 years ago at a concert performance of an opera called "L'Amore de Trei Rei" where he had been coaching the lead baritone. This was my first and only meeting with him as a full-fledged adult. Good lord, was that man smart! Incredibly knowledgeable in the history of theatre, movies and opera. And sharp as a razor in the humor department.
cinefreak