Remembering Alice Pearce - The Original Gladys Kravitz from Bewitched

[@stillaboveground2470]

I think everyone has known someone like Gladys. I had a neighbor like her that lived across the street. I remember one time I was outside, shoveling snow. I slipped and fell, but luckily, I didn't get hurt. I got up quickly, looked around and thought, "Good. Nobody saw me." I went out later to get my mail from the box and she was walking by. She said, "I saw you fall down." That old busybody had her nose pressed to the window all the time! She was a one-woman Neighborhood Watch Program! Anytime I watch "Bewitched", it reminds me of her.

[@ScottHarlow-y3m]

Thanks for posting this piece. I was only 10 when she was suddenly replaced on "Bewitched" and never knew until now why she left the show. RIP, Alice.

[@DarrylRuiz-s1w]

Alice was great.so she passed before receiving her Emmy for Bewitched

[@sandrafraser8120]

There will only one Gladys Kravitz, I can see her now in heaven peeking out through the clouds at what the other angles are doing...Rest In Peace dear lady, you are missed xx

[@spaceagerabbit]

I love this comment! She's up there yelling for Abner come look.

[@willoughby1888]

@@spaceagerabbit I loved that comment , too! And the reply was so fantastic!

[@bbsqtlead4939]

Alice was also in the Jerry Lewis comedy “The Disorderly Orderly” as Mrs Fuzzybee, an eccentric patient at the hospital where Jerry’s character worked. Their scene together was hilarious, with Alice playing her character to maximum comedic value. Check this scene out on KZbin.

[@CyndisKrist]

"Gladys Kravitz" became a household word for those who got that reference. I liked both actresses who played the role, and I think my favorite episodes were the two Christmas ones where Sam rode her broom to the North Pole.

[@willoughby1888]

I learn so many things from watching your videos, you're like a teacher even. For that, if I may, let me share something about Madeleine Stowe as a small reward. I was their family's paper boy in the late 60's and early 70's. I'd come to her door, which was almost always open, and I'd hear Madeleine playing on the grand piano they had set up for her in their dining room, which was out of my eyesight. The music was classical. It flowed and sounded beautiful. I'd just stand there and listen to her playing, and look into the eyes of her half-sister "Dianne"(or maybe it was her cousin) sitting there on the floor in front of me. Neither of us spoke a single word, we just looked into each other's eyes like two people who "liked" each other. She wasn't a long dark-haired girl like Madeleine, she had long blonde hair, and sparkling blue eyes I could see from the door where I stood. Of course I fell right in love with her. But then I'd have to ring the doorbell because her father had walked into the room. I'd pretend I had just got there. But there were other times when the door had been shut, and I'd have to ring. Madeleine would always answer, see me, then shout, "DAD, "THE BOY" IS HERE TO COLLECT FOR THE PAPER!", then she'd dismiss me by walking away without ever saying a single word to me. But I didn't mind. I just didn't enjoy a girl my age calling me a "boy" was all. I finally got up the nerve to ask her father if Dianne could come out to play with us in the street in front of their house. They lived on Wiota, I lived around the corner on Saginaw. He always said "No", but finally he trusted that I would take good care of her, and let her come outside. He was very protective of her and Madeleine, too, as far as I could tell. We'd all play hit the bat together, having lots of fun. But then I moved away across town. I have other 'shares' regarding Ted Cassidy(who I know you know I already mentioned), Buddy Hackett, Mohammad Ali and Mary Lou Retton, too. Living in L.A. can bring you many sudden experiences. And "Sometimes you'll never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory"(Dr. Seuss)

[@spaceagerabbit]

What a great story! She was so good in The Last of the Mohicans. I grew up in the midwest, so growing up in Los Angeles sound so exciting!

[@willoughby1888]

@@spaceagerabbit It wasn't always fun in the sun, and exciting. Metropolis can be very cruel when it wants to be. That's why I moved and never looked back.

[@lennysmom]

I liked her as the school bus driver in My Six Loves.

[@ulytognola9085]

What a determined and brave person. Weren't there two Darrens, too?

[@spaceagerabbit]

Yes, there were two Darrens. Dick York was the original Darren, but he fell ill and was replaced by Dick Sargent, who played Darren for the last three seasons.

[@ShadowsofthePastTheater]

@@spaceagerabbit I prefer Dick York in the role, but Dick Sargent did his best.

[@spaceagerabbit]

@@ShadowsofthePastTheater I agree, I prefer Dick York, but Dick Sargent did a good job. I'm sure it was difficult for him to step into that role after Dick York played it for so many years.

[@willoughby1888]

@@ShadowsofthePastTheater Dick York was lovable, had wonderful facial expressions and would make you feel kind of sorry for him. Dick Sargent was too grumpy, his single facial expression, and thought he was all that and a bag of chips on the side to boot.

[@jons.6216]

Heck, there were two Darrens, two Louise Tates, two Frank Stevens, etc.

[@bunnysb2587]

Now these days when you got a nosey neighbor people say we got a Mrs Kravitz

[@rvk8991]

Any chance you could do a video on Lola Albright(Peter Gun). She was from my home town. Nice job on your videos.👍

[@spaceagerabbit]

Absolutely! That's a great suggestion! You must be from Akron. My dad grew up in NE Ohio : )

[@rvk8991]

@@spaceagerabbit awesome, sounds like you already know her history.

[@dma124]

For me, there was only Alice Pearce. I never liked the whiny, irritating way Sandra Gould played Gladys Kravitz. I had seen her before in an earlier sitcom and she was still that nasally, bothersome presence.