A Noteworthy Hollywood Romance
Hollywood is not known for its loving and lasting romances. I don't think the Tabloids would stay in business if Hollywood didn't have a scandal to report every other day. But there were a few good relationships that have withstood the spotlight: Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn, and even Emily Blunt and John Krasinski.
But there is one couple, back in the Golden Age of Hollywood, that deserves to be recognized for the fun and lasting love: George Burns and Gracie Allen. These two made the whole world laugh from 1922 to 1958, but their love withstood the test of time.
When I was younger, I came across the most ridiculous act, but the way the jokes were played seemed so genuine. The words were twisted in such a lyrical way that it took a minute to realize how backward they were. I soon couldn't get enough of the act, so I started doing research. Looking for as much information on the double act as I could I came across a book written by George Burns called Gracie: A Love Story. The book is all about how George met, married, and loved Gracie with all of his heart.
“Gracie was my partner in our act, my best friend, my wife and my lover, and the mother of our two children. We were a team, both on and off the stage.”
The book is an incredible read, and I highly suggest it to all of you. But I am definitely going to make the man I am going to marry read it. For a couple of reasons, but mostly so that he could understand me a little bit better.
I admire George and Gracie's relationship for three reasons.
George pursued Gracie with patience and love.
Gracie did all that she did for her husband and her family.
They are the perfect compliment!
These two were as different as night and day. Gracie was practically born into show business. Her mother always encouraged her toward the stage. George drove himself to the stage by hard work and a lot of hustling. When they came together as an act, George was breaking up with his act and Gracie was looking for a new act. So her roommate encouraged her to see George's act and choose one of them to do an act with.
“As I found out, the reason she picked me rather than Billy was because I didn’t stammer.”
1. George pursued Gracie with patience and love.
They began their act in 1922 and at first, George fell in love with the money they were making. People wanted to see them, and for the first time, George had consistent work. As time continued on he realized that he was falling in love with the woman that stood at his side every night.
“I loved Gracie, for whatever reasons. That I was sure of. I hadn’t fallen in love with Gracie’s face, or her legs, or her bust, or her voice, or her timing. I fell in love with the whole package. But she did have great timing. And years later, when we were rich, I still loved her. And I still love her today. So whatever my reasons at first, it worked. It worked for a long, long time.”
At the time Gracie was engaged to a songwriter, Benny Ryan. Gracie was in love with the song and dance man, and George knew that he had to tread lightly or she would bolt into the arms of the other man. George had to play the long game. Kisses during their act started small with a little cheek action and as he grew bold she started taking notice of his action. He would send her flowers and other traditionally romantic gestures, praying that she would see him as a genuine suitor.
Gracie realized she loved George when he confronted her, at a Christmas party, about her lack of knowledge of love. She began to cry and something clicked in her heart.
“... I asked her why she’d changed her mind. ‘Well,’ she explained, ‘you’re the only boy who ever made me cry. And I decided that if you could make me cry, I must really love you.’ That was Gracie. I made her so unhappy she knew it had to be love.”
Now that Pink song "True Love" makes a little bit of sense compared to this romance.
Their romance wasn't a whirlwind, and it certainly wasn't glitzy, but it was full of love, and that love grew and molded their wonderful future.
2. All that Gracie did was for her husband and family.
Gracie was never obsessed with the fame that they were building. She liked the good steady work, and the security that it brought, but she wasn't quickly convinced to try the new venues that their act took them.
George knew from the beginning that Gracie was the whole act. He set her up with a simple line like, "Gracie, how's you brother?" and the lovely lady would make the audience roll with laughter. George admits that he was happy to let her have the spotlight. Gracie was the one that was offended about his lack of recognition. She wanted him to feel good about the act.
“Acts would run into trouble when they began competing for laughs. We never did; Gracie got the laughs and at the end of the night, I got to bring Gracie home.”
Gracie saw show business as a job, not her life. She reluctantly made the transition from vaudeville to movies, movies to radio, and radio to television.
“Whenever we moved into a new medium, I had to talk her into trying it. When I wanted her to do something that she didn’t want to, I’d tell her to do something that she didn’t want to, I’d tell her ‘it’s business.’ Most of the time she’d agree...”
Gracie loved her husband and the money was good for raising a family, but she would only do it if George thought it was a good idea.
Gracie's real ambition was being a wife and mother. Because there were complications between the two of them, the Burns adopted two kids: Sandy and Ronnie. Soon as she was clocked out she was home with her family.
When out with friends Gracie was happy to sit back and let George take the spotlight. She and George knew that onstage she was the star, but offstage she would watch him shine.
3. Together they are the perfect compliment.
Whether onstage or off they figured out the little secrets to a long-lasting marriage:
Don't press when it is time to change the subject
Don't play cards together
Finding a good act is harder than finding a good marriage
Trust your partner with each step
Friendship, love, and trust are more important than sex.
Gracie was the onstage star, George was one offstage.
Gracie was the face, George was the writer.
Everyone loved Gracie, and Gracie loved George.
If you were to ask me what my favorite book is... HANDS DOWN this will be my answer every time. The love that drips from every word, the respect that punctuates every line, and the pride that swells in every word wraps this love story into a perfect bow. It is a true story but an easy read. I suggest everyone read Gracie: A Love Story at some point in time.
Well, I am off to finish it for the fifth time.
So until next time,
Peace out, Lovers!
