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Post by petrolino on Oct 7, 2017 1:58:14 GMT
Cindy Williams
Cynthia Jane Williams was born on August 22nd, 1947, in Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California. She is a writer, actress, dancer and comedienne whose classmate and fellow cheerleader at Birmingham High School in the San Fernando Valley was actress Sally Field. Her sister is comic actress Carol Ann Williams. Williams attended Los Angeles City College. She worked as a waitress and found employment at the Whisky A Go Go nightclub in West Hollywood where a psychedelic revolution was happening. In the mid-1970s, she became recognisable to many playing Shirley Feeney opposite Penny Marshall as Laverne DeFazio in the sitcom 'Laverne & Shirley', a spin-off from 'Happy Days'. The two partners often fought, attributing their roaring tempers to being half-Italians {Williams - maternal family name Bellini / Marshall - paternal family name Marscharelli). Both shows were set in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. "Right before Laverne & Shirley, Penny and I were writers together. We were writing for this movie, a Bicentennial spoof called My Country 'Tis of Thee, a spoof of coming to America and the establishing of the country. It was done in sketches, song and dance. We had been hired as writers on it. Steve Martin, Martin Mull, Harry Shearer — they all wrote on it. That's what we were doing while Happy Days was on the air. While we were writing, one day Garry (Marshall) called and said, "I've got these parts of these two girls who 'meet the fleet' on Happy Days. I thought you two would like to take time off from writing and come over for a week and have some fun playing them." Neither one of us had seen Happy Days. I didn't have a television set at that point. Penny hadn't seen it. My sister was an extra, so I knew of it. We went over and played these two characters. Our first take on these characters was mightily different than what ended up on Laverne & Shirley. Penny and I never took it serious. We didn't know how big it was. Someone says, "Oh, 36 million people just watched you on television last night." We never could compute it. We were working so hard by that time, the first season of the show we barely left the sound stage. We never got the gist of how popular our show was, how popular our characters were, until we were invited to be in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. We were on this float and we saw this crowd rush us and rush past the barriers and the cops are trying to stop them. We looked behind us to see who was there, that everyone was so excited about. That's when we realized, "Hey, it's us!" That when we really understood the popularity of the show."
- Cindy Williams, Chicago TV
Cindy Williams, Gerrit Graham, Bruce Kimmel & Leslie Nielsen
Williams studied performing at the Actors Studio West and fell in with a group of young American filmmakers with strong connections to independent movie producer Roger Corman. This group included George Armitage, Francis Coppola, Curtis Harrington, Ron Howard and their friend George Lucas (Williams auditioned to play Princess Leia in Lucas' blockbuster 1977 sci-fi production 'Star Wars' but lost out to Carrie Fisher). It was around this time that Jack Nicholson described her as a "whirlwind performer". She also worked with classical era trendsetter George Cukor in the 1970s and tap danced with screen legend Gene Kelly. "The comedic timing and talent of Cindy Williams and her fellow cast members on Laverne and Shirley is nothing short of genius. Their timeless comedic brilliance is still appreciated, as re-runs of the show continue to draw huge audiences and ratings. Laverne and Shirley earned TV Land’s “Fan Favorite Award” in 2012. I had the pleasure of speaking with Cindy Williams while she was in Kansas City doing a play called A Weekend Comedy. She generously shared some of her insights about American Graffiti, acting, Hollywood, and life."
- Eric Johnson, Alive
Gene Kelly & Cindy Williams
Williams married musician Bill Hudson in 1982, two years after his divorce from dancer and comedienne Goldie Hawn had been filed. She's performed extensively in televised comedy and tv movies throughout her time in show business. She's also appeared onstage in national tours of several major musical and theatre productions. She's simultaneously enjoyed a fruitful side-career as a character actress in the movies and starred in a series of popular family projects. She's currently filming the musical 'Still Waiting In The Wings' (2017) with Lee Meriwether, Sally Struthers and veteran entertainer Ed Asner. "I just wanted her to be happy."
- Penny Marshall on her friend Cindy Williams
From The Archive : 'Laverne & Shirley'
Selected Filmography
1971: Gas! Or It Became Necessary To Destroy The World In Order To Save It (Roger Corman)
1971: Drive, He Said (Jack Nicholson) 1972: Beware! The Blob (Larry Hagman) 1972: Travels With My Aunt (George Cukor) 1973: The Killing Kind (Curtis Harrington) 1973: American Graffiti (George Lucas) 1974: The Conversation (Francis Coppola) 1975: Mr. Ricco (Paul Bogart) 1976: The First Nudie Musical (Mark Haggard & Bruce Kimmel) 1979: More American Graffiti (Bill L. Norton) 1983: The Creature Wasn't Nice (Bruce Kimmel) 1985: UFOria (John Binder) 1989: Big Man On Campus (Jermey Kagan) 1989: Rude Awakening (David Greenwalt & Aaron Russo) 1991: Bingo (Matthew Robbins) 1997: Meet Wally Sparks (Peter Baldwin)
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Post by Rufus-T on Oct 7, 2017 17:46:27 GMT
Nice tribute! I used to watch "Laverne & Shirley" back in the "Happy Days" days. She was extremely cute in American Graffiti & The Conversation. Have not seen any of her other movies. Curious of what "The First Nudie Musical" is about.
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Post by BATouttaheck on Oct 7, 2017 18:19:21 GMT
I especially like the picture of her holding hands with Gene Kelly I was at the airport in Monterey California and the plane I was waiting for was cancelled and everyone was having to be re-booked. There was a lady ahead of me who I am (to this day) sure was Cindy ! She was too far up on the line to hear any name though. Yah. It WAS her ! They gave her a voucher for a hotel. Some got to snooze overnight in the airport.
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Post by petrolino on Oct 7, 2017 21:24:55 GMT
Nice tribute! I used to watch "Laverne & Shirley" back in the "Happy Days" days. She was extremely cute in American Graffiti & The Conversation. Have not seen any of her other movies. Curious of what "The First Nudie Musical" is about. Thanks rufus. I enjoyed reading about the house and other landmarks seen in 'Laverne & Shirley' that are regularly visited by the show's fans. Some are in Wisconsin though the show itself was filmed in California. "Laverne & Shirley's address while living in Milwaukee was on Knapp Street. This street really does exist in Downtown Milwaukee although the show was filmed in California. I found some row homes on Knapp Street and wondered if this was the inspiration of the basement apartment. At the time of filming Knapp Street would have been in walking distance to the Schlitz Brewery(now office buildings)."
- Sherri, Postcards & Coasters'The First Nudie Musical' is an enjoyable musical with funny songs that delves into the theatre of the absurd. It's quite low budget and somewhat unusual, with an unbilled cameo from Ron Howard.
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Post by petrolino on Oct 7, 2017 21:28:05 GMT
I especially like the picture of her holding hands with Gene Kelly I was at the airport in Monterey California and the plane I was waiting for was cancelled and everyone was having to be re-booked. There was a lady ahead of me who I am (to this day) sure was Cindy ! She was too far up on the line to hear any name though. Yah. It WAS her ! They gave her a voucher for a hotel. Some got to snooze overnight in the airport. She's lucky she got a voucher if most people were having to sleep at the airport. Maybe she signed a few autographs behind the ticket counter.
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Post by Lebowskidoo 🦞 on Oct 7, 2017 22:01:43 GMT
So, she's Oliver and Kate's stepmother? I never knew that.
I love The Creature Wasn't Nice (called Spaceship when I saw it) which you have pictured above, silly but funny Alien spoof.
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Post by petrolino on Oct 7, 2017 22:58:18 GMT
So, she's Oliver and Kate's stepmother? I never knew that. I love The Creature Wasn't Nice (called Spaceship when I saw it) which you have pictured above, silly but funny Alien spoof. I've never seen Cindy Williams with Goldie Hawn before. They should make a movie together. I like 'The Creature Wasn't Nice' too. Wish I had the dvd, I'd watch it again tomorrow lol. Another alternate title is 'Naked Space'.
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Post by Lebowskidoo 🦞 on Oct 7, 2017 23:02:28 GMT
So, she's Oliver and Kate's stepmother? I never knew that. I love The Creature Wasn't Nice (called Spaceship when I saw it) which you have pictured above, silly but funny Alien spoof. I've never seen Cindy Williams with Goldie Hawn before. They should make a movie together. I like 'The Creature Wasn't Nice' too. Wish I had the dvd, I'd watch it again tomorrow lol. Another alternate title is 'Naked Space'. Naked Space
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Post by BATouttaheck on Oct 7, 2017 23:12:21 GMT
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Post by Lebowskidoo 🦞 on Oct 7, 2017 23:34:43 GMT
Have you not figured out yet Bat, I'm a weirdo!
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Post by petrolino on Oct 7, 2017 23:54:11 GMT
Have you not figured out yet Bat, I'm a weirdo! Guilty as charged.
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Post by Lebowskidoo 🦞 on Oct 7, 2017 23:59:06 GMT
Have you not figured out yet Bat, I'm a weirdo! Guilty as charged. Just back from YouTube, they have the full movie The Creature Wasn't Nice/ Spaceship, but it's titled Naked Space, BATouttaheck you should see it, it has an epic musical number!
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Post by BATouttaheck on Oct 8, 2017 1:57:48 GMT
Lebowskidoo 🦞 thanks, it's now on "the list" I did a quick look at some of the reviews but may watch it anyway ! IMDb Reviews
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Post by petrolino on Nov 27, 2021 2:10:54 GMT
Cindy Williams : '70s Screen Test
"Rodney (Dangerfield) is actually right on this. I really do like Cindy Williams."
- Burt Reynolds
Auditioning for 'Star Wars' (1977 - George Lucas)
Cindy Williams speaking with Johnny Carson (February 1, 1977)
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Post by petrolino on Dec 4, 2021 2:08:37 GMT
Cindy Williams : '70s Rehearsal Tape
"I’m not as much of an optimist as Shirley…. It was wonderful to play that kind of optimistic, idealistic character because in my own life, I’m much more self-critical. And I shouldn’t be, and as I get older, I try to pull that tar from the wheat and get that out of my consciousness and be more like Shirley."
- Cindy Williams
Rehearsing for 'American Graffiti' (1973 - George Lucas)
Sequence ('At The Hop') {"Let's go to the hop ... oh baby ... let's all do the hop ... oh darlin' ..."}
Penny Marshall And Cindy Williams Supported Heavy Industry
Chic Cindy Williams advertises for Foster Grant's 'Mood Makers' line
'Graduation Day' ~ Laverne & Shirley
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Post by msdemos on Dec 4, 2021 6:09:10 GMT
Thanks for posting all the GREAT pictures here.......now I have a question about one of them, as seen above. For many, MANY years I've wondered where they shot, not only this picture, but the other brief shots that show up (mostly) in the opening credits of Laverne And Shirley (1976-1983), which is CLEAR were shot at a real brewery (or what LOOKS like a real brewery, anyway)........does anyone know which brewery (or business) these shots were actually taken at ?? I've always wondered if there's a chance they came to Milwaukee, and shot them here (possibly at Miller Brewing Company?), to help give the show a little bit more of a Milwaukee "flavor" (which they've done with a few other shots used in the show, most notably Milwaukee's City Hall (see pictures below)), but because they don't really look familiar to me (I've lived in the Milwaukee area all my life), I'm wondering if it's just some random brewery (or other business) somewhere in, or near Los Angeles, that they just chose to shoot out there. Anybody know ?? www.milwaukeefoodtours.com/blog/penny-marshall-laverne-tribute/SAVE FERRIS
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Post by petrolino on Dec 4, 2021 16:38:50 GMT
Thanks for posting all the GREAT pictures here.......now I have a question about one of them, as seen above. For many, MANY years I've wondered where they shot, not only this picture, but the other brief shots that show up (mostly) in the opening credits of Laverne And Shirley (1976-1983), which is CLEAR were shot at a real brewery (or what LOOKS like a real brewery, anyway)........does anyone know which brewery (or business) these shots were actually taken at ?? I've always wondered if there's a chance they came to Milwaukee, and shot them here (possibly at Miller Brewing Company?), to help give the show a little bit more of a Milwaukee "flavor" (which they've done with a few other shots used in the show, most notably (I believe) Milwaukee's City Hall), but because they don't really look familiar to me (I've lived in the Milwaukee area all my life), I'm wondering if it's just some random brewery (or other business) somewhere in, or near Los Angeles, that they just chose to shoot out there. Anybody know ?? www.milwaukeefoodtours.com/blog/penny-marshall-laverne-tribute/SAVE FERRIS
Have you tried looking online at the Wisconsin Historical Society's website? There might be some information there that will help with identification.
In addition to enjoying 'Happy Days' and 'Laverne & Shirley', I'm a fan of 'Caroline In The City' and have the complete dvd box-set. Lea Thompson, who's from Rochester, Minnesota, plays cartoonist Caroline Duffy who's from Peshtigo, Wisconsin. Her co-stars include Malcolm Getz who's from Waukegan, Illinois, and the wonderful Amy Pietz who's from Milwaukee.
Here's my favourite interview with Pietz, for anybody who might be interested ...
Congratulations to the Milwaukee Bucks being NBA Champions last season!
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Post by msdemos on Dec 4, 2021 16:50:29 GMT
Thanks for posting all the GREAT pictures here.......now I have a question about one of them, as seen above. For many, MANY years I've wondered where they shot, not only this picture, but the other brief shots that show up (mostly) in the opening credits of Laverne And Shirley (1976-1983), which is CLEAR were shot at a real brewery (or what LOOKS like a real brewery, anyway)........does anyone know which brewery (or business) these shots were actually taken at ?? I've always wondered if there's a chance they came to Milwaukee, and shot them here (possibly at Miller Brewing Company?), to help give the show a little bit more of a Milwaukee "flavor" (which they've done with a few other shots used in the show, most notably (I believe) Milwaukee's City Hall), but because they don't really look familiar to me (I've lived in the Milwaukee area all my life), I'm wondering if it's just some random brewery (or other business) somewhere in, or near Los Angeles, that they just chose to shoot out there. Anybody know ?? www.milwaukeefoodtours.com/blog/penny-marshall-laverne-tribute/SAVE FERRIS
Have you tried looking online at the Wisconsin Historical Society's website? There might be some information there that will help with identification.
In addition to enjoying 'Happy Days' and 'Laverne & Shirley', I'm a fan of 'Caroline In The City' and have the complete dvd box-set. Lea Thompson, who's from Rochester, Minnesota, plays cartoonist Caroline Duffy who's from Peshtigo, Wisconsin. Her co-stars include Malcolm Getz who's from Waukegan, Illinois, and the wonderful Amy Pietz who's from Milwaukee.
Here's my favourite interview with Pietz, for anybody who might be interested ...
Congratulations to the Milwaukee Bucks being NBA Champions last season!
Believe it or not, I've looked ALL over the internet the past few years trying to find an answer to this goofy question, but no, hadn't thought of the W.H.S., so I'll give that a try......and yup, hard to believe our Bucks are World Champs again, after just a brief 50 year wait (remember watching them win their first championship on a tiny black and white tv set back in 1971, as an 11 year old kid, and FINALLY got to my first Bucks game at their fancy new digs (Fiserv Forum) this past week, thanks to my WONDERFUL son!) !! Thanks...... SAVE FERRIS
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Post by msdemos on Dec 5, 2021 2:28:52 GMT
www.metv.com/stories/interview-cindy-williams-shirley-i-jest" .....one day Garry [Marshall] called and said, "I've got these parts of these two girls who 'meet the fleet' on Happy Days. I thought you two would like to take time off from writing and come over for a week and have some fun playing them." Neither one of us had seen Happy Days. I didn't have a television set at that point. Penny hadn't seen it. My sister [Carol Ann Williams] was an extra, so I knew of it. We went over and played these two characters. Our first take on these characters was mightily different than what ended up on Laverne & Shirley." SAVE FERRIS
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Post by petrolino on Dec 5, 2021 2:48:41 GMT
www.metv.com/stories/interview-cindy-williams-shirley-i-jest" .....one day Garry [Marshall] called and said, "I've got these parts of these two girls who 'meet the fleet' on Happy Days. I thought you two would like to take time off from writing and come over for a week and have some fun playing them." Neither one of us had seen Happy Days. I didn't have a television set at that point. Penny hadn't seen it. My sister [Carol Ann Williams] was an extra, so I knew of it. We went over and played these two characters. Our first take on these characters was mightily different than what ended up on Laverne & Shirley." SAVE FERRIS
'Actor and leading environmentalist ED BEGLEY, JR.’s first date with former LAVERNE & SHIRLEY star CINDY WILLIAMS was a disaster because he picked her up in an electric “golf cart”. The beloved U.S. TV star has been at the forefront of alternative power for decades and purchased his first electric car in 1970, but while his carbon footprint is tiny, his eco-warrior ways have not always been a hit with the women in his life. During an appearance on America’s Real Time With Bill Maher last week (ends12Jun15), he said, “I had a tailor-done electric car… We’re talking about a golf cart with a windshield wiper and a horn. I took Cindy Williams on a date… and there was not a second date; a kid on hot wheels was passing us by giving us the finger.” But the dating disaster did not make Begley, Jr. think twice about his environment-saving efforts, and he’s now one of the most respected eco warriors in Hollywood – he even has a rain water reservoir under his house as the state battles a drought. He added, “In the old days I would just get a hacksaw and hack off the down spout and put it (water) into a rain barrel, now I have 10,000 gallons of rainwater stored underground and then it’s pumped up.” And, for the record, the actor maintains he and Williams are still great friends, despite the all-electric date.'
- Hollywood.com
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