Q&A with Ange Clancy-Sukala, author of the Gracie Allen book

Q&A with Ange Clancy-Sukala, author of the Gracie Allen book

1. What made you decide to write a book about Gracie Allen?
   I’ve always been a fan of Gracie, and I thought it wasn’t fair that her story was always told in conjunction with George Burns. So, I wanted to tell Gracie’s side of her story.

2. What kind of research did you do for the book?
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get in touch with any family members, so I had to rely on her friend’s memoirs, newspaper articles and published interviews. I also spent a lot of time watching Gracie in movies and on The Burns and Allen Show and listening to her on old radio shows.  

3. How did writing this book change your impression of Gracie Allen?
Before I wrote the book, I thought of Gracie as George’s sidekick. After finding out more about her, I realize she was a very smart and savvy woman. She knew what worked and what didn’t for her character and wouldn’t hesitate to put her foot down to protect her character’s integrity.

4. What was the biggest stumbling block in writing the book?
Not being able to interview her friends and family was difficult, but the hardest part was separating fact from fiction in George’s books about her. He never let the truth get in the way of a good story. So, I had to double and triple check everything he wrote about her.

5. What’s your favorite Gracie Allen performance?
Honolulu, absolutely. It was a film she made for MGM in 1939. George is barely in the movie at all, so it’s like a Gracie Allen solo film. Not only is she hilariously funny, she plays the ukelele, sings and more than holds her own in a dance routine with Eleanor Powell, who was considered one of the best film dancers of all time.

6. What was the most surprising thing you found in your research about Gracie?
I think the most surprising thing was that she was actually older than George. She was born on July 26, 1895, and George was born on January 20, 1896. It completely changed the dynamic of their act for me. She wasn’t the cute little girl on stage with George. She was his full and equal partner.

7. What was the best part of writing this book?
Definitely doing the research. I can’t think of a better way to spend the day than watching old movies and tv shows and calling it “work.”

8. The worst part?
Proofreading, proofreading and proofreading. And trying to find information that I filed away “so I wouldn’t lose it.”

9. Do you think Gracie is relevant in the world today?
Definitely. In fact, I think she’s very much a role model for today.  When you listen to their act on radio or watch the show, you see that it’s Gracie’s world, and we’re just along for the ride. If you get her screwy way of looking at the world, fine. If you don’t, that’s okay too. But she’s always true to herself. I think that’s an important message, especially for kids. It’s okay to be different, to just be you.

10. Let’s give Gracie the last word. What’s your favorite Gracie Allen quote?
In the first episode of the tv series, Gracie comes into the house with a huge bouquet of carnations. George asks her where she got the flowers, and she replies, “Don’t you remember George? You said when I went to visit Clara Bagley in the hospital, I should be sure to take her flowers. So, when she wasn’t looking, I did.”