Imogene had started doing this skit as part of her vaudeville routine in the 1930s! She won comedy awards for her joke version of stripteases long before she got to TV. If I recall from past write ups of it she used to spend most of the routine just undoing her gloves and hat (that's where the hairbrush bit comes from). She has this timeless goofy charm and used it so well.
I've been told that this is a routine she continued to perform as late as a stage show with Sid that they did in the 1970s! This is definitely one of the best of the solo numbers by Imogene that I've been able to see!
Watching this again and again. Brilliant and hilarious. Imogene just radiates joy and sass. She had been doing this routine since the first "New Faces" revue in 1934. So fun to see it on film, and the audience here loved it, although it's hard to hear them over the strains of "White Heat."
She kept up with the guys adding a wonderful sense of hilarity and sweetness in the skits. My favorite took place in a movie theater when she and her boyfriend were arguing while the guy sitting next to her was just trying to mind his own business. 😅😅😅
![SID CAESAR: Break Your Brains [SPOOF] (CAESAR'S HOUR, Apr 16 1957)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/XpoR9dblJvs/mqdefault.jpg)
![SID CAESAR: Break Your Brains [SPOOF] (CAESAR'S HOUR, Apr 16 1957)](/img/tr.png)
![SID CAESAR: The German General [FOREIGN DOUBLETALK] (CAESAR'S HOUR, Sep 26 1954)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/BFe15-rBk-w/mqdefault.jpg)
Imogene had started doing this skit as part of her vaudeville routine in the 1930s! She won comedy awards for her joke version of stripteases long before she got to TV. If I recall from past write ups of it she used to spend most of the routine just undoing her gloves and hat (that's where the hairbrush bit comes from). She has this timeless goofy charm and used it so well.
Before Carol Burnett, there was Imogene Coca! Probably the greatest sketch comedienne of all time.
One of the greatest sketches in history. Brilliant talents.
Very funny concept, and Imogene even looks adorable doing it!
I've been told that this is a routine she continued to perform as late as a stage show with Sid that they did in the 1970s! This is definitely one of the best of the solo numbers by Imogene that I've been able to see!
I can't think of a better way to describe her - adorable!
The joke was on us. Brilliant!!! The old generation sure was entertaining indeed.
Watching this again and again. Brilliant and hilarious. Imogene just radiates joy and sass. She had been doing this routine since the first "New Faces" revue in 1934. So fun to see it on film, and the audience here loved it, although it's hard to hear them over the strains of "White Heat."
strains of "White Heat."??
A funny and pretty woman.
Wonderful!
She kept up with the guys adding a wonderful sense of hilarity and sweetness in the skits.
My favorite took place in a movie theater when she and her boyfriend were arguing while the guy sitting next to her was just trying to mind his own business.
😅😅😅
Great!
stuff like this works with audiences if you give them a bit of credit
I wonder if this performance was for television. Very funny lady.
Yes. It was a variety show that ran from January to June 1949 on NBC
Umm