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Rose Marie
~~ * ~~ We met just under 40 years ago – but it might as well have been for my entire life. From the moment Roe contacted me, I felt like I had known her forever. At that point, after 10 years of experience in show business, I was used to stardom, I was used to actors and their egos, and I was used to demanding women. But what I found in Rose Marie was something quite different: someone who was warm and welcoming; someone who was caring and concerned; someone who was devoted. She held the word “professional” in the highest regard, and wanted nothing more than to satisfy her audience with the best possible performance she had in her. And as a result she wanted nothing more than to have the show “4 Girls 4” be the very best. And because she was part of it – it indeed was. Rose Marie was a leader. She was the one who had been there and back many times, and had the experience to tell people – no matter who they were or what their level of stardom – just how things should work. She had this ability because of her knowledge, but also, because of her keen instincts. One of the things I will always remember about Roe – is that she was nothing if not supportive. If I told her we had a problem, the first thing she said was, “what do you need?” She was always there, and always someone who could be counted on. That is the definition of true professional. That is also the definition of true friend. And that is who I lost last month – a dear friend, a life-long friend. Rose Marie constantly spoke of her pride and joy – her daughter Noopy, and as soon as I met Noopy, I knew exactly why. Noopy was a mother’s dream. A daughter who was there – and knew what was needed, and made certain it got done. Sound familiar?? Well, in many ways, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. It is my honor to call Noopy my friend. I feel she is also very much my sister and her husband Steve is my brother-in-law because in my life these are the roles they have both fulfilled. They are family and now. They have lost their mother, and nothing pains me more than to experience their loss with them. Some other time, I could tell you hysterical, poignant, and dramatic road stories from the years of touring with Rose Marie – and there are many! But in the interest of time – here are some of the categories: the card games (mostly “99”) that began after finishing a show, and went on into the early morning hours…some of them were “laugh till it hurts” nights fueled by gallons of Iced Tea; cruise ship adventures on the way to Hong Kong – and Roe addressing Buckminster Fuller by saying “what kind of a name is Bucky?” to the entire ship; Rose Marie dancing the jitterbug with Dante DiPaolo in Clooney’s backyard at my wedding; Christmases that lasted for weeks, and on Christmas Eve…went well into the morning hours – because each gift (and there were MANY) had to be opened by each person one at a time; puppies and parties, and horse shows, weddings and funerals…and a catch phrase. A phrase that we kept between the two of us for the entire time we knew each other. In the early 80’s there was still a certain respect that came with stardom – and the women of 4 Girls 4 were treated in most places like the stars they were…and respected by the people who worked around them. There was a kind of reverence – which was really nice. But, on the rare occasion – there was an individual who had no clue about stardom. And in one very memorable case…Rose and I were walking backstage in Akron, Ohio and one of the very young female stagehands was walking by – tool-belt in hand, and as she passed us, rather than say, “good evening;” or “what a pleasure to see you Miss Rose Marie,” she looked at Roe and said “howzitgoin’?” Well, that struck us both as so funny, we couldn’t stop laughing. Now of course, this wouldn’t be unusual at all in these times, but back then, it was hysterical. And from that day forward, Roe and I always addressed each other with “Howzitgoin’?” As you all know, over the past 3 years or so, the incredible filmmaker, Jason Wise, and his wife Christina have produced a fantastic documentary about Roe. More important was the fact that this production brought Rose two more family members: as Jason became like a son to her. The film preserves for all time – an amazing career, and a life that was unlike any other, and now we have this superb tribute to her. There are so many indelible Rose Marie memories – some of which are preserved on film, and some of which are emblazoned in our brains…none of us will ever forget the incomparable woman that was Rose Marie – and how much she meant to millions of fans around the world. The joy she brought to all of their lives, and personally, the life she brought to me. Goodbye my dear friend, my mother, my confidant, my buddy. Thanks for all of the wonderful memories. And I think I finally have the answer to that ever burning question, “howzitgoin’?” It’s still goin’ strong…goin’ fine…goin’ forever in my heart. Allen Sviridoff |
Rose Marie wanted
two things when she passed; a Mass of Christian Burial
at St. Charles Church, and a party. So on January 9th
after the mass, her closest friends and family gathered
to celebrate her life. About a dozen people took to
the mic to share their special memories of her. Following
are the touching remarks that Allen Sviridoff shared.
Allen came into Rose Marie’s life when she determined
that the act she was starring in with Rosemary Clooney,
Helen O’Connell and Margaret Whiting, called “4 Girls
4” had become so successful that they needed a road
manager. He was hired to take care of things for the
“girls,” but as you’ll read, he became like a son to
her.