Does anyone have an opinion about Laura's repeated habit of the crying and stuttering then crying and stuttering...I'm sure you all know what I man. Sometimes I find it annoying. Who came up with that routine?

Yes, I know what you mean, BWLuv.
Mary was a young, up-and-coming actress in those days, so she borrowed techniques from those who preceeded her. If I'm not mistaken, I think she said she borrowed that crying style from Nanette Fabret (sp?).

Steve

She actually uses that crying technique in "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," also. I don't know, I think it's funny!

Lolac
:lol:

I thought Laura was the most charming and endearing cryer of all time. In fact, how many
other funny cryers were there? I can only think of Stan Laurel. I like "I Love Lucy" but when she starts that long "waaahhhhhh" or whatever it is,
I gotta hit the remote and get away as quick as I
can. Sally Struthers was even worse. Actually painful for me to listen to. I think I read too
that Carl Reiner played a part in that he told
Mary he knew how to cry without losing the laugh
when they did My Blonde Haired Brunette and she
immediately asked him to demonstrate it. But I don't see how anyone could be better than Mary
as Laura. I thought she raised it to an art. She
spoils you for the rest. I heard the Nanette Fabares story too. Although DVD cries great in 100
Terrible Hours. He did it very well too.

FWIW, my husband told me a long time ago that I cry like Laura. It's hard to cry and talk at the same time hence all the sputtering, stuttering, and sniffling. LOL