Happy Birthday to the Late Sylvia Sidney

:birthday:

Isn't that a picture of Carol Bruce?

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t303/ISXX/sylsid.jpg

Sylvia Sidney as Mama Carlson in the pilot (only).

:birthday: Sylvia Sidney also had a short stint on the now-defunct ABC soap Ryan's Hope in 1976. Here are some pics:

^ Wasn't Ryan's Hope, at least in the beginning, a show with a heavy emphasis on spirituality, chiefly Christianity?

^ Wasn't Ryan's Hope, at least in the beginning, a show with a heavy emphasis on spirituality, chiefly Christianity?
Yes - Ryan's Hope was originally centered on the Ryan family of NYC, who were Irish, ran a pub, and devoutly Catholic.

Does anyone know why Sylvia Sidney was replaced by Carol Bruce?

Does anyone know why Sylvia Sidney was replaced by Carol Bruce?
I just rewatched the pilot part one with commentary. Participating in the commentary were Hugh Wilson, Frank Bonner, and Loni Anderson. And they talk about Sylvia Sidney. They said she arrived on the set with her own little entourage (including two dogs) and described her as "not all that pleasant". They also mentioned that she thought the rest of the cast was ridiculous. And Hugh Wison said "that's why we changed Mother's". So apparently Sylvia Sidney had a bit of an attitude and didn't get along with the rest of the cast. I preferred Carol Bruce in the role anyway so I'm glad they made the switch.

Ahhhh, I see. I liked Carol Bruce better in the role, too. Sylvia Sidney's take on the character was so harsh and mean. :eek: :eek: :eek: