Calling All Susan Silo Fans!

[tv star collector]

Hi! I am a HUGE fan of actress Susan Silo and first saw her on the short-lived NBC sitcom Harry's Girls, back in 1963. I discovered her website about five years ago, and we have been writing to each other for almost four months. She is a very gracious lady who really appreciates her loyal fans. Just for fun, I have designed and produced a fanzine, which I have shared via email with Susan and some of my family and friends. I am now producing the third issue. It contains many photos, artwork and much info about Susan's long and varied career in show business. She has been a performer since she was 4. On this board, fans may remember her appearances on such shows as Dobie Gillis, The Ann Sothern Show, Ensign O'Toole, Hazel, McHale's Navy, Occasional Wife, My
Three Sons, The Love Boat, etc. I am trying to start a fan club, as I think Susan is a highly underrated actress. I'd be happy to add anyone's name to my mailing list, and if you can recruit more members or contribute anything to the fanzine, it would be greatly appreciated. Membership is FREE. We just want to show Susan how much we love her work.

[dakert]

I just looked up Susan on IMDB, glad to see she is still working.
What was her biggest role in a movie or tv show?


David

[tv star collector]

Originally Posted by dakert

I just looked up Susan on IMDB, glad to see she is still working.
What was her biggest role in a movie or tv show?


David

I guess I would have to say her biggest onscreen roles were as Rusty on NBC's Harry's Girls
(1963-'64), which was cancelled in mid-season after 15 episodes and in which she received second billing (after star Larry Blyden); and as April in the unsold pilot Always April, which aired as a segment of The Ann Sothern Show (1961). In the sixties, she made a very successful career, though, out of playing supporting roles in many television shows and some motion pictures (most memorably as WAC Smitty in "McHale's Navy Joins the Air Force" (1965)). Her roles have included both comedic (from The Jack Benny Program (1960) to The Love Boat (1978)) and dramatic parts (from Sea Hunt (1960) to L.A. Law (1989)). Since 1973, she has been a highly sought after voiceover artist in commercials and animated cartoons. In that venue, her most famous role may be Professor Karbunkle (also her first male voice), in Biker Mice From Mars. She has also done several voices for other TV shows, movies and video games. She has also been active in dramatic roles on radio programs and is a very busy voice coach for aspiring actors. She is also an accomplished singer (she recorded several songs in the late fifties, as a teenager). In that capacity, she appeared as a guest on American Bandstand (1957) and was a regular on The Sammy Kaye Show (1958). An asset to her cartoon roles is that Susan has the rare ability to sing while in character, which is the reason casting directors consider her so special. Before I began
my research, I had no idea Susan has had such a diverse and amazing career. (Oh, and one thing
I forgot to mention: Susan also had a featured role in the original Broadway production of the
musical West Side Story, in 1959. She played Rosalia.)

[dakert]

Looking on eBay I see some 45s did she ever release a full album? How was her singing.
I only saw one video on youtube which was a funny scene from McHale's Navy (with of course Tim Conway)

[tv star collector]

Originally Posted by dakert

Looking on eBay I see some 45s did she ever release a full album? How was her singing.
I only saw one video on youtube which was a funny scene from McHale's Navy (with of course Tim Conway)

I have three of her singles ("Dear Diary"/"Don't Ever Cheat," "Operator Please!"/"A Shoulder to Cry On," and "Mr. Wonderful" (recorded in 1956 and 1957)). I don't know of any other singles or any album. The singles were recorded for small labels (one appears to be a demo). Even then, her versatility was evident, and her vocal range is evocative of singers from Teresa Brewer to Connie Francis. (She did an imitation of Connie Francis on a Neil Sedaka TV special, by the way). She also did a great imitation of Eartha Kitt at last year's San Diego Comic Con. Her singing encompasses up-tempo tunes (like "Operator Please!"), ballads ("A Shoulder to Cry On") and pop standards (Peggy Lee's "Mr. Wonderful"). Being one of her biggest fans, I may be prejudiced but I think her singing (like her acting) is very underrated. I only wish she had signed with a major label and had recorded
an album. I know I would buy it!

[tv star collector]

Originally Posted by dakert

I only saw one video on youtube which was a funny scene from McHale's Navy (with of course Tim Conway)

Susan told me (via email) she had fun making that episode ("Babette, Go Home"). She also had a lot of screen time with Tim Conway in "McHale's Navy Joins the Air Force" (the second theatrical movie based on the TV series), in which she played WAC Corporal "Smitty" Smith.

Some other videos on YouTube featuring Susan Silo include: the Bonanza episode "Woman of Fire," the Occasional Wife episode "The Rivalry," and the animated TV special Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus (1974), in which she voiced Miss Taylor, the teacher. It was co-produced by Bill Melendez (of Charlie Brown fame). Susan had second billing, after Jim Backus (the narrator). BTW, Jack Lemmon's eight-year-old daughter Courtney voiced Virginia O'Hanlon. Jimmy Osmond sang the title song.

[biffbronson]

Originally Posted by dakert

I just looked up Susan on IMDB, glad to see she is still working.
What was her biggest role in a movie or tv show?


David

Her episode of My Three Sons, "Our Boy in Washington," has been aired quite a bit over the years and Susan has a large role in it -- so while not what you may have in mind, in terms of exposure I think this has turned out to become one of, if not the biggest things for her (and her fans) over the years.

She's just fantastic and beautiful in the role of Janine, who takes Robbie on a tour of the city's sites. A "must-see" for her fans, and in full color!

[tv star collector]

Thanks for the tip! I'll have to look for that one!

[biffbronson]

I'll try to recap Susan's role on the ep of My Three Sons.

In the episode, Ernie Douglas has been invited to Washington, DC as a result of a nice letter to the French ambassador (IIRC, he was sending thanks for the Statue of Liberty). Steve, Charley, Rob, and Chip don't really want to go, but the whole family has been invited, so they reluctantly go on the trip.

Chip is paired with a boy who speaks only French, and they go off doing things despite the language barrier. Robbie is paired with lovely Janine (Susan), and rather reluctantly goes sight seeing as she's been assigned to give him a one-on-one tour. Robbie always comments "That's a lot of..." when Janine gives him stats, such as how many bricks went into a monument, etc. Janine IIRC has been provided by the ambassador and speaks with an enchanting French accent. She and Robbie finally break from the scheduled pace of the tour, and a few sparks start as he becomes somewhat interested in her. Janine had become less formal as tour guide, commenting that Lincoln looks lonely in his memorial, with Rob agreeing. She even compliments him indirectly, mentioning she imagined he had many girlfriends back in Bryant Park.

Later on, Robbie is floored when he is reunited with Janine at a formal function. She's now wearing a gorgeous formal gown (bare-shouldered, iirc), with her hair done up beautifully. He's now VERY interested, and in general Rob and the others find that the trip was much greater than they could have imagined.

Susan Silo represented perfect casting for this episode. I thought that she and Don Grady were believable and managed to progress with a relationship for their characters despite the limited screen time.

[tv star collector]

It's not too late to sign up for the Susan Silo Fan Club. The third issue of the fanzine devoted to this actress will go out by email tomorrow. Membership is FREE. Join up now if you remember this talented performer from her many TV appearances in the sixties, or if you only know her for her current voiceover work in cartoons and commercials. I have received many favorable comments on the fanzine from Susan herself. Using articles, photos and artwork, I have tried to put together a fitting tribute to Susan.

[bencasey]

Wow, I couldn't stand her and I never understood all of the people who went crazy over her or thought she was attractive for that matter.