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1948-2003 Never 'Mean to Me' |
 From left: Ann Jillian, Dean Martin, Nell Carter at a Dean Martin Celebrity Roast |
Mourning the sudden loss
of a friend named Nell
By ANDY MURCIA
of TheColumnists.com
All schools have some kind of alumni group–even frat houses and the like-- but in show business you usually belong to the "class" of those performers that sort of start out together.
When you cross paths with someone from your "class," you usually exchange passionate hugs, warm smiles, hasty conversations and the ever-present question: “Are you working?”
This was the sort of relationship my wife, Ann Jillian, and I had with dear Nell Carter. She was from our "class" of people trying to “make it big” in show business.
I was listening to my radio the other day when a news flash came over: Nell had been found dead in her home at only age 54. "Natural causes" the radio report said. Of course, I was sad to hear this.
I first met Nell when she was appearing on Broadway in “Ain’t Misbehaving,” playing the role that won her a Tony award. It was sort of odd how I met her. You see, Ann was also appearing on Broadway in “Sugar Babies” with Mickey Rooney. After I walked Ann to the old Mark Hellinger Theatre to do her show, I was sort of “off duty” until it was time to pick her up. To kill time I would go see other shows.
I watched most shows, but only the second half. Because funds were limited, I could not afford to buy even discounted tickets to all the shows. I would just walk back into the theatre after intermission with the house of paid customers, I’d quickly spot an empty seat and slide into it.
I saw Richard Gere playing a homosexual in “Bent" by doing that and I watched as Patti LaPone sang “Don’t Cry For Me, Argentina” in “Evita”–well, you get the picture. So, here I was way too early for intermission to get into “Ain’t Misbehaving” but as I walked by the theatre I spotted Nell Carter arriving for work. Thought I’d say hi. Okay, I also was hoping she’d invite me to see her show. I introduced myself as Ann Jillian’s husband and manager. Nell could not have been nicer.
"Have you seen my show, baby?” she asked. I said "no," so she asked me if I had time right then and I said sure. She said she’d have a ticket for me at the will call and told me to give Ann a big hug for her.
Nell said, “I been hearing 'bout that girl. Word is she got it, baby.”
I said, “Yeah, and we know you got it, Nell. Can’t wait to see your show.”
Nell walked in the Artists entrance, and a fine Artist she was. Well, I watched the show that night–Nell blew me away! When she sang “Mean To Me” and strutted to the Fats Waller score everyone in the theatre got that special feeling that comes along all too seldom, we all just knew that Nell was going places. I couldn’t wait to pick Ann up that night and tell her about how nice Nell Carter was to me.
Cut to; Los Angeles, the old "John Davidson Show": Band rehearsal. Ann is guesting on John’s show, and as we arrive with our conductor, we hear and see Nell Carter just finishing her rehearsal time with the band. Hugs and quick conversations take place–and as Ann starts her song rehearsal, Nell is standing by me, watching.
“Andy, I might need you, baby," she says to me. "These people messin' wit' me.”
“You know, I only handle Ann," I told her, "but I’ll step up for you now.”
She said, “Let me see if I need you. You gonna be around here?”
I said I’d be there. Seems Nell felt she got a fast shuffle with the band rehearsal because she didn’t have her own conductor–she was not happy. I knew the show runners pretty well by now so I went to them and got Nell some more rehearsal time. I told them Ann arrived early just so she could see what her friend Nell was singing before she picked the tune she would sing. Ann was hot back then, so the show producers granted my request. I went and got Nell and she got her time with the band. Nell gave me a big hug, she knew I went to bat for her.
Cut to a "Dick Clark Special" from Philadelphia Ann and Nell were appearing on this special. It was July 4th, and hot as hell in Philadelphia. We were taping the show outdoors and they had a makeshift backstage area not far from the Liberty Bell. Ann was about to go on and we were waiting, hearing Nell’s so recognizable voice singing–and the audience was going wild with applause as she bounced off stage, sweat rolling off her large, heaving bosom.
I went over to her and I will never forget that hug. I gave Nell my hankie, she dabbed her eyes and said, “Hey baby! How you and Ann doin? Where she at?” I said; “Nell it’s so good to see you, you killed them baby. Ann goes on next, she’s in position, she has to follow you!” Nell gave me a another hug, but this time she laid her head on my chest, and just lingered there. I asked if she was okay, she said slowly and sadly; “I got troubles, baby. Seems every time I see you I got troubles.”
Later on Ann and I spoke with Nell. She was having man troubles something about he was from another country and Nell was sad by their long separation, etc. I never knew her man, but Nell told me he was white and very independent. We felt sorry to see her so sad. We had a cold drink and her people came and took her back to her hotel.
Cut to Las Vegas–Nell is hot, starring in her own series, “Gimme A Break” on NBC. She and Ann Jillian were guests on one of those "Dean Martin Celebrity Roast" TV shows. They exchanged a hallway hug at the old MGM hotel and a little quick conversation.
Cut to NBC network meeting with a top executive–he was telling us about how he had found Nell on the floor of her home–near death from an overdose of something – and had saved her life. We asked him to please have her call us, we’d love to see her. Well, we never did see Nell again. I always had the feeling that she was so sad in her personal life, but I know she loved her children and they were a great source of joy for her.
Nell’s weight problem, her diabetes and other problems I guess took their toll on this terrific lady. Nell gave her all when she performed. She could swing any house and make you feel it. If Nell didn’t turn you on, you ain’t got no switches. I’m happy to report that I’ve been told Nell was NOT misbehaving when she died. She was clean and in rehearsal for a new stage show.
Nell, we will all miss you, baby. You were always so nice to Ann Jillian and you were never “mean to me.” God bless you.
©2003 by Andy Murcia. The photo of Ann Jillian, Dean Martin and Nell Carter is the property of the author.
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