Hi Errol,
Thank you for sharing your remembrance of meeting Susan after her appearance on the Joey Bishop show.
I can't believe that was 43 years ago-it seems like
only yesterday. You indicated that other things
occurred that night as well;will you share them some-time? I remember reading somewhere that Susan requested that Don Rickles also be a guest that evening;if not,it does seem probable that given his
reputation and particular brand of 'humor'someone must
have cleared his appearance with her in advance. I do
recall he mentioned that she came to see him perform
when he was just getting started in show business;
he said he appreciated that-does that mean she was a fan? I also remember her response to his question of
why she took the role in "Valley Of The Dolls"- I
assumed that her reply indicated that she did not take
the film or herself seriously. If all this is true,
then he probably didn't know what 'hit him' backstage
after the show. Please don't get me wrong-I totally
agree that Rickles was a CREEP. I never appreciated
his humor and Susan owed him nothing. But that being
said,it never hurts to be gracious and rise above
the common -in this case the very common Rickles.
However,she may have thought that he would have
interpreted that as encouragement. I have adored Susan
since I was 12-55 years ago and I'm not about to change now. However,I've always wished that she had
been more benevolent in her dealings with others.
Apparently,she alienated many of her peers through
the years,though the people of Carrollton,Ga seemed
to have had great affection for her. I hope this post
doesn't offend you. Of course,she had her 'issues'
and I never walked in her shoes nor was I fortunate
enough to be backstage that night. If I had been,I'm
sure I wouldn't be able to form a word! In the final analysis,there was no one like her. And finally,Errol,
since you actually saw her,was she as gorgeous as
her fans always felt she was?

HI Elaine...First off..there is no reason for me to make this story up! Whether it was something else that happened, that night, or if it was what he said on the show to her...she did give him 'the cold shoulder'. I also feel Susan was not the kind to have guys 'put the make' on her. I do not blame Susan for acting as she did toward him and gave her credit for giving him the
'brush-off'.

I really don't think I want to share any more from that night, since it didn't seem to be interesting enough, when first written..to add to the site..and this seems to prove that to be true.

To answering your question on...'was Susan as beautiful as she seemed to be'...the answer is a BIG YES! Guess that might have been why I just stood and stared, as long as I did, before ever saying a word.