Ann B. Davis

Actress


The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About
About this interview

In her one-and-a-half-hour interview, Ann B. Davis (1926-2014) talks about her early years working in theater and her first big break in television, playing the role of "Schultzy" in the 1950s sitcom The Bob Cummings Show, the role for which she was most well-known in her early career. She describes her work on that series in great detail as well as describing her appearances on such series as The Perry Como Show and Arthur Murray's Dance Party, and two 1960s series on which she was a regular: the musical-variety series The Keefe Brasselle Show and the sitcom The John Forsythe Show. Finally, Davis speaks about the series for which she is most remembered, The Brady Bunch. She talks about playing the role of housekeeper "Alice" and her memories of shooting the series including descriptions of each cast member and anecdotes about the series' production. Davis also talks about the Brady phenomenon and the reception she has received from fans of the show. Karen Herman conducted the interview on March 13, 2004 in Studio City, CA.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"I remember my first 'demographic report' on the 'Brady Bunch.' I was with a friend, who told her little girl, 'honey, you remember Shultzy?' The girl said, 'that's not Schultzy, that's Alice!' I knew that we were coming along....  Today, people with three-piece suits and briefcases suddenly become twelve when they're walking by me. That just breaks me up and I love it!" 

People Talking About ...
Highlights
Ann B. Davis on the talent of Florence Henderson
00:44
Ann B. Davis on describing the dynamic between her character "Schultzy" and "Bob Collins"
01:14
Ann B. Davis on the introduction of "Sam" on The Brady Bunch
01:05
Ann B. Davis on creating backstory for "Alice," based on her own life
01:10
Ann B. Davis on what she likes about working on television
00:31
Full Interview

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Chapter 1

On her childhood; on working as an actress in community theater
On getting cast as "Schultzy" on The Bob Cummings Show, aka Love That Bob; describing the show and the characters
On Bob Cummings, George Burns, producer Paul Henning, and other cast members of The Bob Cummings Show
On the writers of The Bob Cummings Show -- and writers in general; on specific episodes of the show

Chapter 2

On winning two Emmys for The Bob Cummings Show, fans, and working in theater   
On her numerous other television appearances, such as Wagon Train, The Arthur Murray Party and The Keefe Brasselle Show
On her process, and being a supporting actress
On The Brady Bunch: hair, Florence Henderson and Robert Reed

Chapter 3

On working with the child actors on The Brady Bunch
On Sherwood Schwartz and Lloyd Schwartz
On some of her memorable Brady Bunch episodes and the introduction of Alice's love interest, Sam
On the numerous Brady spinoffs and feature film
On retiring, her Christian family, her charitable work, her biggest career achievements
Shows

Arthur Murray Party, The

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Ann B. Davis on dancing with Arthur Murray in a guest appearance on his show
00:31

Bob Cummings Show, The aka Love That Bob

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Ann B. Davis on getting the part of "Schultzy" on Love That Bob, and what she likes about working on television
01:51
Ann B. Davis on describing the dynamic between her character "Schultzy" and "Bob Collins"
01:14
Ann B. Davis on her fond feeling toward George Burns, who was involved in the production of The Bob Cummings Show, aka Love That Bob
03:09
Ann B. Davis on working with Don Knotts on The Bob Cummings Show, aka Love That Bob
01:20

Brady Brides, The

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Ann B. Davis on The Brady Brides
01:02

Brady Bunch Hour, The

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Ann B. Davis on The Brady Bunch Hour
00:52

Brady Bunch, The

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Ann B. Davis on getting the part of "Alice" while doing a nightclub act in Seattle
01:41
Ann B. Davis on naming the show -- The Brady Brood or Bunch ?
00:32
Ann B. Davis on figuring out the hair color of the show's characters
01:22
Ann B. Davis on creating backstory for "Alice," based on her own life
01:04
Ann B. Davis on the talent of Florence Henderson
00:44
Ann B. Davis on working with Robert Reed
02:10
Ann B. Davis on working with the child actors on The Brady Bunch
08:21
Ann B. Davis on Brady Bunch episodes including "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore" and "Cousin Emma"
02:24
Ann B. Davis on the introduction of "Sam" on The Brady Bunch
01:05
Ann B. Davis on the ending of The Brady Bunch and on the longevity of the series' popularity
02:34
Ann B. Davis on The Brady Bunch Movie
01:16

Bradys, The

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Ann B. Davis on The Bradys
00:37

John Forsythe Show, The

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Ann B. Davis on her appearance on The John Forsythe Show
01:42

Keefe Brasselle Show, The

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Ann B. Davis on being a regular on The Keefe Brasselle Show, and remembering Barbra Streisand perform as a guest on the show, pre-stardom, and the immediate understanding of her talent
03:35

Wagon Train

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Ann B. Davis on her guest appearance on Wagon Train
00:43
Topics

Comedy

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Ann B. Davis on working with Don Knotts on The Bob Cummings Show, aka Love That Bob
01:18

Emmy Awards

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Ann B. Davis on winning two Emmys for The Bob Cummings Show, aka Love That Bob
01:03

Fame and Celebrity

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Ann B. Davis on her celebrity
03:39

Pop Culture

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Ann B. Davis on her role as "Schulzty" on The Bob Cummings Show, aka Love That Bob, and her appearance on Eddie Cantor Comedy Theater
01:40
Ann B. Davis on the longevity of The Brady Bunch's continuing popularity
01:50
Professions

Actress

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Ann B. Davis on her sense of gratitude toward writers
01:56

Performers

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Ann B. Davis on her sense of gratitude toward writers
01:56
Genres

Comedy Series

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Ann B. Davis on the longevity of The Brady Bunch's continuing popularity
03:39
People

Barbra Streisand

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Ann B. Davis on watching Barbra Streisand perform in 1963 on The Keefe Brasselle Show, when Davis was a regular on the program, and the immediate understanding of Streisand's talent
02:04

Barry Williams

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Ann B. Davis on Barry Williams  
01:03

Bob Cummings

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Ann B. Davis on the relationship between "Schultzy" and "Bob Collins" on The Bob Cummings Show, aka Love That Bob
01:09
Ann B. Davis on her working relationship with Bob Cummings on The Bob Cummings Show, aka Love That Bob
01:52
Ann B. Davis on advice she received from fans about how to "get" Bob romantically
00:34

Christopher Knight

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Ann B. Davis on Christopher Knight  
01:13

Don Knotts

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Ann B. Davis on working with a cold and shivering Don Knotts on The Bob Cummings Show, aka Love That Bob
01:18

Dwayne Hickman

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Ann B. Davis on working with a very young Dwayne Hickman on The Bob Cummings Show, aka Love That Bob
00:29

Eddie Cantor

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Ann B. Davis on one of her first appearances on television, on the Eddie Cantor Comedy Theater, before getting her regular role on The Bob Cummings Show, aka Love That Bob
00:39

Eve Plumb

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Ann B. Davis on Eve Plumb
00:56

Florence Henderson

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Ann B. Davis on the talent of Florence Henderson
00:44

George Burns

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Ann B. Davis on her fond feeling toward George Burns when she worked on The Bob Cummings Show, aka Love That Bob
03:09
Ann B. Davis on advice from George Burns on not rehashing characters she's played in other venues
00:59

John Forsythe

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Ann B. Davis on her appearance on The John Forsythe Show
01:42

Leslie Nielsen

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Ann B. Davis on appearing in a dramatic role with Leslie Nielsen
00:59

Lloyd J. Schwartz

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Ann B. Davis on how the young cast of The Brady Bunch was treated
01:46
Ann B. Davis on Lloyd Schwartz
01:09

Maureen McCormick

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Ann B. Davis on Maureen McCormick
00:48

Mike Lookinland

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Ann B. Davis on Mike Lookinland
00:12

Nancy Kulp

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Ann B. Davis on Nancy Kulp's guest appearance on The Bob Cummings Show, aka Love That Bob, and how George Burns, who was involved in the production of the show, subtly tweaked the episode
00:55

Paul Henning

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Ann B. Davis on her working relationship with Paul Henning on The Bob Cummings Show, aka Love That Bob
01:28

Richard Deacon

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Ann B. Davis on getting free drinks by doing spontaneous comedy dance numbers with Richard Deacon at Ciro's in West Hollywood
00:50

Robert Reed

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Ann B. Davis on working with Robert Reed
02:10

Sherwood Schwartz

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Ann B. Davis on Sherwood Schwartz
01:28

Susan Olsen

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Ann B. Davis on Susan Olsen 
01:28

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