Arlene Harris

Arlene Harris (July 7, 1896 – June 12, 1976) was a Canadian-born American radio, film, and television actress. (Another source gives her date of birth as July 7, 1898.)^[1] She was best known for her role as "the human chatterbox" on Al Pearce's radio program.^[1]

Early years

Harris was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and was educated primarily in England.^[2] During the first three years of Harris's life, she was unable to hear.^[3] At age 5, she was entertaining her family with comedy sketches. When she was older, she "branched out into the art of impersonating."^[4]

Vaudeville

Harris toured in vaudeville as Arlene Francis in the 1920s.^[1] She had to retire after being injured in an automobile accident, but the Great Depression in the United States caused her to return to entertaining—this time in radio.^[1]

Radio

Before her career in film, Harris was well known as a comic actress on the radio program, The Chatterbox.

She first appeared on radio on KFWB in Hollywood, California.^[1] She was a regular on Al Pearce and His Gang,^[5] where she was known as "The Human Chatterbox" in monologues that involved telephone conversations with an unheard friend.^[6] A CBS statistician once calculated that she averaged four words per second during one of her rapid-fire monologues.^[3] She also co-starred with Pearce in Here Comes Elmer.^[7]

Harris played Mummy Higgins on The Baby Snooks Show^[1] and was heard on Ina Ray Hutton's program^[6] and Fare for Ladies.^[8]

Television

Harris played herself in an episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show in 1964,.^[9][10] She also appeared on Panorama Pacific and made guest appearances on several TV programs.^[11]

Recognition

Harris has a star at 6250 Hollywood Boulevard in the Radio section of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It was dedicated February 8, 1960.^[12]

Personal life

Harris was married to Dr. Harry G. Harris.^[4]

Death

Harris died June 12, 1976, at the