Carol who?

--in a nut shell--

Carol Haney was a talented song and dance lady who worked in the musical industry in the 40s to the early 60s. Born in New Bedford, Mass. in 1924, she was assistant to three of the most notable figures in dance- first with Jack Cole, then Gene Kelly and later Bob Fosse. Her one big claim to fame was her Tony winning performance in the Broadway musical "The Pajama Game", in 1954. Diagnosed with diabetes in 1956, Carol, her body already weakened by the ailment, died way before her time at 39 in 1964 of Bronchial Pneumonia.

In addition-

In correspondence with Carol's family, here's what I had to say about Carol's achievements, from hearing that publishers were not positive in attitude on hearing that a member of Miss Haney's relative is in the process of writing a book on her life. Here's what I found myself saying in one of my e-mails to her, and I wouldn't change a word:

Firstly, Miss Haney, as far as I know, is even considered by some as even a greater dancer than Verdon, Rivera and the rest, only impaired by the lack of good luck and good parts in her short career (e.g. this list, compiled by a forum of experienced theatre and arts critics.)

Secondly, Miss Haney worked with three of the greatest jazz and dance talents that ever lived in the 20th century, as you know, Cole, Kelly and Fosse, and memories of her time with those masters will be useful knowledge to students of dance.

Thirdly, like you said before, Miss Haney influenced the careers of the likes of household names Fosse, Rivera, Caron, Reynolds, Charrise, MacLaine (?) etc. and so many others on Broadway, film and beyond.

Finally, Miss Haney's choreography is the subject of study of many university dance courses in America, and there should be a text that students can go to, to learn about her work and life. Sure, Miss Haney may not be as famous a dancer or choreographer as Gene Kelly or Bob Fosse, and didn't live as long as the likes of the seemingly indestructible Katherine Hepburn (she's nearing 100!), but there definitely needs to be a book written on the contributions of Miss Haney to the world of dance (Incidentally, there's no book on Gwen Verdon)...

A product of procrastination- how I discovered the work of Carol Haney

This piece of writing is in the tradition of celebrity fan club self- introductions: How did you discover so and so? My story is a tale of coincidences and fate (Add yours in the Guestbook facility found at the bottom of the index page):

Early in my childhood I had discovered the Doris Day film "Calamity Jane", and when we begun receiving foxtel in 1998-99 foxtel showed the film one night and I decided to watch it again. Newly aquaintanted with the sweet voice of Howard Keel, I tried to explore his films by taping "Kiss me Kate". I found that film rather unbearable because of Kathryn Grayson (not a biggie for opera squealing), but some how that tape was never taped over! Whilst I continued to discover the work of Doris Day I taped "Tea For Two", which was apparently Bill Collin's (legend Australian classic film presenter) favourite Doris Day movie. I had taped all those films, not even knowing that Carol was in them! Then of course I fell in love with the work of Gene Kelly in late 1999 and collected many of his films, including "On The Town", "Summer Stock" and "Invitation to the Dance" through cable. Reading about Kelly's films I knew the name of Carol Haney as purely one of Gene's assistants who died really young. Later, while watching a Shirley Maclaine documentary (I had watched "Steel Magnolias" because of Dylan MacDermott from The Practice!), the name of Carol Haney was brought up again (broadway folklore). Initially when Maclaine sung a line of "Hey There" and did the clonk clonk fizzzz from "Steam Heat" I had no idea of what she was singing or meaning to sing...

Then came university. Still enthralled with Gene Kelly, I decided to base three assignments on musicals so I could read as much as I could about him! Carol's name came up more and more times, until one day, I read from a Stanley Donen biography that poor Carol was overlooked for Cyd Charrise's role from the ballet in "Singin in the Rain". Trying to find out more on this movie "The Pajama Game" that she appeared in, I found out that Carol was the originator of one of the songs I sang with a junior musical theatre company (Hernando's Hideaway), and that we also performed the song "Racing with the Clock" from "The Pajama Game". Also, an adaptation of "Hernando's Hideaway" by the Johnson Brothers (featured in the 'Snatch' soundtrack) was used for the Winter 2002 David Jones fashion parade which I attended. Later on, I found that the high school big band that I played drums in during senior year, played Duke Ellington's "Satin Doll", the musical backing of the well known piece of choreography that Carol devised.

So I decided to do a bit of reading about this talent, but discovered there were no webpages on her life or career except one by linda, who maintains a website on Carol's husband, Larry Blyden. As a result, this page- a product of assignment procrastination, as well as a want to "broadcast" on the web, information on this enormous talent of a shortlived performer- was born!