Welcome to another Wildcard Wednesday! Two weeks ago, I did a tribute post to two ladies who had birthdays within one day of each other. Today we must pay tribute to two more ladies — this time they’re both of the theatre (and share the SAME birthday). Know who they are?

Tallulah Bankhead (01/31/1902 – 12/12/1968)

I did a Tallulah tribute post months ago on this blog and shared the majority of my goodies, so I don’t have anything earth-shatteringly rare to present today. However, I shall be coy and tell you that there may be something Tallulah related next week. (Hint. Hint.) And we will one day — not in the near future but in the distant future — cover her six Pre-Code films. But today, I just want to share an audio clip of Tallulah and Danny Kaye performing “How Could You Believe Me (When I Said I Love You When You Know I’ve Been A Liar All My Life)?” from the 1951 film Royal Wedding on a January 1951 episode of The Big Show. This particular recording has been released on CD. Tallulah wasn’t known for her singing — but wow — could she put on a delightful performance!

Carol Channing (01/31/1921 – Present)

While Tallulah was known for her straight (if you’ll pardon the expression) plays, this lady is known for her contributions to musical comedy and two roles in particular: Lorelei Lee in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1949) [and later Lorelei (1974)] and Dolly Gallagher Levi in Hello, Dolly! (1964). Today, I want to share with you a bit from one of the first bootleg audios in existence — a June 1952 audio of the National Tour of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Here’s Carol Channing singing the COMPLETE “Just A Little Girl From Little Rock.” (Subscribe and comment for access to the full recording.) Not even Marilyn Monroe could mine the laughs that Carol got from this role — have a listen. (And if you haven’t read the book it’s based on, I highly recommend it; it’s quite funny!)

Come back next Wednesday for a new Wildcard post! And tune in tomorrow for the last set of Xena honorable mentions!