Meet the Missus

A while ago (OK, it was September 2008) I did a couple of posts titled Mr. Mike’s Guide to Misters.  You can find them Here 1  and Here 2. We're all about equality of the sexes here at Mr. Mike's Museum, so now, a mere four years and four months later, we proudly present Mr. Mike’s Guide to Mrs. (the wheels of equality move slowly here, but at least they move).

Mrs. Beasley – Creepy doll belonging to little Buffy Davis (actress Anissa Jones) on the TV series Family Affair.   Look at the photo above – notice Buffy’s blank stare – you know Mrs. Beasley’s has complete control over her. 

Mrs. Brown – she’s got a lovely daughter (don’t believe me? Check out the link below).

Mrs. Butterworth – Words cannot express the love I have for a lady made of artificially flavored syrup.

Mrs. C. – Marion Cunningham – 1950’s mother and housewife portrayed by Marion Ross on the long-running period comedy Happy Days.  Mrs. C. is also the nickname my wife's students have bestowed upon here every year since she married me.

Mrs. Calabash – Wife of the great Jimmy Durante, 20^th century singer, actor, pianist, and comedian. Durante would end his 1940’s radio show with the cryptic tag line “Goodnight Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are.” He continued the practice when his show moved to television in 1950.  In 1966 Durante finally revealed that it was a tribute to his late wife Jean, who died in 1943.  “Calabash” was his pet name for her.  That is probably one of the sweetest show biz stories I’ve ever heard.

Mrs. Claus – She keeps the home fires burning while Santa’s delivering toys to all the good boys and girls. 

Mrs. Columbo – Title character of the short-lived TV spin-off series of the same name.  As played by actress Kate Mulgrew, the Mr. to her Mrs. was Peter Faulk’s famous police lieutenant.

Mrs. Doubtfire – Lovable cross-dressing nanny played by Robin Williams in the 1994 film of the same name.

Mrs. Fields – Refers to both the cookie company and its founder Debbi Fields, who sold the company in the early 90’s.  Mmm chocolate chip cookies.

Mrs. Howell – Aka Lovey, the socialite wife of Thurston Howell III the “millionaire” on the classic 60’s sitcom Gilligan’s Island, played by actress Natalie Schafer. Note: in the 1966 episode “Mr. and Mrs.??” it is revealed her maiden name was Eunice Wentworth.  Go ahead and check.  I’ll wait.

Mrs. King – Amanda King, a divorced housewife whose life gets tangled up with a spy in the 80’s series The Scarecrow and Mrs. King.  Former Charlie’s Angel Kate Jackson (she played the “smart” one) starred along with Bruce Boxleitner who played the Scarecrow of the title). Confession time – I’ve never seen a single episode of this show.

Mrs. Miniver – Academy award winning (Best Picture, Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress) 1942 film starring Greer Garson as the title character.  Mrs. Miniver started life in 1937 in a series of columns published by The Times of London.  The film was followed by a radio series, sequel (The Miniver Story) and television adaptation.

Mrs. Muir – Young widow who falls in love with a ghost (whatever floats your boat) in the 1947 film The Ghost and Mrs. Muir.  She was portrayed by the absolutely stunning Gene Tierney in the film (co-starring Rex Harrison as Captain Daniel Gregg aka the ghost).  Hope Lange (opposite Edward Mulhare) portrayed her on the television series that followed twenty years later.  

Mrs. O’Leary – Catherine O’Leary, Chicago resident whose cow was wrongfully accused of starting the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.  In 1893 the reporter for the Chicago Republican who started the rumor admitted he made it up because it made for colorful copy.  Although the O’Leary barn was the first to be consumed, the exact cause of the fire remains a mystery.

Mrs. Paul – Purveyor of frozen seafood.  Yes, there really was a Mrs. Paul –she was the mother of John Paul who founded the company in 1946 with partner Ed Piszek (just think;   you could have been eating Mrs. Piszek’s fish sticks all these years). 

Mrs. Potato Head – wife of Mr. Potato Head of course (where do you think little spuds come from?)

Mrs. Potts – Anthropomorphic teapot as voiced by Angela Lansbury in Disney’s Academy Award winning Beauty and the Beast.

Mrs. Right – Some guys spend their whole lives looking for her.  I’m one of the lucky ones who found her (isn’t that right honey?)

Mrs. Robinson – The original cougar (“Mrs. Robinson, you’re trying to seduce me”) as portrayed by Anne Bancroft in Mike Nichol’s brilliant 1967 coming of age film, The Graduate.  Mr. Mike Fun Fact:  In real life (as opposed to reel life) Anne Bancroft at 36, was only 6 years older than Dustin Hoffmann who portrayed the 21-year old object of her seduction.

Mrs. Smith – Amanda Smith, a widow with nine children, started baking pies in the 1920’s to support her family.  From those humble beginnings grew one of the largest frozen pie companies in the world.