Wait for Your Laugh

Greetings again from the darkness. Rose Marie. There is a fear that her name and legacy are unknown to many these days, and director Jason Wise (SOMM, 2012) sets out to ensure that this giant of entertainment receives her due. Not many are famous at age 4 and go on to have an 87 year career singing and making people laugh. In fact, she's likely the only one.

A big chunk of the film has 94 year old Rose Marie in the place where she is most comfortable – under the lights, looking directly into the camera. She shares some remarkable stories of her life, and walks us through a time line of the history of entertainment. It's a history in which she played a significant role. We learn about her singing Sophie Tucker songs on stage in 1923 at age 4, and we hear her final credit as a voice actor on "Garfield" in 2013. In between, she received an NBC radio contract at age 5, and proceeded to star in Vaudeville, Radio, Broadway, Las Vegas, the nightclub circuit, and of course, Television. She was often referred to as "one of the boys", but the reality is, she was a trailblazer for women performers.

In addition to Rose Marie's own words, there is insight from Dick Van Dyke, Carl Reiner, Peter Marshall, her daughter Georgana Rodrigues, a long-time close friend, and many others. We learn that her "Uncle Al" was actually what Al Capone suggested she call him, and the other mobsters of the era were just "the boys", all whom "were wonderful" to her. In 1944, during WWII, she met the love of her life. Bobby Guy was the lead trumpet for "The Bing Crosby Show", and an extremely successful musician who played live in big bands, as well as on albums and film soundtracks.

The fascinating stories come fast and furious, and director Wise uses reenactments for some segments and actual photos and clips for others. Rose Marie working opening night with Jimmy Durante at Bugsy Siegel's Flamingo in Las Vegas is particularly compelling, as Mr. Siegel's career and life didn't last much longer than opening weekend. Familiarity strikes once we reach the 1950's boom era for television. A rare clip of Rose Marie's first episode of "Gunsmoke" transitions into her wildly popular run on "The Dick Van Dyke Show" (1961-66). On the movie side, should you find yourself watching Gus Van Sant's PSYCHO, you'll now impress your friends with the knowledge that Rose Marie voiced Norman's mother in that remake.

If this sounds like a recap of her career, you should know this barely scratches the surface, and half the fun is in feeling like she is telling her story directly to us. A 14 year run on "Hollywood Squares" is further testament to her comedic skills and quick wit. Rose Marie is comparable to Lucille Ball and Carol Burnett in both talent and impact, and deserves to be respected as such.

This is a well-made and important documentary about the history of entertainment, one remarkable woman's career, her wonderful and tragic love story, and above all, a lesson in perseverance. At age 94, Rose Marie's mind is razor-sharp despite the failings of her physical body. As she waits for her next job, she proves she can still tell a joke … and that even today, she never has to wait long for the laugh.

Rose Marie was both famous and obscure. By that statement I mean she never became the type of 'star' that remains a 'name' both during and long after a career in entertainment such as Elizabeth Taylor, or Sinatra, or Judy Garland.

But in this documentary we see the amazing talent in singing and comedy Rose Marie brought to the stage, radio, and television. Always capable and professional she entertained thousands over many decades! This delightful docu once again places her in the limelight for generations that remember her and generations that never heard of her.

Aren't you sick of docs that take you to the front line of war? Or how America sucks, or some social justice garbage only to pander to injustices Oscar voters lap up? "Wait For Your Laugh" is NONE of that. It is a celebration of a woman who had a LONG career didn't focus on the politics of the world and chose to put her head down and...work. If there were justice in this world, this is the movie women should watch to see how a real tough person survived child star to voice actress. And she did it with focus. And that's the one thing that may also be its own undoing. Because Academy voters love misery. This is not to say Rose Marie didn't have her own painful moment in life, but the message most people don't want to hear is that you aren't the victim and you can write your history. In Rose Marie's case it is LONG. The longest entertainment career. I have to repeat for the cheap seats, Rose Marie is woman who has entertained for 80 years. This message seems to be lost on the recent events of equality. Because, let's face it, Rose Marie isn't self-destructive Marilyn Monroe. Or Amy Winehouse. Rose Marie isn't Madonna or (thankfully) Khardashian. She is a working entertainer that is happiest entertaining people. How more noble is that? Yes, there are flaws, which is most likely to condense the epic career she's had. But overall, go see something that makes your faith in entertainment on the good side again. There's been so much revealed about the movie industry now that is so ugly. See something beautiful, like this flick.

I had no idea of this women's huge contribution to the entertainment industry until I seen this documentary. I knew her as the wise cracking side kick along with buddy as the co-writers in the Dick Van Dyke show.. She was hilarious.. On Hollywood squares, I thought, funny, but kinda sad. I had know idea of her career.. After watching this documentary, I was so impressed by her. Such a lovely woman. I immediately tried to tell everyone to watch this film, but sadly it's to late. I don't think she ever got the recognition she deserved. The so called celebrities of today,, pufff. They have know idea what it took back then.. Sit back and watch this.. If your not impressed or in tears by the end , check your pulse.

As well as lovers of the Dick Van Dyke Show--we see the whole cast in color film taken on the set during rehearsals. And if you're interested in how Las Vegas became the neon capital of the world, you'll like the early 8 millimeter color footage of the opening of the Flamingo Hotel, and Rose Marie tells of her relationship with Bugsy Siegel and other mob guys. A well-made documentary that covers her whole nine decade career, including her 20 year marriage to trumpeter Bobby Guy.