The source of Gracie Allen's political debut appears somewhat shrouded amidst the random energy and the needful confusion behind creating such a successful promotional event.
An edition of Gracie Allen for President 1940
(1999)
Gracie Allen for President 1940
Vote With the Surprise Party
by William Carroll and Charles Lofgren
- 0 Ratings
- 0 Want to read
- 0 Currently reading
- 0 Have read
Share
×Close
As a gag for "The George Burns and Gracie Allen" radio show, it was announced that flaky housewife Allen was running for President of the United States of America as a member of The Surprise Party. The joke snowballed and a reluctant Allen found herself embarking on a cross-country political campaign tour via train. The stunt became so epic that Mrs. Burns actually received some write-in votes in that year's election, making her the first contender for female President of the United States.
Here journalist William Carroll amasses the original train schedules and various itineraries with a collection of photos taken at stops during their political rallies (focusing more on the people and places along the way than on Burns & Allen), along with the text from Charles Lofgren's "How to Become President," an ephemeral promotional book which was credited to Allen.
Check nearby libraries
Buy this book
Previews available in: English
Subjects
Political, Presidential Campaign, Humor, Comedy, Politics, Political activityPeople
Gracie Allen, George BurnsTimes
1940Showing 1 featured edition. View all 1 editions?
| Edition | Availability |
|---|---|
1
Gracie Allen for President 1940: Vote With the Surprise Party
December 1, 1999, Coda Publications
Paperback
in English
091039055X 9780910390552
|
aaaa
Libraries near you:
WorldCat
|
Book Details
First Sentence
"The source of Gracie Allen's political debut appears somewhat shrouded amidst the random energy and the needful confusion behind creating such a successful promotional event."
Table of Contents
Behind the Scenes.
How Gracie became involved in the nation's most delightful political spoof
Page 7
Union Pacific Campaign Train Schedule.
Detailed to the minute; The Burns and Allen Show whistle-stopped the Presidential campaign during its run from Los Angeles to Omaha
Page 16
Omaha's Program of Week-Long Events.
From Sunday to Sunday, May 12 to May 19, there was something happening every day during Omaha's Golden Spike Days of 1940.
Page 64
How to Become President.
As a promotional piece, there was a limited edition of Gracie Allen's thoughts on Presidential Campaigning. Her ideas could well apply to every individual seeking the office. Here they are.
Page 72
Chapter 1.
Government Jobs Pay Big Money
Page 72
Chapter 2.
Others Make Good, Why Not You?
Page 76
Chapter 3.
Why a Woman President? Well, Why?
Page 80
Chapter 4.
How to Attract Attention and Be Drafted
Page 84
Chapter 5.
Issues and How to Pick Them
Page 88
Chapter 6.
How Not to Offend Any Body
Page 94
Chapter 7.
Buying a Good Used Platform
Page 98
Chapter 8.
Secrets of Unsuccessful Speech-Making
Page 104
Chapter 9.
How to Shake Hands and Make It Stick
Page 110
Chapter 10.
Five Good Games to Play at a Convention
Page 114
Chapter 11.
Where to Spend Election Night
Page 120
Chapter 12.
To the Victor Belongs the Spoiled (Hints on Remodeling the White House)
Page 126
The Surprise Party National Convention in Omaha.
The careful programming of the convention, with Burns and Allen's radio show, is detailed in this reproduction of cue sheets which controlled every aspect of the presentation.
Page 132
Classifications
The Physical Object
ID Numbers
Excerpts
added anonymously.
Community Reviews (0)
Feedback?
| December 1, 2020 | Edited by MARC Bot | import existing book |
| November 19, 2016 | Edited by Vinnie Rattollee | tag |
| November 19, 2016 | Edited by Vinnie Rattollee | Edited without comment. |
| November 18, 2016 | Edited by Vinnie Rattollee | Summary, rewriting. |
| December 9, 2009 | Created by WorkBot | add works page |