The girl who played the role of Mary Agnes (Sue Carson) does not have any other movie credits except for her part in "The Best of Everything". Her site says that she is still alive. Who was she ?...was she related to some director or producer on the film ?.....I just loved her accent.......
shareI just read in that March 2004 issue of Vogue that Sue Carson who played Mary Agnes was a stand-up comic around the New York City nightclubs around 1958-59. I wonder is she is still living...she sure was funny in the movie.....John in Louisiana
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Sue Carson is my mom. She is alive and well and living in Thousand Palms, California. My father passed away several years ago, but she's not exactly living alone --- Her dog, Henry, is an overweight miniature pinscher who can do impersonations (which is what she used to do in her act).
Born in Los Angeles in 1928 (that Bronx accent she used in the movie was just her impression of a Bronx accent), she supported her mother from age 13, working as a dancer. During that time, performing under the name "Tari Vance," she performed with the great one-legged tap dancer, Peg Leg Bates, as well as jazz violinist Joe Venuti, Louis Prima (he had a big band then and they did six shows a day at The Strand Theate in New York), and she was also in George Balanchine's Broadway show, "Dream With Music."
Before Phyllis Diller (but after Martha Raye), she decided to try her hand at comedy, as the pay was a little better. There were very few female comics at that time, but she decided to give it a shot anyway. She changed her name to "Sue Carson" and went on to perform in nightclubs across the country, both as a headliner and as a supporting act, opening for folks like Nat King Cole, Peggy Lee, Jimmmy Rodgers, The Mills Brothers, Johnny Mathis, Kay Starr, and several more stars of the day. She appeared on television in the 1950's on shows such as "The Colgate Comedy Hour," "The Steve Allen Show," "The Jack Paar Show," and was a guest on "The Ed Sullivan Show" eight times.
On an interesting note, one day Ed Sullivan insisted that she do her Lena Horne impression. She refused, saying, "I did that the last time I was on your show. I'd really like to do something different this time." Indignant, he said, "You will do the Lena Horne impression!" She said, "But, I don't want to." He said, "Look, I told the Bolshoi Ballet what steps to do." She said, "You would," then walked off. As a replacement, he got a young lady who wasn't well known at the time. Her name was Carol Burnett.
By the way, if you'd like to see what she looks like today, check out my video ("I'm Eric Donald") on Youtube.com. She has a cameo in it.
This is my wife's account!
stoussmouse....thanks so much for the info on your mom. She is one of my favorite characters in " The Best of Everything ". She did a great job doing that part of Mary Agnes. I wonder why she did not do more films...she is great. I may have seen her in real life...I saw Louie Prima and Keely Smith in New Orleans in the 1960's....Tell her she still has fans like me out here.... John in New Iberia, Louisiana.
" All that there really is to life is what happens next " from The Misfits 1961
Thank you for providing information on Sue Carson. I love "The Best of Everything" and her character of Agnes is one that stands out to me. I enjoyed her portrayal of Agnes. I wish she had made more movies.
It would be great if some bio information can be added on IMDB under Sue Carson. It's currently blank.
Please send her my best from a fan!
Wasn't she a hoot?
She completely stole the scene from Hope Lange.