Actress Like Character She Plays

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31041, 22 April 1966, Page 2

Actress Like Character She Plays

There is a temperamental similarity between Dolly Levi and Carole Cook. Dolly Levi is the principal lead in the musical, “Hello Dolly,” which will open for a short season in Christchurch on May 13; Carole Cook is the American film and television actress who plays the part of Dolly.

She was born in Abilene, Texas, and her real name is Mildred Cook. The comedienne, Lucille Ball, of “I Love Lucy” fame was responsible for bringing her to Hollywood.

Miss Ball decided that Mildred was no name for an up-and-coming actress. One day the two were dining at an Italian restaurant and Miss Ball decided Mildred reminded her of the late Carole Lombard.

She scrawled the name . Carole Cook on the tablecloth . and announced that it suited Miss Cook’s lively person--1 ality so Mildred became Cars ole. Like Miss Ball. Carole Cook • has red hair and more than a passing resemblance, both ini

temperament and physique to Miss Ball. Carole Cook always wanted to be an actress and attended Baylor University, which has a well-known drama department. She went to New York after completing her education, but her first job was I with a brassiere company. Then she won a talent I quest at a New York club and was given a week’s booking by the managers. The next step came at an audition where, in time-honoured tradition. Carole Cook caught the eye of a director who cast her in a sombre role in “American Gothic,” with Jason Robards. Then came the role of Mrs Peachum in the “Three Penny Opera” and an eight-month run in a well-known New York night club, the Versailles. There she was seen by lEd Sullivan and signed for 'three appearances on his television show. After appearing in several musicals, she went to Hollywood to take part in the Desilu Review. Parts in other Desilu productions followed, and then Carole Cook was chosen for Thornton Wilder’s “The Matchmaker” on which “Hello Dolly” is based. Before being signed for “Hello Dolly,” Carole Cook completed two films, “The Incredible Mr Limpet,” and “Palm Springs Weekend.” Lucille Ball is also grooming her for her own national television series. Carole Cook is married to a stage and television actor, Tom Troupe.

Kainga C.W.L— Officers elected at the annual meeting of the Kainga Country Women's Institute are.—President, Mrs W. Bulls: vice-presidents, Mesdames N. Frew, B. Johnstone; secretary, Mrs U. Purves; treasurer, Mrs W. Donald; committee, Mesdames E. Velke, D, Nicolson. B. Platts, G. Buckett. S. Chick, M. Semmens, G. Moore.