George Burns' Legacy

8/14/2019 George Burns' Legacy

1/7

Geo rgeBurnsLegacyOld age can be therichest stage of life

By Sunny Merik Lockwood


2/7

Dedicated to those who find life rich and good at every stage.

Copyright 2009 by Merikay McLeodAll Rights Reserved

First electronic publication, June 2009


3/7

In 1980 when I learned that comedian George Burns would perform at

the Flint Center in Cupertino, California, near my home, I immediately

bought tickets. I feared that at his advanced age of 84, he could drop dead

any minute and this might be my last chance to see him perform in person.

And I certainly wanted to see the grand old man of show biz in person.

I had been a fan of George Burns ever since I saw the movie The

Sunshine Boys in 1975. He won an Academy Award for his performance in

that film, and was at the time, the oldest Oscar winner ever.

When his country music album, I Wish I Was 18 Again hit the

charts in 1980, I wrote him a letter expressing gratitude for a lifetime of

laughter inspired by his writing, acting and singing.

He wrote back: Dear Sunny, Thank you for your letter. It was so

complimentary that my toupee no longer fits my head. George Burns.

I could just hear his gravely voice delivering those lines!

When my brother, an ordained minister at the time, asked what I

thought of the 1977 movie Oh God, starring George Burns, all I could say

was, It makes you like God a lot, and absolutely love George Burns.


4/7

George Burns elicited love.

When he walked out on the Flint Center stage that evening, the entire

auditorium audience rose to its feet to applaud the little man in the big cloud

of cigar smoke. We loved him. And it was obvious that he loved us.

His 60-minute performance all about growing old included songs,

stories, jokes, and even a dance. He was very funny his timing perfect, his

lyrics delightful. About half way through, he leaned against a stool while

weaving his tales the only indication that he might be growing tired.

Besides his stories about Gracie, his wife and show biz partner for 38

years, he had a running gag coffee as a metaphor for sex that grew

funnier as his act progressed. He described how when he was young he

loved a steaming pot of coffee at night and sometimes in the morning he

liked a little demitasse, but as the years had passed, the coffee had cooled.

Throughout the show, whenever he mentioned coffee, we laughed. By the

end of his act, we were roaring about his permanently cold coffee.

He seemed to enjoy us and our laughter as much as we were enjoying

him. When his act was over, he stood at the front of the stage drinking in our

applause as smoke from his cigar floated wreath-like around him. Then he

said, Youve been a great audience. I enjoyed myself. Thank you very

much. And he left the stage.


5/7

George Burns was a consummate professional. But more than that, he

was an old person, a really oldold person, who loved life. He didnt

complain about aches and pains, or the losses that accompany aging.

Instead, he reveled in the pleasure of work, the joy of love, the enduring

comfort of friendship, and the ability to have fun, to laugh. These themes

filled his act every act and, through the years, every interview.

Dont retire, he was fond of saying. Do what you love till you

die.

Gracie was as present as if shed been sitting beside him. Stories

about her and their life together flowed through his conversations both on

and off the stage. Stories of his friends and friendships also sparkled through

his patter.

Georges bemused modesty was endearing. He seemed a playful sage

and graceful gentleman as he talked about his passion for work and for his

beloved Gracie. Watching him at the Flint Center, I knew I was witnessing

the show of a lifetime. And, he did not drop dead that year, as I had feared.

Nor did he die for 16 more years.

He continued to perform on stage and appear on television talk shows.

He wrote books. He seemed eternal, and often joked about his longevity,

saying, Im not leaving until after everyone else goes first.


6/7

When, on the morning of March 10, 1996, I heard on the news that he

had died the day before, a sweet sadness filled me. Of course it was time to

go. After 100 years and 49 days he deserved to move on. But I had hoped he

would never leave us. I had hoped he could continue doing what he and we

loved making us laugh forever.

Hearing of his death brought back the Flint Center performance, and

the amazing gift he gave me that night.

Watching him perform with such ease and pleasure, I was totally

caught up in his stories, his memories, his nimble imaginings. I felt happy

for days afterwards, and I knew why because Id seen George Burns do

what he does best. Id watched the master weave his magic.

A few weeks after that show, I was maneuvering my grocery cart

through a crowded store, searching for a short checkout line, when an

elderly woman in the aisle ahead of me brought me to a stop. A slightly

bowed figure, her white curls tumbled over the top of her collar as she

carefully studied a package of cereal, and then studied it some more before

returning it to the shelf and shuffling on. Instead of feeling irritated at her

slow shuffle, I felt love. I wanted to hug her and say, Dont you feel

wonderful to be alive! And arent you lucky to be part of the George Burns


7/7

generation! I almost expected her to burst into song right there in front of

me.

I suddenly realized that for my entire life Id always felt pity when I

saw an old person. But now, I felt love. Now I saw old age as full rather than

empty, as rich with life rather than depleted of youth. George Burns gave me

aging-as-a-positive-experience.

The attitude shift has remained. I am still happy at the sight of an old

person, still filled with a feeling of delight.

The news hour tributes to him the day after he died usually ended with

a film clip of him singing Young At Heart.

But I glimpsed a moment that I believe more accurately represents

what he would have said if hed left us with any parting words. In my

memory he has just completed his performance. The audience is on its feet

applauding. Hes facing them at the edge of the stage, nodding and smiling.

And when the applause lessens, he says, Youve been a great audience. I

enjoyed myself. Thank you very much.

Documents

George Burns' Legacy