Shields & Yarnell

[kybearfuzz]

It's very strange the things that make me remember my childhood, especially those hazy years in the mid-1970's. I was lurking around Wikipedia last night and discovered that Lorene Yarnell of the mime-duo Shields & Yarnell had passed away in late July from a cerebral aneurysm at age 66.

My most vivid memory of the duo is from an episode of Wonder Woman, where Yarnell played "Formicida," the only super-powered villain I can recall from the series. Her big brown eyes and extremely wide, toothy smile always seem burned into my memory. Her then hubby Robert Shield was burned into my memory thanks to his furry chest (even back then I liked looking at them, it's true).

The pair had a variety show in 1977. I don't remember specific episodes, but I do remember "The Clinkers," a robotic couple they played with unblinking eyes and jerky, animatronic movements. It seemed to fascinate and creep me out at the same time. The show only lasted one season, but it seemed run in repeats for a bit.

It's when I read things about their careers from their divorce to their still appearing together afterward to Yarnell's demise that I start to feel a bit old. Most of the new folks in my office, those in their 20's, probably have no idea who they are.

Hmmm... maybe I'll break out that Wonder Woman episode on DVD tonight and give it watch. I love a good super-heroine cat-fight, even when they are as campy as that one was.

Comments

[madknits.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm older than you, and I don't remember them at all. But then, I was never really tied into pop culture, especially in the latter end of the 70s.

Though the hairy chest does sound nice.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

I think they were among those celebrities who did the show circuits back then. I thought their variety show was good from what I can remember, but I was also four years old and didn't have discerning tastes (not that I do now really).

And I'll try to get a screen grab of Shields' furry front if I watch Wonder Woman tonight :)

[madknits.livejournal.com]

Hooray! You're too kind.

[braddumm.livejournal.com]

I, too, grew up watching their act on many things on tv. When I turned 40, in 2001, I took a trip to Sedona, AZ. While there, I saw that Shields had advertising on local TV...I don't remember what he was promoting, but he boasted about being a "Sedona Resident" since the days of the Shields and Yarnell act.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

I think he's lived in Sedona for years now and apparently is a local artist, making jewelry and other pieces. I'm not sure how much he acts these days.

[archanglrobriel.livejournal.com]

I had the same reaction when I heard she'd died. I remember seeing them on the Muppet Show and a couple of other kids programs...I think maybe they were also on the Captain and Tenille a few times. Very fuzzy early memories of liking the duo and thinking that what they were doing was kinda cool and weird.
It's strange, being in my early forties, I'm seeing so much of my early childhood go over the falls...it's very disconcerting. But it is nice to have other folks around who are similarly positioned to go "Hey, did you see that last news piece about Yarnell passing away? Remember her?" So thank you for saving me a sidecar seat in your wayback machine.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

It is strange to see those icons, big and small, from our youth fading away (or passing away) like they have. Such is life I suppose. I'm sure our folks went through the same thing.

[dendren.livejournal.com]

what's stranger to me is these icons were so familiar to those of us of a certain age (LOL) but are completely unknown to most anyone born in the 80s or later. Even your (fabulous) icon Fannie Flagg, most prolly only know her from reruns of the match game on game show network. To me Shields and Yarnell, Captain and Tenille, Charles Nelson-Reiley & Brett Sommers, even Sonny and Cher are all big names but nowadays they are rapidly fading into the unknown past. It's so so weird to me to see :P

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Have you read Fannie's novels? They are wonderful. I've always been fond of her, especially knowing she was "family". She was Rita Mae Brown's partner for a long time!

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

I have read some of Fannie's novels. I especially love "Can't Wait to Get to Heaven," which I have on audiobook read by Fannie herself. It's wonderful!

[ironranger1.livejournal.com]

this brings back alot of memories. I always thought she looked alot like Liza Minelli in Cabaret. I remember them on the Carol Burnett show alot too.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

It was one of those rare times on television when a completely unique act broke through ... I watched them. Before I left my job at WF, I mentioned seeing Carol Channing on television. Not a single person I worked with knew who she was or had ever heard of "Hello, Dolly". I worked in the wastelands, I tell you ... a wasteland! LOL!

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

I don't remember mime before that or after really, so it was very unique to me. It was done in such a way that I remember feeling very entertained.

And if it isn't Britney or Paris or whatever the current vapid performer or actress of the day, most people don't know them. Extremely sad..

[epinoid.livejournal.com]

I loved their show - it was really quirky the way I enjoy things.

For some reason this reminded me of another odd show I enjoyed - Pink Lady and Jeff.

[stereobare.livejournal.com]

1977? oh good lord....thats the same year my high school diploma was created

she kind of had a little Liza look going on in that colored photo.