Biography

My husband and I have the same question as "Outnaway" about the photo of the woman in the lower right of the collection of pictures for the "Biography" channel. I personally doubt that the lady is anyone "Outnaway" lists as possibilities in his/her comment, for all that there is a distinct resemblance to Hollywood Golden Age actress Greer Garson. My guess is that the individual might Irene Dunne, a different Hollywood Golden Age actress, because Miss Dunne was involved in work for the United Nations in her later years and was the first woman to hold such an office at the U. N. However, I do hope someone can give all of us the correct answer.

Biography made superb use of newsreel footage, while Wallace's narration was pitched to an adult intelligence, never telling you what you were seeing, but letting the pictures speak for themselves.

Revisionists might argue with some of the subjects, but Biography managed to present in 30 minutes an elegant encapsulation of an important life (and no, Wallace didn't tell you "what to think.) I wish these were made available for young people to learn about the century just past.

American TV has come a long way down from Biography to the dumbed-down biographies on A&E.

While the beautiful and multi-talented actress/inventor doesn't have her own dedicated "Biography" episode, the image at lower right of the title screen nevertheless bears a close resemblance to Hedy Lamarr. In nearly all of Lamarr's images, she parts her brunette tresses down the middle while presenting a pouty mein. And no one can argue with her credibility for a Biography episode - GPS, Bluetooth, & Wi-Fi all trace their origins to her "Frequency-Hopping Spread Spectrum" wartime invention. I couldn't find an exact replica of the image in the Biography title, but all of her online photos more than match it for pure loveliness.

Please, someone help me. In the end credits, who is the mystery woman at the lower right? Greer Garson? Marie Curie? Sarah Bernhardt or Tallulah Bankhead?

This is puzzled me since 1978 when, stoned out of my mind, I used to watch this at 4:30 AM on Sunday mornings on WPIX right after reruns of Groucho. Let me go to my grave with an answer.

I know it's not Eleanor Roosevelt, Mary Todd Lincoln, Mary Baker Eddy, Madam Blavatsky, Eva Braun, Mrs. Chang Kai Sheik, Annie Oakley, Little Orphan Annie, Judy Garland, Waylon Flowers and Madam, Marjorie Main, Thelma Ritter, Thelma Todd or Margaret Hamilton.

I have such vivid memories of Mike Wallace's 'Biography' series. I wholewheartedly agree with Ms. Sanchez' sentiments, which were posted earlier.

The series ran from 1961 - 1964, but I am so grateful that one of our local NYC TV stations aired daily repeats (in the early mornings) of this wonderful, informative series.

It is, largely due to this series, that I, myself, got so involved in History.

I mourn Mr. Wallace's passing (1918-2012), but will always be grateful for his 'Biography' TV series.