Did Billie Burke Really Talk Like That?

[Skywatcher]

@Carryon

Most of us know her as Glinda the Good Witch in the movie “Wizard of Oz,” and have noticed her unusual voice.

I was wondering did she talk like that in real life? I realize that in those golden years of movies that actors/actresses often used a exaggerated accent here and there or for effect but I noticed reviews at the time always comment on her unusual voice.

Apparently she sang like that that as well, and was the inspiration for Herbert Khaury’s “Tiny Tim” persona:

@Eve

I also know where he got it: a few years ago I was watching a 1930s movie with Billie Burke (you remember, Glinda from The Wizard of Oz? Keep that voice in mind). Billie sat down at a piano and started trilling, “ooooh, tip-toe by the window, by the window, that is where I’ll be . . .”

Light bulb goes on over head–that’s where he got it! He was doing a Billie Burke imitation!