# Martha Raye's comment **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 8, 2025, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martha-rayes-comment/1015308 "2025-03-08T21:27:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2025, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martha-rayes-comment/1015308/1 "2025-03-08T21:27:17Z")
Reference in a Wapo article says that Martha Raye made an “unprintable” comment upon first seeing a Ford Edsel. I can’t find any reference to it but I’m curious. Anybody know? ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2025, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martha-rayes-comment/1015308/2 "2025-03-08T21:39:39Z")
Don’t know about Martha Raye, but I saw an old Perry Mason episode a couple days ago, where someone drives up in an Edsel. No one was giggling or making unprintable comments. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2025, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martha-rayes-comment/1015308/3 "2025-03-08T22:00:06Z")
It’s in the book according to the review. There’s a preview on Amazon but I didn’t notice any mention of Raye. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2025, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martha-rayes-comment/1015308/4 "2025-03-09T00:21:17Z")
The book is _It Seemed Like a Bad Idea at the Time_ by Bruce Villanch. p. 121. The quote is “cunt with headlights.” Yes, I have the book. ---
**Author:** ![CC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2025, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martha-rayes-comment/1015308/5 "2025-03-09T02:44:36Z")
Thanks. Interestingly enough, I thought that might be the realm of the comment. I’m old enough to remember the car and the look of it from the front. I told my wife it would turn out to be something like that ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2025, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martha-rayes-comment/1015308/6 "2025-03-09T03:02:16Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > p. 121. The quote is “cunt with headlights.” Much was made of the fact that the Edsel grille resembled a vagina. I doubt that it originated with Martha Raye. As much as automobile styling changes with time and what was once considered stylish looks dated or even ugly today, the look of the Edsel was just bizarre in a timeless sort of way, making you wonder “what were they thinking?”. It’s not the only reason it was a flop, but it sure didn’t help. Speaking of which, incidentally, there’s a building in San Diego that was designed as a kind of slim oval shape. Bill Maher couldn’t resist showing a picture of their emergency fire exit poster: [![](https://i.imgur.com/LKVOHti.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/LKVOHti.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2025, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martha-rayes-comment/1015308/7 "2025-03-09T03:11:54Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > The book is _It Seemed Like a Bad Idea at the Time_ by Bruce Villanch. > > p. 121. The quote is “cunt with headlights.” > > Yes, I have the book. Holy crap, there’s an answer to _everything_ on the Dope. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2025, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martha-rayes-comment/1015308/8 "2025-03-09T03:28:16Z")
Visual aid. [![](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/HR4W5R/a-1958-or-1959-ford-edsel-classic-car-HR4W5R.jpg) ](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/HR4W5R/a-1958-or-1959-ford-edsel-classic-car-HR4W5R.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2025, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martha-rayes-comment/1015308/9 "2025-03-09T03:39:08Z")
Argghhh!!! I repeat, what were they thinking when they designed this montrosity? It looks especially horrifying in fire engine red! It’s not that the styling is obsolete, it’s that it’s objectively F-ugly. Here, for instance, is a 1959 Mercedes 200S from exactly that era. Still looks fine. [![](https://cdn.dealeraccelerate.com/motorcar/1/1240/33864/1920x1440/1959-mercedes-benz-220s-ponton) ](https://cdn.dealeraccelerate.com/motorcar/1/1240/33864/1920x1440/1959-mercedes-benz-220s-ponton) ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2025, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martha-rayes-comment/1015308/10 "2025-03-09T11:00:28Z")
Although less scatological than Raye’s comments, the Edsel description “Like an Oldsmobile sucking a lemon” is better. ---
**Author:** ![Steven\_Maven](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steven_maven/32/3272_2.png) [@Steven\_Maven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Maven)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2025, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martha-rayes-comment/1015308/11 "2025-03-09T15:57:15Z")
I remember another common comment comparing it to a toilet seat. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2025, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martha-rayes-comment/1015308/12 "2025-03-09T16:14:36Z")
First thing I thought was “The Scream”. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2025, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martha-rayes-comment/1015308/13 "2025-03-09T16:28:45Z")
Me too. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2025, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martha-rayes-comment/1015308/14 "2025-03-09T17:02:28Z")
What I remember being used for comparison was a horse collar. Of course that dates to a time when many people knew what horse collars looked like. ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2025, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martha-rayes-comment/1015308/15 "2025-03-09T17:36:30Z")
“Horse collar” is what I remember most. And the Edsel collectors are a fun bunch. About 25 years ago a car show (the one featuring Dennis with the big mustache) attended an Edsel convention. I thought it was funny that every owner claimed his car was worth some Big Bucks ™ like $20,000 at the time but they all bought their cars for like $1800. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2025, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martha-rayes-comment/1015308/16 "2025-03-09T18:06:09Z")
They’re collectable now, but I remember when they could be picked up for almost nothing. In good shiny condition they were ok, but with a few dents and rocker panel rust, they were just another stupid looking old car. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2025, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martha-rayes-comment/1015308/17 "2025-03-09T18:18:59Z")
Here’s a convertible version of a slightly different model – a 1959 Mercedes 220S Cabriolet. Think about it. In 1959 Ford’s idea of a terrific car was that monstrosity in the picture. Meanwhile, in exactly the same year, the Germans were producing this: [![](https://www.thelastdetail.com/galleria_images/980/980_main_l.jpg) ](https://www.thelastdetail.com/galleria_images/980/980_main_l.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2025, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martha-rayes-comment/1015308/18 "2025-03-09T18:36:16Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > The book is _It Seemed Like a Bad Idea at the Time_ by Bruce Villanch. > > p. 121. The quote is “cunt with headlights.” > > Yes, I have the book. An Edsel with the high beams on was a hot item. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2025, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martha-rayes-comment/1015308/19 "2025-03-09T21:19:07Z")
Yeah, that Mercedes is like a classic Chanel suit or a London Fog trench coat. It will always be beautiful and will never go out of style. OTOH that car is so classy that if I owned it, before I could drive it, I’d have to have a complete wardrobe and hair makeover and possibly a facelift. It way outclasses me. 🤓 ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2025, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martha-rayes-comment/1015308/20 "2025-03-09T21:50:24Z")
Well, get your face on, I can’t wait here forever! 😁 (Sorry, the Cabriolet is in the shop today.) [![](https://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/BN-XC091_MYRIDE_M_20180119183742.jpg) ](https://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/BN-XC091_MYRIDE_M_20180119183742.jpg) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martha-rayes-comment/1015308.md?page=2)