The Retro Blog

A few weeks ago I had a discussion with my friends in which I set forth plans that when we’re ancient we’re going to get a big one story house with rattan furniture and live exactly like The Golden Girls. We soon began determining our Golden Girl counterparts (I’m the Bea Arthur) and then we had a long discussion in which we attempted to determine whether or not Estelle Getty was still alive. Then Estelle Getty did actually die a couple days later. I feel like I’m to blame. Sorry Estelle. You were always my favorite.

Anyway, it got me wondering what the feisty sitcom ladies were doing way back when. Let’s have a look at the Golden Girls when they were young.

Betty White

Here’s a commercial for Fantastik Disinfectant cleaner featuring a young Betty White. What’s weird is that her voice is exactly the same. When they finally cut to her it didn’t immediately connect that it was her because I was almost expecting that she’d look exactly the same.

Bea Arthur

It’s not easy to find young Bea Arthur clips. She spent most of her younger days on Broadway and didn’t make a big splash in the world of film until she starred in Mame with Lucille Ball in 1974. Reportedly a wretched excuse for a film, Arthur regrets appearing in it to this day. Here’s the pair singing “Bosom Buddies”

Rue McClanahan

Rue played Blanche on The Golden Girls. She’s also known as “the slutty one.” This was perhaps not such a stretch for Ms. McClanahan. Here the Mystery Science Theater 3000 crew provides commentary to an early striptease by Rue. No real nudity so not entirely NSFW, but a little risque. I think your boss will probably be more disturbed by the fact that you’re watching a Golden Girl strip than by the presence of side boob.

Estelle Getty

Estelle played Sophia, Bea Arthur’s mother on the show. Funny thing is she was actually a year younger than Arthur. Getty got her start late in show business. Like Arthur she dwelled on Broadway for a while until starting to get a few minor film roles in the late 70’s. Due to the lack of any good young Estelle footage, I leave you with this minor youtube sensation, Estelle Getty’s senior citizen workout video, remix edition.