DEB TYPECASTING—FOR REAL

MY LOVE OF OLD TIME RADIO BROADCASTS introduced me to Cobina Wright Jr., who typically portrayed a pleasant young lady of aristocratic birth in programs such as Duffy’s Tavern, George Burns and Gracie Allen, and The Bob Hope Show.

I finally got curious about this oddly named actress after stumbling on the fact that she was 5 ft 9 in. (two inches taller than another flame of mine, Greta Garbo). What’s more, I learned Cobina’s career was one of debutante typecasting—for real. Here are tidbits about her from a variety of sources (including an official website still online today, more than 12 years after her death (at age 90!).

The New York Wrights. As described in Wikipedia,  “Born in New York City [in 1921], Wright was the daughter of stockbroker William May Wright and singer, actress, and newspaper columnist Cobina Wright Sr. The mother, born Elaine Cobb, created the unusual first name as a variation on her maiden name. Wright grew up in an environment with servants, a yacht, and more on a Long Island estate—all of which was wiped out by the Great Depression.”

Not that economic matters particularly hampered Cobina Jr.’s youth. Wikipedia continues, “Wright was selected as Miss Manhattan in competition at the 1939 New York World’s Fair, and in 1941, Life magazine described her as ‘a young New Yorker of excellent family but limited means….’ ” 

Wikipedia also cited a nationally distributed newspaper columnist who described her as a debutante who “fought a draw with Brenda Frazier for the glamour girl championship of New York society.” Brenda recurs here as well.

A Hotel Singer, Then Hollywood. “Early in her career,” Wikipedia recounts, “Wright was a singer, initially performing in hotels because her mother would not let her sing in nightclubs. She appeared on Broadway in Lorelei (1938).”

A Brief Royal Romance. Apparently Cobina Sr. had no problem with her daughter dating royals. “In 1938,” Wikipedia recounts, “Wright was romantically linked with Prince Philip of Greece, who later married Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. The two met in Venice in the year they both turned 17 and enjoyed activities together there for three weeks, after which they spent a week in England ‘dining, dancing, and walking London’s streets, hand in hand.’”

Apart from dating a prince, Cobina Jr. had other activities: “By 1938,” Wikipedia notes, “Wright had signed a film contract with 20th Century Fox. Her films included Small Town Deb (1941), Murder Among Friends (1941), Moon Over Miami (1941), Accent on Love (1941), Charlie Chan in Rio (1941), Week-End in Havana (1941), Right to the Heart (1942), Footlight Serenade (1942), and Something to Shout About (1943).

A 1939 Radio Squabble (Or So Cobina Sr. Thought).  Wikipedia says, “The second season of The Pepsodent Show, an NBC radio program that starred Bob Hope, introduced two female characters, Brenda and Cobina. Richard Zoglin, in his book Hope: Entertainer of the Century, described the pair as ‘two shrill-voiced, man-hungry society girls … the first incarnation of a favorite Hope comedy foil: the homely, sex-starved spinster, obsessed with landing a man.’ The characters were parodies of Wright Jr. and her friend, debutante Brenda Frazier. Wright Sr. took offense and sued, resulting in the dropping of the characters from the program.”  

Elvia Allman (“Cobina”), Jerry Colonna, Bob Hope, and Blanche Stewart (“Brenda”). Image from Cartoon Research.

No big deal, it seemed, to anyone but Cobina Sr.: Wikipedia continues, “Lawrence J. Quirk, in his book Bob Hope: The Road Well Traveled, commented, ‘The irony in this was that Hope had only chosen the names of Frazier and Wright because in reality they were cultured beauties—the exact opposites of the Brenda and Cobina on the show. In a way, it was a reverse compliment…’ Afterward, Wright Jr. became ‘a regular guest’ on the program.”

Indeed, Cobina Jr.’s official website says of the matter: “Bob Hope used her as the basis for character Cobina on his radio program in 1939. She was friends with Dolores and Bob and appeared on his program numerous times.”

Cobina Jr. with another Bob, actor Robert Stack (later, of The Untouchables and Unsolved Mysteries).  

“Your Blind Date,” USO-type Variety. In On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio, John Dunning described a genuine Brenda Frazier/Cobina Wright Jr. radio show broadcast March 5-July 6, 1942: Dunning wrote, “Your Blind Date” was created to provide live feminine entertainment for serviceman stationed in southern California.” 

“To the men in the audience,” Dunning said, “the highlight came after the show, when the stage of Studio B at Hollywood’s Radio City was transformed into a giant dance floor, a free jukebox containing the top dance hits was wheeled in, and scores of women from USO groups helped the boys while away the night. Competition for tickets to the broadcasts was keen.” 

You betcha. Cobina Jr. is the tall one. ds 

© Dennis Simanaitis, SimanaitisSays.com, 2024