Marion Lorne Made Dithering An Art

Marion Lorne is every one's favorite dithery aunt. In fact she was Aunt Clara on "Bewitched". She may have been born in 1883, 1885 or 1888 (she was a bit vague) in Wilke Barre, Pennsylvania.

Marion Lorne made her stage premier in 1905. She performed for decades on Broadway and in London's West End. See studied acting at American Academy of Dramatic Arts and was married to playwright Walter Hackett until his death in 1944. Marion appeared in many of his plays in the 20's and 30's they founded the White Hall Theater. It was during her time in England she started perfecting her eccentric and dithery persona. Upon her husband's death Marion returned to the US and starred in "Harvey" on Broadway and then made her film debut in 1951.

Her first film was Alfred Hitchcock's "Strangers on a Train". Her role was the flighty and out of touch mother of the villain. Her next film role wasn't until 1967 when she played Miss DeWitte in "The Graduate".
Television was Ms Lorne's true path to fame. Her first role was as Mrs. Gurney, a confused English teacher, on Mr. Peepers with Wally Cox. Marion went on to co-star in another sitcom called "Sally" in the late 50's.

Her next role was the role for "witch" she will be will be remembered, Aunt Clara. Aunt Clara was a bumbling witch who's powers were faltering. Clara would enter threw chimneys, walk into walls or find herself materialized in a closet. She was a well meaning and beloved character, one can't help but love Aunt Clara. One of the character's eccentricities was her door knob collection, inspired by Marion's real life collection of over one thousand door knobs.
Aunt Clara was Marion Lorne's last role. Marion Lorne died of a heat attack in 1968 during her fifth season in "Bewitched". Her role was not re-cast as only Marion Lorne could be Aunt Clara.