NEW YORK -- Some things are better the second time around, according to a song sung by the McGuire Sisters, who are finding out for themselves.
Dorothy, Phyllis, and Christine made a comeback a little over a year ago after 17 years in retirement as a trio. How are they doing?
'We've been working constantly and loving it,' said Phyllis, the youngest sister and lead singer, who persuaded her sisters to return to showbiz as 'The New Original McGuire Sisters' at Harrah's-Reno last year.
'It didn't take her long to talk us into it,' commented Chris, the eldest.
'And we can ease out whenever we want to,' observed Phyllis, adding, 'We've already performed in Reno, Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Toronto, Radio City, even the Metropolitan Opera House where we appeared for an AIDS benefit. We recently finished a series of one nighters in Maine, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut with the Tommy Dorsey Band. Then Dallas.'
'Phyllis said we'd just do the act on weekends, but we've had the longest engagements we've ever had,' said Dorothy, the middle sister. 'Six weeks at Bally's Grand-Las Vegas, two shows a night, seven days a week.'
Audiences are amazed to discover that the sisters' talents are undiminished. Their voices are just as harmonious and vocally powerful as they ever were.
'We sing a lot of our staples such as 'Muskrat Ramble, 'Something's Got to Give,' and 'Sincerely' and have added some new songs, 'Memory,' 'Fame,' and 'Look Over There',' said Chris. 'We also have special material and several production numbers, sometimes with a screen showing projections of all the men (Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Eddie Fisher, Liberace) we sang with on TV.'
The sisters were interviewed at Phyllis' palatial townhouse on Manhattan's posh upper East Side. Over lunch prepared by Phyllis' cook of some 30 years, they confided that they are taking 'a little rest' from stage and club work for the next few months to work on new material for their show. They also are considering a comeback recording.
The McGuires have come a long way from Miamisburg, Ohio, where their mother was a Church of God minister and they sang in the choir.
'They said if we went into show business, we'd go to hell when we died,' said Phyllis. 'Thank God, that view has changed. Mother sometimes travels with us now. She's fun to have along.'
The McGuires were at the peak of their careers, earning $1 million a year each, on March 17, 1958 when they made the cover of Life Magazine with the headline: 'Best selling vocal group, the McGuires.' They were photographed in yellow skirts, striped sweaters and tams and were able to retrieve the original costumes from storage for Life's recent 50-year birthday party at Radio City Music Hall.
The costumes did not have to be altered. The lookalike sisters are the same size as they were in the years as stage, TV, and recording stars in the 1950s and 1960s. They still dress alike for public appearances.
For their interview they have chosen impeccably stylish white linen pants and blouses with multi-strand pearls and gold link earrings. They look 20 years younger than their late fifies ages. Only their hair is different, blonder than the original 'spun sugar' brunette.
Christine and Dorothy have raised two children each, and Christine has three great-grandchildren. The only offspring in the entertainment field is Dorothy's son, Asa Teeter, an actor 'who hasn't hit it big yet,' according to his mother.
Phyllis, a resident of Las Vegas, Nev., continued a solo career after the sisters' split. She is famed for her lavish life style, her wardrobe (mostly by Pauline Trigere), her jewels, and her homes, including the Manhattan townhouse she bought from an Arab prince.
Christine, a resident of Las Vegas and Scottsdale, Ariz., went into business, investing in pubs, movie theaters and diet centers. Dorothy and her husband, land developer Lowell Williamson, are active in civic and philanthropic affairs in Scottsdale.
Phyllis is unmarried but unabashedly recalls her happy years with Sam Giancana, the Chicago underworld boss who was killed in 1975 and who will be featured in an autobiography she is writing. Christine has been married and divorced four times and admits to 'working on the fifth' marriage.
The sisters say they enjoyed retirement because it gave them the chance to pursue their varied interests in investments, the arts, antiques, gardening, cooking, tennis and golf.
'We weren't bored because we kept active, especially in community affairs and sports,' said Dorothy.
'But there was nothing like that applause,' interjected Chris. 'We missed it and we missed each other. We'd been singing together since Phyllis was 4. We sang together for 34 years, a lifetime. We weren't just sisters, we were girl friends, confidantes.
'But we had to get re-acquainted all over again,' said Phyllis, who likes to have the last word.
