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The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.

PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
PINOCHLE CHARLIE’S DAUGHTER
Rose Borach’s heart sank. “Fania, don’t quit school. You’re too smart to end up like your worthless father.”
“I won’t.” The skinny seventeen-year-old glided across the room with the grace of a ballerina. “My grades stink and I’m still in the eighth grade.” She sang, “Give my regards to Broooaddwaaay!” With an exaggerated curtsy, she kissed Rose’s cheek. “Someday you’re gonna see my name in lights.”
“What name? Borax? Jenny Waters? Muddy Waters?”
***
Two years later in 1910, nineteen-year-old Fania burst through Rose’s door and flashed her newly signed contract. “Look, Ma, I’m in the Ziegfeld Follies. Me! Fanny Brice!”
.
.
.
For those not familiar with this great lady of the theater, may I introduce on of my childhood heroes.
A really inspirational story, Rochelle, and you told it well. With her talent, it would have been almost impossible for Fanny not to have been a success. Good writing once again. Thanks for the enjoyable film clip. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
Apparently Miss Brice was ‘onstage’ from childhood on. She was amazing. Glad you enjoyed the film clip, too. So did I. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Fascinating Rochelle. I have to admit I’d not heard of her before now.
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Thank you, Louise. I’m happy to have ‘introduced’ you to Ms. Brice.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’ve known of her, but never saw any of her work. Thank you for another well-told, interesting piece of history.
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Dear Archon,
She was one of my dad’s favorite radio personalities. I’m glad you enjoyed the story. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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How sweet… there are those who succeed in that quest for fame.
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Dear Björn,
She certainly had the chutzpah to make it. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You do specialize in plundering jewels from history. Well done, Rochelle
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Dear Neil,
That’s one of the nicest compliments I’ve ever gotten. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wow. I’m glad
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A lovely little slice of history. Amazing how in 100 words you’ve summed up how her career and life began, so much detail!
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Dear Iain,
Thank you for such a wonderful comment. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This makes me think of Fanny Price from Mansfield Park.
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Sweet story, expertly crafted.
You make the time break look easy, and in 100 words that is never so.
PS Why is she disguised as a chair?
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Dear CE,
Thank you for such a lovely compliment. Your words make me smile….but disguised as a chair? You mean the costume? (It’s not necessary to the story, but you might enjoy the video 😉 )
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well, Miss Heartburn, looks like your “aunt Fanny” was quite talented. 😉 Nice story. We need to work on a one-woman play about her. I think you’d be a natural. Sound good to you? That video was great, too. Vintage stuff.
Five out of five “Daaadddyyy” 😀
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Dear Cuzzin Notnek,
It sounds like great fun. Although I don’t have her singing voice, I certainly could do Becky’s Back in the Ballet. 😉
Shalom,
Cuzzin Shelley
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Love reading the true story of “Funny Girl” (one of my favourite Barbra Streisand movies).
I never realised it was based (somewhat) on truth!
You have a gift, dear Rochelle, of bringing people to life!
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Dear Dale,
Streisand did a great job, although the facts were stretched and slightly twisted in the movie. Thank you for such a lovely compliment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m positive they were! Aren’t they always? 😉
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Dale, did you see her as baby Snooks on the video? She’s great!
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Yes! (After I rewatched it!)
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Haha! Glad you did. I never can get it to load for me. It’s crazy.
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Oh, how’s Tuscany?
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It was fabulous!!
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How long did you stay?
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17 days in all
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Nice! You going to post pics?
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Yep! Already did 2 posts on my day on Zug, Switzerland and my first night in Chiusi, Tuscany.
Am writing my best post as we speak!
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Sweet! I’m coming right over to see.
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Kewl!
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I see you know Rochelle by that spelling. Hahahaha!
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I am so happy she succeeded!
🙂
🙂
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Dear Chioma,
The world’s a happier place because Fanny succeeded. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You dived into the ocean of past times and pulled out another beautiful story.
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Dear Loré,
What a lovely thing to say. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wonderful.
Thank you for the link. My wife and I watched it with great appreciation, not only for her talent, her serious singing,and on-stage presence, but for what we could see as her physical and facial moves that must have influenced and broke the ice for such greats as Groucho Marx, Jerry Lewis, and Barbra Streisand.
Randy
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Dear Randy,
Don’t forget Gilda Radner. I can see a lot of Fanny’s influence there. I’m glad you enjoyed. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you for a piece of history and broadening my horizons – loved the video clip too
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Dear Dahlia,
I’m so glad you enjoyed both story and videos. Thank you for taking the time to say so.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You have done it again, brilliant. film clip was great.
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Thank you, Michael. What a lovely thing to say. Glad you enjoyed the film. Me too. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wonderfully Inspiring 🙂 Beautiful and I loved the video clip..really tied it together 🙂
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Dear Morgan,
I’m glad you enjoyed my story and my clip and took the time to leave a comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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what an interesting lady.
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She was indeed, Melinda. A lot of talent and a lot of drive. She deserves to be remembered.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Shalom to you too!
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Ah, I wondered where this one was going. So that was Fanny Brice’s real name? How amazing and what drive she must have had to make it in the way she did. As Morgan says, inspiring stuff, Rochelle. I love how you find these wonderful women for us to admire – always a pleasure and your love of history always shines through, which as a history grad myself, I always love. Best wishes 🙂
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Dear Lynn,
I’ve always enjoyed reading biographies, particularly those about famous women. I guess it stands to reason that I find them entertaining to write. Glad you enjoyed and took the time to say so. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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My pleasure as alway, Rochelle
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Thanks! Once again for opening my eyes to a fleeting bit of history. I’ve heard of Fanny Brice, but knew nothing about her. What a delightful story you’ve told.
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Dear Alicia,
I’m always pleased to be able to share some obscure nugget of history. This one was particularly fun. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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As you know by now, I wasn’t born and raised in the U.S. so I had never heard of Fanny Brice. Once again you made every word count, not just that you left me hungry for more.
I listened to the youtube movie and now I will research more. Thank you!
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Dear Bridget,
An author can’t ask for a better compliment than a reader saying they’re hungry for more. Enjoy the research. Ms. Brice was a fascinating lady. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love the clip! Isn’t it funny how one photo clicks into a brain in a certain way and makes you think of something you’d forgotten?
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Dear Samantha,
That’s the fun of Friday Fictioneers that roped me in right from the start, ie the way we each approach the prompt. I challenge everyone (and myself) to think outside the box, to see beyond the obvious. Thank you for reading and commenting…that’s the other part of Friday Fictioneers that drew me in…the interaction. Through this challenge I’ve traveled the world without leaving my desk. What great fun. Thank you for being a part of it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Good posts, beautiful blog.
Congratulations.
Welcome to see my creations:
http://paintdigi.wordpress.com
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Love those expressive eyes. You captured a bit of her spirit in your tale.
Tracey
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Dear Tracey,
My cousin Kent thinks I look like her. I don’t know about that, but I think she was amazing. One of those people I wish I could’ve met in person. Thank you for taking the time from grandmothering to read and comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Maybe someday Barbra Streisand and Mae Questal could even make a movie about her
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Dear Larry,
You introduced me to another interesting person. I really wasn’t familiar (by name) with Mae Questal. I am now. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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She was Aunt Blue Bell on a paper towel commercial when I was a kid
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I remember her, just didn’t make the connection to the name.
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What a wonderful story about an amazing woman. The only thing I didn’t like in the video was that they said she wasn’t beautiful. I was thinking what Neil said above: you have a great talent to bring almost forgotten people/heroes/stars of the past to the present and fill them with new life.
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Dear Gabriele,
My mom used to say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Thank you for such a lovely comment/compliment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Not to be deterred she followed her dream to success. Nice piece!
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Dear Ali,
It doesn’t sound like Fanny ever took no for an answer. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’d heard the name Fanny Brice, but knew nothing more, so thank for the introduction. So difficult for Ma; how to know whether the dreams of a child should be gently balanced with safety nets or encouraged to soar!
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Dear Jenn,
From what I could dig up, it seems that Rose supported and encouraged her daughter’s aspirations. It was pretty clear Fania would never be a academic. 😉 Thank you for stopping by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Fanny did well – as did you!
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What a lovely thing to say, Liz. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Your stories are always so interesting as well as exquisitely written. 🙂
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Thank you for such a lovely comment, Clare.
Shalom,
Rochelle 😀
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Interesting history and excellent tale. Thx for sharing the video, too! 🙂
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Glad you enjoyed the story and video, Sara. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks for that Rochelle, I hadn’t heard of her either. Excellently told as always
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Thank you, Michael. I’m happy you enjoyed and took the time to say so.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great success story.
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Thank you, Alice.
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I love the way you write historical fiction1 You really bring amazing people to life!
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Dear Emmy,
Thank you for such a lovely comment/compliment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Fanny Bricetag,
Another excellent slice of history. As a schoolboy, biographies were my favorite reading material. I always loved reading about real people and real events. One that stands out in my memory was a journal written by school teacher who was in the cavalry during the Civil War. He was only in a few minor battles, but it was the day to day life (and hardships) that made the story fascinating.
You bring history to life. Perhaps you should collaborate with Ken Burns.
Best regards,
Mr. Center of the Universe
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Dear Mr. COTU,
I’ll ring up Mr. Burns right away. 😉
I, too, enjoyed reading biographies as a schoolgirl. And I love to veg out with a good documentary about a famous person. I suppose that’s why I enjoy writing these short little bios. Happy to have taken you along for the ride. Thank you.
Shalom,
Fanny Bricetag.
(this might just be my favorite nomme de plume yet.)
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She sounds like a real card. I love the little bit of history you created for her. I love it.
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Dear Al,
Fanny must’ve been someone worth knowing. i wish i had. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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She sounds like she could have been fun.
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Dearest Rochelle,
I recall lyrics to a verse of “Jingle Bells” that mention Miss Fanny Brice. Seems the classics inspired both of our stories. Yours, exceptional as always, is as educational as it is entertaining. I tip my hat to you.
Musically Yours,
StepHonie
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Dear StepHonie,
My heart sings when you visit my page…even more so when you leave such sweet comments. The classics are classics for a reason, aren’t they? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wonderful story, Rochelle. Fanny Brice sure is one of a kind! She’s such a hoot but has so much versatility and depth. This is a great tribute. I love the clip. She’s so fun to watch.
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Dear Amy,
I certainly enjoyed the film clip. I was afraid it was kind of long but figured it’s the reader’s choice to watch or not. I’m glad you liked my story. She was an amazing lady. Funny Girl didn’t do her justice. (Nor was it completely factual 😉 ) Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A lovely tale. You’ve prompted me to find who the person was behind the name I’ve heard so often yet know nothing about
Visit Keith’s Ramblings
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Dear Keith,
Enjoy your research. Fanny Brice was one interesting lady. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I have heard of Fanny Brice, it’s wonderful to know a bit of her story.
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Dear Dawn,
it seems that the great ones have either left us or are leaving. Glad you enjoyed. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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She showed them all ! I like Fanny as I have enjoyed a couple of hours reading the stories. Super fun Thank you.
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Dear Ellen,
Again, welcome. I’m pleased that you’ve taken the time to read the other submissions. One of the bet things about this international group is the interaction. Thank you for your comments on my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I have put my link and hope I have fulfilled all the requirements properly, I look forward to making many new connections with the Friday Fictioneers.
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I hope you do, too, Ellen. Friday Fictioneers has certainly broadened my scope of friends. 😉
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Rochelle, I am pleased to virtually meet you! 😇
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And I, you, Ellen.
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Lovely story, and an entertaining clip. I love her upbeat personality and confidence. Well told, Rochelle.
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Dear Margaret,
I missed this comment at the time so please accept my delayed or waylayed thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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No worries, Rochelle. I understand completely.
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Good story, though I can fully understand her mother’s trepidation (I totally sympathise with her in this story!)
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Dear Dragonslayingprincess,
I appreciate your visit. Thank you for such a nice comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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