TODAY'S TWD: AROUND THE WORLD WITH NELLIE BLY

November 14, 1889:
Pioneering female journalist Nellie Bly (aka Elizabeth Cochrane) begins a successful attempt to travel around the world in less than 80 days. She completes the trip in seventy-two days.

Nellie Bly (May 5, 1864 – January 27, 1922) was an American journalist, author, industrialist, and charity worker. She is most famous for an undercover exposé in which she faked insanity to study a mental institution from within. She is also well-known for her record-breaking trip around the world.

In 1888, Nellie suggested to her editor at the New York World that she take a trip around the world, mimicking Jules Verne's book Around the World in Eighty Days. A year later, on November 14, 1889 she left New York on her 24,899-mile journey.

"Seventy-two days, six hours, eleven minutes and fourteen seconds after her Hoboken departure" (January 25, 1890) Nellie arrived in New York. At the time this was a world record for circling the earth, though it was bettered a few months later by George Francis Train, who completed the journey in 67 days.

On her travels around the world, she went through England, France, the home of Jules Verne, Brindisi, the Suez Canal, Colombo Ceylon, Hong Kong, and Japan. Traveling alone, she became a role model of independence for women everywhere.
[from Wikipedia]

There have been four portrayals of Nellie Bly in Toobworld. I'm leaning towards the tele-movie with Linda Purl to represent Miss Bly as the official characterization; it's a lengthier portrait and the more accessible. Julia Duffy's turn in the 'Voyagers!' episode falls under the same decree as other historical figures seen on that series - Bogg and Jeffrey are the only characters from the main Toobworld; everyone they meet in the past is in alternate timelines.

As for Ms. Blair's and Ms. Stanwyck's turns in the role, I've added both to my list of shows to check out at the Paley Center on my next trip, but I'm not holding out much hope that they're available.

Janet Blair
. . . "Dinah Shore Chevy Show, The" (1956)
{Around the World with Nellie Bly (#4.14)}

Julia Duffy
. . . "Voyagers!" (1982)
{Jack's Back (#1.20)}

Linda Purl [pictured, with Gene Barry]
. . . Adventures of Nellie Bly, The (1981)

Barbara Stanwyck
. . . "Barbara Stanwyck Show, The" (1960)
{Little Big Mouth (#1.31)}

BCnU!
Toby O'B