I have loved the actress and entertainer Rose Marie for as long as I have had memory. I suppose I first saw her in the television program "The Dick Van Dyke Show," where she portrayed Sally Rogers. For me, she was the cynosure of the program, filling the screen with her vibrant, somewhat world-weary persona. For the remainder of her career, I have caught her every possible television appearance, until, in her last years, she portrayed to perfection the epitome of a cantankerous old lady.

Nearing the end of her long life, Jason Wise came to make a documentary of the star, "Wait for Your Laugh" (2017). It surpasses all expectations: When one thinks of trying to compress the life of such a performer, with one of the longest careers on record, involving so many disciplines, it is staggering that Mr Wise's achievement is so full, so complete. Indeed, it is as vital a force as Miss Rose Marie herself.

One of my favorite performances of the actress came in Gus Van Sant's controversial remake of "Psycho" (1998), in which she, unseen and uncredited, portrays Norma Bates. Unseen except that Mr Wise came across rare film of her performing in front of the microphone!

We hear of her career as a child star over radio, and as a young woman was given diamonds by no less than Al Capone. She was in no need of sociological movements to approve of her making her own way on the Broadway, the cinema, and television. The story of her marriage to a handsome trumpeter, who died too early, is very moving.

Also touching is the fact that she was able to see (and approve) this superb documentary before her death, when, strengthened by the sacraments of Holy Mother Church, Rose Marie went to her reward at the age of ninety-four.

I consider myself a bit of a connoisseur of documentaries, and "Wait for Your Laugh" is one of the three or four finest in my experience.

Full disclosure, I knew Rose Marie and was worried that any documentary made about this amazing woman wouldn't do her justice. Well, I worried for nothing because this film is a love letter to one of the kindest, hard-working, talented, sometimes misunderstood woman in the business. Rose Marie was the history of the entertainment business. She was so much more than 'Sally Rogers' on the "Dick Van Dyke Show" and the top center celebrity on "Hollywood Squares." She came from a dysfunctional family and became the biggest child star in show business. She learned to do it all, because she had to, and along the way, married the love of her life, became a working mother and friends with almost everyone she met. I say almost because, well, you'll just have to watch the movie! Kudos to Jason and Christina Wise for making a film that will have everyone falling in love with Rose Marie.

I admit I mainly knew Rose Marie from reruns of the Dick Van Dyke Show, Hollywood Squares, and guest appearances on nearly every show I watched as a kid in the 1970s. Completely by accident I found out she was on Twitter. Not only was she on Twitter, but she was having a ball with it. Those of us who followed her were treated to her calling us "The Kids" and she shared with us recipes, photos of her family, and great snapshots and stories of her long career. She talked of the upcoming release of Wait For Your Laugh. She took us along with her as she went from Premiere to Premiere as the film was in limited release. Rose Marie was so excited and so pleased that her story was captured by Jason Wise, her daughter Noopy, and the rest of the very hard-working team that it was as if she felt she could rest now, knowing that her story was so well captured on film. Of course everyone was terribly sad when we heard of Rose Marie's passing, but this film is a lovely record of her great accomplishments and contributions. The format of this film is lively and holds your attention . It is told in a story form and chronologically, interspersed with Rose Marie telling stories, Peter Marshall narrating and filling in background information, and Rose Marie's own friends and family recreating scenes to help bring certain bits of Rose Marie's life and career to life. The film is jam-packed with fascinating tidbits, such as Rose Marie's friendship with so-called gangsters, her discovery of Tim Conway, her involvement in 4Girls4, and her early career as a Vaudeville performer. It was also interesting to hear what a trailblazer she truly was, in that she asserted herself when she thought she was being cheated out of money or when she thought a part or a script was beneath her. I was especially interested to learn the significance of "Wait for Your Laugh". It was Rose Marie herself who said that to Dick Van Dyke when he would often come in on his lines too early. She would tell him to " wait for your laugh" before beginning the next line. The film is filled with laughs and amazing home movie footage that Rose Marie herself shot while on various television and movie sets. The film also gives a glimpse into the amazing relationship Rose Marie had with her husband Bobby. He seemed like a truly sweet man and his loss is still felt greatly by everyone who loved him. I would recommend this film without reservation. I feel it's a film not just for people who are familiar with Rose Marie. It's a film for anyone who would want to know more about entertainment in its infancy and how Vaudeville performances grew to nightclub performances to Las Vegas Hotel residences Etc. One note: there is so much information to soak up and enjoy in this film that it's likely one needs to view it more than once. It's a lovely charming tribute to a woman who very quietly could run rings around most of her contemporaries. She had talent, intelligence, and determination. Even in her 90s, her storytelling was second-to-none and her memory was crystal clear. What a treat it is to have captured some of her storytelling on film.

An amazing Woman and an amazing career! This is a beautifully told life story with plenty of relevance to current timelines. Very few can say they grew up in Show Business, but Rose Marie did and extraordinarily so.
If you love TV history and documentaries, this is a must have for your collection. This is also a must have if you want to see a great story about an Amazing Person!

I really can't say anything here other than the title of this review. She was so much of a force of nature. And I mean that in the best way... She made things happen just by being herself. And that was just the way she was made. There wasn't some magic potion that created her. She was really just born amazing, hard working and talented. People may question why she was always working. That, too, was simply how she was born. Some call it ego. But it's not fair to make it seem like she was a narcissist when she was just one of those rare people who didn't need other people to tell her what she was worth. No shade in that. It's not ego or even arrogance. That just knowing yourself and keeping it real.
I'm sad that we don't still have her to show us how it's done. But I'm glad she's with Bobby again. [sad smile]

A week ago, I went to an estate sale at the home of the late Rose Marie who passed away a few months ago in December 2017. I grew up knowing her only as Sally Rogers from the Dick Van Dyke Show. A few years later, I saw a 1933 film on TV called INTERNATIONAL HOUSE. I precocious little girl named Baby Rose Marie with a powerhouse voice performed a song. Could it be that Rose Marie? Yes, it was.

A few years ago, I read a blurb with Rose Marie saying gangster Bugsy Segal bought a gift for her newborn baby. Rose Marie knew Bugsy Segal? Indeed she did along with Al Capone and other mobsters of the day. What an amazing life she lead and the people she met.

WAIT FOR YOUR LAUGH is a fitting final homage to this wonderful performer those of us of a certain age all loved. Rose Marie was in failing health but was able to attend the premiere of the film and was as feisty and fiery and delightful as she ever was. Here is a film that is a must see for any fan of classic TV or history in general. Rose Marie saw it all in her 90+ years. Her career spanned over 80 years and she knew the greats.

It's amazing that Rose Marie saved everything and even made never before seen home movies of early Las Vegas and color films of behind the scenes of the Dick Van Dyke show. Yes, she was opened Bugsy Segal's Flamingo hotel when it was surrounded by desert--long before anyone dreamed of the Las Vegas to come. We see Rose Marie's joys and tragedies. She had a blissfully happy marriage to a talented trumpet player named Bobby Guy who passed away in his 40's leaving Rose Marie a single mother.

WAIT FOR YOUR LAUGH is delightfully heartwarming. I wish I had met Rose Marie. Her life was so rich and full of adventure. If there is one shortcoming of this film, it's that it is too short. We could spend hours just on her early life as a child performer and her connection with the big mobsters of the day. How did she eventually break away from them and her controlling father? Truly amazing life.

Don't miss all the extras--some or Rose Marie's home movies, deleted scenes and appearance with Morey Amsterdam on the Phil Silvers Show.

We love you Rose Marie!!

I began watching re-runs of the Dick Van Dyke show back in the 1990's on Tv-Land".. I even recall when the late actor Maury Amsterdam passed away back then. Her story is one filled with waves, determination and heart break. First of all her dad ..groomed her for hard work and he also ..stole her fortune. What a total low life .. and then she finds the love of her life. Has a sweet baby girl ...and then years later . She loses her husband .. what a mess! She strut's into every decade like it's a cake walk.. and keep's going like the energizer bunny..!! What a fascinating life ,career and memories .. I am so happy that she was able to secure work and continue with her life until she couldn't anymore. There is nothing worse than having to deal with ageism in Hollywood . Her fan base and those who respected her talent.. certainly didn't disappoint her. Here's to you Ro... !

An affable glimpse at the life and career of Rose Marie. Basically, it’s just Rose Marie reminiscing about her life, like a long home movie…here’s a picture of so & so, I worked here…I knew gangsters… What was missing was longer footage of her actual work as a child star to her very last appearance. We’re told she was a fabulous singer as a child but the proof of that was rushed by with brief snippets that were talked over. Only one full song is used…during the closing credits. Otherwise, it was just Rose Marie and friends remembering the time when she did this or that. As it concluded I was left wanting more, something more substantial…