Miller's crossing
Susie Miller was a young American kibbutznik who became lead star of Educational Television's English-language programs. She tells Yaron Biter of her sweet memories from those days
Those were the early 1970s, when the Americanization process of the Israeli society was still in its infancy. Young Miller, a kibbutznik who had just immigrated to Israel, became the star of IETV's English-language programs, led by the mythological "Sing a Song."
Miller first visited Israel when she was 15 years old. Her older brother had already been living in Kibbutz Maayan Zvi and managed to pass on his love of the Holy Land to his sister. Three years later, after graduating from high school, Miller moved to Israel.
"In 1971 I returned to Kibbutz Maayan Zvi and started studying Hebrew. I was 18 years old, a young girl with a guitar and a dreamy gaze," she recalls. "I would take my guitar everywhere, and in order to entertain the guys at the kibbutz I would play and sing all kinds of American soul songs, rhythm and blues style."
Miller arrived at IETV after approaching director Alan Goitan. "I guess he sent a letter to the IETV people, because one day they asked me to take part in the shooting of 'Doctor Halfbaked,'" Miller explains. "It was the first time I appeared on television. It was amazing for me. I played a girl getting on Dr. Halfbaked's bus, and I remember he showed us how he prepares his musical hamburger."
Here I am
The next step in Miller's career in television was the series "Here We Are," as she began her academic studies in Tel Aviv University's English Literature Department. In that series, Miller played the role of a famous pop singer performing at Mr. Golan's department store.
"I played the guitar together with Danny, and I guess this scene inspired the IETV people, who began considering the possibility of giving me my own show," Miller says.
The show came shortly afterwards. In 1975, Miller received an offer she couldn't refuse – her own prime-time children's show during the summer vacation. And thus "Sing a Song" was born.
What do you remember from the shooting period?
"I mainly have sweet and happy memories from that period. I was given a chance to sing and play on my own TV show, and I couldn’t believe how lucky I was. I remember enjoying every minute. The team was warm and friendly, and especially funny. This may sound corny, but it was a real family. I remember people would recognize me almost anywhere. They gave me so much love and warmth. It was very exciting."
What do you think about the fact that only one episode from all the programs you shot exists in the IETV archive?
"It’s really unfortunate that these programs no longer exist. It hurts me to think that these wonderful memories of the beginning of the era of Israeli television simply don’t exist anymore.
"Those were talented teams comprised of amazing people, immigrants who came to Israel from America, from South Africa and from England. They gathered at the education television and tried to create educational programs. They invested so much love and talent in these programs, and the fact that these programs were not kept definitely damages the honor and appreciation they deserve."
The sound of music
Her career in television opened musical opportunities for Miller, alongside her "Sing a Song" co-star Jerry Heiman. The two took part in the children's song festival and performed "ABC – An English Lesson," written by Ehud Manor and Nurit Hirsch.
"It was the first time in the history of the festival that a song combined Hebrew and English," Miller notes.
In 1972, she joined the Brothers and Sisters band, which released 14 albums. The group reunited five years ago, and today they still perform in Israel and abroad. Not many are aware of this, but Miller was the voice behind the national Miss Lucy hot dog in the 1980s commercials.
But despite her booming musical career, and although quite a few years have passed since her days at IETV, Miller still teaches her mother tongue. Today she is the manager of a company producing English study programs, helping teach children in South Africa, Asia and Israel.
And Miller does not forget where it all began. "I love what I do today and I owe everything to the IETV," she concludes.
- Yaron Biter has been conducting nostalgic interview with IETV cultural icons since 2004
