Inger appeared on Les Crane's late night show ABC's Nightlife on September 16, 1965. This episode was filmed for the first time poolside at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel—previously having been recorded from New York. According to a 1966 Silver Screen article and Patterson's book on Inger, Les Crane—known for pushing boundaries—had been asked to keep this first show filmed on the west coast clean and on the level. The guests selected for this show included Inger Stevens, singer Keely Smith, and comedians Bill Dana and Nipsey Russell. Gail Kennaston and Gloria Pall were also present. Although host Les Crane agreed that there would be no surprises, Inger, who possessed a wonderful sense of humor and fun, had other plans. According to everything I've read, Inger's stunt was conceived by her alone and she only shared her plan with a few others on the set. It was not in the script and Les Crane and the other guests reactions of surprise were completely genuine.
When she was introduced as a guest, Inger sat down with the other guests around the table. Wearing a "fur-trimmed, white jersey evening gown," Inger smiled and said hello, made some small talk before swiftly standing back up and removing her dress to reveal a two-piece swimsuit. Inger then jumped into the swimming pool and swam a lap before climbing out and giving host Les Crane a soppy hug and kiss.
Audiences and critics praised Inger for her spontaneity. Silver Screen magazine published the following:
At 31, this swinging Swede has been through a lot that isn't in the script. Her famous "cool," her sweetness and ladylike ways are evidence of sophistication, of the worldliness that comes with having lived a little—not, as some Hollywood acquaintances might have thought, of any lack of passion, fears about life or inhibitions.
This is a very unconventional woman. A woman who's honest, warm and vibrantly alive—and always has been. So much so, in fact, that it's caused her a lot of trouble—even heartbreak—because Inger's always led with her heart.
Bill Patterson wrote about this moment in his book. Intrigued, I set out to find a video clip but all my efforts proved unsuccessful. However, I do collect fan magazines on Inger and recently a January 1966 edition of Silver Screen came up for auction. I was astonished that inside a moment-by-moment pictorial account of this appearance was captured for posterity.
Wish there was some video of this! Seems like she had a good sense of humor!
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