Inger's Publicity Tour to Fort Worth

Inger talks with Mrs. Flint Key at the Six Flags press luncheon.

With the premiere of The Farmer's Daughter looming in the fall of '63, Inger Stevens traveled to U.S. cities far and wide to drum up excitement for the show. On Saturday, September 7, 1963, Inger's stop was in Fort Worth, Texas. 

The Press Club of Fort Worth had moved to a new 21st floor penthouse at the Blackstone Hotel and citizens celebrated its opening with special events beginning on Thursday, September 5th and ending on Saturday, September 7th. Hundreds of people, including many local political and legal notables, attended a champagne opening on Thursday evening. Friday evening's celebration focused on music provided by the Freshman Adams Combo. 

Inger is interviewed by Bob Brock for the local CBS TV-Extra program.

Saturday was TV Night. With ABC-TV stars Gene Barry, Jason Evers and James Westerfield, Inger attended Saturday's Press Club events. Gene Barry's starring role in Burke's Law was set to premiere that fall of 1963 and the show would end in 1966, as The Farmer's Daughter would. James Westerfield's new series Hazel would also endure for three seasons and end in 1966. Jason Evers was in Fort Worth to promote his new series Channing, in which Evers would star as a college professor and war veteran. Channing would not survive its first season.

Gene Barry, star of Burke's Law, looks on as Inger signs the
guestbook at the Press Club.

Saturday, September 7th  was a long day of press and mingling for Inger. She was at Six Flags fulfilling press luncheon obligations and signing autographs for fans from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. That evening Inger attended the dinner party at the Press Club's new location in Blackstone Hotel. 

Inger at the Press Club event on Saturday evening.

The following Monday, columnist Elston Brooks wrote that when he introduced himself to Inger, he blurted, "Miss Stevens, it's only fair that I mention I've been in love with you ever since I saw you in Man on Fire."

Inger shook hands with Brooks then turned to his wife and said, "I'm so delighted to know you. I feel we should be introduced since your husband's love, though appreciated, is unrequited."

Following the long weekend's festivities and its stars' departures, Fort Worth citizens continued to celebrate what Mayor Bayard Friedman proclaimed Press Club of Fort Worth Fortnight through September 22nd.

On Friday, September 20, 1963, the first episode of The Farmer's Daughter premiered. And how did it fare? Writer Rick Du Brow wrote:

The premiere turned out a good deal better than I expected. It was very low-key...real family warmth and a bit of poignancy with the usual overbusy father and a son wanting to be closer to him. Miss Stevens radiated warmth, intelligence and loveliness as the idealistic governess who takes the congressman's son on a tour of historic Washington sites; and William Windom was excellent as the ambitious father, as was Mickey Sholdar as his boy who worships him. It is a situation show, so one shouldn't expect much—but situation shows have been much worse.

Sources:

"Big-Time Reached by Faith." Fort Worth Star-Telegram. September 8, 1963.

Du Brow, Rick. "Du Brow on TV." El Paso Herald-Post. September 21, 1963.

"Elston Brooks: Hearty Handshake Payoff for Unrequited Lover." Fort Worth Star-Telegram. September 9, 1963.

"Nite Notes." Fort Worth Star-Telegram. September 6, 1963.

"Press Club to Hold Dallas Night Opening." Fort Worth Star-Telegram. September 6, 1963.