Inger was a guest on The Danny Kaye Show on February 23, 1966. She appeared with other guests, including Harvey Korman, Woody Herman and The Herd, and The Clinger Sister and Brother Aaron.
In the episode, Inger sang "The Lass from the Low Country" and did a song-and-dance routine with Danny to "Let Me Entertain You". In a separate skit, Inger played an American teacher who visits Giovanni the tailor, an older Italian widower (Kaye). Giovanni and his pal Carlos (Harvey Korman) convince themselves that the young teacher is aiming for a date with the older tailor.
Jazz great Woody Herman teamed up with The Herd for performances of "After You've Gone" and "Caldonia". The Clinger Sisters and Brother Aaron, a family group featuring youth, sang "Do-Re-Me" and "Old MacDonald". Also, Danny portrayed President George Washington to honor Washington's birthday.
A year before the episode, in 1965, Inger was seated next to Danny at an event at the Cocoanut Grove.
The episode is not commercially available at this time. I do have audio recordings of Inger's songs which I will share with you as soon as possible.
Source:
"Inger Stevens, Herman Herd Join Kaye." The South Bend Tribune. February 19, 1966.
Inger talks to Mrs. Jonathan Larsen at the Blue Ribbon 400 party.
Inger was a member of the Blue Ribbon 400, a group of socialites and celebrities that supported L.A.'s Performing Arts Council. The Blue Ribbon 400 gathered at Mrs. Ingrid Orbach's home for a garden party on Wednesday, June 11, 1969. And who was Mrs. Ingrid Orbach? None other than Swedish actress Ingrid Goude whom Inger posed with for Life Magazine in 1957.
Ingrid Goude (later Orbach), Inger Stevens, and Mai Britt. 1957.
Director George Cukor, actress Rosalind Russell, and actress/dancer Marge Champion gave speeches during the event. In attendance were Polly Bergen, Natalie Trundy, Hope Lange, Shirlee Fonda, and Inger Stevens, of course. The Blue Ribbon 400 aimed for 400 women to pledge to give or raise $1,000 annually to the Los Angeles Music Center. It was revealed during the gathering that the Blue Ribbon 400 had raised over a million dollars to support the arts in less than a year.
Ingrid Goude Orbach speaks to a guest at the party.
In April 1959, three months after a heavily publicized suicide attempt, Inger made her first public appearance at the 31st Annual Academy Awards ceremony. The event took place at the Pantages Theater on April 6th. Inger's film The Buccaneer was nominated for Best Costume Design, but lost to Gigi. In fact, Gigi dominated the awards, winning nine categories: Best Motion Picture, Director, Screenplay from Another Medium, Score, Song, Art Direction, Costume Design, Color Cinematography, and Film Editing.
Inger participated in an opening dance routine along with Lori Nelson, Jean Wallace, Terry Moore, Carolyn Jones, Erin O'Brien, Arlene Dahl, Connie Towers, Joanna Moore, and Barbara Rush. She also wore costume and hair from The Buccaneer in an onstage fashion show of the year's Best Costume Design nominees. You can view a clip of the fashion show on Youtube.
Inger with other actresses for the opening dance number.
A close-up of Inger from the group photo.
Inger had flown from New York City (where her suicide attempt and recuperation took place) to Los Angeles in early March, which signaled to the press that "her health's O.K. again." Hedda Hopper remarked that Inger was "looking like her old self again" and Inger assured Louella Parsons that she was thinking of the future and that her troubles were behind her. Gossip columnists and fan magazine writers speculated on which married man had caused Inger's anguish and led her to suicide. Several years later, a couple of writers would correctly identify the man as Harry Belafonte. Inger redirected the questions about her personal life to focus on her career aspirations, letting everyone know that she'd love to play Holly Golightly in the upcoming film production of Breakfast at Tiffany's.
Inger was kindly welcomed back into Hollywood. Columnist Sheilah Graham wrote, "Inger Stevens was hard to recognize. The last time I saw her, Inger's hair was a drab shade of blond and she was a worried gal. This time she looked gay, very French with her soft, scattered, very blond and becoming hairdo."
Bob Thomas wrote that Inger's appearance at the ceremony received an "unusually warm reception...like an outstretched hand of sympathy for a girl who has undergone emotional stress."
After that welcome, Inger returned to television work. Audiences would see her Inger in Playhouse 90 in May, Bonanza in September, and Sunday Showcase in December. But Inger would not be seen in a movie for another five years. Unhappy with loanouts, bad scripts, and a suspension, Inger surprised everyone by buying out her contract with Paramount by the end of the year. After her contract buyout in December 1959 and before landing the lead role in The Farmer's Daughter series in August 1963, hardworking Inger would star in twenty-two television productions and three plays.
Several years later, Inger would reflect on the year of heartbreak, survival, and independence. She said:
I don’t think I’m the least bit jaded. Life goes on for me in a very happy fashion. I’ve just gone and had, of course, mistakes and certain unhappiness, but that’s all part of it. You can’t be expected to always be making the right decisions. That’s what makes you grow up, and I don’t regret anything. I’m the sum total of all those things. But I know I’ve learned a lot – and changed. I’m more realistic about people now. I don’t think I’m living in a dream world. I don’t expect too much.
Inger was featured in numerous game and quiz shows during the 1960's, including The New Truth and Consequences, Your First Impression, You Don't Say, and Personality. Inger was known for her quick, clever responses and she learned much about her fellow man through observation. In August 1962, Inger was a guest columnist for UPI and wrote about what she'd learned through her appearances as a panelist. The complete essay by Inger reads:
In the last several months I've learned that actors are selfish people (as if I didn't already know that); that some of the happiest married couples really hate each other; that hardly any stimulating conversation exists anymore.
This possibly startling data comes from some on-the-job training as an analyst-panelist on television shows. My analysis sans couch should have provided me with enough experience to hang out my own shingle and start psyching people. Heaven help them.
It isn't easy to guess the mystery guest on "Your First Impression," the show that throws questions and gets answers back with the speed of a computer. Once, I did get a clue to a guest's identity. She said a word that I knew was a unique part of her vocabulary.
Actors are the hardest to guess. They're trained to react quickly to say at times what they wish to believe instead of what might be the strict truth. One of the prime traits that come out in this free association quiz is—selfishness. Some actors reveal, without knowing it, a trait which makes you feel sorry for them—their loneliness.
Another segment of "Your First Impression" deals with husbands and wives. From the answers they give such as "If we had to do over again, we'd never get married," you wonder how they've stayed "happily" married for 20 years. It's mostly the men who seem to wish they were free souls.
I find it stimulating to do panel shows because I'm out there on my own fending for myself against some very sharp wits and it gives me a fine mental workout.
It makes me realize that people don't really know how to talk anymore. Everybody is so busy talking about his own work or being so diplomatic that the conversation has no bones to it. If you start a discussion, all the straw people run away because they think you're trying to start a fight.
There's a paradox here somewhere. The very medium which has stifled, nay killed, conversation is the only place left where one can get a chance to talk.
Note from Emily:
Although I've found some clips of the game shows online, I've yet to find a clip featuring Inger. I remain eternally optimistic that I will unearth one of Inger's episodes in time.
Source:
"Inger Stevens Discovers Actors are Selfish People." Portland Press Herald. August 30, 1962.
Inger Stevens arrived at Reno Municipal Airport via United Airlines on August 22, 1959. She wasn't alone that Saturday morning. The plane carried a passenger list that included Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, Michael Landon, Dan Blocker, Yvonne DeCarlo, and Vaughn Moore. The group exited the plane to cheers from a crowd of local officials, press, Native Americans from the Nixon, NV reservation plus the Twirleens and Reno Rodeo Queen. After receiving gifts (cowboy hats, of course) and posing for publicity, Inger and the others were rushed to downtown Reno for the Bonanza parade. It would be a full two days of publicity and celebration in honor of a new all-color western drama set to air on NBC the following month. Inger and Yvonne DeCarlo's episodes ("The Newcomers" and "A Rose for Lotta", respectively) were selected for a special premiere at Granada Theater that evening.
Inger (center) arrives in Reno.
Inger examines the cowboy hats with Dan Blocker and Lorne Greene.
There was much for the stars to do between the noon parade (in which Miss Nevada was none other than a 21-year-old Dawn Wells) and the eight o'clock premiere. After traveling in stagecoach from the State House, Inger headed north on Virginia Street to follow a route to Fifth then Sierra before the parade ended in front of the Riverside Hotel on the Truckee River.
Former actor-turned-politician, Rex Bell led the parade. Bell was married to actress Clara Bow.
Although she is not visible in this poor quality photo, Inger is in this stagecoach shared with Yvonne DeCarlo.
The celebrities were then whisked away for lunch in the Shore Room of the Holiday Hotel before touring the downtown stores—merchants had dressed their windows in western wear and theme for a Bonanza contest. By 5:00 p.m., Inger was meeting citizens and signing autographs at Powning Park. Dinner was at the Nugget in Sparks before entertaining the crowd again at the Granada Theater, where "The Newcomers" and "A Rose for Lotta" were screened for the public (adults only) free of charge.
RCA sponsored the premiere and RCA recording artist Vaughn Moore served as the emcee. Moore received a key to the city for his efforts.
Inger at dinner with the cast in Reno.
Invisible except for the top of her blonde hair and lovely hands, Inger signs autographs beside Lorne Greene.
After a day full of action, the cast and crew retired to their rooms at the Riverside, Mapes, and Golden hotels. On Sunday, they viewed the gun collection at Harold's Club before traveling back to Los Angeles on Sunday evening.
On Tuesday, August 25, the Today television show devoted a segment to the premiere footage. The massive publicity campaign, color episodes, engaging actors, and highly popular western genre would make Bonanza a hit for 14 seasons. Many don't realize that Inger Stevens was a major player in its initial publicity campaign and contributor to the show's success.
"The Newcomers"
Columnist Dwight Newton summarized the "The Newcomers" as “Inger Stevens…Camille on horseback.” And he's not wrong. Inger played many fragile, sickly or trauma-stricken characters between 1959 and 1962. However, Inger enjoyed freelancing on television and made light of the tragic string when she stated:
Come to think of it, my TV career is beginning to look as if it were sponsored by Blue Cross. I was a nurse in the last Playhouse 90 I did. I play a tubercular in Bonanza. And in Twilight Zone I haven’t long to live.
This interview and the Bonanza premiere came just eight months after Inger's suicide attempt. It cannot be emphasized enough how diligently Inger worked after recovering from the attempt. She participated in two routines on the April 6, 1959 broadcast of the 31st Academy Awards and received an "unusually warm reception...like an outstretched hand of sympathy for a girl who has undergone emotional stress." After that welcome, Inger went back to work on "Diary of a Nurse" for Playhouse 90, "The Indestructible Mr. Gore" for Sunday Showcase, and this Bonanza episode.
Her suicide attempt, outspokenness about the loneliness and superficiality associated with Hollywood success, and refusal to appear in subpar movies would find Inger working solely in television—after The World, The Flesh, and The Devil premiered in 1959, audiences wouldn't see Inger on their theater screens until 1964 when she appeared in a small, but striking role in the unfortunately subpar movie The New Interns. The amount and quality of the work Inger did on television in those five years between movies is quite astounding—two Twilight Zones, an Emmy-nominated part in Dick Powell Theater, two Route 66 episodes, a powerful Sam Benedict plot and suspenseful Alfred Hitchcock Hour. That list is merely a third of the shows in which Inger appeared at that time and does not even include her starring role in her own show The Farmer's Daughter!
Inger as Emily Pennington
Inger studies "The Newcomers" script.
Inger liked the role of Emily Pennington in "The Newcomers". She said:
They kind of apologized when they asked me to play it, because it’s a western. But I liked the script and it turned out so well that it will be released in Europe as a motion picture–if Paramount approves.
Just give me a chance to get well and just give me a chance to be everything you want me to be.
Battling tuberculosis, Emily Pennington coughs frequently ("Can't you control that miserable coughing?" Blake barks at her. ) but doesn't reveal the gravity of her situation to Hoss (Dan Blocker). Hoss accompanies the Penningtons for protection and is hurt when she backs away from him in fear. Emily softens when she watches the gentle way Hoss brushes and speaks to his horse.
Emily: You really love horses, don't you?
Hoss: Oh, yes ma'am. I love all animals. You can trust 'em.
Emily: But you can't trust people?
Hoss: Well, I wouldn't say that. It's just that some folks have got a natural mean streak in them that animals just don't know nothin' about, I guess.
As her fiance's mean streak becomes more obvious, Emily develops feelings for gentle giant Hoss.
Inger with Dan Blocker behind the scenes.
Sources:
“Bonanza Day Premier—” Reno Evening Gazette. August 20, 1959.
“Bonanza Premir is Staged Here.” Reno Evening Gazette. August 24, 1959.
“Delegation Arrives for Bonanza Premier.” Reno Evening Gazette. August 22, 1959.
“Reno Merchants.” Reno Evening Gazette. August 21, 1959.
“Inger Stevens Gets No Money for TV Stints. Philadelphia Enquirer. September 24, 1959.
“Movie Stars Arrive for Bonanza Premier Saturday.” Reno Evening Gazette. August 21, 1959.
“Reno’s Bonanza Permiere in Pictures.” Reno Evening Gazette. August 24, 1959.
TV-Radio Highlights. San Francisco Examiner. September 26, 1959.
Inger rests on a slant-board as not to wrinkle Katy's wedding dress. Source: TV Guide. October 23, 1965.
As she prepared for a long day of filming the long-awaited wedding of Katy Holstrum, Inger felt jittery:
I'm so nervous you'd think it was the real thing. I had a hard time sleeping last night and was at the studio before 6 o'clock this morning. I had nightmares of tearing the dress or dropping coffee on it. I'd certainly like a tranquilizer. But I really think they want me to be nervous.
Director Bob Claver agreed, "We want you to be a trembling bride for the camera."
Inger said that she was surprised that "all of us could be so nervous...I'm disgusted with myself." Upon seeing her stylist and costumer tremble while placing the tiara on her head, Inger joked, "You two are worse than I am. Here, let me help."
Even actor Walter Sande (Papa Holstrum) admitted that rehearsing the walk down the aisle was emotional for him, because of his love for Inger:
Once more and I'm afraid I would have cried. My emotions kept building. This is strange for an actor, but I love that girl so much.
The only actor seemingly unfazed by the affair? Bill Windom appeared cool and completely at ease throughout the filming.
Sleepy Bill during rehearsals. Source: TV Guide. October 23, 1965.
Inger and Bill chat over hair and makeup at 6 a.m.
The television wedding cost the studio approximately $75,000, including a purchase of 40 bags of rice. Costume designer Joie Hutchinson rightly selected Autumn-appropriate dresses for the maid of honor and bridesmaids since the wedding was set to air in November; however, in July when the episode was filmed the actresses were overly warm in velvet tops, satin skirts, and petal headdresses.
Inger does a final makeup and hair check.
Inger and Cathleen Nesbitt behind the scenes.
During filming, actress Elizabeth Montgomery walked over from the Bewitched set to congratulate Bill and Inger. Real wedding presents arrived for the fictional bride! Inger received an album of classical flamenco guitar recordings from actor David Lewis, who knew of Inger's interest in guitar. Inger also was gifted the set of engagement-wedding rings she wore in the series.
According to Eddie Foy III's original Day Out of Days schedule for the show, the cast and crew rehearsed for the episode (production #3807) on July 26 before filming for four days from July 27 through July 30, 1965.
A beautiful bride
Inger seemed excited about the possibilities a marriage might bring to The Farmer's Daughter, stating:
I hope we will be able to show that a married couple can be sophisticated—yes, and even sexy. After all, he found her attractive and appealing enough to marry her. Why should we try to hide their love just because they're married?
Inger knew that network television was perhaps still not ready to be too sexy. After all, in the honeymoon episode William Windom's character was allowed to say he asked for double accommodations, but not a double bed. Inger commented:
The use of the word 'bed' was absolutely forbidden. It looked as if the show would have to be abandoned. But he was allowed to substitute 'accommodations' with only a glance at the bed. If the audience wants to read something into the glance, it may.
Inger was also looking forward to donning a new wardrobe in the third season:
Katy wears more sophisticated clothes now and her hair is shorter and more stylish. I think that's only natural. It shows that he has an effect on her.
A shot of the making of the wedding scene.
"To Have and To Hold" was certainly one of the most anticipated and celebrated television events of the season. Yet the network and sponsors' interest in the show appeared to be waning even before the wedding episode aired. The episode, already heavily promoted to air Monday, November 1, was postponed the week of airing when The Farmer's Daughter was suddenly switched from Mondays to Fridays—reportedly to give Peyton Place a more advantageous time slot. The wedding would air on Friday, November 5. You can watch the full episode on Youtube thanks to the William Windom Tribute Site by playing the embedded video below or clicking here.
There were also reports that Clairol, the show's main sponsor, was ready to pull out at the end of season two, but maintained sponsorship after Screen Gems VP John Mitchell promised to marry the lead characters and uniquely promote the event in season three. That unique promotion took the form of a party hosted by former ambassador, noted socialite, and later television host Perle Mesta.
Inger in a promotional shot from Screen Gems. Source: Scan from my collection
Host Perle Mesta smiles as Inger feeds William Windom a slice of wedding cake. Source: Pittsburgh Press. November 2, 1965.
The studio's last minute switch in airing "To Have and To Hold" four days late caused a bit of a headache for party host Perle Mesta since the party was scheduled to take place in conjunction with the premiere on Monday, November 1. The plan was to screen "To Have and To Hold" and then guests would greet "Mr. and Mrs. Morley" and enjoy a wedding cake. Mesta shrugged off the switch saying the party, which took place in Mesta's penthouse complex overlooking the Washington Monument, was "all just for fun anyway." Over 100 people, including ambassadors and officials, attended the party where they danced, drank pink champagne, and ate wedding cake.
Inger arrived at the party wearing a gold dress, with scooped neckline, covered in white beads. Mesta told reporters that she "nearly dropped over" at Inger's congeniality; Inger requested the guest list before the party, memorized facts about each guest, then showed up able to chat personally with each person.
Although the Holstrum-Morley wedding brought new publicity to the show and is still a beloved television event to viewers today, it proved not enough to save the show long-term. By the end of the third season, the show's plot grew stale for viewers and the network didn't seem willing to revive it. Inger saw the end of the show as an opportunity to re-enter films and enbraced portraying a variety of characters again. You can learn more about The Farmer's Daughter on my TFD page by clicking here.
Finally, I'm including this shot of Inger because I love her profile (even in a bad quality newspaper picture) and it was included in an article about the fictional nuptials.
Inger. Source: Indianapolis News. February 20, 1965.
Sources:
Beale, Betty. “Picked Up Tab, Perle Insists.” The Pittsburgh Press. November 14, 1965.
Lanahan, Frances. Perle Packs Them In-Wedding or No Wedding.” Rapid City Journal. November 5, 1965.
Leonard, Vince. “Perle Hosts ‘Farmer’s Daughter.’ The Pittsburgh Press. November 2, 1965.
Lowry, Cynthia. "Farmer's Daughter Wedding a Bit Shaky." Dayton Daily News. August 7, 1965.
“Perle Rises to Occasion of Make-Believe Vows.” The Wichita Eagle. November 3, 1965.
Thomas, Bob. "Inger Stevens to be Sexy in New 'Farmer's Daughter.'" Hattiesburg American. October 2, 1965.
Thomas, Bob. "Katy, Morley To Get Married?" The Indianapolis News. February 20, 1965.
Inger on location in D.C. Source: TV Guide, December 1963
Though not published until December, the photos in TV Guide's "Talk About Backgrounds" pictorial were actually taken in late summer 1963 when the newly formed crew of The Farmer's Daughter filmed on location in Washington, D.C..
Inger may have expected the filming schedule to be routine work, but this particular trip to the nation's capitol would introduce her to the two politicians she would support in the 1968 presidential race. TFD director Don Taylor's dedication to the perfect shot would result in a fall at the Lincoln Memorial—his sprained ankle required crutches and a wheelchair (seen in front of Inger below).
Following filming, William Windom and Inger were the guests of honor at a Screen Gems reception at the Statler Hilton Hotel. Senator Hubert Humphrey and Senator Thomas Kuchel served as honorary hosts. Margaret McManus, in her story on the party, wrote that the "hot summer's haze hung over Washington with the tenacity of a politician who refuses to concede the election...95 humid degrees...no evening for a party, but here there is always a party."
McManus noted that the three-room suite was crowded with people. Bill Windom stood in a corner talking while Inger "floated around the rooms in flowered chiffon, a study of graciousness. She put together a shade of Katy, a shade of the grande dame and a shade of the Hollywood actress and it all came out pretty good. She was equal to the time and place."
Inger chatted with Congresswoman Couya Knutson. Senator Humphrey arrived late but spent time talking and taking photographs with Inger and Bill. Senator Thomas Kuchl was at the party, but reportedly difficult to find. Former ambassador and famous socialite Perle Mesta, a figure who would be integral to a party during the series' final season and will make another appearance on this blog this week, was also present.
Inger chats with Senator Hubert Humphrey Source: News Tribune, 1963.
When asked what sealed her decision to play Katy on television, Inger said that the series was "the first one that seemed good enough to take" and that production chief Bill Dozier "fed my ego to the bursting point...How could I turn it down after that?"
Inger showed excitement to be honored at the party, but the greatest delight had occurred earlier that day when Inger and Bill met Robert Kennedy. Inger shared:
I don't know how it was arranged but we went up to his office, and it was so thrilling. Of course, I'd like to meet the President, too, but maybe the next time. Bobby Kennedy said he might come to the party, but I don't see him. He said he would watch the show.
Inger would prominently display a photo of that meeting in her home for the rest of her life. Later, Bobby Kennedy had a silver tray delivered to the set of the show as a thank you for the visit.
Bill, Bobby, Inger. Source: C. Wingate's scan from Windom's book.
Inger would keep this photo on display in her home. Source: Scan from Patterson's book.
Inger would support Bobby's presidential bid and, although it is rarely reported, was present at Kennedy's address at the Ambassador Hotel when he was assassinated on June 5, 1968. After Kennedy's death, Inger would support Hubert Humphrey for presidency and campaign on his behalf in various cities across the United States. There is much to be said about the political campaigning and civic work that Inger completed in her lifetime. More on that in the future!
Sources:
McManus, Margaret. "Inger Stevens Guest in Washington." The News Tribune. July 28, 1963.
"Talk About Backgrounds: The Farmer's Daughter Uses a Most Impressive Set." TV Guide. December 1963.
"Viewer Approval is Forecast for Inger Stevens TV Show." The Times Dispatch. September 18, 1963.
Windom, William. Journeyman Actor: A Memoir. iUniverse. 2009.Winter, Emery. Inger with a Flat Tire: A Peevish Vixen." The Charlotte News. October 26, 1963.
Inger, Lions Bowl Queen, waves during the 1965 Christmas parade. Source: Santa Maria Times.
It was announced via the Santa Maria Times on November 27, 1964 that Inger Stevens would serve as the first queen of the Lions Bowl Junior College football game at Dave Boyd Field on December 5, 1964. The game was sponsored as a benefit for Santa Maria Council for Retarded Children and Inger, as the California Council for Retarded Children’s honorary chair, gladly participated.
Inger arrived in Santa Maria, California, on Friday, December 4th. The following morning Inger was in place as parade entry #6 in the Santa Maria Christmas parade, which featured eight bands and approximately thirty-five floats/cars. In the parade route, Inger followed Harrel Fletcher and Lane Bryant, co-chairmen of the RMA Christmas Committee and she preceded pageant princesses from the local schools.
The Coalinga Falcons beat the Santa Barbara City College Vaqueros with a final score of 41-19 at the game later that day. Inger made a special appearance during the half-time show where she was formally presented the title of Lions Bowl Queen of 1964. A month later, Santa Maria Times reported that a check for $1,125.75 was presented to Dorothy Bell, president of the Santa Maria Council.
Inger speaks to the crowd at the 1964 Lions Bowl festivities. Source: Santa Maria Times.
Inger was named as Lions Bowl Queen a second time the following year and appeared at the second annual Lions Bowl on December 3-4, 1965. On Friday, December 3rd at 7:00 p.m., Inger attended a cocktail party at Iversen Motor Company, which fully benefited the Santa Maria Council. Inger mingled and signed autographs. The following day Queen Inger rode in the morning Christmas parade (see photo of Inger in the '65 parade at top of this post.) Later in the day, Inger appeared at the game at Dave Boyd Field where she witnessed Harbor College beat Reedley College with a final score of 51-16. Though Inger didn't make a fuss, there was some embarrassment for the Noontime Lions Club when they realized a member forgot to give Inger a bouquet of flowers during the half-time presentation.
Inger uses Lions Club President Al Hall's back to sign autographs during the 1965 cocktail party. Source: Santa Maria Times.
Inger frequently filled her weekends with work as the honorary chair of the California Council for Retarded Children (also known as the CCRC). In addition to publicity and charity opportunities arranged by the statewide and local councils, Inger initiated and hosted a series of celebrity art shows to benefit children. As early as 1963 Inger promoted the English translation of aunt Karin Stensland Junker's book The Child in the Glass Ball—a story of Karin's journey as a mother to two children with intellectual disabilities.
Inger proudly shows aunt Karin's book The Child in the Glass Ball. Source: scan from my collection.
Inger not only served as honorary chair of the CCRC, but also volunteered much of her free time with children at the Kedrin Community Health Center and joined the Advisory Board of the Neuropsychiatric Institute at UCLA. One month before her death, Inger stated that the work she completed with the Institute and the Council was the most fulfilling work of her life.
Inger with a child in her work with the CCRC. Source: Original Jerry Lem site/Darrell Short
Inger's 1966 appointment to the Advisory Board of Neuropsychiatric Institute. Source: Original Jerry Lem site.
Sources:
“Bowl Queen in Parade.” Santa Maria Times. December 4, 1964.
“Coalinga Wins Lions Bowl game, 41-19.” Santa Maria Times. December 7, 1964.
“Harbor Stuns Reedley in 51-16 Lions Bowl Route.” Santa Maria Times. December 6, 1965
“Inger is Lions Bowl Queen.” Santa Maria Times. November 24, 1965..
“Lions Bowl Proceeds Presented.” Santa Maria Times. January 14, 1965.
“Lions Bowl Queen.” Santa Maria Times. November 27, 1964.
Oppenheimer, Peer J. "Inger Stevens Says: 'I Can't Live Only for Myself.'" Family Weekly. March 8, 1970.
“Parade Officially Opens Christmas Shopping Time.” Santa Maria Times. December 4, 1964.
“Santa Claus Comes to Town.” Santa Maria Times. December 4, 1965.
“Signature from a Star.” Santa Maria Times. December 4, 1965.
“Vaqueros Prep for Lions Bowl.” Santa Maria Times. December 2, 1964.
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.
