season 1 of i dream of jeannie

[reactor]

Stephenson's appliances/cars

Yes, the Stephenson's seemed to change their appliances frequently. If I recall Frigidaire was briefly one of their sponsors, in addition to Chevrolet. That might explain why Samantha went from Maytag to Frigidaire laundry. If I recall the earliest few episodes had a D&M dishwasher, with a glass window in it and the roto-rack. Later Samantha had an early Maytag reverse rack.

Apparently being in advertising pays well as Darrin (aka Derwood, Darwin, etc.) always seemed to have the latest model Chevrolets. (Just as Mr. Baxter always had the latest Fords, in "Hazel," and Wilbur always had the latest Studebakers in "Mr. Ed." (Wilbur and Carol also had a beautiful GE console stereo.)

Since we're all off topic anyway--I loved both Jeannie and Bewitched. I think Jeannie stayed fresh, high energy and truly funny through it's entire run. People only lost interest when Jeannie married Tony which ruined part of the show's intrigue.

Bewitched was low energy and humor during the last two seasons, for the most part. I think the writers lost interest in original storylines and Elizabeth Montgomery was visibly bored during filming. Poor Dick Sargent, bless his heart, was trying to fill Dick York's big shoes and many didn't accept him as Darrin. I watched it religiously during its first few years and barely turned it on the last couple of seasons, all so many of the plots seemed to be barely disguised rehashes of earlier ones. .....

And oh how we missed Mrs. Kravitz...no one could replace Alice Pearce.

Back to appliances, ha. Anyone remember the Whirlpool washer and dryer set on "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir?" Gidget's sister Annie's Frigidaire Jet Action washing machine, Margaret's Westinghouse Laundromat washer (and later Bendix front loader) in "Father Knows Best?" Nanette Fabray's Westinghouse vacuum cleaner in her show.

I still haven't figured out the brand of built-in dishwasher that Rod Taylor's mother had in Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds." All we have to go by is the view of the upper rack as his mamma loads the dishwasher.

 

[launderess]

"I think the writers lost interest in original storylines and Elizabeth Montgomery was visibly bored during filming. Poor Dick Sargent, bless his heart, was trying to fill Dick York's big shoes and many didn't accept him as Darrin."

Ms. Elizabeth Montgomery wanted out of Bewitched by last several seasons. Network kept upping the ante with money and other incentives to keep Elizabeth Montgomery and her husband (who was director or producer, forget which), to keep them coming back.

You can tell in the last year or so of Bewitched Elizabeth Montgomery was "phoning it in", and or engaging in some passive aggressive behavior. For the latter look closely as Samantha updated her Connecticut matron look from that teased bouffant to long "hippie" hair and you'll notice in some episodes under those Pucci dresses (or other outfits) she wasn't wearing a brassiere.

In last several seasons scripts from previous years were reused as well.

Audiences never really warmed to Dick Sargent as "Darrin" and ratings began to decline after Dick York left. Truth to tell even though Mr. Sargent and Ms. Montgomery were good friends in real life, their "Sam and Darrin" paring just didn't have the same magic that Dick York had. Ironically Mr. Sargent was the first choice to play Darrin, but was prevented due to other obligations.

Also you'll notice by last several seasons Endora was seen less and less, and to compensate other members of family made more appearances (Serena, Uncle Arthur), along with the Tooth Fairy, elfs, ghosts, etc.. and of course Maurice.

Agnes Moorehead was a religious woman who wasn't very keen on playing a witch in first place. As Bewitched became a hit and dragged on season after season Ms. Moorehead (a veteran actress of radio, stage and large screen) began getting restless. Rather than leave series, Ms. Moorehead requested (and received) more free time from episodes.

By end of 8th season Elizabeth Montgomery said she had enough and though plans were made for a 9th; it never happened.

https://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/bewitched-last-episode/

Ms. Montgomery was tired of "Samantha" and wanted to do other acting roles.

Now the dirt:

Elizabeth Montgomery never liked Dick York, and tried many times to get him "fired" from Bewitched. Depending upon who you believe Mr. York had a "thing" for his beautiful co-star but she was married to the producer, and he had a wife as well. They do say that Ms. Montgomery accused Mr. York of being to free with his hands...

In any even when Dick York kept missing work and or causing problems because of his dependence on pain killers and back injury (latter caused former), Elizabeth Montgomery finally got her wish, Dick York got the push.

Agnes Moorhead was great friends (and very fond of) Dick Sargent, so she wasn't best pleased. In turn she often made Dick Sargent's misery her life's work; on occasion reducing that grown man to tears.

When Dick Sargent was very ill with emphysema and so broke he and his wife were cleaning homes for money, the cast of Bewitched stumped up to raise funds. All except Ms. Montgomery who wouldn't give a thin dime. She never spoke to or about Dick York after he left show. Indeed a day or so before dying Mr. York telephoned Elizabeth Montgomery, but she wouldn't take the call.

Morbid trivia; Elizabeth Montgomery, her father and brother all died from cancer.

Fun Trivia: Bewitched is sometimes called the "gayest" sitcom of 1960's/1970's. Three of male cast members (Dick Sargent, Maurice Evans, Paul Lynde) were gay. Jury is still out on George Tobias (Mr. Kravits). Elizabeth Montgomery even rode in

Of course Ms. Montgomery knew about Dick Sargent and Paul Lynde. Again she had been long time friends/very close to the former, and became so with the latter. How much she knew about Maurice Evans. Ms. Montgomery was very supportive of Dick Sargent, so much so that she rode by his side (as co-marshal) at the 1992 Los Angeles gay pride march. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/remembering-elizabeth-mon_b_7289652

While Ms. Montgomery wanting out of Bewitched is the official line most heard; it is highly likely ABC canceled or would have the show anyway.

In early 1970's (1971-1972 seasons) CBS launched their famous "rural purge" cancelling tons of show, some still popular. Other networks followed suit and so went all the kooky, supernatural, country, hillbilly, rural/country, etc....

Networks claimed their research showed viewers wanted things like gritty urban dramas. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rural_purge

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowb...ewitched-star-Elizabeth-Montgomerys-life.html

 

[launderess]

As some already likely know Elizabeth Montgomery was not a natural blonde, but brunette.

Caught her last night on episode of Thriller playing a vampire with a young (and rather good looking) Tom Poston as her husband. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0723085/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_40

 

[ozzie908]

@launderess

Is that house at the start of your post the same one used in Bates Motel? If not its a double including the steps?

Austin

 

[vacbear58]

William Asher

The link below should take you to segments of an interviews with William (Bill) Asher where he talks at some length about Bewitched. One very nice factor is that he speaks of Elizabeth Montgomery with real affection even though they separated not too long after Bewitched ended. See the link below.

Elizabeth Montogmery rode alongside Dick Sargent in an open top convertable during the 1992 LA Gay Pride, sadly not too long before his death. See the photos below

Agnes Morehead was a wonderful actress but the "magic" of Bewitched palled very quickly, I recall reading a comment "We never get any time to rehearse". Even so she not only stayed with the programme but continued to promote it on such shows as Password

Al

PS Those TV archives make fascinating listening, there are a wide variety of them of people who were both in front and behind the camera

https://interviews.televisionacademy.com/interviews/william-asher#interview-clips

 

[seedub]

"Gayest Sitcom"

Has there been any substantiation of whether Ms Moorehead dabbled in lesbianism, or was at least fluid in her sexuality?

Poor Dick York: after he left, he was confined to a bed for the remainder of his life. He played with investments and had quite a good income until he made a bad call in the year 1976 that wiped him completely out. He either lost his house, or otherwise had to leave it. Several "Bewitched" cast members gifted him with large checks to help him out.

Yes, Liz was a brunette when she did her turn in that "Twilight Zone (1959)" episode.

 

[vacerator]

Elizabeth Montgomery

also died not long after 1992 of complications from breast or female cancer. I don't think it was bowel cancer. I have never heard of any rumors about Agnes Moorhead, whom rose up during the Hollywood "blacklisting" days, which she is of that era along with Shelly Winters, who spoke much about them. You just kept that a very down low secret. She said on one interview that she, and everyone of her co stars in one film all got cancer after they had been on set in the Nevada desert where the first atomic bomb test sites were. Perhaps Bewitched was the gayest sitcom until the 80's.
Dick Sargent was in some show about the subject then also. In Living color was of the newer genre'. Neither Damon Weyands nor David Allen Grier (from Detroit) are gay though, but sure camped it up.
We caught an interesting documentary last evening on Amazon Prime tv. "The Butch Factor" about being a masculine gay man, and a man in general. The stereotypes, stigmas, and progress since the 1950's when it was considered a mental illness, and all of us were molesters, and cavorted in restrooms, etc. There are a few different shows in the series on there. One from 2009, 2015, 2016, etc.

 

[launderess]

Anges Moorehead

Those rumors have been swirling about for ages, but on face of highly doubt a word is true. Ms. Moorehead came from a very religious family, and was brought up in church. She herself was so inclined that playing the witch Endora wasn't exactly up her street.

By all accounts after some soul searching Ms. Moorehead only took role originally believing Bewitched wouldn't last long. No one could have known the show would become such a rating hit, which of course "trapped" Ms. Moorehead. The woman was a professional to the ground, and took her craft very seriously, so there she was then.

They do say people valued their lives very cheaply if meeting Ms. Moorehead and asking about "Endora". One story goes a young boy was told off when asking for an autograph...

As mentioned previously creators, writers, cast, etc... of Bewitched walked a very fine line in keeping all references to Satan, devil, evil and so forth out of that show. Samantha Stephens goes to church and was active in her local. There were some "spooky" moments, but nothing like say "Rosemary's Baby".

In the end as also mentioned Ms. Moorehead tapered down her work on Bewitched. She did lament often that despite a pretty good body of work on radio, stage, screen and later television she would likely be most remembered for playing witch.

Few know that Ms. Moorehead did the original radio broadcast of "Sorry Wrong Number".

 

[launderess]

Bringing this back on home to IDOJ

Though widely known in entertainment circles at the time, but not so much by general public, Hayden Rorke (Dr. Bellows) was an out gay man who lived happily and openly with is partner actor/director Justus Addiss

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayden_Rorke

Miss. Barbara Eden and rest of cast adored Mr. Rorke, and his partner, frequently attending parties at their home.

Interesting trivia about IDOJ:

Jeannie's hair was fake.

For first one or two seasons a script writer worked for both IDOJ and Bewitched. He was canned when word got out.

https://screenrant.com/dream-jeannie-10-hidden-details-everyone-completely-missed/

 

[launderess]

Elizabeth Montgomery cause of death was colon cancer. As was common then she died within months of being diagnosed (about 18 weeks IIRC).

Robert Montgomery, Jr. died from lung cancer. Robert Montgomery's cause of death is given as generic "cancer".

Here is a list of Bewitched cast and causes of death:

http://weeklyview.net/2014/09/18/the-curse-of-bewitched-part-2/

 

[reactor]

grumpy

Laundress,

I have read much about Bewitched and Agnes Moorehead and I get the impression she is (or was) much like the character she portrayed in the film "Showboat." Very straight forward, professional/businesslike, but occasionally a little too gruff. But under it all she had a good heart. She just said what she thought and didn't often think to mince words to prevent hurt feelings.

If I recall in an interview Erin Murphy (one of the Tabitha twins) had fond memories of Agnes Moorehead and said Agnes doted over her as a child and played with and entertained her on the set between takes.

My favorite quote of Agnes Moorehead, was when she said that Elizabeth Montgomery was, "A wee bit spoiled." Although from what I read they got with no problems on the set.

I think Agnes was just raised very, very strictly and developed a rigid personality
which might explain why she wasn't married.

Not to judge, but comparing her to another rigid actress, Francis Bavier (Aunt Bea), I get the impression that Francis thought she was better than Andy Griffith and the other actors and gave them all a hard time. It is said that she thought of herself as a film actress and not a TV actress.

I don't think Agnes thought she was better, but was just a natural grump. She never caused problems on the set as Francis sometimes did. Agnes was always right on time, knew her lines and delivered them as a professional. But when the cameras weren't rolling she was mostly a no-nonsense gal.

In Debbie Reynolds two biographies, she speaks with much kindness about Agnes Moorehead, they were close friends. Too bad Agnes's lawyer absconded with virtually all of her estate after she died. The lawyer stated Agnes left it all to him, Debbie says she, knowing Agnes, thinks that was absolutely not true.

 

[launderess]

Ms. Moorehead's former Los Angeles home finally sold not to long ago:

https://la.curbed.com/2017/4/14/15307178/agnes-moorehead-tony-duquette-beverly-hills-mansion

@reactor

Ms. Moorehead was married twice:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agnes_Moorehead

You can see from above link that only her home and contents went to the attorney, rest of estate was divided among others via final will and testament.

https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Agnes_Moorehead

https://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder...l-bewitching-muskingum-university/3235750002/

Attorney Franklin Rohner died in 2007, and as noted above Ms. Moorehead's former home only sold in 2017, so all that money didn't go to him but his estate.
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/latimes/obituary.aspx?n=franklin-rohner&pid=99609367

 

[reactor]

will

I hope Debbie was wrong in her feelings that something was amiss in Ms. Moorehead's final wishes.

I guess Agnes's two husbands found her a little too abrasive, ha.

Like her character in "Show Boat" I think she had a good heart that lied beneath a rather gruff exterior.

 

[reactor]

cut-off

My last line did not get finished in the previous post:

It was supposed to say: "Like her character in the film Show Boat I think Agnes had a gruff exterior but a good heart, under it all."

BTW, back to Jeannie's appliances. Wasn't there a dishwasher in her/Tony's kitchen? Seems like I recall a brief shot of one in an episode.

 

[vacerator]

Anyone being brought up

in a religious family or in church has nothing to do with their orientation nor preference of the same or opposite sex. I was. Catholic school, and scouting too.
We studied all religions there also. It gave us very open minds, well I'm sure most of us. I am the eldest son, ans so is my gay nephew of my brother, also brought up in a Baptist and a church of Christ, God, or some other. My brother and sister in law do not attend either of those now either, as they gave them guff about my nephew. He has a great partner, who is also Christian. No way is the only way.

 

[sudsomatic]

Launderess...

Enjoyed the informative trivia, gossip, and the fun links for both shows.

 

The bit about Barbara Eden's hair is interesting to me, not because I'm fascinated with hair or anything, but rather the mechanics of production and "celebrity". Her handlers must have worked really hard at keeping her "Jeannie" persona in check even when she was out of costume by having her wear wigs for off stage appearances too.

 

I've been watching Buzzr Network (similar to Game Show Network but they only show truly vintage game shows)  for last couple years and really enjoy the classic Password eps. A little less than a year ago they started airing the color filmed episodes from mid 1960's and Barbara pops up on there a few times. Each appearance she has her long blonde hair from the show, not her Jeannie ponytail with the fez hat but rather the hair style she would wear when she was out in public (on the show) as a human woman.

 

Both Irene Ryan and Carolyn Jones appear in other episodes and of course neither wear their (then current) characters hair, Irene looking a few decades younger without Granny's grey bun and Carolyn looking older somehow without Morticias long black hair. I get that their wigs altered their appearances to conform to a specific character and they wouldn't appear as themselves on a game show in character unless it was for fun as Carol Burnett and Vicki Lawrence would several years later as Mama and Eunice.

 

It's just interesting that Barbara kept her Jeannie look even in non Jeannie appearances, almost as if they were trying to keep up the illusion.