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Jo Ann Harris on TV 1968-72

Jo Ann Harris is one of those great performers that time seems to have been forgotten. The actress began working in 1967 and maintained a near constant presence on television for the next dozen years with sporadic appearances thereafter. Jo Ann Harris is a joy to watch and embodies the rare combination of talent and beauty. She was equally adept at comedy and drama, her physical attractiveness allowing her to play the pretty girl and her comedic sensibilities usually leading her towards quirky roles.

Keeping all this in mind, Jo Ann Harris is certainly worthy of a retrospective pictorial. Presented in chronological order, here are some great images of Jo Ann Harris from various 1968-72 television appearances:

Jo Ann Harris on Dragnet in 1968:

Jo Ann Harris on Judd for the Defense in 1968:

Jo Ann Harris on Adam-12 in 1969:

Jo Ann Harris on Gunsmoke in 1969:

Jo Ann Harris on The Mod Squad in 1969:

Jo Ann Harris on The High Chaparral in 1969:

Jo Ann Harris with Heather Menzies on The High Chaparral in 1969:

Jo Ann Harris on Medical Center in 1970:

Jo Ann Harris on The Virginian in 1970:

Jo Ann Harris on Medical Center in 1972:

Jo Ann Harris on Medical Center in 1972:

Jo Ann Harris on The Streets of San Francisco in 1972:

Jo Ann Harris on The Bold Ones: The New Doctors in 1972:

Frances Farmer in Rhythm on the Range

In 1936, Frances Farmer co-starred with the legendary Bing Crosby in Rhythm on the Range. The movie was a comedy about a rich girl and a cowboy eventually falling in love, with Bing throwing in a few songs throughout.

Frances Farmer is amazing in Rhythm on the Range and the film is a showcase not only for her natural talent and charm, but for stunning looks and innate star-quality. Rhythm on the Range is not, perhaps, the first movie people think of when thinking about Frances Farmer. However, even though the movie is rather slight, it was her first 'big' movie. It is great to see the wonderful Farmer in a light, comedic setting and she really excels in this environment. She has great chemistry with Bing Crosby and (alongside the over-the-top antics of Martha Raye and Bob Burns) it makes for an entertaining picture.

Here are some images of Frances Farmer in Rhythm on the Range:

Janet Leigh in The Doctor and the Girl

In 1949, Janet Leigh co-starred with Glenn Ford in The Doctor and the Girl, an entertaining examination of wealthy doctors. This film is not amongst the most popular in the careers of either Leigh or Ford, but nevertheless it is quite fun and great showcase for both actors.

In The Doctor and the Girl, Janet Leigh plays a young woman with a lung abscess. Glenn Ford plays an arrogant, cocky young doctor fresh out of Harvard. He knows how to technically be a doctor but knows nothing of compassion. Janet Leigh's character touches his heart, however, and the two fall in love and he eventually learns the meaning of caring for his patients no matter how much money they have. The film is also known for it's somewhat tactful handling of the home abortion issue (even though they don't come right out and say that is what is happening). Regardless, Janet Leigh is young, beautiful and absolutely charming here and her fans would be well served by seeing this movie.

Here are some images of Janet Leigh in The Doctor and the Girl:

Tuesday Weld on Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater

Tuesday Weld never saw fit to do many westerns during her long career and when she did, it was only on television, never in a feature film. Apart from her appearance on Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater, she only took part in one other project set in the Old West (a guest spot on the TV series Cimarron Strip).

In an episode of Zane Grey Theater titled 'The Mormons', we get a rare glimpse of Tuesday Weld in the 19th century. In this guest appearance, the beautiful young actress plays the beautiful young daughter of the leader of a group of Mormons. These poor Mormons are simply looking for a peaceful place to settle but have been endlessly persecuted. When they arrive near Joshua City, the people of that town decide to not let the Mormons cross the river under the pretense that these settlers are carrying cholera. A standoff ensues when the Mormons announce that they are carrying no disease.

Given a few brief scenes, it is a credit to the charm and appeal of Tuesday Weld that even in this format (a half hour western drama) she is able to make a great impact on the viewer.

Tuesday Weld on Ben Casey

Tuesday Weld was quite busy in 1962, appearing as a guest on at least 8 different television episodes throughout the year. One of these appearances was on the successful medical series Ben Casey. This Ben Casey episode, titled 'When You See an Evil Man', was directed by the famous Sydney Pollack.

At the beginning of the episode, Tuesday Weld gives a very restrained performance. True to form, by the end of the show, her tone and demeanor have changed completely. Sure, the outcome is predictable but this Ben Casey episode is quite fun and certainly worthwhile for Weld fans.

Here are a few images of Tuesday Weld on Ben Casey: