Rosemary de Camp Movies
From her earliest stage work onward, American actress Rosemary DeCamp played character roles that belied her youth and fresh-scrubbed attractiveness. On radio, DeCamp developed the vocal timbre that enabled her to portray a rich variety (and age-range) of characters. A peripheral performer on One Man's Family at 21, DeCamp showed up on several radio soap operas and anthologies before settling into the role of secretary Judy Price on the Dr. Christian series in 1937. DeCamp made her film bow in Cheers for Miss Bishop (1941), in which she and most of the cast were required to "age" several decades. With The Jungle Book (1941), the actress played the first of her many mother roles. The most famous examples of DeCamp's specialized film work are Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942), in which she was the Irish-American mother of George M. Cohan (James Cagney, who was 14 years her senior), and Rhapsody in Blue (1945), in which she played George Gershwin's Jewish mother (Gershwin was impersonated by Robert Alda, who was one year younger than DeCamp). Even when playing a character close to her own age, such as the Red Cross worker in Pride of the Marines (1945), DeCamp's interest in the leading man (in this case the same-aged John Garfield) was strictly maternal. On television, DeCamp was Peg Riley to Jackie Gleason's Chester A. Riley on the original 1949 run of The Life of Riley. She also played rakish Bob Cummings' levelheaded sister Margaret in Love That Bob (1955-59), and later was seen as Marlo Thomas' mother on That Girl (1966-70). In 1965, Rosemary subbed for her old friend Ronald Reagan as host on Death Valley Days; FCC rules of the time compelled the removal of Reagan's scenes when the show was telecast in California, where he was running for governor. Upon Reagan's election, Robert Taylor took over as host, but DeCamp was installed as permanent commercial spokesperson for 20 Mule Team Borax. Semi-retired for several years, DeCamp reemerged in 1981 for a "de-campy" cameo part in the horror spoof Saturday the 14th. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1989
Purchasing an antique bureau at a furniture store rummage sale, Jessica finds an old, undelivered letter in one of the drawers. For reasons made clear in the episode, she turns the letter over to a local volunteer fireman (Jonathan Goldsmith)--who later perishes in a blaze that was deliberately set at the very same furniture store. Want to bet that the letter and the murder are somehow linked, and that Jessica will find that link before episode's end? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1983
Quincy (Jack Klugman) recognizes elderly murder victim Violet Winston (Louise Fitch) as a onetime vaudeville headliner, and the partner of long-retired comedian Morris Perlmutter (Keenan Wynn). The only witness to the killing is Violet's sister Eugenia (Rosemary DeCamp), who is handicapped by a variety of debilitating infirmaries. Elsewhere, the aforementioned Perlmutter prepares to make a comeback on live TV, only to begin suffering the early stages of senility. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
This combination of live action and animation features the Fairy Godmother and her stories that appear in animation. Some titles include Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and others. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1981
- PG
- Add Saturday the 14th to Queue
In this early '80s send-up of venerable horror clichés, Richard Benjamin and Paula Prentiss star as John and Mary, an ordinary couple who inherit a mysterious house from a deceased uncle. Along with kids Debbie (Kari Michaelsen) and Billy (Kevin Brando), they move into the musty mansion, unaware that vampire Waldemar (Jeffrey Tambor) and his wife are desperately seeking an ancient book housed within its walls. Soon, Billy finds the book and learns that opening it releases an assortment of scary creatures. John and Mary, however, refuse to believe Billy's tall tales, not even after Mary ends up with puncture marks in her neck and an aversion to normal food. Soon, a mer-man is stalking Debbie in the bathtub, relatives are disappearing and monsters have taken over the house. Help arrives in the form of the wise Van Helsing (Severn Darden) -- or does it? Saturday the 14th provided the directorial debut for veteran horror screenwriter Howard R. Cohen, who would return to the same territory with 1988's Saturday the 14th Strikes Back. Benjamin, who is married to Prentiss in real life, also appeared in the horror satire Love at First Bite. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Benjamin, Paula Prentiss, (more)
- 1981
An episode of the television series, with Buck, Wilma, Hawk, and the crew plunged into strange surroundings because of a mysterious green box. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1979
The 8-hour TV miniseries Blind Ambition was originally telecast May 20 through 23, 1979. This 105-minute feature-film version, prepared in 1982, seems a bit rushed at times, but overall does a credible and coherent job of storytelling. Based on John Dean's book Blind Ambition, with elements of Maureen Dean's Mo woven in by screenwriter Stanley R. Greenberg, this is the saga of the Watergate affair, as experienced by Dean (Martin Sheen) and hia wife Maureen (Theresa Russell). As the Nixon administration goes down in flames, the Deans' marriage is sorely tested-as is Dean's success-at-any-price credo. Rip Torn plays Nixon like something out of a Greek Tragedy; some viewers accepted his interpretation, others found it jarringly inaccurate. Others in the cast of "usual suspects" include Michael Callan as Charles Colson, Lonny Chapman as L. Patrick Gray, William Daniels as G. Gordon Liddy, Fred Grandy as Donald Segretti, Christopher Guest as Jeb Magruder, Lawrence Pressman as H. R. Haldeman, William Windom as Richard Kleindienst, James Greene as E. Howard Hunt, Logan Ramsey as J. Edgar Hoover, and Al Checco as judge John Sirica. Also known as The John Dean Story, Blind Ambition earned two Emmy nominations. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Martin Sheen, Theresa Russell, (more)
- 1978
A progressive scientist builds a machine that allows him time travel in this adaptation of the classic from H.G. Wells. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide
- 1975
In the first episode of a two-part story, Jim (James Garner) wants to find out why his dad Rocky (Noah Beery Jr.) is being harrassed by hoodlums. It turns out that Rocky has inadvertently eavesdropped on a hijacking scheme involving his friend Johnny LoSalvo (Ted Gehring). The title of this episode refers to a neighborhood liquor store frequented by Rocky and his "secret" lady friend Mary Ramsey (Rosemary DeCamp)--and which of course, figures prominently in the plot. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Jackie Coogan takes over from Ray Bolger in the role of Shirley Partridge's father Mr. Renfrew (now named "Walter" rather than "Fred"), while Rosemary DeCamp recreates her portrayal of Shirley's mom Amanda. The plot gets under way when Grandma Amanda goes to work as the Partridge's maid, if only to escape the rampant chauvinism of Grandpa Walter. Shirley (Shirley Jones) tries to patch up the argument between her dad and mom, succeeding only in sparking a gender-supremacy argument that divides the entire family. Finally, Reuben (Dave Madden) is enlisted to resolve the issue--but this requires him to impersonate a burglar! Songs: "Workin' on a Groovy Thing" and "Grandma". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
Ray Bolger and Rosemary DeCamp return in the roles of Fred and Amanda Renfrew, the parents of Shirley Partridge (Shirley Jones). This time around, Grandpa Fred and Grandma Amanda have gleaned some rather strange ideas at an encounter group, and are going overboard in the efforts to embrace the "New Morality." Unfortunately, the Partridge kids aren't receptive to their Grandparents' new philosophy of total honesty and broad-mindedness, especially after an extended "truth session" leads to nonstop quarreling. But the madness ends only when Grandma herself concludes that Grandpa has gone too far with his new-found "openness." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
The family faces yet another crisis when Shirley's dad Fred (Ray Bolger) shows up at her doorstep, announcing that he has separated from her mom Amanda (Rosemary DeCamp). Before long, Grandma Amanda also shows up, and it becomes crystal clear that the bone of contention is Grandpa Fred's strenuous efforts to be "mod." Or, as the original TV Guide listings summed it up, Grandpa likes hot pants, Grandma likes warm milk. The whole family pitches in to resolve the crisis, if only so that the kids can return to their showbiz career. Song: "I'm On My Way Back Home" and "My Best Girl". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
Ray Bolger and Rosemary DeCamp make their first series appearances as Shirley Partridge's septuagenarian parents Fred and Amanda Renfrew. The Partridge kids are aghast when their mandolin-playing Grandpa decks himself out in the latest "mod" clothes and insists upon singing rock-and-roll tunes in the family act. It takes the combined efforts of Shirley (Shirley Jones), Grandma and the kids to convince Grandpa that he's better off sticking to the the songs of his own youth (and besides, Grandma isn't about to don a miniskirt just to make her husband happy!) Songs: "Baby I Love You", "I'm on the Road" and "Bye Bye Blackbird". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
After missing several episodes due to illness, Bea Benaderet returns to her familiar Petticoat Junction role as Kate Bradley, owner of Hooterville's Shady Rest Hotel. The entire town gears up for a gala homecoming party in Kate's honor, but there are a few hitches along the way--including a fireworks display which ends up destroying the depot in nearby Pixley! Rufe Davis makes his last regular appearance as railroad engineer Floyd Smoot in this, the final episode of the series' fifth season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
Homer Bedloe (Charles Lane) returns to Hooterville, still bound and determined to put the Hooterville Cannonball out of business. This time Homer has come up with a surefire scheme: He puts the entire railroad up for sale! Before long, the townsfolk have sold practically everything they own to keep the Cannonball from being taken over by wealthy dowager Mrs. Green (Lurene Tuttle). This is one of several fifth-season episodes in which Bea Benaderet (Kate Bradley) does not appear. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
With Kate still "out of town" (star Bea Benaderet's illness kept her from appearing), the Shaddy Rest Hotel is taken over by her southern cousin Mae Belle Jennings (Shirley Mitchell). In characteristic fashion, Mae Belle manages to alienate everyone in town in record time. Goodness knows what fate might have befallen the Shady Rest had not Kate's sister Helen come to the rescue. This episode introduces Rosemary DeCamp in the recurring role of Aunt Helen. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
Bea Benaderet (Kate Bradley) does not appear in this episode, in which Betty Jo (Linda Kaye) and husband Steve (Mike Minor) solemnly promise each other never to remove their wedding rings. Alas, Betty breaks her promise, whereupon she accidently drops her ring down the kitchen sink drain. Uncle Joe (Edgar Buchanan) grabs his trusty wrench and tries to retrieve the ring--neglecting to turn off the water in the process! The climax of this episode, in which the entire kitchen is flooded, was the subject of a TV Guide article which offered a behind-the-scenes peek of how the flooding effect was achieved. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
Uncle Joe (Edgar Buchanan) is delighted when his old pal Sam Drucker (Frank Cady) decides to vacation at the Shady Rest. Brimming with anticipation, Joe arranges all sorts of sporting expeditions for himself and Sam. Unfortunately for Joe, his "old pal" would rather stay at the hotel and while away the time with the attractive Aunt Helen (Rosemary DeCamp). Bea Benaderet (Kate Bradley) does not appear in this episode. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
Self-styled deputy Uncle Joe (Edgar Buchanan) informs everyone at the Shady Rest that a bank robbery has occurred and the bandit is still at large. This information piques the interest of a new guest at the hotel (Alan Reed Sr.)--who happens to be the bank robber! It takes the combined resources of Aunt Helen (Rosemary DeCamp) and a WW2-vintage life raft to save the day and mete out justice. Bea Benaderet (Kate Bradley) does not appear in this episode. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
Rosemary DeCamp, who would appear in later Petticoat Junction episodes as the Bradley girls' Aunt Helen, is here seen as Emily Mapes, an old school friend of Kate Bradley (Bea Benadaret). Having recently remarried, Emily is convinced that the widowed Kate should take upon herself a second husband. To this end, she enlists the aid of Kate's daughters to round up all the local eligible bachelors--who even by Hooterville and Pixley standards are a sad lot indeed. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1963
In this conclusion to a two-part story arc, historian Priscilla Smith-Standish (Rosemary DeCamp) has uncovered evidence that the Clampetts are descendants of the original Mayflower settlers. Accordingly, Cousin Pearl "dolls up" in anticipation of meeting the blue-blooded Priscilla, while poor Mrs. Drysdale agonizes over the sudden social ascension of "those dreadful hillbillies." Before things get completely out of hand, Jed Clampett has the good sense to say the wrong thing at the right time. "Jed Cuts the Family Tree" first aired on March 20, 1963. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1963
In the first episode of a two-part story arc, Rosemary DeCamp guest stars as Priscilla Smith-Standish, president of the Society for the Preservation of Early American Traditions. Snooty Mrs. Drysdale is determined to keep Mrs. Smith-Standish as far away as possible from "those dreadful hillbillies." Imagine Mrs. D's dismay when Priscilla discovers that not only is the Clampett mansion a veritable treasure trove of rare antique, but that the Clampetts' ancestor might have come over on the Mayflower. "The Family Tree" originally aired on March 13, 1963. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
