Elizabeth Montgomery

May 05, 2009




Fathers and daughters both acting is, it seems, relatively common in Hollywood. Henry and Jane Fonda, Michael, Lynn and Vanessa Redgrave, John Drew and Drew Barrymore, Charlie and Geraldine Chaplin, Frank and Nancy Sinatra, and the list goes on and on...

But my favorite Dad/Daughter pairs are John and Hayley Mills, and Robert and Elizabeth Montgomery. What separates these pairs from the others, at least in my own life, is that I discovered the daughters before the dads. Elizabeth Montgomery and Hayley Mills were my favorite actresses when I was young-- I didn't even know that they had inherited their acting genes from their marvelous fathers until I was in my late teens.

Since I've already painted John and Hayley Mills, it seems that Robert and Elizabeth Montgomery are up next! Here is my Elizabeth Montgomery post-- Robert will be posted in a little bit...

***

Like most people, Elizabeth Montgomery will always be "Samantha Stevens" in my mind. Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie were my favorite television shows (and Clarissa Explains it All) -- I watched Nick at Nite and Block Party Summer religiously. I was nine years old when Elizabeth Montgomery passed away. I was still so young at the time, and I was absolutely devastated. I can remember Block Party Summer did a Bewitched marathon, and, if my memory serves me correctly, Linda Ellerbee did a special on Nick News to explain what happened. At the time, I didn't understand that these were old shows -- Elizabeth Montgomery was still only about 30 years old in my nine year old brain. Reading her biography today, I found out that she was only 62 when she passed away-- and had found out about the cancer only a few weeks beforehand. It was so incredibly sad to read...

Luckily, the complete Bewitched series is now on DVD, so Samantha Stevens will always be available at a moments notice. Just twitch your nose...

My one problem with Bewitched, and I'm sure there will be hot contention about this, was the Darren switch. I adore Dick York to no end; he is the sweetest actor ever. But Dick Sargent? Did they just pick him because his first name was also Dick? He didn't have the "I hate it when you use your powers but I love you so much anyway" charm that Dick York did. It was more like "will you quit using those stupid powers already?" -- very brash and un-cute.

But the real highlight of show, regardless of which Dick was Darren, was Elizabeth Montgomery. She had an effortless style of acting, very cool and calm even when her character was dealing with a very prickly situation.

Some of my favorite episodes starred Samantha Stevens' cousin Serena (Elizabeth Montgomery in a dark wig) -- much like I Dream of Jeannie, the dark haired look alike is conniving, devilish and sneaky, but SO much fun! When I watch the episodes now, I think that the Serena episodes were probably the most fun for Elizabeth Montgomery to play!

Elizabeth Montgomery also made several films, made for TV movies and documentaries - and every single production she was a part of was all the better because of her. But to me, she will always forever be Samantha Stevens, the lovable witch who made me wish OH so badly that I could learn to twitch my nose.

13 comments:

Mae said...

These photos are amazing! I particularly love the last one!

Terence Towles Canote said...

I had such a crush on Elizabeth Montgomery when I was young. I guess I still do. LOL. I have to admit I always had problems with the Darren switch too, and for the same reasons as you. I also loved it when she played Serena, although it created a bit of a dilemma for me. Was Elizabeth Montgomery better looking as a blonde or a brunette. Of course, she was gorgeous either way!

vivienne strauss said...

Bewitched is one of tv's best shows ever! I have to admit, I didn't really care for either Darren though I know his character was necessary much as George Costanza was necessary on Seinfeld. I especially loved any episode that had Uncle Arthur (Paul Lynde) or Endorra (Agnes Moorehead). I'm not sure I've spelled these names correctly...

Unknown said...

Mae- Me, too.. she reminds me of Grace Kelly in that one.

Mercurie - The Darren switch is really one of my biggest pet peeves... I really like Dick York; I wish he could have been in more episodes

vivienne- one of the best shows ever, indeed! The complete set is at the very top of my amazon wish list -- that, and I Dream of Jeannie & Get Smart. To have all three at my disposal would be heaven!

I love Endora - I always called her "Angus Moorehead" (like the beef) until I got older lol.

Matthew Coniam said...

I guess you know why Dick York had to leave the show? It's really pretty sad...

Unknown said...

He had serious back problems, right?

Matthew Coniam said...

Yes; apparently he had to have special furniture on the set... then one day he just collapsed and had to pull out of the programme completely. Like you say, I think the other guy's main qualification was that he was called Dick as well.

Sarah Mann said...

I LOVE BEWITCHED! They play reruns on a local channel, so when I get home I watch it :D I'm also on team Dick York. My mom didn't even know there was a Darrin switch, so she just remembers Sargent. :( I like Darrin #1. I saw an episode of her and Robert Mitchum (I think) on The Twilight Zone; she never talked, but I still loved it!
PS: I've been trying to twitch my nose since November. I'm getting there!

Elizabeth said...

I love "Bewitched"! It plays on Sunday evenings up here and I look forward to it all week! You did a great post on Elizabeth Montgomery!

Keith said...

These photos are great. I've always been a big fan of her. Bewitched was one of my favorite shows as a kid. I still watch it to this day.

Caitlin said...

Bewitched Be-Wednesdays were my favorite night of the week during the summers when I was little. It wasn't until recently that I saw Elizabeth Montgomery in a role that didn't involve nose-twitching, and I need to go watch it again before I post about it because through the entire movie I kept thinking her character's name was Samantha (it was Melissa).

Miss McCrocodile said...

Lovely blog and photos. "Bewitched" was my favourite growing up also. I think the first few seasons in B&W were the best. I've shared my DVDs with some young friends (under age 10) and they're crazy for her too.
They think I'm teasing when I say how stylish Endora dresses, but I'm serious!
BTW- Sarah, it was Charles Bronson in "The Twilight Zone". Their episode was called "Two" from the 3rd season, 1961.

vicki stokes said...

dear Vivienne,

loved your blog - 9 years on hey ! did you ever notice how much Elizabeth looks like Jane fonda, ? I did a family history search and they are in fact from the same family tree, I so loved Elizabeth.