She is notable for her roles in the original Shaggy Dog film and as Betsy Garth on the Western television series The Virginian. To get married. " [The sitcom] was horrible and only lasted about two weeks," Roberta recalled. Doug was the breakout star of the series, and I loved Trampas, and though it is sad that he passed away, I enjoy watching because it is the only way to keep him alive. Roberta Shore would be replaced with a short one season run by Diane Roter. I read the book in high school, so was well aware of the story, said James Drury from his home in Houston. The show was pulled after two seasons by Congress because they didn't like the idea that kids were seeing the outlaw Billy the Kid as a hero. Still, if that's not rebellious enough, Shore also spent a month in London for a small bit in the notorious 1962 Stanley Kubrick film "Lolita." And now she's doing publicity for the show's first DVD release. Cowboy Way Festival : Gene Autry Museum : May 5-7, 2017. While The Virginian, which was TVs first 90-minute Wild West show that aired from 1962 to 1971 on NBC, is no longer in its heyday, many of its cast members went on to do much more. Sara Lane as Elizabeth Grainger would actually appear in more episodes than Shore but would never match her acting ability. I interviewed Roberta Shore and executive producer Frank Price about her leaving the show. - Famuse. Why did Riker leave The Virginian? Just a couple days ago watched The Awakening and Betsys wedding. Some of the "teary" moments for me were Randy and Betsy's last ride together when Randy gave her a wood carving he had made of I love Westerns but I never liked hangings in Westerns. really thought Betsy wouldnt get married and leave Shiloh. Lucky girl. "And you know what I sang?" We really are trying to provide the programs you want. I googled that question, and it led me to this page, which I am very grateful for, you people are to be commended for sharing your knowledge and thoughts on these rare but very valuable old tv programs. I have searched so much and cant find the answer. But he wasnt calling for the Virginian, he was calling for Jim the handy man. After signing with NBC in 1965 Diane Roter refused to have a double do her horseback riding scenes. 77 Sunset Strip, The Fugitive and The Rockford Files, "The Awakening" (4:05) - Roberta Shore Leaves 'The Virginian', The Virginian Reunion Photos - Memphis (June 2-4, 2011), 50 Years of The Virginian - Memphis 2012 : Part Two. I moved from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City and never wanted to come back, the devout Mormon explained in a 2016 interview. My first time to see it also last night. I see her age and shes year older than I am. Ive heard that song many hundreds of times thinking that on the final chorus they were singing the boys are back in town, Jim. In fact, it was the boys are back in town again. I would bet the ranch that if you go back and review those episodes and constantly played back what Trampas and Judge Garth actually said, you will hear them say something that rhymes with Jim that made more sense to the dialogue. Did James Drury The actor wear a toupee? [on recognizing herself on the soundtrack for "It's a Small World"] "I was the yodeler!" He became discontented with his role and wanted to return to acting on the stage and in movies. Would anyone know what season and episode number and/or title? (She auditioned as a Mouseketeer, but was turned down because she was taller than most of the cast at the time.) Roberta was famous for being the only female lead character on the show. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Well which one was it??? Sara Lane as Elizabeth Grainger would actually appear in more episodes than Shore but would never match her acting ability. Surely they werent going to actually get married and live happily ever after. The 1929 western and Cooper's first talkie film was based on the 1902 novel by Owen Wister. The storyline mirrored actress Roberta Shore's own decision to break her seven-year contract with the show in order to . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. At our age, members of the Class of '48 have an abundance of free timeand Joyce Van Denburgh Doty, MFA '50, made excellent use of it with a detailed response to the Share Your News form.. Perhaps invigorated by the oxygen she uses (though she never smoked, she presumes she inhaled others'), she goes beyond her own TV watching of both old black-and-white shows and modern news to . Raised in San Gabriel, California, Roberta began her career at age ten, singing country western songs at supermarket openings with Tex Williams, who invited her to join his weekly TV show from Knotts Berry Farm. (Full details including author interviews with Roberta Shore, James Drury,Randy Boone, Frank Price and Joel Rogosin can be found inmy book A History of Televisions The Virginian 1962-1971published byMcFarland & Co.). Happy continued viewing Anne!. James appeared in many shows, including Ironside, Firehouse, and most famously, Walker, Texas Ranger. 77 Sunset Strip, The Fugitive and The Rockford Files, "The Awakening" (4:05) - Roberta Shore Leaves 'The Virginian', The Virginian Reunion Photos - Memphis (June 2-4, 2011), 50 Years of The Virginian - Memphis 2012 : Part Two. Amazon is selling a Season 4 boxed set Etolia. . (I was looking this up to see who from the They were right but it was on her terms, not theirs. Great show. I started watching it again last year on the Western Channel and seeing some of the stars of the show has passed away is sad also. I know I used to watch this show, and all other westerns with my Dad when I was a kid. Aside from "The Virginian," Shore is perhaps best remembered as a bubbly, effervescent teen in the Disney stable, often playing a romantic rival for Annette Funicello. I watched The Awakening for the first time tonight. We had John Dehner for a short time then Charles came along and he did just a wonderful job, recalled Drury. They did very well and John was perfect in every scene I ever saw him do.. I recall hearing Trampas say Jim under his breath but I cant recall the episode. I have been watching reruns and sometime within the past month I heard Tramps call the Virginian by name. Back Row: John Saxon, Tony Numkena, Robert Wolders, James Hampton, John Buttram, Roger Mobley, and Bobby Diamond. Recently she has also been involved with judging the music category of the Deseret News' Sterling Scholars program. I remember them a little but I was young when they came on. Another explanation for Sara Lane's departure might be because she was dissatisfied with her persona, particularly after they altered how Clem paid attention to Betsy Garth (Roberta Shore). If my memory is correct it was a bunkhouse scene. "Oh, yes, my sister told me about that, from those shows I used to do, with Dick Clark and Lawrence Welk and others.". Its a wonderful feeling to know the show is still viable after all these years.. Reblogged this on lydia7777's Blog and commented: Pete Duel : A Biography (2007, 2009 Large Print edition; Kindle edition) In the years 2011-2013 Diane has participated in each of the reunions for the surviving cast members of The Virginian. After NBC changed her first name to Diane, she remained in the role of Jennifer for twenty-five episodes (1965-1966). While some of the cast are now no longer with us, many other cast members are alive and well, and are now doing things like writing, acting, directing, or just living peacefully. Betsy's Exit in Season 4 of 'The Virginian' Was Art Imitating Life, Does Albert Die in 'Little House on the Prairie'? . Hi Bobbie, just watched that episode a couple nights ago, and I wondered the same thing while I was watching. She got blisters from her new boots, and to make matters worse, was thrown from her horse. Darrel. Perfect timing for your request!! Roberta Shore was born on the 7th of April, 1943. That gave them the last 15 minutes or so of the ep to concentrate on the wedding, which was much more interesting. I enjoyed reading everything!!! The awakening broke my heart seeing Roberta getting married and leaving the show. Mayfield KY. The Awakening (4:05) directed by Leon Benson, written by Robert Crean and broadcast October 17, 1965,was a turning point for The Virginian and marked the end of the classic early period of the show (1962-1965). Sylvia : My book covers Robertas departure in great detail. Anonymous But he died unexpectedly (during season 6). Lee J. Cobb was born on December 9, 1911. The lead actors were Ellen Burstyn, Max Van Sydow and Lee J. Why I want to see it again, is beyond me. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. [1], At the age of 22, Shore broke her contract to focus on her marriage and family. played by Linda Blair. What time does normal church end on Sunday? Randy Boone left to join Cimmaron Strip and Clu Gulager said at the time that he intended to quit acting to concentrate on directing. I kept waiting for Betsys fiancee to be shot or something. This is a wonderful show. LOL. For, some reason it left a sad feeling with me.. (Full details including author interviews with Roberta Shore, James Drury,Randy Boone, Frank Price and Joel Rogosin can be found inmy book A History of Televisions The Virginian 1962-1971published byMcFarland & Co.). Why did Lee J Cobb leave the Virginian? Luckily for him he found employment immediately on Cimarron Strip with Stuart Whitman. Plz reply! Author: famuse.co. This was Robertas final appearance Kathy. 1978) Jerrene (1991-present) Children. ", When Disney shows were being filmed, the mothers would sit together to watch the day's shooting. on Cowboy Way Festival : Gene Autry Museum : May 5-7, 2017. on The Awakening (4:05) Roberta Shore Leaves The Virginian, on Clu Gulager at The Virginian 50th Anniversary Event, on 50 Years of The Virginian Memphis 2012 : Part Two, on Memphis Film Fair Western Stars Group Photo, on The Virginian Reunion Photos Memphis (June 2-4, 2011), on The Virginian The Executioners (1:01) with Hugh OBrian. By the time James Drury became a staple on television in the Western series The Virginian which aired from 1962 until 1971, he already reached the tail end of this marriage to his first wife, Cristall Orton. Gary Clarke appeared in a few other shows after The Virginian, most notably Dynasty, and now lives with his third wife, Jerrene in Austin, Texas. Born and raised as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Shore cites her faith as the primary reason for her decision. She appeared as Annette Funicello's rival Laura Rogan in Annette's self-titled series and as French-speaking Franceska in The Shaggy Dog (1959). James Drury passed away of natural causes in April of 2020, so he is now no longer with us. 1964) Pat Woodell (1964-bef. 2.Why did Roberta Shore quit The Virginian? Marriages of TV Western characters who continue to appear in the series usually end in tragedy as you mention. Betsy sang Hang Poor Billy in Season 2 Episode 7 Brother Thaddeus. All Rights Reserved, Chris Hicks: Say goodbye to Hollywood: Roberta Shore gave up fame for family. 364 on direct tv. (LogOut/ Required fields are marked *. I have been watching The Virginian waiting to see this episode for over a year and I have never seen it. Perhaps someone can help me out. When You Breathe In Your Diaphragm Does What. Browse 114 roberta shore photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more photos and images. Im watching an episode right now! Cobb was replaced by veteran supporting film actor Charles Bickford. There was no reason to believe she wouldn't have a bright future in Hollywood as an adult. Well-admired character actor John McIntire was hired to complete the sixth season. Paul Greeen are anyone else for that matter, please tell me the episode where Roberta Shore sang the song Theyre hanging poor Billy tommorow. I've always suspected that he did - many of the old Hollywood stars did, Bing Crosby, John Wayne, Ray Milland, Lee J. Cobb and even James Stewart!No. , Can you tell me why Lee Cobb left the show. The series had a large viewership for many reasons: its top-notch production, brilliant storyline, and excellent casting. We just watch the one where the Virginia comes to Shiloh!!! Hi Darrel: I interviewed Randy for my book. Her first professional job was with Tex Williams. This is a common misunderstanding, Sheri. The 1929 western andCoopers first talkie filmwas based on the 1902 novel by Owen Wister. Im dying to know. Along with her younger brother, Michel, the family departed from Cherbourg, France in early December 1948 on the Queen Elizabeth, arriving in New York, New York, USA on December 13, 1948. After Charles passed on, we got John McIntire and Jeanette Nolan to run the ranch, who were actually husband and wife and often worked together. Im sorry about the more than a year delay in responding, but thank you very much for the info. We never had the opportunity to try to get them to reconsider. 1948. Not as good after Lee J. Cobb and Roberta Shore leftbut still good. The two were slated to work on a kids spinoff of The Virginian in 2015 titled Billy and the Bandit that never seemed to fully get off the ground. Post date: 27 yesterday. Thank you all, Lee J. Cobb would have been 64 years old at the time of death or 103 years old today. What was James Drury's favorite episode of The Virginian? You may be thinking of the episode The Handy Man when Trampas yelled out Jim from the bunkhouse porch. She replaced Roberta Shore who left the series to be married. 74 min.). Continue Learning about General Arts & Entertainment. Copyright 2023 Distractify. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Danielle B. Roter was born on May 26, 1948 in Brussels, Belgium, the daughter of Tovia and Bella Roter. "I thought, so that's why they asked me to yodel!". Roberta Shore, like her character, Betsy, really did leave the show to get married and settle down. Betsys leaving was a major event for the show. The Show was never the same after she left even though they beefed up the roles of the other main characters after Lee left.The episodes after Roberta and Lee were still watched by the faithful fan base.The Trampas and Virginian episodes were my favorites. In the second episode of season 9, James Farentino was teaching Trampas how to draw and shoot. In all the eps Ive watched since then, Ive never been able to find such an instance. We watch The Virginian all the time. Location : Held at the Market Place on Broadway, We loved Roberta Shores character Betsy.. looked upon her as though she could be a beautiful sweet grand daughter, lol. Drurys laconic character was always referred to as The Virginian; he had no name, unlike his horse, a white Appaloosa called Joe D. The Shiloh foreman may have sported a black hat, but he routinely did the right thing, rescuing folks and fighting rustlers and outlaws in the Wyoming Territory in the 1890s. Following the discussion on The Awakening thread elsewhere on my site heres the cover of Randy Boones LP featuring a song used in that episode. ", Shore grew up in Southern California, but after leaving the show she moved to Utah, where she's been ever since. Roberta Shore is a former American actress and singer, whose main claim to fame was her work in the popular American Western television series, "The Virginian," which aired on NBC. Home | About | Contact | Copyright | Privacy | Cookie Policy | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap. Roberta Shore, now 76 years old, was one of the only main female leads on The Virginian, and she now leads a fascinating life. Sorry to hog this conversation, but, Gary, if you were wanting the recording, you might try discogs.com I saw the LP there but Im not a registered user so I couldnt try to purchase it. She was part of a winning combination on the show!!! She is a 1961 graduate of San Gabriel High School, San Gabriel, Why did Riker leave The Virginian? "This was at Knott's Berry Farm when it was still a farm and we had been sort of following Tex around. She joins Roberta Shore and Sara Lane at each of these celebrations. When he was younger, he was actually most known for his role before The Virginian as Joe Chernak on Peyton Place, and didnt go on to do too much acting after playing Stacey Grainger. Even the Revue publicity still of the period emphasizes OBrian over Roberta Shore and James Drury. They just discarded eight seasons of character building and started from scratch. The Shiloh ranch was named after the two-day American Civil War Battle of Shiloh, Tenn. . This was Roberta Shore's last appearance as she left the series to marry in "real life." It was for the most part a satisfying although bittersweet good-bye to Betsy. But that energetic, upbeat, bubbly effervescence was no act. Love every episode/, My husband and I watch the Virginia every day 2 showings. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Duffy Jennings is writing about the . I have just recently started watching the INSP channel, which has become my favorite channel, and the Virginian is my new favorite show. Cowboy Way Jubilee! https://thevirginiantv.wordpress.com/2012/01/21/golden-west-and-tomorrow-themes/, A History of Televisions The Virginian BookReviews, TV Party : "The Virginian-Men From Shiloh" article by Paul Green, A History of Television's The Virginian 1962-1971, Encyclopedia of Weird Westerns (Second Edition), Jeffrey Hunter: The Film, Television, Radio and Stage Appearances, Roy Huggins: Creator of Maverick. No, not Betsy leaving Shiloh!! May 2, 3, 4, & 5, 2019! Of course, the role of Regan MacNeil (the possessed girl) was Janet. Clu's next big break was playing Deputy Emmett Ryker on The Virginian from 1964-1968. I dont know why I want to see Betsy sing that song again because hangings are part of western movies or TV series I never liked. The scripts were generally followed to the word. Cobb was replaced by veteran supporting film actor Charles Bickford. Together, he and Roberta Shore recorded an album after the show ended, and he got his own record deal, which never saw commercial success. Roberta also performed the theme song for that movie. I agree Annette, I was for sure going to make it to the Cowboy Way Fest this year, just to get to shake the hand of the great James Drury, He recently passed away. He could cheer anybody up. Just saw this episode last night, Sept 16th 2017 on ch. And Tex was there with his band and I got up and sang with him and it was "Smoke That Cigarette"! After The Virginian, she appeared in a few TV shows, but she then moved to Utah, where she was a radio DJ in Salt Lake City. I was expecting her boyfriend to have to go back east or to become a traveling union spokesman for Wyoming miners. Today was the first time to see The Awakening. Originally airing on NBC from 1962 to 1971, and currently rerunning on several cable networks, the enduring popularity of the The Virginian doesnt surprise 85-year-old Drury (see www.thevirginian.net). The cause was lung cancer, said Dennis Morga, a friend. I cried at the wedding scene felt so bad for Judge Garth and Randy. Does The Virginian wear a wig? Ill have to google her and find out more about her career!! Born and raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Shore had different priorities, and she never looked back. When Betsy Garth (Roberta Shore) married former minister David Henderson (Glenn Corbett), declared I dont need Shiloh anymore and left for her new home in Pennsylvania as a preachers wife a vital character in The Virginian departed. How big was the Shiloh Ranch? album of "It's a Small World.". I started watching on Encore Westerns and watched every episode two times in a row. 2012 The Inspirational Networks, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Gary Clarke left because of problems with the producer among other things. Yes Bob the mining story was a distraction. I heard there was an episode where Trampas accidentally refers to The Virginian, as Jim (no doubt he said the actors name by mistake and that they forgot to edit it in post production). Judi Im sorry to say I dont have the answer at hand. She never made any guest appearances after this episode. She acted with Mouseketeer Annette Funicello in the late 1950s series Walt Disney Presents: Annette. The cast members were relatable and gave excellent deliveries to their characters. Invoking a time-honored clich, Hollywood movers and shakers warned Shore that if she walked off the show, she would never work in their town again. He was 59. At the age of 22, Shore broke her contract to focus on her marriage and family. He was dissatisfied with acting but continued to have an acting career longer than the majority of The Virginian cast. If Trampas or Judge Garth called the Virginian Jim it certainly wasnt part of any script but a slip of the tongue that escaped continuity and editing. If that seems ironic for a nice Mormon teen, it should be noted that the novelty song actually carries an anti-smoking message, albeit in a sly, satiric way. ", In fact, Shore's only return to movie acting after "The Virginian" was with a role in the iconic 1974 LDS short "Cipher in the Snow," produced by the Brigham Young University Motion Picture Studio. All rights reserved. Ninety years ago, Paramount released "The Virginian" starring Gary Cooper. Roberta Bleiweiss , co-founder of Beach Blanket Babylon, and Rob Robinson . Episodes were 90-minutes, the writing brilliantly told appealing stories, and big movie stars would walk over broken glass to appear on the show, explained Drury. Later, she played Ricky Summers in the 1960 movie Because They're Young, Jenny Bell in The Young Savages (1961), and in an uncredited role as Lorna in Stanley Kubrick's 1962 version of Lolita. She appeared many times on episodes of The Mouseketeers, although she herself was not a Mouseketeer as she was deemed too tall. Did Billy Graham speak to Marilyn Monroe about Jesus? I couldnt figure out if the song was suppose to be funny or serious. "I moved from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City and never wanted to come back," the devout Mormon explained in a 2016 interview. Content copyright Paul Green 2013 unless otherwise stated. I watched this episode for the first time this past Saturday (July 20, 2013), Just started watching The Virginian last Sept. so I did not know this was Roberta Shores last episode. This episode premieres on Encore Westerns on January 1st followed by a January 4th broadcast at 4.30 p.m. EST. In the later years the show lost a lot but still enjoyed with all the great actors. But the most notable role for Roberta on a TV series was as Betsy Garth on The Virginian (1962) for its first three seasons. Yes Roberta was a vital part of the original Shiloh family. "After I moved here, they called me out of the blue from BYU Studios and asked me to do it. Yes Betsy the reason this marriage occurred was to provide a suitable departure from the series for the Betsy Garth character. He did an interview saying he thought the show was terrible and wished he could buy up all the film and turn it into banjo picks! (March 4, 1983 - December 12, 1987) (his death), (December 19, 1964 - ?) Hi Dee: You mean he called The Virginian by James Drurys name Jim? Cary Grant did not wear a toupee. Gary Clarke, now 87 years old, left The Virginian in 1964 to pursue other projects, although he stayed in touch with James Drury. I was shocked and surprised that this wedding actually happened. Now I get to see many episodes on Insp channel. Did The Virginian ever get married on the show? Raised in San Gabriel, California, Roberta began her career at age ten, singing country western songs at supermarket openings with, - IMDb Mini Biography By: Gary Brumburgh / gr-home@pacbell.net, Was the first to record the song "Let There Be Peace on Earth. But if you really want to turn back the clock, go online and look up Shore on YouTube, where she can be found at age 15, singing in clips from old TV shows. gary, I just looked up wanderin, wonderin' thats the name of the song. He wasnt well and everybody wanted him to go home but he insisted on finishing his part and staying around. Invoking a time-honored clich, Hollywood movers and shakers warned Shore that if she walked off the show, she would never work in their town again. The first season does include some excellent episodes and is also of interest for demonstrating the early and convoluted evolution of The Virginian television series. Encyclopedia of Weird Westerns (2009) Even Bette Davis starred in one episode. Kennedy From left to right are : Don Quine, Gary Clarke, Roberta Shore, Randy Boone, James Drury and BarBara Luna (Doug McClures 2nd wife). But guess what,the name of the show is The Virginian!' A crackerjack yodeler in her youth, she recorded a yodel that is still used on the popular Disney theme-park ride. Rating: 4 (1473 reviews) Highest rating: 5. You can watch all the episodes of the Virginian on Demand. exorcist had died a horrible death, on wikipedia!!). An astonishing parade of notable guest stars on most episodes also contributed to the shows success. A devout Mormon, Shore broke her contract to focus on her marriage and family, retiring at the age of 22. Roberta Shore in a scene from the television series 'The Virginian', 1964. Lee J. Cobb was born on December 9, 1911 and died on February 11, 1976. Thanks for this informative article. "I did regret giving up music," she says. Two of them have been answered, but no one said why Randy Boone left the show. I started out as a singer, and I did a lot of singing back then. Just saw this last night..it was a surprisingly good episodeI thought it would be a little slow.but it was interesting, still timely, and a little sad. Complicated. I was a tot when The Virginian first aired, and now, in middle-age, watching two episodes a day (harder to binge with 75 minute episodes). Roberta Shore's age is 80. It still holds up, he said. Roberta Shore played Judge Garth's daughter Betsy in the first four seasons of The Virginian. It was kind of sad in one way and not sad in another way she sang the song. "I'm only five-three-and-a-half but I was too tall. Born and raised as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Shore cites her faith as the primary reason for her decision. Yes, that's Shore speaking French and innocently distracting the boys from Funicello in the original "The Shaggy Dog.". Distractify is a registered trademark. She is now focused on her walk with God alongside her husband. You may also see it on INSP network when they broadcast it again. After watching an episode of season 5, I was lost , wanting to know why those three major stars left the show. He was making a ton of money from the series, then just quit. The first episode of The Virginian, originally broadcast September 19, 1962, is a mediocre story that gives little hint of future heights. She is my favorite . I agree with bobbies comments Darrel. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a2541c9da224f0f5d907eb93175a19df" );document.getElementById("c08a1a06c7").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. "I can't imagine living anywhere else. Hugh OBrian and Colleen Dewhurst dominate scenes while the regular cast are reduced to background players. When Betsy Garth (Roberta Shore) married former minister David Henderson (Glenn Corbett), declared I dont need Shiloh anymore and left for her new home in Pennsylvania as a preachers wife a vital character in The Virginian departed. The show was pulled after two seasons by Congress because they . That episode was truly the end of a glorious era of the show. They have been held at diverse locations, i.e., Olive Branch, Mississippi, USA; Kanab, Utah, USA; and The Autry National Center and Museum in Los Angeles, California, USA. Shore left the show I realized how much I missed her.