Reel Character Series

 

DORO MERANDE (1892-1975)

Whether a dowdy small-town snoop, a maid, gossip, a terse secretary, or a sour neighbor, Merande's dry wit, high nasal warble, half‐opened eyelids, a smile of childish innocence, or a bewildered look, made her one of the most endearing characters of stage, film, and television. It might have been overkill to have her in lengthy roles, but she pops up delightfully in small doses. I offer a couple of her performances in film and television plus a film of considerably less obscurity.

Prior to television's rising popularity, she could be captured in all her comedic glory in 1949's, Cover Up. Merande's character, Hildy—the maid to end all maids—with her casual asides suggests she is completely out of touch with reality. Far from it. She is a walking encyclopedia of everything that goes on in town, delivering astute, cutting opinions as if they were compliments. It is absurd to Hildy that the prime suspect in an assumed murder is her trusted and kind employer. She takes it upon herself to deliberately set fire to his old college coat—a key piece of evidence—in the backyard. She nonchalantly confesses to him in passing, "I had a little accident with your beaver coat. I was cleaning it and it caught fire—burned up completely."

One of Merande's memorable television performances was in a 1958 black comedy episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents entitled, "Mrs. Herman and Mrs. Fenimore." Merande is a poor widow who has devised a fool-proof plan to kill her crotchety live-in uncle, Russell Collins, for the inheritance money. Merande is delighted when a struggling actress, Mary Astor, becomes her new tenant. Through feigned empathy, Astor elevates Merande to a new level of sophistication and they agree to work together on Collin's demise. But the gullible Merande is unaware she has been duped. Her dumbfounded big-eyed stare at the end seals the episode.

There are many other roles of varying length for Merande, but she was never quite so visually funny in her sporadic appearances in the Cold War paranoia spoof, The Russians Are Coming the Russians Are Coming (1966). Merande is one of the few things that has remained timeless about the film. Dressed in pajamas and robe, she is the ever-vigilant beacon during the assumed invasion. In a burst-out-laughing scene, we see Merande—about four feet off the floor still seated in a chair—placed upon the wall by the Russians to keep her away from the telephone. Her stone-deaf husband, Parker Fennelly, not only cannot hear her screams behind her knitted muzzle, he is completely unaware that she is on the kitchen wall. The Russians were thoughtful enough to include her knitting needle, though not an easy reach. When a friend arrives to rescue her, he finally turns around to ask what she is doing hanging up on the wall. It is a hilarious cartoon moment.

Note: Merande's final role was in the remake of The Front Page (1974). The actress was attending a "Honeymooners" anniversary special in Miami when she suffered a stroke and died at a local hospital. 

Toma Begets Baretta

 

Tony Musante told producer, Stephen J. Cannell, that he was only going to do one season of Toma, no matter how popular the show. The series concerned the exploits of real-life undercover New Jersey cop, David Toma, an unconventional, street-wise cop, single, with a decidedly funky lifestyle. Musante was not kidding. He left the show with Robert Blake as the desired replacement. But rather than be tied to a low-rated series, Cannell "moved" the character to California to become the popular four-season series, Baretta (1975-78). Blake's natural quirkiness and sense of humor made a huge impression. He was given creative control in most aspects of production. It led Blake to create some popular and often parodied catchphrases like "You can take dat to da bank" and "And dat's the name of dat tune." Anthony Vincenzo "Tony" Baretta knew the city inside and out. Though a master of disguise undercover, he was usually in a T-shirt, jeans, and his trademark newsboy cap. His roommate was his pet cockatoo, Fred. The show's gimmicks burned out rather quickly, however.

The theme song, "Keep Your Eye on the Sparrow," was written by Dave Grusin and Morgan Ames. Initially, an instrumental, lyrics were added in later seasons, sung by Sammy Davis, Jr., which includes another catchphrase, "Don't do the crime if you can't do the time." The "Baretta" theme, performed by the Latin-influenced rock band, El Chicano, was a huge hit in many countries.

Note: Roy Huggins created Toma and developed most of its stories. He valued Mustante's input and the star thought one concept would better fit a private detective. Huggins agreed. In the meantime, James Garner was wanting to do another television series. Huggins reworked the concept and it became The Rockford Files.

Not Aiming for Subtle

Robert Strauss (1913-1975) was an American Broadway and film character actor arguably best known for his prolific television work. But he hit instant stardom in 1953 on the big screen as Stanislas "Animal" Kuzawa in Stalag 17 —a role he created in the original Broadway production two years earlier—for which he garnered an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. His character set the stage for numerous quirky military roles to follow, like Kelly's Heroes or M.A.S.H. The year before he played CPO Lardoski in Sailor Beware and Sgt. McClusky in Jumping Jacks, for the Martin and Lewis comedies. In 1954, he was back in the military for The Bridges at Toko-Ri, then joined Mickey Rooney as half of the lame-brained duo in the wacky comedy, The Atomic Kid here. By the late Fifties, mobster roles became more common. Even in comedies.

For being such a bombastic performer, it seemed logical to spread his work all over living rooms in America where he made the small screen seem bigger. From television's early days of anthology series such as Studio One, or The Alcoa Hour, viewers found him difficult to forget. He made appearances on Medic, hosted and sometimes starring Richard Boone, and was naturally in uniform for The Phil Silvers Show. Westerns somewhat broke any Strauss stereotypes, and he guest-starred on Wanted: Dead or Alive, Stagecoach West, Bat Masterson, and Wagon Train, to only name three. By the Sixties, silly comedies included Strauss in The Beverly Hillbillies, Green Acres, and others. He was a cast member on Mona McCluskey, opposite Juliet Prowse and Denny Miller, as Sgt. Stan Gruzewsky. Strauss finished out the decade guesting on comedies in the likes of Get Smart, Mr. Terrific, and The Monkees.

By 1975, it was back to the silver screen for the post-apocalyptic film, The Noah. Not only was it his last performance it was also a rare starring role as the last human on earth, the title character. Strauss is the loan performer in this incredibly forgotten film. A tough assignment any way you slice it. However, his career had long since solidified him as one of the most famous and polarizing character actors of his era.

Note: Above photo of Robert Strauss, William Holden, and Harvey Lembeck in Stalag 17.

This is Jim Rockford

 

Hi, Sonny. It's Rocky. I got the bill---I've been trying to figure out what everybody owes on L.J.'s birthday party. Tell me, did you have the Pink Lady?

Jim's answering machine: The Girl in The Bay City Boys Club, 1975
Blair Brown and Stuart Margolin guest star

This is Jim Rockford

 

Hey, Jimbo --- Dennis. Really appreciate the help on the income tax. 

Do you want to help on the audit now?

Jim's answering machine: Pastoria Prime Pick, 1975
Warren Kemmerling, Kathie Browne guest star

Note: Of all the people Dennis could get help on his taxes! 

This is Jim Rockford

 

Jim, it's Maria over at the laundromat. There's a yellow dress in with your things --- is that a mistake, or a special handling, or what?

Jim's answering machine: 2 Into 5.56 Won't Go, 1975 
Jesse Welles guest stars

This Is Jim Rockford

 

Jim, it's Beth---you have the vet's number, the flea collar, and extra litter. One thing I forgot: keep him away from other cats. He's not very discriminating.

Jim's answering machine: Chicken Little Is A Little Chicken, 1975.
Ray Danton guest stars.

This one of the most beautifully written episodes of the series. It is also hilarious. Danton is an NYC "urban horticulturist" eliminating things "what don't grow," namely Angel Martin. He also complains to his associate about why he hates west coast pizza. The opening has Angel interrupting Jim and Rocky's chess game with gangster terms detailing why Jim is going to lose the match. 

Centaur Has Left The Building

 

Rupp Industries' Centaur was a trike produced as a one-seater in 1974 and a two-seater in 1975 in Mansfield Ohio. Priced at $1,700, it was the only true street-legal machine by Rupp. Triggered by the 1973 petroleum shortage, what seemed like a great idea on paper was not a success on the street. It was advertised as half cycle and half economy car and featured a 340cc Kohler 2-cycle oil-injected engine with an advertised 30 mpg and, with a tailwind, a top speed of 55 mph. The fiberglass body was molded in either red, yellow, white or blue. Compounding owner dissatisfaction, in any color the body had a tendency to crack around the rear fenders. 

Founded by Mickey Rupp in 1959, Rupp Industries manufactured go-karts, minibikes, snowmobiles and other off-road vehicles. Rupp ceased operation in bankruptcy, 1978. They have since become extremely collectible. One of the Centaurs owned and driven by Elvis Presley remains on display at Graceland.

This is Jim Rockford

 

Hey, Jimmy, it's cousin Lou! Gonna be in town a coupla days. Know you won't mind puttin' us up. It's just me, and Aunt Cissy, and B.J., and the kids, and little Freddie, and ...

The Rockford Files Message: Resurrection in Black and White, 1975
Joan Van Ark guest stars.

This is Jim Rockford

 

Jim, it's Shirley at the cleaners. You know that brown jacket---the one that looks so great on you---your favorite? We lost it.

The Rockford Files Message: The Real Easy Red Dog, 1975. 

Stefanie Powers guest stars.

This Is Jim Rockford

Hi, Jim --- thanks for the dinner invitation. I'd love to 

but does it have to be the taco stand?

The Rockford Files Message: The Deep Blue Sleep, 1975
Janet MacLachlan guest stars