Not long before she got the part of Betty on Father Knows Best, Elinor Donahue appeared in the movie Love is Better Than Ever, which starred Elizabeth Taylor and Larry Parks. In the movie Elinor plays Elizabeth's star pupil and assistant at a dance school and eventually takes over as the main teacher when Liz marries Larry,
I remember this episode from FKB. Betty was excited about her ability to win some kind of school dance contest, and then becomes distraught when she sees the routine of the girl with the long blonde hair who does some kind of cowgirl dance and seems to be a professional. She runs out in dispair and then I think a school janitor talks her back into trying to compete.
Didn't she also star as Andy's girlfriend Ellie (a druggist) on the Andy Griffith show for a while? I'm almost positive. I remember her more from that than I do "Father Knows Best".
@gotch09 Not only did she have that role you mentioned, but still later she was for a while the girl friend of Felix Ungar (Tony Randall) on The Odd Couple. At the time Robert Young was starring in the highly rated show Marcus Welby M. D., and in a bit of an inside joke Elinor's character was called Mariam Welby.
A long under-rated actress! I never understood how her character was dumped from Andy Griffith - made no sense! I was delighted to see her, however briefly in "Pretty Woman". She has always exuded vitality, affability and grace. Another terrific Elinor (Eleanor!)
Elinor Donahue certainly ranks as one of the most attractive, natural and versatile actresses in television history. She also captured a huge following which guaranteed high ratings for any show on which she appeared. She appeared on the creme de la creme of situation comedies over an amazing long time span, never aging much, never losing her natural qualities and praised by her coworkers for her amiability, professionalism and great talent.
@tinkerbellisfunny Well next time you see her tell her that I still have very pleasant memories of her and her charming personality in Father Knows Best, The Andy Griffith Show and The Odd Couple, as well as her role in one episode of the show Newhart.
This is an excerpt from the episode "Betty Makes A Choice" {March 2, 1959}- here, she's auditioning for the annual Springfield Junior College musical [which gave Elinor a chance to demonstrate her tap-dancing abilities]; the blonde in the audience is the one who eventually "challenges" Betty for the same role, and she's forced to decide "the right thing to do"....
I didnt know she could dance like like!~ - the same woman that was on Andy Grifith, Get a Life, Odd Couple??- and she dances too! She must be a good cook--- I bought her cookbook and it has a great recipe for Crabcakes!!!
I've had a crush on Elinor since I was 15 and she 17 as best I can figure.
superbanjoman1 6 months ago
Not long before she got the part of Betty on Father Knows Best, Elinor Donahue appeared in the movie Love is Better Than Ever, which starred Elizabeth Taylor and Larry Parks. In the movie Elinor plays Elizabeth's star pupil and assistant at a dance school and eventually takes over as the main teacher when Liz marries Larry,
CarlDuke 1 year ago
I remember this episode from FKB. Betty was excited about her ability to win some kind of school dance contest, and then becomes distraught when she sees the routine of the girl with the long blonde hair who does some kind of cowgirl dance and seems to be a professional. She runs out in dispair and then I think a school janitor talks her back into trying to compete.
CarlDuke 1 year ago
Didn't she also star as Andy's girlfriend Ellie (a druggist) on the Andy Griffith show for a while? I'm almost positive. I remember her more from that than I do "Father Knows Best".
gotch09 1 year ago
@gotch09 Not only did she have that role you mentioned, but still later she was for a while the girl friend of Felix Ungar (Tony Randall) on The Odd Couple. At the time Robert Young was starring in the highly rated show Marcus Welby M. D., and in a bit of an inside joke Elinor's character was called Mariam Welby.
CarlDuke 1 year ago
The middle judge in the scene looks like Miriam Nelson, who I believe also
choreographed the number - whatcha think?
jttaps1 2 years ago
YES! It is Miriam Nelson as the middle judge. Of course, this is her number... it has all her favorite steps in it, too :)
Miriam is still dancing up a storm at age 90. I just "worked out" with her on a new routine last Friday.
rustyfrank 2 years ago
A long under-rated actress! I never understood how her character was dumped from Andy Griffith - made no sense! I was delighted to see her, however briefly in "Pretty Woman". She has always exuded vitality, affability and grace. Another terrific Elinor (Eleanor!)
netwitt1 2 years ago
TO: Tinkerbellisfunny
You are very blessed to have Elinor Donahue as your grandmother...She is a real lady in every sense of the sentiment...
MeThinksThus 2 years ago
Tap, some jazz and even a bit of ballet all mixed in. She's wonderful!
Janadu 2 years ago
Comment removed
mrtelevision 2 years ago
Elinor dances so beautiful
Ultramar0270 2 years ago
Elinor Donahue certainly ranks as one of the most attractive, natural and versatile actresses in television history. She also captured a huge following which guaranteed high ratings for any show on which she appeared. She appeared on the creme de la creme of situation comedies over an amazing long time span, never aging much, never losing her natural qualities and praised by her coworkers for her amiability, professionalism and great talent.
waynebrasler 2 years ago
In High Heel tap shoes too. Now that Ain't easy!!
78timothy 2 years ago
shes my grandmother. TRUE>!!!!!!!!!!!!>!!!!!!!!
tinkerbellisfunny 3 years ago
@tinkerbellisfunny Well next time you see her tell her that I still have very pleasant memories of her and her charming personality in Father Knows Best, The Andy Griffith Show and The Odd Couple, as well as her role in one episode of the show Newhart.
CarlDuke 1 year ago
This is an excerpt from the episode "Betty Makes A Choice" {March 2, 1959}- here, she's auditioning for the annual Springfield Junior College musical [which gave Elinor a chance to demonstrate her tap-dancing abilities]; the blonde in the audience is the one who eventually "challenges" Betty for the same role, and she's forced to decide "the right thing to do"....
fromthesidelines 3 years ago
I didnt know she could dance like like!~ - the same woman that was on Andy Grifith, Get a Life, Odd Couple??- and she dances too! She must be a good cook--- I bought her cookbook and it has a great recipe for Crabcakes!!!
She is a fine actress.
monroevian 4 years ago
The commentary under this video remarks that Elinor Donahue had parent's in vaudeville. She was in Vaudeville near the end but her paretns were not.
peterack 5 years ago
Elinor Donahue is my aunt. Just wanted to tell you.
jstrewth 5 years ago
Really? I'm one of her sons...how are we related?
peterack 5 years ago
I am sorry, but I don't understand Spanish, excect for "videos bien buenos."
DCLAQUETTE 5 years ago
It means: "Videos are great"
pbamse 3 years ago