Inger Stevens Route 66 Flirtation

"The Beryllium Eater" was the first of Inger Stevens' two appearances on the 60's TV series Route 66. It aired on December 9, 1960, exactly one week after she was seen in the Twilight Zone episode "The Lateness of the Hour." Slightly more than a year later, as Julie Brack, she reclaimed her Swedish accent for her second role on Route 66 titled "Burning for Burning." Inger's television career was gaining momentum in the early 60's. By 1963, she had her own popular TV show - The Farmer's Daughter.
"The Beryllium Eater" was written by Richard Collins and Directed by Alvin Ganzer. Inger plays Wendy Durant, the neglected wife of a millionaire. Beloved character actor Edgar Buchanan (Uncle Joe, Petticoat Junction) plays Jack. Route 66 starred Martin Milner as Todd, and George Maharis as Buz. The Route 66 TV series probably inspired an entire generation to embrace the concept of the road trip. I have posted this video in the best spirit of Fair Use to remember and pay tribute to the TV shows, movies, and actors that meant something special to those of us who grew up in the 1960's. Most of all, however, I would like to increase the recognition and appreciation of Inger Stevens. Her talent, wit, sensitivity, intelligence and humanity were of the highest magnitude. She is loved and missed by her fans, by her friends and family, and by those who worked with her.
Fans of Inger can now see her niece in the lead role of a new sci-fi web series. Visit the 20DollarShow channel where Athena Ashburn and her husband Matthew have created this 21st Century TZ flavored series to compete with conventional TV via the Internet. View all 20DollarShow episodes on You Tube or the web. Here is a link to "Life Is Priceless."
http://20dollarshow.com/blog/episodes/episode-01-life-is-priceless/ To learn more about Inger Stevens go to the Inger Stevens Memorial Site run by Jerry Lem. He is a tireless curator and the most complete source on all things Inger. The integrity with which Jerry honors Inger's memory is impeccable. His site contains photos, audio, history and interesting links - some pertaining to Inger's surviving relatives: artist Ola Stensland (her brother), and actress/producer Athena Ashburn (her niece). Jerry also has had contact with actors and actresses who worked with Inger.
Here is the link:
http://www.ingerstevens.org/
And another link to Jerry's site:
http://www.ingerstevens.org/newpics.html
View filming locations for Route 66:
http://www.ohio66.com/

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Inger
• Stevens
• Route
• 66
• Flirtation
• Beryllium
• Eater
• Twilight
• Zone
• Lateness
• of
• the
• Hour
• Farmer's
• Daughter
• http://www.ohio66.com/

[sseklof]

Greetings - just a note about comment posting. I have retained comment approval on the videos that pertain to Inger Stevens. There may be a delay in seeing your comment appear. Sometimes I just plain miss seeing them, and sometimes I don't approve them at all. Inger is survived by many friends and family and, as these videos are intended as a memorial to her, I simply want to keep things as clean as one would expect at any memorial. Thanks, and hope you understand.

[rickey5353]

Some brilliant writing in these old episodes. Funny, when I recant a line of wisdom from period shows of this era, my twenty to forty something coworkers sigh, and drift into some sort of smiling Shakespearean romanticism, the likes of which you just cannot imagine. So much of the beauty of our language is lost in the pace of this techno-text world. Sad indeed.

[sseklof]

@rickey5353 Well said. It is truly scary what we seem to have forgotten, lost completely, or just don't care about.

[27182818R]

So many people say this woman was beautiful and I think they are right. I have seen her in a few programs and she is incredibly talented. She is also just about the most beautiful actresses I have ever seen. Short hair looked so good on her too. It's a shame she is no longer alive to hear all this, it would have been good for her ego. Such a sad lady; it really shows in her face rather to much to be just mere acting. I know from experience just how dreadful depression feels. Here's to you Inger!

[sseklof]

@27182818R Thanks for the kind words - I, too, wish she could hear them. She was overwhelmingly attractive for sure, but also such a precious person. Yes, fortunate are those who have never experienced serious depression (and certainly hope you don't.) I'm not qualified to diagnose Inger's mental health, but although she may have had her sad side, remember too her incredibly sunny persona - that was the first impression she made on so many of us who grew up watching her.

[67rml]

This show was hypnotic. I was ten but still I was transfixed. WHY can't some network syndicate THIS perfect show so we could enjoy it now, rather than the CRAP they show over and over and over and over and over...??????

What, are the films of this show rotting and molding in some vault??? WHY waste them????? Grrrrrrrrr..........

[sseklof]

@67rml Grrr indeed! I understand your frustration and you have many sympathizers I'm sure. I wish I had some answers. All I know for sure is that you can get DVD's of many, if not all, episodes of Route 66. So that means that the series is at least digitally preserved to that degree. As a fellow Baby-boomer, and experiencing it as you did, and remembering it as you do ... well, say no more. Just glad we had it, no? :-)

[JktSd0r]

I have an appreciation for all these actors and shows from that era. She also played in 'Hang 'Em High' with Clint. Was shocked to find out about her sudden death. Just can't understand it. Sounded like she lived with some demons she just couldn't conquer. A terrible shame. Good actress who hadn't even given herself a chance to realize her great potential.

[dokokai]

@67rml Check your local broadcasting area to see if you can receive RTV (Retro Television) & METV (Memorable Entertainment Television) because they are airing this show on those channels. It is also now available on DVD, although I believe only the first 3 Seasons so far. I use a TV antenna to get the free digital broadcast signal in my area to watch this & other great classic shows like "Run for Your Life" & "The Fugitive". Along with other 70's classics like "Quincy, M.E." & "Kojak".Good luck!

[spahjrp]

@67rml I would like to "like" this about 40 thousand times. My thoughts exactly!!! I was madly in love with Inger Stevens...hell, I may still be. High heels and a skirt in the dessert...the world was once upon a time a better place.

[joesphx19]

@sseklof

Same thing for the little younger boomer, Then Came Bronson.