I’ve loved Barbara Rush for as long as I can remember. In every role where she graced the screen she left a lasting impression on me. I’ve followed her career from major motion pictures to wonderful dramatic television programs. To me, she is one of the great screen stars of all time — there is no one quite like her and her subtle emotional layers of acting that get peeled away with each scene. Barbara Rush possesses an inimitable grace and fine beauty. She has a transcendent gracefulness and a speaking voice that pours like honey. And when her words are meant to cut it’s not with knives or claws but with a feather quill carefully placed, an intelligent stroking, a gentle lash across the heart to cause the hurt. She has the finesse of diamond cut. She moves with great poise of a dancer, a beautiful gazelle stirring in the gentle quiet spaces of silent woods. A smile that beams like the sunniest of days.

When I think of Barbara Rush I think of a versatile acting style and an ability to draw out deep emotions. She delivers all of her lines with a deft swiftness that is subtle in all directions, ironically, witty, seriously thoughtful and always deeply from the heart.

When I see Barbara Rush I see beauty personified by elegance and an emanating dignity. Barbara Rush will always remain in my eyes, one of the most gentlewoman of the screen. No matter what role she is inhabiting, she brings a certain kind of class that is not learned, it’s inherent. The actress also is the most kind and generous with her compliments and her fond rememberances of her fellow actors and colleagues. She worked with some the finest actors in Hollywood, stage, and television, co-starring with the most notable actors such as James Mason, Montgomery Clift, Marlon Brando, Paul Newman, Richard Burton and Kirk Douglas. Her roles were diverse– from savvy independent society girls, and disillusioned house wives, to an Irish spitfire and an iconic science fiction heroine.

She was born in Denver, Colorado in 1927 and graduated from University of California in 1948. Then she joined the University Players, taking acting classes at the Pasadena Playhouse School for Performing Arts in Pasadena, California.

By Susan King Los Angeles Times: “She talks about everybody she’s worked with — even the notoriously difficult Joan Crawford — with an endearing sweetness that makes you feel like you’ve known her forever.
And in a way, we have…

She fondly recalls her time on the set with Niven and others. “I was just this foolish young girl,” she said of her character. “David Niven, he made me laugh so hard. They couldn’t [shoot] me because I was laughing so hard. I kept apologizing. He was a raconteur, always telling stories about what he did. Nunnally Johnson made me laugh all the time. I was really hopeless.”

Rush worked with Frank Sinatra in the 1963 comedy Come Blow your Horn and in the 1964 Rat Pack musical “Robin and the Seven Hoods.” She admitted she was nervous about working with Sinatra because she learned he didn’t rehearse. “I am from the stage,” she said. “I really can’t do [a scene] unless I rehearse. I didn’t know what to do.”

Rush talked to an actress (Carolyn Jones) who had just worked with him. “She said, ‘This is what you do, Barbara. You go up to him and say, ‘Mr. Sinatra?’ He’ll say, ‘Call me Frank. Now what I can do for you?’

So, she asked Sinatra if they could rehearse their first scene just one time. “He said, ‘Baby doll, of course. I’ll do that with you. Clear the stage. Get everybody to leave. Barbara and I are going to go over the scene.’ We went over the scene just once. From then on, he said, ‘Are you OK? Do you want to go over it again?’ He was just wonderful to me. And he gave me my wardrobe by Edith Head [from the film]. I wore the most wonderful clothes.”

Paramount signed Barbara her to a contract in 1950. She debuted with The Goldbergs (1950) as Debby Sherman, acting with Gertrude Berg as Molly Goldberg. The Goldbergs became a popular television show that deals with the human interest story of famous Jewish Bronx radio & TV family the Goldbergs, their typical struggles and hilarious moments. The show co-stars David Opatoshu and Eduard Franz.

Barbara Rush met actor Jeffrey Hunter and they fell in love. The ideal pair became one of Hollywood’s most beloved couples at 20th Century Fox. Barbara Rush and Jeffrey Hunter were married in December of 1950 until their divorce in 1955.  Tragically Hunter died of a stroke due to a head injury in 1969.

Barbara Rush also turned to work on the stage. She garnered the Sarah Siddons Award for her starring role in Forty Carats. Making her Broadway debut in the one woman showcase, “A Woman of Independent Means” which also subsequently earned her the Los Angeles Drama Critics Award during its tour. Other showcases included “Private Lives”, “Same Time, Next Year”, “The Night of the Iguana” and “Steel Magnolias”.

Barbara starred in director George Templeton’s Quebec (1951) with John Drew Barrymore and The First Legion (1951) directed by Douglas Sirk co-starring along side Charles Boyer.

Barbara Rush in When Worlds Collide (1951)

During her time at Paramount, Barbara Rush appeared in the science fiction catastrophic end of the world thriller directed by Rudolph Maté —When World’s Collide 1951 co-starring Richard Derr, Peter Hansen and John Hoyt. Then came her role as Nora Logan in Flaming Feather (1952).

Sterling Hayden, Barbara Rush and Forrest Tucker Flaming Feather (1952)

Barbara Rush in Jack Arnold’s It Came From Outer Space (1953)

In (1953) she appeared in Prince of Pirates co-starring John Derek. That same year she would take on the role of heroine Ellen Fields in Jack Arnold’s sublime  It Came from Outer Space that would become an emblematic performance of a smart and self sufficient leading lady in a science fiction masterpiece, that would leave a legacy for years to come. Ellen-“I just wish we had found just one of them really. Just one little monster to toss into the principles bedroom!”

In it, she co-stars with Richard Carlson who discovers an alien ship has crash landed in the side of a mountain. From the beginning Ellen supports him and doesn’t cower from the threat of extraterrestrials taking over her small desert town. She’s a strong feminist figure whose alien double wields a nifty ray-gun.

Then she starred as Oona in Taza, Son of Cochise (1954), In 1954 Barbara Rush appeared in director Douglas Sirk’s Magnificent Obsession co-starring Jane Wyman, Rock Hudson and Agnes Moorehead. Barbara plays Jane Wyman’s step daughter Joyce. Rock Hudson is a playboy who is seriously injured in a boat crash indirectly causing the death of Jane Wyman’s husband. When he tries to ingratiate himself into her life she becomes blinded. He spends the rest of his life trying to find a deeper understanding of life and the two fall in love.

That same year she appeared in director Rudolph Maté’s The Black Shield of Falworth with Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh. In 1955 Barbara Rush played Aga Doherty in Douglas Sirk’s Captain Lightfoot starring along side Rock Hudson, and acting with Jack Palance in the epic period piece Kiss of Fire (1955).

Barbara Rush in The Black Shield of Falworth (1955)

Barbara Rush and Jack Palance in Kiss of Fire (1955)

Captain Lightfoot 1955 takes place in 1815 Ireland struggling with the ordinary people of Ireland trying to separate themselves from the British Dragoons and seek their independence. Barbara is fiery and beautiful as Aga Doherty the daughter of an Irish Rebel Captain Thunderbolt played by Jeff Morrow. She falls for Rock Hudson a strong willed highwayman who strives to be like his hero Captain Thunderbolt. There is great chemistry between Hudson and Rush, as Aga adds a fiery spirit to the role, again exuding intelligence and that distinct sensibility to deliver lines in her sparkling cheeky manner.

Jeff Morrow, Rock Hudson and Barbara Rush in Captain Lightfoot 1955

Barbara Rush and James Mason in Bigger Than Life (1956)

In Bigger Than Life, mild-mannered schoolteacher Ed Avery (James Mason) suffers from severe headaches and blackouts. He is diagnosed with a rare inflammatory disease of the arteries. With death looming over him, he agrees to an experimental drug, cortisone. And at first he makes a remarkable recovery, but Ed begins to abuse the drug which causes wild mood swings and delusions of grandeur. Eventually he has a complete psychotic break and endangers the life of his family. Barbara Rush gives an emotionally heart wrenching performance as Ed’s beleaguered wife Lou who must support him through the madness.

Between 1954-1956 she appeared in 4 separate episodes of Lux Video Theater’s theatrical playets for television. Then in 1956 starred in World in My Corner with Audie Murphy and Jeff Morrow in this lesser known boxing noir. In 1956 Barbara also starred in the emotionally riveting drama Bigger Than Life with co-star James Mason as a teacher who progressively grows psychotic after trying a new drug.

Barbara portrays the sexy Pamela Vincent in the slick film noir Flight to Hong Kong with Rory Calhoun directed by Joseph M. Newman. Barbara appeared in director Nunnally Johnson’s hilarious romantic romp Oh, Men! Oh, Women! (1957) co-starring David Niven, Ginger Rogers and a quirky debut by Tony Randall. Afterwards  Barbara appeared in director Martin Ritt’s No Down Payment (1957) co-starring Joanne Woodward, Sheree North Tony Randall and Jeffrey Hunter.

Bigger Than Life (1956)

Oh, Men! Oh, Women! (1957)

In Flight to Hong Kong 1956 she plays an independent, sophisticated writer from San Fransisco who pursues a fling with the swarthy smuggler Rory Calhoun because he is wild and different than any other man she usually meets. Pamela is smooth as she maneuvers through the plot leading him on. But, she exploits their passionate fling to write another best selling book and goes back to living a high society life, leaving Tony to flounder after hiding out for a year on steamers. Barbara is good at being cool, collected and coy in this film noir. She plays a very unconventional femme fatale.

1957 Barbara appears as the flighty Myra Hagerman in Oh, Men!, Oh! Women. The scene with her emptying her purse is hilarious and showcases Barbara’s comedic timing. Myra is no stranger to dating men which throws the stiffly composed therapist into a tizzy because of her past. She’s set to marry psychiatrist David Niven who shows off his talent for finesse and comedic fortitude and it’s a delight to watch the banter between Barbara and Niven.

You can tell the actors were having fun with their roles, and you can almost see Barbara Rush holding back the laughter in her scenes with David Niven. They had to do many takes, as she tried to keep a straight face with him.

in director Martin Ritt’s No Down Payment 1957 Barbara does a fine job of playing housewife Betty Kreitzer married to Herman (Pat Hingle) with an ensemble cast in a film concerned with 1950s collective aspirations toward the American Dream and upcoming middle class white suburban families with frailties and secrets that’s get aired out over nightly BBQs. Barbara’s character is the steady rock in the community. She goes to church, isn’t a drinker, and is devoted to her husband Pat Hingle but she does not push him to strive for anything more than being mediocre and mainstream. Barbara Rush as Betty plays this type of middle class American housewife with an expert amount of reserved.

Barbara then appeared with Montgomery Clift, Marlon Brando, and Dean Martin in The Young Lions (1958) about the intersecting lives of 3 soldiers, two Americans and Brando as a sympathetic Nazi soldier during WWII. Then cameHarry Black and the Tiger (1958) with theatrical television roles on Lux Playhouse “The Connoisseur” and Suspicion’s “A Voice in the Night.”

Marlon Brando and Barbara Rush in The Young Lions (1958)

In The Young Philadelphians (1959) Paul Newman plays Anthony Judson Lawrence an up and coming lawyer who is trying to navigate social pressures and balance his ethics while trying to make a place for himself in Philadelphia. Barbara Rush is wonderful as Joan Dickinson, the bright independent society girl who planned to marry Anthony. She wants him to stick to his morals, yet through misdirection by her father and the  misunderstanding that ensues she becomes disappointed in the direction his career goes. The two part ways but fate brings them back together once again. Directed by Vincent Sherman.

Joan Dicknson “At least you have someplace to go.
Anthony Judson Lawrence “Haven’t you?”
Joan Dickinson “Are you kidding? I have no talents. Nothing. I was very well educated to be an idiot. And I was a good student.” 

“I think Paul has made some really great films, he won Academy Awards and all kinds of things and he’s done some wonderful work. But you know just as far as an audience watching a film likes to hear a good tale told, I think this is one of his most enduring films. And I think of all the films that I’ve done the best one that’s played the most on AMC and Turner Classic Movies , they play it over and over again and I still get at least 20 letters about The Young Philadelphians. They love the story. And when I go on cruises and we play films and so forth they always want to see the young Philadelphians and it wasn’t even in color, that was a black and white film but the love story is enduring and they seem to like it a great deal. Towards the end of the film Paul wanted certain changes with the script and I think Vincent Sherman was amenable to that and Stewart Stern was brought in and so he came in and did certain scenes and I think it just kind of spiced the picture up a little bit. You know who else was in the film that I loved her… so often when I worked in film I worked with people that I admired a great deal so it was such a happiness to work with them to be able to work with them to be around them, was Alexis Smith. She was a wonderful woman. And I loved her scenes with him. And Otto Krueger, I worked with him on Magnificent Obsession, but I thought he was such a good actor. You know they have these wonderful character actors in it.” –Barbara Rush

Barbara commands the screen in The Young Philadelphians. She plays a substantive role once again, delivering intelligent dialogue with swift splinters of her humor and intellect running throughout. When Anthony asks her “how bout a hamburger” she briskly replies “I’m a chili girl” to show that though she is entrenched in high society she is her own girl and has a down to earth nature at heart.  Joan is a likable character who is unfortunately mislead by her father (the wonderful character actor John Williams). She is gracious and thoughtful and not a spoiled ingénue. Instead, she exudes integrity. Joan had her heart set to marry for love. Throughout the film it is clear the powerful range of acting by Barbara Rush allows her emotions to build toward the films conclusion. As in each of her varied roles, her pacing temporally rises, finally to express her inner turmoil with beautifully achingly poignant moments.

No one cries quite like Barbara Rush. Though the film is a commentary on class and the focus is predominantly about the male relationships. Barbara’s contribution works perfectly to condemn the masculine stubbornness she maintains a dignity throughout the picture never losing her sense of belonging to the narrative.

In 1959 Barbara appeared in Sunday Showcase “What Makes Sammy Run? as Kit Sargent.

Barbara then appeared in The Bramble Bush 1960 directed by Daniel Petrie co-starring  Richard Burton. The film deals with mercy killings and small town morals. Richard Burton plays a young doctor Guy Montford who comes back home to his small New England town in order to see his dying friend (Tom Drake) through his last days. Larry is suffering and begs Dr. Guy Montford to help him end his suffering which he does by overdosing him on morphine. Guy is haunted by the mercy killing and finds solace in the arms of Larry’s wife, Margaret, portrayed with a beautiful sensitivity by Barbara Rush. The chemistry is palpable and especially potent in the love scene when Burton and Rush kiss on the boat.

Margaret tells him “That’s the worst part of it. You know we had a passionate relationship our marriage was founded on it. It wasn’t so bad when we could still make love. Now he’s a stranger. A cold white sheet.”

From 1957-1960 Barbara appeared in Playhouse 90 “Alas, Babylon (1960) and “The Troublemakers” (1957). In 1960 Checkmate (TV Series)
 she plays Margaret Russell/Nikki
- The Dark Divide, a disturbed young women with split personality. She makes a wonderful transition from repressed mouse to sexy femme fatale, giving a stellar performance of a woman conflicted by repression and self-possession. Barbara Rush then appeared in television’s Sunday Showcase, “What Makes Sammy Run?”

Barbara then plays Eve Coe in Strangers When We Meet 1960. Kirk Douglas portrays Larry Coe a suburban architect who loves his wife Eve. This is a role that Barbara once again summons versatility to switch gears and play the epitome of middle class etiquette and decorum. Larry becomes weighed down by his “perfect” marriage and his mundane work, until he meets the sexually frustrated Maggie (Kim Novak) whose husband is not only keeping her in a lovely marriage but wields a big dose of morality on his desirable wife. The two start a passionate affair which leads to a question of complacency, morality and the dilemma of self fulfillment.

As Kirk Douglas’s wife Barbara plays the “pushy housewife” who is practical and uptight and wants Larry to conform. But Larry falls for Kim Novak. Neighbor Walter Matthau finds out about the affair and feels emboldened to try to have his way with Eve on cold rainy afternoon. Coming close to an assault, Eve’s reaction is intense and brutal and Barbara Rush pulls it off without being overwrought yet believable as a woman who has been violated and frightened all while being processing the incident.

It’s a very intense scene played very well by Barbara. Afterwards she realizes why Felix might have felt empowered to make a pass, Eve telling Larry about the attempted assault- “I’ve been sitting here thinking what gave Felix the peculiar notion that I’d be an easy mark.” Barbara does an excellent job of playing the middle class housewife who fits a certain mold, but eventually catches onto the affair and her raw emotions begin to surface. It shows her range, serious and vulnerable.

She appeared in the 1960 episode of Theatre ’62, “Notorious”, and also in 1962 General Electric Theater’s “A Very Special Girl.” She appeared in four episodes of Saints and Sinners– “New Lead Berlin” 1963, “The Home-Coming Bit” 1963, “Luscious Lois 1962” “Dear George, the Siamese Cat is Missing” 1962. And she appeared in a Ben Casey “From Too Much Love of Living,” directed by Mark Rydell.

The Eleventh Hour episode “Make Me a Place” to me is one of Barbara Rush’s stand out performances. Wendell Corey plays a psychiatrist in the series who helps his patients find their way through the maze of problems. Barbara Rush gives an extraordinary performance as Linda Kinkaid, a fragile woman who has had a breakdown. And is under the impression she might be trying to kill herself again. Barbara plays the role carefully restrained without appearing hysterical relating some of the most powerfully emotional scenes I’ve experienced anywhere. Her performance will rip your heart out, and leave you in tears. She should have won an Emmy for that acting feat. The episode co-stars David Janssen.

1963 Come Blow Your Horn, Tony Bill plays Buddy Baker who leaves his parent’s (Molly Picon and Lee J. Cobb) stifling home and goes to live with his swinging stylish brother Alan (Frank Sinatra) who has a slew of women. Barbara plays the one steady classy lady in Alan’s life, the sophisticated mature Connie who wants a commitment from the playboy and teaches him what love really is. The chemistry between Sinatra and Rush is once again very dynamic.

In 1964 she appeared in The Outer Limits “The Form of Things Unknown” as Leonora Edmund co-starring Vera Miles. A powerfully atmospheric fairy tale written by Joseph Stefano. Barbara Rush and Vera Miles play Leonora Edmond and Kasha Paine who are at the mercy of a ruthless blackmailer Andre (Scott Marlowe). When the two women flee after poisoning him they stumble onto a mysterious house during a rain storm. There they meet the butler Sir Cedric Hardwicke as Colus who tends to the house belonging to the brooding young inventor Tone Hobart (David McCallum) obsessed with his time machine made up of clocks.

Both Barbara Rush and Vera Miles turn in outstanding performances amidst this dark fairy tale landscape. Both women’s very antithetical roles play off each other brilliantly. Stefano’s writing is layered with psychological maelstroms and the cast interpret the story magnificently without reducing it to a simple hour long television fantasy yarn.

Barbara continued to make several significant television drama appearances in 1965, including Kraft Suspense Theatre “In Darkness, Waiting,” Vacation Playhouse, Convoy, The Barbara Rush Show, Checkmate “The Dark Divide”, Dr. Kildare “With Hellfire and Thunder” and “Daily Flights to Olympus” co-starring James Daly, and in 1966 Laredo, Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theater. 

Then came Robin and the 7 Hoods where she plays Marian, a classy vamp who’s outfits are divine. She’s cheeky, sophisticated, funny, and also cunning and deliciously mercenary as a mob boss who runs circles around all the hoodlums in the city.

In The Fugitive she plays Barry Morris’ wife Marie Lindsey Gerard in the episode Landscape with Running Figures (1965). It’s a dramatic performance as the wife of the man so driven to catch wrongly accused Doctor Richard Kimble that his obsession drives his wife away and into a dangerous situation. Barbara Rush conveys a woman who is repulsed by her husband’s mad course to bring the fugitive in. While leaving Gerard behind, she is injured in a bus accident and of course Dr Kimble is there. It is up the good doctor to get her the help she needs. Barbara plays the situation with pathos and intensity she is temporarily blinded and doesn’t realize that it is the man her husband has been pursuing who is helping her to safety. It’s one of the best episodes of the series. not least of which is due to Barbara Rush’s compelling, intuitive performance. “I should explain my marriage to you Mr. Carver (Richard Kimble’s alias) What you see before you is the losing end of a triangle. I lost my husband to a Will O The Wisp who drifted in and out twisting our lives. The little man who wasn’t there. He wasn’t there again today. He’s never there.”

in 1968 Barbara starred in Hombre with Paul Newman directed by Martin Ritt. In the Batman (1968-69) television series Barbara played villainess Nora Clavicle and the Ladies’ Crime Club and Nora appeared again in “Louie’s Lethal Lilac Time.”

She starred as Marsha Russell in the popular dramatic television evening series Peyton Place, appearing in over 75 episodes of the show until it’s end.

Barbara also appeared in four distinctive Medical Center episodes. A Life is Waiting (1969) is a very feminist episode that challenges the idea that a women’s body is her husbands property. Barbara Rush gives a powerful performance as Nora Caldwell, a woman who recognizes the tenuous hold she’s had over her identity and her place in her husband’s world. Barbara delivers thoughtful cutting oft dark comedic lines while giving an emotionally potent portrayal of a women fighting to be heard. In Awakening (1972) Barbara plays Judy whose husband has woken from a coma after three years. Judy has moved on from her marriage and blames him for the death of their 9 year old daughter. She gives a tour-de-force as a woman torn between her own needs, and ties to the past.

I would never resort to objectifying the great actress by reducing my commentary to just how beautiful she looks but I am bound to mention this or I’ll bust… Aside from her tremendous acting, I love her signature hair styles and her incredible fashion sense that has followed her throughout her career, on and off screen and to this day. And she carries it well.

Other television appearances during the 1960s-70s include Love, American Style 1970, The Mod Squad 1971 the television movie Suddenly Single 1971, Night Gallery 1971 “Cool Air” Cutter 1972 tv movie, Marcus Welby M.D. episodes “Silken Threads and Silver Hooks 1960”, & “Don’t Talk About Darkness 1972” McCloud 1972, The Eyes of Charles Sands 1972 tv movie, Cade’s County 1972, The Man 1972, Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law 1972. Barbara Rush plays Louise Rodanthe in the tv movie Moon of the Wolf 1972, Maude 1972 “Maude’s Reunion” Barbara plays old school pal Bunny Nash. Ironside 1971-72 episodes Ring of Prayer” &”Cold Hard Cash”, Crime Club 1973 tv movie, The Streets of San Francisco 1973 “Shattered Image”, Of Men and Women 1973 tv movie, The New Dick Van Dyke Show 1973-74, Medical Center 1969-1974 episodes “A Life is Waiting”, “Awakening”, “Impact”, & “Choice of Evils”, In Police Story 1974 “Chief” Barbara plays John Forsyth’s smart and stunning wife. She manages swift and clever lines quoting Shakespeare and being a dutiful and intelligent partner.

Fools, Females and Fun 1974 tv movie, The Last Day 1975 tv movie, Cannon 1975 “Lady on the Run”, Mannix 1968 episodes “A Copy of Murder”, & Design for Dying” 1975, Ellery Queen 1975-76 episodes “The Adventure of the Sinister Scenario”, & “The Adventures of Auld Lang Syne” 1975, The Bionic Woman 1976 as Jaime’s mother, ABC Weekend Specials 1977 “Portrait of Grandpa Doc” The Eddie Capra Mysteries “Dying Declaration” Death Car on the Freeway 1979 tv movie, The Love Boat 1979 2 episodes.

Barbara Rush also turned to work on the stage. She garnered the Sarah Siddons Award for her starring role in Forty Carats. Making her Broadway debut in the one woman showcase, “A Woman of Independent Means” which also subsequently earned her the Los Angeles Drama Critics Award during its tour. Other showcases included “Private Lives”, “Same Time, Next Year”, “The Night of the Iguana” and “Steel Magnolias”.

Barbara Rush still possesses that transcendent talent, beauty, poise and grace. She will always be someone special, an actress who is memorable.

Though Barbara Rush skill shows incredible range and depth in her performances, the one great role of a lifetime never seemed to come her way, though what ever she has appeared in is brightened immensely by her presence. To think of what might have been had there been even MORE substantive scripts offered to her, what she could have accomplished like many fine actresses, in addition to her already impressive career, it makes you wonder of the missed opportunities Hollywood made by not taking advantage of Barbara Rush’s marvelous talent.

Television became a wonderful avenue for Barbara Rush’s acting, and her performances are no less effective and adept than those in her major motion picture roles. To every performance, she brings an authentic reality to her characters with her bright engaging smile, the wisp of seriousness to her tone, streak of comedic talent within her ironic lilting mannerisms. Barbara Rush is an iconic actress who shows a special quality, spunk and spirit that begs to be cherished. I love you Barbara Rush, and will continue to enjoy the legacy of your work. You make me smile.

Barbara talking about starring in The Old Pros Radio Shows like Inner Sanctum at age 88!

Barbara Rush as adorable and kind as ever answers questions at the Aero Theater 9-29-2010

Barbara Rush still possesses that transcendent talent, beauty, poise and grace. She will always be someone special, an actress who is memorable.

Barbara Rush appeared in director Martin Ritt’s turbulent suburban drama No Down Payment 1957 with ex-husband Jeffrey Hunter though they weren’t married to each other in the film.

BARBARA RUSH IS NOT A SCIENCE FICTION, FANTASY, THRILLER OR HORROR ACTRESS, BUT SHE’S A PRETTY DARN GOOD ONE AT THAT!!!!!!!!

Though she cannot be pigeon holed as a particular genre actress, Barbara Rush made numerous appearances in Fantasy, Science Fiction, Thrillers & Horror films and television…

Directed by Rudolph Maté, a planet Bellis hurls toward  Earth threatening it with total destruction, so a small group of scientists frantically work to build a rocket that will help a select few escape doom and take them to their new home. Barbara Rush plays scientist Joyce Hendron in When Worlds Collide 1951, as Ellen Fields in It Came from Outer Space 1953 Night Gallery episode she plays the kindly Agatha Howard in ‘Cool Air’ released on December 8, 1971 based on a story by H.P. Lovecraft and then she gave an outstanding performance in The Outer Limits as Leonora Edmond in the episode The Form of Things Unknown written by Joseph Stefano released on May 4, 1964, as Karen Lownes in Kraft Suspense Theatre tv series ‘In Darkness, Waiting (1965), as Nora Clavicle and The Ladies’ Crime Club Batman Series 1966, in 1971 she played Madam Jebez the malevolent occultist in popular television series Ironside with the eerie episode Ring of Prayer, in the taut made for tv movie, Barbara Rush plays Louise Rodanthe who returns home to the family estate and suspects her brother (Bradford Dillman) of being a lycanthrope… a vicious werewolf in Moon of the Wolf (TV Movie) 1972. As Louise Rodanthe she co-stars with David Janssen for a third time and appeared as Katherine Winslow in the made for tv movie The Eyes of Charles Sand (1972). Then came The Bionic Woman (TV Series) Barbara plays Jaime’s Mother (1976) Ann Sommers and then in the made for tv movie thriller 1979 Death Car on the Freeway (TV Movie) Barbara plays Rosemary. As Professor Smith-Myles in 1978 episode The Flight of the Great Yellow Bird episode of Fantasy Island.

From When Worlds Collide (1951) Barbara Rush, Richard Derr, and Peter Hansen

Night Gallery episode “Cool Air”

Barbara Rush as Louise Rodanthe in Moon of the Wolf 1972 tv movie

I thank you so very much for being so gracious to share your thoughts with me. Though my questions are geared toward science fiction/fantasy films, But I want to use these few questions to accompany a special feature I wrote earlier on heroines of 1950s science fiction films (including you, Beverly Garland, Allison Hayes, Audrey Dalton etc.). 

I want to quickly thank Karin Mustvedt-Plüss, Aurora of Once Upon a Screen…, Danny Miller and Theresa Brown for helping me facilitate this interview with the great Barbara Rush!

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:

Joey Q: Did you ever imagine Jack Arnold’s “It Came from Outer Space” (1953) with you (in that black dress by Rosemary Odell) aiming that laser beam would become so iconic, and leave such a lasting impression on fans and film historians after all these years?


Barbara Rush: A: I’d never think that anybody who saw it needed to see it again, but if it left an impression, that’s fine. I loved the chiffon dress. It was too weird that these people that came from other space were too frightening to look at, so they took the form of regular humans. What I thought was interesting that these creatures didn’t actually want to be there and weren’t vicious at all. They were just trying to fix their ship and get it together. I remember thinking that with a lot of science fiction films; we were so afraid these creatures, but they were just trying to get away and weren’t threatening at all.

Joey Q: Is there a role you would have liked to play — let’s say in a Gothic thriller? Or was there ever a script for one that you turned down that you regret now? Were there any other high quality A-picture science fiction film scripts sent to you after “When Worlds Collide” (1951) and “It Came from Outer Space” (1953)?

Barbara Rush 

A: I don’t remember anything that was given to me to do other than those two pictures. That was all just orders from the studio. The science fiction film I admired the most was the picture E. T. – I just love that film and it is my favourite, but I never thought it was something I wanted to be in myself.

Joey Q: “The Outer Limits” is one of the most extraordinary anthology television shows of the 1960s. It was clearly ahead of its time, beautifully crafted and though-provoking. You star as the tortured Leonora in the episode “The Forms of Things Unknown” which is perhaps one of THE finest of the series written by Joseph Stefano, all due to the cinematography, lighting, and particularly the ensemble acting. Do you have any lasting impressions or thoughts about that role and/or working with Vera Miles, Cedric Hardwicke, David McCallum, and Scott Marlowe?

Barbara Rush A: I loved doing that show and loved Vera Miles. She was just the most wonderful person to work with. She was so funny. There was a scene where she had to run after me in the forest in the rain. After that miserable experience she told me:”Barbara, I promise you I’ll never chase after you in the rain, in the forest, ever again.” I thought the episode was very interesting, though.

Joey Q: In that same high calibre of dramatic television series, were you ever approached by William Frye, Doug Benton, or Maxwell Shane from Boris Karloff’s “Thriller” series or by Alfred Hitchcock for his anthology series? You would have been extraordinary in either television program! These shows were remarkably well-written and directed and I’m certain there would have been a perfect role for your wonderful acting style. Did you ever receive a script or were you ever interested in appearing on either of those shows?

Barbara Rush A: Unfortunately they didn’t really seem to want me. They never got in touch with me about anything. I would have loved to work for Hitchcock – I liked his films.

Joey Q: It seems that the early 70’s found you a niche in the macabre. Perhaps this is because you are such a consummate actress and the contrast of your gentility works well with the darker subject matter. In 1971 you co-starred with Henry Darrow in a short piece on Rod Serling’s “Night Gallery” – “Cool Air.” It was a Gothic romantic tale based on H.P. Lovecraft’s story about a woman who falls in love with a man who must remain in a refrigerated apartment dare something dreadful occur. Then, in 1972 you appeared in “The Eyes of Charles Sands” as Katherine Winslow co-starring Peter Haskell and Joan Bennett, a film about ESP and solving a murder. Then came “Moon of the Wolf” where you co-starred with David Janssen and Bradford Dillman, two very handsome leading men. Did you enjoy venturing into these uncanny story lines?

Barbara Rush A: I particularly enjoyed working with Bradford Dillman, who was a dear friend of mine. We more or less grew up together, in Santa Barbara. In one of these he played a werewolf and he’d have these hairy mittens as part of his costume and he’d come trampling in all the time – as a werewolf! I have a tendency to get very hysterical about how funny people can be, and he’d just make me crack up. 
We were shooting – I think in New Orleans or Mississippi, somewhere in the south – on location, so it was very hot. Poor Brad who had to walk around in those mittens.

question by Theresa Brown (Cinemaven) Essays from the Couch

Q: What draws you to accept a role, be it sci-fi or drama…movies or television?

A: Just forget it! You’re just looking for a job. I don’t want to do ridiculous roles, but I just love to work and will usually be happy to be sent anything. I never turned anything down that I can remember that I thought was too ridiculous. You’re just happy to be working.
(You can choose if you want to include this or not, but we had just gone to see Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Barbara was in somewhat of a state because of the hippie girls in that film.)
One thing I know I would have turned down is Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, because those hippie girls were just ridiculous. I never knew anyone who would act like that way, who would go around dressed like that, behaving that way etc. They just behaved so ridiculous; I would never have wanted to play a part like that. 
The most important thing to me is a good story. I like Pride and Prejudice. I’d have liked to play in a Jane Austen role and I love those films that are based on good books. I did a picture once called The Young Philadelhpians and I always thought that was a wonderful picture because it had such a good story. You get to follow these people from they are young and it was just very well written – and Paul Newman was a great friend and just wonderful in it as the young lawyer.

 

FILM & TELEVISION CLIPS:

Vintage Lustre Cream Shampoo Commercial!

When Worlds Collide (1951)

It Came From Outer Space (1953)

Magnificent Obsession (1954)

The Black Shield of Falworth (1954)

Captain Lightfoot (1955)

Kiss of Fire (1955)

World in My Corner (1956)

Bigger Than Life (1956)

Flight to Hong Kong (1956)

Oh, Men! Oh, Women! (1957)

No Down Payment (1957)

Suspicion ep Voice in the Night 1958

The Young Philadelphians (1959)

The Bramble Bush (1960)

Strangers When We Meet (1960)

Checkmate (1960) TV series “The Dark Divide”

The Eleventh Hour (1962) “Make Me a Place”

Come Blow Your Horn (1963)

The Outer Limits (1964) “The Form of Things Unknown”

Robin and the 7 Hoods (1964)

The Fugitive (1965) tv series “Landscape with Running Figures”

Hombre (1967)

Batman (1968) tv series

Mannix 1968 ep A Copy of Murder

Peyton Place 1969 tv series

Night Gallery (1971) tv series “Cool Air”

Marcus Welby M.D. tv series

The Eyes of Charles Sand (1972) tv movie

Moon of the Wolf (1972) tv movie

Maude 1972 tv series “Maude’s Reunion”

police story 1974 ‘chief’ as Kay McCullough

Ironside-Ring of Prayer (1971) … Mme. Jabez

Medical Centers eps. A Life is Waiting & Awakening

Death Car on the Freeway 1979

Murder She Wrote 1986

The Outer Limits 1998 The Balance of Nature

“I can safely say that every movie role I was ever offered that had any real quality went to someone else.”-Barbara Rush

IMDb Trivia Tidbits

IMDb trivia -Along with Leonard Nimoy, David McCallum, Cliff Robertson and Peter Breck, she is one of only five actors to appear in both The Outer Limits (1963) and The Outer Limits (1995) and the only woman to do so. She played Leonora Edmond in The Outer Limits: The Forms of Things Unknown (1964) and Barbara Matheson in The Outer Limits: Balance of Nature (1998).

Is mentioned in the movie Shampoo (1975), when hairdresser Warren Beatty says “I do Barbara Rush’s hair”.

Appears in No Down Payment (1957) with ex-husband Jeffrey Hunter, they both portraying married characters, but not married to each other.

She is one of five actors to have played “Special Guest Villains” on Batman (1966) who are still alive, the others being Julie Newmar, John Astin, Joan Collins and Glynis Johns.

Barbara Rush at the Turner Classic Film Festival 2019

This is your EverLovin’ Joey saying thank you to the enduring Barbara Rush, we’ll love you forever or til those one eyed aliens crash land in the side of that mountain again!

FILMOGRAPHY

• Z Dead End (pre-production) (rumored)
• 2017 Bleeding Hearts: The Arteries of Glenda Bryant (Short)Barbara Irons
• 1997-2007 7th Heaven (TV Series)Ruth Camden- Gimme That Ol’ Time Religion (2007) … Ruth Camden (uncredited)- Tit for Tat (2007) … Ruth Camden- Home Run (2005) … Ruth Camden- Gabrielle Come Blow Your Horn (2002) … Ruth Camden- Holy War: Part 2 (2002) … Ruth CamdenShow all 10 episodes
• 2006 My Mother’s Hairdo (Short)Fate
• 1998 The Outer Limits (TV Series)Barbara Matheson- The Balance of Nature (1998) … Barbara Matheson1996 Relativity (TV Series)Helen Lukens- Unsilent Night (1996) … Helen Lukens
• 1996 Widow’s Kiss (TV Movie)Edith / Sean’s grandmother
• 1995 Burke’s Law (TV Series)
• – Who Killed the World’s Greatest Chef? (1995)
• 1992-1993 All My Children (TV Series)Nola Orsini- Episode #1.6076 (1993) … Nola Orsini (credit only)- Episode #1.6058 (1993) … Nola Orsini- Episode #1.6056 (1993) … Nola Orsini- Episode #1.6050 (1993) … Nola Orsini (credit only)- Episode #1.6049 (1993) … Nola OrsiniShow all 37 episodes
• 1992 Hearts Are Wild (TV Series)Caroline Thorpe
• 1991 Paradise (TV Series)Patricia Forrester- Bad Blood (1991) … Patricia Forrester
• 1990 Web of Deceit (TV Movie)Judith
• 1988 Hooperman (TV Series)Mrs. Smith- Surprise Party (1988) … Mrs. Smith- Nick Derringer, P.I. (1988) … Mrs. Smith
• 1987 Murder, She Wrote (TV Series)Eva Taylor- A Fashionable Way to Die (1987) … Eva Taylor
• 1984-1987 Magnum, P.I. (TV Series)Phoebe Sullivan / Ann Carrington- The Aunt Who Came to Dinner (1987) … Phoebe Sullivan- Blind Justice (1984) … Ann Carrington
• 1985-1986 Hotel (TV Series)Ivy Milburn / Nell Korsak- Scapegoats (1986) … Ivy Milburn- Anniversary (1985) … Nell Korsak
• 1985 Glitter (TV Series)
• – The Runaway (1985)
• 1984 Finder of Lost Loves (TV Series)Marion Owens Norris- A Gift (1984) … Marion Owens Norris
• 1984 At Your Service (TV Movie)Barbara Stonehill
• 1984 Masquerade (TV Series)
• – Sleeper (1984)
• 1978-1984 Fantasy Island (TV Series)Mildred Koster / Kathy Moreau / Professor Smith-Myles- Sweet Life/Games People Play (1984) … Mildred Koster- The Curse of the Moreaus/My Man Friday (1982) … Kathy Moreau- The Island of Lost Women/The Flight of Great Yellow Bird (1978) … Professor Smith-Myles
• 1983 Knight Rider (TV Series)Elizabeth Knight- Goliath: Part 1 (1983) … Elizabeth Knight
• 1983 The Night the Bridge Fell Down (TV Movie)Elaine Howard
• 1983 Matt Houston (TV Series)Lady Celeste Abercrombie- Whose Party Is It Anyway? (1983) … Lady Celeste Abercrombie
• 1982 Summer LoversJean Featherstone
• 1980-1982 Flamingo Road (TV Series)Eudora Weldon- Murder, They Said (1982) … Eudora Weldon- The Harder They Fall (1982) … Eudora Weldon- An Eye for an Eye (1982) … Eudora Weldon- The Bad and the Beautiful (1982) … Eudora Weldon (credit only)- The High and the Mighty (1982) … Eudora WeldonShow all 38 episodes
• 1980 Can’t Stop the MusicNorma White
• 1979 The Seekers (TV Mini-Series)Peggy Kent- Episode #1.2 (1979) … Peggy Kent (credit only)- Episode #1.1 (1979) … Peggy Kent
• 1979 The Love Boat (TV Series)Eleanor Gardner / Eleanor Gardiner- Not Now, I’m Dying/Too Young to Love/Eleanor’s Return (1979) … Eleanor Gardner- My Sister, Irene/The ‘Now’ Marriage/Second Time Around (1979) … Eleanor Gardiner
• 1979 Death Car on the Freeway (TV Movie)Rosemary1978 The Eddie Capra Mysteries (TV Series)
• – Dying Declaration (1978)
• 1977 ABC Weekend Specials (TV Series short)Bruce’s Mother- Portrait of Grandpa Doc (1977) … Bruce’s Mother
• 1976 The Bionic Woman (TV Series)Ann Sommers / Chris Stuart- Jaime’s Mother (1976) … Ann Sommers / Chris Stuart
• 1975-1976 Ellery Queen (TV Series)Claire Mallory / Emma Zelman- The Adventure of the Sinister Scenario (1976) … Claire Mallory- The Adventure of Auld Lang Syne (1975) … Emma Zelman
• 1968-1975 Mannix (TV Series)Rebekah Bigelow / Celia Bell- Design for Dying (1975) … Rebekah Bigelow- A Copy of Murder (1968) … Celia Bell
• 1975 Cannon (TV Series)Linda Merrick- Lady on the Run (1975) … Linda Merrick
• 1975 The Last Day (TV Movie)Betty Spence
• 1974 Fools, Females and Fun (TV Movie)Karen Markham
• 1974 Police Story (TV Series)Kay McCullough- Chief (1974) … Kay McCullough
• 1969-1974 Medical Center (TV Series)Claire / Pauline / Judy / …- Choice of Evils (1974) … Claire- Impact (1973) … Pauline- Awakening (1972) … Judy- A Life Is Waiting (1969) … Nora Caldwell
• 1973-1974 The New Dick Van Dyke Show (TV Series)Margot Brighton- Balzac, Come Home (1974) … Margot Brighton- She Kisses Like a Dead Mackerel (1973) … Margot Brighton- Those Who Care (1973) … Margot Brighton
• 1973 SuperdadSue McCready
• 1973 Peege (Short)Mom
• 1973 Of Men and Women (TV Movie)Reporter (segment “The Interview”)
• 1973 The Streets of San Francisco (TV Series)Anna Slovatzka Marshall- Shattered Image (1973) … Anna Slovatzka Marshall
• 1973 Crime Club (TV Movie)Denise London
• 1971-1972 Ironside (TV Series)Lorraine Simms / Mme. Jabez- Cold Hard Cash (1972) … Lorraine Simms- Ring of Prayer (1971) … Mme. Jabez
• 1972 Maude (TV Series)Phyllis ‘Bunny’ Nash- Maude’s Reunion (1972) … Phyllis ‘Bunny’ Nash
• 1972 Moon of the Wolf (TV Movie)Louise Rodanthe
• 1972 Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law (TV Series)Louise Carpenter- Words of Summer (1972) … Louise Carpenter
• 1972 The ManKay Eaton
• 1972 Cade’s County (TV Series)Jessie Braddock- Jessie (1972) … Jessie Braddock
• 1972 The Eyes of Charles Sand (TV Movie)Katharine Winslow
• 1972 McCloud (TV Series)Louise Blanchard- Give My Regrets to Broadway (1972) … Louise Blanchard
• 1969-1972 Marcus Welby, M.D. (TV Series)Dorothy Carpenter / Nadine Cabot- Don’t Talk About Darkness (1972) … Dorothy Carpenter- Silken Threads and Silver Hooks (1969) … Nadine Cabot
• 1972 Cutter (TV Movie)Linda
• 1971 Night Gallery (TV Series)Agatha Howard (segment “Cool Air”)- Cool Air/Camera Obscura/Quoth the Raven (1971) … Agatha Howard (segment “Cool Air”)
• 1971 Suddenly Single (TV Movie)Evelyn Baxter
• 1971 Mod Squad (TV Series)Mrs. Hamilton- Kicks Incorporated (1971) … Mrs. Hamilton
• 1970 Love, American Style (TV Series)Carol (segment “Love and the Motel”)- Love and the Father/Love and the Motel (1970) … Carol (segment “Love and the Motel”)
• 1968-1969 Peyton Place (TV Series)Marsha Russell- Episode #5.54 (1969) … Marsha Russell- Episode #5.53 (1969) … Marsha Russell- Episode #5.52 (1969) … Marsha Russell- Episode #5.51 (1969) … Marsha Russell- Episode #5.50 (1969) … Marsha RussellShow all 75 episodes
• 1969 Strategy of TerrorKaren Lownes
• 1968 Batman (TV Series)Nora Clavicle- Nora Clavicle and the Ladies’ Crime Club (1968) … Nora Clavicle- Louie’s Lethal Lilac Time (1968) … Nora Clavicle (uncredited)
• 1967 Custer (TV Series)Brigid O’Rourke- The Gauntlet (1967) … Brigid O’Rourke
• 1967 HombreAudra Favor
• 1966 The Jet Set (TV Movie)
• 1966 Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (TV Series)Sara Archer- Storm Crossing (1966) … Sara Archer
• 1966 Laredo (TV Series)Sister William- Miracle at Massacre Mission (1966) … Sister William
• 1965 The Fugitive (TV Series)Marie Lindsey Gerard- Landscape with Running Figures: Part 2 (1965) … Marie Lindsey Gerard- Landscape with Running Figures: Part 1 (1965) … Marie Lindsey Gerard
• 1965 Dr. Kildare (TV Series)Madge Bannion / Madgel Bannion- Daily Flights to Olympus (1965) … Madge Bannion- With Hellfire and Thunder (1965) … Madgel Bannion
• 1965 Convoy (TV Series)Alice Bell- The Many Colors of Courage (1965) … Alice Bell
• 1965 Vacation Playhouse (TV Series)
• – The Barbara Rush Show (1965)
• 1965 Kraft Suspense Theatre (TV Series)Karen Lownes- In Darkness, Waiting: Part 2 (1965) … Karen Lownes- In Darkness, Waiting: Part 1 (1965) … Karen Lownes
• 1964 Robin and the 7 HoodsMarian
• 1964 The Outer Limits (TV Series)Leonora Edmond- The Forms of Things Unknown (1964) … Leonora Edmond
• 1964 The Unknown (TV Movie)Leonora Edmond
• 1963 Ben Casey (TV Series)Eileen Pryor- From Too Much Love of Living (1963) … Eileen Pryor
• 1963 Come Blow Your HornConnie
• 1962-1963 Saints and Sinners (TV Series)Lizzie Hogan / ‘Lizzie Hogan’- New Lead Berlin (1963) … Lizzie Hogan- The Home-Coming Bit (1963) … Lizzie Hogan- Luscious Lois (1962) … Lizzie Hogan- Dear George, the Siamese Cat Is Missing (1962) … ‘Lizzie Hogan’
• 1963 The Dick Powell Theatre (TV Series)Emmy Lou Higgins- The Honorable Albert Higgins (1963) … Emmy Lou Higgins
• 1962 Dateline: San Francisco (TV Movie)
• 1962 The Eleventh Hour (TV Series)Linda Kincaid- Make Me a Place (1962) … Linda Kincaid
• 1962 General Electric Theater (TV Series)Alice Lockman- A Very Special Girl (1962) … Alice Lockman1961 Theatre ’62 (TV Series)
• – Notorious (1961)
• 1961 Frontier Circus (TV Series)Bonnie Stevens- The Smallest Target (1961) … Bonnie Stevens
• 1960 Our American Heritage (TV Series)Rachel Jackson- Born a Giant (1960) … Rachel Jackson
• 1960 Checkmate (TV Series)Margaret Russell- The Dark Divide (1960) … Margaret Russell
• 1960 Strangers When We MeetEve Coe
• 1957-1960 Playhouse 90 (TV Series)Liz / Clara- Alas, Babylon (1960) … Liz- The Troublemakers (1957) … Clara
• 1960 The Bramble BushMargaret ‘Mar’ McFie
• 1959 Sunday Showcase (TV Series)Kit Sargent- What Makes Sammy Run?: Part 2 (1959) … Kit Sargent- What Makes Sammy Run?: Part 1 (1959) … Kit Sargent
• 1959 The Young PhiladelphiansJoan Dickinson
• 1958 Lux Playhouse (TV Series)Magda- The Connoisseur (1958) … Magda
• 1958 Harry Black and the TigerChristian Tanner
• 1958 The Young LionsMargaret Freemantle
• 1958 Suspicion (TV Series)Eleanor Thomason- Voice in the Night (1958) … Eleanor Thomason
• 1957 No Down PaymentBetty Kreitzer
• 1957 Matinee Theatre (TV Series)Cathy- Wuthering Heights (1957) … Cathy
• 1957 Oh, Men! Oh, Women!Myra Hagerman
• 1956 Flight to Hong KongPamela Vincent
• 1956 Bigger Than LifeLou Avery
• 1956 World in My CornerDorothy Mallinson
• 1954-1956 Lux Video Theatre (TV Series)Cathy / Ruth / Charlotte / …- Night Song (1956) … Cathy- The Amazing Mrs. Halliday (1955) … Ruth- Shadow of a Doubt (1955) … Charlotte- Gavin’s Darling (1954) … Joyce Gavin
• 1955 Kiss of Fire- Princess Lucia
• 1955 Captain Lightfoot- Aga Doherty
• 1954 The Black Shield of Falworth- Meg
• 1954 Magnificent Obsession- Joyce Phillips
• 1954 Taza, Son of Cochise- Oona
• 1953 It Came from Outer Space- Ellen Fields
• 1953 Prince of Pirates- Countess Nita Orde
• 1952 Flaming Feather- Nora Logan
• 1951 When Worlds Collide- Joyce Hendron
• 1951 The First Legion- Terry Gilmartin
• 1951 Quebec- Madelon
• 1950 The Goldbergs- Debby Sherman