Jena Engstrom
Jena Engstrom | |
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![]() Jena Engstrom as Betty in April 19, 1961 episode of The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet titled "Selling Rick's Drums". | |
Born | Liana Jeanne Moon June 30, 1942 Los Angeles, California, USA |
Occupation | Former television actress |
Years active | 1960 - 1964 |
Parent | Jean Engstrom |
Jena Engstrom (born Liana Jeanne Moon on June 30, 1942 in Los Angeles, California) is an American former television actress. She appeared in more than three dozen episodes of various television series between 1960 and 1964.
Career
Jena Engstrom[1] began acting after graduating from high school[2] and first appeared on television in the 1960 episode "Adopted" of the ABC crime drama, The Detectives Starring Robert Taylor. She appeared in some thirty-seven television programs[1] before making her final appearance opposite guest star Robert Culp in the 1964 episode, "The Stallion", of NBC's The Virginian[3].
Mother and daughter
Jena Engstrom[1] is the daughter of actress Jean Engstrom[1][4][5] (1920-1997)[4] whose television career (1955-1966)[4][5] overlapped her daughter’s and whose career also included movie[4] and stage appearances.[5][6] Mother and daughter appeared twice together in television dramas. The first time was in April 1961 when they appeared as mother and daughter in the "Incident of the Lost Idol" episode of CBS's Rawhide.[2] They had only one brief scene together as the story did not center on their relationship. The second program aired in January 1962, the episode “To Sell Another Human Being” of ABC's The New Breed, starring Leslie Nielsen,[5] in which mother Jean played a woman adopting through an adoption mill a baby who had been given up by a young woman played by her daughter, Jena.
Western series
Twenty-one of Jena Engstrom's thirty-seven roles were in television westerns. She appeared three times each on Have Gun, Will Travel, and Wagon Train, as well as Rawhide, twice each on Bonanza, Gunsmoke, and Laramie, and once each on The Tall Man, Death Valley Days, Frontier Circus, and Outlaws, as well as her final performance as an actress in The Virginian.
Some of her best acting opportunities came in Western shows. In “The Education of Sarah Jane” episode of Have Gun, Will Travel she appeared as Sarah Jane opposite guest star Duane Eddy in a story of the youngest members of feuding clans that have been killing one another for generations. It is up to Paladin (Richard Boone) to bring an end to the madness. In the “Milly” episode of Gunsmoke, she played Milly Glover, an impoverished teenager hoping to break herself and her younger brother (Billy E. Hughes) from their abusive and alcoholic father (Malcolm Atterbury. She tries to escape poverty through marriage to an older man, but the three men (James Griffith, Don Dubbins, and Harry Swoger) to whom she proposes reject her. She plots revenge. In the episode “Chester’s Indian”, Engstrom plays Callie Dill, the repressed daughter of a storekeeper (Karl Swenson) who is helping a wrongfully-detained Cheyenne brave (Eddie Little Sky) trying to return to his village. When Chester (Dennis Weaver) shoots and wounds the brave, Callie implores Chester to nurse him back to health. In 1962, in one of her three appearances on Rawhide, she had the title role of "The Child-Woman" in an episode also guest starring Cesar Romero where she played a teenager willfully in the clutches of a domineering saloonkeeper. In 1961, she portrayed Laurie Manson in "The Incident of the Lost Idol". She retired from acting in 1964 with appearances on Wagon Train, Perry Mason, when she played Vera Janel in "The Case of the Illicit Illusion," and in her final television appearance in "The Black Stallion" episode of The Virginian, Engstrom plays a rancher’s daughter in love with an alcoholic veterinarian (Robert Culp) who has been drafted by series star Randy Boone to care for an abused stallion.
Illness
Jena Engstrom left acting in 1964, possibly because of health considerations. In 1963, she was cast in what was to have been a recurring role of Jennie in the series The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters, starring Kurt Russell,[7] but had to give up the role because of illness and was replaced by Donna Anderson.[8][9]
In June 1964, she was replaced again because of ill health by Davey Davison in the episode "Children of Calamity" of Richard Crenna's CBS drama series, Slattery's People.[10]
Confused credits
The acting credits of mother Jean and daughter Jena were confused at the time they were active in the business resulting in mixed credits in newspapers and problems with pay checks.[2] For a long time the credtis were confused on many Interent databases, and while some errors still exist, many have been corrected.
DVDs
Several of the television series listed below have been released by their studios on DVDs that are available for sale or for rent.
Note: "Episode" column: 2.9 indicates Season 2, Episode 9, etc.
AIR DATE | SHOW | EPISODE | EPISODE TITLE | CHARACTER | NOTES | DVD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nov. 25, 1960 | The Detectives Starring Robert Taylor | 2.9 | "Adopted"[13] | Ann Martin | 1st of 2 appearances on this show. | |
Feb. 5, 1961 | Shirley Temple Theatre | 2.19 | "The Fawn"[14] | Kathy | ||
Feb. 25, 1961 | Have Gun, Will Travel | 4.23 | "Fatal Flaw" [15] | Cassandra Langford | 1st of 3 appearances on this show. | Yes |
Mar. 14, 1961 | The Red Skelton Hour | 10.17 | "Freddy and the Baby"[16] | Young Woman (Baby's Mother) | Yes | |
Apr. 19, 1961 | The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet | 9.30 | "Selling Rick's Drums"[17] | Betty Hamilton | Yes | |
Apr. 28, 1961 | Rawhide (TV series) | 3.24 | "Incident of the Lost Idol"[18] | Laurie Manson | 1st of 3 appearances on this show. Mother Jean Engstrom also appears in this episode. | Yes |
Jun. 11, 1961 | The Asphalt Jungle | 1.11 | "The Kidnapping"[19] | Karen Meriden | ||
Sep. 23, 1961 | Have Gun, Will Travel | 5.2 | "The Education of Sarah Jane"[20] | Sarah Jane Darrow | 2nd of 3 appearances on this show. | Yes |
Oct. 1, 1961 | Bonanza | 3.2 | "Springtime"[21] | Ann | 1st of 2 appearances on this show. | Yes |
Oct. 12, 1961 | My Three Sons | 2.3 | "The Crush"[22] | Mary Beth Jackson | Yes | |
Oct. 14, 1961 | The Tall Man (TV series) | 2.6 | "An Item for Auction"[23] | Mary Susan Naylack | Yes | |
Oct. 23, 1961 | Death Valley Days | 10.7 | "Storm Over Truckee"[24] | Maggie Woolf | Billed as Jenna Engstrom. | |
Oct. 30, 1961 | The Everglades | 1.4 | "Primer for Pioneers" [25] | Memory Jacks | The series is listed as "Everglades!" in the opening credits. | |
Nov. 1, 1961 | Wagon Train | 5.6 | "The Jenna Douglas Story"[26] | Sue Thompson | Yes | |
Nov. 2, 1961 | Outlaws (1960 TV series) | 2.5 | "The Night Riders"[27] | Louise Nichols | ||
Nov. 25, 1961 | Gunsmoke | 7.9 | "Milly"[28] | Milly Glover | 1st of 2 appearances on this show. | Yes |
Dec. 26, 1961 | Laramie (TV series) | 3.13 | "The Lawless Seven" [29] | Ginny Hawks | 1st of 2 appearances on this show. | Yes |
Jan. 16, 1962 | The New Breed (TV Series) | 1.16 | "To Sell Another Human Being"[5] | Mother Jean Engstrom also appears in this episode. | ||
Mar. 2, 1962 | The Detectives Starring Robert Taylor | 3.20 | "Night Boat" [30] | Frances | 2nd of 2 appearances on this show. | |
Mar. 14, 1962 | Wagon Train | 5.24 | "The Amos Billings Story"[31] | Loan | 2nd of 2 appearances on this show. | Yes |
Mar. 17, 1962 | Have Gun, Will Travel | 5.26 | "Alice" [32] | Maya Ferguson | 3rd of 3 appearances on this show. | Yes |
Mar. 23, 1962 | Rawhide (TV series) | 4.24 | "The Child-Woman"[33] | Posie Mushgrove | 2nd of 3 appearances on this show. | Yes |
Apr. 5, 1962 | Frontier Circus | 1.20 | "Mighty Like Rogues"[34] | Betsy Ross Jukes | Yes | |
May 12, 1962 | Gunsmoke | 7.32 | "Chester's Indian" [35] | Callie Dill | 2nd of 2 appearances on this show. | Yes |
Oct. 26, 1962 | Rawhide (TV series) | 5.5 | "Incident of the Four Horsemen"[36] | Amy Galt | 3rd of 3 appearances on this show. | Yes |
Nov. 5,1962 | Stoney Burke (TV series) | 1.6 | "A Matter of Pride"[37] | Meryle Hill | ||
Nov. 13, 1962 | Laramie (TV series) | 4.7 | "The Sunday Shoot"[38] | Nancy Tilford | 2nd of 2 appearances on this show. | Yes |
Dec. 2, 1962 | Bonanza | 4.10 | "The Deadly Ones"[39] | Molly Reed | 2nd of 2 appearances on this show. | Yes |
Jan. 11, 1963 | Route 66 (TV series) | 3.16 | "You Can't Pick Cotton in Tahiti" [40] | Elva Dupree | Yes | |
Feb. 7, 1963 | Dr. Kildare | 2.18 | "Good Luck Charm"[41] | Marcia Laverly | Yes | |
Apr. 17, 1963 | The Eleventh Hour (1962 TV series) | 1.27 | "Try to Keep Alive Until Next Tuesday" | Marian Snyder | ||
May 23, 1963 | The Doctors and the Nurses | 1.30 | "Bitter Pill"[42] | Jean Wheeler | The show was called The Nurses (CBS TV series) during the first season. | |
Sep 15, 1963 | The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters (TV series) | 1.1 | "The Day of Leaving"[43] | Jennie | Jena Engstrom was replaced after this pilot episode because of illness | |
Feb. 7, 1964 | 77 Sunset Strip | 6.20 | "Queen of the Cats"[44] | Marian Armstrong | Final episode of this series.77 Sunset Strip | |
Mar. 30, 1964 | Wagon Train | 7.20 | "The Santiago Quesada Story"[45] | Kim Case | 3rd of 3 appearances on this show. | Yes |
Apr. 9, 1964 | Perry Mason (TV series) | 7.25 | "The Case of the Ilicit Illusion"[46] | Vera Janel | Yes | |
Sep. 30, 1964 | The Virginian (TV series) | 3.3 | "The Black Stallion"[3] | Jodie Wingate | Episode also called "The Stallion" | Yes |
References
- ^ a b c d e "Jena Engstrom". IMDb. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
- ^ a b c "The Name's Almost the Same for Jean and Jena Engstrom". San Antonio (Texas) Express and News, Page 10. 13 January 1963. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
- ^ a b "The Black Stallion" (2010). The Virginian: The Complete Third Season (DVD (Disc 1)). NBC Universal" The Media Group.
- ^ a b c d "Jean Engstrom". IMDb. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
- ^ a b c d e Vernon, Terry (16 January 1963). "Tele]Vues: Mother-Daughter Team On TV". The Long Beach (California) Independent, Page C-12. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
- ^ "Stage Actress Stars In Graham Production". The El Paso (Texas) Herald-Post, Section A, Page 3. 27 November 1965. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
- ^ Russell, Fred H. (4 April 1963). "O'Herlihy Signs For Top Role In Series". The Bridgeport Post, Page 35. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
- ^ Scheuer, Steven H. (18 October 1963). "TV Mailbag". The Hammond (Indiana) Times, Page C-4. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
- ^ "Jena Engstrom Recovers". The San Antonio (Texas) Express and News, Page 5. 24 November 1963. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
- ^ "Sub for Engstrom". The Los Angeles (California) Times, Page D15. 19 June 1964. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
- ^ "The Classic TV Archive". CTVA. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
- ^ "TV Guide". TV Guide. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
- ^ "Adopted" (1960). The Detectives (DVD (Disc 17)). magiclantern1973.
- ^ "The Shirley Temple Show: "The Fawn"". Pasadena (California) Independent Star-News: TV Week. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
- ^ Fatal Flaw (1961) (2010). Have Gun - Will Travel: The Fourth Season: Volume Two (DVD (Disc One)). CBS Television Studios.
- ^ "Freddy and the Baby" (1961) (2007). Red Skelton: America's Clown Prince (DVD (Disc 2)). Timeless Media Group.
- ^ "Selling Rick's Drums" 1961) (2008). Ozzie and Harriet: Best of Ricky and Dave (DVD (Disc 3)). Shout! Factory LLC.
- ^ "Incident of the Lost Idol" (1961) (2008). Rawhide: The Third Season: Volume 2 (DVD (Disc 3)). CBS DVD.
- ^ "The Classic TV Archive - US Crime Series: "The Kidnapping"". CTVA. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
- ^ "The Education of Sarah Jane" (1961) (2010). Have Gun - Will Travel: The Fifth Season: Volume One (DVD (Disc One). CBS Television Studios.
- ^ "Springtime" (1961) (2012). Bonanza: The Official Third Season: Volume 1 (DVD (Disc 1)). CBS DVD.
- ^ "The Crush" (1961) (2010). My Three Sons: The Second Season: Volume One (DVD (Disc 1)). CBS DVD.
- ^ "An Item for Auction" (1961) (2007). The Tall Man (DVD (Disc 2)). NBC Universal: Timeless Media Group.
- ^ "Episode Detail: Storm Over Truckee - Death Valley Days". TV Guide. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
- ^ "Primer for Pioneers" (1961). Television Classics Digital Collection: Everglades! (DVD (Disc 4)). A Magic Lantern Production.
- ^ "The Jenna Douglas Story" (1961) (2011). Wagon Train: The Complete Season Five (DVD (Disc 2)). NBC Universal: Timeless Media Group.
- ^ "The Night Riders" (1961). Outlaws (DVD (Disc 8)). avantgarde101.
- ^ "Milly" (1961) (2012). Gunsmoke: The Seventh Season: Volume 1 (DVD (Disc 3)). CBS DVD.
- ^ "The Lawless Seven" (1961) (2008). Laramie (DVD (Disc 3)). NBC Universal: Timeless Media Group.
- ^ "Night Boat". The Detectives (DVD (Disc 9)). magiclantern1973.
- ^ "The Amos Billings Story" (1962) (2011). Wagon Train: The Complete Fifth Season (DVD (Disc 6)). NBC Universal: Timeless Media Group.
- ^ "Alice" (1962) (2011). Have Gun - Will Travel: The Fifth Season: Volume Two (DVD (Disc 2)). CBS Television Studios.
- ^ "The Child-Woman" (2011). Rawhide: The Fourth Season: Volume 2 (DVD (Disc 3)). CBS DVD.
- ^ "Mighty Like Rogues" (1962) (2010). Frontier Circus: The Complete TV Series (DVD (Disc Five)). NBC Universal: Timeless Media Group.
- ^ "Chester's Indian" (1962) (2013). Gunsmoke: The Seventh Season: Volume 2 (DVD). CBS DVD.
- ^ "Incident of the Four Horsemen" (1962) (2013). Rawhide: The Fifth Season: Volume 1 (DVD (Disc 2)). CBS DVD.
- ^ "A Matter of Pride" (1962) (2005). Stoney Burke: Collector's Edition: Vol. 1 (DVD (Disc 2)). Audio Tape, Inc.
- ^ "The Sunday Shoot" (1962) (2009). Laramie: The Final Season (DVD (Disc 2)). NBC Universal: Timeless Media Group.
- ^ "The Deadly Ones" (1962) (2012). Bonanza: The Official Fourth Season: Volume 1 (DVD (Disc 3)). CBS DVD.
- ^ "You Can't Pick Cotton In Tahiti" (1963) (2009). Route 66: Complete Third Season: Volume One (DVD (Disc 4)). Roxbury Entertainment.
- ^ "Gloria Swanson with Kildare". Google.News: Sarasota (Florida) Herald Tribune, Page 39. 7 February 1963. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
- ^ "Mothers-To-Be Warned Abouth Pill Taking". Pittsburgh Press, P 67. 23 May 1963. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
- ^ "Episode Detail: The Day of Leaving -- The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters". TV Guide. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
- ^ "Episode Detail: The Queen of Cats -- 77 Sunset Strip". TV Guide. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
- ^ "The Santiago Quesada Story" (1964) (2008). Wagon Train: The Complete Color Season (DVD (Disc 10)). NBC Universal: Timeless Media Group.
- ^ "The Case of the Illicit Illusion" (2012). Perry Mason: Season 7: Volume 2 (DVD (Disc 3)). CBS DVD.