Sandra Dee (1976)

Sandra Dee was one of Hollywood’s most recognizable young stars of the late 1950s and early 1960s, becoming an enduring symbol of the era through films including Gidget, A Summer Place, Imitation of Life, and the Tammy series. Born Alexandra Zuck in Bayonne, New Jersey, Dee began modeling as a child and was represented by the Huntington Hartford Agency after being discovered by prominent modeling agent Harry Conover. According to her 1976 Elitch Theatre program biography, she appeared in fashion shows, magazine advertisements and television commercials before making the transition to acting. Her early television work included appearances on Studio One and G.E. Theater. Producer Ross Hunter subsequently brought her to Hollywood for a screen test, and Dee made her feature-film debut in Until They Sail (1957), directed by Robert Wise. Her performance earned her the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actress.

Dee quickly became one of the most popular young actresses in American movies. After The Restless Years (1958), she appeared opposite Lana Turner in Douglas Sirk’s Imitation of Life (1959), followed by two films that firmly established her as a teenage screen idol: Gidget (1959) and A Summer Place (1959), opposite Troy Donahue. Her Elitch program recalled that the success of these films established her internationally and noted the remarkable succession of pictures that followed, including Portrait in Black, Romanoff and Juliet, Tammy Tell Me True, Take Her, She’s Mine, and A Man Could Get Killed. She also starred with Rock Hudson, Gina Lollobrigida, and Bobby Darin in Come September (1961). Dee and Darin married in 1960 and subsequently appeared together in If a Man Answers (1962) and That Funny Feeling (1965).

In the summer of 1976, Dee brought her screen-star presence to Denver’s Historic Elitch Theatre, appearing in Samuel A. Taylor’s romantic comedy Sabrina Fair from August 2 through August 14. Dee played the title role, Sabrina Fairchild, the chauffeur’s daughter who returns from several years abroad and finds herself caught between the two wealthy Larrabee brothers. The unusually distinguished summer-stock cast included Sylvia Sidney as Julia Ward McKinlock, Maureen O’Sullivan as Maude Larrabee, Roland Winters as Linus Larrabee, Russell Nype as Paul D’Argenson, Donegan Smith as Linus Larrabee Jr., Eileen Burns as Margaret, Peter Flint as David Larrabee, Pat Musick as Gretchen, and Nicholas Saunders as Fairchild. The production was directed by longtime Elitch director Harold J. Kennedy. Dee’s appearance came during the theatre’s 85th year and placed her alongside veteran performers whose careers stretched from Broadway and Hollywood’s Golden Age to contemporary television. Historic Elitch Theatre records also identify Kennedy’s 1976 Sabrina Fair as one of the star-driven productions he directed during his long association with the theatre.

By the time she arrived at Elitch’s, Dee had spent nearly two decades as a nationally known performer. Her 1976 program biography emphasized the extraordinary speed of her rise from model to television performer to movie star and recalled her popularity with both audiences and exhibitors. Away from acting, the program described Dee as enjoying ice skating and horseback riding and as an avid collector of recipes who particularly enjoyed Italian and French cooking. Although her film career had slowed by the 1970s, she continued to make selected television appearances during the decade, including work on such series as Night Gallery, Police Woman, and Fantasy Island. Her final feature film was Lost (1983). Dee died in 2005, but the films that made her famous—particularly Gidget, Imitation of Life, and A Summer Place—have preserved her place as one of the defining young stars of late-1950s and early-1960s Hollywood.

Seasons at the Theatre

1976

Productions/Roles:

1976 — Sabrina Fair — Sabrina Fairchild (August 2–14, 1976) Directed by Harold J. Kennedy, Co-starring Sylvia Sidney, Maureen O’Sullivan, Russell Nype, Roland Winters, Donegan Smith, Nicholas Saunders, Peter Flint, Eileen Burns, and Pat Musick.

Notable Roles, Awards, and Other Work:

Golden Globe Award — New Star of the Year – Actress (1958) — Dee received the award for her early screen work associated with Until They Sail (1957), her feature-film debut.
Imitation of Life (1959) — Played Susie Meredith, the daughter of Lana Turner’s character, in Douglas Sirk’s celebrated melodrama. The film was a major box-office success and helped establish Dee as a star.
Gidget (1959) — Starred as Frances “Gidget” Lawrence, one of Dee’s signature roles. The film became a hit and helped launch the screen surfing and beach-movie phenomenon of the 1960s.
A Summer Place (1959) — Starred opposite Troy Donahue in one of the era’s best-remembered romantic dramas. Its enormous popularity further cemented Dee’s status as one of Hollywood’s leading young stars.
Come September (1961) — Appeared with Rock Hudson, Gina Lollobrigida, and Bobby Darin in the popular romantic comedy. Dee and Darin had met during the production and married in 1960.
Tammy Tell Me True (1961) — Took over the popular role of Tammy Tyree, originated on film by Debbie Reynolds, and starred opposite John Gavin.
If a Man Answers (1962) — Starred opposite her husband, Bobby Darin, in the romantic comedy, one of several films the couple made together.
Take Her, She’s Mine (1963) — Starred as Mollie Michaelson opposite James Stewart; the comedy became another notable success during the height of Dee’s career.
That Funny Feeling (1965) — Reunited onscreen with Bobby Darin in the romantic comedy. Darin also wrote the film’s title song, which received a Golden Globe nomination.
The Dunwich Horror (1970) — Took on a markedly different role in this adaptation inspired by the work of H. P. Lovecraft, demonstrating a move away from the youthful romantic-comedy image with which she had become most closely associated.

Elitch Theatre Connections:

1957 — Until They Sail (Film) — Joan Fontaine (HET 1967) — Dee played Evelyn Leslie and Fontaine played her sister Anne Leslie; they were members of the same principal cast. IMDb
1958 — The Restless Years (Film) — Teresa Wright (HET 1976) and James Whitmore (HET 1969) — Dee starred as Melinda Grant; Wright played her mother, Elizabeth Grant, while Whitmore played Ed Henderson. All three were principal cast members. IMDb
1959 — A Stranger in My Arms (Film) — June Allyson (HET 1966) — Dee played Pat Beasley opposite Allyson as Christina Beasley; both were principal cast members. IMDb
1959 — Imitation of Life (Film) — Lana Turner (HET 1977) and Robert Alda (HET 1966) — Dee played Susie Meredith, Turner starred as Susie’s mother Lora Meredith, and Alda played theatrical agent Allen Loomis. Lana Turner
1959 — A Summer Place (Film) — Beulah Bondi (HET 1925) — Dee starred as Molly Jorgenson and Bondi appeared as Mrs. Emily Hamilton Hamble. Both appear in the credited cast. MovieMeter
1960 — Portrait in Black (Film) — Lana Turner (HET 1977) — Dee played Cathy Cabot, daughter of Turner’s Sheila Cabot; both were major members of the film’s cast. This was Dee’s second verified film connection with Turner after Imitation of Life. Lana Turner
1961 — Tammy Tell Me True (Film) — Beulah Bondi (HET 1925) — Dee starred as Tammy Tyree and Bondi played Mrs. Call. The characters develop a substantial relationship in the film. TVGuide.com
1962 — If a Man Answers (Film) — Cesar Romero (HET 1964) — Dee starred as Chantal Stacy and Romero appeared as Robert Swan/Adam Wright; they were members of the same credited cast. IMDb
1963 — Tammy and the Doctor (Film) — Beulah Bondi (HET 1925) — Dee again starred as Tammy Tyree with Bondi returning as Mrs. Call, giving Dee and Bondi a second verified Tammy film together. IMDb
1964 — I’d Rather Be Rich (Film) — Gene Raymond (HET 1962) and Hermione Gingold (HET 1965) — Dee starred as Cynthia Dulaine; Raymond played Martin Wood and Gingold played Miss Grimshaw. All three appear in the credited cast. IMDb
1967 — Rosie! (Film) — Dean Harens (HET 1962) — Dee played Daphne Shaw and Harens appeared as Willetts. Both are in the film’s credited cast. TVGuide.com