DOROTHY PROVINE: HER TWO NORAS

While looking over the various TV roles played by Dorothy Provine over the years, I noticed that she played two characters named Nora - twice on '77 Sunset Strip' (separated by three years) and once on 'Hawaiian Eye', which had several crossovers with '77 Sunset Strip'. (As a matter of fact, the second appearance by Ms. Provine as Nora Shirley on '77 Sunset Strip' was a crossover with 'Bourbon Street Beat' as it was set in New Orleans and featured Andrew Duggan as Cal Calhoun.)

I was hoping that her appearance as a Nora Stewart could be suggested as also being Nora Shirley, but sporting a new last name due to a failed marriage or something. But it turned out that Nora Stewart was a fading movie star on vacation in Hawaii and in need of the private eyes' help. She was constantly surrounded by her entourage, who were never seen with her in New Orleans or Hollywood if she was also Nora Shirley. And then there's the state of her mental well-being - I would think it would take longer than five months to wear her down to the state she was in when she arrived in Hawaii. But what do I know?

'77 SUNSET STRIP'
1.30 [--] DOWNBEAT
8May59
cast:
John Van Dreelen .............. Hendrick van Horn
Dorothy Provine ............... Nora Shirley
Donald Barry .................. Rock
cameo appearances by
James Garner .................. himself
James Bacon ................... himself
Johnny Grant .................. himself
Stuart Bailey is acquitted of trumped-up charges of treason and conspiracy, but the doubts raised by his trial result in the loss of an old friend with the OSS. But Stu's problems were all a ruse developed to flush out the OSS agent who has been selling government secrets.

4.39 [147] UPBEAT
15Jun62
cast:
Dorothy Provine ............... Nora Shirley
John Van Dreelen .............. Van Horn
Norman Alden .................. Rene
Eddie Fontaine ................ Prelle
Robert Logan .................. J.R. Hale
Eugene Borden ................. Laurent
and from 'Bourbon Street Beat'
Andrew Duggan ................. Cal Calhoun
Set in New Orleans Stuart Bailey meets an old flame played by Dorothy Provine. Van Horn, a spy Bailey once sent to prison, has been freed and is seeking vengeance.

'HAWAIIAN EYE'
4.08 [118] A NIGHT WITH NORA STEWART
27Nov62
cast
Dorothy Provine ............... Nora Stewart
Jerry Paris ................... Martin Short
Dan Tobin ..................... Sy Neider
Connie Gilchrist .............. Vera
Robert Clarke ................. Les Frazer
Alicia Li ..................... receptionist
Brad Thomas ................... reporter
Edwin Chandler ................ reporter
A prowler disturbs the sleep of fading movie queen Nora Stewart, who is vacationing in Honolulu prior to attempting a comeback in Hollywood. A routine check by MacKenzie reveals that every member of Nora's entourage has reason to prevent her comeback. He then sets out to discover which one is disturbing the actress.
[Information courtesy of the CTVA - Classic Television Archives]

As I said, all three of those private eye shows are connected already, but it would have been nice to slim down the Tele-Folks Directory by having Nora Shirley and Nora Stewart be one and the same.

Oh well. Can't win 'em all....

BCnU!