TV/Radio & Cable Week, Sunday, June 24, 1984
New frontier for Miss Kitty
Some may say “enough already,” but not Amanda Blake “I want it all.” Miss Blake of "Gunsmoke” fame said during a recent interview from her home in Austin, Texas. The actress ventured into a new frontier this past week when she left behind petticoats and cowboys and made her debut in the world of daytime television as psychiatrist Dr. Juliana Stanhower in the ABC soap opera, “Edge of Night.”
At the time of the interview the actress had yet to see the script but sounded excited to be part of the cast, even for a short time. “It’s going to be great fun ” Familiarity with an on-going program can often be helpful to an actor/actress first coming onto a set. According to Miss Blake she does catch the soap when she can. “I’ve seen the show. It's been on forever. Now that I’m in Austin I'm going to be able to watch it more. In Phoenix (Arizona) where I used to live it was on at 9 a m and I was long gone.” The former Buffalo native said the role was practically handed to her “I was at a party in Brownsville, Texas, and the executive producer (Erwin Nicholson), who was also there and is good friend of mine, asked me if I had ever thought about doing a soap,” Miss Blake recalled. “I said, ‘No.’ And he asked me if I’d like to do one to which I said ‘Sure, why not’’ It happened that simply.”
Fitting the actress into the story line took some time. “I’m only going to do four episodes. They had to wait for me to get to New York and to make my guest-role sound logical in the story line.” The writers got to work and created a problem for Dr Beth Correll (Sanoy Faison). In the script “psychiatrist” Blake will counsel Dr Correll on her inability to deal with her romantic feelings for Dr Miles Cavanaugh (Joel Crothers). Miss Blake’s appearances are spread out through Friday, June 29.
Miss Blake, other than an appearances on ABC’s hit shows “Hart to Hart” and “The Love Boat," has really kept a low profile in the acting world, although she says she never left acting. Following her 20-year stint on “Gunsmoke” as Miss Kitty Russell, the actress became very involved with numerous groups and organizations. “My wildlife groups for protection and preservation are very, very important to me. I spend a great deal of time in Africa. I’m very concerned about the environment and conservation.” explained Miss Blake “When I’m concerned about something I really try to do something about it.” The actress is also on the Board of the Humane Society of the United States, and she has been an active volunteer for the American Cancer Society. Since successfully having a malignant tumor removed from her mouth Miss Blake has traveled thousands of miles for this organization and has held the position of National Chairman of Crusade for two years. This past April she was presented the American Cancer Society’s Courage Award from President Reagan In April, Miss Blake also became a new bride when she married Mark Spaeth, a real estate developer and an Austin City councilman. Of her step back in front of the cameras Miss Blake says her husband encourages it. “Mark's very excited and super supportive He wants me to go for it all.
By
Paul Raven ·
.thumb.png.5c728e3a5029e28d95defc3cf6a72cdb.png)
