Shelley Fabares’s 10 best movies and TV shows ranked

Shelley Fabares Was a prolific TV star before her retirement and across dozens of movies and TV shows, she showcases her acting and singing talents. Born on January 19, 1944, Fabares began her professional career at the young age of 10 in an episode of the television series, Letter to Loretta. Since then, she has gone on to appear in many television shows, often in one-episode roles in classic series such as The Twilight Zone And The Incredible Hulk. At the same time, she managed to paint her resume with several notable movie roles, appearing three times alongside Elvis Presley.

Fabares’ rising star also led to her becoming a popular recording artist. In April 1962, Her single “Johnny Angel” reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 (via Billboard). She ended up releasing five studio albums in total, with a few singles on top of each. Billboard Charts. At the same time, she began to diversify her music career into larger roles in musical films. Successful in television, music and film, Fabares decided to exit the industry on her own terms, retiring in 2006, leaving behind a legacy of memorable performances.

10

spinout (1966)

Cynthia Foxugh

Spinout is Shelley Fabares’ second collaboration with Elvis Presley and while it may not be Presley’s worst movie, it’s still a little low on the list of King’s performances. None of this is due to Fabares, who is as fun and charming as ever. In the 1966 movie, Mike McCoy (Presley) is the lead singer of a band and a race car driver who is enjoying his carefree life when three eligible women arrive, looking to marry him.

Fabares plays Cynthia Foxugh, a spoiled heiress determined to make Mike her husband, no matter the cost. While Presley is not at his most energetic, everyone else in the cast and the story gel together very well. Fabares perfectly plays the role of “daddy’s girl”.But she is charming and sweet enough that the performance is never ready. When she is matched with a different man later in the film, it is actually a happy ending.

9

The Practice (1976-1977)

Jenny Bedford (27 episodes, 1976-1977)

The practice is an American sitcom that premiered in 1976 and follows Jules Bedford (Danny Thomas), a ruthless, but idealistic, old-school doctor living in New York City. Despite many gripes with his clients, Jules genuinely cares for those who come through his office. He has a grown son, David (David Spielberg), who is also a doctor, although he is generally more concerned with how much money he can make than with the medical help he provides.

David is married to Jenny (Shelly Fabares), a kind and intelligent young woman who helps David raise their two young sons, Paul (Ellen Price) and Tony (Damon Raskin). Jenny is often challenged on her parenting style and often butts heads with her father-in-law. It’s a funny and engaging performance from Fabares, who is sweet enough to stop Jules’ needling, but also able to bark back when he goes too far.

8

Highcliffe Manor (1979)

Helen Blacke (6 episodes, 1979)

Highcliffe Manor is a short-lived gothic horror sitcom in the vein of shows like The Munsters Or The Addams Family. In the series, a lively, but flaky, widow, Helen Blacke (Shelly Fabares) owns a creepy, old mansion on a deserted island in New England. The mansion was once a scientific research institute and now houses a mad scientist, a bionic man, a frolicking preacher, and a host of other undesirable, but ultimately lovable characters.

Eight episodes of the show were filmed, but only six were aired. Despite the short-lived nature of the show, it was an exciting premise, and it is One of the few times that Fabares appeared alone on a TV series or a movie. She’s funny and confident in the lead role, and it’s a shame Highcliffe Manor Didn’t turn into anything bigger.

7

Happy Girl (1965)

Valerie Frank

Girl lucky is a musical romantic comedy and a summer vacation movie, which instantly sets the mood and tone for the film. This is the first collaboration between Shelley Fabares and Elvis Presley, and it’s clear why their electric union spawned two more movies. Girl lucky Follows Rusty Wells (Presley), a nightclub singer who is hired by the club’s owner, Big Frank (Harold Stone), to act as a bodyguard for his daughter, Valerie (Fabares), when she goes to Fort Lauderdale for spring break.

There, while partying in the sun, the two begin to fall for one another. It is a romantic and breezy film with some excellent musical moments too. One of the songs featured in the film, “Puppet on a String”, reached #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 (by Billboard). Fabares gets the chance to sing on the soundtrack, performing a memorable duet of “Spring Fever” with Presley.

6

Hold on! (1966)

Louisa Page

Shelley Fabares co-stars in Hold on! Like Louisa Page, playing alongside the real-life English rock band, Herman’s Hermits. When the American public agrees to name one of their new spaceships after the band, NASA sends an investigator to shadow the band and make sure they are a healthy group that will not cause any embarrassment to the agency.

Luisa is a young woman who Herman (Peter Nune), the singer of Herman’s Hermits, falls in love with. When she also begins to fall for Herman, Louisa convinces her mother to let the band play a charity benefit. While Herman’s Hermits plays most of the songs on the album, Fabares sings one of the songs “Make Me Happy”A poppy and ethereal beach tune that feels like it came from the Mamas & the Papas. It is enough that Erman is on her side.

5

The Brian Keith Show (1972-1974)

Dr. Anne Jamison (47 episodes, 1972-1974)

The Brian Keith ShowCalled The little people In its first season, is a sitcom that ran from 1972-1974 and starred Brian Keith as Dr. Shawn Jamison, a pediatrician who runs a free clinic in Oahu, Hawaii. Shelley Fabares plays Jamison’s daughter, Dr. Ann Jamison, who works with her dad. The tropical setting of the series makes it all the more watchable and Keith and Fabares have excellent chemistry together.

Anne Jamison is a smart and resourceful young doctor, and she is also able to temper some of Sean’s worst impulses. This was the first major television role for Fabares yet The Donna Reed Show. It was immediately clear of The Brian Keith ShowThat she did not lose her ability to perform the same role week after week, and did not lose her energy and understanding of the character.

4

Superman: The Animated Series (1996-1998)

Martha Kent (10 episodes, 1996-2000)

Superman: The Animated Series Is considered one of the best animated Superman shows ever thanks to its bright color palette, understanding of the character as an all-powerful being and a symbol of hope for humanity, and its consideration of Superman’s extensive lore. Shelley Fabres voices Martha Kent in the series and even reprized the role in the series Justice League Show and Her last film or television appearance, the direct-to-video movie, Superman: Brainiac Attacks.

Fabares brings a gravitas to the role that is crucial to being Superman’s adoptive mother, but she also provides a warmth that figures into questions about Superman’s relationship with humanity. It is also a powerful and energetic voice performance. The character may be older, but Fabares’ voice work makes the character younger, explaining how she has been able to keep up with her god-like son all these years.

3

One Day at a Time (1975-1985)

Francine Webster (38 episodes, 1978-1984)

in One day at a timeA divorced mother, Ann Romano (Bonnie Franklin), moves with her teenage daughters to Indianapolis from their home in Logansport, Indiana. There, Anne falls in and out of love, makes a new life for herself and deals with all the troubles that come from trying to be a breadwinner and a single parent. Shelley Fabares appeared in season 3 as Francine Webster, a workplace rival.

As the seasons go on, Anne and Francine develop a grudging respect that becomes a full-on friendship, and Fabares goes from a guest character to a major in later seasons. Ann and Francine even eventually open an advertising business together. The series earned two Golden Globe Awards and two Emmys. Fabares’ performance is funny and heartfelt in the moments when she and Ann begin to support each other.

2

The Donna Reed Show (1958-1966)

Mary Stone (191 episodes, 1958-1964)

One of Shelley Fabre’s early leading roles, The Donna Reed ShowFollow Donna Stone (Reid), a middle-class housewife trying to be a good mother, wife and all-around person in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Her daughter, Mary Stone, is played by Shelley Fabares. The role is what boosted Fabares star up enough that she was soon able to pursue a singing career. She even left the show at the end of the series to pursue filmmaking and singing full-time.

The Donna Reed Show is notable for being one of the few television sitcoms to have a mother at the center of the story. Donna Stone is one of the best TV moms ever, but Fabares is also one of the best TV daughters. Despite being very young, Fabares handles her scenes extremely well and never seems out of her depth, despite the breadth of talent on screen.

1

Coach (1989-1997)

Christine Armstrong (199 episodes, 1989-1997)

Coach was an extremely popular sitcom that aired on ABC, and it was probably Craig T. Nelson’s best performance of his career. Part of his success must be attributed to his screen partner, Shelly Fabares, who plays Hayden Fox’s (Nelson) wife, Christine Armstrong. Starting the series as a news anchor, Christine soon marries Hayden. Christine is a very smart, kind and funny character in the series who can go toe to toe with Nelson in any scene.

Fabares earned two Emmy nominations for her work on the show And is a very memorable part of the series. She can go from being a consummate professional to a furious, wise-cracking woman in a moment’s turn. Christine stands up for herself and rarely gives up on the things she wants. It is Shelley Fabares‘ Most complete performance, showing everything that makes her such an excellent actress.