Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • Page 113

I here "tv) VV Muih employed actress. Bea Benaderet dons leopard skin to denote role of Belly Rubble in The Flint stones. iillririji'-'illlpppTQ lvO 0 ummoned by the bell, the lady of the house greeted the caller at the door and immediately invited her in. The name, "Bea Benaderet," given by the unexpected visitor, was only vaguely familiar. Something else the voice or the appearance of the smartly tailored blonde woman prompted a cordial welcome.

While the housewife searched her memory to "place" Miss Benaderet, she found herself committed to a cause. Had the hostess faced a total stranger at the door, Grmies friend and neighbor. Blanche on "My friends are shocked by my appearance in Peter Loves Burns and Allen "is pretty much Mary (with Peter Und Hayes and Mary Hculyl I am not." Son Jack, 21, and daughter Maggie, 14, have taught the acting bug from their mother. she might have dismissed the volunteer worker. As it was, Bea once again collected for charity.

"I usually do well," she says, "when I go canvassing for the City of Hope, the March of Dimes, and other funds. The reaction is always the tame. People think they know me and invite me in. Some recognize my name. Most do not, but by the time they're over their embarrassment enough to ask "Where have we metT they've already given a donation.

"If they insist Tin sure I know you' I ask them if they watch television or listen to the radio. Then the dawn breaks and they say "You're Blanche Morton!" Most often. Bea is identified with Blanche, Grade's friend and neighbor on The Burns and Allen Show, a part she played for eight years. "That connection is close to home," Bea says. "I used pretty much my own voice for Blanche.

Except for the laugh it was more nervous and louder, I think, than mine. But Blanche is pretty much me." In a playful mood, Bea might lapse into Brooklynese and repeat "Mr. Benny, your line is flashing This brings quick identification with Gertrude Gearshift, telephone operator who knew Jack back when he was "thirty-nine" in radio. Sometimes, a sensitive car will detect Dennis Day's landlady. Other devotees of yesterday's radio comedy may recognize Mama of Meet Millie, Mrs.

Carstairs of Fibber McCee and Molly. Gloria, the maid in The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, or live of The Great Cildersleeve. Seldom, however, is Bea identified with her current parts either as Betty Rubble, the pretty, sweet, young-married neighbor of The flintstones; or as Wilma, the all-know in housekeeper on Peter Loves Mary. Since Flintstones is a cartoon show of Hanna and I I I il i I iff Bea invests her pride in her two children Jack, 21, and Maggie, 14. "They suddenly both got interested in acting.

They went to drama classes last summer and now. Jack is majoring in it at college, and Maggie belongs to a teenagers' drama group. "Maggie has that star-sparkle, that extra something that you can't put your finger on. but it's there. And Jack is so handsome that oh.

honey if he can just read he'll be all right. I can see him in a million parts. Bea lives with her family in Tarzana, California. The name goes with her leopard skin, but doesn't explain her wearing it. She donned the costume to denote her relationship to The Flintstones.

"I had just washed and ironed my hair and I put the little number on to go to a Yogi Bear party," she said. When one is as fey and talented as Bea, what matters the name by which she's called? so long as they call her. And they do, for any and many roles. Lm Silvian Barbera), it's understandable that the sophisticated actress is not immediately recognized as Betty Rubble. Other trkks separate Bea from Wilma.

For the role with Peter Lind Hayes and Mary Healy, Bea has added years to her appearance. "Mostly, the hair does it wearing it down and flat, and no make-up. Lights that cast shadows on my face help. And without thinking. I found I'd change my walk.

too. Some friends are worried about the change. They're shocked. I'm not. I take it as the greatest compliment.

I wanted to distinguish Wilma from Blanche and the other characters, and I guess I have succeeded." Lack of vanity is a rare quality in an actress, but the versatile Bea possesses it. "You might call me the I ofessional friend," she says, describing her active career as a supporting player. "It sounds like I'm making an idiot of myself, but I love my work. I never wanted to reach higher than second banana. I never thought of myself as star material." CHANNELS 7.