Tag: 1958

Posted on

S06 E33 – The International Set (1958)

The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet

DirectorOzzie Nelson
ProducerOzzie Nelson
Production CompanyStage Five Productions
AiredMay 28th, 1958 on ABC
CastOzzie (Ozzie Nelson), Harriet (Harriet Nelson), Dave (David Nelson), Rick (Ricky Nelson), Parley Baer (Darby), Skip Young (Wally), Madge Blake (Party Shop Lady), Jack Wagner (Caterer), Stanley Farrar (Party Shop Man), Hal Smith (Chef), Sally Hughes (Sally Darby), Maria Tsien (Japanese Girl – Exchange Student Fumiko Yamaguchi)
Harriet Nelson and Maria McClay.
Maria McClay as Mei Soong is being placed as a bet during a high stakes poker game.

Ozzie and Darby throw separate parties on the same night each with a different theme. Things become complicated when they both decide to host their parties together and can’t agree on a theme.

During the course of the ensuing chaos Japanese exchange student Fumiko Yamaguchi (Maria Tsien) offers to prepare a “very good native dish” for the party. The dish, once served, turns out to be “Pizza Pie Tokyo Style”.

As with almost any material from this time period this episode is rife with racial and ethnic stereotyping but, at least, Maria didn’t have to play the usual submissive Asian female character and gets to show a bit of humor.

Scenes Featuring Maria

In order to view the video content for this post you must be logged in as a registered user of the site.

Posted on

The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet

1952-1966

Title Card for "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet".

Maria appeared in the 33rd episode of the 6th season in 1958 in a minor speaking role as Japanese exchange student Fumiko Yamaguchi.

The sitcom, which aired on ABC from 1952 through 1966, starred the entertainment duo of Ozzie Nelson and his wife, singer Harriet Nelson, as well as their sons, David and Ricky. After a long run on radio the show was brought to TV, where it continued its success. With 14 seasons it was the longest running live-action sitcom in American TV history until “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” surpassed it on December 1st of 2021 though it still holds the record in terms of total episodes produced with a count of 435.

Episodes

S06 E33 – The International Set (1958)

Ozzie and Darby throw separate parties on the same night each with a different theme. Things become complicated when they both decide to host their parties together and can’t agree on a theme.
Read More
Posted on

The Californians

1957-1959

Set during the San Francisco gold rush of the 1850s, this American Western television series follows the adventures of the local vigilante committee trying to keep law and order.

Maria and Adam Kennedy on the set of The Californians

Maria played a role in one episode of the show’s first season alongside Adam Kennedy in the lead role of Irish newspaperman Dion Patrick, who helps the vigilantes. Due to sagging ratings the second season introduced Richard Coogan as sheriff come marshal Matthew Wayne, ultimately leading to the departure of Adam Kennedy and others from the show. Still the show was not renewed for a third season.

The show aired on NBC and features an incredible corny title song matching some of the equally corny acting. But, all in all, for its time it actually seems to have taken some relatively progressive stances, including the episode Maria appeared in.

Episodes

S01 E17 – China Doll (1958)

Dion Patrick and the vigilantes are investigating human trafficking in San Francisco’s China Town. While making inroads with the community Dion wins Mei Soong, played by Maria, from a dubious Chinese business man and must attempt to reunite her with her true love and find the villain behind it all.
Read More
Posted on

Frontier Doctor

1958-1959

Rex Allen stars as Dr. Bill Baxter, the Frontier Doctor, in this late fifties American Western television series. The series was also known as “Unarmed” and “Man of the West”. The good doctor, based out of Rising Springs, Arizona, rides across the country side in a buggy with his black bag and experiences many adventures as he tries to help those he encounters along the way.

Maria appears in one episode of the series that centers on cases of cholera sprouting up in the vicinity of Los Angeles’ China Town.

Episodes

S01 E16 – Illegal Entry (1959)

Maria plays Mei Ling, an employee of Hong Kong Harry’s, who proves helpful to Dr. Bill Baxter as he attempts to track down carriers of cholera in the city.
Read More
Posted on

December Bride

1954-1958

Maria appeared in a single episode of the final season of this show, which was canceled in 1959 after ratings started dropping in 1958.

The series was created by Parke Levy and centered on the adventures of Lily Ruskin, a spry widow played by Spring Byington. The term “December Bride” refers to women who got married late in life, a goal Lily was trying to achieve.

The show aired on CBS and was sponsored by General Foods’ Instant Maxwell House Coffee. Many of its characters were revived for a short-lived spinoff series called “Pete and Gladys”, which aired from 1960 until 1962..

Episodes

S05 E02 – The Alaska Show (1958)

Maria, as Tahitian Glamour Girl Tanana, participates in a plan to get back at Matt’s military buddy who played a prank on him and got him an assignment in Glacier Island, Alaska, after Lily signed Matt up for the Air Force behind his back.
Read More
Posted on

S01 E16 – Illegal Entry (1959)

Frontier Doctor

DirectorWilliam Witney
ProducerEdward J. White
Production CompanyStudio City Television Service (Hollywood Television Service, a division of Republic Pictures)
AiredJanuary 10th, 1959
CastRex Allen (Dr. Bill Baxter), Harold Huber (Hongkong Harry), Maria Tsien (Mei Ling), John Crawford (Sergeant Blake), Lyle Talbot (Police Chief), Joe Forte (Staff Doctor), Marshall Bradford (Mr. Mahew)
Maria McClay as Mei Ling, a helpful employee of Hong Kong Harry’s

When a patient dies of cholera, the doctor is determined to find the carriers of the disease. His investigation leads him to Hong Kong Harry’s in Chinatown, a “low class hangout for derelicts of every class and color, with a tawdry, sordid atmosphere that attracted innocent sightseers as well as worldly thrill seekers.”. Here he meets Mei Ling (Maria), an employee of Hong Kong Harry’s, who helps him greatly with his cause, after the owner, played by Harry Huber in Yellow Face, proves to be less than forthcoming.

This episode features Maria in a more extensive speaking role and she is present throughout the entire second half of the show. Unfortunately this episode is also rife with racial prejudice of the 50s, mostly “Yellow Peril” kind of stuff, as well as the obligatory use of Yellow Face (Harry Huber as Hong Kong Harry).

Scenes Featuring Maria

In order to view the video content for this post you must be logged in as a registered user of the site.

Posted on

S05 E02 – The Alaska Show (1958)

December Bride

DirectorFrederick de Cordova
Producer Frederick de Cordova
Production CompanyDesilu Productions
AiredOctober 9th, 1958, CBS
CastSpring Byington (Lily Rushkin), Frances Rafferty (Ruth Henshaw), Dean Miller (Matt Henshaw), Verna Felton (Hilda Crocker), Harry Morgan (Pete Porter), Pierre Watkin, Peter Leeds, Bob Duggan, Maria Tsien (Tahitian Glamour Girl Tanana)
Maria McClay as Tanana, with Harry Morgan (Pete Porter) and Peter Leeds (Major Walker)

Lily Rushkin (Spring Byington) signs up Matt Henshaw (Dean Miller) with the Air Force Reserves, ruining his plans for a vacation in Acapulco with his wife. His buddy in the air force, Major Walker (Peter Leeds) pulls a prank and gets him an assignment in Glacier Island, Alaska. In return Matt and the rest of the gang trick him into thinking that Glacier Island is a tropical paradise full of beautiful women in order to make him switch assignments. This is where Maria comes in. As part of the ploy Tanana, a Tahitian glamour girl, played by Maria is hired to pretend being one of the women from Glacier Island. An effective strategy, it turns out, as Major Walker is quite enamored with Tanana and the plan succeeds.

Scenes Featuring Maria

In order to view the video content for this post you must be logged in as a registered user of the site.

Posted on

Listening Post And TV Review

Valley Times, Los Angeles, California, USA, June 17th, 1958

Allen Rich, Radio and TV Editor

This article is a prime example for much of what was wrong in the 1950s. Allen Rich, real-life sleazy creep and the author of this piece, is, with all due respect, which is close to none, oozing sexism, exoticism and various other unpleasant -isms from every pore. I can’t imagine what it must have been like for Maria to endure this man for the length of an entire interview.

Listening Post by Allen RichListening Post by Allen Rich 17 Jun 1958, Tue Valley Times (North Hollywood, California) Newspapers.com

Posted on

Chinese Open 4-Day New Year Fete

Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California, USA, Feb 19th, 1958

(Unknown Author)

Maria was one of two New Year’s princesses of New Chinatown in 1958, alongside Lisa Lu. Together with Chester Kuan, president of the New Chinatown Chamber of Commerce, they visited Undersheriff Pete Pitchess to wish him a happy new year.

Chinese Open 4-Day New Year FeteChinese Open 4-Day New Year Fete 19 Feb 1958, Wed The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) Newspapers.com

Maria McClay