1962 might've been the busiest year of Barbara Eden's career

That year, not only did she guest star on various shows, but she also starred in two films.

Before I Dream of Jeannie's debut, Barbara Eden was well into her career, successfully snagging guest star appearances on several classic shows and having major and minor film roles. She even appeared opposite music legend Elvis Presley in the 1960 American Western movie Flaming Star.

Every year since her career began in the 1950s, the actress was on set or reading lines. However, it seems as if 1962 might've been the busiest year in Eden's career.

She guest-starred on four shows, including the popular Andy Griffith Show episode "The Manicurist," and had parts in two film productions. In total, that's six different productions Eden had to prepare for. It might not sound like a lot, but consider how long the filming process takes.

In the Andy Griffith Show episode, she played Ellen Brown, a beautiful young woman, and professional manicurist who starts working at Floyd's Barbershop. However, it wasn't common for men to get their nails done, and this is why business was slow for Brown, but Andy decided to be her first customer.

Since Andy gave in, it became easier for Brown as other men in Mayberry began to flood the Barbershop for her service too. This episode aired on January 22, 1962.

Just a few months later, on March 9, 1962, she appeared on the drama series Target: The Corruptors as Lili in the episode "Babes in Wall Street."

Then, there was a Cain's Hundred appearance as Terri Emson in "Savage in Darkness," which aired March 27, 1962. That was followed by a brief role on Saints and Sinners as Nora Love in "Daddy's Girl," which aired November 12, 1962.

Her two films, The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm (August 7, 1962) and Five Weeks in a Balloon (August 22, 1962), were released in the same month. 

Eden seemed to be on the move in 1962, gracing both the big and small screens.



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27 Comments

Killianthered 18 months ago
Loved the movie Seven Faces of Dr Lao. She and Tony Randall were great in that. One of the favorites from my childhood.
Gossemer 18 months ago
Barbara also did a roll on Highway Patrol with Broderick Crawford. Great show.
spockrocks Gossemer 18 months ago
Hmm, I have to disagree. I think it was a bit cheesy, respectfully.
Gossemer spockrocks 18 months ago
Ya well the whole show was indeed, guess thats what i liked lol. Predictable outcomes
Mblack 18 months ago
In 1975, Barbara Eden was in the TV movie Let's Switch, with Barbara Feldon. Ithink I saw it,but remember little.

Much later I fpund the book it was based on. Much more risque, the women really switched everything, until one broke it up.
CaptainDunsel 18 months ago
"Five Weeks in a Balloon" was the second of two films Barbara Eden did for producer Irwin Allen, following "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" the previous year.
Mark 18 months ago
I saw the Saints & Sinners episode on YouTube (my only exposure to the series), and it was hardly a minor role. It wasn't very interesting, either, and I couldn't buy Barbara Eden getting romantic with Nick Adams, of all people.
stwpendous 18 months ago
I think she was in a series or a movie in the 50’s/60’s called “How To Marry A Millionaire”
stwpendous stwpendous 18 months ago
Here’s a link to it: https://www.imdb.com/media/rm3894478592/tt0051282
Mark stwpendous 18 months ago
Recently released on home video by CBS/Paramount.
Docdoc21 18 months ago
She also reunited with Larry Hagman in several episodes of Dallas in the late 80's-early 90's.....
benbear 18 months ago
https://nypost.com/2023/03/09/barbara-eden-91-strikes-ageless-i-dream-of-jeannie-pose-in-rare-sighting/
tootsieg 18 months ago
Barbara Eden popped up in many films and TV shows. A week or so ago I saw her in a Paul Newman movie “.From the Terrace.” “Jeannie” is my favorite. Seldom missed an episode.
CoreyC 18 months ago
Barbara Eden also was in the I Love Lucy episode The Country Club Dance.
JHP 18 months ago
she can cross her arms and blink any year for me - YUM!l lucky Micheal Ansara. Did fingernail polish actually work on run-on nylons?
netty12967 JHP 18 months ago
I never had much luck with it, lol
JHP netty12967 18 months ago
ya know - Those 'wives" that put up a stink about Helen Brown doing nails....I remember seeing 3 women sniping into Floyd's shop and I don't think any of them were married

Just an observation
mustlx90 JHP 17 months ago
Of course they were chirping about her. She was young pretty and personable ..... Everything they weren't
JHP mustlx90 17 months ago
yeah and what really is goofy (like other issues in that show) there might have been only one that was hitched - what a joke - unless BEEatch got married to the con-man handy-man:)
BrittReid 18 months ago
Smoking!!
JHP BrittReid 17 months ago
like a BBQ in Kansas or Tenn or Texas
Andybandit 18 months ago
I love watching repeats of IDOJ, on Antenna TV.
Runeshaper 18 months ago
Barbara Eden was AWESOME!
Moody Runeshaper 18 months ago
I was 11 yrs old when I Dream of Jeannie premiered. I never missed an episode.
JHP Moody 18 months ago
must have been because of Bill Daily? (only kidding:)) He was a super talented actor - loved him in Bob Newhart also
LoveMETV22 18 months ago
It certainly sounds like 1962 was a very busy year for Mrs. Eden. From the looks of her bio she has remained active over the years. According to a couple of news outlets she attended a Beverly Hills Event a few weeks ago.
Mblack 18 months ago
In 1961 she was in Voyage to the Bottom of the sea, the movie.
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