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Bea Benaderet wasn't worried about anyone stealing her scenes in Petticoat Junction
There were two things some actors worried would steal their scenes: dogs and children. Benaderet was worry-free.
Actors often worry about getting their scenes stolen, which can occur when another cast member wants all of the attention or unexpectedly gets it during filming. In the '60s, there was a moment when actors felt that there were two things that could take the attention off of them in a scene: a furry animal and children. As a result, some chose not to film with either. Petticoat Junction's Bea Benaderet was not one of those actors.
In an interview with The Daily Record, the actress clarified that she wasn't worried about anyone stealing her shine while filming, especially Petticoat Junction's beloved dog.
"He's great; you'd have to be an idiot not to admire him," she began. "Any time you are going to worry about a dog stealing a scene, you simply aren't concerned with your show. Anything that makes a good ingredient, I'm for."
The dog, referred to in the article as no-name, had a history of working in television. Benaderet revealed that her interactions with the animal were always pleasant. The actress said the dog knew what a camera was and when it was time for him to film.
"The other day, we were doing a scene when all of a sudden, he discovered a blanket that was laying on the floor," she added. "He went after it, played with it, rubbed his back with it - all on camera. And the director printed it. The dog comes prepared. He's got the bark built in."
Anything the dog didn't learn before filming could be taught quickly. During one scene in Petticoat Junction, Kate, played by Benaderet, and two of her daughters were listening to Uncle Joe tell a boring story. The actress thought it would be funny for no-name to yawn with them, and he learned how to do it in just a few minutes.
"He learned it in less than five minutes," Benaderet said. "We yawned, and he yawned right at the same time - right with us. We didn't even have to cut to a close-up of him."
The actress truly admired her furry castmate, and while some actors chose not to film with animals, she made sure to play with him between scenes.
13 Comments
Full House seemed to be the exception. But I think it was because of the Comics who supported them.
The legend as quoted is actually kind of an exaggeration. "Working Actors" know how to handle "scene stealing." The real shortcoming about children and animals is the added time involved, particularly with labor laws protecting children. Those Takes have to be done quickly and effectively during a normal day. So actors can't be creating their own kind of delays. They do know however that children and animals bring viewers into a scene, which makes a Show more watchable.
Glad you presented a story about Bea Benaderet, and haven't heard a bad word about her.
Let's face it, it's probably more about (true) Stage Mothers being more annoying than the children.
On the acting alongside children or "perception" they would be upstaged by a child actor, well that would be their choice to not take the role. It just seems they would be limiting opportunities, but again it was their choice.