Why is she reffered to in that way, is she a snob or something? Why not reffer to all the women as Miss and all the guys as Mister. Is it some sort of title?
Never depend on anything and you will never be disappointed.
Stanwyck was a major Hollywood movie star. I think the "Miss" was a sign of respect.
shareTo the original poster:
"Is it some sort of title..."
Yes, it was showing respect to one of the hardest working, most beloved stars who worked in Hollywood for well over 30 years (at the time of the show).
And, out of respect, her named is spelled STANWYCK, not with an "i".
In those days, many veteran ''stars'' were referred to that way, (usualy if they did a cameo role in a movie)it was simply alerting the viewer to their presence, and exploiting their famous name. In Stanwyk's case, I believe the last poster got it right-she was well respected for her professionalism and lack of ''attitude''. I can't think of another ''name'' (then or now) who deserved it more. She was one of a kind.
shareSo just use her "famous name". I don't think either of you have answered the question, and I agree with the OP.
What other TV shows or movies use a salutation as part of the credits? No "Mr" or "Mrs" or "Miss". It really does just seem pretentious, and I wonder what kind of bizarre "tribute" it is to identify her as unmarried.
For one thing, many women in show business (married or not) were referred to as ''Miss'' in those days-it was considered a sign of respect. Stanwyck would most likely have been the LAST actress to insist on that type of billing, though she accepted it. But a ''snob''she was not.
share"The Waltons" did. The female lead was referred to as "Miss Michael Learned". In this case, the intent might have been to keep the audience from thinking Ralph Waite's character was married to another man.
shareFirst off, Miss Barbara Stanwyck was NOT a "snob". From all accounts, she was a very gracious, hardworking lady who just commanded respect.
She was married, at least once, first to actor Frank Fay, and later on to Robert Taylor. She climbed over a fence to escape Fay on at least one occasion, and adopted a baby boy, later known as Dion Anthony Fay, who she became estranged from .
It goes back to stage tradition. For instance, "Miss Helen Hayes, the First Lady of the American Theater." It is our alternative to a knighthood, such as Dame Judi Dench or Sir Alec Guinness.
Back in the olden days, which were not so olden for Miss Stanwyck, acting was considered a way for the immoral to make a buck. (As we have seen from celebrity news, that isn't so far from the truth even today.) To distinguish those who rose above the rest in talent, character, and longevity, Miss was employed with the name that the person made famous--rather than changing it for every husband. :) (Miss, in this sense, is an early form of Ms.) That says that Miss or Mister are true professionals and true gentlemen and ladies. Celebs are a dime a dozen but stars shine for the ages.
(Mr, minus the period, is still used in Britain to designate a person of stature who is a member of the Royal College of Surgeons. One might also look to the respect of the title Mr. in, "They call me Mister Tibbs!" The US prefers Mr. or Madam President rather than Mr. and Miss. Wiki mentions that Gordie Howe is Mr. Hockey and Reggie Jackson is Mr. October. After the Civil War, there were a lot of Colonels who used the title regardless of military achievement. :)Colonel Sanders was given the title Kentucky Colonel by the governor for his contribution to the state's cuisine, which makes it a sort of knighthood.)
so true she was the best
shareWhy would anyone automatically assume that she's a snob or pretentious simply because the word "miss" appears before her name? Why shouldn't it? Barbara Stanwyck was a huge star in her day, and to acquire her presence on a TV series had to have been a major coup for the producers. From the things I have heard about her, she would never have insisted she be referred to with a “title”. The most likely answer to the original question is that referring to her respectfully as “Miss” was a decision made by the producers to acknowledge her venerable status in the business. This thread and some of the posts on it really demonstrates how eager people are these days to be offended.
shareso true she was one of the biggest stars ever in movies,,my all time fave,,her friends and fans called her Missy,,,she won 3 Emmys,had 4 Oscar Nominations(she is considered the greatest star not to of won an Oscar)Oscar for body of work,,Golden Globe(thorn Birds) and the Cecil B. Demille award--plus FILM SOCIETY OF LINCOLN CENTER,,,AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE LIFE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD...SHE WAS THE BEST
shareExactly-she was loved and respected by her co workers (including her crews) and her fans. I can't think of another ''Star' of her era or after, who deserved her success more. And, once again, I say that she was the LAST person to want any attention (undue or otherwise) directed toward herself. So, here's a salute to ''MISS' Barbara Stanwyck!.
shareVery well said, Phillindholm! She worked harder than anybody and expected very little in return...just that everyone do their best and treat everyone else with respect. She (arguably) had the toughest road to stardom, yet she was the one who wore it the best. There aren't enough superlatives in the world to describe my admiration and respect for this woman.
Sweet merciful crap!
It's just tea! *sips* Needs more gin.
I agree carolmr527- She was a major film star in her own right & it doesn't bother me to see that title. To me, her playing a major role in The Big Valley probably got many people watching. That showed that she thought the writing & directing were something to be taken seriously.
TBV isn't my favorite Western but I watch it any time I get the time.
And out of respect, the o.p. could at LEAST spell her name correctly!
Ever since we said "I do", there are so many things we don't
Some of the replies are missing the point of the original question, and implying that only Miss Stanwyck could get such billing. It was very common for big stars who are appearing "below their station", as it were, like on a radio show or a TV variety show, to be billed as MR. or MISS as an honorific. It didn't mean the woman was single - that was just the convention. A big movie star taking a role in a weekly series was exactly the kind of place where you would see this billing, since TV was usually seen as beneath them.
shareIt's the kind of respect that kids nowadays wouldn't even recognize or understand, unfortunately.
shareMichael Learned (of "The Waltons") was referred to this way in the opening credits, "And introducing Miss Michael Learned." I believe the 'Miss' was there to clear up any confusion as to what sex Michael was, since she was a relative unknown in the t.v. world when the series began.
Barbara Stanwyck was already a beloved Hollywood legend by the time "The Big Valley" came around - and despite the fact that it put some new faces on the map - it was HER show. Using the 'Miss' in front of her name was simply a sign of respect for her maturity and stature in the biz. (It tells me something that a lot of people today don't understand these things.)
So true! Miss Stanwick was an amazingly talented actress, and one who usually played a strong female character, which wasn't common back then. On Big Valley, she still did many of the stunts herself. She was also said the be very gracious to the other actors. I've always have admired her.
shareI think her best role was in the emperor of rice where Janet Masters kiddnapped her and tortured her with the spinning light
shareI remember seeing a scene from a movie she did when she was a mature woman (in her 40's or 50's?) where she was being dragged by a horse. For some reason, the stuntwoman was unable to do it, and Ms. Stanwick offered to do it herself. The scene was shown in one of those biogaphy shows about her life and career, and I am still awed by her ability and her professionalism. Young actors today could learn a lot from her. I wish I could remember the name of that movie. I'd love to see the whole thing.
shareStanwyck always gave her best to her profession. She was loved by her fellow performers and the crews who worked on her films. Audiences then and now, strongly identify with her. Once again, I must say that even though she herself would have been one of the last Actors on earth to insist on ANY sort of title, few (f any)''Stars'' of any generation deserved it more than she.
shareWow, I knew she liked to do her own stunts, but never heard about this one. I looked it up, and here's the link, where you can see that the cameraman made sure to get close-ups:
http://seentertainmentblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/miss-barbara-stanwyck-stuntwoman-par.html
That was the year this wonderful lady turned FIFTY, and she did that stunt when the stuntwoman refused.
Thanks for posting that -- that was an incredible clip!
shareGood lesson in how to survive being dragged by a horse, getting onto your side and keeping your head off the ground. :) Amazing lady. Thanks for the link.
shareCouple of things going on here with the honorific Miss.
First up, it tells you that she has a different married name but performs under that name she made famous as a single woman. It seems ironic these days, but had she not been married before - i.e., had no other surname - she would not be credited Miss. This acknowledges that a woman still uses her maiden name professionally (where she can be Miss) but is otherwise married.
But this was anarchonism even when Big Valley was made. Was Stanwyck ever credited as Miss before? It's no coincidence this is a Western, because Miss was the sign of respect given to the female inheritor of land, if the land passed onto daughters, those daughters were acknowledged as Miss their whole lives, indicating the family land that passed through their maiden names.
Think Miss Ellie from Dallas. She was Mrs Ewing but always Miss Ellie in acknowledgement of Southworh, the family name from which she inherited the farm.
In this way, with Big Valley, the Miss is just a nod to the charater Stanwyck plays and setting. It's an affectation here - but a cute one.