Janice Rule

{{Infobox person

| image = Janice Rule 1973.JPG

| caption = Press photo from a 1973 guest appearance on the second episode of Barnaby Jones

| birth_name = Mary Janice Rule

| birth_date = {{Birth date|1931|8|15}}

| birth_place = Norwood, Ohio, U.S.

| death_date = {{Death date and age|2003|10|17|1931|8|15}}

| death_place = New York City, U.S.

| resting_place =

| occupation = Actress, psychotherapist

| years active = 1951–2003

| spouse = {{plainlist|

{{marriage|N. Richard Nash|1955|1955|end=divorced}}
{{marriage|Robert Thom|1956|1961|end=divorced}}
{{marriage|Ben Gazzara|1961|1979|end=divorced}}

}}

| children = 2

| alma_mater = Southern California Psychoanalytic Institute (PhD)

}}

Mary Janice Rule (August 15, 1931 – October 17, 2003){{Cite web |title=United States Social Security Death Index |url=https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JPT9-MP5?cid=fs_copy |access-date=2024-03-22 |website=FamilySearch}} was an American actress and psychotherapist, earning her PhD while still acting, then acting occasionally while working in her new profession.

Early life

Rule was born in Norwood, Ohio, to parents of Irish origin.{{cite magazine |last1=Guerin |first1=Ann |title=If Ben Gazzara Gets Hung Up, the Analyst Is Always In: It's His Wife, Janice Rule |url=http://people.com/archive/if-ben-gazzara-gets-hung-up-the-analyst-is-always-in-its-his-wife-janice-rule-vol-5-no-25/ |magazine=People |date=June 28, 1976 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418093127/http://people.com/archive/if-ben-gazzara-gets-hung-up-the-analyst-is-always-in-its-his-wife-janice-rule-vol-5-no-25/ |archive-date=April 18, 2018}} Her father was a dealer in industrial diamonds.Kenneth Jones [https://playbill.com/article/janice-rule-of-broadways-picnic-dead-at-72-com-115877 "Janice Rule, of Broadway's Picnic, Dead at 72"], Playbill, October 22, 2003 She began dancing at the Chez Paree nightclub in Chicago at age 15, which paid for ballet lessons, and was a dancer in the 1949 Broadway production of Miss Liberty.[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1444925/Janice-Rule.html Obituary: Janice Rule], Daily Telegraph (London), October 24, 2003 Rule also studied acting at the Chicago Professional School.

Career

She was pictured on the cover of Life magazine on January 8, 1951, as being someone to watch in the entertainment industry.Ben Sisario [https://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/22/arts/janice-rule-72-film-actress-who-became-a-psychoanalyst.html "Janice Rule, 72, Film Actress Who Became a Psychoanalyst"], New York Times, October 22, 2003Life Magazine [https://books.google.com/books?id=40sEAAAAMBAJ Cover], 8 January 1951 Gaining a contract by Warner Bros., her first credited screen role was as Virginia in Goodbye, My Fancy (1951), which featured Joan Crawford in the lead. The established star belittled the younger woman, making Rule's work on the film difficult, although Crawford years later wrote a letter of apology to Rule for treating her badly on this film.For a summary of various accounts, see Lawrence J. Quirk and William Schoell Joan Crawford: The Essential Biography, Lexington: The University Press of Kentucky, 2002, p. 157-158 Rule's Warner contract was allowed to lapse after only two films.{{cite news|last=Bergan|first=Ronald|author-link=Ronald Bergan|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2003/oct/23/guardianobituaries.artsobituaries|title= Janice Rule|work=The Guardian|date=October 23, 2003|access-date=March 31, 2021}} She was troubled by the attitude toward women's beauty at the studios in the early 1950s: "Because I was afraid of being robbed of my individuality, I fought with the makeup people, the hairdressers, and I didn't understand problems of the publicity department," she was reported as saying in 1957.Mary Rourke [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-oct-24-me-rule24-story.html "Janice Rule, 72; Broadway Dancer, 'Picnic' Actress Also Was in Films"], Los Angeles Times, October 24, 2003

Rule was in the original 1953 Broadway cast of William Inge's Picnic (in the role of Madge Owens, the innocent beauty, played by Kim Novak in the film version), whose company also included Paul Newman in his Broadway debut. This commitment led her to turn down the role ultimately played by Eva Marie Saint in On the Waterfront (1954). "I knew I couldn't shoot in a movie all day and work on a stage at night and do my best in both," she was quoted as saying by Hedda Hopper of the Los Angeles Times in 1966. Among her other Broadway shows were The Flowering Peach, The Happiest Girl in the World, and Michael V. Gazzo's Night Circus, a 1958 production which lasted for only a week,{{cite web|url=https://playbill.com/production/the-night-circus-john-golden-theatre-vault-0000008454|title=The Night Circus @ John Golden Theatre|website=Playbill|publisher=Playbill, Inc.|access-date=February 3, 2018}} but introduced Rule to Ben Gazzara, who became her third husband.

Her other films in the 1950s included A Woman's Devotion (1956), the Western Gun for a Coward (1957) and Bell, Book and Candle (1958), in which she played the fiancée who loses publisher 'Shep' Henderson (James Stewart) to the spell-casting witch Gillian Holroyd (Kim Novak). On television, she appeared in an episode of Checkmate ("The Mask of Vengeance", 1960), where she played Elena Nardos, the roommate of Cloris Leachman's character, Marilyn Parker. She played Helen Foley in The Twilight Zone S1 E29 "Nightmare as a Child" which aired on April 29, 1960. She appeared as different characters in three episodes of Route 66. She acted as both Barbara Webb and Barbara Wells with David Janssen in two episodes of The Fugitive entitled "Wife Killer" and "The Walls of Night". She also had a major role as Nancy Reade in "Three Bells to Perdido", the debut episode of the Richard Boone western Have Gun – Will Travel. Rule also starred, second billing to Yul Brynner, in the western film Invitation to a Gunfighter (1964).

Among her later film roles were Emily Stewart in The Chase (1966), Sheila Sommers in The Ambushers (1967), Burt Lancaster's bitter ex-lover in The Swimmer (1968), Willie in Robert Altman's 3 Women (1977), journalist Kate Newman in Costa Gavras' political thriller Missing (1982), and Kevin Costner's mother in American Flyers (1985).

Personal life

Rule had a brief engagement to Farley Granger in 1956.Associated Press (November 19, 1955). [https://www.newspapers.com/image/?clipping_id=87646378 "Will Wed Actor"]. Chicago Tribune. p. 4. Retrieved October 23, 2021. They had appeared in the Broadway play The Carefree Tree in 1955. Next followed a relationship with Ralph Meeker; Meeker had played Hal in Picnic.{{Citation needed |date=May 2024}}

Rule was briefly married, during 1955, to television and film writer N. Richard Nash.Winchell, Walter (March 23, 1955). [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87645618/courier-post/ "On Broadway: Man About Town"]. Camden Courier-Post. p. 20. Retrieved October 23, 2021. Her second marriage was to television and film writer Robert Thom in 1956;{{cite news|last1=Cook|first1=Joan|title=Robert Thom, Writer Of Plays, Screenplays, Novels and Poems, 49|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/05/12/archives/robert-thom-writer-of-plays-screenplays-novels-and-poems-49-worked.html|work=The New York Times|date=May 12, 1979|page=6}} they had one daughter, Kate, before divorcing in 1961.{{cite news|title=Obituaries: Janice Rule, Actress turned Psychologist|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/janice-rule-37372.html|work=The Independent|date=30 October 2003}} Her last marriage was to actor Ben Gazzara in 1961, having one daughter together before their divorce in 1979.

During the 1960s, she became interested in psychoanalysis. She began her formal studies in 1973, specialising in treating her fellow actors, and received her PhD 10 years later from the Southern California Psychoanalytic Institute in Los Angeles. She practised in New York and Los Angeles, and continued to act occasionally until her death from a cerebral hemorrhage in 2003. She was cremated after her death.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FOHgDAAAQBAJ&q=janice+rule+cremated+scott+wilson&pg=PA650|title=Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons, 3d ed.|first=Scott|last=Wilson|date=August 19, 2016|publisher=McFarland|isbn=9781476625997|via=Google Books}}

Partial filmography

Fourteen Hours (1951) - Bit Part (uncredited)
Goodbye, My Fancy (1951) - Virginia Merrill
Starlift (1951) - Nell Wayne
Holiday for Sinners (1952) - Susan Corvier
Rogue's March (1953) - Jane Wensley
A Woman's Devotion (1956) - Stella Stevenson
Gun for a Coward (1957) - Aud Niven
Wagon Train ('The Zeke Thomas Story') (1957) - Maggie Thomas
Bell, Book and Candle (1958) - Merle Kittridge
The Subterraneans (1960) - Roxanne
Invitation to a Gunfighter (1964) - Ruth Adams
The Chase (1966) - Emily Stewart
Alvarez Kelly (1966) - Liz Pickering
Welcome to Hard Times (1967) - Molly Riordan
The Ambushers (1967) - Sheila Sommers
The Swimmer (1968) - Shirley Abbott
Doctors' Wives (1971) - Amy Brennan
Gumshoe (1971) - Mrs. Blankerscoon
Kid Blue (1973) - Janet Conforto
3 Women (1977) - Willie Hart
Missing (1982) - Kate Newman
American Flyers (1985) - Mrs. Sommers
Rainy Day Friends (1985) - Elaine

Television roles

General Foods 25th Anniversary Show: A Salute to Rodgers and Hammerstein (1954) - Jenny Brinker, in "You Are Never Away" from Allegro
Appointment with Adventure (1955), episode "Design for Trouble" (aka "Masquerade") - "girl who helps French dress designer trap men who pirate his designs"[https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press/136578346/ "TV Programs for Sunday"]. Detroit Free Press. August 28, 1955. p. 2-TV. Retrieved December 10, 2023.[https://www.newspapers.com/image/970128220/?clipping_id=136578255 "Radio and TV: Sunday Highlights; Jay Lawrence, Eartha Kitt Visit Sullivan Show"]. The Atlanta Journal and Constitution. August 28, 1955. p. 4E. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars, episode "The Life You Save" (1957) - Lucy Nell CraterNissen, Axel (2017). [https://books.google.com/books?id=1Ng5DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA55 Agnes Moorehead on Radio, Stage and Television]. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. p. 55. {{ISBN|978-1-4766-6758-4}}.
Playhouse 90, episodes:
"Four Women in Black" (1957) - Sister Martha[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-mail/136599467/ "Helen Hayes to Star on Playhouse 90"]. The Times-Mail. p. 9. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
"Journey to the Day" (1960) - Karen Andrews[https://www.newspapers.com/article/jefferson-city-post-tribune/136600648/ "On Channel 13: 'Journey to the Day' Set for Playhouse 90"]. Jefferson Post-Tribune. p. 12. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
Wagon Train, episode "The Zeke Thomas Story" (1957) - Maggie{{Cite news|title=Merrill on 'Wagon Train'|author=|date=November 24, 1957|work=The Sunday Home News|page=42|quote=Gary Merrill portrays a potential murderer — a man with two wives — when he stars with Ward Bond and Robert Horton in 'The Zeke Thomas Story' on NBC-TV's 'Wagon Train' Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Featured in the full-hour drama as the two women who claim to be his wife are Janice Rule as Maggie and K.T. Stevens as Violet.|id={{ProQuest|2265914223}}}}
Have Gun – Will Travel, pilot episode "Three Bells to Perdido" (1957) - NancyArmstrong, Stephen B. (2011). [https://books.google.com/books?id=_zkDI7CHjisC&dq=%22three+bells+to+Perdido%22+%22janice+rule%22&pg=PA91 Andrew V. McLaglen: The Lifa and Hollywood Career]. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. p. 91. {{ISBN|978-0-7864-4977-4}}.
The Twilight Zone, episode "Nightmare as a Child" (1960) - Helen FoleyStanyard, Stewart T. (2007). [https://books.google.com/books?id=285YaSzAWUQC&dq=%22nightmare+as+a+child%22+%22helen+foley%22+%22janice+rule%22&pg=PA40 Dimensions Behind The Twilight Zone: A Backstage Tribute to Television's Groundbreaking Series]. Toronto: ECW Press. p. 40. {{ISBN|1-55022-744-0}}.
Dr. Kildare, episode "Whoever Heard of a Two-Headed Doll?" (1963) - Lila Gregg{{Cite news|title=Preview of Tonight's Headliners: 'Two-Headed Doll?'|author=|date=November 24, 1957|work=The Sunday Home News|page=42|quote=Janice Rule and Raymond Massey (as Dr. Gillespie) appear in a scene from 'Who Ever Heard of a Two-Headed Doll?' the new season's first episode of the Dr. Kildare series. [...] Miss Rule has the role of Lila Gregg whose husband is dying of leukemia.|id={{ProQuest|2043509616}}}}
Route 66, episodes:
"A Lance of Straw" (1960) - Charlotte Duval{{Cite news|title=Todays' Complete T. V. Programs|author=|date=October 14, 1960|work=The Record|page=56|quote=ROUTE 66: Janice Rule in 'A Lance of Straw': Charlotte Duval hires Tod and Buzz as crew for shrimp boat. But suitor gets jealous, resorts to violence.|id={{ProQuest|2682960796}}}}
"Once to Every Man" (1961) - Prudie Adams{{Cite news|title=Other 128 -- No Title|author=|date=October 22, 1962|work=Los Angeles Times|page=Q34|quote='Once to Every Man.' The proud and stubborn heiress of a New England suipbuilder sets her cap for Tod. George Maharis and Martin Milner star as Buz Murdock and Tod Stiles. Guest Cast: Prudie Adams - Janice Rule; Grandma Adams — Ann Shoemaker; Leigh Adams — Murray Matheson.|id={{ProQuest|167941866}}}}
"But What Do You Do in March?" (1963) - Sidney Brookes{{Cite news|title=Other 10 -- No Title|author=|date=September 1, 1963|work=Los Angeles Times|page=Q34|quote='But What Did You Do in March?' Stikles and Case square off as the champions of two lovely women engaged in a hydroplane duel. (Repeat) Guest Cast: Sidney Brookes - Janice Rule; Midge Pierrepont — Susan Kohner; Guy Lombardo — himself.|id={{ProQuest|168448237}}}}
The Fugitive, episodes:
"Wife Killer" (1966) - Barbara Wells{{Cite news|title=Janice Rule Is 'Fugitive' Star|author=|date=April 1, 1967|work=Los Angeles Times|page=31|quote=In 'Walls of Night,; Kimble, working as a truck driver, becomes enamored of a clerk, Barbara Wells (Janice Rule), who returns his interest. When she fears he is losing interest, she breaks her parole.|id={{ProQuest|2041389538}}}}
"The Walls of Night" (1967) - Barbara Webb[https://www.newspapers.com/image/255164847/?clipping_id=136584027 "Janice Rule Plays Reporter"]. The Ithaca Journal. May 21, 1966. p. 31. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
Journey to the Unknown, episode "Stranger in the Family" (1968) - Paula WildeFellner, Chris (2019). [https://books.google.com/books?id=IVGfDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA432 The Encyclopedia of Hammer Films]. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield. p. 432. {{ISBN|9781538126585}}.
Shadow on the Land (1968, TV movie) - Captain Everett[https://www.newspapers.com/image/12661079/?clipping_id=136587303 "Grip of Terror"]. The Daily Reporter. April 26, 1969. p. 16. Retrieved December 10, 2023. "Marc Strange stars as Col. Shepard McCloud and Janice Rule as Captain Everett in 'Shadow on the Land,' dramatic tale of life in a totalitarian U.S. on the Sunday night movie at 9 on Channels 5 and 23."
Trial Run (1969, TV movie) - Lucille Harkness[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-register/136594844/ "Monday, July 7; 9:00 P.M."]. The Santa Ana Register TV Magazine. July 6, 1969. p. 41. Retrieved December 10, 2023. "Attorney's actions in trial are affected by wife's behavior. James Franciscus stars as Louis Coleman, Janice Rule as Lucille Harkness, Leslie Nielsen as Jason Harkness, Diane Baker as Carole Trenet."
The Devil and Miss Sarah (1971, TV movie) - Sarah Turner[https://www.newspapers.com/article/anaheim-bulletin/136594098/ "Television Schedule: Wednesday Evening"]. Anaheim Bulletin. August 1, 1973. Retrieved December 10, 2023. :"Legendary outlaw with powers of Satan uses hypnosis to possess woman's soul in post-Civil War days. Gene Barry stars as Rankin, James Drury as Gil Turner, Janice Rule as Sarah Turner."
The Streets of San Francisco, episode "The First Day of Forever" (1972) - Beverly Landau{{Cite news|title=TV Previews: 'Blow-Up' Is CBS Feature Film|author=|date=May 24, 1973|work=The Hartford Courant|page=56|quote='The First Day of Forever.' A crazed man has killed three prostitutes, but his fourth intended victim, Beverly Landau (Janice Rule), escapes with minor injury.|id={{ProQuest|551624154}}}}
Barnaby Jones, episode "To Catch a Dead Man" (1973) - Diane Stewart{{Cite news|title=Sunday Evening|author=|date=February 4, 1973|work=Los Angeles Times TV Times|pages=13, 14|quote='The First Day of Forever.' A man embezzles his wife's fortune and kills another man to make it look like his own death in order to establish a new life for himself with a younger woman. [...] Guest Cast: Phil Carlyle — William Shatner; Diane Stewart — Janice Rule; Dorsey Carlyle — Victoria Shaw|id={{ProQuest|157163007}}}}
The Word (1978, miniseries) - Barbara RandallMarill, Alvin H. (1984). [https://archive.org/details/moviesmadefortel00mari/page/178/mode/2up?q=%22janice+rule%22+%22barbara+randall%22+%22the+word%22 Movies Made for Television : The Telefeature and the Mini-Series, 1964-1984]. New York, NY : New York Zoetrope. p. 178. {{ISBN|0-918-432-60-X}}.
The Ray Bradbury Theater (1992, Episode: "Some Live Like Lazarus") - Anna (age 60)Lentz, Harris M. (1983). [https://archive.org/details/sciencefictionho0002lent/page/762/mode/2up?q=%22janice+rule%22+%22some+live+like+lazarus%22 Science Fiction, Horror & Fantasy Film and Television Credits : Over 10,000 Actors, Actresses, Directors]. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. p. 762. {{ISBN|0-89950-927-4}}. (final appearance)

By an odd coincidence, Rule appeared in the first or second episode of four long-running television series: Have Gun – Will Travel episode 1; Route 66 episode 2; The Streets of San Francisco episode 2; and, Barnaby Jones episode 2.