Miss Barbra Stanwick

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.

"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.

First 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.)

Why 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.

Stanwyck 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.

Wow, 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.