Quote (Stilly River Sage): "Of course we'd know who she is, despite Grease. What a poignant commentary on how the film industry chews up and spits out young people and those who must maintain a certain "image" to remain employable. Much better to be a character actor. Or a man."

Sandra Dee was neither the orginal Tammy nor the original Gidget.

Still, more than anyone else, I think she was "America's Sweetheart" of her era. Yes, "Grease" has whole subplot and song about that cultural phenomenon. (That, in itself, is nothing to sneeze at.)   But I, for one, never saw her as Gidget and remember her more for movies like The Reluctant Debutante, A Summer Place, and the one she did with Rock Hudson and Gina Lolobrigida and Bobby Darin. Her movies have gotta still be playing on AMC and other cable channels.

You're so right, Stilly, that Hollywood really doesn't know what to do with "over the hill" (read "over 25 years old") leading ladies. Women who extend their Hollywood and TV careers into their middle and later years do so by being exceptionally assertive, flexible, and well-connected, I think.