Film Festival award brings reunion
by Renita Aldritt

In one of life's unexpected subplots, by inviting Academy Award-winning singer-actress Shirley Jones to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award this October, the Ojai Film Festival is serendipitously reuniting two good friends: Miss Jones and owner of The Oaks at Ojai, Sheila Cluff.
Not that Sheila isn't already excited about what's coming this October. Sheila Cluff is celebrating the 25th anniversary of The Oaks and is also looking forward to the opening of the beautiful new Cluff Vista Park. Once a triangle of overgrown earth, the park is about to become a peaceful place from which to view the Pink Moment.
Sheila and Shirley first met some 20 years ago when Miss Jones came to stay at The Oaks. During her visits, she participated regularly in the exercise classes. After a while the two became friends. "We did an exercise video together and promoted it together on the Shopping Network," said Cluff.
Jones has lived the quintessential Cinderella story - Hollywood style. Born in Charleroi, Pa., and named after Shirley Temple, she revealed talent and beauty from an early age. Still in her teens, Shirley went to New York to see if she could find work in musical theater, and at her first audition Richard Rodgers happened to be in the audience. After hearing her sing, he asked her if she would "be kind enough to wait 20 minutes to sing for his associate, Mr. Oscar Hammerstein." She did and the two men immediately asked her to play a small part in their new musical, "South Pacific." Not long after that, at the urging of Rodgers and Hammerstein, she went out to California and landed the leading role in their next collaboration, the film version of "Oklahoma!" After that, opportunities in movies came in rapid-fire succession to the fresh-faced beauty with the effortless operatic voice. Cast opposite Burt Lancaster in "Elmer Gantry," she won the Best Supporting Actress Award in 1960 for her powerful and touching portrayal of prostitute Lula Bains. But perhaps her signature achievement was her role as Marion the librarian in "The Music Man" (which will be shown during the Film Festival on Saturday, Oct. 26, at Libbey Bowl, preceded by a reception honoring Miss Jones at the Art Center). Shirley is perhaps best known for her TV role as the mother on "The Partridge Family - co-starring stepson, David Cassidy.
After a career of nearly 50 years, Jones is still in great demand and performing constantly. "It's been three years since we've seen one another," said Cluff. "The last time was in Cheyenne, Wyo., where Shirley was doing a show. I'm sure while she's up here for the Film Festival, she'll be working out at The Oaks. She always took part in all the classes - exercise, yoga and walks. And everyone loves her!"
For more information about the 2002 Ojai Film Festival and ticket information for the Shirley Jones Reception and screening of "The Music Man," call 640-1947 or visit www.ojaifilmfestival.com.

© 2002 The Ojai Valley News

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