Melinda Ann Plowman (born May 13, 1941), also known as Melinda Ann Casey and Melinda Casey, is an American actress and associate director. She began her acting career at age 6 and appeared in feature films and television episodes through the 1960s. In the 1970s, she became a member of the Directors Guild of America and worked as an associate director through the 1990s.
Early life Melinda Ann Plowman was born on May 13, 1941, in Abilene, Texas. Her parents, Homer Lee Plowman and Lura Frances Slaughter, had met and married in Abilene in 1934. She has one younger sister. Her second birthday party, hosted by her mother and grandmother, was reported in the Abilene Reporter-News.
The family moved to Los Angeles in 1942. Plowman was enrolled in a dance school at age 3. She was "discovered" at the age of 6 through the dancing school and was cast in a bit part in the 1949 film Little Women.
Career
Acting Plowman acted in Hollywood films in the 1950s but primarily worked in television. She appeared in seven NBC Matinee Theater episodes, as well as episodes of Ford Theatre, The Loretta Young Show, and The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show. She was one of the original Mouseketeers on The Mickey Mouse Club. In 1959 she appeared on Wagon Train S3 E10 "The Danny Benedict Story" as Priscilla Walker.
Her parents preferred to maintain her status as a freelance actor rather than a studio contract player. Her mother accompanied her on the set. When she wasn't working, Plowman attended a public elementary school and, later, San Marino High School in San Marino, California. During film shoots, she had a private tutor on the set.
Plowman landed her first leading role at the age of 25 in the 1966 horror film Billy the Kid Versus Dracula.
Directing In the 1970s, she joined the Directors Guild of America, listing herself as an associate director under the name Melinda Ann Casey. She continued working on film crews through the 1990s.
Personal life Plowman married Phil Casey, a talent manager, in Las Vegas in August 1967. They had one son. Plowman later married Robert Ballew, with whom she has a daughter. In 1971, her parents moved back to Fort Worth. She lives in Victoria, British Columbia.
Filmography (as an actress) +Film Year Title RoleNotes1949Little WomenGirlUncreditedHoliday AffairGirlMa and Pa KettleSusie Kettle1950Three Came HomeEnglish girlMy Blue HeavenPringle girlAgain PioneersRebecca AshbyAs Malinda Plowman1951Home Town StoryKatie WashburnChicago CallingNancy Cannon1952Monkey BusinessLittle girlCarrieLittle girl1953Pack TrainJudy1956Wiretapper1957The Green-Eyed BlondeBetsy AbelAs Linda Plowman1966Billy the Kid Versus Dracula Betty Bentley1976Street GirlsAdelleAs Linda Reynolds1982Wrong Is RightW.T.N. news staffer As Melinda Ann CaseySources:
+TV Year Title Role Episode1950Big TownKathyThe Gene Autry ShowBetsy SimmonsThe Cisco KidCarol Cartright1952The Adventures of Ozzie and HarrietGirl, Linda, Melinda, Sean's girl, Sue Bailey5 episodesFord Television TheatreLittle girlCavalcade of AmericaVi as a teenager1953The Danny Thomas ShowMary LouGeneral Electric TheaterCharlotte Dunn1954Rocky Jones, Space RangerJonicaAnnie OakleyJill Turner, Penny2 episodes1955The Adventures of ChampionSally Custer Episode: "Salted Ground"The Adventures of ChampionLornaEpisode: "Canyon of Wanted Men"Science Fiction TheatreAlice1956The Mickey Mouse ClubPeggyDiamond Mystery TheaterSusan DavisEpisode: "The Man Across the Street"1958The Donna Reed ShowBabsEpisode: "Parting of the Ways" Wanted: Dead or Alive Patience Fairweather Season 3, Episode 22 "Detour"1959The June Allyson ShowNancy1 episode BonanzaHeather Lowell1 episodeThe Many Loves of Dobie GillisCentral High Girl1960My Three SonsJulieSeason 6, episode: "the wrong Robbie"National VelvetSally Grimes1961The AmericansMolly1 episode Bachelor FatherAgnes1 episode 1962Wagon TrainPenelopeEpisode: "Path of the Serpent"Perry MasonMaureen ThomasEpisode: "The Case of the Polka-Dot Pony"Going My WayJane Everett1963The FugitiveEllen TolanEpisode: "See Hollywood and Die"The VirginianEpisode: "A Time Remembered"My Favorite MartianSallyPetticoat JunctionMary Jane Burris1964The Outer LimitsVivia HaydenEpisode: "Don't Open Till Doomsday"Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.Girl Marine1965Please Don't Eat the DaisiesTerry, Secretary2 episodes1966The Felony SquadMylene Bruce, Suellen Taubs2 episodesBonanzaEpisode: "Four Sisters from Boston"1967Judd, for the DefenseGirl1969–1971Hot Wheels (TV series)Janet MartinVoiceSkyhawksCynthia HughesVoiceSources:
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