JACKIE JOSEPH: Puttin’ on the Ditz

Ditsy Ramona Ankrum (Jackie Joseph) sparks the interest of wacky, rock-throwing Ernest T. Bass (Howard Morris) in a 1964 classic episode of THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW.
Seymour (Jonathan Haze), owner Kushnick (Mel Welles) and Audrey (Jackie Joseph) enjoy her flowery namesake, Audrey II, before learning it has sub-human needs in the cult classic THE LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (1960).

Films of the Golden Age,
Issue Number 96,
Spring, 2019

“I’ve always thought of my career as ‘Lucky me!’ and not ‘Poor me!’ My career wasn’t insignificant, but it wasn’t a blockbuster either.”

With her sunburst smile, girlish voice and adorable naivete, JACKIE JOSEPH (1933- ) enjoyed a five-decade career on stage, film, TV and nightclubs. Best known for originating the flighty role of Audrey in the Roger Corman lowbudget film THE LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (1960), Jackie could, with relative ease, emit a puerile giddiness reminiscent of an Imogene Coca, project the enchanting bewilderment of a Gracie Allen, or embody a veiled, pert sexiness suggesting an early Doris Day. Jackie not only has been a constant joy and ditsy delight to watch over the years, but a subtle scene-stealer as well, while in between involving herself smartly in union and animal causes.

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