The Evening Post (Wellington) April 23, 1997 SECTION: FEATURES; ENTERTAINMENT; Pg. 10; Television Review HEADLINE: When dreams are free and fashions challenging BYLINE: WAKEFIELD Phil CHANNEL SURFING: Maureen McCormick, who played Marcia Brady in The Brady Bunch, soon will be back on the box in one if not two new projects: as country singer Barbara Mandrell in a TV-movie bio for CBS, and in an ABC pilot for the 1997/98 season called Teen Angel; she'll also revisit her Brady heritage for an Elle magazine spread on polyester fashions ================================================ The Record April 19, 1997; SATURDAY; ALL EDITIONS SECTION: YOUR TIME; Pg. Y10 HEADLINE: TELEVISION NEWS & NOTES COLUMN: TELEVISION NEWS & NOTES BODY: MANDRELL CAST Former"Brady Bunch"star Maureen McCormick has signed to play the adult lead in CBS "Get to the Heart: The Barbara Mandrell Story."But they're still trying to line up actresses to play Mandrell in her younger years. The film, which Mandrell is co-producing with husband Ken Dudney, will go from her childhood with sisters Louise and Irlene through her comeback from the car crash that almost took her life. One tall casting order: They've been looking for a 5- or 6-year-old girl who can sing and play accordion as well as Barbara could at that age. ================================================ The Chattanooga (Tenn.) Times April 17, 1997, Thursday SECTION: Entertainment; Pg. B5 HEADLINE: Bruce Beresford awaits word on Saigon film BYLINE: Marilyn Beck c.Tribune Media Services BODY: HOLLYWOOD -- SAY IT IN SONG: Former Brady Bunch star Maureen McCormick has signed to play the adult lead in CBS's Get to the Heart: The Barbara Mandrell Story. But they're still trying to line up actresses to play Barbara Mandrell in her younger years. The film, which Ms. Mandrell is executive-producing with husband Ken Dudney, will go from her childhood with sisters Louise and Irlene through her comeback from the car crash that almost took her life. One tall casting order: They've been looking for a 5- or 6-year-old girl who can sing and play accordion as well as Barbara could at that age. ================================================ The Seattle (WA) Times April 17, 1997, Thursday Final Edition SECTION: SCENE; Pg. E2; SEEN, HEARD, SAID HEADLINE: SEEN, HEARD, SAID BYLINE: JANINE DALLAS STEFFAN BODY: Maureen McCormick of the original "Brady Bunch" (Marcia, Marcia, Marcia) is going to play the title role in the CBS biopic "The Barbara Mandrell Story." Kenny Rogers, Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton will play themselves, says Variety. Maureen's busy - she's also doing a pilot for ABC called "Teen Angel." And she's doing a photo layout in Elle mag - for Bloomingdale's new fall line of polyester fashions. We are not making this up. (But we sure wish we were.) ================================================ U.P.I. April 15, 1997, Tuesday, BC cycle SECTION: Domestic News HEADLINE: People BODY: Compiled by VALERIE KUKLENSKI UPI Entertainment Editor MARCIA, MARCIA, MARCIA: Maureen McCormick, who created the character of Marcia on TV's ''The Brady Bunch,'' comes back to television to play the title role in ''The Barbara Mandrell Story,'' a made-for-TV movie about the country singer's rise to fame and her recovery from a tragic car accident. McCormick herself is an aspiring country singer. Trade reports say Kenny Rogers, Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton will play themselves in the CBS project. McCormick also is working on a series pilot for ABC titled ''Teen Angel.'' But for an upcoming fashion layout in Elle magazine, she's likely to look more like Marcia than she has in years -- she will model the latest polyester fashions for fall. ================================================ PR Newswire April 22, 1997, Tuesday SECTION: State and Regional News DISTRIBUTION: TO STATE EDITOR LENGTH: 670 words HEADLINE: New Jersey Fifth Grader Wins KFC's National Mother's Day Card Contest; Florence Henderson Guest Stars as Official Spokesperson; Florence will be on hand to congratulate Katie personally at an unveiling ceremony for the winning card at the Empire State Building in New York, May 1. DATELINE: LOUISVILLE, Ky., April 22 BODY: A New Jersey fifth grader is the national grand-prize winner of the KFC/Family Circle All-American Salute to Mothers greeting card contest. Katie Cowden, 11, of Freehold, N.J., created a Mother's Day greeting card which topped more than 40,000 student entries. Her card was produced by Hallmark Cards, Inc., and is now for sale exclusively in 5,000 Hallmark Gold Crown stores nationwide for Mother's Day 1997. Cowden, along with the other top three finalists, is also featured in the May 13 issue of Family Circle magazine. Florence Henderson, quintessential TV mom known around the world for her role as "Carol Brady" of the classic hit television series The Brady Bunch, is the official spokesperson for the contest. Florence will be on hand to congratulate Katie personally at an unveiling ceremony for the winning card at the Empire State Building in New York, May 1. The ceremony kicks off a month- long exhibit showcasing Mother's Day cards from the contest. Cowden's card will be featured in the lobby, along with hand-made cards designed by the 50 contest state semifinalists from across the country. Most recently, Florence was Rosie O'Donnell's special guest on the talk show queen's successful two week run in Los Angeles. Florence made more than six appearances including skits, on-location segments and duets with Rosie. Florence also recently appeared on an episode of the ABC-TV hit sitcom, "Ellen," and is currently portraying the mother of Harry Anderson on CBS's hit comedy, "Dave's World." A panel of judges, which included KFC, Family Circle and Hallmark representatives, picked 51 winners -- from each state and the District of Columbia -- before narrowing the field to 10 finalists and ultimately one grand-prize winner. "This contest recognizes the creativity and talent of children nationwide," said Allison Novella, marketing, media relations coordinator for Hallmark Cards. "It also provides the perfect opportunity for children to show their mothers how much they love them. We are very proud Katie and all the youngsters who entered this contest and congratulate the 51 kids whose cards have been chosen as among the best in the nation." Entries were judged on writing, illustration, originality and sincerity of expression. "This contest provides children with a positive, creative, outlet to convey their love for their mothers," said Susan Kelliher Ungaro, editor in chief of Family Circle. The front of Katie's card is a watercolor picture of a tree with flowers and butterflies against a sunny blue sky. The inside of the card reads, "A mother's smile lights the faces of children like a summer sun. Happy Mother's Day." "So many talented students entered the contest this year, it's an extraordinary accomplishment to be selected the national grand-prize winner," said Randy Gier, senior vice president, marketing KFC Corporation. "KFC is proud to honor Katie for her creativity and thoughtfulness." As the national grand-prize winner, Cowden received $3,500 from KFC and a trip to New York with her mother to open the Mother's Day exhibit. The second-place winner is Brian Butler, 10, Gurley, Ala. The third place winner is Dominic Santos, 11, San Francisco, Calif. The seven remaining fourth-place winners are Ashley Ruscetta, 10, Warwick, R.I.; Mari Bland, 10, Gatlinburg, Tenn.; Scott Whaley, 12, Winfield, W. Va.; Scott Woizeschke, 10, Windom, Minn.; Jenna Skophammer, 11, Port Dodge, IA; Jonathan Howard, 11, Mechanicsburg, Pa.; and Angela Metzger, 12, Scott City, Kan. Second-, third-, and fourth-place winners also received cash prizes. KFC first launched the All-American Salute to Mothers national Mother's Day greeting card contest in 1982 as an educational and creative outlet for children to convey their feelings for their mothers. The contest continues KFC's tradition of honoring mothers on Mother's Day, KFC's biggest sales day of the year. SOURCE Kentucky Fried Chicken CONTACT: Alev de Costa, 312-240-2824 or Mary Puckett, 312-240- 2655, both of Edelman Worldwide ================================================ The Detroit News April 28, 1997, Monday SECTION: MLife; Pg. Pg. C6 HEADLINE: Collectibles: Chatty breaks her silence BYLINE: By Lynn Van Dine HEADNOTE: Chatty Cathy's voice, recorded on 3-inch vinyl records, is that of Maureen McCormick, who later played Marcia on the Brady Bunch TV sitcom. BODY: Chatty Cathy, 1960s talking doll, has been given a new voice by collectors through clubs, on Internet. Ask any girl who grew up in the 1960s about Chatty Cathy, and chances are she either had one or knew someone who did. Now those same girls -- all grown up -- are scouring garage sales, collectors shows and doll shops to find that sentimental reminder of their childhood. "Chatty Cathy dolls are very popular," said Pat Weeks, owner of the Doll Hospital and Toy Soldier Shop in Berkley. Weeks sometimes sells Chatty Cathy dolls "when they come in -- but they go very fast." Chatty Cathy collectors also are giving the 1960s talking doll a new voice -- on the World Wide Web and through a national club. Pull a ring on a string on the back of her neck, and the pre-sound chip Chatty Cathy would amaze children when she said, "Will you play with me?" or "Tell me a story." Almost 1 million children owned a Chatty Cathy since the Mattel doll debuted in 1960. In the five years of production, various Chatty Cathy dolls were made: Charmin' Chatty, Chatty Baby, Singin' Chatty and Tiny Chatty Baby. The first Chatty Cathy versions uttered 11 phrases through a 3-inch vinyl turntable in her tummy, and later versions said 18 phrases. Chatty Cathys came in a variety of skin tones, hair and eye colors, and outfits. Costing less than $ 20 in the 1960s, good or mint condition Chatty Cathy dolls can range in price from $ 60 to $ 120. Rare editions can cost $ 1,000 to $ 3,000. Myla Perkins, a retired teacher from Detroit and president of the Motor City Doll Club, collects African-American dolls and owns several rare Chatty Cathys and Chatty Babies in her 3,000-doll collection. "I searched and waited for 10 years before I found a black Chatty Cathy for $ 475," she said. "The black Chatty dolls are more expensive because there are fewer of them." "Mine don't speak when you pull their strings. You'll find most Chatty Cathy voice mechanisms are worn out," Perkins said. However, it wasn't just the voice that made Chatty Cathy special. She was one of the first in a new generation of dolls that were produced in the 1960s that had African-American versions, said Perkins, who has written two African-American doll collector guides. Lynn Van Dine is a Marysville free-lance writer. Name that voice ... Chatty Cathy's voice, recorded on 3-inch vinyl records, is that of Maureen McCormick, who later played Marcia on the Brady Bunch TV sitcom. For repairs * The Doll Hospital and Toy Soldier Shop in Berkley can handle some types of Chatty Cathy repairs, such as cleaning, fixing and rerooting hair, and fixing the eyes (but not the voice mechanism). The shop also offers Chatty Cathys from time to time and some clothes. Call Pat Weeks at (810) 543-3115. * The pre-eminent Chatty Cathy voice and doll restorer is Kelly McIntyre, owner of Chatty Cathy Haven in Encino, Calif. He can be reached at (818) 881-3878 or by e-mail at KDM913@aol.com. GRAPHIC: Collector Myla Perkins of Detroit has paid up to $475 for a rare black Chatty Cathy doll. Photo by Linda Radin