By Rita Charleston
For the Times

Shirley Jones, a one-woman conglomerate — stage, screen, television, author — makes her Harrah’s Atlantic City debut when she performs in the Broadway By The Bay Theatre Oct. 4 and Oct. 6.
The Shirley Jones story is the quintessential American Cinderella Dream.
Born in Charleroi, Pa., her parents named their only child after Shirley Temple, and Jones began to quickly follow in her famous namesake’s footsteps.
At the age of 6, she became the youngest member of her church choir, and immediately after graduation from South Huntington High School, entered the Miss Pittsburgh Beauty Pageant.
Winning the crown, she went on to compete in the Miss Pennsylvania Pageant, becoming the first runner-up. Her reward was a scholarship to the famed Pittsburgh Playhouse.
Following her apprenticeship at the Playhouse, Jones borrowed $l60 from her father, moved to New York, and promised to return home once the money ran out. But before it did, she was spotted at a tryout for South Pacific by the famed writing team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein.
At first glance they realized they had found themselves a new American gem.
After a stint in South Pacific, Rodgers and Hammerstein graduated their new discovery to a role in their musical Me and Juliet, and later to their silver screen versions of Oklahoma and then Carousel.
Many movie musicals and comedies followed. But it was stepping out of character and delivering a powerful portrayal of Lulu Bains in the American classic Elmer Gantry, that garnered Jones the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in l960.
However, she admits it was her portrayal of the matriarch of the rock ’n’ roll band, The Partridge Family, that showcased both her singing and acting talents that probably bought Jones her most lasting fame.
“When I decided to do that series after a career in motion pictures, the powers that be told me not to do it,” she said. “At that time, doing television was a no-no for a movie actress. I was told my movie career would be over if I decided to do the series, and they were right. But this was a personal choice for me. I had three small sons at home and had been all over the world on movie locations. I decided I needed to stay home and raise my children.
“I saw what people were doing who had successful television series and I thought that was the way to go,” she added. “Plus, I loved the script and thought the show really had a chance of being big.”
Jones was right, and although the show might have brought an end to her movie career, her talent allowed her to make a big name for herself in television.
She was in constant demand by every TV variety show, plus showrooms, concert halls and legitimate theater.
In the past few years Jones has continued to guest on TV sitcoms, and recently completed several feature films, including Ping, a comedy in which she plays an eccentric woman; I Know What You Screamed Last Summer, a comic spoof on teen horror flicks; and Manna From Heaven, a crime spoof.
Today, Jones — who admits to being 68 years old and the grandmother of six — says she’s enjoying every moment of her life.
“And I just hope it goes on and on,” she said. “True, getting my career started was pretty easy for me. I didn’t have to knock on many doors, but I am a hard worker. I’m also very responsible and I think that’s a very important trait for anyone who wants to make it in this business. I also have a ‘normal’ life quite apart from show business, and I think that’s very important. I have the best of both worlds.”
Shirley Jones appears at Harrah’s Atlantic City Oct. 4 and 6. (There is no performance Oct. 5.) Tickets are $25. For more information call l-800-2HARRAH.