‘Dick Van Dyke Show’ star Rose Marie says she was sexually harassed on a 1950s film set

“Wait for Your Laugh,” the new documentary charting the 90-year show business career of Rose Marie, includes an anecdote about the time the actress stood up to a film producer who sexually harassed her in the 1950s.

In an interview with Vulture on Thursday, the “Dick Van Dyke Show” star discussed the incident, which took place during the creation of the film adaptation of her Broadway musical “Top Banana.”

“I did my number called ‘I Fought Every Step of the Way’ … And when I got through, a man came over to me and said, ‘That was very good, and this can be your movie. I’m a producer on the picture,'” she said. “And I looked at him and said, ‘That’s very nice, thank you.’ And then he said, ‘If you are really interested in a few positions, I really could show you a few.'”

The actress said she initially laughed off the advance, thinking it was a joke. But when the producer repeated the innuendo, she rebuffed him. “In front of everyone, I said, ‘You son of a bitch, you couldn’t get it up if the flag went by!'” she said.

(Getty Archives)

“My husband told me later that all my songs would be cut,” the actress continued. “And sure enough, every song I had in the film was cut, every scene I had was cut to a minute, it was like I wasn’t in the picture.”

Rose Marie was one of several Hollywood veterans to speak out in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein sexual misconduct scandal, voicing support on Twitter for the victims who spoke out. “Finally women are speaking up to power. I have suffered my whole life for that. Don’t stop,” she wrote.

“You know, I think women have slowly but surely gained a lot of power lately,” she told Vulture. “I think little by little, they are getting to where they are supposed to be — equals — and are talking uprightly. Before, I think they were afraid.”

Related: Women who have accused Harvey Weinstein of sexual harassment, misconduct or assault

Advertisement