Crummy Yuletide Laughs: ‘A CHRISTMAS STORY’

December 19, 2009

Share:

Worth 1,000 Words: KEN MAYNARD & TARZAN

December 9, 2009


IN 1934, WHEN THIS ORIGINAL STILL was displayed in movie theaters around the world, KEN MAYNARD (July 21, 1895-March 23, 1973) was nearing the twilight of his cowboy movie star years. In fact, IN OLD SANTA FE was the end of the trail for his career at Mascot Pictures. Future cowboy star GENE AUTRY (Sept. 29, 1907-Oct. 2, 1998) appears in his film debut as Gene, a singer. A year later, in 1935, producer Nat Levine replaced recently fired Maynard in the sci-fi western The Phantom Empire with Autry. It was Autry’s first starring role.

——————–
That is KEN MAYNARD leaning on a trusty ol’ convertible as his trusty ol’ steed, TARZAN, looks on amongst the cacti and clouds. A barely visible Evalyn Knapp sits inside the car, cooing at Ken. [from Steve Crum’s showbiz memorabilia collection]
——————–
Some cowpoke trivia: Cowboy hero sidekicks George “Gabby” Hayes and Smiley Burnette also appear in In Old Santa Fe.
Also, Maynard is only lip synching the singing to Bob Nolan of The Sons of the Pioneers.
——————–
Share:

Worth 1,000 Words: JIMMY DURANTE & PETER LAWFORD

December 1, 2009

A ONE-OF-A-KIND, SHOW BIZ GEM is this autographed photo pasted on a tattered and weathered album page. The legendary entertainer JIMMY DURANTE (Feb. 10, 1893-Jan. 29, 1980) inscribed his “well-dressed man” pic: To Peter-A fine Boy-Your Pal Jimmy Durante. “Peter” is actually actor PETER LAWFORD (Sept. 7, 1923-Dec. 24, 1984), who was 15 in 1938 at the time this photo was given to him when he and Durante were under contract at MGM. 

The page is from Peter Lawford’s autograph book. Lawford had not yet reached stardom, but had appeared in a small role in the Freddie Bartholemew vehicle, Lord Jeff. The “Great Schnozzola” Durante, however, was already established there, having co-starred in a series of comedies with Buster Keaton, and 1934’s Hollywood Party. Lawford’s breakthrough role was in A Yank at Eaton (1942). Both actors would be MGM mainstays throughout the 1940’s-early ‘50s. Lawford often performed with Durante, in singing, dancing and comedy, on stage and TV. 

Their friendship would endure.
——————–
After PETER LAWFORD’S 1984 death, I purchased this unique item by auction via Hollywood columnist Jimmy Starr. It is priceless to me. [from Steve Crum’s showbiz memorabilia collection]
——————–
Ladies and gentlemen, here are Jimmy Durante and Peter Lawford together again…on The Hollywood Palace: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gUbYhG9X_Y
Share:

Worth 1,000 Words: MARILYN MONROE, JACK BENNY & ‘ROCHESTER’

November 27, 2009


OPENING THE 1953-54 TV SEASON, The Jack Benny Show’s special guest was rising star MARILYN MONROE (June 1, 1926-Aug. 5, 1962). In this unpublished color photo (Jack’s show was in black and white), EDDIE ROCHESTER ANDERSON (Sept. 18, 1905-Feb. 28, 1977) and JACK BENNY (Feb. 14, 1894-Dec. 26, 1974) flank MONROE during rehearsal. [from Steve Crum’s show biz memorabilia collection]

——————–
MILT JOSEFSBERG, one of Benny’s top writers on both radio and TV, talks about Monroe’s appearance in his book, The Jack Benny Show: …Regardless of the stories about her laxness and lateness later in her career, she was punctual and a pleasure to work with in those days. One of the great pleasures that all men on the set enjoyed was watching Miss Monroe walk, either toward them or away from them. She was rehearsing a scene where she was on the stage solo and had to walk away from the camera. All of us, including Jack, sat in the front seats of the studio watching her. Our director, one of TV’s best, a young man named Ralph Levy, made her repeat the walk several times. Each time she did so, there would be some whispered, off-color comments by those of us seated in the studio. Finally Jack, in an attempt at humor, whispered, ‘I don’t know why everyone raves about Marilyn. I’ve got a pretty attractive ass myself.’ This caused a light giggle, which erupted into a volcanic laugh….
——————–
Why not check out Marilyn Monroe yourself on The Jack Benny Show?: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UcaKf9pJrQ
Share:

Worth 1,000 Words: ROY ROGERS & TRIGGER at the ALAMO

November 24, 2009


DURING A WORLD WAR II TEXAS TOUR, The King of the Cowboys ROY ROGERS and TRIGGER strike the cowboy pose in this unpublished photo taken in front of the ALAMO as their fans happily observe. Rogers, Trigger, and The Sons of the Pioneers stopped by the famous landmark between entertaining at military bases and selling war bonds. [from Steve Crum’s showbiz memorabilia collection]

——————–
Share: