Crummy Yuletide Laughs: ‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’
A “deleted scene” I created several years back during the late, great Mr. Mays’ reign as King of the Infomercial.
Worth 1,000 Words: KEN MAYNARD & TARZAN
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.
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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]
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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.
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Worth 1,000 Words: JIMMY DURANTE & PETER LAWFORD
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.
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.
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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]
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Ladies and gentlemen, here are Jimmy Durante and Peter Lawford together again…on The Hollywood Palace: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gUbYhG9X_Y