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.
Worth 1,000 Words: JIMMY DURANTE & PETER LAWFORD
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.
Worth 1,000 Words: MARILYN MONROE, JACK BENNY & ‘ROCHESTER’
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 In this unpublished color photo (Jack’s show was in black and white), EDDIE ROCHESTER ANDERSON (Sept. 18, 1905-Feb. 28, 1977) and JACK BENNY (Feb. 14, 1894-Dec. 26, 1974) flank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]