FLASH GORDON Sent Me His AUTOGRAPH!

ANNIVERSARIES TODAY:

February 7, 1934 - Broadway opening of After Such Pleasures. Shirley's first husband Ed Gardner adapted and directed the series of comedy sketches from a book by Dorothy Parker. Although it ran for just 23 performances, Gardner received praise for expertly adapting Parker’s acid wit. Of the eight vignettes presented in After Such Pleasures, Booth appeared in four. She played the returned traveler in "A Young Lady from Paris," the bride in "Here We Are," the fan in "Glory in the Daytime," and a character named Bubbles in "The Mantle of Whistler." Critics noted that Shirley was particularly good as the bride.

Actor/Olympic Champion Larry "Buster" Crabbe was born today in 1908 (died April 23, 1983). Actor/Stuntman Jock Mahoney was born today in 1919 (died December 14, 1989).

*****

Buster Crabbe, the legendary Olympic champion, was best-known for giving us so much enjoyment with his Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers serials. He played "Tarzan," made many "Billy the Kid" films (thirteen?), as well as appearing in nearly twice as many "Billy Carson" films (twenty-three?) in the 1940's.

I wrote to Buster back in the 1970's with an Arizona address given to me by The Big Reel editor Don Key. As you can see, he responded with an autographed still that I still treasure... As for entertainment value, his serials hold up quite well. I still watch them from time to time - and enjoy them immensely.

*****

I have memories of meeting another Tarzan actor and stuntman, Jock Mahoney. He appeared as a substitute for the famed MGM Tarzan, Johnny Weissmuller, (June 2, 1904 – January 20, 1984). Mahoney came to a 1977 Nostalgia Convention in New York City run by Paul Saryian. Weissmuller had suffered a stroke apparently right before the convention - and so he could not appear. I was surprised (along with a number of rather angry admission-paying attendees) when the billboard in the hotel lobby still indicated that Weissmuller was to appear. We all learned after paying for admission that Mahoney was substituting for Weissmuller. What made the situation worse is when unhappy attendees had to argue for refunds.

Nevertheless, Mahoney turned out to be an interesting replacement, and he spoke about the difficulties of being a stuntman, working with the Tarzan actors, and the health problems he was suffering (in particular regarding serious blood sugar abnormalities). He was quite gracious to the audience - posing for photographs and signing autographs. I have to publish the autographed still he gave me in a future blog posting. Interestingly, Jock Mahoney was actress Sally Fields' step-father (after her mother, actress Margaret Field, divorced Sally's father Richard). Later, I learned that Sally's relationship to her step-father Mahoney was reportedly "difficult" (to put it lightly).

*****

Hazel says:

In episode #116 ("It's A Dog Life"), Hazel is playing Scrabble with Missy and Harold. Harold asks, "Who's turn is it?" Hazel says: "Mine - and I got a doozy of a word if I can just spell catastrophe!"

*****

THANKS FOR VISITING!

JOIN ME AGAIN TOMORROW!

*****
For purchasing any of my books, you can visit Amazon.com
You can also check www.bookfinder.com
which offers the best prices on new & used copies.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For Bill, His Pinup Girl: The Shirley Booth & Bill Baker Story
by Jim Manago
Foreword by Leslie Sodaro
Published December 1, 2010
Further details at: http://shirleybooth.blogspot.com

*****

Now available on Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0076ZCBM2

Love is the Reason for it All: The Shirley Booth Story
by Jim Manago
Radio Research by Donna Manago
Foreword by Ted Key
BearManor Media, May 2008
http://bearmanormedia.bizland.com