tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49729453959740785212024-03-13T04:54:21.253-07:00NEWMAR NEWSUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger177125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4972945395974078521.post-82564203979502683872021-03-30T11:26:00.003-07:002021-03-30T11:26:41.875-07:00No luck yet in finding the elusive "Black Box" <p><b>While many "My Living Doll" episodes are still in a warehouse or a collector's basement, a few other Julie items are still missing. For example....</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IqbIgy2FC7k/YGNqK80m1YI/AAAAAAAAJVU/uqbdfUHQGus5WwCmeHycPiIyZU3d3sOiQCLcBGAsYHQ/s504/BLACK%2BBOX%2BSMALL.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="422" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IqbIgy2FC7k/YGNqK80m1YI/AAAAAAAAJVU/uqbdfUHQGus5WwCmeHycPiIyZU3d3sOiQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/BLACK%2BBOX%2BSMALL.png" /></b></a></div><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>"The Black Box Murders." The episode was part of ABC's "Wide World Mystery" shows, made-for-TV items intended to compete with Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show." (ABC had tried bringing back Jack Paar, and also scheduled a lot of rock concerts for their 11:30pn late night slot.) </b></p><p><b>It was broadcast January 13, 1975, well before the average TV fan could get an affordable VCR and record it for posterity. Why ABC didn't think to preserve all the shows in their "Wide World Mystery" series, for re-run use, is anyone's guess. At least half of those 90 minute mystery movies are missing.</b></p><p><b>Another frustrating item: Julie on "The Greatest Show on Earth." Arthur O'Connell guest-starred as Johnny Slates's (Jack Palance) debt-ridden father. Julie played Slate's girl friend. The episode DOES exist in 16mm. There are still collectors out there who love their 16mm projectors and search for things to play on them. The episode "Of Blood, Sawdust, and a Bucket of Tears" turned up on eBay a year or so ago, selling for around $100. To digitize it would probably be another $100 or more. From what I've read, the conflict in the episode centers around Palance having to choose to help Arthur, even if it meant losing the girl friend he loves. </b></p><p><b>Hopefully some day "Greatest Show" will either stream, get a DVD set treatment, or turn up on one of the nostalgia channels that currently run "I Dream of Jeannie" or "Gomer Pyle" five times a day. </b></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4972945395974078521.post-60417578566357725252020-11-14T09:15:00.002-08:002020-11-14T09:23:24.265-08:00Pour a Shirley Temple, but not to celebrate odd-looking Catwoman memorabilia! <p>Oh, the world of "licensed" BATMAN products can be confusing. This involves issues of trademark and copyright. It also involves "intellectual property." WHO is THIS Catwoman? Yike!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--vGlhtkxkeo/X7APVlKpxiI/AAAAAAAAJRY/dywf6w0c9XsJbNe4sCHzI-M-yXqgnNEeACLcBGAsYHQ/s438/CATWOMAN.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="438" data-original-width="310" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--vGlhtkxkeo/X7APVlKpxiI/AAAAAAAAJRY/dywf6w0c9XsJbNe4sCHzI-M-yXqgnNEeACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/CATWOMAN.png" /></a></div><b><br />The company was allowed to say "Cat Woman 1966," but that sure doesn't look like Julie! A lot of action figures look very much like her, or even mention her on the box. What gives? </b><p></p><p><b>Go ask the lawyers! Or check with companies that may have only had a budget to use "Cat Woman" and not the name of anyone specific. It's been a pretty even "battle" with companies taken to court over "intellectual property." The heirs for Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff, for example, won, and get a percentage of "Dracula" and "Frankenstein" merchandise. Even with make-up on, their famous faces are evident. But, losing, was a claim by the Fred Astaire estate over a TV commercial that had him dancing with a vacuum cleaner! The studio claimed he was under contract and this was a movie clip and and he wasn't named in the ad...whatever. They won.</b></p><p><b>You win some, you lose some. Heirs to the Three Stooges get money...but not all of them. A judge ruled that the daughter of Curly Howard (the original Curly) gets nothing, because the LAST group known as The Three Stooges featured "Curly Joe" DeRita, so, er, uh, even if all the merch shows the original Curly, it's De Rita's heirs that rake in the dough. </b></p><p><b>So when you notice some product that doesn't look like Julie, there may be a legal reason. </b></p><p><b>Lastly, many stars and companies are acting to protect the fans. They are making sure that the product is not shoddy, and as accurate and as of good quality of possible. There's also a bit of morality involved, as money should go to the creatives not the bootleggers. No less a "nice" lady than Shirley Temple recognized this back in 1989. She told US magazine that she had no problem with the cute use of her name as a drink but, she....</b></p><p><b>"...sued to stop Soda Pop Kids Co from advertising its Shirley T. soda. The alcohol-free drink called a Shirley Temple (ginger ale, grenadine and a maraschino ocherr) ha been served in restaurants since the 1930s. Shirley doesn't mind that a bit. But "commercial theft" is something else. "I'm a tigress about protecting my name, and my attorneys will go after anyone who is using my name on a product without my permission." </b></p><p><b>In the end, the fans win when the stuff they collect is built to last and a worthy investment. It's a bit sad when somebody buys a bootleg photo that fades in a year, or a fake autographed item, or drinks something bad and grunts, "Why did Shirley Temple allow her name on THAT swill?" </b></p><p><b>As to people who collect those weird Funko items and actually don't care if the face is right as long as the costume is? To use a Batman phrase: "OOF!" Knock yourselves out.</b></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4972945395974078521.post-64096165791141096512020-11-13T18:21:00.000-08:002020-11-13T18:43:26.496-08:00Julie Newmar - FARMERETTE? Well, close guess, guys...<p><b>You may have missed this magazine at the local newsstand. It came out in oh, 1956. </b></p><p><b>Back in the day, hungry (if not ravenous) pin-up mags wanted sexy pix, and lots of 'em, to balance out the ordinary news and sports articles they had to run as "redeeming social value." </b></p><p><b>The photographers had to be clever...clever enough to find ladies like Julie who actually had acting credentials and needed publicity...and clever enough to try and get published with a unique "slant" and not the same beach pix that were so much competition. </b></p><p><b>SO here's Julie, out at a farm, ergo, a FARMERETTE! </b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KA-BhqYEZSQ/X688T6H85rI/AAAAAAAAJQo/Mg2BXwBgU1kWgWOS__rOIF2-h0X3Sm7wgCLcBGAsYHQ/s823/FARMERETTE-ONE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="823" height="293" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KA-BhqYEZSQ/X688T6H85rI/AAAAAAAAJQo/Mg2BXwBgU1kWgWOS__rOIF2-h0X3Sm7wgCLcBGAsYHQ/w406-h293/FARMERETTE-ONE.jpg" width="406" /></b></a></div><b><br /></b><p><b>OH...and give some credit to the mag's editors and writers, who dutifully plugged the latest new and beautiful talent, and "invented" some copy to validate the pictures. The anonymous scribe here, did his best. He duly notes that Julie's "ambition..." in show biz is ultimately "to be a comedienne." </b></p><p><b>She would soon be getting laughs on Broadway in "Marriage Go Round," co-starring in "My Living Doll," and giving Catwoman that special touch of humor. Yes, much of Julie's best work has involved adding a sense of fun, joy, and laughs into her characters and into her TV interviews as well. </b></p><p><b>Inspired by the urban Julie at an old barn, the writer wasn't TOO far off. Just substitute "gardner" and not "farmerette." (PS, it isn't often that your average "farmerette" leaves the plow to get some exercise by hanging from a tree!) </b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FhSg__M1EC4/X689xfeVxcI/AAAAAAAAJQ0/_vM6sjCuPuceRi5ZULPidmNszA88TXvJwCLcBGAsYHQ/s616/FARMERETTE%2Btwo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="587" data-original-width="616" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FhSg__M1EC4/X689xfeVxcI/AAAAAAAAJQ0/_vM6sjCuPuceRi5ZULPidmNszA88TXvJwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/FARMERETTE%2Btwo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><b>As Julie fans know, her garden is a true tourist attraction. A few times a year, for charity, horticulture buffs come by select homes in L.A. to view the wonders created by both famous celebrities and ambitious and creative people who just love to spend hours and hours with their flowers. The Julie Newmar Rose is one of several items named after Julie. Which beats being a "farmerette," and somebody at a country fair trying to sell their tribute; a Julie Newmar squash! </b></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4972945395974078521.post-68013313691997630382020-09-09T19:26:00.004-07:002020-09-09T19:26:38.347-07:00Been There, DON That -- Feeding the Trolls Gets some Bites<p><b>Every day the papers are loaded with articles exposing the various examples of cruelty, incompetence, greed, uncouth behavior and incredible insensitivity of President Trump. A few days ago, the London Daily Mail website offered four in a row. Trump is internationally appalling: </b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qRQBB8Zyq_4/X1mIjxrk0UI/AAAAAAAAJO0/JGv8n6CKpg8MpdaAF451OwCSB7ueoYkAQCLcBGAsYHQ/s846/TRUMP%2BJULIE%2B4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="664" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qRQBB8Zyq_4/X1mIjxrk0UI/AAAAAAAAJO0/JGv8n6CKpg8MpdaAF451OwCSB7ueoYkAQCLcBGAsYHQ/w491-h625/TRUMP%2BJULIE%2B4.png" width="491" /></b></a></div><p><b>And yet, ten million, twenty million, thirty million or more love the guy. Absolutely LOVE the guy, from his amusing Don Rickles insults on "Sleepy Joe" Biden to his nepotism, to his racial scapegoating and smug denial of climate change. </b></p><p><b>"It's good to be the king," Mel Brooks joked in a movie, but this is real life, and it's sad that so many find a vicarious thrill in thinking they'd be just like THIS guy...shooting off his mouth on Twitter all day, grabbing a mail order bride from Europe somewhere (as long as she'd posed naked and he could see what he was buying), and indulging in all the show-off luxury of golf course games, pompous rhetoric, and simply shouting "Fake News" when caught...time and time again. Porn stars? Daring workers to sue him for construction work on his Trump buildings? Fleecing fools with a fake college or "made in China" hats saying "Make America Great Again?" It's ALL good. </b></p><p><b>Anything BAD about this guy is dismissed, including for example, Mary Trump's very interesting book that attempted to analyze how her uncle Donald became such an unfeeling and crude person, how often he was a user, and how sadly hollow and at times sociopathic his personality could get. </b></p><p><b>The man practiced showmanship on David Letterman's show, and out of nowhere became a "reality star" via "The Apprentice." Somehow, perhaps because of his outlandish hair (covering up many botched transplant and bald-spot reduction surgeries) or his willingness to seemingly laugh at himself, his arrogance as a rich bully has been seen as lovable by a not-so-silent majority of rednecks, racists, and to be fair, religious lunatics and goofy accountants (the latter insisting that whatever his faults, the economy is good). Does he have charm? Hey, back when I was working with London Features and LGI, I photographed the man for magazines and newspapers. Look at that smile...charming indeed...</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nx9SY_RxD9I/X1mKMzY-e2I/AAAAAAAAJPA/KTOuK-w1tSk-VlRVzUmNSPSzQiX3_Z0FgCLcBGAsYHQ/s476/DONALD%2BTRUMP%2BBY%2BRONALD%2BL.%2BSMITH.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="476" data-original-width="394" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nx9SY_RxD9I/X1mKMzY-e2I/AAAAAAAAJPA/KTOuK-w1tSk-VlRVzUmNSPSzQiX3_Z0FgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DONALD%2BTRUMP%2BBY%2BRONALD%2BL.%2BSMITH.png" /></b></a></div><div><b><br /></b></div><b>Every time Julie's mentioned Trump on FACEBOOK, the result has been predictably the same: a bunch of indignant narrow-minded fools insisting "I'll never watch your movies again," and "I'm no longer following you" and other huffery. The fact that Hillary Clinton beat Donald in the popular vote SHOULD mean that Julie is hardly alone in her views. And why should anyone have to agree with somebody else's politics?</b><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>The people walking away from Julie's page, think that 90% of Hollywood isn't on her side? What, never watch a movie or a TV show again because it's likely that the star is not a Trump fan? From vocal people on Twitter such as Bette Midler and Rob Reiner to late night comedians such as Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert, one could end up with nothing to watch but Clint Eastwood and Jon Voight movies, and the selected genius TV shows of Scott Baio. Even then, probably most of the scripts written for the actors were done by people who don't like Trump. You can't win, Trumpers, so why the hypocrisy? </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Because it feels SO good to do that Margaret Dumont impression and declare, "I've never been so insulted in my life!" To which there are many a Groucho quip for a response. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>The sad thing are the out-and-out trolls who love Trump so much they have to emulate him, with thoroughly uncouth, sexist and obnoxious remarks. NONE of them get screen-capped or repeated here, but it IS disturbing that people who clearly love Julie or lust after her enough to friend her or constantly check her page for pix of her, would suddenly turn condescending, oafish and repulsive just because of...well, what was the latest remark she made? Pretty mild: </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2nUWS9IfyRw/X1mL0gohwLI/AAAAAAAAJPM/cwBt_k7_Qc8yVtR-uDLejL7eimA5eP8vgCLcBGAsYHQ/s534/JULIE%2BFIRST%2BREMARK.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="209" data-original-width="534" height="195" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2nUWS9IfyRw/X1mL0gohwLI/AAAAAAAAJPM/cwBt_k7_Qc8yVtR-uDLejL7eimA5eP8vgCLcBGAsYHQ/w500-h195/JULIE%2BFIRST%2BREMARK.png" width="500" /></b></a></div><b><br /></b><div><b>That line would probably not even make the cut for "Real Time with Bill Maher." And yet it led to over 600 comments, 200 shares, and a small but vile number of name-calling troll-calls. Of course, one can hang up on these calls, and BLOCK anyone who can't state an opinion without adding insults and catty (and stupid) Catwoman jokes. Or as Mort Sahl used to say when somebody would boo him in the audience: "It would be nice if you could articulate your position." And, if somebody tried to best him with a heckling quip that got zero audience response: "That's not the first time you've failed in the dark."</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Julie of course was conciliatory: </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kRa3NQrECvk/X1mMfZpzn4I/AAAAAAAAJPU/c-gvfAZ_SwcHylvec49Up_P6jlMYHJFrQCLcBGAsYHQ/s524/Julie%2BApologizes.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="177" data-original-width="524" height="211" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kRa3NQrECvk/X1mMfZpzn4I/AAAAAAAAJPU/c-gvfAZ_SwcHylvec49Up_P6jlMYHJFrQCLcBGAsYHQ/w625-h211/Julie%2BApologizes.png" width="625" /></b></a></div><b><br /></b><div><b>And....</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uf9TidH4No0/X1mMmYrRgJI/AAAAAAAAJPY/tUlEVIpA5ZU9zwXtqlxHMgTTzywoc0NLwCLcBGAsYHQ/s522/Julie%2BAPology%2B2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="170" data-original-width="522" height="204" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uf9TidH4No0/X1mMmYrRgJI/AAAAAAAAJPY/tUlEVIpA5ZU9zwXtqlxHMgTTzywoc0NLwCLcBGAsYHQ/w625-h204/Julie%2BAPology%2B2.png" width="625" /></b></a></div><b><br /></b><div><b>Several people actually did complete the sentence, with very sensible and sober remarks. Still, there's no question that people who don't like Biden express themselves with far more malice, insult, and depressingly irrational rhetoric than those who don't like Biden. The Trump fans are basically as inarticulate as their hero, so they figure a remark slightly below the belt of "Lying Hillary" or 'Sleepy Joe" would be in keeping with what their hero would write. Sadly, in that regard, the right-wing wingnuts are right. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Is the answer "leave politics out of it?" Many people are "politicians" about this, and indeed, choose NOT to say a word on hot topics such as religion, abortion, politics, or even animal rights and climate change. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Julie is a LEO (in addition to being known by most Facebookers as the Catwoman) so she will speak her mind. Thankfully, there's a BLOCK for anyone who can't control their heckles and Jeckyls, and insist on the pride of showing off their filthy Hyde. Special thanks to two posters who expressed the situation very well: </b></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fwI_qbQgsgY/X1mOTI4qgOI/AAAAAAAAJPs/gUM7fwmaH5ogjTRWh6zBcztl6Or58GKeQCLcBGAsYHQ/s503/DAVID%2BASKS%2BTOO.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="128" data-original-width="503" height="126" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fwI_qbQgsgY/X1mOTI4qgOI/AAAAAAAAJPs/gUM7fwmaH5ogjTRWh6zBcztl6Or58GKeQCLcBGAsYHQ/w500-h126/DAVID%2BASKS%2BTOO.png" width="500" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--sBY8ktyils/X1mOTCMRpOI/AAAAAAAAJPo/BLDkSmK074sLW71zhLwStKUakTIvNXU5ACLcBGAsYHQ/s513/DEREK%2BFORTITUDE.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="67" data-original-width="513" height="66" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--sBY8ktyils/X1mOTCMRpOI/AAAAAAAAJPo/BLDkSmK074sLW71zhLwStKUakTIvNXU5ACLcBGAsYHQ/w500-h66/DEREK%2BFORTITUDE.png" width="500" /></a></div><div><p><br /></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4972945395974078521.post-80362418224071190712020-09-08T10:03:00.004-07:002020-09-08T10:03:44.846-07:00Busta Rhymes? Busta Keaton? No, Busta Julie Cards<p>In America, we call them a "Lobby Card Set." In England? It's a BUSTA set. </p><p>These things are fairly rare. Movie studios made 100 or 200 sets and shipped them to the theaters screening the films. After being posted behind glass, or on easels in the lobby or entrance, these cards were supposed to be returned to the studio or destroyed. </p><p>But...fans are happy that some sets have turned up for sale in art shops, memorabilia stores and online. </p><p>In the case of "Mackenna's Gold" (a film that actually has defenders and a cult following) the images on the British cards differ from the ones sent to American theaters. Like so: </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_U1Okl8CIxs/X1e4Ij0wTeI/AAAAAAAAJOU/YndKoH5LGgkmeA7lsOlp2af1gI5SCkGhQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1241/JULIE%2BBUSTA%2BA.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="852" data-original-width="1241" height="430" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_U1Okl8CIxs/X1e4Ij0wTeI/AAAAAAAAJOU/YndKoH5LGgkmeA7lsOlp2af1gI5SCkGhQCLcBGAsYHQ/w625-h430/JULIE%2BBUSTA%2BA.png" width="625" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m-def1koMSM/X1e4bIotQtI/AAAAAAAAJOg/JUEWWwayLmkjw33PJG4BZHa7OlyIIwh4ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1238/JULIE%2BBUSTA%2BB.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="872" data-original-width="1238" height="439" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m-def1koMSM/X1e4bIotQtI/AAAAAAAAJOg/JUEWWwayLmkjw33PJG4BZHa7OlyIIwh4ACLcBGAsYHQ/w625-h439/JULIE%2BBUSTA%2BB.png" width="625" /></a></div><br /><p>Hopefully the film will remain available, and not be pulled due to the PC Police whining that Omar Sharif was not really Mexican and Julie was not really Native American. And, who knows, Mackenna should've been played by somebody actually named Mackenna, not Peck. </p><p>How amusing, the colorized posters offer Julie's costume in both pink and green and in yellow and red. (We say colorized, which hopefully is ok. If not, consider them "posters of color." But no, these are not <i>colored!</i>) </p><p>It was a lucky Brit who had the full BUSTA SET and sold it for a pretty good price on eBay! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TcGOGqSdtUU/X1e43yRtDyI/AAAAAAAAJOo/oBFk2wMIn30GYlyi3_pVNZV8HhxjqIOBACLcBGAsYHQ/s1045/BUSTA%2BSET%2BAD.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="1045" height="349" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TcGOGqSdtUU/X1e43yRtDyI/AAAAAAAAJOo/oBFk2wMIn30GYlyi3_pVNZV8HhxjqIOBACLcBGAsYHQ/w625-h349/BUSTA%2BSET%2BAD.png" width="625" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4972945395974078521.post-41466017836840971932020-08-25T09:31:00.004-07:002020-08-25T09:31:47.646-07:00FORGE GET ME NOTS -- Yes, Julie Newmar Forgeries are Out There <p><b>The comments left on celebrity Facebook pages range from the endearing to the alarming, with a lot of not very original "reaction memes" and woefully unoriginal remarks in between. </b></p><p><b>This is why most of it is never even seen by the celebrity. </b></p><p><b>Recently a fan left a series of off-topic comments on a serious problem: forgeries. It was more of a warning to others: </b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pYgdI_Cskhw/X0KyR7e2jHI/AAAAAAAAJKI/OzCpAwYnrmob420MyeE0jY5zr4rUj-GswCLcBGAsYHQ/s825/KIM%2B1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="825" data-original-width="576" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pYgdI_Cskhw/X0KyR7e2jHI/AAAAAAAAJKI/OzCpAwYnrmob420MyeE0jY5zr4rUj-GswCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/KIM%2B1.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QKomvpVz9EE/X0KyZlpGFFI/AAAAAAAAJKM/ZuPcf57--RIAAwbW_AhLvdXpFUG8OYY7gCLcBGAsYHQ/s732/KIM%2B2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="545" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QKomvpVz9EE/X0KyZlpGFFI/AAAAAAAAJKM/ZuPcf57--RIAAwbW_AhLvdXpFUG8OYY7gCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/KIM%2B2.png" /></b></a></div><p><b>Unfortunately, it's easier than ever to fake signatures, thanks to digital technology, Photoshop, etc. </b></p><p><b>Fans at "hit and run" memorabilia shows are very susceptible, since they get excited about something they see, and trust the dealer. They're not likely to take out a cellphone, and Google for photos to see if the autograph is similar to legit ones. The odds are that the item is real, but too many get taken.</b></p><p><b>Sometimes, like Canadian pennies at the supermarket, nobody notices a fake mixed in, and that includes reputable dealers who operate in bulk. if it's "nickel and dime" items on stars that don't fetch more than $10 or $20, a dealer might spend the time to look very closely, especially when forgeries (including secretarials and autopens) can take a lot of time to study and verify. </b></p><p><b>Why are there so many forgeries involving eBay auctions? Well, let's quote an old song:</b></p><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf"><i><span jsname="YS01Ge">There's a somebody I'm longin' to see</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">I hope that he turns out to be</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Someone who'll watch over me</span></i></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf"><i>I'm a little lamb who's lost in the wood....</i></div><p><b>Now who is that going to be? Who cares? </b></p><p><b>Most celebrities don't. They don't have a VeRO (Verified Rights Owner) rep on eBay, since they don't want to pay somebody to expertly ferret out intellectual property abuses, or bother them with emails and attachments: "this looks like a forgery, confirm please" </b></p><p><b>Ebay states "we are JUST a venue," and it's not their responsibility to know what's legit or not. It's up to VeRO reps to point it out. Which is a Catch-22. </b></p><p><b>Fortunately, the odds of a Julie Newmar forgery being sold are a bit less. </b></p><p><b>Julie and I do care. While I don't have time to inspect every signed photo that turns up on eBay, and sometimes you do have to examine the photo in person to detect the cheat, the more egregious imposters get caught. </b></p><p><b>Here's a forger who offers a convincing Julie Newmar signed photo, even adding "Fondly," as Julie sometimes does. It's possible the seller Photoshopped a real "fondly, Julie Newmar" autograph off a photo with a white background, and then used a printer to spit that signature onto an 8x10. The only way for an expert to detect this kind of cheat is by knowing the peculiarities of printer ink over pen ink, or checking if the dealer offers a lot of pictures where "fondly Julie Newmar" happens to always be the same size and slant every time. </b></p><p><b>The mistake was to put the forgery on a Photoshop jobs where Julie's head is attached to the body of a dominatrix with a whip. The seller wanted to have a stand-out photo different from the usual Catwoman items on eBay...but it stood out a little TOO glaringly and he got caught. </b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DqgbgJJ0MI8/X0K2r7g3SuI/AAAAAAAAJKc/We7nnp8g_TULGz6QIvIRWIuj_gs3h6M9wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1038/FORGET%2BGET%2BME%2B2%2BWHIP.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="1038" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DqgbgJJ0MI8/X0K2r7g3SuI/AAAAAAAAJKc/We7nnp8g_TULGz6QIvIRWIuj_gs3h6M9wCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/FORGET%2BGET%2BME%2B2%2BWHIP.png" width="640" /></b></a></div><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>PETA is for the "ethical treatment" of animals. Some stars, including the Catwoman, believe in being ethical toward fans. She's on the side of justice in this case, and doesn't find the criminals quite so endearing and colorful as the ones in "Batman '66." It's easy to say "Caveat Emptor" (even if you don't know Latin) but if it doesn't take too much time to do a weekly check of eBay items, why not do it? As Sam Spade would say, forgeries are bad for business, bad all around. </b></p><p><b>Sometimes a seller racks up so many positives he becomes "top rated." If he gets caught offering a bone-headed fake, he MIGHT be able to avoid suspension by claiming it was an "honest mistake." </b></p><p><b>Ebay has NO firm rules on how many "honest mistakes" a seller can have before getting suspended. Here's a "top rated seller" who was headed for a $50 or perhaps $75 sale before his auction was stopped a few days short of completion: </b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mMlofS4QaLc/X0K39RHUusI/AAAAAAAAJKo/G15gE8DK-ScXBo0ikliYfs5m54UN6QlPACLcBGAsYHQ/s1308/FORGE%2BGET%2BME%2BNOT%2BLEE.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="1308" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mMlofS4QaLc/X0K39RHUusI/AAAAAAAAJKo/G15gE8DK-ScXBo0ikliYfs5m54UN6QlPACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/FORGE%2BGET%2BME%2BNOT%2BLEE.png" width="640" /></b></a></div><p><b>What I found galling about this guy's item was that line: "autograph obtained personally at Burbank Hollywood Autograph Show Last Year." Oh? When the lady in the photo is Lee, the movie Catwoman, not Julie, the TV Catwoman? </b></p><p><b>In this case, the forgery is fairly amateurish. Julie's robust "swoop" on the letter J is deflated, the N is all wrong, and there's no fluidity between the w and the m. There are some other imperfections as well, regarding spacing and angle, as well as where and when the pen momentarily stops between certain letters. </b></p><p><b>Here's a different problem: how many fans, dazzled by a $19.95 "bargain" know what RP means?</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-25Auj4RfLRo/X0U60NMLdPI/AAAAAAAAJK0/i4gzNzlqt4olLaw7EzaaMr3fxMIjKOcYQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1003/Julie%2BREPRINT-no%2Bdealer%2Bname.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="1003" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-25Auj4RfLRo/X0U60NMLdPI/AAAAAAAAJK0/i4gzNzlqt4olLaw7EzaaMr3fxMIjKOcYQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Julie%2BREPRINT-no%2Bdealer%2Bname.png" width="640" /></a></div><p><b>RP means REPRINT. "Caveat emptor" to those who didn't know that. A lot of sellers bury this bit of information in the fine print. Yes, these are removed. So are dupe photos in general, because the copyright owners, the studios, the photographers, the celebrities want their fans to get the best quality merchandise..."authorized." Why should a fan get a bad photo that will turn yellow in a few years, or fade? Not every celebrity or film/TV company cares about this, but many do. Disney is a well known example of a company that prides itself on protecting buyers from fakes. </b></p><p><b>Sadly not everyone knows that Julie's website offers very reasonable prices on autographed photos AND that she really does personalize them. She doesn't use a secretary. Actually, this brings up another point -- many famous stars do hand out "forgeries" all the time. Items sent in by mail to be signed are often faked by the secretary, which makes the star even less likely to care about what some eBay dealer is doing. This <i>is</i> unfortunate, because the odds are that a nefarious eBay dealer is a nefarious person in general, and the money going into the pocket of such a person might be financing other, worse illegal activities. </b></p><p><b>The fact is that nobody is going to "watch over you," and treat you like a "lost lamb" when you're wandering around a memorabilia convention or surfing eBay. Some owners of memorabilia events and some stars with VeRO reps on eBay do try to keep things ethical, but even with a super hero patrolling Gotham City, crimes do happen. </b></p><p><b>Unholy Forgeries! Yes, it happens on Catwoman and Batman pictures all the time, and the practice is <i>Purrrfectly Dastardly!</i> </b></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4972945395974078521.post-38624427770808482232020-08-13T12:51:00.004-07:002020-08-13T12:51:48.723-07:00Don't "Love That Bob" <p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Some people are a bit surprised that lovable sitcom legend Bob Cummings could be petty if not obnoxious on the set of "My Living Doll." It's always a bit surprising when somebody who projects a light or comic image is not always so pleasant (see: Godfrey, Arthur, see Cosby, Bill, etc. etc.) </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>It seems that Bob's reputation was well known, and in the decade after "My Living Doll," apparently got worse as his ability to find work decreased. Why else, this very odd moment from "The Match Game," airing in 1980? </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>FILL IN THE BLANK: </b></span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>“You may not know this, but after filming, Lassie goes to her dressing room, takes off her beautiful fur coat, and then the truth is known. Lassies is really a……….” </b></span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Robet Pine said chihuahua</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Brett Somers said greyhound</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Charles Nelson Reilly said cat…</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Bill Daily said… Robert Cummings </b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EMdLS8lYH50/XzWScRCMQ_I/AAAAAAAAJJ0/EAgXWcLovkwb-m0UhFP6zdgi6bdn7y0qACLcBGAsYHQ/s726/ROBERT%2BCUMMINGS.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="573" data-original-width="726" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EMdLS8lYH50/XzWScRCMQ_I/AAAAAAAAJJ0/EAgXWcLovkwb-m0UhFP6zdgi6bdn7y0qACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/ROBERT%2BCUMMINGS.png" width="640" /></b></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>ROBERT CUMMINGS?????</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>INSIDE A BITCH COSTUME?????</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>If you want to see for yourself, the episode is on YouTube:</b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fCyuzJnidjw" width="320" youtube-src-id="fCyuzJnidjw"></iframe></b></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Bob seemed to have an increasing amount of problems in his life, and Bill Daily, among others, knew it. They certainly knew that Bob had been married five times, and was known to take a Dr. Feelgood "vitamin" shot each day that happened to have some amphetamine in it. In fact, Bob was addicted to the drug since the late 50's, and not even the intervention of beloved TV personality Art Linkletter could cure him. Fortunately, like a variety of people from Peter Lorre to William Burroughs, Cummings was able to keep working by at least controlling the amount and duration of the needed "meds." Still, some fans who heard the rumors that he was linked to Dr. Feelgood (Dr. Max Jacobson) were a bit queasy about the doctor's claim that his special elixer was merely powerful herbs and vitamins along with...<span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-size: 14px;">sheep sperm and monkey gonads! </span></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Bill Daily, a long time member of the sitcom world as well as a Hollywood insider, probably knew of Bob's arrogance and nefarious scheming, which wasn't nearly as funny as the sitcom plots of his dopey shows, like "My Hero" his first TV outing circa 1952. He fired a writer on that show (he was already swell-headed). Soon after he made headlines when he refused to be handed a summons while in his car. Instead, he gunned the engine and dragged <span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-size: 14px;">LA County Deputy Sheriff William Conroy along a stretch of road. Lawsuits against Bob were not uncommon. Gossip columnist Hedda Hopper reported on four of them in the late 40's! </span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Cummings was a vegetarian, which is laudable. But not so laudable, and not so lawful, was his pyramid scheme in 1972 that ended up with complaints of fraud against "Bob Cummings Inc.," purveyor of vitamin supplements. Only three years later, squeaky clean Cummings was embarrassed by an arrest for owning a "blue box," which allowed him to make free phone calls. This was all quite the reverse of his image as a sitcom actor as Republican as Buddy Ebsen. </b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Cummings was a capable leading man in the 40's. He shouldn't be painted red like some kind of devil. He had his good points, and the fact that he was used so often in movies points to him being worth any minor troubles involved. </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Of course he became a big star thanks to his role as a leering Lothario in the "Love That Bob" sitcom (1955-1959). Too bad things slid after that. "The New Bob Cummings Show" flopped in 1961, and "My Living Doll" (1964-65) struggled with a killer time slot (opposite "Bonanza") and an iffy chemistry on screen and off between Cummings and Julie. The word is "iffy" because watching "My Living Doll" isn't too "cringeworthy" because of him. He has his moments where he gets some smiles registering chagrin, embarrassment and confusion over the sitcom plots and the uncontrollable and guileless behavior of the beautiful robot in his charge. He was aging; perhaps an actor more like Danny Kaye, twitching and swooning and pratfalling, or a sexless goofus ala Red Skelton doing similar takes and looks of surprise, could've worked better. A male with ANY kind of testosterone opposite a female robot that can be programmed...is going to raise, er, eyebrows. </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Given Bob's reputation as a creepy ladies man, many viewers were a bit uncomfortable wondering what a man who looked twice Julie's age, was doing with an easily-programmable robot. That he played a psychiatrist and "seemed" to have girlfriends in his life didn't reduce the smarm-level or raise his charm level. He never gave Rhoda a suggestive request? Really? </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>The role required finesse. Bob Crane was considered for the job, but he would've been worse. Crane, a truly creepy man off-stage, also exuded a strange sexual vibe. One would be even less trusting of him opposite Rhoda the Robot than Cummings. Jack Mullaney, who became the co-star when Cummings was finally fired, was a better choice, but he too had an air of untrustworthy desperation about him as 'Peter." The built-in solution on "I Dream of Jeannie" was having Larry Hagman play a stalwart astronaut...a man of impeccable morals. The solution on "Bewitched" was to have Samantha married to her man (as well as clearly someone with more power and control!) The solution on "My Favorite Martian" was to have two men co-starring. Could "My Living Doll" have worked if an Imogene Coca or aging Lucille Ball played opposite the robot? Hmm....</b></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4972945395974078521.post-50084590735805736772020-08-12T13:04:00.012-07:002020-08-12T13:40:29.929-07:00Yes, we remember the guy from the Portland Beavers who played Benjamin Pontipee <p><b> Sometimes Julie fans ask "Who was THAT guy?" </b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ekRTAokwyM/XzRDrOWD8jI/AAAAAAAAJIc/1dxFzizFoncxD2yGhVVI-BhHkcO0qIlQQCLcBGAsYHQ/s926/JEFF%2BRICHARDS%2Band%2BJulie.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="926" data-original-width="602" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ekRTAokwyM/XzRDrOWD8jI/AAAAAAAAJIc/1dxFzizFoncxD2yGhVVI-BhHkcO0qIlQQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/JEFF%2BRICHARDS%2Band%2BJulie.jpg" /></b></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><p><b>JEFF RICHARDS. </b></p><p><b>He passed away on July 28, 1989. For some who watched "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" on small square TV sets in the 60's and 70's, he was the guy you didn't always see. </b></p><p><b>He was matched with Julie because of his height, but somebody forgot to note that while he had been an amateur baseball player (for the Portland Beavers) he was not much of a dancer. So...in the widescreen scenes, he and partner Julie were usually placed at the far end, with the better dancing couples in the middle. When "fitted for your screen," he (and Julie) disappeared entirely. </b></p><p><b>One of the more "authentic" brothers in the film, Richard Mansfield Taylor actually was born in rugged lumber territory; Oregon (November 1, 1924). Oregon is the setting for "Seven Brides," of course.</b></p><p><b>After Navy service, the 22 year-old joined the Portland Beavers as a shortstop, and moved on to the Seattle Senators. At that time, there were no West Coast professional baseball teams, so he wasn't scouted by either the S.F. Giants or L.A. Dodgers. After a ligament injury, the tall, good-looking ex-athlete turned to a career in movies. He played a baseball player in the 1950 comedy "Kill the Umpire," and was signed to MGM the following year. That's when Richard Taylor became Jeff Richards. </b></p><p><b>He played a baseball player - again - in "Angels in the Outfield" (1951) and yet again in "Big Leaguer" (1954). That was the year, age 30, he became one of the brothers in "Seven Brides..." He was nearly a decade younger than his dance partner. </b></p><p><b>His career kicked into gear with "The Marauders" (1955) and "The Opposite Sex" (1956), where he didn't quite have seven bride possibilities, but wasn't doing badly at all. You might recognize Joan Collins and Ann Miller among his admirers.</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W7pRaDrPLrU/XzRRSY0568I/AAAAAAAAJI4/84NDiKUuAPg6gH5a474W3FlELB3cgdp6ACLcBGAsYHQ/s757/Joan%2BCollins%2BAnn%2BMiller%2BTHE%2BOPPOSITE%2BSEX.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="713" data-original-width="757" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W7pRaDrPLrU/XzRRSY0568I/AAAAAAAAJI4/84NDiKUuAPg6gH5a474W3FlELB3cgdp6ACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Joan%2BCollins%2BAnn%2BMiller%2BTHE%2BOPPOSITE%2BSEX.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><b><br /></b><p></p><p><b>While some of the other guys who played brothers in "Seven Brides" didn't amount to much, and may not have been able to put their arms around many or any famous women, Richards was considered a very promising star in his 30's. Mamie Van Doren is a victim of rope in this odd publicity still for the 1958 cult item "Born Reckless." </b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uPjtsnZY9DQ/XzRRxDMCLsI/AAAAAAAAJJE/iWGgs-j-J5oW5foM3TJbb_0ZoPjFrmRVACLcBGAsYHQ/s723/MAMIE%2BVAN%2BDOREN%2Bborn%2Breckless%2B1958.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="592" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uPjtsnZY9DQ/XzRRxDMCLsI/AAAAAAAAJJE/iWGgs-j-J5oW5foM3TJbb_0ZoPjFrmRVACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/MAMIE%2BVAN%2BDOREN%2Bborn%2Breckless%2B1958.png" /></a></div><b><br /></b><p></p><p><b>Not one to brood over those "sobbin'" women in "Seven Brides," Jeff moved on to the "Island of Lost Women" in 1959 with John Smith. A variation on "sword and sandals" flicks, it was a bare chests & sarongs epic. If the film was re-made today, it might be the men in sarongs and the women showing the bare chests. </b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vbo4_KlwA40/XzRJ-M8EpgI/AAAAAAAAJIo/0bET4ky0r5o5L8jUTuDdhBPXJUFLxbx7wCLcBGAsYHQ/s809/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-08-12%2Bat%2B3.57.37%2BPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="809" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vbo4_KlwA40/XzRJ-M8EpgI/AAAAAAAAJIo/0bET4ky0r5o5L8jUTuDdhBPXJUFLxbx7wCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-08-12%2Bat%2B3.57.37%2BPM.png" width="640" /></b></a></div><p><b>Starring roles in mediocre films and TV shows didn't help his career. He starred in the forgotten "It's a Dog's Life" (1955) and "Secret of the Purple Reef" (1960). Well, the ONLY other young brother from "Seven Brides" to actually be the star of a movie was Russ Tamblyn, so nice going, Mr. Richards. PS, you were fortunate not to get a dog bite in that 1955 epic...</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ctoLS1qyH0/XzRSjrt1J2I/AAAAAAAAJJU/HsdDjI2Ri-AHPCRU8xZZ7qhQX5PKvAdKACLcBGAsYHQ/s748/DODGGYS%2BLIFE.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="748" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ctoLS1qyH0/XzRSjrt1J2I/AAAAAAAAJJU/HsdDjI2Ri-AHPCRU8xZZ7qhQX5PKvAdKACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DODGGYS%2BLIFE.png" width="640" /></a></div><b><br /></b><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hyTlqu77L70/XzRSC6I5KuI/AAAAAAAAJJM/NF7Mcex1Qkk6VsmuSd8QBajAUTbb7wclQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1109/SECRET%2BOF%2BTHE%2BPURPLE%2BREEF.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="878" data-original-width="1109" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hyTlqu77L70/XzRSC6I5KuI/AAAAAAAAJJM/NF7Mcex1Qkk6VsmuSd8QBajAUTbb7wclQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/SECRET%2BOF%2BTHE%2BPURPLE%2BREEF.png" width="640" /></a></div><b><br /></b><p></p><p><b>Richards was the title character "Jefferson Drum" in 26 episodes of the NBC series (1958-59). </b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dQfOzjBZWFE/XzRTrSz5UzI/AAAAAAAAJJo/pxX9-mQmmNom7P4u3WPbKrUW_fXRuVFZACLcBGAsYHQ/s759/JEFFERSON.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="759" data-original-width="476" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dQfOzjBZWFE/XzRTrSz5UzI/AAAAAAAAJJo/pxX9-mQmmNom7P4u3WPbKrUW_fXRuVFZACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/JEFFERSON.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p><b>So, "that guy" who was just another brother in a favorite film musical, actually was quite a guy, with some starring opportunities on TV and in film, and a pretty good credit list in the 50's. </b></p><p><b>After a six-year drought, his last screen appearance was in "Waco" (1966) starring his pal from the "Seven Brides" days, Howard Keel. </b></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4972945395974078521.post-45957788992014165582020-08-12T11:16:00.008-07:002020-08-12T11:17:54.851-07:00Zoom Blah! or..."Caption This, Please." <p><b>You've seen it on social media all the time: "CAPTION THIS!" </b></p><p><b>Somebody tosses a photo and people are supposed to have fun imagining what could be said. </b></p><p><b>IMAGINING is the fun part. Seeing what people contribute usually isn't. So, just IMAGINE what could be going on and...keep it to yourself! </b></p><p><b>What exactly this is, well, it looks like a ZOOM question and answer session, and Julie does a few of these, which usually involves the usual Catwoman questions and appropriate gushing praise for a living legend.</b></p><p><b>She's always been polite to those amateurs who point a camcorder at her at a memorabilia show and say "This is going on YouTube" or "I have a Public Access TV Show!!!" </b></p><p><b>What harm does it do? Not a lot. During the pandemic, "ZOOM BLAB" is pretty vital. For months, Stephen Colbert and the professionals have been training their cameras on themselves, and doing remote interviews with people. It beats re-runs. </b></p><p><b>So here we have what looks like the West Hollywood version of Bill Maher, clutching a teddy bear and asking questions...make up your own scenario to explain Julie's expressions. Looks like a pretty hilarious Q&A -- well, the guy is certainly having the time of his life and he sure gets reactions! </b></p><p><b>It does confirm that Julie is a fantastic mime, and could've been a huge star in silent films, a rival of Mabel Normand! </b></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U1NMR_RLGeE/XzQw2kFIQ4I/AAAAAAAAJHY/kw5rWisoMYQadG28SYSXQZuR3Jo8HtoJACLcBGAsYHQ/s720/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-08-11%2Bat%2B7.21.51%2BPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="219" data-original-width="720" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U1NMR_RLGeE/XzQw2kFIQ4I/AAAAAAAAJHY/kw5rWisoMYQadG28SYSXQZuR3Jo8HtoJACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-08-11%2Bat%2B7.21.51%2BPM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-odfdKQUXwrA/XzQw2lEbasI/AAAAAAAAJHU/qcFM86Yw4iAQKnK7DReYGukouXNa0igYACLcBGAsYHQ/s720/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-08-11%2Bat%2B7.22.12%2BPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="207" data-original-width="720" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-odfdKQUXwrA/XzQw2lEbasI/AAAAAAAAJHU/qcFM86Yw4iAQKnK7DReYGukouXNa0igYACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-08-11%2Bat%2B7.22.12%2BPM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sV6EeIuo5Sc/XzQw3P66n0I/AAAAAAAAJHc/oZyO2KsGWhwfFgKXnEe59CiTV5cfujVrwCLcBGAsYHQ/s720/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-08-11%2Bat%2B7.22.49%2BPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="218" data-original-width="720" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sV6EeIuo5Sc/XzQw3P66n0I/AAAAAAAAJHc/oZyO2KsGWhwfFgKXnEe59CiTV5cfujVrwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-08-11%2Bat%2B7.22.49%2BPM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CNtQlD-Z35Q/XzQw3VWnHBI/AAAAAAAAJHg/fS0yuiGrzE8d44eFzNxEdxOPVf9IguQhgCLcBGAsYHQ/s720/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-08-11%2Bat%2B7.23.08%2BPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="222" data-original-width="720" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CNtQlD-Z35Q/XzQw3VWnHBI/AAAAAAAAJHg/fS0yuiGrzE8d44eFzNxEdxOPVf9IguQhgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-08-11%2Bat%2B7.23.08%2BPM.png" width="640" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><img border="0" data-original-height="222" data-original-width="720" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YR1QZBfoyf8/XzQw33zx-eI/AAAAAAAAJHs/jWNwQ7sOgQE_nqbbzYy7OUfi-4iIlH1rgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-08-11%2Bat%2B7.24.25%2BPM.png" width="640" /><div><br /></div><div><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="720" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fabg79xvQvA/XzQw2sSlwqI/AAAAAAAAJHQ/PVHR5yIB7zQhczo9DZhjP_p1MnPWLDRRgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-08-11%2Bat%2B7.21.23%2BPM.png" width="640" /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JX87IanG9Ug/XzQw3V1Sf7I/AAAAAAAAJHk/YPO_vV63Mogm879ZJLFojjRyokPj3lD8wCLcBGAsYHQ/s684/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-08-11%2Bat%2B7.23.23%2BPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="204" data-original-width="684" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JX87IanG9Ug/XzQw3V1Sf7I/AAAAAAAAJHk/YPO_vV63Mogm879ZJLFojjRyokPj3lD8wCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-08-11%2Bat%2B7.23.23%2BPM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7OIuwVaP618/XzQw3p6XYtI/AAAAAAAAJHo/ygK2F61brlMg6auNv9QzvSNFeZEsTBUHwCLcBGAsYHQ/s785/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-08-11%2Bat%2B7.24.03%2BPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="242" data-original-width="785" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7OIuwVaP618/XzQw3p6XYtI/AAAAAAAAJHo/ygK2F61brlMg6auNv9QzvSNFeZEsTBUHwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-08-11%2Bat%2B7.24.03%2BPM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WpW9okPS-fg/XzQw4Hn0jvI/AAAAAAAAJHw/vQhpVYq-T8w8_VlZ9u0ypnXyRzVUjUUpwCLcBGAsYHQ/s720/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-08-11%2Bat%2B7.25.47%2BPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="228" data-original-width="720" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WpW9okPS-fg/XzQw4Hn0jvI/AAAAAAAAJHw/vQhpVYq-T8w8_VlZ9u0ypnXyRzVUjUUpwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-08-11%2Bat%2B7.25.47%2BPM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tdSZguwtMoI/XzQw4aoHwTI/AAAAAAAAJH0/rT2UNJjHe4g0GkaQtx_QS_xbdB6CalODQCLcBGAsYHQ/s720/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-08-11%2Bat%2B7.26.03%2BPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="227" data-original-width="720" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tdSZguwtMoI/XzQw4aoHwTI/AAAAAAAAJH0/rT2UNJjHe4g0GkaQtx_QS_xbdB6CalODQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-08-11%2Bat%2B7.26.03%2BPM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8LMecJnjd8g/XzQw4jzjzLI/AAAAAAAAJH4/cpBooeOWgkwbY16RLz439baVxXAzISTqwCLcBGAsYHQ/s720/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-08-11%2Bat%2B7.26.46%2BPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="233" data-original-width="720" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8LMecJnjd8g/XzQw4jzjzLI/AAAAAAAAJH4/cpBooeOWgkwbY16RLz439baVxXAzISTqwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-08-11%2Bat%2B7.26.46%2BPM.png" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4972945395974078521.post-82145674573670011532020-08-10T19:52:00.002-07:002020-08-10T19:52:23.373-07:00BEN BLUE WAS JULIE NEWMAR'S MAIN SQUEEZE - LITERALLY<b>Julie and I are always looking for her "lost" TV shows. <p>
Over the years, many have turned up, and (copyright permitting) some clips have been shared on YouTube. One item that may not exist anymore is from "ALL-STAR REVUE." </p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cvjkzgiI9OM/XxhwYBg7pEI/AAAAAAAAJAw/VtupzirYy8YbclYSCQm8ti3ag9mma0OqwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/TALU%2BAND%2BGEORGE%2BTOO.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="456" data-original-width="421" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cvjkzgiI9OM/XxhwYBg7pEI/AAAAAAAAJAw/VtupzirYy8YbclYSCQm8ti3ag9mma0OqwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/TALU%2BAND%2BGEORGE%2BTOO.png" width="369" /></a></div> <p>
The early variety show struggled along for several seasons, never as successful as "The Colgate Comedy Hour" or the later "Show of Shows," both existing today thanks to kinescopes (16mm camera to TV screen) made as the live shows aired. </p><p>
It was expensive to make kinescopes, but some stars were egomaniacs and some fans were archivists and we thank them for taking the time and spending the money! </p><p>
UNFORTUNATELY, few were intent on preserving "ALL-STAR REVUE," which was originally titled "FOUR STAR REVUE" after the four alternating hosts. By the third season, Ed Wynn was burned out, Danny Thomas was gone, and the two main hosts were Tallulah Bankhead alternating with George Jessel.</p><p>
George hosted seven episodes. Tallulah hosted six. Turning up to host one show: Rosalind Russell, Perry Como, the Ritz Brothers, Olsen and Johnson, Bob Hope, Ben Blue and Dennis Day. Several second bananas turned up quite a few times, including Ben Blue. </p><p>
Mr. Blue was a slim, sad-faced guy who some thought of as a junior Buster Keaton. THIS guy: </p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oimkU1KhQ8o/Xxnk_hX0rjI/AAAAAAAAJBQ/unZPvoAWXgI6ulIuDOTQAus0E4E92IJwwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/BEN%2BBLUE%2BSTRAW%2BHAT.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oimkU1KhQ8o/Xxnk_hX0rjI/AAAAAAAAJBQ/unZPvoAWXgI6ulIuDOTQAus0E4E92IJwwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/BEN%2BBLUE%2BSTRAW%2BHAT.png" width="255" /></a></div>
<p>
He usually wasn't smiling, and neither was Julie Newmar after her scene with him. </p><p>
Ben Blue hosted on March 28th 1953, but Julie recalls that George Jessel was the star of the episode that featured her in an uncredited comic dance number. It was April 18th 1953, the last show for the season, and the last appearance for Julie because "I had to be taped up after Ben Blue got his arms around me!" </p><p>
Rib-tickler Ben turned out to be a rib-cracker. While hoisting Julie in the air for a comical dance moment, he accidentally did some serious damage to a few of her ribs. She completed her scene of course, but perhaps after that, she thought of her co-star as Ben Black And Blue. </p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WHHxSUIc7Gg/XxnlI_JQ3xI/AAAAAAAAJBU/0M3keIEKl7MGUVFH8zSo6ycrik51bjeawCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Blue%2Band%2BStatuesque%2BBlonde.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="503" data-original-width="542" height="297" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WHHxSUIc7Gg/XxnlI_JQ3xI/AAAAAAAAJBU/0M3keIEKl7MGUVFH8zSo6ycrik51bjeawCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Blue%2Band%2BStatuesque%2BBlonde.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<p>
Ben Blue did a lot of comical dance numbers when he guested on the "ALL-STAR REVUE," usually with a statuesque woman much taller than he. More desperate than amusing now, at the time, audiences howled at his wobbly-legged dancing and his gawping at the unattainable he was trying to impress. </p><p>Viewers were tolerant in that naive age, and laughed at mime acts that involved dense dopes tripping over their feet, constantly dropping their hats or gloves, or repeatedly getting an arm caught in a coat sleeve. It was a slower-paced time when people didn't yell "GET ON WITH IT!" Those were the days when Mr. Hulot could take a holiday and people were impressed. </p><p>
While Keaton's comedy was witty and well-timed, vaudevillians like Ben Blue were obvious and goofy. His segments on "All Star Revue" didn't vary much as he performed the same schtick over and over. The tall blonde you see above could've had the same fate as Julie. Who knows, maybe instead of a broken rib she ended up with a stomped toe. </p><p>
The two sequences above were from the February 14th 1953 episode hosted by Perry Como — one of only a half-dozen surviving episodes of the series. </p><p>Still lost are scenes that somebody should've been recording off the flickery TV screen: a sketch featuring Martha Raye, Boris Karloff and Peter Lorre...Tallulah doing a dramatic monologue as Nurse Edith Cavell and getting laughs with a Scarlett O'Hara parody on "Gone With the Wind..." young Johnny Carson in a doctor sketch...arias from Rise Stevens and "I'm Gonna Live Till I Die" from Connie Russell...so many other magic moments.</p><p>
What we know about the missing episodes of "All Star Revue" comes mainly from the weekly reviews in the trade newspaper Variety. IMDB doesn't even list Julie's "All Star Revue" show because, like the two women above, most of the extras were "uncredited," and not mentioned by name in Variety reviews. </p><p>
At the time, Julie was doing uncredited scenes in movies (including "The I Don't Care Girl" "Band Wagon" and "Farmer Takes a Wife" all released in 1953). </p><p>
It's long odds and a tall order that somebody will discover a kinescope of the show featuring short Ben and his tall dance partner Julie. Do we have hope? Hope, yes. When Bob hosted the show, he had the money and the ego to demand that somebody kinescope it for him. Also surviving, a shows hosted by Danny Thomas, The Ritz Brothers and Olsen and Johnson. </p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R8rUmxA8CFk/XxnodQCJslI/AAAAAAAAJBk/8q0FjAFIWDEnaRs8Fro3YISKAFTJtKRXQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/ALL%2BSTAR%2BREVUE%2BSIGN.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="761" height="235" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R8rUmxA8CFk/XxnodQCJslI/AAAAAAAAJBk/8q0FjAFIWDEnaRs8Fro3YISKAFTJtKRXQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/ALL%2BSTAR%2BREVUE%2BSIGN.png" width="320" /></a></div> <p>
Fortunately Julie's first sitcom guest spot was on "The Phil Silvers Show," and it was filmed. Fans love that one, and she was the hit of the episode, and did get billing: Julie Newmeyer. </p><p> </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p></b>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4972945395974078521.post-24596282558792243102020-08-10T19:36:00.004-07:002020-08-10T19:36:56.740-07:00It was JULIE NEVMEN in YUGOSLAVIA<p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Ah! JULIE NEVMEN!!! </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>So gasped the Yugoslavians when they went to see "Marriage-go-Round." Somehow James Mason's name was the only one that wasn't "translated." </b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VlKRWm2nVjI/XzIEAqu8hqI/AAAAAAAAJHE/hzV3JmYfK8koFn46LIAHkOBLJwgtRB0HgCLcBGAsYHQ/s856/JULIE%2BNEVMEN.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="856" data-original-width="594" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VlKRWm2nVjI/XzIEAqu8hqI/AAAAAAAAJHE/hzV3JmYfK8koFn46LIAHkOBLJwgtRB0HgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/JULIE%2BNEVMEN.png" /></a></div><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4972945395974078521.post-39421567533340570562020-08-03T09:12:00.000-07:002020-08-03T09:12:07.396-07:00Auctioning off Julie Newmar #1 <b>A little over $50 to get 5 negatives of Julie lounging in the grass...<P>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GDQdzTJKvPU/Xyg3OIHhz1I/AAAAAAAAJFs/RlUaZQJKUwsohp10NteLl8UWPG1_fo2jACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/50%2Bbucks.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GDQdzTJKvPU/Xyg3OIHhz1I/AAAAAAAAJFs/RlUaZQJKUwsohp10NteLl8UWPG1_fo2jACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/50%2Bbucks.png" width="400" height="134" data-original-width="713" data-original-height="238" /></a></div>
<P>
Including...<P></b>
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$102 for a strip of five negatives...<P>
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including...<P></b>
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Brett Somers on "The Match Game." <P>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4972945395974078521.post-68751527734149106982020-07-25T12:34:00.000-07:002020-07-27T15:43:44.425-07:00THE DONALD vs THE CATWOMAN<b>
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<P>
You're right, Donald. <P>
Far right, in fact. <P>
On Facebook, Julie sometimes mentions some outrageous decision or statement from The Donald (as ex-wife Ivana called him). Usually she writes with a sigh or a good-natured quip since she has a great sense of humor. <P>
Too bad the loonies and trolls on Facebook respond with insults, and can't curb their enthusiasm for being obnoxious. <P>
Some can't wait to unload their bile. Recently Julie posted a reminder that photos are for sale on her website. Many respond happily, but that last one? The Trump troll? <P>
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<P>
Stars get hundreds and thousands of comments on Facebook and Twitter. They don't have the time to read all of it. They are given the highlights if they ask. That's why most of this stuff gets no response or comment. Few stars ever engage or provoke trolls. <P>
Still, it's sad that people think their offensive behavior will be tolerated (there are ways of BLOCKING abuse). It's especially obnoxious when they use profanity or hurtful and highly-charged words. <P>
"Libtard" is a favorite among Trump fans. They've seen Trump mimicking the handicapped, almost as often as he's spewed insults at people, mocked with name-calling, or responded to questions with rudeness. <P>
"Libtard" combines Liberal and Retard. Retard is an antiquated word for someone with Down Syndrome, someone such as Julie's son. <P>
Anyone who checks Julie's Facebook page has seen her loving pictures of John, so using the term is clearly meant with malice. <P>
It's so ignorant of Trump's bottom-feeders to single out anyone who didn't vote for Trump when MORE THAN HALF THE COUNTRY didn't vote for him. <P>
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<P>
When Julie, or anyone offers an opinion or statement on their Facebook page, the key thing to remember is "THEIR FACEBOOK PAGE." <P>
You're a guest on that page. Be polite. Is that too much to ask? <P>
Perhaps it is, because fans of Donald are only aping his own insensitivity and un-Presidential behavior. <P>
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The reporter was Serge Kovaleski who often covered Trump. Trump would claim he never heard of the man, never saw him, and it was just a coincidence that he gestured the way he did. That claim of innocence has been debunked. <P>
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If the original post doesn't include profanity or troll-language, the response shouldn't either. <P>
Oh, 1966. "Batman '66." <P>
Simpler times. <P>
The villains were cartoonish but pretty harmless. <P>
Batman took care of jokers. <P>
Catwoman? Don't even THINK about it, Mr. Trump...<P>
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</b>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4972945395974078521.post-36356130666489880502020-07-20T15:44:00.000-07:002020-07-21T10:34:53.188-07:00Carl Reiner, Howard Morris...Nude Julie and a Bubbly Bathtub<p>
.
<P>
<b>
The passing of Carl Reiner led to many fond recollections of his work as both an actor, writer and director. His connection to Julie Newmar was casting her in an episode of “Good Heavens.” The show only lasted 13 episodes (February 1976-June 1976). He concept, not the most original, was Carl playing an angel granting wishes to suitable mortals. <P>
So far no episodes seem to have turned up via “the usual suspects” in the bootleg world, but who knows, Netflix or some cable channel may re-discover it someday. <P>
I met Carl several times, and he was just as you’ve seen him, a funny, mild-mannered, really nice guy. <P>
He had humility. I was at the press screening for “All of Me.” The audience roared with laughter and applauded as the lights came up, but there was Carl Reiner, standing in the lobby, calling out as people were leaving: “How did you like it? How was it?” <P>
One of the highlights on “The Dick Van Dyke Show” was the episode where Laura Petrie gets her toe stuck in the bathtub spout. It was, Carl said, inspired by a true-life incident. Is there anyone who hasn’t idly stuck their toe in the spout? <P>
Carl said that what that show classic was because of what wasn’t seen: Mary Tyler Moore naked in that bathtub. Every plaintive cry from behind the locked door brought more and more laughs. It was all in the imagination of the audience, until the end when, covered thanks to husband Rob breaking down the door, the plumber could set her free. <P>
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Julie Newmar would take it further and longer via an 11 minute segment on “Love American Style.” <P>
The director was Howard Morris, who had not only appeared in a memorable “Dick Van Dyke Show” episode himself (as an eccentric art expert) but had worked with Carl Reiner much earlier on “Your Show of Shows.” <P>
Julie's a famous actress taking a bath before her wedding. She talks to the groom on the phone and idly...gets her toe stuck. <P>
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<P>
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<P>
A wise comedy director knows better than to coach Julie Newmar. When you have a formidable living presence like Julie, you just let her be both the “straight” and the “comic.” She’s one of the very few who can get “reaction laughs,” just by facial expression. In this case, it was a collection of stares and glares as Charlie Callas played an inept plumber making odd noises and lapsing into Cary Grant and bird impressions while trying to figure out how to extricate a toe from a faucet. At first he's blindfolded and gets lots of laughs groping around the room and around Julie. He gets even more when he realizes what famous star is now in front of him and behind only bubbles. <P>
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<P>
It was an interesting comedy exercise; Julie and Charlie didn’t really work together. Director Morris had some two-shots (as you see above), but there were plenty of close-ups. The viewer saw Charlie’s heated excitement and the alternately cool reactions of Julie to his clowning and her cat-like howls of frustration over still being stuck in the tub. <P>
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Callas was a gifted clown. Like Jerry Lewis, some found him hard to take and undisciplined. I remember attending a Friars event with both Jerry Lewis and Charlie Callas among the guests. Those two naturally gravitated toward each other, like a mugging showdown. They drew their weapons: their faces, and “gurned” at each other, seeing who would break up first. It was a social situation, there were no video cameras or reporters around. This is something they did naturally. <P>
It ended in a draw, when Howard Cosell came over to tell them that the banquet was starting. They both attacked him with oddball expressions till he helplessly laughed and turned away. <P>
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The big difference between Mary Tylor Moore’s bathtub scene and Julie’s, is that Julie was in front of the camera the whole time. You didn’t have to imagine her. As fantastic a comedy talent as Mary was, the laughs would’ve been ruined if she’d been in view. Laura Petrie in that kind of trouble is cringeworthy. Julie’s never played “mortified,” and her character here is a sophisticated actress. The longer the scene lasted, the better, with a few added twists (the groom arriving, and a cop played by always droll Richard Stahl) keeping the scene and the bathtub bubbles frothy. Props to the prop man who had to periodically stir up the suds and add more bubbles. (A tough job, but somebody had to do it…and do it…about two dozen times during the many hours it took to film the sequence). <P>
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The very first “stuck in a bathtub” scene involving a fabulous star was in “The 7 Year Itch.” Hangdog sap Tom Ewell frets over Marilyn Monroe needing a plumber’s helper. Another coincidence: Julie knew Marilyn. They were both at 20th Century Fox at the same time, and had a history of studying acting with the top teachers in New York. She discussed Marilyn briefly with my friend Norman Mailer on a classic episode of “The Mike Douglas Show.” <P>
The scene in the movie is less than 30 seconds. As good as Marilyn was, and as much of a pro as Victor Moore was as the plumber, there was no way that scene could’ve been extended. Marilyn was way too vulnerable/sexual and old, doleful Victor could only get a few laughs over his embarrassment and lust. About 15 extra seconds were snipped out of the finished film: a moment where Victor Moore accidentally drops his wrench and has to fish it out of the tub. Did he accidentally touch Monroe in the wrong place while doing it? The way it was filmed just wasn’t funny, it was just…uncomfortable. With Callas in “Love American Style,” director Morris made sure that Charlie got the wrench in one hand and only Julie’s shapely leg in the other.<P>
And so, only Julie Newmar is the memorable actress doing a comical bathtub scene involving a plumber trying to get her unstuck — in full view of the audience. Julie would appear in two more segments of “Love American Style” as well as in a segment of a pilot film (“Fools, Females and Fun”) that was intended to be a rival as a saucy short story collection. This one remains her favorite. <P>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g2VdBqer_z0/XxcnMT1p4JI/AAAAAAAAI_o/j6rni2aUuzgorotzsLQKAZu4qXIbuHGEgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/JULIE%2BETUB%2BCROWD.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g2VdBqer_z0/XxcnMT1p4JI/AAAAAAAAI_o/j6rni2aUuzgorotzsLQKAZu4qXIbuHGEgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/JULIE%2BETUB%2BCROWD.png" width="400" height="303" data-original-width="611" data-original-height="463" /></a></div>
</b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4972945395974078521.post-62154119031132202302020-07-18T10:17:00.004-07:002020-07-19T08:36:08.354-07:00A 50's or 60's PANDEMIC? "It could've happened!" <P>
.
<P> <b>It was predicted. <P>
From the locusts of the Bible to the plagues of Europe mere mortals have worried about pandemics caused by nature-gone-nuts. <P>
After the "Spanish Flu" (which sickened 500 million people and lasted from February 1918 to April 1920), the question was: "when will it happen again?" Albert Camus wrote "The Plague" in 1947. <P>
"Panic in the Streets" (1950) was a film about a "pneumonic plague" spreading through a city. <P>
Books and newspaper editorials cautioned "better hygiene" and "vegetarianism." <P>
It may be a modest surprise that after SARS and EBOLA, this COVID-19 packed more of a wallop? <P>
What would've happened if this thing happened a few decades earlier? <P>
Perhaps one of Julie's movies would've been about the problem! <P>
What if Dorcas or Katrin or Stupefyin' Jones had to be concerned about a lethal form of flu?? <P>
Maybe the script would've been Abbott & Costello silly ("When the flu flies, we must flee" - yes the actually did such a routine). We do need comedy to help cope with tragedy. Late night talk show hosts tell Covid jokes and we've all seen a variety of comical mask memes on social media. <P>
How about a moment...where the citizens of Dogpatch, USA start acting SMART, and wear masks, and don't wait for 10,000 to be infected in one day! <P>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1vgcsRSH6mI/XxMvY3l8DEI/AAAAAAAAI88/0hC32OYdDB8FSd4Ikq6qSl5f8b-zujV0gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/LIL%2BCORONA.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1vgcsRSH6mI/XxMvY3l8DEI/AAAAAAAAI88/0hC32OYdDB8FSd4Ikq6qSl5f8b-zujV0gCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/LIL%2BCORONA.png" width="326" height="400" data-original-width="590" data-original-height="724" /></a></div>
<P>
A film might point out that if there's a paper shortage, ladies can make masks out of underwear or nightgowns...<P>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iiq_wXwe1ok/XxMtLruSAzI/AAAAAAAAI8g/aNwK9khT2rou3yKk-3r4WLYy1uzBHq4qwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/SEVEN%2BBRIDES%2BCOVID.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iiq_wXwe1ok/XxMtLruSAzI/AAAAAAAAI8g/aNwK9khT2rou3yKk-3r4WLYy1uzBHq4qwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/SEVEN%2BBRIDES%2BCOVID.png" width="400" height="301" data-original-width="893" data-original-height="672" /></a></div>
<P>
And finally, a film might instruct sophisticated city people to stay safe! <P>
Katrin: "What if, after the pandemic, we take off our masks and make a baby? A genius and a blonde get together to have the perfect child!" <P>
Professor Delville: "Yes, but what if the child ended up a boy with blonde hair and no intelligence? What would happen?" <P>
Katrin: "He might grow up to be Donald, the President of the United States!" <P></b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J8QnyLg8ZEA/XxMuc41-JyI/AAAAAAAAI80/b7yhZ7zZuE4ploiGzbJ8bV_azcE31Z1rwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/VIRUS-GO-ROUND.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J8QnyLg8ZEA/XxMuc41-JyI/AAAAAAAAI80/b7yhZ7zZuE4ploiGzbJ8bV_azcE31Z1rwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/VIRUS-GO-ROUND.png" width="400" height="325" data-original-width="797" data-original-height="648" /></a></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4972945395974078521.post-83694443717239577722020-07-18T09:04:00.004-07:002020-07-18T09:05:39.504-07:00Nuts and Bolts -- "Rhoda" and "Catwoman" <b>An amusing Photoshop artist recently added nuts and bolts and various cast-off junk to one of Julie's Catwoman portraits. She was delighted, and put it on Facebook: <P>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wWgPy1Xo01M/XxMcmmbo_qI/AAAAAAAAI8M/RN68_gvgQHECnumJq_DIO1Ae8uaSedKswCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-07-18%2Bat%2B11.56.33%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wWgPy1Xo01M/XxMcmmbo_qI/AAAAAAAAI8M/RN68_gvgQHECnumJq_DIO1Ae8uaSedKswCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-07-18%2Bat%2B11.56.33%2BAM.png" width="286" height="400" data-original-width="504" data-original-height="704" /></a></div>
<P>
As she always does, she made sure to give "credit to the clever," and who knows, the publicity might help this guy do for junk-garbage what Warhol did for soup cans. <P>
The image recalls another artwork of metallic objects: Rhoda the Robot as envisioned in the opening "My Living Doll" credits: <P>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7u9NLnzek6U/XxMdLHNKd_I/AAAAAAAAI8U/ryUUFQlGiSAlnKQRqNUmph5WyhAYJjjbACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-07-18%2Bat%2B11.58.03%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7u9NLnzek6U/XxMdLHNKd_I/AAAAAAAAI8U/ryUUFQlGiSAlnKQRqNUmph5WyhAYJjjbACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-07-18%2Bat%2B11.58.03%2BAM.png" width="400" height="305" data-original-width="782" data-original-height="596" /></a></div> <P>
It's been said that a great performer could get attention "reciting the phone book." <P>
Yes, and a bombastic beauty like Julie Newmar can look good even wearing hunks of metal junk! <P> </b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4972945395974078521.post-29126592420007367222020-07-02T10:26:00.001-07:002020-07-19T08:28:56.563-07:00Some DOLLS are still Lost....<b>Julie recently posted a photo from a lost episode of "My Living Doll." <P>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8K1xeRjemO0/Xv4UCjtytEI/AAAAAAAAI5g/hEupWM0vVrIMs9XQCaY1p9b8hn1e4su4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/JULIE%2BLOST%2BFILM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8K1xeRjemO0/Xv4UCjtytEI/AAAAAAAAI5g/hEupWM0vVrIMs9XQCaY1p9b8hn1e4su4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/JULIE%2BLOST%2BFILM.png" width="271" height="400" data-original-width="536" data-original-height="792" /></a></div>
<P>
Were the missing episodes of "My Living Doll" destroyed, in some weird act of vandalism? No. <P>
Were they crushed under the rubble of some mythical earthquake at CBS? No, wrong again. <P>
While there was a fire at the Universal Studios Hollywood backlot, it happened in 2008, and most of what was destroyed involved audio masters of recordings issued by their subsidiary and acquired labels including MCA, ABC, A&M and Geffen. <P>
As best as can be determined, "My Living Doll" is simply among the misfiled. With a generally sloppy attitude toward preserving TV shows for future use (most quiz shows, soap operas and talk shows were on videotape which was ERASED to re-use), it's no surprise that a one-season program with little chance for re-run life, would be lost. <P>
Quiz shows? Of about 1750 episodes of "The Match Game" broadcast in the 60's, less than a dozen exist. "Pyramid" quiz shows hosted by Dick Clark are gone. From "Joe Pyne Show" to "Les Crane" and "Wally George," few thought to keep topical talk shows, and what survives is often just a Kinescope made by somebody who was guest on the show and hired someone to preserve it. Quiz host Dennis James kept copies of most of the shows he was on, but when he passed on, all that material disappeared. Sometimes items are willed to libraries or TV museums, but they're for "viewing only," at the locale, and by appointment.<P>
There wasn't home video yet (home VCR's weren't affordable till around 1980) so nobody was thinking, "we can sell these shows..." <P>
Huge chunks or small portions of various filmed TV series are missing, from "Andy's Gang" and "The Goldbergs" to "Have Gone Will Travel." When the latter was finally licensed for DVD, complete seasons had to be cobbled from both 35mm and 16mm prints. <P>
With "My Living Doll," there SHOULD be a set of 35mm masters and a set of 16mm copies in two separate locations. So far, these have not been found. We're talking about vast storerooms, and possibly cans moved to storage areas no longer even known about. One day somebody might unlock a long-forgotten storage facility bought by a new landlord, and there it is, a cache of video treasures. <P>
Back in the day, some "affiliate" TV stations weren't on the network feed, and required 16mm prints that could be screened at some other time, and then returned. These 16mm prints were sometimes returned, sometimes kept at the station for emergency use, discarded, or secretly sold to local collectors. In New York City, Willoughby's camera shop on 32nd Street was notorious for selling 16mm prints of everything from "My Little Margie" to "What Are the Odds." <P>
16mm prints are legal to sell on eBay and not long ago, Julie's episode of "Greatest Show on Earth" was scooped up by somebody for $100 or so. Whether that person is keeping it as an "I have it YOU DON'T" literal "collectors item," or will convert it to DVD or stream it via YouTube, literally remains to be seen. <P>
As for "MY LIVING DOLL," Chertok Productions and Julie are hoping that wayward 16mm prints will turn up at memorabilia shows, thrift shops, or online, and fans will sound the alert so these can be gathered for an official DVD release: "My Living Doll PART TWO." <P>
The show is remembered fondly. <P>
In some cases, weirdly. It's always a bit peculiar to see the "comments" on Julie's Facebook page. One is reminded that while 90% of fans are intelligent and respectful, quite a few are bent in unusual ways. <P>
Some are a bit too sexual (which they can't disguise behind a load of professorial multi-syllable words). Then you have self-admitted mental patients and uber-fans who dress up in costumes and who one hopes can stay in control of themselves. And some are just going to post inappropriate photos or say inappropriate off-topic things no matter what. Celebs do understand that "curb your enthusiasm" is just the name of a sitcom, and not something that fans (a term short for "fanatics" always understand. <P>
Julie does know that when she posts a Catwoman picture, thousands will view it, hundreds will share it, and hundreds more will leave gaga comments and post their own favorite Catwoman (or cheesecake) shots. But when she's discussing politics or serious spiritual or ecological issues, it's a bit much to not only get "show us more photos and don't write anything," but pin-up pictures as well. It would be helpful if randy men and obsessed women remember this is her page and she's discussing things she cares about. She's not Catwoman 24/7. <P>
Thanks to the ones who leave brief, pleasant comments, like the first one below, and a muttered WTF to the other three. Four random samples, with names, of course, removed to protect the innocent. <P>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JAbgxUlPmBE/Xv4YiVbbeDI/AAAAAAAAI5s/tOtLBY14OT4ulVqE7elR0Ch0-U8BZTvzACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/NUTS.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JAbgxUlPmBE/Xv4YiVbbeDI/AAAAAAAAI5s/tOtLBY14OT4ulVqE7elR0Ch0-U8BZTvzACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/NUTS.png" width="240" height="400" data-original-width="428" data-original-height="713" /></a></div></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4972945395974078521.post-16418053225051928092020-07-02T09:59:00.001-07:002020-07-02T10:01:39.104-07:00Behind the Scenes<b>ACTING...involves a special talent for not letting reality interfere. <P>
To viewers of "FOR LOVE OR MONEY," Gig Young is suffering knee pain, but...<P>
He's not in pain, he's on a cramped sound stage, and Kirk is really thinking about what he can say or do to convince Julie to have lunch with him. <P>
</b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NilOWiGyP0w/Xv4S7KWsr4I/AAAAAAAAI5U/qIKYz-rTCQ8yacWatZjlfMdOsdwFE3r4ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/MONEY%2BSHOT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NilOWiGyP0w/Xv4S7KWsr4I/AAAAAAAAI5U/qIKYz-rTCQ8yacWatZjlfMdOsdwFE3r4ACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/MONEY%2BSHOT.jpg" width="313" height="400" data-original-width="702" data-original-height="897" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4972945395974078521.post-12128619852581051632020-06-18T19:10:00.001-07:002020-06-18T19:13:29.247-07:00AUTOGRAPHED JULIE PHOTOS? SIGN IN....<b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D9XEZRckK_E/XuwbfUK4ExI/AAAAAAAAIzw/4VewSKV-k68uTW6WPHN5hXJXxQoQvGcsACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-06-18%2Bat%2B9.56.41%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D9XEZRckK_E/XuwbfUK4ExI/AAAAAAAAIzw/4VewSKV-k68uTW6WPHN5hXJXxQoQvGcsACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-06-18%2Bat%2B9.56.41%2BPM.png" width="400" height="332" data-original-width="736" data-original-height="611" /></a></div>
<P>
That's Julie, signing in as the celebrity guest on a "What's My Line" episode. <P>
She's still signing in, and being very nice about the price. <P>
On eBay, a personalized autographed photo is about $100. <P>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--er8kIEj7CA/XuwcJIIfHGI/AAAAAAAAIz4/TP5Vb1bLWuwd4t47CFP-d6mfXy0pNyPfwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/AUTO%2B100%2Bpersonalized.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--er8kIEj7CA/XuwcJIIfHGI/AAAAAAAAIz4/TP5Vb1bLWuwd4t47CFP-d6mfXy0pNyPfwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/AUTO%2B100%2Bpersonalized.png" width="400" height="128" data-original-width="780" data-original-height="249" /></a></div> <P>
Yes, people are willing to buy a photo with somebody else's first name on it. Over at http://julienewmar.com/shop/ you can get one personalized to YOU for $40. <P>
I mention this as a public service. Julie doesn't need the money. She's even mentioned to her Facebook friends that she's in that elite 99% category -- but she only mentioned it to point out that being wealthy doesn't mean one supports Trump. <P>
The President often boasts that the stock market has been stable under his leadership. And you know what a stable smells like. <P>
All seriousness aside, as Steve Allen would say, no politician can really take credit for the stock market, high or low. The stock market can rise and fall on whims, wars and rumors. Some would tell you that a much safer investment is in memorabilia. <P> Certainly, some people who have been lucky enough to acquire a signed Julie Newmar photo have quadrupled their investment, or better, when they had to sell. (And does Trump take any blame when people lose their jobs and suddenly start hocking stuff??) <P>
How...HIGH...do the prices go on images that savvy people like YOU can find on Julie's website for $40?? <P>
Pretty high...<P>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YB8cvSCcGmQ/XuwdVm05HPI/AAAAAAAAI0E/b36FWXONnQsJCa6wRQARKxWsMN71hGd7ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/AUTO%2B125.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YB8cvSCcGmQ/XuwdVm05HPI/AAAAAAAAI0E/b36FWXONnQsJCa6wRQARKxWsMN71hGd7ACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/AUTO%2B125.png" width="400" height="129" data-original-width="791" data-original-height="255" /></a></div> <P>
And higher...<P>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ja1pE-OqBxg/XuwdajEVRuI/AAAAAAAAI0I/TAGj04UZLBwyEKHwQiySDmlsQUhBdpSDQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/AUTO%2B175.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ja1pE-OqBxg/XuwdajEVRuI/AAAAAAAAI0I/TAGj04UZLBwyEKHwQiySDmlsQUhBdpSDQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/AUTO%2B175.png" width="400" height="130" data-original-width="785" data-original-height="255" /></a></div> <P>
And higher...<P>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0VT_ozTbFdE/Xuwdf7uCevI/AAAAAAAAI0M/ZknrXKiEs50KlaqOutOM0s9eylN0oyuJgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/AUTO%2B299.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0VT_ozTbFdE/Xuwdf7uCevI/AAAAAAAAI0M/ZknrXKiEs50KlaqOutOM0s9eylN0oyuJgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/AUTO%2B299.png" width="400" height="129" data-original-width="768" data-original-height="248" /></a></div> <P>
That's quite a bit higher than what an eBay seller wants for my book with that chapter on Julie in it! <P>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zVZGebp81iM/XuwdwMuxm6I/AAAAAAAAI0Y/rASMVDdtxDY8CxwZ2O_cxWRw4tzCP-BuACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Sweethearts%2B16%2Bbucks.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zVZGebp81iM/XuwdwMuxm6I/AAAAAAAAI0Y/rASMVDdtxDY8CxwZ2O_cxWRw4tzCP-BuACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Sweethearts%2B16%2Bbucks.png" width="400" height="110" data-original-width="927" data-original-height="255" /></a></div> <P>
Oh. Donald Trump. If a Julie Newmar autographed photo on eBay can fetch $100, $150, $300 or more...how much did Trump signed photos sell for recently? Oh. <P></b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eWCZpdFx5XI/Xuweg37aeuI/AAAAAAAAI0k/aw7jy4keqBE_hbjDUwJdLSTylJMW1X3_ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-06-18%2Bat%2B10.09.17%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eWCZpdFx5XI/Xuweg37aeuI/AAAAAAAAI0k/aw7jy4keqBE_hbjDUwJdLSTylJMW1X3_ACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-06-18%2Bat%2B10.09.17%2BPM.png" width="400" height="221" data-original-width="875" data-original-height="483" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4972945395974078521.post-12870596259322250002020-05-07T09:31:00.001-07:002020-05-07T09:31:10.941-07:00You Bet Your Bippy....<b>Julie Newmar clips on YouTube continue to get nice comments. <P>
Here's one for the moment in "The Maltese Bippy" when Dan Rowan flirts with Julie. <P>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YulAUvNu2iQ/XrQ2iH3W4rI/AAAAAAAAIso/eT9ZZDX3rsAtbzjpG1TVVWdhbo1vkj-VQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/YouTube%2Bre%2BMaltese%2BBippy%2Bclip.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YulAUvNu2iQ/XrQ2iH3W4rI/AAAAAAAAIso/eT9ZZDX3rsAtbzjpG1TVVWdhbo1vkj-VQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/YouTube%2Bre%2BMaltese%2BBippy%2Bclip.png" width="400" height="107" data-original-width="436" data-original-height="117" /></a></div> <P>
The channel tries to add clips from time to time, but sometimes, there are surprises. A 40 second scene from "Fools, Females and Fun" (Julie and Dick Sargent) was automatically denied. Huh? It turns out that Universal has spent a lot of time and money creaing digital "footprints" for every inch of even their most obscure films and TV shows. As soon as a clip is floated to YouTube, it is matched, detected and blocked. <P>
YouTube (owned by Google) offers no appeal procedure, and doesn't recognize "fair use." One would think that less than a minute would only encourage interest in this made-for-TV "Love American Style" movie. Universal has no plans to stream it, make it available to a cable TV station, or release it on DVD. <P></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4972945395974078521.post-91603114108664699202020-05-06T19:15:00.000-07:002020-05-06T19:15:06.833-07:00Julie Newmar - a little gem of publicity from 1958<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aianXxmYCoc/XrNvIWfeLbI/AAAAAAAAIsc/9FuZCEwVkgsKxZZ3u0wWwZ32r18ncpsCwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/JULIE%2B1958%2B%2Bbauble.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aianXxmYCoc/XrNvIWfeLbI/AAAAAAAAIsc/9FuZCEwVkgsKxZZ3u0wWwZ32r18ncpsCwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/JULIE%2B1958%2B%2Bbauble.png" data-original-width="472" data-original-height="569" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4972945395974078521.post-84938284827634372802020-04-22T16:15:00.001-07:002020-04-22T16:15:08.324-07:00Julie Newmar: "I want to see good acting!" We went to see SHIRLEY KNIGHT<b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JmsUtgrH48s/XqDPvXNDbTI/AAAAAAAAIsE/0yo2lgEh91Us_SdvJMdoByWFPh3CTC9ngCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-04-22%2Bat%2B7.13.46%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JmsUtgrH48s/XqDPvXNDbTI/AAAAAAAAIsE/0yo2lgEh91Us_SdvJMdoByWFPh3CTC9ngCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-04-22%2Bat%2B7.13.46%2BPM.png" width="400" height="161" data-original-width="679" data-original-height="274" /></a></div>
<P>
Whem going to Broadway shows with Julie, the most important thing wasn't the spectacle, or being seen at the "hottest ticket in town." It didn't matter if it was a play or a musical, a comedy or a drama. <P>
Julie knew her line, and I had it memorized: <P>
"I want to see good acting!" <P>
So it was, that we sometimes went off-Broadway rather than the Great White Way itself. We walked out at intermission on a play starring a TV legend, with Julie hoping that we could latch onto the second half of something better. We ended up at a revival of an Oscar Wilde production that didn't have a famous name in the cast. What it had, however, was good acting. <P>
Shirley Knight was a good actress. Like Julie, she sought out the masters who could teach her how to be superb at her craft. Knight's mentors included three of the best in the business: Jeff Corey, Lee Strasberg and Uta Hagen. She trained at the Actors Studio, and after "We Have Always Lived in a Castle," she won a Tony for her Marilyn Monroe-influenced turn in "Kennedy's Children." <P>
Julie of course, followed "Lil Abner" with her Tony-award winning part in "Marriage-Go-Round." <P>
"I want to see good acting..." led us to to the Goodman Theatre one night. Horton Foote's "The Young Man from Atlanta" was on the boards, and it featured Rip Torn (who passed on last year) and Shirley Knight, who left us only days ago. <P>
Julie is right; sometimes the most exciting and memorable thing about a play is the acting. You might not remember a line of dialogue, or recall the twist ending that literally brought down the curtain and triggered applause. Instead, you leave with the emotional satisfaction of seeing a great performance. <P>
I don't remember much about Horton Foote's play, but I do remember that Shirley Knight and Rip Torn were brilliant. Afterwards, Julie said, "Let's go backstage." It wasn't out of show-biz friendship. I don't think she'd ever even met Rip Torn before. She said, "it's what you do," if you're also a thespian, and you want to give the highest compliment possible. It's sort of like "my compliments to the chef," but instead of to the waiter, you go back and tell the chef. Shirley was nominated for a Tony for "The Young Man from the South." After seeing Shirley Knight in a production of "A Streetcar Named Desire," Tennessee Williams wrote a play just for her: "A Lovely Sunday at Creve Coeur." <P>
While many performers find their greatest satisfaction on the stage, and the bond between the performer and the viewer is strongest that way, some of their finest work at least remains preserved via film. Shirley Knight was twice nominated for an Oscar, for
"Dark at the Top of the Stairs" and "Sweet Bird of Youth," and was critically acclaimed for "Dutchman," and "The Rain People" (Francis Ford Coppola wrote it envisioning Shirley). She also won Emmy awards for television work, and was called upon for everything from "The Outer Limits" to "NYPD Blue" and "Desperate Housewives." <P>
Shirley Knight was not the most famous actress, but she didn't care much about fame itself. She said, "Many people who are very famous are ridiculous. I mean, look at the Kardashians. There are people walking around who don't know who The Beatles were. If you think your food is you want to be famous, you're going to starve to death. Your food has to be that you want to do good work and you want to become better at what you do. <P>
She was better at what she did than quite a lot of more famous TV and movie stars. Some people want to go to a show to see somebody famous, like a TV star with limited live acting experience. Others, like Julie Newmar, say "I want to see good acting." Good acting: SHIRLEY KNIGHT. <P> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OdKggHEiz1E/XqDPHlWyyuI/AAAAAAAAIr8/gA2yDJc2lPIkfQp58IFWVn4CZmsg7YZqgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/SHIRLEY%2BAND%2BRIP.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OdKggHEiz1E/XqDPHlWyyuI/AAAAAAAAIr8/gA2yDJc2lPIkfQp58IFWVn4CZmsg7YZqgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/SHIRLEY%2BAND%2BRIP.png" width="400" height="284" data-original-width="776" data-original-height="551" /></a></div></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4972945395974078521.post-68902857649840075152020-03-18T18:53:00.002-07:002020-06-25T19:41:56.576-07:00Caricatures Then and Now <b>Once upon a time (or a Russian) caricature artists, trained classically, offered fluid pen and ink lines. Here's an example: Julie (and company) immortalized before the opening of "Once There was a Russian," co-starring Walter Matthau and Albert Salmi. <P>
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<P>
The old-fashioned "flattering" heterosexual brand of caricature is now so old-fashioned it doesn't even exist. <P>
The idea is to mix things up, bend the gender, and go for outrage. And then, as RuPaul would phrase it, "sashay away," leaving nothing but admiring gasps. <P>
One of Julie's idols in the world of caricature is "RISKO," who resists the old drawing styles and scares up something unique instead. BOO! <P>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DVKwc7qDIEk/XnLN6621quI/AAAAAAAAIlI/PLk_kGbTEcAYWJLiZuG4I8Ws8bNkhwQeACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Pale%2BBlue%2BEYES%2Band%2Ba%2BStrawberry%2Bfor%2Ba%2BMouth%2Band%2Ba%2Bsquidgy%2Bnose%2Blike%2BSam%2BJaffe.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DVKwc7qDIEk/XnLN6621quI/AAAAAAAAIlI/PLk_kGbTEcAYWJLiZuG4I8Ws8bNkhwQeACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Pale%2BBlue%2BEYES%2Band%2Ba%2BStrawberry%2Bfor%2Ba%2BMouth%2Band%2Ba%2Bsquidgy%2Bnose%2Blike%2BSam%2BJaffe.png" width="297" height="400" data-original-width="635" data-original-height="855" /></a></div>
<P>
You didn't know Julie had pale blue icy eyes? A squidgy nose that resembles Sam "Gunga Din" Jaffe? That her mouth looks like she was eating a pint of strawberries too fast? Well, that's the NEW look, a "new wave" in caricature, and still has the viewer knowing it's Julie Newmar. <P>
Doesn't it? How about a different view? Below: the same artist, but a different take. <P>
A conventional view of women is that they have breasts. That's a bit 20th Century isn't it? <P>
The fact is, if a woman can be a super hero, maybe she can have the same chest development as a male? That would be squared pectorals, and a flat behind. Strange? Maybe even scary? Well, that's the way modern, edgy caricature works. BOO! <P>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OcK6_NjkSn4/XnLOdGaAnjI/AAAAAAAAIlQ/8a1J9fQOUs4D7JawpdEoOHB207AY9rk-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/SQUARE%2BBREASTS%2Band%2Ba%2BFLAT%2BBOTTOM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OcK6_NjkSn4/XnLOdGaAnjI/AAAAAAAAIlQ/8a1J9fQOUs4D7JawpdEoOHB207AY9rk-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/SQUARE%2BBREASTS%2Band%2Ba%2BFLAT%2BBOTTOM.png" width="254" height="400" data-original-width="328" data-original-height="516" /></a></div> <P>
Both of the above are capturing Julie in "super hero" mode, because fans love it. Most any Facebook post Julie makes, no matter the topic, will have a chunk of "You were the BEST CATWOMAN" comments. Their cuteness needs to be rewarded with Catwoman cat-ricatures. <P>
However, there's another side to the actress. The garden side. But again, there's no reason to be traditional about it, and shoot for any kind of glamour approach, as the Daily News artist did in promoting "Once There Was a Russian." <P>
With full use of color, and spurning traditional notions of heterosexual beauty, here's Julie in a shapeless dress. This caricature has her in traditional old lady gray hair, raisin-drooped eyes, lips in a doleful camel-like pout, and a moose-jaw chin. Yet people would instantly say "That's Julie Newmar, isn't it?" <P>
Three works about, all from one caricaturist. <P>
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<P>
Anyone buying the old fluid style of caricature? The Margo Feiden Gallery (which sold the NY Times theater caricatures) is probably gone by now. Who pay thousands for a framed lithograph? There never <i>was</i> a gallery for the Daily News caricatures, like the item you see up top. <P>
Of course with magazines and newspapers disappearing, and cartoon art seeming to only sell to "The New Yorker," the Internet has become a place for anyone and everyone to offer challenging caricatures. The Internet is open to unconventional views of what beautiful women look like, or what the human body should or shouldn't resemble. <P>
Some aren't so sure about all of this. There are some that don't like graffiti. Some question why RuPaul and his fellows appear in "woman face" when there's no longer "yellow face" or "blackface" anymore. Still, art is very much in the eye of the beholder. In fact, now that there's Photoshop, people can download and alter the art to suit their own perspective. Yes, that's another challenge, but the art world is always enthusiastic about being stood on its ear. Just ask Van Gogh. <P></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0