I usually don't mention 'alumni sightings' because, knowing the caliber of the
actors and actresses who appeared on TAGS, it isn't really surprising to see
them in other shows of that era. I do, however, get a little kick when I see
them in much older, or much newer, movies and TV shows. I have watched a few
episodes (mostly from 1951-1954) of "The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show"
lately and have seen Parley Baer (Mayor Stoner), Tol Avery (Ben Weaver), Willis
Bouchey (O'Malley and others), and Charles Lane (Mr. Frisbee). But the best
were seeing a young Betty Lynn as Virginia Beasley (the daughter of the Allen's
postman, Gracie was giving her a baby shower) and seeing Bob Sweeney, who
directed 80 episodes of TAGS, playing the role of George and Gracie's new
gardener.
I have also been watching Christmas episodes of older TV shows and just today I
saw Barney Phillips (escapee Eddie Brooke) and Parley Baer (Mayor Stoner) in a
1957 episode of The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, George Petrie
(safe-cracker Joe Layton) in a 1955 episode of "Ethel and Albert", and then
Mary Treen (Rose and others) in a 1954 episode of The Red Skelton Show.
Also, I finally watched 1945's "Christmas in Connecticut" for the first time
and saw Dick Elliott (Mayor Pike), John Dehner (Col. Harvey), Walter Baldwin
(the first Floyd), and Mr. Schwamp.
Oh, and the next time you watch "North By Northwest" starring Cary Grant
(JudyJudyJudy), see how many future TAGS actors and actresses you can spot. It
is the most I have noticed in any movie other than the Don Knotts ones.
Johnny, sippin' cider and countin' cars (and watchin' waaay too much old tv) in
Alabama
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