An interesting human side to 3 Mayberry celebrities.how can I forget Sept 3 1971. And 51. 00 phonebill calling long distance Conn to Calif 13 character actors from radio film and tv.I compiled 1000 autograph lettes photos but I'm greedy.in those days character actors had their names in the directories.letters and photos weren't enough.among those listed for anyone to call wa 3 co stars of our favorite show. Anita Corsaut. Burt Mustin and Frances Bavier in Raleigh NC .all 3 had a 20 minute call each and it gave me great insight how human and kind and appreciative they were.in short and I had by the way recorded it on my wollensak taperecorder.Anita told me she loved Andy Griffith calling him a pro gracious and on time.she loved her 5 yrs on it.she laughed in embarrassement when I dare ask her about her role in The Blob. 1958 with Steve Mcqueen. Tom you know I was ashamed being. In that film I had to leave the country.I still can't live it down.oh Anita was such a grateful I took time to call and talk about her career. Burt Mustin in his 90s the years we wrote and spoke by phone was floored anyone knew his name but he told me how he didn't get into show buisness until he was in his 60s.he liked his bit part in Desperate :Hours 1955 with Bogart and March and the retakes he did over unlocking a door for Fredrick March.he loved his role on Andy Griffith calling him a pro and asked me the name of the episode where Barney tossed a tomatoe at him as deputy sheriff and Otis and was it Floyd ?sorry I forgot the name of the episode but Burt said the crew cracked up reshooting the scene .Otis got hit with the tomatoe.we kept in touch til he died at 94 in 1977.he admitted with pride people will always know him as Gus the fireman on Leave it to Beaver.lastly.Frances Bavier was every inch in real life what she was as Aunt Bea.she just completed her role on Mayberry RFD and whlle she had strong views on her relationship with the cast she said the Pickle Story was her favorite.she enjoyed her years on the show but my goodness the minute you called her you knew you were talking to Aunt Bea. O my 3rd call to her she said Excuse me Tom.give me a moment.I have a housefull of cats and its time to feed them but they're all over the house.was I impressed.she was so real. And the genuine article.she was Aunt Bea trust me.it was my good friend radio tv announcer Harry von Zell who tipped me off how to call her.and she was right there folks in the white pages.that's just 3 examples of chatting by phone with celebrities.what an experience but my mother wasn't happy with the next month phone bill. $51.00 that's it folks .Tom Kessel [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile _______________________________________________ WBMUTBB mailing list [email protected] http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
