i saw todays digest.i wasnt going to but since these are names i knew i had to try to answer some questions. who was Big Maude from Convicts at Large?of course the lovely Reta Shaw a actress i talked to by phone in 1975 just when she was retiring from the buisness. she was also i may add in Song Fests as Eleanora Poultice.Naturally being a historian on all levels, i tried to touch base with Reta as did with many many other preformers by touching upon lightly highlights to me anyway of their careers. she was terrific as Big Maude but Reta told me her favorite was The Pajana Game in the mid 50s that she did into a classic with Doris Day/She loved to sing, a rarity for us to see otherwise. I praised her performance in the superb Disney classic Pollyanna in 1960 that i saw in the theaters.She lived 1912-82. Contrary to her appearence what a lovely dear sweet woman who once said to me Tom why would you be interested in a second rate actor like me?I shot back. Youre a She was the original Jane to Elmo Lincoln in silent film Tarzan . she told me she didnt care much for the ramifications of movies.she preferred stage and she reactivated her career superbly in television in the 50's.she was terrific as Mrs Mendlebright. She lived 1894-1981.i only knew her i told her from two tv roles .Andy Griffith and as Gomers mother in a memorable 1967 Gomer Pyle.Sadly all her performances on the Golden Age of Tv in the 50's wasnt preserved accordingly as in the case of other great performers prior to video tape.and she only made a handful a pitiful handful of talking pictures.She wasnt in best of health when i saw her briefly during my visit to Alan Hale another Griffith Show alumni who back then like Pat O'Brien had his own place of buisness, Alan Hales Lobster Barrell.He too was a fine gentleman and it showed in his face when i mentioned his dear father Alan Sr and the career of both men that he appreciated kind words. theres alot more behind Alan Hale than say Gilligans Island. Finally on Francis Bavier yes to answer a question she fed not only steak but veal to her dozen cats. And by phone she told me she thought more of her cats than any performers in the buisness period.but yes she was close to the one series acttor Anita Corsaut.She had a little shop she operated on the side after she retired. but my goodness she loved her cats. how can i forget as i mentioned sometime ago if anyone read my words that once when i called she was overseiged at that vfery moment trying to quiet down her cats who i could hear were meowing all over the phone. but its her reaction her sincere unwarrented apoly to me that touched my heart. she was sorry the cats were interfrring with my talking to her. In truth they didnt bother me. Im a catlover all my life. Thats it from Col Toms Mouth .Back to the drawing board til next my services are needed to solve any mysteries or riddles.otherwise im sitting on the sidelines in total amusement over some of the things i see repeated on a daily basis. God Bless everyone.Tom Kessel _______________________________________________ WBMUTBB mailing list [email protected] http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
