Get Going Tom While the Going Is Good. 2 digests posted in 8 hours.wow and i see some positive feedback on my interviews. thank you. ill touch upon briefly a few topics hopefully of interest. someone sent in by mistake a minor error. it was about Aunt Bees Romance saying "Ill have a hand in those penunias yet BOY.. just a correction to set record straight. It was not boy but ANDY he said with accent on Andy. Our fsithful viewer was thinking of another line when he did say BOY in saying JUst trying to help BOY> Cruel viscious ROger was but Wallace Ford was brilliant. comedy one moment then heavy dramatics the next. and in the end, naturally it was all a pretense smiles between Andy and Roger. Roger had no choice but swallow his pride. Andy saw him for what he was. Good job Andy Taylor. I was asked if Burt Mustin talked to me about other roles non Judd TAGS performances. He sure did and look back youll see i revealed a few roles. such as DEsperate Hours and the problem unlocking the office door for FRederick March and the retakes. On Leave it to Beaver clearly his most visible remembered role in all due respect to TAGS. He loved the part. Want to know a secret folks? Burt told me he wasnt the first to play Gus the Fireman. He came in on the 2nd show that featured Gus. a grand old respected character actor we all know Raymond Hatton but was Charlie not Gus but Hatton said Burt had a problem at his age remembering lines thus Burt got the role and arent we happy. As for All In The Family, he saud he got so much fan mail from his semi regular role and he told me a secret now well revealed but not in 1971, that contrary to his conservative role. Carroll O'Connor who took the role that originally was slated for Mickey Rooney (By way oldest living silent screen actor still performing ) was a liberal in real life and a joy to work with.Theres alot more naturally to these actors than their roles on TAGS. Theres much more he wrote but this is just an example. George Cisar best remenmbered as Sergt. Mooney on Dennis the Menace told he the saddest day for him was februsry 1962 the day the set closed down ensued with the passing of the great Joe Kearns the first Mr.Wilson. Ironic the readers knew thru the press releases of his death of a stroke before young Jay North was told. they werent sure how he'd take it. they were that close. everyone was in tears over the shock of it George told me in 1971. Its eery but informative to get perspectives of inside hollywood stories directly from the very actors themselves. Thanks Robert but like always im way ahead of you and others regarding putting into book form my interviews. No one is interested in stars like THESE> I got dirty looks for years frompeople i knew who gave me a strange look like i was an oddball when they learned i spent my time interviewing actors. "THeyre nobody" more or less was their pitiful attitude. i paid a price being laughed at and am sensitive to outsiders who play me for a fool. luckily i get more respect in the Digest but greater America frowns on such things like a man interviewing character actors.Before i close and forgive me for not keeping my word about talking about non TAGS stories, heres a scoop, something i was told by an actor right on the set who observed it and no one ever talks about it. i got to share it with you. if ever you see the film look at the the very end. Another character actor i knew and a great one, Martin Koesleck the german actor from WWII movies (HE was in fact Russian ) told me this. in 1946, a horror film House of Horrors was made starring Rondo Hatton.You heard of him .one of a kind, suffering from acromeglia he played roles thst profitted off his sheer ugliness? well the very end Bill Goodwin shoots the monster. Hatton in real life died what we thought was a few months later. Martin who had a featured role in the film said, incredible as this is, my god i get chills thinking about this folks, Hatton suddenly took ill (And died almost immediately) bat the very moment he is shot in the film. Goodwin says "We better get this man to the hospital." THat wasnt a line from the script Martin told me. that was an actual quote reaction from Goodwin who saw that Hatton wasnt looking right lying on the floor.The timing the sets, the place oh i couldnt believe it had anyone else told me. Hattons death remains a mystery by the way.. Whenever i see that film and play that ending line i realize that Hatton in real life is dying right on the set according to Martin Koesleck. This is Hollywood history unknown to most. i cant confirm it. but im telling you exactly what he told me. Til now I had no one to tell it too. Forgive this non related TAGS tidbit. Wow the information told me by these splendid actors. By way in closing Raymond Hatton played his last role in 1967s In Cold Blood. In it was John McLiam from Aunt Bees Big Moment made earlier that same year. ONe moment a gum chewing pilot the next minute a horrid tragic victim of cold blooded murder. good acting chore John.Give me any name of character or supporting actor and ill tell you anything you want if by chance i interviewed them. Thanks for caring and allowing me to share a small piece of Hollywood History. Col Tims friend Tom Kessel.ps. added note. Its not that easy putting a book together on collection. Heres an example. In 1976 I offered to put together a book on my letters from Harry von Zell. here was a man who rode in Buffalo Bills Wild West Show, was in films, radio, tv stage, journalism, a man who knew everyone you can imagine . he knew kings and queens heads of states and the greats of show buisness. I offered the title Letters From Harry portions of 150 letters he sent me. his response. = "Thanks Tom but i prefer not to allow my personal views to be viewed and examined by others. my views were privates thoughts between soley you and me. theyre not meant to be read and examined by others.." If they tell me No I must follow their directives. like it or not i dont want to anger these trusted friends. they would feel betrayed if i printed a book. they may be right. in short, its easier said than done. the same goes to 17 000 color photographs i took 1968-present of my hometown here in my state and surround suburbs street by street house by house all in chronological order and labeled all in color highlighting the lives of thousands of american citizens. all documented on film . i did my own printing and developeing too. BUt what did they say to me? "WE dont know what to do with 17 000 photographs. Hey thats not my fault . i offer you some history free of charge no strings attach and here i get people asking "IF only they were slides and not prints." Explain that to me someone. what ingrates. Good night folks I think Im better off dead conversing with the dead actors of Hollywood and TAGS than the people i have to deal with alive. God Bless again Folks.
On Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 8:27 PM, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Send WBMUTBB mailing list submissions to > [email protected] > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://wbmutbb.com/mailman/listinfo/wbmutbb_wbmutbb.com > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > You can reach the person managing the list at > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of WBMUTBB digest..." > > > Please do not quote the entire WBMUTBB Digest when you reply. > To Send to the Digest, address message to: [email protected] > > WBMUTBB Digest Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Murray Hamilton (HOYT NARRON) > 2. Tom Kessel (Robert James) > 3. re: More Investment Opportunities ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) > 4. re; Financial Question ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) > 5. Jud and Sally (Kim Heiden) > 6. Re: Burt Mustin (Tom) and Mayberry Days 2008 (Kristi Phillips) > 7. "A Day In Mayberry" ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) > 8. 2 TAGS characters in the best movie ever made. (C) > 9. Info for the Gents (Albert) > 10. TOM Kssl's long lost message of treasures > (GRITTON, JOE A (ATTOPS)) > 11. Cool Mayberry Item For Sale (Jeff Gossett) > 12. TAGS SIGHTING (Paul Gilkes) > 13. Not Much on Tom Jacobs or Johnny Coons (tom kessel) > 14. Wallace Ford Burt Mustin Joe Hamilton and More (tom kessel) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2008 12:21:08 -0400 (EDT) > From: HOYT NARRON <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: Murray Hamilton > To: wbmutbb <[email protected]> > Message-ID: > < > [EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 > > > > ?? Murray Hamilton is from? " Little" Washington,NC .Washington? was > mentioned on the Matlock episode that was filmed in Manteo. > > ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? > Lee in N.C. > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2008 12:25:07 -0400 > From: Robert James <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: Tom Kessel > To: TAGS Message Board <[email protected]> > Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252" > > > I am so glad that more folks seem to be taking an interest in Tom Kessel's > brilliant and interesting observations "this time around." I have enjoyed > his posts from the very beginning and have learned so much. He has alluded > to the fact that he is not in the best of health. Someone needs to assist > him, if he is interested, in writing down all of his observations (maybe in > book form) while he is still able. It is a shame that everyone who is > interested in acting, etc. is not able to enjoy his many exploits. What an > asset he has been to this board! RMJ > _________________________________________________________________ > Want to do more with Windows Live? Learn ?10 hidden secrets? from Jamie. > > http://windowslive.com/connect/post/jamiethomson.spaces.live.com-Blog-cns!550F681DAD532637!5295.entry?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_domore_092008 > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 3 > Date: Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:09:08 -0400 > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: re: More Investment Opportunities > To: [email protected] > Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > >>With the stock market plunging another 350 points today I pulled out all > my > >>money and bought up all the dried berries that I could find. > >>I have a stockpile you wouldn't believe > > > Smart move. But if you're looking to diversify, stock in Mr. Maxwell's > record company was one of the few winners on Wall Street yesterday. > Speculators were apparently buying shares on a tip from Laura Lee Hobbs at > the Dime Store concerning Mr. Maxwell trying to sign Bobby Fleet & His Band > With A Beat to his record label. > > Daffy Duck > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 4 > Date: Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:14:38 -0400 > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: re; Financial Question > To: [email protected] > Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > >>>>Try my bank, where you can earn 0.000002 percent! > > >>OK.? But did you have to be bailed out/rescued? > > >>Martha the-financially-catious Humphreys > >>Huntsville, AL > > Absolutely not! We're fine...as long as Granny doesn't withdraw her money > and stuff it in her matrress again. > > Milburn Drysdale, Pres. > Commerce Bank of Beverly Hills > Beverly Hills, CA > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 5 > Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2008 12:25:23 -0500 > From: "Kim Heiden" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: Jud and Sally > To: [email protected] > Message-ID: > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > I don't want to make a moulage by mentioning this station, but back when TV > Land was good I remember seeing a musical tribute to two different > character > actors who had appeared on TAGS. One was for Burt Mustin and showed him in > his roles on Leave it to Beaver, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Monkees and TAGS > to > name a few. The other was for Jane Dulo who played convict Sally (who > dances with Al), she was also 99's mother on Get Smart and Oscar Madison's > mother on The Odd Couple and appeared in many other shows. I liked those > musical montages because it enabled me to see so many places where these > famous faces showed up. I just wish they'd done it for even more actors. > It would have been so great seeing how many different shows actors like > Mary > Treen, Cheerio Meredith, Lurene Tuttle, Dick Elliot and Will Wright (to > name > only a handfull) had also appeared on. > > All the more reason to love TAGS, those who dwelled in or passed through > our > dear Mayberry won't be forgotten by us. > > Kim - Wylie, TX > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 6 > Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2008 11:40:08 -0700 (PDT) > From: Kristi Phillips <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: Re: Burt Mustin (Tom) and Mayberry Days 2008 > To: [email protected] > Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 > > I enjoyed reading about everyone, Tom, thank you for telling us. When you > corresponded with Burt Mustin, did he ever talk about Leave it to Beaver and > what that show was like for him? Or did he mention All in the Family? What > was working on AITF like for him and working with everyone on that show? I > always wondered that. Thank you for sharing your memories...I very much > enjoy reading your posts. > I will write more about Mayberry Days soon, but I've been busy lately, but > don't worry, I'll be writing more soon. > -Kristi > > "In the best of times, our days are numbered anyway.? And so it would be > a crime against nature for any generation to take the world crisis so > solemnly that we would put off doing those things for which we were > intended for in the first place, the opportunity to do good work, to fall > in love, to enjoy friends, to hit a ball and to bounce a baby" --Alistaire > Cooke > > > > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 7 > Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2008 15:27:23 -0400 > From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: "A Day In Mayberry" > To: [email protected] > Message-ID: > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 > > Long Branch Baptist Church, in Autryville, North Carolina celebrates "A Day > In Mayberry" on Saturday, October 18 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Activities > include vendors, activities for kids, and pickle, cake and pie making > contests. We will also have a whistling contest and trivia contest. Music > starts in the afternoon at 4 and will feature gospel and bluegrass music > till 9 p.m. Barney Fife tribute artist Scott Epperson will be on hand along > with a replica Mayberry squad car. Keep watcjing for more detaiils. > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 8 > Date: Sat, 4 Oct 2008 22:40:21 -0600 > From: C <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: 2 TAGS characters in the best movie ever made. > To: <[email protected]> > Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252" > > > APOLLO 13 > Ron Howard: Director > Clint Howard (Leon): ECOMM (he was the guy who watched the oxygen tanks as > they failed) > > Ron made this movie as real as possible. > He even got help from Walter Cronkite (he helped out in some of his > broadcast parts), Jim and Marilyn Lovell (Jim was the commander of the > mission). NASA and it's affiliates were a great help to this movie. > Especially for the technology. > You remember Opie havin trouble in arithmetic? You watch them solving the > arithmetic when they had to transfer the guidance system and the gimbal (it > controls 4 axis, pitch, yaw, bank, and the lunar module) from the command > Module to the LEM to get these guys home, and they had less than 15 minutes > to do it. > You have to have the correct Arithmetic to make this work, and it has to be > exact, otherwise you'd miss Earth never to return > > So maybe Miss Crump got to Opie after all. > > Folks, I dunno how many of you remember Apollo 13. I do, and I was, like > the whole world, was glued to the TV. > And we were rooting the astronauts to come home. > > When Ron directed this movie, it brought the disaster to life, and it was > real. > One of the characters in the movie, Deke Slayton (one of the original > Mercury 7 Astronauts) I actually met him, probably a year or 2 before he > died. He was a wonderful guy to talk to. > > Ron and Clint really did a service to this nation by being a big part of > this movie. > It brought alot of sad, and wonderful memories. > Especially when Apollo 13 came home. > The lead Actors, Clint was one of them were superb, none could be got > better. > I encourage all Mayberrians to get the DVD of this movie (2 disks) and > closely watch this. You'll cry at the end, but it will be in happiness, as > how we got these guys home. > > Weavers should sell the movie. > > This goes to our 3 crews who lost their lives to carry this adventure on. > > Apollo 1 > Challanger > Columbia > May they all RIP > > We will carry on and we will carry forth, as we should. > We are going back to the moon and we will land there, and build a > platform to launch mankind to go to Mars. > several years ago, there was a thing posted up by NASA to add your name to > a unmanned mission to Mars, Millions of us signed up for it, > including me, and our names were added to the mission. > This mission has already been launched from Earth, and has arrived at Mars. > So now my name among the others is on Mars at present, and our future > manned crews will find them. > > We will carry on and carry forth. > > > > > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > Want to do more with Windows Live? Learn ?10 hidden secrets? from Jamie. > > http://windowslive.com/connect/post/jamiethomson.spaces.live.com-Blog-cns!550F681DAD532637!5295.entry?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_domore_092008 > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 9 > Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2008 13:28:59 -0700 > From: Albert <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: Info for the Gents > To: <[email protected]> > Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > > Just to let all you Digest gents know, Morelli's put in a couple of new > "smell um" cologne spritzers > in their mens room. For a dime, you now get a choice of either Aqua Velva > or Brut. Sorry, they discontinued > the Old Spice one. Talking with Goober this morning, he said he's bringing > two dimes come Saturday > evening... said he wants to try both out. > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > See how Windows connects the people, information, and fun that are part of > your life. > http://clk.atdmt.com/MRT/go/msnnkwxp1020093175mrt/direct/01/ > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 10 > Date: Mon, 6 Oct 2008 19:37:40 -0400 > From: "GRITTON, JOE A (ATTOPS)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: TOM Kssl's long lost message of treasures > To: <[email protected]> > Message-ID: > < > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" > > I want to thank Joe for forwarding this belated message that I sent in > several days ago. Tom Kssl (just some automated editing folks or Tom's > hard work JG) > I went on the internet today after reading today's messages posted and I > find it interesting that Jonny Coons was born in Lebanon Indiana having > died in 1975 .He had his 15 minutes of fame in the mid 50s with his > own kiddy show but quickly faded. And I can't yet find anything on Tom > Jacobs. Talented, gifted, and all still no luck .The internet > websites-links may not offer us much data on you but Tom your value as a > person and performer always increases your worth!! We salute you. > It breaks my heart when I think of what Herbie Faye said and Dick Ryan > wrote when they commented "You remember me?" and "Thanks for remembering > me." what humility what human decency in these superb performers who sat > by the phone like so many others waiting day in day out to get that > casting call to report to the TV or film studio to put in a few days > work for what might be a godsend or an insult to play in a thankless > meaningless role. No, nothing Dick or Herbie ever did was anything to be > ashamed of when you realize in the end they brought moments of sheer joy > a smile and a tickle to the funny bone. Andy Griffith, I assure you, > who had his hand and rightly so had the final say in casting Hope > Summers told me. His decency as a man is evident is his concern for the > welfare of our beloved Howard McNear is one example say for instance > with the makeshift board they assembled on the set to accommodate his > gifted beloved actor after his tragic stroke. Joe Hamilton, Dick Ryan, > Tom Jacobs, Mr. Schwamp as well and others who did what they must had > thought was an unhappy or meaningless chore by doing little more than a > walk on did much more than that, they got their creative juices flowing, > that drive that motivation up and running known TAGS called . They're > back in the harness, small as the role is, and every trivial bit part > paid the month's rent. > Imagine folks and sadly all of this true, these gifted TAGS performers > .I'm referring only to bit parts, cameos walk-on, now, not the regular > series performers, all waited by the phone for years and years waiting > to get that call to report to the studio. To not get that call, you're > cutting off the flow of talent we fans want to see. Thank God TAGS can > rest on its laurels supplying the American audience with the best money > can buy. To put life into a 5 second scene may put food on that actors > table, thankfully, but it gives him his day in the sun to know someone > out there hasn't forgotten him. I got stories first hand from some of > the most beloved famous top rated character actors known all over the > world and a number of them privately told me the heart-wrenching story > of a Hollywood that is passing them by. To not get that "call" due to > changing of times or whatever is a crushing blow to an actor's ego. > Sir Cedric Hardwick the gifted actor is an example. Some committed > suicide, some turned to drink, others changed profession, other's broke > the law. Poor Burt Mustin. He meant well. He was childless, his wife > had died then in 1971 our beloved TAGS player wrote "Tom. I just got a > co-starring role on an upcoming series called The Funny Side." He hoped > it'd be a hit. because he said he had bills to pay. Like all of us even > character actors second bananas bit players have to pay bills. The Funny > Side was a BOMB. Crushed, in need of money (these character actors from > film-TV never made the money today's celebrities make) he was forced to > in part seek out any TV roles offered to pay his bills. Old Jud didn't > own his own home. The years of letter writing between him and I went on > right thru his bout with cancer. Near the end JUD (Burt) wrote me after > my last phone-call. Tom thanks for caring. Don't forget about me. I > don't think I'll be around much longer." That tore me apart. He told me > his last acting role was in an upcoming Phyllis episode and he wrote > "I'm in bad shape, but I'm going out in style." My god, in hindsight > rereading what these performers privately wrote me or told me by phone, > its eerie. It's relevant fascinating a tearjerker but very real and > human. > Now 30 years later after his death, 20 20 hindsight, I can honestly say > to myself Tom look at what you got here!! Anecdotes from these show > business performers, their personal thoughts their opinions, their ups > and downs. But, today's world of show business is sadly geared to the > youth in all media, films television music etc. But here I can share > some of their views in my posted messages. Someone out there in > America has got to realize that I have a chunk of show business history > at my disposal. It's not my fault I'm from another era that appreciated > such underrated talent. Now, again, ill close the chapter. I stated my > case, spoke up for these gifted artists but it's time to give you a > chance to offer feedback if these revelations are of interest. Well > They've been of interest to me since I started in 1965 with my > collections. It goes without saying > God Bless all of you. And God Bless all who are associated with TAGS/Col > Tim I'm coming over. Move over Howard Sprague..Tom Kessel > PS: I'm ready, be it one of you or all of you who may type in > tomorrow "Hey Tom where have you been? WE know all about Joe Hamilton > and we too heard about ..............being in Casablanca..Wake up and > smell the coffee Tom..Read our past messages posted or read this book or > that book, We fans know all about Joe Hamilton..You're not telling us > anything we haven't already heard about.? Or with my luck you'll say "I > didn't know his name..I didn't know he was in Casablanca." I can't' > figure people out. " Who can Tom? > Footnote: Make that 3 TAGS players who had a role in Attack of the Giant > Leeches. George Cisar and Joe Hamilton had starring roles and Leo Lou > "Comstock" Gordon actually wrote the script of this 1959 grade z > Classic. It has the flavor of Mayberry in the film. No takers yet on > Casablanca???.Well nothing ventured nothing gained. Risking being a bit > morbid, as the years mount and I view what I've accumulated in 45 years, > one small example is realizing Here is Jud from TAGS actually writing me > telling me he is mortally ill and that this will be his last acting > chore. It gives me goose-pimples but at the same time it makes me feel > worthy to have Aunt Bee, Jud, Helen, Cyrus, Elmo, Clara Edwards and > scores of others among my dearest friends. Yes it is Life imitating Art > after all. I can sleep tonight . > God Bless. Tom Kessel > > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 11 > Date: Mon, 6 Oct 2008 14:17:13 -0400 > From: "Jeff Gossett" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: Cool Mayberry Item For Sale > To: <[email protected]> > Message-ID: > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > Hey Folks, > > > > A good Mayberry friend has some really cool Mayberry Union High ball > caps for sale on ebay right now. They are embroidered in blue on an > orange hat (Mayberry Union High colors). They are a super quality ball > cap I know because he gave me one at Mayberry Days. He had a bunch of > these made up for Mayberry days but due to rather low turn out with the > high price of fuel and bad weather he has a lot of them left and needs > to move them to pay his cost. So, he's making a heck of a deal on them > Buy It Now ONLY $6!!! These are the same quality hats that you'll pay > $15 or more for any where else. These are a unique item and you can not > get them anywhere else NOT EVEN Weavers and I'm all for supporting > Weavers, I've bought all my TAGS DVD's there and many many other things > over the years. Help out a true Mayberry fan and prince of a fella and > pick up 1 or more you'll love it! Christmas is coming soon. Check out > item # 150302052626. > > > > P.S. > > > > Alan said we could mention items for sale here on the Digest so I'm not > breaking a rule. This was stated at our OFFICAL TAGSRWC meeting this > year at Mayberry Days. > > > > > > Soliciting..........Does that fall under the Green River Ordinance? > > > > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 12 > Date: Mon, 6 Oct 2008 08:36:38 -0400 > From: "Paul Gilkes" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: TAGS SIGHTING > To: <[email protected]> > Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > Saw "Quiet Sam" William Schallert last night on the HBO series "True Blood" > as the mayor of a Louisiana town that caters to vampires living in harmony > with regular folk. Kind of a stretch for him, but he delivered his lines in > the same gentle manner that he has been known for. > > > > Paul Gilkes > > Sidney, Ohio > > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 13 > Date: Sat, 4 Oct 2008 16:32:46 -0400 > From: "tom kessel" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: Not Much on Tom Jacobs or Johnny Coons > To: [email protected] > Message-ID: > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > and i mean not much. i went on the internet today after reading todays > messages posted and i find it interesting that Jonny coons was born in > Lebanon Indina having died in 1975.he had his 15 minutes of fame in the mid > 50s with his own kiddy show but quickly faded. And i cant yet find > anything > on Tom Jacobs. Talented gifted and all still no luck .The internet > websites-links may not offer us much data on you but Tom your value as a > person and performer always increases your worth. we salute you. It breaks > my heart when i think of what Herbie Faye said and Dick Ryan wrote when > they > commented You remember me?" and "Thanks for remembering me." what humility > what human decency in these superb performers who sat by the phone like so > many others waiting day in day out to get that casting call to report to > the > tv or film studio to put in a few days work for what might be a godsend or > an insult to play in a thankless meaningless role. No nothing Dick or > Herbie > ever did was anything to be ashamed of when you realize in the end they > brought moments of sheer joy a smile and a tickle to the funny bone.Andy > Griffith i assure you who had his hand and rightly so had the final say in > casting Hope Summers told me. His decency as a man is evident is his > concern > for the welfare of our beloved Howard McNear is one example say for > instance > with the makeshift board they assembled on the set to accomodate his gifted > beloved actor after his tragic stroke.Joe Hamilton Dick Ryan Tom Jacobs Mr > Schwamp as well and others who did what they must had thought was an > unhappy > or meaningless chore by doing little more than a walk on did much more than > that, they got their creative juices flowing, that drive that motivation up > and running known TAGS called . Theyre back in the harness,small as the > role > is and every trivial bit part paid the months rent. Imagine folks and sadly > all of this true, these gifted TAGS performers .im referring only to bit > parts, cameos walk ons now not the regular series performers, all waited by > the phone for years and years waiting to get that call to report to the > studio. To not get that call,youre cutting off the flow of talent we fans > want to see. Thank God TAGS can rest on its laurrels supplying the american > audience with the best money can buy. To put life into a 5 second scene may > put food on that actors table thankfully but it gives him his day in the > sun > to know someone out there hasnt forgotton him. I got stories first hand > from > some of the most beloved famouse top rated character actors known all over > the world and a number of them privately told me the heartwrencing story of > a Hollywood that is passing them by. To not get that call due to changing > of times or whatever is a crushing blow to an actors ego.Sir Cedric > Hardwick > the gifted actor is an example. some committed suicide some turned to drink > others changed profession, others broke the law.Poor Burt mustin.He meant > well. He was childless, his wufe had died then in 1971 our beloved TAGS > player wrote "Tom i just got a co starring role on an upcoming series > called > The Funny Side."He hoped itd be a hit because he said he had bills to pay. > Like all of us even character actors second bananas bit players have to pay > bills. The Funny Side was a BOMB.Crushed, in need of money (these > character > actors from film-tv never made the money todays celebrities make) he was > forced to in part seek out any tv roles offered to pay his billsd. old Jud > didnt own his own home. The years of letter writing between him and i went > on right thru his bout with cancer. Near the end JUD wrote me after my > last > phonecall. Tom thanks for caring. Dont forget about me. I dont think ill be > around much longer." that tore me apart. He told me his last acting role > was > in an upcoming Phyllis episode and he wrote "Im in in bad shape but im > going > out in style."My god in hindsight rereading what these performers privately > wrote me or told me by phone,its eery. its relevant fascinating a > tearjerker > but very real and human. Now 30 years later after his death, 20 20 > hindsight, i can honestly say to myself Tom look at what you got here. > Anedotes from these show buisness performers. their personal thoughts their > opinons, their ups and downs. But todays world of show buisness is sadly > geared to the youth in all media, films television music etc. But here i > can > share some of their views in my posted messages. Someone out there in > America has got to realize i have a chunk of show buisness history at my > disposal.Its not my fault im from another era that appreciated such > underated talent.Now again ill close the chapter. I stated my case, spoke > up > for these gifted artists but its time to give you you a chance to offer > feedback if these relevations are of intterest. Well theyve been of > interest > to me since i nstarted in 1965 with my collections. It goes without bsaying > God Bless all of you. And God Bless all who are associated with TAGS/Col > Tim > Im coming over.Move over Howard Sprague..Tom Kessel ps Im ready be it one > of > you or all of you who may type in tomorrow "Hey Tom where have you been?WE > know all about Joe Hamilton and we too heard about ..............being in > Casablanca..Wake up and smell the coffee Tom..REad our past messages posted > or read this book or that book,.We fans know all about Joe Hamilton..Youre > not btelling us anything we havent already heard about.? Or with my luck > youll say "I didnt know his name..i didnt know he was in Casablanca." I > cant > figure people out. " Who can Tom? > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 14 > Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2008 14:07:54 -0400 > From: "tom kessel" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: Wallace Ford Burt Mustin Joe Hamilton and More > To: [email protected] > Message-ID: > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > ill reveal tomorrow the name of the show buisness legend who did a cameo in > Casablanca. ONce the name gets out, check out your dvd players some day and > freeeze the scene. you tell me what you see. Ill bet my last dollar Warner > Bros put him up to it. This is on par with who is Mr/Schawamp? i love a > good > mystery.but sadly we may never know the answer to both.And maybe thats for > the best. Wallace Ford i can tell you was heartbroken Hollywood didnt come > knocking to his door like they should had by time he passed on in 1966 > espescially after his role in Patch of Blue.1965. ONe of his finest > performances was on of all things an episode of one of my favorite tv > series > Father Knows Best. ITs one of the most fondly remembered episodes of that > acclaimed seriee. You hear that Elinor Donahue? from 1954 the Christmas > show > with Wallace as Nick, mistaken as Santa Claus when the Andersons are > stranded up in the woods in a wintry cabin. What a memorable episide. The > series famous for its brilliant music ,its score scene for scene that still > holds up today. Imagine a comedy series remembered for its musical score. > The entire episodes not just the opening credits.ANd look at the TAGS > players who guested on that show. Catch Wallace in Freaks 1932 . very > talented man. Did i read Gritton Joe asking me if i knew Burt when he had > happier times?Of course. In 1970-71 at 88 he was in grand health long > before > taking ill. BUt he stayed in harness til the very end. I have scores of > letters of happier days before illness set in. He didnt become an actor til > he was 65 His wife had just died when i came into his life. Old as he was > he > kept on writing til nearly the end then his niece told me the rest. What a > chatterer too. he loved it when people remembered him. ANd he had plenty to > say. He told me they retook several times the tomatoe scene in that classic > episode with Barney and him and Hal Smith cracking up in between each take. > Someone said Joe Hamilton and Murray Hamilton look and sound alike?YOu know > the saying. no two people see the same thing. I only speak for myself. No > way do they look or sound alike. Outside of same last name i cant see a > blessed thing they had in common. Yes there is. THey were superb > performers. > Murray performed til cancer set in and robbed us of him. JAws was his best > remembered role but catch him in that classic episode from Twilight Zone, > One For the Angels. The last thing id do is boast about myself but in case, > im happy to. Joe mentioned Dick Ryan. I think its safe to say this actor > was > otherwise so forgotton by 1967 when he did a 5 second scene. it was a > godsend. im glad i caught up to him but sad im most likely bthe only fan > out > there anywhere who picked up on that episode,spotted him and sent off a fan > letter. there were literally hundreds and hundreds of character actors ( > all > died by 2008) back in the 30s and 40s in Dicks heyday. he was one of many > reliable standbys. a jack of all trades. this was his livlihood performing > as supporting player in films. He was like so many others, type casted > which > is fine but by the 50s Hollywood was changing. .He wasnt seen as much in > films no fault of his own but now in television but never as top rated > character-supporting actor.He was a reliable thesbian . But his parts grew > much smaller til finally we last see him in such an insignicant scene from > Dont Miss a Good Bet..But leave it to Andy Griffith to spot him and others > to do a bit part. Its vital. its music to their vears to be wanted.Oh i > forgot on Wallace Ford. His line "Boy." no not really. his character Roger > was bluffing and threatening Andy Taylor looking down to him , belittling > this "kid." He knows Andys onto him . Liston to the sharp edge of BOY and > better yet "I just might have a hand in those penunias yet. ANDY with the > accent on ANDY shows the powerful scene . TAGS was chartering new waters by > 1964 exploring with success new avenues.I want to close this out. Gritton > Joe just e mailed me. Finally then Ill shut up.. Im sorry Im too lazy to > look this up and the name escapes me but Ken and Joe and masny of you know > the name. In 1974 Frances Bavier told me one more performer not a regular > from the show that she said was very dear to her. he would sit between > takes > laugh up a storm tell stories snd jokes and break everybody up. when she > told me (She forgot his name) i got her point. his character role was > anything but that of a Cut Up.In Barney Holds a Summit. this episode in my > opinon only is the best ever post Don Knotts guest episode and a gem all by > itself (Look at the power of that dramatic scene of Andy almost screaming > his head off at Barney back home handing him the phone) and the splendid > actor playing the head of the Russian Delegation (remember him saying > PICKLES) he died just a year or so ago i read in one of my movie magazines. > Everyone on the set simply adored him FRances told me. He was the opposite > of his grim character. Time to close shop. God Bless from Col.Tim and I. > Tom Kessel. > An > ' "."".. > > > ------------------------------ > > ************************************************** > ~ Visit our sponsor > ~ Weaver's Department Store > ~ > http://www.WeaversDepartmentStore.com/<http://www.weaversdepartmentstore.com/> > ************************************************** > > You must send your comments to the Digest from the address you used to > join WBMUTBB or your message will > not be posted. Only members may post > to this mailing list. > > To remove yourself from the WBMUTBB Digest mailing > list go to: > > http://www.tagsrwc.com/wbmutbb/joinwbmutbb.htm > > To change your email address, first unsubscribe using > the link above and then re-subscribe using the > same link to subscribe. > > End of WBMUTBB Digest, Vol 9, Issue 273 > *************************************** > _______________________________________________ WBMUTBB mailing list [email protected] http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
