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 _______________________________________________ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.wbmutbb.com/
