SonofMick

Old SonofMick:

Yup, Bert Lahr was a jewel. His real name was "Irving Lahrham". He died in 1967. His film career never went anywhere after WIZARD OF OZ. His mugging and exhaggerated gestures did not work as well on film as they did for burlesque, vaudeville, and Broadway. He did 18 Broadway shows in his career. He died in 1967. He won a Tony on Broadway in FOXY. His last role was Spats in THE NIGHT THEY RAIDED MINSKY'S (1968). He once said,"If you want to be a success in Hollywood, be sure and go to New York." Yeah, I do recall the Buster Keaton cameos. He too was underused after the 40's. Kudos on the Lee Patrick trivia. I still like her role in VERTIGO too, being mistaken for Kim Novak.

As to my pal, Keeno Wynn. You kind of got me by the short ones there, pal. As far as I know he only rode his motorcyle on one episode of THEN CAME BRONSON (1969-70), which starred Michael Parks. On that show, an old buddy of Keenan's, stunt man Bud Ekins doubled for Parks. Ekins doubled for McQueen, and actually did that famous jump in THE GREAT ESCAPE. Parks as a kid did try and qualify for the 1972 Olympics as a miler, but didn't make it. In real life, Keenan rode motorcycles a lot more than Steve McQueen did; cracking up a few times. It messed up his legs later in life. As a spoiled rich kid, he raced cars and boats as well.

Telly Savalas played Archer J. Maggott in THE DIRTY DOZEN (1967). Savalas had been a medic in WWII, but he didn't like to talk about it. He was 37 before he had his first film role on SUNDAY SHOWCASE on TV in 1959. He did not shave his head until he played Pontius Pilate in George Stevens THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD (1965), and then that became his signature look. Her had an Australian wife, and was stepfather to Nicolette Sheridan. He was godfather to Jennifer Anniston. He died in 1974, one day after a huge gala birthday bash for his 72 birthday. Believe it or not, he was slated to play Luke in COOL HAND LUKE (1967), but they couldn't wait for him to get back from Europe, where he was filming, so thank God they gave it to Paul Newman. Savalas was an accomplished poker player. He won several big Las Vegas tournaments. He had a fear of flying. He took boats to Europe. That's why he lost Luke. He was the successful host of a radio show called TELLY'S COFFEEHOUSE in the 1950's. He once said,"Hell, we're all born bald, baby." What was the name of his famous race horse?

So the Great Mickster will grace us on January 16th, the Tuesday after Martin Luther King Day. And you might return for a rematch here. That would be aces, kid.

"From out of the clear blue of the Western sky came Sky King!" SKY KING was the very popular series that ran 130 30min episodes from 1951-1959; then it ran 3 more years in syndication. Kirby Grant played Sky King. I do not recall his first name. His plane was called the SONGBIRD. He actually had two of them, one a Cessna T-50 Bobcat, and one a Cessna 310B. Grant was an actual pilot. He had been a barnstormer in the 1920's. He started in movies in 1935, mostly B adventure flicks. He did 60 of them before the series happened. The series was his last film work oddly. His real name was Kirby Grant Hoon Jr.
After the series folded he traveled with the CARSON & BARNES CIRCUS until he retired in 1970. Later he became public relations director at SEA WORLD, in Florida. He was killed in a car accident in 1985 while he was on route to watch a shuttle launch. They gave him an honorable mention before they took off. Sky King's place was called FLYING CROWN RANCH, supposedly near Grover, AZ. His neice was Penny, played by Gloria Walters. His nephew was Clipper played by Ron Hagerthy. Sheriff Mitch Hargrove was played by Ewing Mitchell. Monte Blue did play for a time though Sheriff Hollister. Sky and Penny both had dogs; Sky had a cocker spaniel and Penny had a white German Shepherd. What were their names? Didn't Sky have a horse he rode to his plane too? Beats the hell out of me what his sponsors were; probably kid's cereals.

Christ, you are throwing trivia questions like confetti at me, boy! SGT. PRESTON OF THE YUKON, the TV series ran in 1955-1958. The lead was done by Dick Simmons (whose son was the fag Richard Simmons, right?). He, too, started in films in 1937, doing 96 of them, mostly television roles, before he retired in 1977. I think he is still alive. Louis B. Mayer saw him breaking an Arabian stallion once, and put him on contract at MGM. He worked in "uncredited" roles for several years, and then left and did character leads in B films until SGT PRESTON. He was in BATTLE CIRCUS (1953) with Keenan Wynn and Bogie. Also MEN OF THE FIGHTING LADY (1954), and a cameo in THE DEVIL'S BRIGADE in 1968. His dog on the series was Yukon King. "Well King, it looks like this case is closed." was his closing line on all 75 episodes. I used to love that, and "On King, on you huskies!" The sarge rode a horse. What was its' name? The series was created by the same producers as those who created THE LONE RANGER, and like that series, the PRESTON theme music was classical operatic tune. What was it? No, not the William Mickelson King overture! I just do not recall who was the voice of the sarge on the radio show.

The Western series you refer too eludes me. I think one of the Yankees was a black guy. It was called THE OUTCASTS, or something like that. But I think it was in the 60's. Actually that was a series in 1968, short-lived with Don Murray. But I don't think that is the one you are asking about. You got me, sir, what was it? Johnny Cash sang JOHNNY YUMA was a rebel, with Nick Adams. Yes, John Payne was in THE RESTLESS GUN. Yes, FRONTIER DOCTOR (1958) only ran for 37 episodes. It starred the infamous Rex Allen as Dr. Bill Baxter. Who played his sidekick, the sheriff on that show? HAVE GUN, WILL TRAVEL (1957-1963) was always one of my favorites; loved that scalawag Richard Boone. The character you are asking about was Kim "Hey Boy" Chan played by Kam Tong. What was the name of Hey Boy's girlfriend? I have a lot of this series on tape. Ida Lupino and William Conrad were both directors on it. Of course you recall Charles Bronson, James Coburn, Lee Van Cleef, Ben Johnson, Robert Blake, Harry Carey Jr, Ken Curtis, Harry Dean Stanton, and Lon Chaney Jr. as guest stars, right? On BONANZA, Hoss's favorite guy was the cook "Hop Sing" played by Victor Sen Yung. Kudos on remembering Dean Stockwell as the kid with the Green Hair. Yeah, I too mixed up Dwayne and Daryl Hickman. Which one was DOBIE GILLIS ? There's a show we can rap about.

Good work getting from Lloyd Bridges to Judy Garland. I think Louis B. Mayer gave her the name. I went a different route.
Lloyd Bridges was in PLYMOUTH ADVENTURE (1952) with Van Johnson.
Van Johnson was in BRIGADOON (1954) with Gene Kelly.
Gene Kelly was in THE PIRATE (1948) with Judy Garland.

Now my nipple tingler was to get from Judy Holliday to Daryl Hannah. OK.
Judy Holliday was in BELLS ARE RINGING (1961) with Dean Martin.
Dean Martin was in ROBIN & THE 7 HOODS (1964) with Bing Crosby.
Bing Crosby was in ROAD TO HONG KONG (1962) with Joan Collins.
Joan Collins was in PAPER DOLLS (1982) with Daryl Hannah.

Your assignment, sir, is to get from David Nelson to Quentin Tarantino.

Hey, I got no kudos for my great Charles Bronson trivia! I will close with one of my favorite speeches.
"To me a claims man is a surgeon. The desk an operating table, and these pencils are scalpels and bone chisels --and these papers are not just forms and statistics and claims for compensation--they're alive. They're packed with drama, with twisted hopes and crooked dreams. A claims man, Walter, is a doctor and a bloodhound and a cop, and a judge, and a father confessor, all in one." Edward G. Robinson to Fred MacMurray in DOUBLE INDEMNITY (1944).

Bigs Hugs from Glenn the Meek, who never met a movie he didn't like; sort of.

Mick wrote:

Correct on Bert Lahrs, Ah schucks folks I'm speechless. I heard it as a piece of radio trivia years ago and I think he said it accepting some award? He was another old vaudvillian who made the switch to radio, movies, theatre and tv and I heard that everybody loved working with him and no one could do the cowardly lion as well as he could. Do you recall Buster Keatons cameos in Mad mad mad world and a funny thing happened on the way to the forum when he reenacted his famous run around in a circle and get nowhere bit? The Lee Patrick role that I think immortalized her was the Madam and friend to Rhett when he visited her brothel and befriended Scarlett on her way of getting what she wanted when everybody else thought Scarletts ways were shameful. Bert Lahrs crossed eye was not as severe as Ben Turbins and I believe it enhanced his characters. Speaking of ex olympians turned actor, what was the name of the series of your buddy Keenan Wynn where he rode his beloved motorcycle and co starred with decathalon and pole vaulting Gold Medal winner and what was his name? Yep, Clint Walker made everybody look smaller. Standing next to Jim Brown, Charles Bronson and Telly Savalis in formation in the Dirty Dozen made those three look very diminutive. What was Tellys name in that movie which really fit the role?
Yes I have an appt. the 16th of Jan. with Delectable Dianne the Dietician so I will see you than and fill you in on current eye problems which may require another stay for me at the Great BR in the very near future.
Who played Sky King, what was Sky Kings first name, what was the name of his nephew and niece along with his airplane and the name of the sherriff that could never catch the bad guys, ergo, Sky King to the rescue. I must not be remiss in asking who one of the sponsors were. Who player Sgt Preston of the Yukon on tv and who was that shows sponsor? Who was the voice of Sgt Preston on the radio? What was the name of the western where two ex Yankees and one ex confederate rode together and who played the 3 characters on that short lived tv 50's show? Who sang the theme song for The Rebel which, you were right, starred Nick Adams. John Payne starred in the short lived The Restless Gun. Who starred in the gun-toten Frontier Doctor series which was another one with the short shelf life. What was the name of Paladins oriental valet and the name of the oriental cook, who was Hosses favorite person, on Bonanza? The green haired kid was played by Guys brother Dean Stockwell who as a kid I would get confused with the Hickman brothers, Darryl and Dwayne.
Okay; Lloyd was in High Noon with Coop, Coop was in Vera Cruz with Burt Lancaster, Burt was in Judgement at Nuremberg with Judy whose real name was Judy Gumm and was from my home state in Grand Rapids, MN. where they have a nice museum in her honor. Who gave her the name of Judy Garland? Your melancholic mammary memento is to get from Judy Holliday to Daryl Hannah.

Fegards: From Santas Norwegian elf, The SvenMick!
Merry Xmas to one and all and looking forward to seeing the whole gang after you've recovered from the holidays. The SvenMick!