Volume 29, Number 1
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Volume 29, Number 1 Contents:
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This is an old issue of the Brushwood Gulch Gazette, which has been archived for reference purposes. Although some links have been updated, the text of this archived newsletter remains unchanged. Please keep in mind that these articles have NOT been updated to reflect changes that may have occurred since they were originally printed. Return to the index of archived issues. |
As of this meeting, only 353 shopping days left until Christmas! However, before 1996 goes flying by, stop by the Way Out West Tent for some fun with the boys. We'll begin on Tuesday, January 16, 1996, at the good old Mayflower Club, located at 11110 Victory Boulevard (west of Vineland Avenue), in North Hollywood. The new 1996 Famous Fabulous Fisher Franks will be on hand along with the Marvelous Mayflower Bar. We'll also have a birthday cake to honor the birthdays of Hal Roach (January 14), and Oliver Hardy (January 18). A raffle will be part of this year's first meeting, so save your money for some raffle tickets. The doors will open at 6:30 PM and the meeting will begin at 7:30 PM. We'll look forward to seeing you on Tuesday evening, January 16, 1996.
Vivian Blaine, who was best remembered by Laurel and Hardy fans as the lovely Susan Cowan in the 1943 Fox feature, Jitterbugs, died in New York on December 9, 1995, at the age of 74. Born in Newark, New Jersey on November 21, 1921, she began her career singing with bands and in nightclubs. Her biggest success was on Broadway in 1950 where she played Miss Adelaide in Guys and Dolls. She also re-created the role in the 1955 film version with Frank Sinatra and Marlon Brando. Her other Broadway work included Say Darling and Enter Laughing. Among her film credits were Girl Trouble, Something for the Boys, State Fair, and Skirts Ahoy. In addition to Jitterbugs with the boys, she also appeared with them on This is Your Life in December of 1954. In 1980 she was a guest of the Sons of the Desert 2nd International Convention, in Hollywood/Los Angeles, California. Vivian Blaine had no survivors at the time of her death.
The Way Out West Tent's finale for 1995, on December 5, ended on a high note. Our "Silent Night" was a very memorable one, thanks to the musical magic of Dean Mora. The meeting began as Dean's piano accompaniment led us through the "Sons of the Desert" song. The toasts to the boys and company followed. Then the film program began with Charley Chase in Movie Night, followed by Stan and Ollie in Do Detectives Think?, Putting Pants on Philip, Liberty, The Finishing Touch, and Big Business. Dean, who currently leads his own orchestra, "Mora's Modern Rhythmists," performed his mastery, much to the delight of all who attended. We at Way Out West want to thank Dean for the great job he did and we will look forward to seeing and hearing him again.
Celebrity guests joining us for the evening were Our Gang's Dick Jones, who also was the voice of "Pinnochio" in the Walt Disney classic. Also our good friend Jay Dare, who was the costumer for the boys on their Fox feature The Dancing Masters and The Bullfighters.
Keep track of 1996 with your own Laurel and Hardy calendar. There are four different poses of Stan and Babe and one of Charley Chase from Sons of the Desert. The cost is $1 each and they will be available at the January 16, 1996 meeting.
Look for a book on our own Eugene "Pineapple" Jackson in the new year. At the time of this writing, we have been told that there will be a book printed and released sometime in 1996...perhaps around the middle of the year. Keep your eyes open for it in your local book stores. When we hear more information, we will pass it along in the newsletter.
Once again, the members of the Way Out West Tent have come through. Your donations of the many canned goods was very much appreciated by those in need. A tip of the derby and many thanks to all of you who contributed to the Maud Booth Family Center.
It was brought to our attention at the December meeting that some literature was left on the table at the check-in desk that was inappropriate for a Sons of the Desert meeting. While we respect every individual's personal right to their own beliefs, we ask that any information that you should wish to share with our club be limited to Laurel and Hardy, Sons of the Desert, or any other related material to the boys. In the future, please let John Duff or Lori Jones McCaffery be aware of any materiel you wish to share with the club before you put it on the table. We appreciate your cooperation regarding this matter.
Fluttering Hearts
Released June 19, 1927. Starring Charley Chase, Oliver Hardy, Martha
Sleeper, William Buress, and Eugene Pallette. Big Bill (Ollie) has a
compromising letter that means trouble for Martha's father. Charley
goes to hilarious lengths to get the letter back. One of the
highlights of this short is Charley manipulating a mannequin to flirt
with Big Bill.
Hollywood Party
Released June 1, 1934. Starring Jimmy Durante, Lupe Velez,
Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Tom Kennedy, Eddie Quillan, and a cast of
many celebrities of the day. Stan and Ollie are uninvited guests of
"Schnarzan's" Hollywood Party. Baron Munchausen has given the boys a
phony check as payment for lions the boys sold him. They have come to
Schnarzan's party to collect from the Baron. After an egg breaking
spat with Lupe Velez and the boys, chaos reigns. (Note: Only the
Laurel and Hardy sequence from this film will be shown.)
The Laurel - Hardy Murder Case
Released September 6, 1930. Starring Stan Laurel, Oliver
Hardy, Fred Kelsey, Del Henderson, Frank Austin, Tiny Sanford, and
Dorothy Granger. While fishing at the pier, Ollie makes Stan aware
that Ebeneezer Laurel, a wealthy man, has died and that all of the
heirs should show up for the reading of the will. The boys arrive on
a rainy night only to learn that the old man was murdered.
Jitterbugs
Released June 11, 1943. Starring Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy,
Vivian Blaine, Robert Bailey, Douglas Fowley, Noel Madison, Lee
Patrick, and Anthony Caruso. The boys meet up with Chester Wright, a
young man selling pills that turn water into gasoline. Zoot suiters L
& H and Chester go into business at a carnival in Midvale. The
mother of Susan Cowan has been taken advantage of by con men. To help
Susan, Chester, with the help of the masquerading L & H, con the
con man.
80 years ago:
75 years ago:
70 years ago:
65 years ago:
60 years ago:
1 year ago:
Sources for Looking Back are:
Laurel and Hardy-The Magic Behind the Movies, by Randy Skretvedt
The Little Rascals-The Life and Times of Our Gang, by Leonard Maltin
and Richard W. Bann
The Laurel and Hardy Book, edited by Leonard Maltin
January 1 Stymie Beard Our Gang 3 ZaSu Pitts On the Loose 12 Patsy Kelly Pick A Star 13 Harry Bernard L&H supporting actor 14 Mary Ann Jackson Our Gang 14 Hal Roach 18 Norman "Chubby" Chaney Our Gang 18 Oliver Hardy 20 Rolfe Sedan Double Whoopee 23 Franklin Pangborn Wild Poses 26 Alf Goulding A Chump at Oxford-director 30 Wilfred Lucas Pardon Us, A Chump at Oxford February 2 Noah Young Sugar Daddies, Do Detectives Think? 10 Jimmy Durante Hollywood Party 10 Alan Hale, Sr. Our Relations 11 Anita Garvin From Soup to Nuts, Blotto 11 Angelo Rossitto Babes in Toyland 14 Jack Benny Hollywood Revue of 1929 14 Trudy Marshall The Dancing Masters 14 Jimmy Murphy Stan Laurel's valet 15 William Janney Bonnie Scotland 25 Dick Jones Our Gang 26 Tiny Sandford L&H supporting regular 27 Reginald Gardiner The Flying Deuces
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