The Hollywood Show--Chicago Recap

I had such a wonderful time last weekend in Chicago at the Hollywood Show.  It's always such a boost to speak with people just as excited about Christmas entertainment as I am.  I was even thrilled to meet a few people who had already read one of my books--and came to purchase another one!  I still feel a little flash-blind from all the photo taking.  Thanks to everyone who came to meet me.

Erin Murphy played Tabitha on TV's Bewitched.

The Hollywood Show doesn't isolate the big celebrities away from the other vendors present at the show.  So this means little ol' me was sitting next to child actress Erin Murphy--who played Tabitha on Bewitched--all weekend.  What a nice person she is!  Next to her was actress Jeannie Russell and actor Jay North--who played Margaret and Dennis respectively--from TV's Dennis the Menace.  It was so wonderful watching people seek the autographs of their favorite childhood TV stars all weekend long. 

Though he was very busy, I was able to speak with Jay North briefly and share with him how much I enjoy the Christmas episodes of Dennis the Menace and his singing "Silent Night" in each of them.  He was so kind and gracious to me.

 On the other side of Jay North was Mackenzie Phillips (from American Graffiti and TV's One Day at a Time) and Scott Schwartz who played Flick in the 1983 movie A Christmas Story.  I know, right?  It was awesome being surrounded by these stars--all of whom were friendly, outgoing and very busy greeting their fans all weekend.

Scott Schwartz was friendly and very approachable--he's a people person!

Across from Schwartz's booth was Kristy McNichol and Jimmy McNichol.  I got a little giddy when Jimmy McNichol smiled, winked, and shook my hand on one of the times I passed by him!  I have to admit I began looking for reasons to walk by him again and again all weekend long.

Ron Moody--who appeared in the very first and last Bing Crosby Christmas TV specials!

As you know from my previous blog post, I was looking forward to meeting actor Ron Moody.  He was a part of a mini-reunion for the cast of the musical Oliver! that attended the Hollywood Show that included Moody--who played Fagin, Mark Lester--who played Oliver Twist, and Shani Wallis--who played Nancy.  Coincidentally, Ron Moody was seated right across from my booth!  But it took two days for me to find an opening between his many fans for me to be able to speak with him.  He joked with me about how people pointed out on the set of the Bing Crosby Christmas specials how much he resembled Bing--and how Bing tried to teach him his signature singing style ("buh--buh--buh--buh").  What a special moment that was for me.

Tina Cole holding my DVD copy of the King Family Christmas Retrospective--have you seen it on PBS?

Another highlight for me was the mini-cast reunion of TV's My Three Sons with Tina Cole--who played Katie, Stanley Livingston--who played Chip, and Barry Livingston--who played Ernie Douglas.  I just read Barry Livingston's new book The Importance of Being Ernie: From My Three Sons to Mad Men, A Hollywood Survivor Tells All this past winter, so I was beside myself to share with him how much I enjoyed reading it.   However, Tina Cole was so generous with her time--she organized a meet & greet on Saturday night for her fans!  I slipped into this group and sat rapt for hours as Tina shared stories about My Three Sons and life on the road with the King Family.  I just posted about the 1967 King Family Christmas TV special.  Tina made us all laugh and cry with her amazing stories.  How wonderful it was to get to spend time with her.  This was certainly the best part of my weekend!

While in Chicago, I sought out the TV Land statue of Dr. Bob Hartley, played by Bob Newhart--honoring his TV show The Bob Newhart Show.  "Tell me Doctor, why do I love watching TV so much?"

Other celebrities at the show included Barbara Eden and Bill Daily from I Dream of Jeannie, and Tippi Hedron--who was busy signing Hitchcock's Birds memorabilia for her many fans.  They were seated in a long hallway to accommodate the long lines of fans gathered to meet them.  It was too difficult for me to leave my own booth to meet them--and I didn't want to interrupt their time with fans who waited in line--so I didn't get my photo taken with any of them.   There were so many celebrities--it's difficult to name them all!  But Greg Evigan--who was on TV's BJ and the Bear and My Two Dads, smiled at me and made my knees weak!  And, Johnny Crawford from the TV western The Rifleman dropped by my booth and we briefly discussed how The Rifleman never created a Christmas episode.  Next week, I'll get to see Johnny Crawford again--as we are both attending the Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention just outside of Baltimore, on Sept. 19th-21st.  Will I see you there?

Ron Moody, Bing Crosby, and Benji

If you've been following along lately, you already know that I'm looking forward to being at the Hollywood Show in Chicago, Friday Sept. 6th-Sunday, Sept. 8th, 2013.  There are many amazing celebrities in attendance at this show--several of whom have significantly contributed to Christmas entertainment.  One such special guest at the show will be British actor Ron Moody.  Moody will be joined in Chicago by Mark Lester, his co-star in the musical film Oliver!  In addition to this, I recognize Moody for his contributions to Christmas culture on TV.  Did you know that Ron Moody has the rare distinction of being a part of the very first as well as the last of the Bing Crosby Christmas TV specials?

Crosby sings "The Sheik of Araby" along with other buskers when a constable (Moody) approaches.

Bing Crosby's very first Christmas TV special, entitled The Bing Crosby Show, aired in 1961.  The premise of this variety special is that Bing Crosby is spending time in London at Christmas time researching his British ancestry.  Ron Moody plays a policeman who arrests Bing for performing in the street without a license.  The scene continues in court where Crosby must appear before a local judge.  Crosby appeals to the mercy of the court singing Fats Waller's "My Fate is in Your Hands."  Moody is just one of several entertainers that appear in this TV special which also includes English actors/singers Dave King, Marion Ryan, and Miriam Karlin, English comedian Terry-Thomas, and the Welsh-born Shirley Bassey. 

The policeman (Moody) easily identifies the guilty party in court!  Is Bing going to the Big House?

Ron Moody also appears in Bing Crosby's final Christmas TV special, 1977's Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas.  Though Crosby had taped the show in September, he would die before the show was broadcast in late November of 1977.  However most people remember this final Christmas TV special because of Bing's special guest, rocker David Bowie.

Naturally, Sir Percival's neighbor David Bowie drops by the home and the two guests find themselves singing "The Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth" together. 

Just like the 1961 Christmas TV special, Bing Crosby once again finds himself in England at Christmas time researching his ancestry.  This time Bing has brought along his wife Kathryn and his three children Harry, Mary Frances, and Nathaniel and the family is staying with a distant relative, Sir Percival at his country estate.  In addition to David Bowie, this TV special also features English model-turned-actress/singer Twiggy, Scottish comedian Stanley Baxter, and British actor Ron Moody.  Moody plays several roles in this TV special--including the ghost of Charles Dickens.

Twiggy, Charles Dickens (Moody) and Bing Crosby.

Near the middle of the TV variety special, Bing Crosby enters the library of the country estate to discover a "spirited friend" Charles Dickens sitting at the desk.  When Twiggy enters the room, the three of them are drawn into a musical montage that includes several of Dickens' most popular literary characters.




Twiggy and Ron Moody sing "Where Would You Be Without Me?" in three distinct sequences as Tiny Tim and Ebenezer Scrooge from Dickens' A Christmas Carol, as the Artful Dodger and Fagin from Dickens' Oliver Twist, and as Little Nell and Quilp from Dickens' The Old Curiosity Shop.  Don't you just love the elaborate production numbers in Christmas TV specials?  You might recognize the song "Where Would You Be Without Me?" from the musical The Roar of the Greasepaint-The Smell of the Crowd.

Ron Moody as Sir Percival.

Ron Moody also plays the role of Crosby's distant relative Sir Percival who only arrives at his country estate after the Crosby family and nearly two thirds of the way into the TV special.  Percival sings the song "Side By Side By Side" with Crosby and his wife Kathryn.

"Side By Side By Side" was originally written for a musical by Stephen Sondheim.

How many people remember that the song "Silver Bells" was originally introduced in the 1951 movie "The Lemon Drop Kid" starring....BOB HOPE!

Later in the TV special, Percival joins the estate's butler Mr. Hudson (Stanley Baxter) and Bing in singing the Christmas classic "Silver Bells."  Lucky for us, both the 1961 and the 1977 Bing Crosby Christmas specials were released on DVD in 2010, under the title Bing Crosby: The Television Specials: Volume 2--The Christmas Specials.

Kris Kringle (Moody) with Benji.

Dog lovers may also remember Ron Moody from another Christmas TV special, 1978's Benji's Very Own Christmas Story.  You may recall that Benji is asked to be Grand marshal in a Christmas parade in a small mountain village in Germany.  Benji's friends Cindy and Pat, who appeared in the 1974 movie Benji and the 1977 sequel For the Love of Benji with the clever canine, spend their time before the parade with a new friend, a man dressed like Kris Kringle.  You'll have to watch the charming TV special to find out of he's the real Kris Kringle or not!  This 1978 TV special is also available for viewing on DVD.

Moody's roles in Christmas entertainment may not be the award-winning roles that he achieved in his long and successful career.  But to many viewers, like myself, these Christmas TV specials continue to hold a special place in our lives.  And, I look forward to his appearance in Chicago at the Hollywood Show this weekend.

Christmas With the King Family (1967)

They just don’t make wholesome TV variety shows like Christmas with The King Family anymore!  Watching this 1967 TV special is like looking into a window onto the past when variety shows on TV were at their zenith and wholesome even corny sentimentalism was so popular, it was expected.  For those of us who still love this sort of thing, we're lucky that this entire 1967 TV special was released on DVD in 2009--a bonus feature on the Christmas with The King Family documentary that also aired on PBS.  The documentary is a collection of clips from several King Family Christmas TV programs with commentary by members of the King family.  Have you seen it?

DVD box cover

1967's Christmas with The King Family was the first Christmas TV special following The King Family Show variety TV series.  Though "America’s First Family of Song" began their variety series on TV in 1965, this 1967 special is their first hour-long Christmas special.  The cast includes the King Sisters, Alvino Rey, the King Cousins, the King Kiddies as well as all the other aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews that make up the extended musical family. This Christmas special was rebroadcast by the network for many years until the King Family made their next Christmas TV special in 1974.

The family opens the show singing "Happy Holidays" and "Caroling, Caroling" as they decorate a Christmas tree on an open stage setting with a staircase, a chandelier and a couch.  The music continues with the King Cousins, the King Kiddies and the King Sisters singing a medley of "Deck the Halls/Jingle Bells" in an arrangement that features each group of singers.

"The Holiday of Love." 

In gorgeous floor-length white dresses with black fur collars, the King Sisters harmonize on "The Holiday of Love."  This song is one of the signature King Sisters holiday songs recorded for the King Family Christmas albums.

Tina Cole singing to her toddler son Volney Howard.

Tina Cole sings "I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm" to her baby son, while young Cam and Laurette, and King Sister Marilyn and husband Kent, continue the same song.

Rob on bass, Alvino with his "talking steel guitar" and daughter Liza Rey Butler on harp.

Alvino Rey plays the steel guitar with two King cousins accompanying him on harp and stringed bass.  My favorite performance is the King Cousins dressed in red pajamas singing and dancing to a hip bossa-nova arrangement of "Twas the Night Before Christmas/Santa Claus is Coming to Town."  This is followed by King Sister Alyce singing "I’ll Be Home for Christmas" at the piano, played by son Lex.  Lex continues on the piano, performing a relaxed arrangement of "Sleigh Ride."

"Twas the Night Before Christmas" performance

Bob Clarke with the King kids.

Bob Clarke recites a story about a Christmas donkey to the group of children intercut with animated images of Mary and Joseph on a donkey.

"Hear the Sledges With the Bells."

The whole family sings "Hear the Sledges With the Bells" and Marilyn sings "My Favorite Things." 

Marilyn sings "My Favorite Things" a song closely associated with the holidays--though it original comes from the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical The Sound of Music.  Sadly, the last of the King Sisters, Marilyn, passed away just last month (August 2013).

Performance for the song "The Little Drummer Boy."  What this photo doesn't reveal is the adorable puppy running through the set!

The King Kiddies perform a dramatization of the Nativity story against a recording of the King Sisters singing "The Little Drummer Boy."

"White Christmas."

The King Sisters sing the beloved holiday classic "White Christmas" dressed in luxurious white hooded coats trimmed with white fur.  This is followed by the female members of the King Cousins singing "The Christmas Song" eventually joined by their mothers.

"The Christmas Song."

"The Christmas Waltz."

 
Together the family sings "The Christmas Waltz" dressed in white gowns and tuxedos as they waltz to the music. The family sings "The First Noel/Auld Lang Syne/We Wish You a Merry Christmas" and they close the show singing "(When There’s) Love at Home."

Ric catches his mother by surprise walking up to her during her performance of "I'll Be Home for Christmas."

Her tearful reaction is a rare candid moment for TV viewers, many of whom also had members of their family serving away from home perhaps even in Vietnam at Christmas time.

Most people remember  this particular TV special because it includes the surprise moment when King Sister Alyce has an unexpected and tearful reunion with her son Ric, who is brought on stage in the middle of her tender performance of the song "I’ll Be Home for Christmas."  Ric who was away serving in the military at that time surprises his mother who had dedicated her performance to him just moments before.

"(When There's) Love At Home."

What I love about this classic TV special is its old-fashioned goodness and simplicity.  Even if I wasn't around to watch it in its original run on TV, I enjoy watching it now as a way to capture that feeling we all love to feel at Christmas--a longing for the good ol' days and warm times spent with the family.

The King Sisters started their careers during the Big Band era.

Even if you've never heard of The King Sisters, and their large extended family, you may be interested to know of the King family's further influence on pop culture.  Guitar virtuoso Alvino Rey--husband to King Sister Luise--was a pioneer with the pedal steel guitar.  I still hear people evoke his name when discussing exotica music, a style of music Rey embraced later in his career.   Two of Alvino's grandsons Will and Win Butler continue in the music industry--in a hugely successful band, Arcade Fire.  It's a small world, isn't it?

Young Cam Clarke with Laurette in "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm."

 
You may also recognize King Sister Alyce's husband, actor Bob Clarke--who has appeared in several classic science fiction movies.  Clarke was also a regular in the 1960s color episodes of Dragnet (my favorite!)  King Kiddie Cam Clarke has since grown up to become a very successful voice actor in animation and video games.

Tina Cole played Robbie's wife Katie in the TV series My Three Sons.

And, King Cousin Tina Cole also worked as an actress.  She's appearing at The Hollywood Show in Chicago on Sept. 6th-8th, 2013 in a mini-cast reunion for My Three Sons along with former cast members Barry Livingston and Stanley Livingston.  I hope to see everyone in Chicago--I'll be there signing books.  Be sure to drop by my booth and say 'hi.'

Book Review: A Christmas Story: Behind the Scenes of a Holiday Classic by Caseen Gaines

Even though it's Labor Day weekend, I'm already in the Christmas spirit.  That's because I've received an advanced copy of a new book by pop culture enthusiast Caseen Gaines entitled A Christmas Story: Behind the Scenes of a Holiday Classic.  The book which is scheduled to be released on October 1st, 2013, is the hottest item on everyone's Christmas list.  It is being released to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the movie's debut.  That's what I call perfect timing! 

Gaines' book is everything it should be--and it covers everything it should cover.  Within its ten chapters, you'll read about the behind the scenes activities of what it took for the film's director Bob Clark to bring this production to theater screens.  Gaines recounts the film's screenplay, casting, shooting the film, its initial release and critics' reactions, and the movie's eventual climb to cult status.  There are also in depth discussions of Brian Jones' efforts to develop what has become Christmas movie fans' ultimate vacation destination: The Christmas Story House and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio--the house used for the exterior shots in the movie.  You'll also read about the Schwartzes, a couple who are such die-hard A Christmas Story fans that they made an indie film about their efforts to track down the original Canadian shooting locations and the original costumes worn in the film by the principle cast.  Gaines' book also details the explosion of merchandise retailed after the 20th anniversary of the film, as well as the multiple follow-up movies and staged productions inspired by the success of the 1983 film.

The photos in the book include movie publicity stills as well as some from the personal collection of Ian Petrella who played the little brother Randy.   Petrella's photos are a wonderful addition as they consist of candid, behind-the-scenes images of the cast and crew captured during the 1983 film's shoot.

This is me standing inside the Christmas Story House in Cleveland, Ohio--"It's a MAJOR award!"  Click HERE to revisit my post about my trip to A Christmas Story House & Museum in 2010.

Most of you may be pleased to learn that this new book includes a level of detail for even the most ardent A Christmas Story movie fans.  Even if you've seen the movie dozens of times--even hundreds of times--you'll learn something new.  Loyal fans of radio personality, raconteur, and short story writer Jean Shepherd will be satisfied to discover how much Gaines' book attributes to Shepherd's work, his influence on the success of the film, and Shep's ongoing legacy.  I recommend this book to anyone who knows the joy of watching A Christmas Story.  This is the Red Ryder BB Gun of books you'll want on your Christmas list this year.

In addition to all the wonderful details about this classic Christmas movie, I was pleased to see wider discussions, asking the questions--has this holiday cultural force jumped the shark? will viewers and fans ever lose their enthusiasm and will the film diminish in popularity?  I also appreciate Gaines reiterating the question--what makes A Christmas Story the cultural touchstone that it is?  From my perspective, I share Gaines' assertion that the movie continues to endure because it is rooted in the ritual of families coming together every year watching the movie marathon 24 Hours of A Christmas Story on cable TV or on DVD.  This ritual for many has become tradition--the essence of Christmas itself.  Can we imagine a Christmas in our futures without watching A Christmas Story on television?  Not in my lifetime!

Gaines' previous book.

Christmas TV junkies should also look for Caseen Gaines' previous book 2011's Inside Pee-Wee's Playhouse: The Untold, Unauthorized, and Unpredictable Story of a Pop Phenomenon.  The book devotes an entire chapter to the 1988 prime time TV special Pee-Wee's Playhouse Christmas Special. 

You can pre-order A Christmas Story: Behind the Scenes of a Holiday Classic at Amazon.com
You can also follow Gaines' book on facebook: A Christmas Story book

Starsky & Hutch Christmas (1976)

As I mentioned, I'm looking forward to being at The Hollywood Show in Chicago on Sept. 6th-8th, 2013.  One of the exciting guests in attendance will be actress Kristy McNichol.  So I'm motivated to re-visit one of her past roles in a Christmas episode.  Do you remember the second season episode "Little Lost Girl" of the police/action series Starsky & Hutch?

You know it's Christmas because there are holiday decorations hanging from the car's rear-view mirror.

The story opens with Hutch bitterly explaining that he has no intention of buying his partner Starksy a Christmas present this year.  Hutch claims he's trying to avoid the phony "euphoric sentimentalism" he sees everywhere around him this season.  Meanwhile, Starsky cannot stop himself from whistling and singing Christmas carols throughout the episode.  The Zebra 3 receives a call--there's an armed robbery in progress nearby!

America's Most Wanted: Molly Edwards, a hungry girl with little parental supervision.

It turns out a local grocer has made the false report in order for the police to come and capture an underage shoplifter that has repeatedly ripped him off.  This twelve year-old delinquent is tomboy Molly Edwards who just wants to be left alone.  Starksy and Hutch get her away from the angry grocer and take her home.  But what they find there alarms them--she lives in a dingy apartment that's filled with empty liquor bottles.  They decide to wait with her until a parent arrives.

No happy Christmas for this little lost girl.

After several hours, they receive a phone call--Molly's father has been killed.  Looking into his background, Starsky and Hutch discover that Molly's father had just been released from prison two months ago.  He had served time after getting caught for a jewelry store robbery in which several stolen diamonds had not been recovered.  His two accomplices had never been found either.  It looks like Molly will have to return to her foster home as soon as the family can be contacted.  In the meantime, she'll stay with Hutch at his apartment.

Hutch listens as Molly cries herself to sleep.

Trying to help, Hutch finds himself offering to take Molly Christmas shopping and Starsky brings a Christmas tree to Hutch's apartment.  When Molly is returned to her foster family, her father's accomplices scheme to recover the stolen diamonds by kidnapping and forcing Molly to reveal what she knows. Now Starsky and Hutch must track down the two armed robbers who are the number one suspects in Molly's father's murder--but Molly as well!

YYESS!!  This Christmas story includes everyone's favorite informant, Huggy Bear!

These two bad guys are menacing however one of them looks like an evil Johnny Mathis!? 

Though Molly escapes from the bad guys clutches, she eventually uses herself as bait to lure them to her once again so they can be more easily caught!  This is not the plan Starsky and Hutch had in mind--but it works and the baddies are eventually caught.

Hutch has demonstrated quite of bit of "euphoric sentimentalism" over this little girl this holiday season--and Starsky won't let him forget it!  And on Christmas morning, Starsky, Hutch, Molly, and Hutch's friendly neighbor boy named Kiko all open gifts together.  As a ridiculous punchline, Starsky gives Hutch an ant farm as a gift and Hutch gives his partner a certificate that states that a tree has been planted in a nearby park in Starsky's name. 

If you're a fan of Kristy McNichol like I am, you may want to join me in Chicago at The Hollywood Show.  Get your tickets now!  You may also notice among the 36 celebrities attending the show, her brother Jimmy McNichol will also be there.  I can't wait!

Kristy also appeared in both of The Carpenters' musical Christmas TV specials in 1977 and '78.  Why aren't these on DVD yet?

Dennis the Menace (1959)

I've been getting prepared for my upcoming appearance at The Hollywood Show in Chicago, September 6th-8th, 2013.  I'm getting excited about all the celebrity guests at the event--many of whom have appeared in outstanding Christmas entertainment.  One of the guests who will be in Chicago is actor Jay North.  Among his many roles, North played Dennis Mitchell on the sitcom Dennis the Menace, a TV series based on the comic strip by Hank Ketcham.  Do you remember the first Christmas episode of Dennis the Menace, 1959's "The Christmas Story?"

Henry Mitchell is having a hard time finding a place to hide the Christmas gifts--out of Dennis' reach.

In this episode, Henry and Alice Mitchell struggle to keep the family's Christmas gifts hidden from young Dennis as he searches through every nook and cranny of their home.  When Henry thinks he knows the perfect place to hide the gifts--in a locked trunk in the attic--Henry finds Dennis and his friend Tommy already there trying to pry open the trunk!

Henry gets the idea for next-door neighbor Mr. Wilson to hold the Mitchells' gifts for them until Christmas day.  Mr. Wilson agrees to this and he hides them in the closet.  Unaware that the gifts have left the home, Dennis still searches high and low for the Christmas presents.

Dennis sets a buzzing alarm clock to go off so he can hear where the gifts are hidden!

Then Dennis gets the clever idea of asking his mother to place the alarm clock gift he plans to give his father with all the other hidden gifts.  What Alice doesn't know is that Dennis has set the snooze alarm on the clock and it will buzz every few minutes until it is shut off! 

Dennis knows what time he set the alarm clock to go off at--but he can't hear it from where it's hidden.

Poor Mr. Wilson keeps answering the buzzer at the front door--but no one is there.

Though Dennis never hears the alarm clock in the Mitchell home, Mr. Wilson mistakes the buzzing noise for his front door bell.  On Christmas Eve, the Mitchells invite the Wilsons to their home to trim the Christmas tree.  Though Dennis has been practicing his bugle all week long in order to play "Silent Night," his parents suggest that everyone sing the beloved carol instead.  Upon hearing Dennis' sweet voice, the adults one-by-one drop out from singing.  The devilish little boy looks positively angelic as he sings “Silent Night” in front of the Christmas tree.

Dennis' sweet, innocent voice brings tears to the eyes of his parents and the Wilsons.

If you're familiar with this series, you may already know that Dennis sings "Silent Night" in each of the three Christmas episodes.  This charming musical moment is just one of the many TV sitcom musical highlights that I discuss in my most recent book Merry Musical Christmas: Volume 1: The Best Christmas Music in Sitcoms and Dramas that was released last holiday season.

Did you ever relentlessly search for your hidden Christmas gifts when you were a child?

I'm looking forward to The Hollywood Show in Chicago on Sept. 6th-8th.  In addition to actor Jay North being there, the actress who played Dennis' friend Margaret, Jeannie Russell, from the Dennis the Menace series will also be there.  I hope to see you there too!