Remembering Don Grady

Don Grady has passed away at the age of 68.  I woke to the news this morning when I visited facebook.  I grew up watching My Three Sons, became obsessed with The Mickey Mouse Club in reruns in the early 70s, and watched Grady in his guest roles on The Rifleman just this year.

Born in San Francisco (or San Diego, since different sites disagree) on June 8, 1944, Grady was a musical prodigy.  He was a third season mouseketeer on The Mickey Mouse Club.  After that, he had guest roles on shows like The Rifleman (in the episodes Heller and The Patsy) and Wagon Train.  He was almost signed for the part of Andy Sherman on the western series Laramie, but the role went instead to Robert Crawford Jr.  (More about this here.)  Grady was then cast in My Three Sons, which ran from 1960-1971.

Many younger viewers of My Three Sons thought Grady’s Robbie was the oldest son, because we never got to see the black and white seasons in syndication.  Tim Considine (Mike) was actually the oldest, but he left the show—er, went off to college.  Not enough sons?  Okay, let’s adopt Ernie.  How convenient that he looks an awful lot like Chip.  (Barry and Stanley Livingston are real life brothers.)   The series ran for so long, Grady’s character got married and had three sons of his own—triplets, no less.  I went to elementary school in San Diego for one year with those triplets.  Well, one set of them, anyway.  Don’t ask me if they were the Swansons or the Todds!  It was too long ago.  We weren’t in the same grade, but the kids were always talking about them.

Grady was in a band that had a hit called The Yellow Balloon in 1967.  That’s the name of the band and the song.  He went on to have a long, successful career as a composer.  His death yesterday from cancer has shocked and saddened his many friends and fans.  RIP, Don Grady.

Don Grady in The Rifleman (The Patsy, season 2)

Don Grady in The Rifleman (The Patsy, season 2)

The Yellow Balloon (1967) Don Grady is in the wig and sunglasses.

Cowboys and Blondes

There’s an interesting connection between the movie Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) and the TV western Laramie (1959-63).  Actually, two connections.

Laramie star Robert Fuller grew up dancing, which isn’t surprising, since his mother and stepfather were both dancers and instructors.  Fuller danced in the chorus of several movies, including the famous number “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.  With his sideburns dyed grey and a grey mustache, I spotted young Fuller (age 19 or 20) just once, in this shot behind Marilyn Monroe.

Young dancer Robert Fuller behind Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

Soon after Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Robert Fuller was drafted.  He served for two years in Korea before returning to LA in 1955.  He spent several years working as an extra and a stuntman.  He took acting lessons from Richard Boone, guest-starred in many TV series, and went on to play Jess Harper in Laramie, his first starring role.  Retired now and ranching in Texas, he appears at various western festivals, talking to fans about his fifty years of work.  I’d love to hear him tell about this particular shoot!

The other Laramie connection?  Hoagy Carmichael wrote the music for two of the songs performed in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes: “Is Anyone Here for Love?” and “When Love Goes Wrong.”  Carmichael later played Jonsey in season one of Laramie, with Robert Fuller, John Smith and Robert Crawford, Jr.  Hollywood was once a place where chorus boys and songwriters could grow up to be cowboys!

Robert Fuller (Jess Harper) and Hoagy Carmichael (Jonsey) in Laramie

(L to R) Hoagy Carmichael, Robert Fuller, and Robert Crawford Jr. in Laramie (with John Hoyt’s back)

Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend. I had to include this one just because I love pink.

Happy Birthday, Castro Theatre!

Folks have been asking where I’ve disappeared to recently.  I’ve been at the Castro Theatre, which is celebrating it’s 90th birthday today.  It opened on June 22, 1922.  This week, it’s one of four Bay Area cinemas playing host to the 36th annual Frameline Film Festival.  I’m a volunteer captain for the festival, organizing ushers and ticket takers and generally making a nuisance of myself.  As soon as it’s over and I’ve recovered, perhaps I’ll have the energy to write a full report.  In the meantime, here’s to one of my favorite movie palaces.  Happy birthday!

Castro Theatre, San Francisco

 

Tony Awards 2012

There were two different Tony Awards tonight.  I want to see the OTHER one.  What I watched on CBS was not an awards program.  It was a three hour trailer for Broadway musicals, with a few breaks for some hurried awards.  Just the ones people care about, though.  No time to actually show the boring stuff, like choreography and book and anything with the word “design.”   Oh, and make sure those presenters say the names and read the winners without taking a breath.  Don’t let the winners talk long enough to bore anyone, even though it’s the biggest night of their lives.  And go overtime anyway.  Make sure this show is interesting to the people who don’t actually watch awards shows…but, wait.  Hey, that’s a novel concept.  Let’s put on a show for the folks who aren’t watching!

I complained just as much last year, so feeling like a broken record here.  What’s different this time?  My patience.  If the folks behind the broadcast aren’t going to show viewers the parts we want see, we won’t bother paying much attention.  Now, this is not to say that there weren’t some good moments.  Neil Patrick Harris is always on (“50 Shades of Gay”) and his mash-up of award-winning songs was delightful.  He made fun of going overtime, which he can get away with.  Not everyone can.  Other delightful moments: Harvey Fierstein in swim trunks and an inflatable pool ring.  James Corden flustered and awed when accepting the acting award for One Man, Two Guvnors.  Hugh Jackman graciously receiving a special award, presented by his wife.  Nina Arianda’s genuine glee for winning the acting award for Venus in Fur.  Matt Stone and Trey Parker just being their awesome selves.  Steve Kazee (best actor for Once) honoring his mother, who died of cancer on Easter.  And hey, they didn’t broadcast the In Memoriam.  Tragic.

All those musical numbers.  I’m on overload.  Since I can’t sing or dance, I don’t feel qualified to judge, but I will say this.  I saw Evita in London in 1980 with Mark Ryan as Che, and I listened often to the original cast album with Mandy Patinkin.  I know that Che is supposed to feel contempt for Eva Peron, along with begrudging admiration.  I have no idea what Ricky Martin’s Che was feeling.  Right after his performance, Mandy Patinkin and Patti Lupone came out to present.  It was cruel.

Congratulations to all the Tony winners.  I’m sorry I didn’t get to see most of you receive your awards.

Each year, I hope that next year they will get it right.  Another year like this one, and I’ll stop waiting and stop watching.  Sorry, NPH.

GLAAD Media Awards 2012

Last Saturday, I was a volunteer for my fourth annual GLAAD Media Awards in San Francisco.  Once again I was a talent escort, making sure my assigned presenter had everything she needed throughout the evening.  I won’t go into detail about that, since I’ve covered it in previous posts in 2010 and 2011.  As always, working with the GLAAD team and being a part of this special evening was a wonderful experience.

The GLAAD Awards recognize outstanding representations of the LGBT community in the media.  This time around, the host was Dianna Agron of Glee.  Presenters included John Gidding (HGTV designer and host of Curb Appeal), Mario Lopez (Dancing With The Stars), comedians Chris Frangola and Fortune Feimster, actor Adam Palley (Happy Endings), Rita Moreno (you name it, she’s done it), and actor Sean Maher (Firefly).  Well, there were lots of others, too!  Up-and-comers Guillermo Diaz and Katie Lowes joined Kerry Washington (all from ABC’s Scandal) to present the Golden Gate Award to creator Shonda Rhimes. (Rhimes is best known for Grey’s Anatomy.)  Wells Fargo Bank and Facebook were also honored.

Each year, I get to see some amazing folks up on that stage.  Jennifer Tyrrell is the Ohio scout leader who was removed from her volunteer position because she’s a lesbian.  She gave a heartfelt speech, surrounded by her lovely family.  It was very moving.  I was proud that I’d already signed her petition, and I encourage everyone to sign, if you haven’t already.  It’s at change.org/scouts. I was also moved by activist Zach Wahls, the young man whose speech in Iowa for marriage equality went viral on YouTube.  Another inspiring young activist was Brittany McMillan, founder of Spirit Day, who presented a special recognition award to Facebook.

The performers from Cirque du Soleil’s Mystere were stunning.  When one acrobat did a one handstand on the other acrobat’s head, I was able to get a photo of the big video screen.  Wow.  Just, wow.

Last year, host Naya Rivera auctioned off a couple of kisses.  Dianna Agron did the same this year, begging the audience to bid so her mom and brother didn’t have to.  Rita Moreno joined in the fun, auctioning off a party in her home.  Sadly, I’m not going to be one of those lucky party guests, since the winning bid was $15,000.  Go, Rita!

Be sure to check out the great photos at GLAAD.org since my little digital camera doesn’t do the evening justice.  All the 2012 Media Awards around the US are linked here.

A great time was had by all, and I’m already looking forward to next year.

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Two Very Different Videos

Last week, the first trailer for Les Misérables hit the internet.  I’m late in sharing it, and I assume most of the folks who are keen about the upcoming film will have seen it already.  My feelings about the trailer are very mixed, but I will wait for the actual movie before judging.  I’ll always have the original London production and cast in my heart, but I was able to embrace most of the 25th anniversary production.  The movie is yet another step in the musical journey.

 

My obsession with the TV western Laramie and star Robert Fuller continues.  I made a little tribute video on YouTube.  The quality of the images reflect the fuzzy nature of the DVDs, but I just love this character!