'Scorpion King' star Branscombe salutes Phil Silvers Our heartfelt thanks to Branscombe for taking time out of his busy schedule and sharing his memories with us. The Chicken Chronicles received a limited video release in the mid 1980's and sadly hasn't been available for many years. A crying shame as Phil is on top form in a very enjoyable movie. Surely the time is right for a DVD release? Check out Branscombe at the link below: |
Top: Branscombe Richmond Phil as Max Ober Branscombe, Phil and Steve
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My Saturday Night with Phil Silvers and Jack Benny Dear Friends Upon my arrival to Facebook last May, I signed up for numerous groups including one devoted to one of my favorite all-time actors and comedians, Phil Silvers. When I was 16, I was introduced to the epic film, "It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, World". I was immediately turned into a Phil Silvers fan overnight, and have cherished his work in film, stage and television ever since. Upon joining The British Phil Silvers Appreciation Society, I met a gentleman named Steve Everitt who was a total mensch and introduced me to a network of friends who all share our passion for this brilliant man who makes us all laugh so hard.
Steve (who's based in the UK) kindly suggested if I ever had some time, if I wouldn't mind polishing the Star of Phil, and his best friend, Jack Benny both of which are located on 6370 Hollywood Blvd. On Saturday afternoon, I embarked to this site where I throughly cleaned and disinfected these 2 markers. Over the years, there has been an abundant build up of grime and tar which took a little elbow grease plus a combination of Ajax, Windex, Amonia, Brass Cleaner, and polish to get the shine back. Now Phil & Jack have the cleanest stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. I also made some friends along the way including several characters who make their residence on this sidewalk, and some tourists who stopped by to observe. Feel free to see the photos for yourself. Phil & Jack, we salute you! Thank you for making me laugh and for all of the memories. Candace & Steve: Thanks for allowing me to be involved. It's truly an honor.
Best Regards from Hollywood...
Zev Feldman
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Tracey Silvers The Following interview was given to the society in 1992. Tracey Silvers is a successful screen-writer and producer and runs the SILVERS/KOSTER production company with her husband Iren Koster. Iren is also a writer, composer and director in the film business. SILVERS/KOSTER Productions are currently working on several projects.
What are your memories of Phil as a father?
My Father was very un-showbiz. He was a regular guy and I think that's what appealed to his fans. He was very much like the BILKO character. He was a Dad....he wanted to teach us baseball, even though we were all girls. He was very down-to-earth, very unmaterialistic...not what you'd expect from someone in showbiz!
When you were growing up, were you aware of just how famous your Dad was?
When BILKO was first on I was about 3 or 4 years old and it was required watching in our house. I'd see my Dad on television and I'd see him sitting next to me...it's hard for a child to understand that. He tried to explain to me what it was to be on television. He'd take me down to the set and introduce me to all the people on the show.
The Phil Silvers Show is hugely popular in England. Does that surprise you?
His biggest and best fans were in England. Towards the end of his life I'd say that 80% of his fan mail was from England. He was a real Anglophile...he loved anything English! I guess the English people have a greater appreciation of his humour!
Having been brought up with the show, what are your feelings about it today?
I understand it more. I understand the subtleties that my Dad brought to it. In a lot of the scripts Nat Hiken, or whoever was writing the episode, would often just put in "Phil says something funny here..." and my Dad would use his skills as a comedian to come up with something. So when I see it now I appreciate how hard my Dad was working. He was working hard to make the show good.
Many of the people who worked with Phil have commented that, as an actor and comedian, he was very giving when working...
He loved other comedians and he loved other actors. He admired a lot of dramatic actors too. There was a group of comedians...George Burns, Milton Berle, Jack Benny, Danny Thomas. They would all sit at the Hillcrest Country Club and go over each others acts and all help each other. It wasn't a case of "This is my line...that's my joke...you can't steal that..". They were all very helpful to each other. During the show he would always try to help everyone..not step on somebody's line or upstage them!
Over the years there has been a lot of gutter-press stories about Phil. They've played up stories about his health, depression, gambling etc. How do you feel about that?
It's infuriating. When my Father had a stroke in 1972 he was left paralysed on the left side of his body for about 6 months. Then gradually he began to recover...he got better and better. The stroke didn't affect his mind at all. It infuriates me when I read some of the stuff they write about my Father. He was very happy in his later years. He had a grandchild who he adored and spent a lot of time with. He had his moments of course...he was not happy that he never fully recouperated from having a stroke. We went out most weekends to the movies. He loved going to the movies. We went out to dinner.
Did Phil ever express any resentment at people knowing him only as BILKO?
He loved BILKO and he loved the character. He was very much like BILKO. Nat Hiken didn't just create the character from nowhere. So he was very happy to be remembered that way!
How did THE BILKO GROWL come about?
It was actually the last thing my Father did. My husband Iren wrote the song. He and my Father adored each other and wanted to do something together. They used to write lyrics together for songs. So Iren said "I'll write a song and we'll sing it together.". So he wrote THE BILKO GROWL. It was very funny. It was really made for fun you know.....between them!
For more info on Tracey & Iren click on the link below:
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Top: Tracey Silvers Middle: Iren Koster Above: Tracey with a proud Father!
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 From Top to Bottom: Winters in IT'S A MAD,MAD, MAD,MAD WORLD - (1963) Arnold in 2008! | Arnold Stang The following interview took place in 1987. How did you get your start in showbusiness?
I started as a child actor. I was about 9 and started in radio doing a show called LET'S PRETEND. Then I started doing a programme called CHILDREN'S HOUR, which later moved onto television. Then I went into theatre and from there into films. I also wrote some music and some songs I even appeared on Broadway!
You've done a lot of voice-over work. Were voices and vocal characterisation something you were always interested in?
When I was doing radio I was also doing a lot of voices for theatrical cartoons. I did a series called HERMAN THE MOUSE and I got offered a lot of voice-over work. I did POPEYE, BETTY BOOP, CASPER THE FRIENDLY GHOST... things like that. Then I started doing some voices for Disney. I did all the WINNIE THE POOH records and I did ALICE IN WONDERLAND!
So presumably TOP CAT was just another job you were offered?
Sure. There was a company called HANNA/BARBERA who I had already done some voices for. They asked me to come in and do some voices for a new show about a gang of alley cats. I pretty much worked for all the major animation studios.
Were you aware of the obvious similarities between SGT. BILKO and TOP CAT?
It was very clear to me and to most of us on the show, that whoever had put the show together had undoubtedly been influenced by SGT. BILKO. There were very direct parallels no question about it.
Maurice Gosfield, who played Pvt.Doberman in SGT. BILKO, played much the same character as BENNY THE BALL. What was he like to work with?
He was a very sweet man. Not what I would call an actor but a great character. Sadly he's dead now...but a lot of people don't realise that. I get a lot of mail about TOP CAT and very often people want to know about BENNY..."Where is he now? What is he doing now?"...those sort of questions!
In 1963 you appeared with your TOP CAT co-star, Marvin Kaplan, opposite Phil Silvers and Jonathan Winters in IT'S A MAD,MAD,MAD,MAD WORLD. How long did you work on the film?
I was on the picture for about 4 weeks. My scenes took about 2 weeks to film. We filmed in the studio and on location. The location filming was very hot and I almost melted under the sun! I hung around before and after shooting my scenes, getting to know people...talking to Phil Silvers and the like!
There have been reports that Stanley Kramer cut the movie quite heavily before the film went on general release. Is there any truth to that?
When it originally opened, at it's world premiere, it ran for 4 hours. I recently got invited to a 3-day MAD WORLD festival! They were going to show the full, un-cut version of the movie. They had located the missing footage. They had artefacts from the movie, they planned a series of interviews and seminars...but I couldn't go, I was just too busy!
Do you have any particular memories of working on MAD WORLD?
Yes I do. Before I started shooting the movie I broke my arm. I didn't want to miss the shooting so I had to film with a broken arm. I couldn't wear a cast because it would show. If you look closely at the movie you can see I have on a large glove and I'm moving in such a way as to protect my arm! I must say I was in a lot of pain during filming!
Did you enjoy working with Phil Silvers?
Oh yes indeed. I enjoyed working with both Phil Silvers and Jonathan Winters. Of course it was also a reunion with my friend Milton Berle. We had worked together a lot on television. We only had one scene together but didn't exchange one word of dialogue. That was strange because on television we had almost been a team. I also got to know Spencer Tracey very well. A lot of people forget that he was in the movie.
TOP CAT is still hugely popular with audiences. How do you feel about that? It's very nice to know that something you did is so well remembered. I still occasionally work as TC and I expect to be doing more of him in the future...but my usual feeling is I'm more concerned with what I'm doing now or in the future than what I did in the past! So what does the future hold for Arnold Stang?
Well I've got some movie work lined up. I have some commercials to do and I'm going to be doing some voice-over work for a couple of TOP CAT projects. There's also talk of a TOP CAT theatrical movie for the big screen!
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George Kennedy Middle: Harvey Lembeck, Phil Silvers, Allan Melvin, Paul Ford, Nick Saunders & George Kennedy in "WEEKEND COLONEL" Above: George Kennedy with Steve and Mick (2009)
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George Kennedy
Second World War veteran and Oscar-winning actor George Kennedy began his career as a technical advisor on THE PHIL SILVERS SHOW. It would prove to be an experience that George would never forget and to this day he still credits Phil Silvers and Nat Hiken with getting him his break in showbusiness. We recently had the great pleasure of speaking to George and here are some of his memories of working on the show.
"It was such a pleasure working on the show. One memory I have is being used as a sharpshooter. Once in a while they would call for the Colonel, Paul Ford to have something shot out of his hand. Anytime they asked for that Paul would say "Give the rifle to Kennedy. Don't give it to any of those clowns, they'll kill me!" They'd give me a pellet gun and I'd shoot the thing right of of his hand... he knew I wouldn't miss!"
As technical advisor on the show George was required on-set at least three days a week. He found himself watching and learning from the actors. Every now and then he was asked to appear in the show (usually listed as Sgt.Kennedy!), something again that sparked some happy memories...
"It was such a pleasure appearing on the show. Boy they were wonderful. They were such fun people. Phil was magical. He came from Burlesque you know and that was a great training ground. He was such a great comedian. He had that timing that all the Borscht-belt comedians had. Phil, Jack Benny, George Burns... they all had that great timing."
So did George have any lasting memories of working on THE PHIL SILVERS SHOW?
"I just have such wonderful memories. I remember them all because of what they meant to me in my life... everything I learned as an actor I learned from them... those wonderful people!" After the show, George went on to establish himself as a hugely successful actor. During the 1960's he appeared in almost every successful American TV series including McHALE'S NAVY, RAWHIDE, & BONANZA. In 1967 he won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor (opposite Paul Newman) for his performance in COOL HAND LUKE. During the 70's & 80's he appeared in such films as THUNDERBOLT & LIGHTFOOT (with Clint Eastwood), CAHILL-US MARSHALL (with John Wayne), AIRPORT '75 and THE EIGER SANCTION. He enjoyed great success as Capt.Ed Hocken in the NAKED GUN movie series opposite Leslie Nielsen and as Carter McKay in TV's DALLAS.
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| Martine Beswicke
At Autographica 13, held at the Hilton Metropole in Birmingham we had the opportunity to speak with three-time Bond girl (Dr. No, From Russia with Love and Thunderball) and Hammer Horror actress Martine Beswicke. Martine has enjoyed a prolific career in cult classics like Slave Girls, One Million Years BC (with Racquel Welch) , Dr Jekyll and Sister Hyde (with Ralph Bates) and A Bullet for the General. During the early 70's Martine relocated to Hollywood and carved a highly successful career in episodic TV working on such shows as Rod Serling's Night Gallery, Falcon Crest, The Six Million Dollar Man, Mannix, The Fall Guy and Fantasy Island. Hello Martine, can I ask you about working on the Happy Hooker movie? Did you enjoy acting alongside Phil Silvers?
"He was really sweet. I loved his humour! When we made the film he used a lot of idiot boards and he would read through one and then woosh straight on to the next one. He was so fast and still very sharp. A lovely man. He played his part sitting in a wheelchair and that was not easy to do....to read those idiot boards and still manage to emote and be funny. I loved him."
On release the film received mixed reviews. How do you rate the movie 29 years later? "The film was not great. The producers were terrible but we had such fun and such a great cast. We had Adam West, Richard Deacon, Chris Lemmon and of course Phil! We had a scene where Adam & Richard had to dress up in drag. It was hilarious and I couldn't stop laughing at them!" "I love Bilko. It was a really funny show and Phil was just wonderful in it. On the film he was very cantankerous and playful...I called him 'the old goat'. He was very sweet and very funny and I just loved him!"
Are you still active in the industry? 'I'm retired now. I just lost my passion for acting and the industry and found I no longer had the desire anymore!"
Martine Beswicke 18 April 2009 In recent years Martine has devoted her time to film documentaries, providing commentary and relating her experiences on the many films and TV series she has appeared in. She also runs a very successful removals business based in London.
Top: Promo pose for The Happy Hooker Goes Hollywood
Middle: Phil in fine form as William B Warkoff Bottom: Martine Beswicke in 2008 |
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 Top to Bottom: Jan & Mickey Rooney Mickey & the cast of IT'S A MAD,MAD,MAD,MAD WORLD - (1963) Buddy Hackett & Mickey Rooney Mickey with Phil Silvers, Allan Melvin & Harvey Lembeck in BILKO & THE MCGUIRE SISTERS | Jan & Mickey Rooney
If you were to look up the definition of 'Hollywood Legend' - the description would surely say - Mickey Rooney! Child star, Singer, Dancer, Actor - star of stage and screen...winner of an Oscar, two Golden Globes and an Emmy. This man has done it all!
In 1978 Mickey married actress Jan Chamberlin and for the last 31 years Jan has been Mickey's rock. Deeply devoted to each other, they continue to do commercials, stage work and live appearances.
We recently had the privilege of meeting Jan & Mickey and following that meeting they had this to say:
I must say... it was a real pleasure to meet you at the Autographica event… and hear about your involvement with the Phil Silvers Society... and MAD WORLD. Nice to hear you are carrying that important piece history on for us all to enjoy. We thank you for that.
I spoke just this morning with Mickey regarding some tidbits from Phil Silvers… Mickey expressed his feeling towards Mr. Silvers as Phil being a very sweet, warm and friendly guy. He also mentioned "We both had lunch at Cantors Deli together (several times) and had the best MATZA BALL soup in the world… and chatted over the greatest DELI sandwiches!"
Mickey recalled that Phil was chatting to him about being in the movie called A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM … and how much fun it was to be in it. Little did Mickey know, years later he himself would be doing the stage play!
On MAD WORLD… Mickey told me that it was one of his favorite comedy movies… and that Phil Silvers thought also it was one of his favorites. Then Mickey said "Oh and Jack Benny was so wonderful to talk to on the set… the three of us had a lot of laughs together!"
Then… it was interesting… Mickey just today… (thanks to you prompting the recall) said he had spoken with Phil about unhappy marriages… and Phil said "Yeah Mickey, I know all about divorce. I’ve been divorced myself a couple of times but don’t worry Mickey, one day you are going to find a woman who is going to be with you the rest of your life!"
I cannot get across enough how close Phil and Mickey became on the MAD WORLD set. It was delightful to hear today, Mickey recalling his thoughts. I do remember Mickey over the years saying what a great guy Phil was, but he had never gone into any detail before this.
Also, Mickey said… (just this morning) "Jan, I am so glad you stayed with me all these years… and didn’t fall in love with me because I was a celebrity!" And I recall... the one big reason I didn't want to marry Mickey was because.. not only of his past marriage history but because of his being a well known celebrity at one time. Years before I met him of course he was the "No. 1 STAR of the World" That actually put me off in regards to marrying Mickey. But who could resist his charm and energy etc. I gave in… and am VERY GLAD I DID... (most of the time) HA HA LOL! He certainly changed my life..he helped me raise my two boys (CHRIS and MARK)… and put me in a NON STOP TRAVEL MODE. Hectic but VERY VERY INTERESTING. MICKEY IS ONE OF A KIND… and that's for sure!
I will try to get back to you at some point... for a couple more thoughts concerning Mickey’s career. Thanks again for your kind words and interest in Mickey…. much appreciated.
All the best to you and yours
Love,
Jan and Mickey Rooney
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 From Top to Bottom: Joey Faye Michael & Joey! Michael Townsend Wright Joey Faye (on park bench) & Benny Hill in a sketch for Benny's final TV project in 1991! | Joey Faye Joey Faye, character actor of stage, screen, and television, was born Joseph Palladino in July 1909. He later adopted the surname Faye from his friend and fellow Burlesque performer Herbie Faye. He was among the last of the great burlesque comedians and widely known in showbusiness circles as a great "Second Banana". During his lengthy career he performed alongside such as stars as Gypsy Rose Lee, Marlene Dietrich, Abbott and Costello, Tony Randall, and John Wayne.
The following article was written especially for the Society by Michael Townsend Wright. Michael is a gifted actor and performer in his own right and was lucky enough to have spent several years peforming Burlesque skits with Joey. Here then are Michael's recollections of the time he spent with Joey! Joey Faye: My Memories of a Top Second Banana
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 From Top To Bottom: Al Lewis Al as Grampa Munster Patrolman Leo Schnauser Al Lewis and Fred Gwynne | Al Lewis
I spoke to Al many times over the 20 years I knew him and no matter what time I called he always made time to talk. Sadly, following a period of ill health Al passed away in February 2006. The following is part of an interview that took place in 1997.
How did you get into showbusiness?
When I left High School I bummed around a few years doing different jobs....I was a waiter, I sold hot-dogs. Didn't like any of 'em. Then in the Second World War I joined the Merchant Marines. When the war was over I ended up joining an acting school. I did all sorts of theatre...Vaudeville, Burlesque...it was great and like everyone else I learned my trade and found I was pretty good at it!
You appeared in two episodes of The Phil Silvers Show. What do you remember about that?
Well I knew Nat from when he was a young man...he was a radio writer for people like Fred Allen. I knew him for 40 years and he was a dear friend, a very dear man. I spoke at his funeral. He asked me to do BILKO and I had bills to pay! I had a long history with Phil Silvers. I first worked with him in the 1930's in Burlesque. I also did a musical with Phil...DO RE MI which was a big hit! Phil was aces with me...a great man..great comic! I then went on to do CAR 54 WHERE ARE YOU?...Nat's other baby. A great show...that's where I first met Fred Gwynne!
You did a few CAR 54's as different characters right?
Yeah. I played a couple of parts and the audiences seemed to like me. So Nat asked me to come on board. He wrote Leo Schnauser for me and brought in Charlotte Rae as my wife Sylvia. It was a great show and Schnauser was a great character. I was very greatful to Nat. He came up with some great ideas. Nat was a great, great writer.
Can you recall how you became involved with THE MUNSTERS?
THE MUNSTERS came about because Universal Studios, who produced the original Dracula & Frankenstein movies, had a couple of fellas on board...who Fred and I never met...who wanted to do a comedy series based on those characters! They asked me to do it...when I knew Fred was on board I said yes. Fred and I were always in early...because of the make-up. Fred had a terrible time....his make-up with the costume and the head-piece...that was tough for Fred. But we got used to it. We'd sit in the chairs and swap jokes and stories. Fred would fall asleep..his make-up took a long time to put on! I loved the show and I loved Grampa...but two years was all I could stick. I wasn't sorry the show was cancelled. You move on...do other things!
Is it true you met THE BEATLES?
Oh sure! Me and Fred had just finished shooting...I went back to my room for a rest and when I opened the door there they were. Paul McCartney told me THE MUNSTERS was his favourite show. John Lennon was a pussycat...a very funny guy! We talked for a half hour or so. They were a great bunch of kids!
Did you ever get to meet any of your idols, or people you admired?
I was a big fan of Benny Hill. Loved him...he was a genius. I actually got to work with Benny and that was a big kick for me. We did a gig at Daytona Beach and we literally had to work something up before we went on. He was great...very unassuming and very shy. I loved him. I was also big friends with Harry Secombe. I met Harry when he came over to do PICKWICK. A very talented man. Bob Hoskins too....great little actor. He and Fred did a movie together. Fred and I went to dinner with Bob and he told me that CAR 54 was one of his favourite shows and that they 'd been running it on British TV!
In 1981 you reprised your role as Grampa in THE MUNSTERS' REVENGE. Fred had distanced himself from the show and HERMAN MUNSTER by then so why did he agree to come back?
Well he just decided to stick it to 'em (the studio) by asking for a ridiculous fee...thinking they'd say no...but they gave it to him. That was Fred. He was an odd bird but I loved him. We were great friends and it hit me hard when he passed away.
You also reprised your role as Leo Schnauser in the CAR 54 movie...
We shot the movie in Toronto. It was a turkey...a big f*****g turkey....but they offered me a ton of money. I did it, took the money and forgot about it!
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Drew Friedman
Drew Friedman is an artist and illustrator who has produced some of the most refreshing and vibrant strip-art in years. Born in 1958, Drew first gained notoriety in the 1980's when, along with his brother Josh, he began illustrating for a series of alternative comics. The comics featured unusual stories about celebrities and stars of yesteryear, such as Tor Johnson (of Ed Wood fame) and Abbott & Costello. The illustrations were crafted in Drew's unusual (for comic-art) style of stippling (the image is made up of literally thousands of dots to create a photo-realistic appearance).
Drew's work was first featured in Raw magazine and he has since featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Esquire and MAD magazine. Drew provided the illustrations for the legendary Howard Stern's best selling publications Private Parts and Miss America and he has illustrated regularly for the New York Observer.
In 2006 he published Old Jewish Comedians, a collection of illustrations of both famous and not-so-famous Jewish comics and performers. 2007 saw the publication of The Fun Never Stops, a collection of collaborations with his wife K.Bidus, and saw the publication of More Old Jewish Comedians.
As a fan of Phil Silvers himself Drew says "Phil Silvers and "Sgt. Bilko" has such an incredible fan base in Britain, but never fear, he's also much loved and appreciated in the States as well. I hope this tribute to Nat Hiken helps to keep their memories alive for generations".
To see more of Drew's incredible work simply click on the link provided below.....
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The Harvey Lembeck Comedy Workshop
In 1964 actor and comedic performer Harvey Lembeck was asked by Jack Kosslyn of the Mercury Theatre to take over the actors workshop. It was from this that Harvey founded The Harvey Lembeck Comedy Workshop. He developed a system of improvisational comedy workshops which he felt allowed performers to develop their comedic skills. "You can't teach an actor to be funny." he said "If the humour is innately there we will give him the tools and nourish his own abilities to grow."
Over the years many of todays most successful comedic performers and talents have passed through it's doors - Robin Williams, Penny Marshall, John Ritter, Scott Baio, Cathy Silvers and Kim Cattrall to name but a few.
Helaine and Michael Lembeck, both students of the Workshop, have enjoyed successful careers in showbusiness. Helaine enjoyed early success in Welcome Back Kotter and went on to appear in show such as Everybody Loves Raymond, Suddenly Susan and Malcolm in the Middle. As an actor, Michael has appeared in shows such as Happy Days, The Love Boat, Foley Square and Mad About You. Michael later became a full-time film and television director. He won an Emmy award for his work as a director on the Friends episode The One After The Superbowl. He has directed episodes of Everybody Loves Raymond and Veronica's Closet for television and his film work includes The Santa Clause 2 and The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause. He is currently working on Tooth Fairy starring Dwayne The Rock Johnson.
2010 marked the Workshop’s 45th anniversary and, under the direction of Harvey’s children, Helaine and Michael Lembeck, continues its traditions of nurturing and training the finest of comedic talent, always living up to the standards set by Harvey Lembeck over four decades ago.
The Harvey Lembeck Comedy Workshop has now become one of the major influences in the field of comedy, with students performing, writing, directing and producing some of the most successful product in both television and film today.
Click on the link below to visit The Harvey Lembeck Comedy Workshop website......
http://harveylembeckcomedyworkshop.com
Pictures - Top to Bottom: Harvey Lembeck, Helaine Lembeck Woff & Michael Lembeck |
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