Pictures (Top to Bottom);

My Saturday Night with Phil Silvers and Jack Benny

A fascinating account by fellow Phil Fan Zev Feldman on spending a pleasant Saturday evening tending to Mr Silvers and Mr Benny's Hollywood Stars on the Walk of Fame. Here's Zev's write up:

 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:

www.silvers-koster.com

  Pictures (Top to Bottom):

  Arnold Stang 

  TOP CAT & the gang!

  Arnold with Marvin Kaplan & Jonathan

  Winters in IT'S A MAD,MAD,

  MAD,MAD WORLD - (1963)

  Arnold in 2008!

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!

           Above: Arnold Stang interview

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!"

He enjoyed great success as Capt.Ed Hocken in the NAKED GUN movie series opposite Leslie Nielsen, and on television as Carter McKay in TV's DALLAS.

"Just before he died Phil came to me  and said this, "You know George, in showbusiness there are a lot of people who are grateful, and there are a lot who are not. They're not snobs...they just don't think about it! You have never, ever failed to give us credit....far too much credit than we deserve... for your success...!"

"My point is that here was a man who gave everything to a show....yet still cared about the people around him. He owed me nothing yet he helped me. He was my friend...till the day he died. They gave me a great gift... those wonderful people and I'll never forget that!"

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.

"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."

"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!"

'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.

Check out Martine's career:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000936/

 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

  Joey Faye

   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 Bobby Faye, brother of 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.

Joey started as a Borscht Belt comic during the early '30s. While working in primarily in the Catskills resorts, he began performing alongside such comics as Phil Silvers, Rags Ragland, and Abbott & Costello. Joey made dozens of TV appearances icluding PERRY MASON, THE DETECTIVES, 77 SUNSET STRIP, CAR 54 WHERE ARE YOU? and THE JACKIE GLEASON SHOW. He also appeared alongside Phil Silvers in HIGH BUTTON SHOES & TOP BANANA. Most notably he appeared in what is considered to be the most memorable episode of THE PHIL SILVERS SHOW...THE COURT MARTIAL (as Harry Speakup's keeper!). His final TV appearance came in BENNY HILL AROUND THE WORLD: NEW YORK in 1991. Sadly Joey passed away at the age of 87 on April 26, 1997.

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

I first met Joey in the early '80s here in New Jersey. He and his wife Judi lived in Staten Island, NY, just a short ride away. They were shopping as I was, in a sort of auction house with great bargains. Being show people we love bargains. I immediately recognized him and began feeding him lines from old bits. He was suprised that a somewhat young man knew of these things and we hit it off like old friends very quickly. Joey and I kept in touch and would often run into each other at theatrical events. He was a wonderful person with an endearing little boy quality.

Harry Goz, the longest running Zero Mostel replacement in the Broadway production of Fiddler on the Roof, had been Joey's sketch partner for some time. Harry was no longer able to work with Joey due to other committments, and Joey asked me to take his place. Of course I was thrilled to do it. For the next six years or so Joey and I, often with his wife, Judi, performed FLOOGEL STREET, SLOWLY I TURNED and many other Burlesque sketches. We once asked Marc Fields, grand nephew of Weber and Fields' Lew Fields and fine theatrical historian and author, to be our stooge in SLOWLY I TURNED. He loved it.

Joey always told me that he and Sid Fields (Mr. Fields, the landlord in the Abbott and Costello Show) had written SLOWLY I TURNED in their Minsky days. Also, Joey was one of several comics who sued Universal over Abbott and Costello's use of FLOOGEL STREET in IN SOCIETY. And he won! Now, I know Burly historians claim that Billy K. Wells actually wrote many of these bits, but I think they all borrowed from each other and created their own variations. Who can say for sure?

Now, getting to the important subject at hand: Joey's connection to Phil Silvers.

First of all, Joey always spoke very highly of Phil. They were very close in Burlesque and I believe they enjoyed working together; and as we see in the filmed version of TOP BANANA, they had a wonderful chemistry. I recall some stories Joey told me. When they were both young, Phil was a popular fellow and would date some of the girls they worked with. Joey was very shy and never had the nerve to ask any of them out. Phil was so popular, he would sometimes forget he had made a date and the girl would be waiting after the show. Here was sheepish Joey Faye with nothing to do. "Let's go out, Joey." And there you have it: instant social life.

Phil would often ask for Joey in later years, for Broadway shows such as HIGH BUTTON SHOES and the aforementioned TOP BANANA and also TV appearances.

This brings me to a very interesting story Joey told me. When it was announced that Nat Hiken was going to be filming a new show with Phil Silvers, Joey called Phil, as I'm sure many of his old Burlesque pals did. According to Joey, Phil told him: "You're in , kid, don't worry about it. But don't call Nat. I'll take care of it."

Now, time went by and the show was about to go in production. Joey called Phil a number of times and got the same response. As filming began it was clear that Joey had not been cast. He later found out from Nat Hiken, according to Joey, that he was a sure thing for the show, but just before casting was finalized Harvey Lembeck asked for a part, stating he really needed steady work as his wife was about to have a baby (Michael, I guess). So Harvey was in and Joey was out. I ran this story by Mickey Freeman, and he disputes it. He said Harvey was always in, especially with his success in STALAG 17. Once again, who can say for sure? However, Joey did get to play the owner of the famous Harry Speakup, the subject of one of the most hilarious episodes of Bilko.

Well, I hope you enjoyed these show business stories! I don't for a moment think I could step into the shoes of Joey's old sketch partners- Rags Ragland, Jack Albertson and of course Phil himself--but I must say it was a great honor, and so much fun, to try them on for a little while.

Michael Townsend Wright

May 2009

 You can check out Michael's website by clicking on the link below:

http://www.michaeltownsendwright.com/

  From Top To Bottom:

  Al Lewis

  Al as Grampa Munster

  Patrolman Leo Schnauser

  Al Lewis and Fred Gwynne

Al Lewis

Al Lewis was born April 30th, 1923 in Brooklyn, New York. He was an actor, an eccentric, a restaurateur, a sports scout, a radio broadcaster and even a political candidate. It is well documented that Al loved to embellish upon the truth (right up until he passed away he maintained he was born in 1910).

However, no matter how controversial a character he was, what remains is the fact that he created two of the most memorable comic characters in television history...Patrolman Leo Schnauser in CAR 54 WHERE ARE YOU? and Grampa Munster in THE MUNSTERS. 

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!

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.....

http://www.drewfriedman.net

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

(The following is a personal tribute written by Mickey Freeman)

PHIL SILVERS: 1911 - 1985

On Friday, November 1, 1985 Phil Silvers died. This was the man who, as Sgt. Ernie Bilko, gave international status to chutzpah.  In the college of con men he was the dean - an inspiration to every aspiring hustler.

When the Bilko show started I had seen Phil Silvers in many movies and had admired his hilarious professionalism in High Button Shoes and as the top banana in Top Banana. Bilko was the natural outcome of the many roles that Phil had played in his busy career. The character had two outstanding attributes: brass balls and the love of gambling.

We all know that Phil was a gambler in real life, but I didn't realise how long he had been training for this role. One night I was the after dinner speaker at a fund raising dinner for a local charity in Toronto. When the toastmaster introduced me as Private Zimmerman of the Sgt.Bilko show, I received a standing ovation.

"Gentlemen." I said "Wait til I say 'Good Evening!." A voice from one of the tables called out, "It's not for you - it's for Phil Silvers."

From different parts of the room people shouted "Phil bought my wife a fur coat."...."Phil sent my kid to College."..."Phil paid the mortgage on my house." I said, "I never knew how charitable Phil Silvers was!."

And then I realised that these men were among Toronto's leading bookmakers, and years before the Bilko shows, when Phil was working in local burlesque houses he would "share" his salary with them each week.

Silvers gambled in his personal life but in his professional life he left nothing to chance. Because of his long years as a burlesque sketch comic, the 'single take' and 'double take' were as natural to him as a mumble is to a method actor. His timing was as precise as a quartz watch.

Every new script needed a couple of new actors, and the most professional of them would be nervous because the regular members of the platoon were like a well-rehearsed  repertory group. Phil had a standard reassuring speech for the newcomers. "You're doing great! Just say it fast - say it funny!."

I've worked shows where a performer would get a big laugh in rehearsal. Come show stime, the laugh was still there but it came out of the star's mouth. In one hundred and forty three shows, Phil never took a funny line away from another performer.

Phil Silvers died in his sleep. Had he been awake I'm sure he would've talked his way out.

MICKEY FREEMAN (Private Zimmerman)

Cathy Silvers

Cathy Silvers began her professional working life as an actress back in 1980.  Dudley Moore saw her in a production of The House Of  Blue Leaves at California  State University and was so impressed that he introduced her to his management agency. Cathy began attending auditions and following an audition for Garry Marshall was offered the role of Jenny Piccalo on Happy Days.

One of her proudest moments on the show came when she was given the chance to play opposite her father, Phil Silvers, in an episode entitled Just A Piccalo.  "My dad made a guest appearance on one episode of Happy Days, playing Jenny's father. It was magic. I'd always heard people talk about how exciting it was to work with my Dad and I got to see why. He was really special. It was the only time we got to work together."

Cathy went on to make guest appearances in The Love Boat (1985) and Punky Brewster (1985). She landed the role of Molly Dobbs in Foley Square (1985) and worked alongside Harvey Lembeck's son, Michael.

Her last acting appearance came in Sgt.Bilko (1996) in which Steve Martin was cast as Ernie Bilko. "When I was filming Sgt.Bilko I had the feeling that my father was there watching over us. For me it was overwhelming to be part of something my father had created. It was as heartwarming as it was fun. With all due respect to Steve Martin he's just not my father. He was wise not to try to imitate what my father did. He created his own Bilko."

These days Cathy is happiest being both a mother and a successful businesswoman. Cathy runs her own company Cathy Silvers' Healthy Living and has transformed her passion for healthy living into a thriving business. She has also written a successful book Cathy Silvers: Happy Days, Healthy Living in which she charts her time on Happy Days and the important changes she has made to her living and lifestyle since the show finished.

"I'm speaking pretty much all over the country now about being healthy, about a green planet and drinking green smoothies so you can have a greener, healthier life and body." says Cathy.

"Thanks for all you do for Daddy! Much Love, Cathy."

You can check out Cathy's website by clicking on the link below......

http://www.thehealthylivingshow.com

Cathy sends this message to all Phil-fans everywhere!

"I love your website and we are so happy to see such love and affection shared for our Dad. He was such a brilliant talent and a wonderful man.

The first half of my book, Happy Days, Healthy Living, is largely devoted to Dad and his career and my life with him on and off the sets of Hollywood. When he played my father Roscoe Piccalo on Happy Days, this was one of the greatest times of my life.

When he walked onto the set, the cast and crew and producers and writers all just fell silent in his presence. To see Henry Winkler, Garry Marshall, and Ron Howard all just stand in awe of him was a moment in time I will never forget. We all love and miss our dear Phil."

Cathy's book Happy Days, Healthy Living is available to purchase by clicking on either of the following links...

http://shop.thehealthylivingshow.com/Healthy-Living-BOOKS_c3.htm

http://www.amazon.com/Happy-Days-Healthy-Living-Health-Food/dp/1556437145

Hank Garrett

Kliph Nesteroff is a writer. A regular contributor to WFMU's Beware of the Blog and CBC Radio. He's been cited by Vanity Fair, The Guardian, The Globe and Mail, Salon, BoingBoing, Comedy Central etc. He hosts Generation Exploitation Podcast and is a regular on various radio stations around North America.

Kliph recently interviewed Hank Garrett. Former wrestler Hank played Officer Nicholson in CAR 54, WHERE ARE YOU? and has since gone on to co-star in numerous films and television shows alongside the likes of Peter Falk, Patrick Stewart, Al Pacino, James Coburn and Kirk Douglas.

Hank Garrett Interview Excerpt

Kliph Nesteroff: When did your nightclub act start?

Hank Garrett: I've always been a clown. I started in the Catskills when I was sixteen. I started working these hotels up in the Catskills but I was also very much involved in working out. I was a power lifter at the gym. I broke the New York state record at one point. A gentleman had approached me and said, "You know, you could make a lot of money as a professional wrestler." He represented a guy named Toots Mondt. Toots Mondt was a promoter in New York. Met Toots Mondt [and] started professional wrestling when I was seventeen. I am now in The Wrestling Hall of Fame. They changed my name to Hank Daniels, The Minnesota Farm Boy. I'd never been out of New York!

Kliph Nesteroff: (laughs)

Hank Garrett: I didn't know anything about Minnesota. I didn't know what a farm looked like. They shipped me off to California and they dyed my hair blonde. I wrestled as Hank Daniels, The Minnesota Farm Boy for a while in the WWO, The World Wrestling Organization. I was trained by a guy named Bibber McCoy who was a pro wrestler. He was my mentor ... When I came home, my mother did not know that I had gone out to California to be a wrestler. She thought I had gone out there to be an actor. I came home and I was up to two hundred and sixty pounds. She saw the blonde hair and she opened up my suitcase; she was helping me unpack. I had a fan club and the youngest member was about one hundred and nine. Little old ladies made my wardrobe. Hand sewn. Spangles and beads and fringes. My mother pulled out this jacket and it was all spangled and she looked at this blonde hair and she went, "Oh, my God! Tell me the truth!" I said, "What?" She said, "Are you a communist!?" (laughs)

Kliph Nesteroff: (laughs)

Kliph Nesteroff: At what time did you move from wrestling to acting? Were you doing them both simultaneously or did you quit wrestling and commit to show business?

Hank Garrett: Because of Nat Hiken ... There was a comedian named Mickey Deems. His wife was Nat Hiken's secretary. I met Mickey up in the Catskills when I was doing my act. He said, "Gertie has set up an appointment for you to see Nat Hiken. He's doing a series called Car 54, Where Are You? Would you go in?" Show you how bright I am, I walked in and I spoke to Nat Hiken. He said, "Okay. You're Ed Nicholson." I said, "No, no. I'm Hank Garrett." He said, "No, idiot! Nicholson is the character you're going to play on Car 54." He introduced me to Al. He said, "Al Lewis? This is Hank Garrett. The two of you are going to be partners on the show." And that's how it started for me. But I had to sign a contract, a release, that I would not wrestle anymore because if I got hurt it would hold up production. But I did anyway. I went back and wrestled a couple times as "Hank Star." Nat found out about it though, and he said, "Hank don't do this. Please." I said okay and that was the end of my wrestling career.

Kliph Nesteroff: Nat Hiken was a wonderful writer and is underrated today. What kind of a guy was Nat Hiken?

Hank Garrett: Oh, he was amazing. Nat would walk on the set, look at the set-up, and say, "I don't know. I don't know. Tell you what..." And he would make the changes right then and there and the changes were [always] for the better. He was amazing. Just an amazing guy. Very soft spoken. Just incredible. We would laugh all the time.

Kliph Nesteroff: Were you familiar with Nat Hiken at all before?

Hank Garrett: I watched the Bilko show, of course. That's how Joe E. Ross got his start. They cast Joe E. on the show as the cook. Nat liked him and wrote [Car 54 Where Are You?] for Joe E. [Ross] and Fred [Gwynne] and for Al [Lewis] and myself.

Kliph Nesteroff: What kind of a guy was Joe E. Ross in real life? Was he as gruff...?

Hank Garrett: (laughs) Yup. Yeah. He was a knockabout comic. Burlesque. Not even burlesque. He was just a dirty comic. To give you an idea: When the show became successful, a bunch of us came out to California. Joe E. Ross went to Sy Devore and got this beautiful suit. At that time they had barbers at Sy Devore's. They shaved him. They restyled his hair. Next day Joe E. had to dress himself. So he had a pair of sneakers and this suit on and the button was in the wrong buttonhole and there was foodstains all over it! And Sy Devore ran into him and said, "Oh my God! Joe, give me back the suit. I'll give you back every penny that you paid for it." Ross said, "No, no! I love this suit!" Devore said, "Then sell me the label. Please don't tell anyone it's a Sy Devore suit!" That was Joe E. Ross.

Kliph Nesteroff: (laughs)

Hank Garrett: At Gold Medal Studios, where we shot in the Bronx, we had a little cafeteria. You [ate] whatever you wanted and [then] you told the cashier what [you had eaten]. So, I [tell the cashier] I had a tuna fish sandwich and a coffee or whatever it was and the cashier says, "Three bucks." Joe E. Ross would walk up and he didn't have to say a word. They looked at his clothes and they said, "Okay. You had the cottage cheese and the scrambled eggs." It would be all over his uniform. He was quite the slob.

Kliph Nesteroff: We should talk a little about Al Lewis.

Hank Garrett: One time we were on a break and we walked over to a little Italian grocery [in Car 54, Where Are You? wardrobe]. This was in The Bronx. We walked in and were going to grab a sandwich. So Al asked for a ham sandwich. And this guy just kept slicing and he said, "Sure, what else ya have?" "Well, a Coke." "Sure, officer. Have anything you want!" Al reached into his pocket for some money and the guy says, "Oh, no, no, officer! You no gotta pay!" I said, "Al, pay the guy. Let's go." He said, "He won't take the money!"

Kliph Nesteroff: When you were working together - was Al opinionated, politically, at that point?

Hank Garrett: Always. He had an opinion about everything. He would tell you how to stand. He would tell you [where to put] the camera. There was one time - Al and I were in the car. Al was deaf in one ear. I had an ear infection. And we're sitting there, the lights are on, and they say "Action!" We couldn't hear the "Action." The two of us are sitting there staring. They just kept yelling action. Finally, Nat Hiken came over holding a big sign that said "Action." I went to Al's home a few times [and met] his wife and kids. Then his wife was in a horrendous automobile accident. Sweet, sweet, sweet lady.

Kliph Nesteroff: Was he much of a teller-of-tall-tales by that point?

Hank Garrett: Al? Oh, yes. (laughs) He was a scout for a basketball team... oh yeah, oh yeah (laughs). Kliph Nesteroff: It is hard [for me] to write an article about him, trying to separate fact from fiction because he told so many stories.

Hank Garrett: Oh, I know. My God.

Kliph Nesteroff: And so many of them contradict each other.

Hank Garrett: (laughs) That was Al! He talked about having this Galapagos turtle in his room. I said how did you get a Galapagos turtle in [your room]? They weigh in excess of four hundred pounds. He said, "Well, a friend of mine left it." (laughs). Amazing guy. Amazing guy. Constantly running for office and then involved in the restaurant Grandpa's.

Kliph Nesteroff: Did you know that Fred Gwynne was the one who designed the [logo for] the menu [and awning] at Grandpa's? It was a drawing that looks like Grandpa Munster and it was Fred Gwynne's artwork.

Hank Garrett: Oh, I didn't know that. Fred was fantastic. He put out several children's books with his drawings. Just marvelous.

Kliph Nesteroff: Any final thoughts on Al Lewis?

Hank Garrett: I miss him. He was fun, fun, fun. A fun guy to be with. His stories were amazing. Most of them weren't true. But we had an incredible time together.

To see the rest of the interview in full simply click on the following link....

http://classicshowbiz.blogspot.com/2010/05/talk-with-hank-garrett-may-17-2010.html

(Interview excerpt reproduced by kind permission of Kliph Nesteroff)

Pictures (Top to Bottom)

Hank Garrett

Hank as Officer Nicholson

Scene from Car 54, Where Are You?

Nat Hiken

Joe E Ross

Al Lewis

Hank with Max Von Sydow in Three Days Of The Condor (1975)

Al Lewis - Interview

In late 1985 I had the opportunity to talk to Al Lewis. I'm very proud to say that I became friends with him.

It is well-documented that Al loved to embellish and exaggerate the stories concerning his life and career. However, for me personally I am sure of one thing - he was a warm and welcoming friend who always had time for me. Over the years we spoke about many things; sport, life, politics, family and of course his career.

I first interviewed him in 1997 and once again in 1999. We conducted the following interview over several telephone calls and I am proud to reproduce excerpts from those sessions.

Ladies and Gentlemen...Mr Al Lewis!

Al, where and when were you born?

I was born in New York in 1913....April 30th..but don't hold me to it! (Al was actually born in 1923)

Do you have any memories of your childhood days?

Sure....they were tough. We were poor, we had no money so I used to run with gangs and we'd steal food...sometimes money. I did what I had to do to survive.

What made you want to get into showbusiness?

As a kid I used to sneak into theatres and movie houses and it was like magic.  I quit school and joined a circus and learned the trapeze, then I became a clown! I did pretty much every job in the business working my way up learning every bit of schtick I could.

You eventually found work in vaudeville and burlesque houses.....

Yeah! I met some great ladies...brassy but fun. I did bits of comedy business inbetween the girls takin' off their clothes. You had to be fast and loud...if you hung around too long the schmucks in the audience would kill ya! That's when I  first met Phil Silvers too! He was already on the up by then!

Can you recall your first television appearance?

I was doing all sorts of stuff...Studio One, Armstrong Theatre...just a line here, a one-shot there. I got a call from Nat (Hiken) who I'd known since we were kids. He gave me slot on a couple of the Bilko shows. Then I went to work again with Phil on Broadway in Do Re Mi. A lot of fun...great days! Phil was a good guy...and one of the most professional comics I ever worked with. Great timing and a real one-off!

 How did your  involvement with Car 54, Where Are You come about?

Well....I was in Do Re Mi and Nat came to see the show. He asked me to do a couple of shows...in one I was a construction worker and I also played a crook in another. When the shows went out on air I was a big hit. I had this face and this voice that people liked. Nat came up with the part of Leo Schnauser for me and that was it. I was in. It was a good show and a good part. I knew Joe E Ross from the business...Fred I didn't know really yet!

You then went on to score your greatest hit with The Munsters...

That's right. I signed for the show after Nat's attempt to write me my own television show bombed. Fred and I became friends on Car 54 so when I knew he was involved that clinched it for me. They flew me out to LA, put me in a fancy hotel....the money was good and I got to work with Fred again.

There must've been a lot of preparation....costumes, make-up etc before you could begin filming?

Sure. My make-up was okay...no problem....I just hated the waiting round in the make-up chair. Sure, we had to get to the studio early. But poor Fred suffered terribly. The padded suit was very heavy and the headpiece used to hurt him like hell. He sure suffered for his art. When we shot the first couple of show they had me wear a false nose. Schmucks....the last thing I needed was an extension.

You and Fred became great friends as a result of the show....

Fred was an odd bird but I loved him. We talked, laughed, enjoyed a cigar and had great fun on and off-set and I can tell you those four years on Car 54 and The Munsters were some of the happiest of my life. Fred was a complex man but he was my greatest friend. I loved him and I miss him.

You worked with Terry-Thomas in Munster Go Home.....

Terry was another one-off. One of your greatest comic actors ever. He was a big hit in Hollywood. He was the only actor I ever worked with who was the same off-set as he was on screen. What you saw up there on the screen was exactly how he was in real life. A great fella. Tragic how he ended up.

Were you disappointed when The Munsters was cancelled?

No. We had two great years.....made some great shows and it was time to move on to the next job. It was a relief for both me and Fred...that make-up was a pain in the f****** ass! Fred for sure was glad to leave Herman behind.

Bearing in mind all the problems with make-up etc, why did you and Fred agree to return for The Munsters' Revenge in 1981?

Easy. Money. Pure and simple. They wanted to get these two old farts back together after all those years, so me and Fred asked for  crazy money thinking they'd say no. But they said yes and that was that. Once we were in costume and filming it was like we'd never stopped. We had a ball shooting that one and the beauty was we didn't give a damn if it went to series or not.

How did Grampa's, your restaurant, come about?

I saw a chance to make some good money. Fred did all the artwork for the logo, menus etc with a play on my Munsters character. Hell they were all doing it so I thought why not embrace my past and make some money from it too. I would go down and welcome people to the restaurant...people would come to talk to Grandpa and it was a big success. I loved it...loved meeting people and giving something back. We closed it in 1993...but we had a good run.

You once told me you were a big fan of Benny Hill....you actually got to work with him didn't you?

Oh sure...I loved Benny....watched his show on TV all the the time. Loved him. A funny, funny man. Reminded me of the old-time greats like Chaplin and Keaton. He could make the smallest piece of business look funny. I once did an open air thing at Daytona Beach with him. He knew a lot of the old vaudeville gags....we knocked up a bit of business and we killed those kids. They loved him. He was a sweet, sweet man. 

So when you're not acting what do you do?

I do radio....I have a little radio show. I have a kids TV spot that I do. I love making personal appearances....meeting the fans. I also love sport....basketball, football, baseball...you name it. I even scout for the NBA. If  I never work again in the business now I wouldn't care. I've had a great time and there's a couple of things I've done that mean something...but hell most of 'em were just jobs to bring in the money.......

The Dick Cavett Show

Back in 1971 James Mullholland had the privilege of witnessing the taping of The Dick Cavett Show with guests Phil Silvers and Jack Benny. Here is the story in James' own words.....

"I once sat in the Green Room of The Dick Cavett Show and listened to Jack Benny and Phil Silvers bicker and banter for a delightful 20 minutes or so. I remember the exact date - April 1, 1971 - because Jack asked Phil, "Is today April Fool's Day?" And Phil shot back, "Yeah, Jack, that's why I said you're talented."

I was a young writer on the Cavett Show at the time and idolized Phil. He and Jack were both guests that night so I just planted myself on the couch and watched them before the taping started.

I was much too shy to approach Phil Silvers. Just being in the same room with him was a major thrill for me at the time. I remember he was practicing on the clarinet while kidding Benny. You could tell they were close friends."

During the interview, Jack Benny recalled that he had advised Phil not to movie into television. Phil ignored Jack's advice and then went on to win numereous prestigious awards for his portrayal of Sergeant Bilko in The Phil Silvers Show. Jack claimed he never won any of those television honors.

Host and presenter Dick Cavett actually appeared in The Phil Silvers Show. He was an autograph hunter in the episode entitled Bilko's Godson (1959).