News

THE BRITISH PHIL SILVERS APPRECIATION SOCIETY UPDATE:

A very big thank you to everyone who has taken time to sign the Phil Silvers Guest Book. We've now been live for  8 months and we're pleased to report response has been tremendous! Since the re-launch of the site we've had almost 18000 visitors. A real testament to the enduring legacy of Phil Silvers.

We've also seen the Facebook group grow at a steady rate, and we've recruited more enlistees to our Bring Back Bilko campaign!

Please be sure to bookmark us because this site is an ongoing project and will be constantly updated with new material.

Saluting Phil!

Steve & Mick

KEEP IN TOUCH

Come and join The British PHIL SILVERS Appreciation Society on Facebook! Enjoy our extensive Photo Gallery, Video Library and the chance to hook-up with Phil-fans from all over the World. Simply click on the link below to sign up to Facebook.....and join the only official Appreciation Society in honour of Phil Silvers!

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7324522421

and why not pay us a visit at YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/user/mickclews

SYDNEY CHAPLIN

Sydney Chaplin, eldest son of Charlie Chaplin, has died at the age of 82, at his home in Palm Springs, Los Angeles. Sydney, an actor in his own right, was a successful Tony Award winner who made notable stage appearances in BELLS ARE RINGING and FUNNY GIRL. He passed away on March 3rd 2009. Sydney appeared in the 1hr live BILKO special KEEP IN STEP with Diana Dors.

Left: Sydney Chaplin announces Charlie Chaplin's Commemorative stamp

USPS DEDICATE STAMP TO PHIL SILVERS IN 2009

The United States Postal Service will release a set of 20 stamps commemorating the early years of television in 2009.

Among the shows to receive stamps are The Phil Silvers Show, The Twilight Zone, The Honeymooners, The Ed Sullivan Show, I Love Lucy, Texaco Star Theater, Kukla, Fran and Ollie, The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet and Lassie.

According to Variety.com, the stamps will be unveiled on August 11th in Los Angeles. TVWeek has a small image of the set available.

Left: A set of images to be used on the stamps.

1980's STYLE SGT BILKO T SHIRTS!

Anyone remember these classic tee shirts from the mid 1980's? That long-ago decade spawned quite a few Bilko designs, but this one stood out as the shirt every Phil fan wanted to be seen in! Well after receiving a few requests from the Phil Silvers Yahoo Group we're now looking at commissioning a fresh batch through the Society! If you are interested in purchasing one of these tees please email steviebilko@aol.com with:

Your name/T-Shirt Size/Colour (Specify Black or White)

If we receive enough interest we'll organise a production run and then advise of final cost. As in the past these tee shirts will be available to fans at the price they cost to print (plus postage & packing).

CANDACE SILVERS

Candace Silvers, Phil's daughter, sent this brief message for all Phil-fans everywhere:

"Your continued appreciation for my fathers talent and work is a true blessing to me and my family... he was/is a giant to us all!"

Love,

Candace Silvers

Check out Candace's website at:

www.candacesilvers.com

ADMIRAL MOTTI SALUTES PHIL!

At last year's Memorabilia show in Birmingham we met Richard Le Parmentier, who portrayed Admiral Motti in Star Wars: A New Hope. Originally from the United States, Star Wars was Richard's third film after moving to Britain in 1974. Richard has appeared in over fifty films and TV shows.

He now lives in Bath, UK and works as a screenwriter. He is currently developing a comedy-drama series for the BBC and is busy writing a feature film.He actually approached us at the show after spotting our Phil Silvers T-shirts!

We spoke at great length and it was obvious from the outset Richard holds Phil in high esteem, a trait which seems to run through showbusiness on both sides of the Atlantic. Phil's humour and talent is far reaching and his influence is etched into the fabric of comedy. We are always astonished that people from all walks of the entertainment industry revere Phil as a comedy genius... I'm sure you'll all agree they show extremely good taste!

Check out Richard:

www.admiralmotti.co.uk

BOB HASTINGS

We recently made contact with Bob Hastings. Bob appeared in several episodes of THE PHIL SILVERS SHOW, most notably in TRANSFER as Sgt. Beecher. As a by-the -book Sergeant, Beecher became a bigger thorn in the Colonel's side than Bilko ever was!

"I had to learn pages of dialogue and regulations just to get it right." said Bob. "Eddie Montagne was my closest, dearest friend and it was his idea to have me play Beecher! I worked with Eddie on MCHALE'S NAVY too!"

By any standards Bob has enjoyed a phenomenal and hugely prolific career. His credits include CAR 54, WHERE ARE YOU?, THE MUNSTERS, BATMAN, HOGAN'S HEROES, THE ODD COUPLE, ALL IN THE FAMILY, QUINCY & THE INCREDIBLE HULK to name but a few.

He still recalls his time on BILKO with great affection and had this to say..."I did a few BILKO shows but I did one in particular where I replaced Phil. Everytime the Colonel asked me to do something I would come back with a regulation as to why I couldn't do it! Of all the shows I have done, and I have done quite a few...MCHALE'S NAVY, HOGAN'S HEROES and the like..you could replace anybody. But you couldn't replace Phil. There's nobody like Phil. He was the greatest!"

Bob Hastings

April 2009

LARRY STORCH

Larry Storch is perhaps best remembered for his role as Corporal Agarn in the popular 1960's comedy F-TROOP. Larry has appeared in countless TV shows

over the years including YOUR SHOW OF SHOWS, THE LARRY STORCH SHOW, GILLIGAN'S ISLAND, GARRISON'S GORILLAS, GOMER PYLE USC, THE PERSUADERS etc. He also appeared in two episodes of THE PHIL SILVERS SHOW - BILKO'S BOPSTER and BILKO JOINS THE NAVY.

Larry wanted me to pass on this message:

"I just want to say hi to all the Phil Silvers fans! He was just one of the great comics of all-time. He was up there with the greatest...I mean comics like Jack Benny and Jackie Gleason! I adored him and he was a joy to work with!"

Larry is 86 now and living happily in retirement in New York.

"These days I take life easy. I play my saxophone, go to dinner, take in a few shows and that's pretty much the way I like it!"

Larry Storch

April 2009

THE BRITISH PHIL SILVERS APPRECIATION SOCIETY: Update April 2009:

Get Fell-in! Following a great day at the Autographica event in Birmingham, check out our updates in the FEATURES section.

Interviews with George Kennedy and Martine Beswicke just added!

There will be more to follow....with memories from Phil's MAD WORLD co-star Mickey Rooney, close friend Ernest Borgnine and more recollections of his BILKO days from Oscar-winning actor George Kennedy!

EXCITING NEWS FROM LA!

This message just arrived from Iren regarding the PHIL SILVERS STAMP ceremony.....

Tentative plans call for The Early TV Memories stamp ceremony to be held at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, Leonard H. Goldenson Theatre, 5230 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601-3109 on Tuesday, August 11, 2009 at 10.30 a.m.

Iren Koster

1980's STYLE SGT.BILKO T-SHIRTS UPDATE

A big 'thank you' to everyone who has expressed an interest in the limited run Society T-shirts.We now have enough orders to proceed and will contact all who have ordered shortly.In the meantime if any new members would like to place a T-shirt order please contact us at the e-mail addresses at the bottom of the page.

MEMORIES OF PHIL

It is always a pleasure to welcome aboard new members, and even more exciting when they have a personal story to tell! One of our new recruits Michael Townsend Wright was very lucky to see Phil performing live on Broadway in 1972.

As many will know Phil just loved performing on stage, and after Forum closed in the US he made a remarkable recovery and toured his beloved England with a new production alongside seasoned veterans Arnold Ridley (Dads Army) and Trevor Jones.

Here is Michael's short message originally posted on the Facebook group:

I had the privilege of seeing Phil Silvers on Broadway in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum in 1972, shortly before his illness. He was wonderful; full of energy and theatrical magic on the stage. The opening number, Comedy Tonight, is happily imbedded in my memory. Although relatively young (very relatively!), I was Joey Faye's final sketch partner for about six years and I would often reflect upon Phil and Joey's days together with Minsky.

Michael Townsend Wright

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR SILVERS!

Please join us in wishing Phil a very Happy Birthday for 11 May. It was on this day in 1911, 98 years ago, little Philip Silver was born into a family of 10 children at 417 Pennslyvania Avenue, Brownsville the roughest of Brooklyn's Jewish ghettos. From such humble beginings who would have thought that Phil would eventually go on to become one of the world's best-loved entertainers?

From his initial discovery by Gus Edwards at Coney Island to Vaudeville, Burlesque, Broadway, USO tours (With Frank Sinatra), Radio, Hollywood, Television and ultimately worldwide acclaim as Master Sergeant Ernest G Bilko in The Phil Silvers Show, arguably one of the greatest television comedies of all time!

The late Red Buttons delivered a moving eulogy at Phil's funeral in 1985 and again in 2000 at the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony. Red theorized Phil just wasn't around long enough.' 'If Phil had been able to catch another 20 years in the business, which most of the guys seemed to be doing - Milton Berle, 93, Henry Youngman, 91, George Burns, a big number - he would have been royalty.'

Well of course in every true fans' eyes Phil has always been royalty! Who knows what he might have achieved had he had those 20 years. More film roles, another TV series? Who knows?

And now as the 100th anniversary approaches one thing is for sure...the legacy that Phil gave us grows in importance and stature with each passing year. His influence on generations of comics and performers is without question. His contribution to the entertainment industry and particularly television is immeasurable. Phil you were a Top Banana and in the words of Red Buttons "If you're a comedian what else is there to aspire to?"

Happy Birthday Phil!

BRUCE KIMMEL

Actor Bruce Kimmel is another famous new recruit to the Phil Silvers Facebook Group. Mr Kimmel has enjoyed a long and varied Hollywood career. He wrote, directed and starred in the cult movie hit, The First Nudie Musical. He performed those same duties on his second film The Creature Wasn't Nice (aka Naked Space), with Leslie Nielsen, Cindy Williams and Patrick Macnee. He also co-created the story for the hit film, The Faculty, directed by Robert Rodriguez.

As an actor, Mr. Kimmel has guest-starred on most of the long-running television shows of the Seventies, including Happy Days, Laverne and Shirley, The Partridge Family, The Donny and Marie Show and many others. Here is Bruce's recollection of working on the much maligned 1979 movie Racquet and his chance meeting with Phil.

I loved Phil and I loved Bilko. I went to school with Mike Lembeck and was quite close with Harvey and Co. And I remember that as a teen, I was on one of my first dates, trying to find a party in Beverly Hills (walking, of course) and being quite hopelessly lost, and seeing a man in front of his house. I went up to ask him directions, and it was Phil Silvers! He gave them to me with kindness and humor! Years later we appeared in a horrible, horrible film together (although we didn't share any scenes) It was quite sad that he had to take part in that debacle, but there were several oldies but goodies in the film. He and Jack Benny were my faves. The film was the God awful Racquet. It had the dubious distinction of being the first film of Tanya Roberts. Bert Convy was in it, and Bjorn Borg and Linda Day George and Edie Adams (her scenes were with Phil if I'm remembering correctly - I've only seen it once). I did it as a favor to the director, with whom I'd worked before, David Winters. The story about Phil giving directions really was funny to me. I approached him (I think I was all of fourteen) on Palm Drive and he turned around and I realized immediately who he was (how could you not!) and I just gawked like an idiot and said "I know who you are" and he said that was great but that info wouldn't help me find the address I was looking for! I laughed and laughed and he just did his Phil looks and was wonderful!

Look out for an extended interview coming soon! In the meantime check out Bruce's website:

www.brucekimmel.com

PHIL SILVERS ON YOUTUBE!

We are thrilled to announce that Phil's page on YouTube has now received over 100,000 hits. This is absolutely phenomenal and a true testament to the legacy of Phil Silvers!

We thank you for your support. If you haven't paid a visit to the page yet simply click on the link below......

http://www.youtube.com/user/mickclews

DICK VAN DYKE TO PEN MEMOIRS

Dick Van Dyke is currently writing his memoirs with a release set for 2010! The 83 year old actor and comedian - known for The Dick Van Dyke Show, Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - will write about his lengthy career in the book.

Among Dick's early television appearances were two episodes of The Phil Silvers Show - Hillbilly Whiz and Bilko's Cousin. During the 1960's and early 1970's Dick established himself as one of the world's most popular film and television stars.

More recently Dick has starred in the phenomenally successful TV series Diagnosis Murder as Dr. Mark Sloane and enjoyed renewed movie success in the smash-hit Ben Stiller movie Night At The Museum (2006).

Let's hope that Dick's time on Bilko is documented in detail in the book.

NANCY WITH THE LAUGHING FACE

It has been well documented that Phil Silvers had a hand in writing Frank Sinatra's smash-hit song Nancy With The Laughing Face. Phil was solely responsible for writing the lyrics to the song, later collaborating with Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke. Here is a short piece by Examiner and Sinatra writer Rick Busciglio explaining the origins of the song.

The authorship of the Sinatra classic 'Nancy With The Laughing Face' is discussed/covered at great lengths on both the internet and in several books covering the tunes of the great American songbook. In every case they mostly have it wrong. Here is my personal story:

In 1979 I was working with songwriter Jimmy Van Heusen on a TV special with Frank Sinatra and Bob Hope that was never produced. Jimmy told me that one day (circa 1942) he and his lyricist Johnny Burke were working at 20th Century Fox composing for a film. While Burke was out of their writers bungalow, Phil Silvers, the comedian, a friend to both, entered and suggested to Jimmy that they write a song for Johnny's wife, Bessie, who was soon to celebrate a birthday. Silvers provided the lyrics, later revised by Van Heusen and Burke.

At the party they sang 'Bessie With A Laughing Face'. It was such a hit that they used it at other female birthday events. When they sang it as 'Nancy...With The Laughing Face' at little Nancy Sinatra's birthday party, Frank broke down and cried, thinking that it was written specially for his daughter - the trio wisely didn't correct him. Jimmy assigned his royalties to Nancy after Frank recorded it for Columbia."

Click on the link below to hear Rick discuss the origins of the song.....

http://www.youtube .com/watch?v=Aco Try 9is

(Article courtesy of Examiner/Rick Busciglio)

BENNY HILL MEMORABILIA  AUCTION - includes a fan letter from Phil!

Benny Hill’s ‘Fred Scuttle’ beret and glasses are to go under the auctioneer’s hammer next month.

The memorabilia is to be sold by Aldridge & Son auction house in Devizes on August 15 along with a fan letter Hill sent from Bilko star Phil Silvers. The Silvers connection extends further as comedy legend Joey Bishop (Top Banana, The Court Martial) collaborated with Benny Hill on his 1991 TV special.

Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge said: "The beret and glasses are probably the most recognisable props used by Benny Hill and Fred Scuttle was his most famous character."

I imagine that any serious fan or collector of showbiz memorabilia will be interested in buying these items.

The vendor bought them in November 1992 when they were sold by the executor of Benny Hill's estate and he has now decided to part with them.

People who collect these things tend to have them for a certain period of time. They are more like custodians who eventually pass them on to other enthusiasts.

Benny Hill was a British great and we are delighted to be able to offer items associated with Fred Scuttle.

Mr Aldridge said of the Phil Silvers letter: "It shows just how well-liked Benny Hill was across the Atlantic."

The beret, which has a label inside which reads 'British Fez Company, Berets Knitted and Lined 1953', has an estimate of between £700 to £1,000.

The value of the wire spectacles is also up to £1,000 and the Phil Silvers letter has an estimate of between £500 to £600.

Benny Hill was born in Southampton and educated in Bournemouth. He died of heart failure in April 1992 alone at his home in Teddington, south west London.

The Benny Hill Show ran from the late 1960s until 1989. Its slapstick content often involved Benny Hill being chased by scantily-clad young women.

Critics claimed it was sexist and dubbed Benny Hill as nothing more than a dirty old man.

But the show remained hugely popular and celebrity fans included Charlie Chaplin, Michael Jackson, Michael Caine and Barbara Windsor.

One also imagines how much Phil's letter will ultimately fetch. There seems to be an abundance of dedicated Phil Silvers autographs available, but a hand written letter from one comedy legend to another is quite rare. The Society will watch this auction with great interest!

CLASSIC TV SHOWS GET USPS COMMEMORATIVE STAMPS

Carl Reiner, June Lockhart, Barbara Hale and Tracey Silvers among celebs at dedication ceremony Tuesday in NoHo

The U.S. Postal Service will hold a first-day-of-issue dedication ceremony for the 44-cent "Early TV Memories" series of first-class commemorative stamps at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11 at Leonard H. Goldenson Theatre, Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, 5230 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood 91605.

Participants at the event will include Carl Reiner, director, producer, writer and actor; Jayne Meadows Allen, actress (Steve Allen's wife); John Shaffner, chairman, Academy of Television Arts & Sciences; James Miller, III, U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors member attendees; June Lockhart (Timmy's mother Ruth Martin of "Lassie"); Lassie; Barbara Hale (Della Street of "Perry Mason"); Ozzie and Harriet's granddaughter Tracy Nelson (actress); Groucho Marx's son Arthur Marx; Jack Webb's wife Opal; William ("Hopalong Cassidy") Boyd's wife Grace Bradley Boyd; Milton Berle's wife Lorna Berle; Clayton ("The Lone Ranger") Moore's daughter Dawn Moore; Phil Silvers' daughter Tracey Silvers; William Talman's ("Perry Mason" District Attorney) son, actor Tim Talman; Steve Allen's son Bill Allen; and Red Skelton's wife Lothian Skelton.

The Early TV Memories programs commemorated in the 20-stamp set include: "The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet"; "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" The Dinah Shore Show"; "Dragnet"; "The Ed Sullivan Show"; "The George Burns & Gracie Allen Show"; "Hopalong Cassidy"; "The Honeymooners"; "Howdy Doody"; "I Love Lucy"; "Kukla, Fran and Ollie"; "Lassie"; "The Lone Ranger"; "Perry Mason"; "The Phil Silvers Show"; "The Red Skelton Show"; "Texaco Star Theater"; "The Tonight Show"; "Twilight Zone"; and "You Bet Your Life."

Some of the memorabilia on display will include The Lone Ranger silver bullet and mask Clayton Moore wore for personal appearances; Howdy Doody; Buffalo Bob's tunic; and Groucho's "duck" from "You Bet Your Life."

Stamp Ceremony Update:

On August 11, 2009, in North Hollywood, California, the Postal Service™ issued the 44–cent, Early TV Memories commemorative stamps in 20 designs in a pane of 20 stamps, and a booklet of 20 premium stamped postal cards, designed by Carl T. Herrman of North Las Vegas, Nevada.

With these stamps, the U.S. Postal Service® commemorates 20 great shows from TV’s golden age. For more than half a century, Americans have turned to television for entertainment and information. To those watching in its early days, TV offered the additional excitement of the new. Whether laughing at the first situation comedies, tingling at crime dramas, or identifying with ordinary people who had their day in the spotlight on game shows, audiences were charmed by the novelty of the young medium.

The Phil Silvers Show Review:

This subversive comedy, set at a fictional army base in Kansas, made a hero of conniving Army Master Sergeant Ernest G. Bilko, a con man who flourished even in the confines of the military. With a highly developed sense of irony and acerbic wit that kept his essential decency hidden, Bilko (Phil Silvers) saw through the American dream.

BENNY HILL AUCTION UPDATE:

Phil's letter to Benny Hill dated 6 December 1979 goes under the hammer tomorrow 15 August. Estimate is between £500-600. Here is a transcript of the actual letter:

My Dear Mr Hill,

I have no idea of how or when you will receive this letter, but I am compelled to write to you and tell you how much I admire and enjoy your program shown here every night at 11.30pm. Los Angeles time.

I won't be coy and not acknowledge that mine is a well known name in America and more importantly in your country.

Most of my life I have been an incurable Anglophile and watching you and your funny family of performers have indeed increased my Anglophilia.

Every good wish and a sincere T.T.F.N.

From

Phil Silvers

'Sgt Bilko'

GOODBYE LARRY GELBART

Larry Gelbart, who created the classic TV adaptation of Robert Altman's "M*A*S*H" and whose talented comedy writing stretched from the days of radio to cutting-edge cable shows, died at his home in Beverly Hills Friday morning. He was 81.

He had been diagnosed with cancer in June, his wife Pat said to the Los Angeles Times.

Gelbart, the principal writer on "M*A*S*H" during the first four years of the hit series, was responsible for 97 segments of the show, one of TV's best and most literate comedies. He also directed some of the early episodes of this ground breaking series.

Beginning as a gag writer in days of radio and honing his comic craft for such talents as Jack Carson and Eddie Cantor. Gelbart was a versatile stylist who succeeded in various formats, including the stage. He went on to write gags for Bob Hope, Jack Paar, Red Buttons, Jack Carson, Joan Davis and Phil Silvers.

In 1953 he accepted Sid Caesar's offer of $1,000 a week to work for "Caesar's Hour," joining a legendary writing team that included Reiner, Mel Brooks and Neil Simon.

"He's the fastest of the fast, the wittiest man in the business," Brooks once said of him.

Gelbart won an Emmy with co-producer Gene Reynolds for "M*A*S*H" as well as three WGA Awards for the episodes he wrote. He picked up two Tonys for writing the books for the musicals "A Funny Thing Happened to the Way to the Forum" and "City of Angels." He collected six awards from the Writers Guild of America, including the Laurel Award for TV Writing Achievement. And he earned two Oscar nominations for the screenplays for "Oh, God" and "Tootsie."

 Obviously there are many connections with Phil, not only Forum and the recently screened Judy Garland Special, but he created the pilot episode of Bel Air Patrol in 1967. Phil starred as Eddie Skinner, a Bilkoesque patrol man in plush Bel Air. Sadly such a delicious premise didn't make the jump to a fully fledged series.

He is survived by his wife, their two children Adam and Becky, two stepchildren Gary and Paul Markowitz, six grandchildren and two great-grandchild.

So long Larry and God Bless.

SPANDAU BALLET CHILL OUT WITH SERGEANT BILKO!

It's two decades since they last shot a video together but Spandau Ballet proved they're back to their best.

We know this much is true because we joined the middle-aged new romantics on the set of the promo for their new single, Once More. Singer Tony Hadley's voice was as strong as ever as he belted out the tune yesterday.

And studio staff looked on in delight as the 80s icons also ran through some of their classics. We arrived at the Air Studios in North London expecting to see some of the dressing room fireworks the band were once famous for. But instead the lads were doubled up in hysterics watching classic 50s comedy The Phil Silvers Show/Sergeant Bilko. Tony said: "You're probably too young but we love this. It helps us to chill out."

Well done Tony & Co! As the ole Sarge himself would've said, 'You show extreme good taste'! Perhaps a mention on any forthcoming tours might make those illusive and stubborn TV executives sit up and take notice!

SO LONG SOUPY SALES

Soupy Sales, who died on Oct. 22 at age 83, was born Milton Supman in Franklinton, N.C., where his father Irving was in the dry goods business.

"The local Ku Klux Klan," Soupy told me, "had to come to this Jew to buy sheets."

He gave credit to everyone and the KKK loved him for that. They even asked him to join them.

After Soupy's father died, his mother Sadie worked 12 hours a day in another southern shtetl, Huntington, W.Va., to put her three sons through school. One became a doctor, the other a lawyer, and Soupy the class terror?

After graduation from Marshall College in Huntington he went on years later to become the rising star of a 1960s television show where he made a career of throwing some 19,000 custard pies in the kisser of such victims as Frank Sinatra, Tony Curtis, Burt Lancaster, Jerry Lewis and many others who pleaded to be a target on the highly rated nonsensical children's show.

Soup, who saw himself as a straight man in a world full of kooks, told his life story - better than any obit writer could - in his book, "Soupy Sez: My Life and Zany Times." Nipsey Russell, Kenny Kramer, Larry Storch and Vincent Pastore (Pussy of "The Sopranos") came to Soupy's book party at the Friars Club in 2001 where, instead of a pie in the eye, they hurled zany jokes in his direction.

Appearing on the Ed Sullivan Show, Soupy asked the host, "Mind if I throw you a pie?" Sure, Sullivan said, then hesitantly asked, "What's in it?"

He needn't worry. The pie was topped, as always, with shaving cream.

Mickey Freeman, who played Private Zimmerman on "The Phil Silvers Show" in the late '50s, reported at the Friars that Soupy's book was already in its third printing. "The first two were blurred."

Mickey was on a roll, so he continued: "Soupy, your book saved my house. I had a card table with one short leg."

Bernie Ilson, Soupy's publicist for 10 years from 1965, told me his client was the easiest to work with. "What you saw on the show was the same in real life," Ilson said. "Always on."

Soupy was hard working, getting up at 5 a.m. every weekday to prepare for a show that went live at 10 a.m.

"It was a one-man operation," Ilson said. "He wrote, planned and performed all by himself. It wasn't just for children - adults loved the slapstick humor."

Soupy once told a story about a beer commercial he did. He had 30 seconds to open a bottle of beer before the shoot, but there was no bottle opener. In a panic he called out if anybody had one. A sophisticated gentleman walked up, put his wooden leg on the table and opened the beer bottle with an opener attached to his leg.

Read more by Tim Boxer at www.15MinutesMagazine.com.

(Tribute courtesy Tim Boxer and thejewishweek.com)

ANITA HARRIS

In the following video Anita Harris recalls her time working on Carry On Follow That Camel with Phil Silvers and Kenneth Williams. The interviewer is Helen James and was recorded as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations for the Carry On film series.

(Video is shown courtesy of Helen James & HELEN JAMES PRODUCTIONS LTD.)

Helen James has worked in the media industry for over 20 years. Helen has worked as a news reporter at GMTV and ITV Yorkshire. She has also worked as a presenter, entertainment correspondent and senior reporter at ITV Thames Valley.

"I am very excited to be now running my own video production company after 20 years working in TV news for the BBC and ITV." explains Helen. "We produce videos for a wide range of clients, from sole traders to multi-national companies."

Helen has interviewed many celebrities over the years including Sir Norman Wisdom, Daniel Craig, Meryl Streep, Matt Damon and Sir Michael Caine.

To see more of Helen's Carry On footage or celebrity interviews and films simply click on the link  below...

http://www.youtube.com/user/HelenJamesProduction

Helen's website can now be viewed by clicking the following link:

http://www.helenjamesproductions.co.uk/

Photos: (Top to Bottom)

Anita Harris & Phil Silvers

Kenneth Williams & Phil Silvers

Helen James

FREE BILKO GOODIES!

2009 has been a resounding success for The British Phil Silvers Appreciation Society. With over 18,200 hits we want to say a big thank you to everyone who has supported us, and more importantly Phil since it's launch in March.

As a small gesture of our appreciation we are proud to offer to the first 26 recruits an authentic Phil Silvers Show promo glass slide! This slide dates from 1955 and measure 2 x 2". Glass Promo Slides were used for press kits for TV shows, each slide has a black frame and silver matte with image in the centre. Produced by the Craftsmen Photo Company, 245 West 55th Street, NYC, this little piece of Bilko history can be yours for the paltry price of postage and packing!

Please email in the first instance: e.bilko@btinternet.com or steviebilko@aol.com and register your name for one of these slides! Be quick we only have 26, so it's 'first come first served'! An offer even Bilko couldn't turn down, and when they're gone, they're gone!

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The British PHIL SILVERS Appreciation Society would sincerely like to thank Phil-fans everywhere for their support during the inception year of the BPSAS website.

When the BPSAS first launched in 1985 we could not have imagined that we would still be here 24 years later. This website has finally given us the chance to create the tribute for Phil that we always envisioned.

We will be adding new features, photos, videos and content in the forthcoming year and endeavour to make this a site worthy of the one and only Mr. Phil Silvers!

Our Facebook group membership has rocketed to almost 500 members and our page on YouTube has now received over 150,000 hits. This is just phenomenal and I know that Phil would be absolutely thrilled to know just how much his work is still appreciated around the world.

2011 will of course see the 100th Anniversary of Phil's birth and the BPSAS is hoping to organise an event to commemorate this occasion. News reaches us that there is a chance that The Phil Silvers Show may receive a Blue-Ray DVD release and we will of course keep you posted with any developments.

And so from Steve, myself and Phil's family we would like to take this opportunity to wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Saluting Phil!

THE PHIL SILVERS SHOW

We have been informed that there is a chance that The Phil Silvers Show may be given a Blu-Ray DVD release. It is hoped that the release would include all four seasons as opposed to the paltry 18 episodes included on the 50th Anniversary DVD release. At this time we can only confirm that this is in the planning stages.

MEMORABILIA 2010

The British PHIL SILVERS Appreciation Society will be attending this years MEMORABILIA event to be held at the Birmingham NEC on March 27th & 28th. Photographs, T-Shirts, Postcards, DVD's and a host of other memorabilia will be available to Phil-fans. Anyone wishing to attend the event is welcome to contact us for further details.

AARON RUBEN AND BARRY BLITZER PASS AWAY

Two veteran TV comedy writers passed away last week:

Aaron Ruben, who worked on such shows as 'The Phil Silvers Show', 'The Andy Griffith Show,' 'Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.' and 'Sanford and Son,' and Barry Blitzer, who wrote for such series as 'Get Smart' and 'The Flintstones.' Ruben died Jan. 30 in Beverly Hills from complications of pneumonia, according to EW.com. He was 95.

Barry Blitzer died Jan. 27 in Santa Monica from complications after abdominal surgery. He was 80.

Ruben first entered the industry as a writer for radio comedies and segued to TV comedies in the 1950s, writing for Milton Berle and Sid Caesar, and making his directorial debut on 'The Phil Silvers Show.' He wrote and produced 'The Andy Griffith Show' for five seasons in the 1960s and served as executive producer for 'Gomer Pyle' before working as one of the original producers of 'Sanford and Son' in the 1970s.

Ruben was a longtime advocate for troubled children and was awarded the Writers Guild's Valentine Davies award in 2003 for his volunteer work. He is survived by his wife, actress Maureen Arthur.

Blitzer's long career -- he was the last surviving member of the group of writers who shared a 1956 Best Comedy Writing Emmy for 'The Phil Silvers Show', according to Variety -- included writing stints on episodes of 'The Love Boat,' 'Land of the Lost,' 'The Jetsons,' 'Get Smart,' 'Too Close for Comfort,' 'McHale's Navy,' 'Good Times' and 'The Jetsons.' He was also a major contributor to the Top Cat series which owed more than a passing nod to Sgt. Bilko.  

Blitzer is survived by his wife, Elsie, a daughter and a sister.

Another two Bilko veterans now gone ~ our thoughts are with their friends and families. Goodbye Aaron and Barry ~ and thanks for the memories.

Top: Aaron Ruben

Bottom: Barry Blitzer

DAMN YANKEES

News from Hollywood that Jim Carrey and Jake Gyllenhaal are set to star in the new film adaptation of  Damn Yankees.

The original Broadway musical debuted in 1955 and numerous productions have followed over the years, including a West End production in 1957. The musical was revived with great success on Broadway in 1994, the show then transferred to the West End in 1997.

Former Happy Days' writers Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel are set to write the script.

The musical will be produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron for New Line. The duo were behind New Line's other musical success, Hairspray.

Jake Gyllenhall will play Joe Boyd, a married middle-aged man whose love of a loser baseball team makes him do a deal with the devil, Mr Applegate (Jim Carrey). The devil then transforms him into a slugger to help his team win the World Series.

A television film of the musical was produced in 1967 and featured Phil Silvers as Mr. Applegate. Previous incarnations of Mr.Applegate have been played by Ray Walston, Bill Kerr, Vincent Price, Van Johnson and Victor Garber and Jerry Lewis.

Jerry Lewis played Mr.Applegate in both the Broadway and West End productions of Damn Yankees.

No casting details have yet been announced for the female role of Lola. Previous incarnations were played by Gwen Verdon, Elizabeth Seal, Lee Remick and Bebe Neuwrith.

The film is to be directed by Bandslam helmer Todd Graff for New Line Cinema.

No details have been announced as to a release date.

Left: Phil Silvers and Lee Remick in Damn Yankess (1967)