Archive for the ‘hollywood extra’ tag
Full Bonanza
Latest Fashion Tip…unbutton the top button on your vests & button up the rest. You’ll see this all over the Fall. Trust me. And stop tucking your Tee Shirts just into the front of your jeans. So 8 months ago. Wake up.
If you can see, here’s the stage 411!
Martin & Lewis & Me
Ben & Gloria Starr’s Wedding Picture
December 1st 1949 Chicago, Ambassador-East Hotel
Left to right.
Best Man Sheldon Leonard (Producer DICK VAN DYKE SHOW & Bartender in IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE; “Look at me..I’m makin’ Angels!”). Peeking past Rabbi is Charlie Isaacs (great guy & Head Writer who got Dad work on Radio for Al Jolson and Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis). Then there’s Jerry & Wife #1 (call her Patty) & Bob Redd (Producer). Did I mention Jerry paid for my Parent’s Wedding & gave them a nice Cash Gift? Name Dropper …boasting for one.
Memory Lane
Ten years later at a dinner party at Director Mervyn LeRoy’s house Frank Sinatra is a guest. My witty & wonderful Mother Gloria asks Frankie for the 25 Cents back she mailed his Fan Club in the ’40s for an 8×10 that never arrived. Sinatra replies “What with interest …no can do.”
I digress
In 1948 Gloria moved to Hollywood & worked for Henry Rogers (pre-Rogers & Cowan Publicity Machine Giants). Kirk Douglas was an original Client and Gloria mailed, in Kirk’s name, his weekly Studio checks back home with a note she wrote… “Hi Mom. Here’s your check.”
Back to Thanks for the Memories
Ben co-wrote the 1966 Hit Western TEXAS ACROSS THE RIVER for Dean Martin. Dad proudly wore the Christmas Gift Watch inscribed “To Ben-Keep Writing, Dino.” So it wasn’t a big deal at 16 that I took Tennis Lessons at Dino’s Mansion. Dino Jr & Desi Arnaz Jr would sit court side drinking and critiquing my tennis expertise with “Bad Volley Dude” and “Double Fault Bro” etc. Evidently I stunk up the court. Years later Desi Jr & I ran into each other at the Burt Reynolds Dinner Theatre in Florida. He remembered being drunk and that I had a weak back hand.
I finally got to thank Jerry Lewis for his generosity in person backstage on Broadway in 1995 during his DAMN YANKEES revival run. I must have confused Jerry because he briefly thought Dad was Heavyweight Champ Rocky Marciano (I’m not making this stuff up). Now keep up with me…Groucho’s son Arthur Marx interviewed Ben for the un-authorized Jerry Lewis Biography EVERYBODY LOVES SOMEBODY SOMETIME (ESPECIALLY HIMSELF). Dad shared that after their Wedding Reception Jerry rented the room next to my Folks to bang on the wall all night yelling suggestive remarks. In the voice of Jerry’s original Nutty Professor please say the following out loud … “HEY LADY!”
But I digress again (for a change). Mid 1980s Ben & Gloria are taking friends to dinner at Beverly Hills Trader Vics for their Anniversary when in walks Jerry, New Wife & Homies. After dinner Dad learns that Jerry kindly picks up the tab. Ben walks over and says “Thanks Jer. By the way…we eat here every Tuesday.”
Check out my Dad Ben Starr’s incredible Producer/Writer Career on IMDb:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0823465/
Plenty of Bupkis!
“Bupkis” is Yiddish for “nothing.” As in my Dad asking “What’s going on career wise?” and me replying “Plenty of Bupkis!”
Luckily work has been non-stop for months (touch wood). Then due to Valentine’s/President’s 3-Day weekend most filming ground to a halt. Thanks for bupkis Abe Lincoln. Ever the romantic, I had pre-paid for a fabulous French din-din with the boyfriend and decided to turn down a last minute Saturday/Sunday film job offer (what would Cupid do?) Suddenly a week passes with no bookings. Thankfully I am not obsessing that because I turned down work, everyone in the entire business has black listed me (why? what have you heard?).
On Wednesday I planned to print out my new 8×10 glossy with Lucky the wonder dog to give to casting agents (let him earn the kibble for once). By Friday I finally got dressed and made it out of the house (when did I become that guy in sweatpants?). The casting gals loved the photo and were positive that Lucky and I will be rolling in Pedigree soon. Excuse me as I light a candle and chant “Come on Pilot Season!”
Friends keep asking me when I will be on TV. Years ago I shot a WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY film where a stunt driver in a Police Car accidentally smashed into me while I was driving my own car in a scene. As my radiator literally fell to the pavement the Director (the late Vic Morrow who was very kind) shouted “Go with it kid!” Having tons of improv training I leapt onto the car hood and started yelling shtick at the fake Officer that he gave ”Coppers” a bad name. Vic said “Cut!” and the crew applauded (and then arranged for my car to be towed back to the studio). This was back in the TV Guide days (yes children there was no internet search in the dark ages of the 1970s). Finally the episode was scheduled and I mailed out 80 fliers. My scene ended up on the cutting room floor except a 2 second wide shot of the Police Car hitting me. After the show aired everyone in the Western World called to say they saw bupkis. I learned the hard way to watch first and then tell people afterwards what thrilling moments they missed. Imagine my surprise when last night I accidentally found out my recent Circus Clown shoot was about to air! Who knew? 57 minutes into the episode 4 Clowns ran past the camera (shown from the neck down!) I played it back twice with freeze frame for the boyfriend to recognize me. Raise your hand if you’re glad I didn’t alert you to miss it too. Of course it would have been fun to receive your text response “Hello bupkis, hello?”