Happy Birthday June Lockhart - 90 Today

Since the 1960s, June Lockhart has been widely recognized as the practical and protective TV mom from “Lost in Space” and “Lassie.” But her extensive career stretched beyond zany aliens and courageous canines. Her body of work includes some 200 stage, film, and TV roles – including two seasons on “Petticoat Junction” and numerous television guest-starring appearances since the 1950s. Westerns were among her favorites .....read full interview in the
Santa Monica Mirror.

While preparing for the interview, I watched some of her early TV westerns. An episode of “Wagon Train” (The Sarah Drummond Story) dealt with the settlers’ predictable attitude to the local “Indians.” What struck were the final words of June’s character:

 “It’s the young we’ve got to worry about, they learn to love and hate quicker than anybody else depending on how we teach them.”

Pianist Richard Glazier Back on PBS

Keep an eye on your local PBS station this summer - Richard Glazier has a new special. Talks about how the Gershwins influenced his career in this recent interview.

Bad Weather?

 Clearly need to get eyewear updated.
Could have sworn the recent news  headline read: “1 person killed when tomatoes hit Oklahoma, Arkansas.”

Decorating a Christmas ChemisTREE

I have been wanting to make one of these for a while. So this week I did, and installed it in our School of Sciences office. Even the biologists thought it was cool.

 

A US Commemorative Stamp for Van Johnson

A devoted Van Johnson fan is trying to get a commemorative US stamp for the popular actor from the '40s and '50s. You can read her story here and sign the official petition here.

Ice Bucket Challenge: Dunk ‘n Donate

Getting dunked AND donating is the only way to do this ice bucket challenge. That’s what 2 dozen faculty and staff did in the School of Sciences. And how much convincing did it take to get students to do the dunking? None at all!

Video link here: https://youtu.be/Dlbz62TvMWw

Happy Birthday Rose Marie

Anyone remember the Dick Van Dyke Show? I recently talked with Rose Marie, who played Sally Rogers, and Dick Van Dyke. Rosie celebrates her 91st birthday in August. What an amazing career beginning as 3 year old Baby Rose Marie - a child singer with an incredible voice. Check out YouTube for videos of her singing. She attracted the attention of presidents and notorious gangsters (not that the two are necessarily different) who all wanted her to perform for them. But mostly we remember her comedic talents from the Dick Van Dyke Show. There's a reason we call entertainers like Rose Marie legends! Full story and interview here.

Interview with Piper Laurie

I love this photo of Piper Laurie from the 2012 Texas Frightmare convention. Thanks to Barry Crawford at clayguy.com for permission to use in this interview where she talks about Reagan, the wonderful Charles Coburn, and “Carrie.” 

Vivacious Jane Powell Turns 85

Jane Powell, star of "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' and "Royal Wedding" turned 85 in April. She's still a bundle of delightful energy! Read more in the News-Sentinel.

The clip below from "Royal Wedding" is a favorite of mine - the song having the longest title of any MGM film! Do you have a favorite Jane Powell film??

 

 

Twin Wildlife Artists

John and Jim Denney are twins, with almost identical careers – wildlife artists and photographers. I photographed them at the Auburn University raptor center. A fun story in this month’s Alabama Living.