Classic American West Coast Boxing

[Chuck1052]

According to Thomas Hauser, Dave Wolf, the manager of Ray Mancini and Donny Lalonde, passed away about a week ago. As an author, Wolf wrote FOUL, a terrific biography about Connie Hawkins, a basketball star of the 1960s and 1970s. I hope that Wolf's family and friends accept my condolences.

Hauser's article, Dave Wolf: A Remembrance, was found on the website of SecondsOut.com.

[dagosd2000]

Our Pug . . .

You know, Brian. Your professional boxing record shows that you never learned how to lose. In addition being an unbeaten heavyweight, you flattened 75% of your opposition. Now, you are nine years younger than me, but it sounds like you never learned to how to lose a boxing match. Next month, five days before I turn 57, you will turn 48.

How about a tune-up with another oldster, Holyfield, and after you win then a shot at Valuev. Don't you just love it when your friends have things all figured out for your future. My interest is this, you win the title, and in five years we induct you into the WBHOF. We'll have all the gang there, all of us will stand up and speak on your behalf at the podium, and by the time that's over, we'll just head off to the bar and tell stories. You get a world title to put on your resume and we all have a great story to tell. The title fight will sell out Soldier Field, a bunch of Californian's will invade Chicago to root for their amigo. Bennie will fly in from England.

Think of it. It would really add an edge to this thread, huh?

-Rick

God Bless you Rick.
You made my day.
What I would really love would be to see any of your fights at the Olympic back in the day.
I would also have loved to have seen Randys fight that Wide World of Sports televised.
I would also have loved being in the gym the day Rog got in there with Kenny Norton.
I would pay to watch a master cornerman like Frank work his sons corner.
These things would make me a happy man.

Hey, Im gonna compete in the National Veterans Freesyle Wrestling championships in Vegas in early April.
Im also gonna fight the National Judo Championships (masters) in San Diego in Mid April.
If any of you guys are free and wanna come out, lemme know.
We will have some laughs and tell some more great stories!
Dinner will be on me.



Brian

Brian
I'm glad no one was there with a camera the times I sparred with Kenny Norton,but I'll try to describe it for you.

Just picture one of those skiers flying down the slopes at Vail going a hundred miles an hour. The skier is near sighted. He doesn't see the pine tree. Should I go on?

BTW. Kenny treated me pretty rough those times I was in there with him,but he couldn't knock me off my feet. I know he was trying to.

"Kenny,I didn't go down. You couldn't knock me down,Kenny."

Somehow I remember some little guy with bushy eyebrows who used to watch the fighters train down at the Coliseum.He watched me spar with Norton . Said he was gonna' make a movie one day about a fighter. Never got his name.

[Rick Farris]

Eddie Futch

Interesting listening to Freddie Roach talk about one of his mentors, Eddie Futch. I didn't know Futch well. He worked my corner once, assisting Suey Welch at the Santa Monica Civic, shortly before he worked with Frazier in the first Ali fight. He wrapped my hands, I think we talked about his welterweight, Hedgeman Lewis, who I would get to know later in my career.

Funny, one night he's the bucket man for a prelim kid in a six-rounder, and a few weeks later he's the key man in the corner of the champ, in one of history's greatest heavyweight title fights. Eddie Futch was the voice in the corner of Joe Frazier, the night he floored the great Ali, handing him his first pro loss.

-Rick Farris

One more thing about Eddie Futch. At the 2007 WBHOF Banquet, Eddie's beautiful young widow showed up at the event and a lot of the old guys followed her everywhere she walked. She was like a pied piper to the Geritol generation. Of course, all the old guys wanted to do was console Eddie's grieving wife. Johnny Ortiz was so enamored he began to perspire heavily while talking to Mrs. Futch, the sweat made the dye drip off his burnt orange hair piece onto the table cloth. It gave the appearance that he was rusting right before her eyes.

-Rick

[Rick Farris]

Our Pug . . .

You know, Brian. Your professional boxing record shows that you never learned how to lose. In addition being an unbeaten heavyweight, you flattened 75% of your opposition. Now, you are nine years younger than me, but it sounds like you never learned to how to lose a boxing match. Next month, five days before I turn 57, you will turn 48.

How about a tune-up with another oldster, Holyfield, and after you win then a shot at Valuev. Don't you just love it when your friends have things all figured out for your future. My interest is this, you win the title, and in five years we induct you into the WBHOF. We'll have all the gang there, all of us will stand up and speak on your behalf at the podium, and by the time that's over, we'll just head off to the bar and tell stories. You get a world title to put on your resume and we all have a great story to tell. The title fight will sell out Soldier Field, a bunch of Californian's will invade Chicago to root for their amigo. Bennie will fly in from England.

Think of it. It would really add an edge to this thread, huh?

-Rick

God Bless you Rick.
You made my day.
What I would really love would be to see any of your fights at the Olympic back in the day.
I would also have loved to have seen Randys fight that Wide World of Sports televised.
I would also have loved being in the gym the day Rog got in there with Kenny Norton.
I would pay to watch a master cornerman like Frank work his sons corner.
These things would make me a happy man.

Hey, Im gonna compete in the National Veterans Freesyle Wrestling championships in Vegas in early April.
Im also gonna fight the National Judo Championships (masters) in San Diego in Mid April.
If any of you guys are free and wanna come out, lemme know.
We will have some laughs and tell some more great stories!
Dinner will be on me.



Brian

Brian
I'm glad no one was there with a camera the times I sparred with Kenny Norton,but I'll try to describe it for you.

Just picture one of those skiers flying down the slopes at Vail going a hundred miles an hour. The skier is near sighted. He doesn't see the pine tree. Should I go on?

BTW. Kenny treated me pretty rough those times I was in there with him,but he couldn't knock me off my feet. I know he was trying to.

"Kenny,I didn't go down. You couldn't knock me down,Kenny."

Somehow I remember some little guy with bushy eyebrows who used to watch the fighters train down at the Coliseum.He watched me spar with Norton . Said he was gonna' make a movie one day about a fighter. Never got his name.

Marty?

[Rick Farris]

Rick, thats outstanding.
It will be great to see the two of you.
The defending National champ in my division is a guy named John O'Malley.
I beat him in the Illinois State Championships in 2000.
He won the Gold last year and maybe the two of us will meet again in San Diego.
We were in the same bracket the last time I fought Nationals in 2003 (Vegas), but he took third (bronze) and I was eliminated earlier.
Gokor Chivichyan will probably have a strong crew there that will be fun to watch also.

Brian,Monica and Rick
We'll all get together down here in San Diego to watch the Judo Championships.

Brian,let me know the exact dates you will be here. I'll see if I can find a room at my place that will save you some money.I'm always getting unannounced visitors.

After Brian wins,dinner is on me at Jack and Julio's(great Italian food).

Then we'll leave Maria and Monica to talk girl talk,and then the boys will celebrate at the Boom Boom Club. I'll have a table recerved.

Yes

[dagosd2000]

Marty,yeh,that was the guy's name.

[dagosd2000]

ALL THE WORLD LOVES A FAT MAN

After the fighters would finish up at the Coliseum,the wrestlers would arrive to go through their workouts. Sometimes I'd hang around to watch them work their strategies for the upcoming show.

It was a little funny to see how they'd all got along with each other. Freddie Blassie was a bad guy in San Diego. He'd go at it with Mr. Moto ,who was a good guy. Funny that Mr. Moto would be cast as a good guy in San Diego,a military town,especially when World War II wasn't that far back in history. But it shows you how marketing can shape one's opinion. Anyway,Moto and Blassie were really friends.

As much as they acted like they hated each other in the ring,or when hyping an upcoming match,these guys were really funny. All the wrestlers were. Always pulling jokes on each other. I think that was the real reason I would watch them work out.The atmosphere was always a crack up.

The fighters were more focused. No clowning around. The fixes weren't in like with the wrestlers. At least I didn't see it if there was. I know Burke Emery didn't put up with any horse play if you wanted to be a fighter. If you wanted to learn the sport,he required commitment.

The wrestlers?They reminded me of circus people. One night tossin' each other around in San Diego,the next night maybe up in Stockton rollin' around the mat. One night a bad guy,the next evening you were a villain somewhere else.

Two other things that stuck in my mind with those grapplers. They'd always be wearing flashy button shirts,open wide at the collar, that draped down over their big frames. Hawaiian shirts were big with them. In the winter time,a sport jacket over the shirt.

The other thing was the amount of cologne they put on. They'd leave that run down little locker at the Coliseum smelling like the dressing room at the Boom Boom Club.

[Expug]

Rick, thats outstanding.
It will be great to see the two of you.
The defending National champ in my division is a guy named John O'Malley.
I beat him in the Illinois State Championships in 2000.
He won the Gold last year and maybe the two of us will meet again in San Diego.
We were in the same bracket the last time I fought Nationals in 2003 (Vegas), but he took third (bronze) and I was eliminated earlier.
Gokor Chivichyan will probably have a strong crew there that will be fun to watch also.

Brian,Monica and Rick
We'll all get together down here in San Diego to watch the Judo Championships.

Brian,let me know the exact dates you will be here. I'll see if I can find a room at my place that will save you some money.I'm always getting unannounced visitors.

After Brian wins,dinner is on me at Jack and Julio's(great Italian food).

Then we'll leave Maria and Monica to talk girl talk,and then the boys will celebrate at the Boom Boom Club. I'll have a table recerved.

Thanks Rog.
I believe its April 17-19.
I will have more info soon.
They got Gnocchi or Chicken Vesuvio at Jack and Julios?

It will be great to see you and Maria also.

[dagosd2000]

Rick, thats outstanding.
It will be great to see the two of you.
The defending National champ in my division is a guy named John O'Malley.
I beat him in the Illinois State Championships in 2000.
He won the Gold last year and maybe the two of us will meet again in San Diego.
We were in the same bracket the last time I fought Nationals in 2003 (Vegas), but he took third (bronze) and I was eliminated earlier.
Gokor Chivichyan will probably have a strong crew there that will be fun to watch also.

Brian,Monica and Rick
We'll all get together down here in San Diego to watch the Judo Championships.

Brian,let me know the exact dates you will be here. I'll see if I can find a room at my place that will save you some money.I'm always getting unannounced visitors.

After Brian wins,dinner is on me at Jack and Julio's(great Italian food).

Then we'll leave Maria and Monica to talk girl talk,and then the boys will celebrate at the Boom Boom Club. I'll have a table recerved.

Thanks Rog.
I believe its April 17-19.
I will have more info soon.
They got Gnocchi or Chicken Vesuvio at Jack and Julios?

It will be great to see you and Maria also.

Gnocci of course.Chicken Vesuvio?Probably under a different name.

Brian,you can also have use of my other car.

[Expug]

Rog, Chicken Vesuvio is a dish served at a little place called Tuffanos in the old Taylor street neighborhood.
Its cooked at a high broil so the outside is a little singed .It also has a bit of a lemon flavor to it.
Delicious.
They got a real nice shells and Broccoli also.
You got me thinkin about Italian food.
Here in Colorado I dont think they have it anywhere.
Fu..in Pizza Hut dont count :x

Thanks again Rog.

[dagosd2000]

Rog, Chicken Vesuvio is a dish served at a little place called Tuffanos in the old Taylor street neighborhood.
Its cooked at a high broil so the outside is a little singed .It also has a bit of a lemon flavor to it.
Delicious.
They got a real nice shells and Broccoli also.
You got me thinkin about Italian food.
Here in Colorado I dont think they have it anywhere.
Fu..in Pizza Hut dont count :x

Thanks again Rog.

Brian
Gee,you said Taylor Street. After watching The Honeymooners and The Twilght Zone all day,and yesterday it was all three That's Entertainment movies,I feel the new year has put me in the past.

BTW,that chicken sounds delicious. Colorado might end in a vowel,but as far as food goes it ends in the dumpster. Not a strong area for Latin dishes I would imagine. Carnitas? Linguini with white clam sauce? Not in the land of downhill racers.

[Rick Farris]

ALL THE WORLD LOVES A FAT MAN

After the fighters would finish up at the Coliseum,the wrestlers would arrive to go through their workouts. Sometimes I'd hang around to watch them work their strategies for the upcoming show.

It was a little funny to see how they'd all got along with each other. Freddie Blassie was a bad guy in San Diego. He'd go at it with Mr. Moto ,who was a good guy. Funny that Mr. Moto would be cast as a good guy in San Diego,a military town,especially when World War II wasn't that far back in history. But it shows you how marketing can shape one's opinion. Anyway,Moto and Blassie were really friends.

As much as they acted like they hated each other in the ring,or when hyping an upcoming match,these guys were really funny. All the wrestlers were. Always pulling jokes on each other. I think that was the real reason I would watch them work out.The atmosphere was always a crack up.

The fighters were more focused. No clowning around. The fixes weren't in like with the wrestlers. At least I didn't see it if there was. I know Burke Emery didn't put up with any horse play if you wanted to be a fighter. If you wanted to learn the sport,he required commitment.

The wrestlers?They reminded me of circus people. One night tossin' each other around in San Diego,the next night maybe up in Stockton rollin' around the mat. One night a bad guy,the next evening you were a villain somewhere else.

Two other things that stuck in my mind with those grapplers. They'd always be wearing flashy button shirts,open wide at the collar, that draped down over their big frames. Hawaiian shirts were big with them. In the winter time,a sport jacket over the shirt.

The other thing was the amount of cologne they put on. They'd leave that run down little locker at the Coliseum smelling like the dressing room at the Boom Boom Club.

That would have been cool, hanging out and watching wrestlers. I never had that opportunity, at least, I never pursued it while I was boxing. However, these guys have always interested me. I became more so after I quit boxing. I always loved fighting and wanted more options than my fists could provide. I admire what Brian has accomplished, he went the full route in several of the most difficult and most effective fighting styles. Lots of the UFC guys get lost when it goes to fists, and others wither on the ground. To the true ultimate fighter it doesn't matter.

Roger, if you haven't already read this, I'd like to recommend a book that I believe that you'll find interesting, especially before the upcoming Nat'l Judo Championships. It's Gene LeBell's, "The Godfather of Grappling". I know that Brian has read it, as have I. Gene's ego is right out there, but that's cool, he's earned the right. The book will take you deep into the history of the LeBell/Eaton world of L.A. boxing. You will love what Gene writes and will relate to much of it. It's a quick, fun read and worthy of a spot in your book case. Gene's childhood stories really take you into the L.A. Athletic Club, where Gene's mom Aileen would send him on his bike, to get him out of her hair as she worked at the Olympic Aud. office.

Gene would learn from guys like Strangler Lewis, and other grappling greats. He'd then go to the Main St. Gym for boxing training. Gene crossed trained in the various fighting arts. He knows what boxers do, wrestlers, judaka, etc. Gene's best student, Gokar, will be there. They have a great dojo in Hollywood and get Pug's seal of approval, so I look forward to a great day of Judo.

-Rick

[Expug]

Rog, you are right. The New Year is off to a promising start.

Rick and Rog, Genes book is quite entertaining.I really came away after reading that,with alot of respect for Lou Thesz.
Gene talked about what a tough no nonsense crippling grappler that guy was.
He must have been a guy not to be fooled with.
Either of you guys have any info on him?He was an interesting character.

[Rick Farris]

Rog, Chicken Vesuvio is a dish served at a little place called Tuffanos in the old Taylor street neighborhood.
Its cooked at a high broil so the outside is a little singed .It also has a bit of a lemon flavor to it.
Delicious.
They got a real nice shells and Broccoli also.
You got me thinkin about Italian food.
Here in Colorado I dont think they have it anywhere.
Fu..in Pizza Hut dont count :x

Thanks again Rog.

Brian
Gee,you said Taylor Street. After watching The Honeymooners and The Twilght Zone all day,and yesterday it was all three That's Entertainment movies,I feel the new year has put me in the past.

BTW,that chicken sounds delicious. Colorado might end in a vowel,but as far as food goes it ends in the dumpster. Not a strong area for Latin dishes I would imagine. Carnitas? Linguini with white clam sauce? Not in the land of downhill racers.

Lots of stew and American "comfort" food, boring menu. I don't ski. I tried it once, when I was 21. It was fun, I did OK, had a few falls, a couple nice runs, a nice time. I planned to try it again one day. Never did. I don't get being outside in the cold when it's not necessary. It makes no sense to me. In that environment, I'd rather bury myself in a beaver right next to a blazing fireplace, a hot toddie close by.

-Rick

[dagosd2000]

ALL THE WORLD LOVES A FAT MAN

After the fighters would finish up at the Coliseum,the wrestlers would arrive to go through their workouts. Sometimes I'd hang around to watch them work their strategies for the upcoming show.

It was a little funny to see how they'd all got along with each other. Freddie Blassie was a bad guy in San Diego. He'd go at it with Mr. Moto ,who was a good guy. Funny that Mr. Moto would be cast as a good guy in San Diego,a military town,especially when World War II wasn't that far back in history. But it shows you how marketing can shape one's opinion. Anyway,Moto and Blassie were really friends.

As much as they acted like they hated each other in the ring,or when hyping an upcoming match,these guys were really funny. All the wrestlers were. Always pulling jokes on each other. I think that was the real reason I would watch them work out.The atmosphere was always a crack up.

The fighters were more focused. No clowning around. The fixes weren't in like with the wrestlers. At least I didn't see it if there was. I know Burke Emery didn't put up with any horse play if you wanted to be a fighter. If you wanted to learn the sport,he required commitment.

The wrestlers?They reminded me of circus people. One night tossin' each other around in San Diego,the next night maybe up in Stockton rollin' around the mat. One night a bad guy,the next evening you were a villain somewhere else.

Two other things that stuck in my mind with those grapplers. They'd always be wearing flashy button shirts,open wide at the collar, that draped down over their big frames. Hawaiian shirts were big with them. In the winter time,a sport jacket over the shirt.

The other thing was the amount of cologne they put on. They'd leave that run down little locker at the Coliseum smelling like the dressing room at the Boom Boom Club.

That would have been cool, hanging out and watching wrestlers. I never had that opportunity, at least, I never pursued it while I was boxing. However, these guys have always interested me. I became more so after I quit boxing. I always loved fighting and wanted more options than my fists could provide. I admire what Brian has accomplished, he went the full route in several of the most difficult and most effective fighting styles. Lots of the UFC guys get lost when it goes to fists, and others wither on the ground. To the true ultimate fighter it doesn't matter.

Roger, if you haven't already read this, I'd like to recommend a book that I believe that you'll find interesting, especially before the upcoming Nat'l Judo Championships. It's Gene LeBell's, "The Godfather of Grappling". I know that Brian has read it, as have I. Gene's ego is right out there, but that's cool, he's earned the right. The book will take you deep into the history of the LeBell/Eaton world of L.A. boxing. You will love what Gene writes and will relate to much of it. It's a quick, fun read and worthy of a spot in your book case. Gene's childhood stories really take you into the L.A. Athletic Club, where Gene's mom Aileen would send him on his bike, to get him out of her hair as she worked at the Olympic Aud. office.

Gene would learn from guys like Strangler Lewis, and other grappling greats. He'd then go to the Main St. Gym for boxing training. Gene crossed trained in the various fighting arts. He knows what boxers do, wrestlers, judaka, etc. Gene's best student, Gokar, will be there. They have a great dojo in Hollywood and get Pug's seal of approval, so I look forward to a great day of Judo.

-Rick

Rick
Sounds like a good read. Where would you recommend to get a copy? However,until I get the cataract out of my right eye(hopefully within a month),I can't read too well. A few paragraphs on the thread is hard enough.

Brian
I believe Thesz wrestled on the East Coast and the Midwest. Don't remember him in California,but I might be wrong.

We had a wrestler down here that called himself The Destroyer. Wore a mask. First U.S. wrestler that I ca remember that wore a mask. In Mexico a lot of the wrestlers wore masks. Anyway,this Destroyer guy is rehearsing with Mr. Moto. I found out later that when they shouted at each other,it was a signal for what to do next. Well The Destroyer was practicing with the mask on. The object of his opponents was to try to pull his mask off so we could see who he was.(like Kennedy was hidin' under there). So The Destroyer gets out there and all of a sudden he pulls his mask off screaming and rubbing his eyes. Someone had put pepper in his mask! All of a sudden it wasn't a "put on" anymore. Some real pissed off big men in that ring.

[dagosd2000]

Rog, Chicken Vesuvio is a dish served at a little place called Tuffanos in the old Taylor street neighborhood.
Its cooked at a high broil so the outside is a little singed .It also has a bit of a lemon flavor to it.
Delicious.
They got a real nice shells and Broccoli also.
You got me thinkin about Italian food.
Here in Colorado I dont think they have it anywhere.
Fu..in Pizza Hut dont count :x

Thanks again Rog.

Brian
Gee,you said Taylor Street. After watching The Honeymooners and The Twilght Zone all day,and yesterday it was all three That's Entertainment movies,I feel the new year has put me in the past.

BTW,that chicken sounds delicious. Colorado might end in a vowel,but as far as food goes it ends in the dumpster. Not a strong area for Latin dishes I would imagine. Carnitas? Linguini with white clam sauce? Not in the land of downhill racers.

Lots of stew and American "comfort" food, boring menu. I don't ski. I tried it once, when I was 21. It was fun, I did OK, had a few falls, a couple nice runs, a nice time. I planned to try it again one day. Never did. I don't get being outside in the cold when it's not necessary. It makes no sense to me. In that environment, I'd rather bury myself in a beaver right next to a blazing fireplace, a hot toddie close by.

-Rick

Rick
Like I said,I don't see too well right now. Did you say"beaver"? A man who takes after my own heart.

[Expug]

Im really not much of a skiier either Rick.I know what you mean about the cold weather.The older I get the less amusing it is.
We have a friend who has a place here in Vail and we are bunking here till tommorow.
We took the train out here which was a fun experience. Amtrack with the sleeper car.
It felt like being in one of those old movies.A real throwback.Food is good too.
It takes about 18 hours Chicago to Denver.
My wife loves to ski and it is one of the few sports she can do as she is blind from Retinitis Pigmentosa.
She gets a guide to help her and wears an orange Blind skiier vest.Its a great program and the guides are all volunteer.My kids seem to really like it also.

[Rick Farris]

Rog, you are right. The New Year is off to a promising start.

Rick and Rog, Genes book is quite entertaining.I really came away after reading that,with alot of respect for Lou Thesz.
Gene talked about what a tough no nonsense crippling grappler that guy was.
He must have been a guy not to be fooled with.
Either of you guys have any info on him?He was an interesting character.

All I know is that ever since I was a boy, if I'd read about wrestlers, all I read about Lou Thesz was positive and respectful. He was regarded as the best. However, I know nothing else of the man, just what I assume based on the way other wrestlers would refer to him in mid-60's interviews I'd read in the wrestling portion of boxing mags. I'm interested in learning, however.

Roger . . . I found the book at Barnes & Noble. I think you can order it on-line? "The Godfather of Grappling". Hope you recover your eyesight soon.

-Rick

[bennie]

You lived through a golden era, Rick. You know, over here TV is TERRIBLE, I've never known it so bad. If I do watch anything, it is classic 1970s stuff.

Bennie . . . A former girlfriend of mine has been the production designer on a number of English TV series. In the late 80's she did a show known as "The East Enders", and more recently did a show called "Bad Girls". Her name is Jane Tomblin and she's the daughter of the late David Tomblin, one England's great film makers. David was a brilliant producer/director whose credits in British TV go back to the old "Secret Agent" series from the 60's. He would later assist some the greatest directors in the world such as George Lucas on the original "Star Wars", Blake Edwards on "The Pink Panther" films, Richard Donner on all of the Superman features starring Christopher Reeve, Spielberg on the "Indiana Jones" movies, and his favorite, the original James Bond movies starring his best friend, Sean Connery.

I met David when he was Sydney Pollacks co-producer on the Robert Redford Film, "Havana". This is where I met his daughter Jane, in the Dominican Republic, where we shot the film in '89-90. David would go on to work as Mel Gibson's assistant in his directorial debut, "Braveheart", which won him an Oscar. When he accepted his Academy Award, Gibson told the audience, "Thanks to David Tomblin, he held my hand thru the entire film." At David's funeral, he was eulogized by Lord Richard Attenborough, another great whom David worked with. I almost packed up and left to live with Jane in the U.K. back in the early 90's. I had a big contact in the English film world thru Jane and could have worked there. However, my life and children were here in America. I tried to get Jane to come to the States, where Steven Speilberg (another David Tomblin buddy) would have put her to work immidiatley. We almost married, but wisely went our seperate ways. Janie remains a life long friend, I will visit her later this year when I head back to England for a visit. She's a brilliant artist and a great woman. I really get carried away when I get into the film making thing, sorry guys for the long messages. I just have lots of memories that come up. It was the only life that could equal the excitment I had in boxing.

-Rick

Bennie . . . in 1965, after my grandfather retired from the film business, he took my grandmother to her native London for a visit. When he returned, he raved about "the funniest TV show he'd ever seen!" The name of the show was, "Til Death Do Us Part". Remember that one? A few years later, based on that British TV series, Norman Lear developd one of America's greatest TV hits, "All In The Family".

-Rick

Yes, it was a bit before my time but one of those shows that drew 20 million viewers week in, week out, in a country of around 50 million back then.
Even the police would watch it. There was nobody on the streets.

[bennie]

HENRY CLARK…
By Jim Amato

There were many who thought he was going to be the next Cassius Clay/Muhammad Ali. He was a tall, smooth boxing heavyweight with a world of potential. His professional career began in 1964 and before long he was mixing it up with some of the best fighters in the world. How’s this for starters? His pro debut was a four round decision loss to the rugged Joey Orbillo!

Less then two months later he pounded out a ten round verdict over future title challenger Manuel Ramos. The following year he whipped tough trial horse George “Scrap iron” Johnson. In 1966 he fought a No Decision bout with Amos “Big Train” Lincoln and he lost a decision to highly regarded Zora Folley. The year 1967 saw Henry establish himself as a force in the heavyweight division by winning on points over Bill McMurray, Steve Grant on two occasions, Fred Lewis, Eddie Machen and Roger Rischer.

Henry opened 1968 by defeating the clever Leotis Martin. This led Henry into a major bout against comebacking ex-heavyweight king Sonny Liston. This was Sonny’s first major step on his comeback trail and he passed with flying colors. Sonny pummelled a game but overmatched Clark in scoring a seventh round stoppage.

The year 1969 had mixed results. Henry drew with Brian London and kayoed Bob Stallings. He then lost on points to “Florida” Al Jones and Jeff “Candy Slim” Merritt. In 1970 his best win was a points call over Jimmy “The King” Fletcher. In 1972 Henry won and lost to Jack “The Giant” O’Halloran. An up and coming Ken Norton on the Muhammad Ali-Bob Foster undercard then stopped him in nine rounds.

Henry came back to win three bouts in 1973 and then on March 4th 1974 in a rematch, Henry blew out the now ranked Jeff Merritt in one round. Henry quickly followed with a decision win over faded ex-contender Mac Foster. Henry remained unbeaten through four more fights and was then matched with the dangerous Earnie Shavers in Paris, France. Try as he might for the KO, Shavers was unable to stop the wily Clark and had to settle for a hard earned points win over Henry. They met again six months later on the under card of Ali-Norton III. This time the murderous punching Shavers in two rounds overwhelmed Henry. Henry attempted to bounce back four months later but was defeated over ten by Howard “Kayo” Smith. Henry did not fight again for over two and a half years. When he did return he was defeated in ten rounds by fringe contender Bernardo Mercado.

Henry’s final tally was 32 wins, 12 losses and four draws. He scored seven knockouts but he was only stopped on three occasions. That was by Liston, Norton and Shavers surely no shame there.

I believe that shot is of Holmes, as opposed to Clark

[bennie]

Bennie . . . Do you know of an English actor who was one of the "East Enders". He's known a "Dirty Dan" to the press but his real name is Leslie B. (don't know last name spelling). Jane worked with him on a TV series he did around '90, after the "East Enders", I forget the name. From what Jane tells me, there is a lot of dirt on "Dirty Dan"? ;;-)

By the way, Jane Tomblin's father David wrote the second Star Wars movie, "Return of the Jedi" (which he titled "Revenge of the Jedi".). Talented family.

-Rick

Yes, he is known as "Dirty Den" and they brought him back to East Enders a few years ago after an absence of about 15 years. They had killed him off so his return was one of those wacky Bobby Ewing moments. Is his name Leslie Grantham? I know as a young man he killed a taxi driver during a stint in the army in Germany, for which he served his time.
He is a typical 'soap' actor: forgettable.

[bennie]

According to Thomas Hauser, Dave Wolf, the manager of Ray Mancini and Donny Lalonde, passed away about a week ago. As an author, Wolf wrote FOUL, a terrific biography about Connie Hawkins, a basketball star of the 1960s and 1970s. I hope that Wolf's family and friends accept my condolences.

Hauser's article, Dave Wolf: A Remembrance, was found on the website of SecondsOut.com.

Wolf did a good job with Mancini and Lalonde, for sure. My overriding memory of the man, regrettably, is the appalling wig he stuck on his head.

[kikibalt]

Movie comedian Stan Laurel accused of planning to bury wife in backyard


Stan Laurel and wife No. 4 Illiana (or, according to a revised count, wife No. 3)

They drank, they fought and they got arrested. Such was the whirlwind year of marriage for Stan Laurel and Tovera Ivanova Shuvalova, a Russian singer who performed under the stage name Illiana (or sometimes Illeana).

When they met, Illiana, born Sept. 24, 1912, was 25 and the film comedian was 43 and freshly divorced. In fact, he was so recently divorced from Virginia Ruth Laurel (wife No. 2) that on Jan. 1, 1938, she stopped by the hotel where the newlyweds were staying to "consult with her ex-husband," according to The Times. Understand that this wasn't in Los Angeles but at the Del Ming Hotel in Yuma, Ariz.

Judging by news accounts, it wasn't a friendly call: "While others may have viewed the situation with a smile, says Laurel, it did not seem funny to him when Mrs. Laurel disturbed his honeymoon at Yuma, Ariz., with his recent bride ... with loud knocks at his hotel door and threats to have him arrested as a bigamist."

Everything was untangled, the divorce was upheld and in February, just to make sure, Stan and Illiana returned to Yuma to be married a second time.

What followed was about a month of bliss, then in April there was a lawsuit by Lois N. Laurel (wife No. 1, 1926-1933). [Note that Lois is sometimes listed as wife No. 2, but in 1937, Mae Laurel, Stan's longtime vaudeville partner, entered into an agreement in which she promised drop all contentions that they had a common law marriage from 1919 to 1925].

Lois wanted $1,355 ($19,751.14 USD 2007) a month support for their 10-year-old daughter, including $100 a month each for a chauffeur, governess and cook, $35 a month to entertain friends and $10 a month to visit beauty shops.

Despite two ceremonies, Illiana wanted a traditional wedding, so in April 1938, the Laurels took out a marriage license and got married again in a Russian Orthodox ceremony.

And then the storybook marriage became more of a Grimm's fairy tale.

lliana was sentenced to jail for hitting two parked cars in Beverly Hills while she was driving without a license.

Then it was Stan's turn in court for a drunk driving charge, which he blamed on being upset over Illiana rather than being intoxicated.

Before he was arrested, Stan said, he and Illiana had a fight in which she tried to hit him with the handset of a telephone, threatened him with a skillet full of potatoes and threw sand in his eyes. In the struggle, he put his arm through a window, Stan said.

"She has a terrific temper," he told the court.

By the end of 1938, Illiana sued for divorce, saying that Stan drank too much, "repulsed her efforts to show him affection, behaved rudely toward their friends and on several occasions remained away from home for several days at a time without explanation," The Times said.

The couple reconciled and Illiana began 1939 with a day in jail for the reckless driving charge, soon followed by an arrest for being drunk and disorderly in a nightclub "while loudly discussing the Russian situation with herself."

By March 1939, Illiana renewed her divorce case. She charged that Stan's account of their fighting was invented to avoid a drunk driving conviction that would cost him his movie contract. In fact, she said, on the night in question he planned to bury her alive in the backyard of their San Fernando Valley home. She said she was rescued by friends and that Stan was coming after her when he was arrested for driving on the wrong side of the road.

Their divorce was granted in May 1939 and they finalized an agreement in 1940 in which Illiana agreed to never publish anything about their relationship and that he had sole rights to dramatize "their stormy married life," The Times said.

Postscript: In 1942, Illiana was rescued after a fire broke out at the Radio Center Hotel in New York's Times Square. She had fled to the roof and was about to jump when firefighters saved her, The Times said. No further trace can be found of her.

In 1941, Stan remarried wife No. 2, Virginia Ruth, who filed for divorce in January 1946. On May 6, 1946, he married Ida Ketiva (Kitaeva) Raphael, widow of an internationally known concertina virtuoso named "Raphael Raphael Raphael."

[kikibalt]

Paul Coates -- Confidential File, January 1, 1959


Confidential File
Looking Back at '58; Looking Ahead to '59

In this business, all years go by fast. But '58, somehow, seemed to be out to break records.

It just doesn't seem like a year ago this week that I sat down with Tim Moore, TV's fabulous Kingfish, after his famous shotgun feud with his in-laws.

He told me then: "A man who's got three score and 10 years behind him ought to retire, and that's what I'm going to do.

"I'm going to go home to Rock Island," the veteran showman said. "I'm going to sit down on the porch. And I'm going to loaf.

"And," he added, "I'm going to do it slowly."

But Kingfish never quite made it home. He died in General Hospital just before Christmas.

In the months between, I met a lot of people, wrote a lot of stories.

Remember Tom Garrett? Or Chauncey J. Pellow?

Garrett hit the headlines last February when he, his mother, brother and sister were held captive by a pair of desperadoes for 24 hours.

A few days later a friend of the transplanted Kansas farm boy called and told me that Tom had recently been laid off of his job, but was refused his unemployment check for the week in which he had been held captive because technically, he was "unavailable" for any work offers during the 24-hour period he was a hostage.

The story was printed. Gov. Knight personally forked over the $40 check to Garrett. And, as a result of the publicity, he got a good job. (Garrett, that is, not Knight.)

It was April when Chauncey J. Pellow broke into the news--in a villain's role. The mild-mannered attorney was obliged by the will of a client to shoot an 18-year-old horse named Tom Boy.

He didn't like the job, but he felt he had an ethical obligation to fulfill. It was his client's horse.

The result of that story was a happy one, too. Atty. Pellow found a legal loophole and today Tom Boy is living in luxury.

Hunted Men in Surrender

No reporter can honestly deny that he gets a personal thrill out of being instrumental in the capture of a criminal or wanted man.

The year 1958 gave me a couple of those experiences.

Six weeks ago I met William K. Howard, a two-time loser and associate of Mickey Cohen wanted for jumping $2,500 bail, at International Airport--at his request. He agreed to let me surrender him to the San Bernardino sheriff.

Earlier in the year I held a meeting in a downtown bar with another ex-con named Berl Biggs. He confessed stealing $3,000 from the U.S. mails, cried on my shoulder a while and then let me call the cops.

But, for me, the most rewarding story involved a convicted killer named Remmel Wayne Brice. He was due to die in San Quentin's gas chamber for the murder of a liquor store owner when a stranger walked into my office with a set of facts that started me wondering. I began an investigation of my own and the further I progressed, the more I wondered if we'd be sending an innocent man to his death. I found new witnesses who swore that Brice couldn't have been near the murder scene at the time the crime was committed.

The result was a substantial public clamor to get Brice out of death row, to give his family a chance to prove his possible innocence.

Finally, a few months ago, Gov. Knight gave me the news: He was commuting Brice's sentence to life imprisonment, leaving the door open for a new investigation.

Now, 1959.

[Boxingnut]

Thanks To Frank I am getting the hang of this picture editing and posting. Thought this one would interest you guys. Apologies if it has been posted before.