You've had some good solid friendships in the business Rick. Thanks for sharing that. I've mentioned to you before that I'm a fan of both Victor French and Michael Landon. Both of these guys have always been involved with programs that always took the high road, ethically and morally. The kind of programs I could watch with my kids or mother knowing nothing would come up that would be embarrassing. Good solid stuff.kikibalt wrote:Courtesy Rick Farris
Rick Farris & Victor French
On the set of "Highway to Heaven" - 1988
Actor/Director Victor French was a good friend of mine. He was also a great friend to boxing.
I would join Michael Landon's production "Little House on the Praire" during it's last season.
Vic was Mike's co-star. When he discovered that I had been a pro fighter, he informed me that he was backing a new boxing club in the San Fernando Valley, "Ten Goose Boxing". It was thru French's financial support, that the Goossen family would be able to enter the world of pro boxing, and the rest is history.
The Goossen's got started promoting pro boxing in the Valley by showcasing boxers such as Alonzo Strongbow, and a comebacking bantamweight, Frankie Duarte (another world title challenger from Frank Baltazar's 1973 L.A. Golden Gloives team). However, what really gave them strength was the aquisition of a top amateur ready to turn professional, Michael Nunn. When Dan Goossen was struggling to scrape together the cash to buy Nunn's contract, it was Victor French to the rescue.
Victor was not just an actor, but a talented director who was the son of a stunt man who had worked on many of the old Republic Pictures westerns, many filmed right in the Valley. Vic grew up on film sets, and in the mid-60's got his big break as a guest start on two episodes of the long running "Gunsmoke" TV series. Vic and the shows star, James Arness hit it off and Victor would return to direct several episodes.
Michael Landon was a big believer in Victor French, and when he created "Highway To Heaven", he insisted that his old friend and "Little House" co-star, once again co-star on "Highway". NBC executives thought that Landon would be better served hiring a "younger" actor to play his partner. Landon told them straight out, "This is non negotiable, it's Vic or no series!" Landon had been TV's biggest male star, with 14 successful seasons on "Bonanza" and another 9 seasons on "Little House". Landon got his way, and Vic and the rest of us would rejoin Michael Landon on another series.
When I met Vic, "Little House" was on it's last of nine seasons. When the show went down, we stayed in touch. One day I get a call from Vic, "Hey, you want to join me at the fights tonight? Meet me at my house at 6pm, we'll get something to eat first."
This would be the first of many monthly fight cards I'd attend with Vic at Reseda's Country Club, a converted super market turned disco/fight arena. I don't remember the date, but I do remember the year and who was fighting. It was 1984 and the main event that evening featured a familar name from my past, Tony Baltazar. Tony "The Tiger" was matched with Roger Mayweather that night, and would win an easy unanimous decision over the guy who today trains Floyd Mayweather Jr. The thing that I remember most about that night was driving to the Country Club with Vic.
"Your going to like tonight's main event, have you ever see this Baltazar fight?"
I told Vic I first saw Tony fight when he was about four years old. He looked at me like I was crazy.
I then proceeded to tell him my knowledge of Tony, and the Baltazar family.
In due course I would sit with Vic at the club's celebrity table and watch fighters such as Nunn, Duarte, and the Ruelas brothers.
Fast forward to to late 1988. After five seasons, "Highway To Heaven" was dropping in the ratings and Michael Landon pulled the plug. A month later Vic invites me to another card at the Country Club, one that would be our last. "I'm on my way to Ireland to direct a couple films", he told me. He was having a lot of pain in his joints, would see a doctor when he returned.
A couple months later, I receive a call from Vic's daughter, Tracie. It wasn't good news.
The next day I would visit Vic at Tarzana Medical Center, where he was undergoing chemotherapy for cancer in his lungs, bones and brain. The Ireland films were just a story. Victor was dying.
This was in early May, 1989. I would visit Vic often until June 15th, the day he passed.
During the several years we had been friends we had shared a lot of experiences, all fun.
Old school film workers, be they actors or technicians, lived hard. We had a lot of fun, but those who don't know when to quit, rarely live long lives. Today things are different, but the guys who rode into the sunset with Mike Landon and Victor French were a special breed. I grew up in their world, luckily for me, it's all a memory.
No Funeral- A Party . . .
A month after Victor passed, a huge party was held in his honor at the Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum near Griffith Park. Vic had designated several pages of his will to this party which was charged to his estate. He had over 500 people present, legends from the film and boxing world. His kind of people. He had two bands, one the Les Brown band for the older people and a rock band for the younger. There were four bars, female hostesses to provide "company" for anybody who might desire it, and giftes for all. Vic insisted everybody get drunk and that not a tear be shed. It was an unbelieveable party. I attended with my wife at the time, Kathy. He had been a guest in our house many times to watch the HBO fights.
For those who had too much to drink, dozens of limo's were parked out front to escort them home. I didn't drink that night, aside from a quick shot of tequilla to toast our friend. I chose to enjoy the good company and memories of a great guy.
Rest in Peace, Vic. I'll never forget you!
-Rick Farris
Great Photo
Randy
