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Bill of Connecticut with author Gary Grossman
Bill with Noel in New York
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Model of George Reeves/Superman
Model Owner: Terry Ryan. WOW!
Model is 12" in
height, and it took just on four weeks of work
(including LOTS of discussions and web-hunting to
get the right shade of red and blue). My friend who
put it together is named Neil Gardoll. He is even
more of a perfectionist than me! He airbrushes them
and the detail on the face is incredible. I think
George would be pleased!
Meeting Superman...and Friends
by Mike Curtis
Most of us, as we grow up, read about or see
certain people, whom we take as examples or
heroes. Back in the 30's through the 1960's,
people referred to them as "idols." In comic
and movie parlance since then, people who have
these heroes are derogatorily referred to as "fanboys."
"Going fanboy" is when you managed to meet that
special person who's work and accomplishments
mean so much to you.... You plan to speak
respectfully to them about how important they
are in your life...and you manage to come across
like the worst imitation of Gomer Pyle ever
witnessed. Or even dumber.
For this state of affairs, we'll just call it
"My Kryptonite."
Now, it might be a pro ball player, a Nascar
racer, a writer or actor. Anyone can be your
"Idol." I've been working professionally in
comics for years, and seen it happen to pros who
meet other pros. At a convention, I saw my
friend Stan Sakai (USAGI YOJIMBO) go fanboy when
Will Eisner (THE SPIRIT) visited the area. Even
though as an independent comic pro, I had great
respect for Eisner, he didn't hit me that way.
For that matter, at the first comic book
convention I attended (back in 1974) I still
didn't experience the feeling. I was collecting
Superman and exhibiting my collection (small
then) and was one of the guests of honor along
with Stan Lee (needs no introduction). He
wanted to do something about the upcoming comic
SUPERMAN VS SPIDER-MAN during his talk, and the
con organizers asked me if I had a costume. I
dressed up and we did a sketch on stage and that
was fun. Even though I had read most of Stan
Lee's Marvel stories earlier in life, I was not
star struck.
So
I really never knew the nature of "My
Kryptonite".....until 1980.
 I
had been exhibiting my Superman collection at
schools, libraries and conventions since 1973.
I had recently moved to Tupelo Mississippi, and
read in the newspaper about a special upcoming
event. Some Tupelo and Memphis film fans had
been putting on a film convention in Memphis,
(and still do -- known mainly then for
westerns), and were going to do a small one in
Tupelo. The main guest was to be Kirk Alyn.
Now, at this time, Kirk's two Superman serials
had not been seen anywhere since the 1950's.
Most people only knew of him through fan
channels and SCREEN THRILLS ILLUSTRATED, etc. I
contacted the con organizers and offered to put
together a display. They gave me two tables in
the the dealer's room to showcase the collection
-- right beside Kirk.
We
arrived at the hotel Thursday night with several
boxes, and the staff introduced me to Kirk.
I
was speechless. My wife did all the talking,
while I just gaped. I did manage to stammer out
a few words before he had to go to dinner.
The convention made it a bit easier. We had a
large display, and Kirk came over to make some
comments on it. I finally managed a rational
conversation with him. Few people came to the
convention, and the organizers asked me if I
could spread out my collection to make the hall
look busier. I brought in more of the
collection, and by Saturday night had 6 tables
full.
On
Sunday, they came to us with a proposition.
Most wanted to return early to Memphis. The
deal was that if they gave us the con suite for
Sunday night, would we give Kirk a ride to his
flight Monday morning? OF COURSE! So we spent
most of Sunday and Monday palling with
him. A good friendship developed from this.
(Short humorous note: In the hotel, all four of
us were watching TV and a commercial came on for
I LOVE LUCY. Kirk stared at the set and stated
"I loved Lucy but she didn't love me." then said
no more) For some years afterwards, I called
him once a week, just to visit. I also booked
him for cons and publicity. On one occasion, I
did a local Conway, AR 5th-grade elementary
school presentation of chapter one of ATOM MAN,
and Kirk answered questions for the class via a
phone hookup.
Two years later, I was hit by Kryptonite again.
I
was in Memphis, picking up some material from
the Malco Ridgeway 4 theater (I worked for Malco
at the time) and walked over to the Hyatt
Regency hotel across the parking lot. I didn't
know the Memphis Film festival was going on at
the time.
In
the lobby, there sat Robert Shayne in a
wheelchair.
I
recognized him immediately, sitting there by
himself.
I
walked over to him and fell to my knees to speak
face to face with him.
Now, I'm sure he thought I did so so he wouldn't
have to crane his neck.
Actually, it was because I couldn't stand up.
I
have no recollection of anything I said to him,
except that I'm sure I said how nice it was to
see him and how much I enjoyed his work. Someone
came to get and we parted.
Photo from "Saving George Reeves CD"
Almost 20 years passed.
By
now, I was doing lots of comic conventions, but
had never gotten to meet anymore of the Superman
cast members.
Then, I heard Noel Neill was going to be in
Memphis, just 4 hours away, for a film
convention. I contacted Comic Buyer's Guide and
asked about doing an interview. Then I
contacted Noel and Larry Ward and made
arrangements.
Carole
and I had not been married when I met Kirk or
Robert Shayne, so I told her of my reactions and
asked her help getting through this, as I
expected it to happen again. I was very excited
during the drive. We were familiar with the
hotel, as we do a comic convention there each
Labor Day. I had told Noel I'd be wearing a
Superman shirt and we'd meet them in the
restaurant.
I
was amazed at how small and petite Noel was! I
could have picked her up and put her in my
pocket and taken her home! She commented on the
DAILY PLANET shirt I had worn for the interview
and I gave her a Superman lanyard for her con
badge.
Lunch helped, as I really couldn't talk much and
we got a little more comfortable. Luckily
Carole did most of the talking.
 Afterwards, we went to a couch area across from
the dealer's area for the interview itself. On
the tape, I can hear myself saying that I was
very nervous about this.
Noel, very sweetly, said, "Of course, you grew
up with me!"
How intuitive! She knew the key! I'd never
felt this way about Stan Lee or Will Eisner,
because when I was a kid I had no idea who they
were. But she KNEW my hero, Superman! That was
the difference.
So
the interview went well, I was sitting on the
floor in front of her, as it helped me keep my
materials together and in order, and I didn't
feel right towering over her.
I
asked her to sign a few items as the interview
ended, we shook hands, and she returned to the
dealer's room.
I
gathered up the items and put them in a bag and
Carole asked if I was ready to go.
I
answered no, I couldn't get up because I was too
light-headed.
So
we sat there a few minutes until my heart-rate
and breathing slowed down and we could leave for
home.
Now I really hope that the proposed George
Reeves convention will take place in Los Angeles
next year. It is my fondest hope, that I will
finally be able to meet Jack Larson.
And I hope someone will be there to pick me up
off the floor, too.
Mike
Curtis
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George at Rest
by John Raspanti--Feb 2004
The day was beautiful as my Mom and I drove thru the
streets of Altadena. Once considered upper mobile the
town now has a forgotten feel to it, like a once famous
person that barley anybody remembers. Mostly older home
populate the area, some clearly in decay...but others
regaining the prominence they once had.
Turning down Fair Oaks Blvd. my eyes lift up, at the
San Gabriel mountains. Gray and foreboding they cast a
huge shadow on the people below. But as foreboding as
the mountains are, they also create a feeling of
protection and peacefulness.
Driving into the cemetery grounds my eyes roam
quickly, eyeing row upon row of neatly manicured
gravesites and remembrances. The sun has broken thru
the clouds , causing beams of light to shoot down on the
graves. I drive around not sure where the mausoleum
is, until we see a white structure in front of us,
sitting as if it was waiting. Stopping the car I gaze
at the beam of lights behind the mausoleum like
reverential arrows pointing our way.
Two pillars stand near the entrance to the mausoleum.
The building is solid and reminds me of some old
pictures I've seen from the south. That's good I think,
George would have liked that. We enter not sure where to
look. The place smells of flowers and something else I
can't make out. I immediately make a quick left turn and
enter a corridor. I'm not sure why I have chosen this
particular corridor, there are at least three other
locations in front of me and to the right, my Mom has
gone in the opposite direction.
The place is almost silent except for the sounds of
our shoe's. I barely glance at the names as I let
whatever...guide me. As my eyes fall on the urn
I feel my heart rise and then...fall.
"Here's George" I whisper.
I stand there and remember George, a man that I never
knew but one who has given me such fond memories. I
begin to wish that he was here...in the flesh just so I
could thank him. Seeing the dates on the urn I am struck
by the fact that I am the same age he was when he died.
Thoughts filter thru my mind of that awful night in June
of 59, but I push them aside. I'm not here to think
about that...but to remember a man who gave so
many in my generation...happiness.
I place the card as near as I can to George's final
resting place. I feel a serenity and move away, leaving
George at rest... |
Glass
House Presents