A Spy, Glad She's On Our Side

Today is Doris Day's birthday...........Happy Birthday to a great person and wonderful actress. I sent this photograph to Ms. Day some time ago and she is wonderful about signing photographs for fans. This photo is a studio still from "The Spy In Lace Panties" original title which was released as "The Glass Bottom Boat". There was no way that the censors were going to let MGM release the movie with that title so it had to be changed. It has a great cast, Rod Taylor, Paul Lynde, Arthur Godfrey, Dom DeLuise,and of course Doris Day. I also have an original movie lobby card signed by Doris Day and Rod Taylor that is titled The Spy In Lace Panties. The original title items are very hard to find. If you get a chance check out the movie, a perfect afternoon film to watch.

What A Legend Is.........

 

 THE FABULOUS 

DAME ELIZABETH TAYLOR

One of the last great stars has left the building and will truly be missed. One of my favorite actress to watch on film. I purchased this piece years ago and have always treasured it.  Dame Taylor's signature is not hard to come by, its the price you have to pay for it. She required a donation to amFAR for an autograph, I feel that was very fair.

The Future Hobbit

ELIJAH WOOD

I purchased this 8 x 10 from a dealer in the UK. I like the photograph because it is not a character shot, but a portrait instead. Not an uncommon thing for collectors to buy autographed photos from other parts of the world. Depends when what dealer has the right photographs at the right time. Sometimes I like character photos, but it has to be a certain character and a certain actor or actress. Like if I was going to have a Danny Devito piece it would have to be him as The Penguin from Batman. Keep a watch on Wood, he is very busy and has 6 projects in the works. 

Gentlemen Perfer Blondes?

One of Hollywood's leading 

sex symbols in the 1940s and 1950s.

Another great siren of screen has departed from us, the great Ms. Jane Russell. I purchased this piece of sheet music at an estate sale, how great it would be to send it to Ms. Russell and have her sign it for me. This was about 10+ years ago when I was just starting to collect and I think she was charging $25.00 or $30.00 an item for her to sign. Sent it to her and it was back in a couple of weeks.

Mr. America 1955

Mr. Jack LaLanne

Sad today that the world has lost the greatest fitness guru that ever lived Jack LaLanne "The Godfather of Fitness". I remember watching Mr. LaLanne when I was a kid. He was so amazing and so positive about life. He will be missed. In 1936 Mr. LaLanne opened his own health spa in Oakland, CA, and dedicated his life to encouraging people to better themselves through exercise and fitness. Mr. LaLanne designed the world's first leg extension machines, pulley machines using cables, and weight selectors, now a standard in the fitness industry.
I wrote to Mr. LaLanne a couple of years ago and the inscribed photograph above is what he was kind enough to return.

The One and Only Catwoman

Ms. Julie Newmar

Star of stage, screen, and TV. The most fabulous Catwoman to grace a screen. A Tony award winner, choreographer, entrepreneur, as well as a writer and author. One of the most sexiest and beautiful women in the world. I have a few pieces that I have sent to Ms. Newmar over the years and she has been so kind to personalize all the photographs to me. I love this stunning photograph, a vintage studio still. I will post other photographs at later dates. Be sure to check out Ms. Newmar's website www.julienewmar.com, she has books, autographed photos, among other things.

Happy Birthday to You!!!!!!!!

Ms. Betty White

I have a number of signed photographs from Ms. White. This is an original studio still from during the time of her first TV show  "Life With Elizabeth" that I purchased and sent to Ms. White for signing. She is truly a class act and top-notch celebrity. What an amazing a career she is having, I believe you only have that kind of a career when you are good at heart. One evening I was having cocktails with Robert Wagner and looking over my collection. He came across an autographed photo from Betty White and said "She is the nicest and most caring person you could ever meet." I believe him, he is another celebrity that has been in the entertainment business for a long time, knows a lot of people, and a good judge of character. 

You Don't Know Jack

Mr. Al Pacino

Congratulations to Mr. Pacino for his Golden Globe Award last night for Best Actor in a mini-series portraying Dr. Jack Kevorkian in "You Don't Know Jack". I wrote to Mr. Pacino in late November of 2006 and received this great 5" x 7" photograph back 42 days later. 

Not to bad of a return........Thanks Mr. Pacino!

Carol Kane

This photograph took quite a while to get signed. The first time I sent it was in March 2004 to the Ethel Barrymore Theater in New York at the time Ms. Kane was in Sly Fox. It came back came back in 13 days stamped: MOVED NOT FORWARDABLE. Very bummed.........I was always told she was going to be a tough signature to get. Than I sent it out again in September 2004, do not know when it came back, and problem is I did not note where I sent it. But I did get it back signed and a great piece it is to have in my collection. It is a beautiful photograph, I like it better than a character photo. It was worth all the trouble.

Christian Bale

This autographed photo of Christian Bale I received several years ago when I first started collecting. The interesting thing about the photograph is that it is Mr. Bale's high school graduation photo. It was the piece he was sending out the time. A very talented actor, I have not seen any of his movies that I felt were bad or were a train wreck to watch. My favorite Christian Bale film to this day is Empire of The Sun. Him as Bruce Wayne in the The Dark Knight series is outstanding.

Ms. Joan Rivers

The second photograph Ms. Rivers signed for me...........

Queen of the Barbed One-liners

Ms. JOAN RIVERS

Joan, that's right we can call each other by our first names, she's a friend. Anyway Will and I went to see her show the other night, she was performing with the Symphony (Will's Christmas present). I know you are asking yourself what do those two share in common, good grief surely I have no clue. A lot of people at the show were asking the same question. But it was a awesome night with great music and the greatest banter I had ever heard. She rattled one-liners so fast, I do not think I retained 2% of what she said in her hour and a half monologue. But the next day my side still hurt from laughing so much. 

After the show we went to the stage door and waited for her. This was one person I was going to meet, I grew up watching her on all the talk shows. There were about 20 people gathered waiting for her. About 30 minutes later she came out and was the perfect hostess with all her fans. She talked with everyone, signed pictures, programs, ticket stubs. Had her picture taken with anyone that wanted one, as a matter of fact she requested that you have two taken in case the first one does not turn out. What a pleasure it was to meet her, it will be an evening that I will always remember. The picture above is one of two that I had her sign for me to put in my collection.