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May . . . Philadelphia businessman George Robert Macfarland , who claims to be the original ".Spanky" of Our Gang, says an imposter is on the loose ... Wm. Collier, Jr. in 1968 could be reached at 2261 Jackson St., San Fran­ cisco, Calif. * YOUR August 1919 "" says that the "Q" in Anna Q. Nilsson's name stood for Querentia. * "THE COMIC" may be on your Directed by movie screens when you read this. Dick Lyle W. Nash Van Dyke and Mickey Rooney star in the sad story of the rise and fall of a LONGSHOTS . . . comic. Preview audience plans to produce a film, tentatively found it cold, rather unfunny. Rooney titled "The Freak," starring three of his The Bombarde reviews recordings for of­ is great. Historians will claim story ficial ATOE publications. Manufacturers, children ... Betty Bronson (1338 La has a dash of Arbuckle, Stan Laurel, distributors or individuals sponsoring or Solano Dr., Altadena, 91001, Calif.) Keaton, Chase and Langdon. · merchandising theatre pipe organ records made a personal appearance at a recent * are encouraged to send pressings to the N.Y. Museum of Modern Art for a THIS Wallace Beery Bombarde, Box 5013, Bendix Station, screening of her 1925 "Peter Pan." No. Hollywood, Calif. 91605. Be sure to legend has a "green tinge" to it. He . . . Because her mother worshipped include purchasing information, if applic­ kept ample currency on hand. In his Norma Talmadge, was able. wardrobe of scores of suits, coats, top named Norma Jean. MM was baptized coats, etc., he sewed a few hundred in Dec. 1926 _by Aimee Semple Mc­ dollar bills. After Beery's death, his Pherson at Angelus Temple, LA. . . . clothing went to charity outfits. The EDDIE DUNSTEDTER PLAYS The 54-year-old "Birth of a Nation" rugged old character actor helped the REQUESTS (on the 4/15 Robert Mor­ controversy flares again. Lawsuit filed poor whether he knew it or not. ton Organ in the Carl Greer Inn), Dun­ in N.Y. courts asks decision on who­ stedter label No. 33766. Available by owns-what in matter of copyright. Film * GILBERT Roland was among the mail· send check or MO for $6.00 to epic could land in public domain by Eddie Dunstedter, c/ o Carl Greer Inn, 1971. 34 people who attended the quiet fun­ eral for Natalie Talmadge in Holly­ 2600 Auburn Blvd., Sacramento, Calif. wood. 95608. OUR GANG'S Joe Cobb (now 53) * For several years Eddie Dunstedter lives at 3744 Clarrington Ave., Culver ACTING styles in some India films has been accumulating requests, both City, Calif., 90230. He is gracious and is of the 1920 vogue such as Douglas solicited and unsolicited. This platter, happy to hear from fans of long ago. Fairbanks preferred. "Three Muske­ which also launches his own label, takes * teers" wowed 1969 audiences when care of the first batch. What can one QUESTION: "A radio show MC shown recently in the land of teeming say of Eddie's music other than "mag­ said four women had a great in.fluence people. nificent!" He plays with the same on Hollywood from 1917 until 1966. * sparkle and verve which earned him the distinction of being one of the three I missed their names. What four women CLOSEUPS . Kay Francis left a major label recording organists of the did he mean?" Answer: The MC could big bundle when she died . . . Spencer '20s (the others: Lew White, Jesse have named screenplay writer Frances Tracy b~lieved the Crawford). If one may have reserva­ Marion, actress Zasu Pitts, actress best actor ever in films ... Author Bob ti·:ms about an instrument installed in Marie Dressler and columnist-actress Thomas (he did "Thalberg") is finish­ subterranean chambers and subdued for Hedda Hopper. The four were devoted ing a biography of David 0. Selznick restaurant background music - forget friends and ever helping each other. . . . Mitchell Rhein, a movie extra for them. Engineer Bill Robinson placed his They proved that enduring true friend­ 50 years, has worked with director Nor­ microphones directly in the tone chutes ships can thrive even in Hollywood. man Taurog on 261 productions dating for a presence which sometimes in­ * back to 1919 . . . Basil Rathbone, con­ cludes the "bump" of combination ac­ CHOICE reading is "Norma Jean­ trary to reports , did make at least one tion and the "chuff" of tremulants. Biography of Marilyn Monroe" by Fred silent picture - "The Masked Bride", Robinson has successfully captured the MGM , 1925. Lawrence Guiles (McGraw-Hill). Best Dunstedter charisma in grooves, and definitive book on MM yet written. In­ * this time it's Eddie playing solo (no timate data superbly researched and CONTRIBUTIONS, comments and sidemen, as often required when he handled. MM was not a suicide. For corrections are welcomed to P.O. Box made major brand records) . The stereo MM fans this is must reading. 113, Pasadena, 91102, California. effect is there but not overdone. * One of the wonders of a Dunstedter WHO IS WHERE . . . Funnyman The headline on page 7 of the arrangement is its timelessness. Tunes Clyde Cooke was last reported living Feb. 1969 issue is in error. Shir­ he played as spotlight solos in the Min­ in Carpinteria, Calif. . . . Billie Rhodes, ley Hannum presented a full scale nes:)ta theatre in Minneapolis (circa who played in the first Christie comedy concert for RTOS. She plays in­ 1929) sound as fresh 40 years later. But in 1916, lives in North Hollywood, termissions at the Lansdowne the­ the only concessions to that distant Calif. ... Famed English director of atre, Lansdowne, Pa. past heard on this recording are his silent films George Pearson was 94 in oft-requested radio theme, "Open Your

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