Brushwood Gulch Gazette

September-December 2003

Volume 36, Number 5-6


NOTE: This is an old issue of the Brushwood Gulch Gazette, which has been archived for reference purposes. Although some links have been updated, the text of this archived newsletter remains unchanged. Please keep in mind that these articles have NOT been updated to reflect changes that may have occurred since they were originally printed. Return to the index of archived issues.

Contents:

Next Meeting December 9th
Bring Canned Goods to Next Meeting
Free Raffle at Next Meeting
October Annual Celebrity Banquet
Notes from August Meeting

Message From the Grand Sheik
Convention Deadline
New L&H DVDs
Remembering Lois Roberts
Birthdays



Raising Children the Laurel & Hardy Way at December Holiday Meeting

A very full year of activities at the Way Out West Tent will come to an end with our meeting on December 9, 2003. This holiday meeting will include a canned goods drive for the less fortunate, some free door prizes, and a family film program featuring the child rearing of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy.

The meeting will take place at the Mayflower Club, located at 11110 Victory Boulevard in North Hollywood. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting will begin at 7:15 p.m. The "Fabulous Fisher Franks" hot dogs will be for sale, and the Mayflower Bar will be in service. There will also be cake during the break.

Our film program will begin with Their First Mistake (1932), in which Stan convinces Ollie to adopt a baby to occupy Mrs. Hardy's time so that she doesn't mind when the Boys go out. Then Laurel & Hardy play both the elder baby-sitters as well as their young counterparts in Brats (1930). The feature program for the evening will be The Bohemian Girl (1936). In the tradition of their earlier comic operettas The Devil's Brother (1933) and Babes in Toyland (1934), this film features the Boys as gypsies who are raising Ollie's daughter.

Remember that all guest passes issued this year will expire at the end of this year. So bring a friend to the upcoming meeting and don't let your passes go to waste. We'll see you on the evening of Tuesday, December 9th!

Click here for a map to the Mayflower Club...

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Canned Goods Drive at December Meeting

It has long been the tradition at the Way Out West Tent to collect canned goods for the less fortunate during the holiday season. This year is no exception. We will collect donations for the Maude Booth Family Center, located near our meeting place and helping families in the in North Hollywood area. Our members have been very generous in years past, and the Maude Booth Family Center is counting on our support once again. At the next meeting, please bring canned food items or make a small cash donation, which we will deliver to the Maude Booth Family Center in time for the holidays.

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Free Raffle at December Meeting

It is the time of year when it's better to give than to receive. So everyone in attendance at the next meeting will receive a free raffle ticket and a chance to win one of several items. Prizes include the new Laurel & Hardy DVD (featuring five classic films) and a copy of the script from Way Out West.

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2003 Annual Celebrity Banquet

The Way Out West Tent returned to Culver City for this year's annual banquet. The location for the banquet was the historic Culver Hotel, a landmark in downtown Culver City which was featured in a number of Hal Roach films.

The Banquet took place the same night as massive wildfires were burning throughout Southern California. Shortly before the start of the banquet, Grand Sheik Bob Satterfield was called back to San Bernardino to begin evacuation of his own home. Fortunately, we can report that he suffered no damage. However, this was the first banquet Bob has missed in 31 years! Vice Sheik Jimmy Wiley Jr. took over the evening's hosting duties, with the assistance of many present and former tent officers.

Many guests arrived early, to take a self guided walking tour of downtown Culver City. Locations from eleven different Laurel & Hardy films were seen on this tour, most of which were located on the one block long Main Street. Alan Barasorda, Bob Duncan, Earl Kress, and Jimmy Wiley Jr. served as docents, answering questions along the tour route. Many tour-takers got to see an unexpected recreation of the traffic jam scene from Leave 'Em Laughing just one block away from where the movie was actually shot, when the traffic lights went out at the busy intersection of Venice Boulevard and Main Street/Bagley Avenue.

With the sun setting out on Main Street, activities moved inside the Culver Hotel lobby where the evening's program was to take place. During the cocktail hour, three films which prominently featured the Culver Hotel were shown: 45 Minutes from Hollywood (1926), Leave 'Em Laughing (1928), and We Faw Down (1928). At the conclusion of the films, a plaque was dedicated commemorating several of the films that Laurel & Hardy shot at this location. Past Way Out West Grand Sheik John Duff said a few words before the plaque was unveiled by Jimmy Wiley Jr. The plaque was designed by artist Ian Marsden.

While photos were being taken of the plaque, Grand Vizier Lori Jones McCaffery began calling tables for the dinner buffet. At the conclusion of dinner, a large cheesecake (which had been decorated to resemble the new plaque) was served. Lori Jones McCaffery then returned to the podium to preside over the evening's raffle.

The program then officially started with the giving of the traditional celebrity toasts. The toasts were provided by way Out West Tent Board Members Bob Duncan, Jimmy Wiley Jr., Alan Barasorda, Jayne Barnhart, Earl Kress, and John Duff. The singing of the Sons of the Desert Song followed.

Following a short video documenting several Laurel & Hardy films which clearly feature the Culver Hotel, the celebrity guests were introduced. Jerry Maren, who has been a Way Out West Tent member for many years, was honored for his work in the Our Gang film Tiny Troubles (1939). But the Culver Hotel had additional significance for this guest, who played a Munchkin in the Wizard of Oz (1939) and stayed in this very same hotel during the filming of that movie. Jerry, along with his wife Elizabeth, actively tours the country making appearances as one of the last remaining Munchkins.

Attending his first Way Out West Tent function was Payne Johnson, who played one of the Three Little Pigs in Laurel & Hardy's Babes in Toyland (1934). Although Payne was only a child at the time, the other two "little pigs" were played by little people. Payne also worked in Our Gang and Charlie Chase films at the Hal Roach Studios. He is retired from the public relations business, and currently serves as a tour guide for various archeological sites around the world.

Several years ago we were introduced to Buddy MacDonald, who also worked at the Roach Studios as a child. Buddy appeared in On the Loose, which featured a cameo appearance by Laurel & Hardy. Even more interesting was his role with the Boys in their feature film Pardon Us (1931). A production still survives showing Buddy and another child fishing with Laurel and Hardy (made up with long beards to appear older) in an alternate ending to Pardon Us that never made it to the big screen.

Also in attendance that evening was loyal Way Out West Tent member Jay Dare, who severed as a costumer for Laurel and Hardy at 20th Century Fox. Guests were invited to the stage to say a few words about their careers and their memories of the Boys.

Our other guests of honor for the evening were Sons of the Desert Founding member Chuck McCann and his partner Jim MacGeorge. Stan Laurel personally teamed this pair of impersonators to carry on the comedy routines of Laurel and Hardy. They are perhaps best known to our members for their work as L&H look-a-likes in numerous television commercials, including those for Anco Wiper Blades and more recently for the Sizzler. Jim and Chuck have delighted us for years with jokes and sketches at our banquets. They were bestowed with the first "Leave 'Em Laughing Award" in honor of perpetuating the comedy of Laurel and Hardy. A variety of their work on television was shown. They said a few words and were then presented with their awards.

A tribute was then presented to several celebrities who have passed away in the last year. Following that, a brief video comparing then-and-now photos from many of the locations seen on the walking tour was shown. The evening concluded with the screening of Putting Pants on Philip (1927). In one scene from that film, paneling on the wall inside the hotel's lobby could clearly be seen. This paneling looked unchanged today, located only a few feet from our projection screen. This was the final reminder of what a special place the Culver Hotel is to Laurel and Hardy fans.

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Previous Meeting

Our last regular meeting was way back on the evening of August 5, at the Mayflower Club. With over 150 people in attendance, this meeting is in the records book as the best attended in over a decade! Thanks to all who turned out for our special video program.

Following the toasts and song, the evening started off with a screening of Laurel & Hardy's classic Towed in a Hole. That was followed by an encore screening of the Music Box Steps documentary, which was produced especially for our 2002 annual banquet.

After the first break, we screened a never before seen restoration of Blotto prepared especially for the evening. The restored film reincorporated several "lost" scenes which were cut from the film in 1937. We then held a raffle, highlighted by several nice pieces of artwork. Cake was served at the final break.

The evening concluded with our feature presentation of the television documentary Living Famously: Laurel & Hardy, produced earlier this year by the BBC. The program has aired in the United Kingdom, but has not been broadcast in America.

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A Message From the Grand Sheik

The Way Out West Tent is compiling a list of our members who own 16mm prints of Laurel and Hardy films for use at future meetings. If you own such prints and would be willing to loan them to us for a meeting please give us your list. You can e-mail us or write them out and send them in. Thank you for your support.

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Convention Deadline

For those planning on going to the International Sons of the Desert Convention next summer, please be aware that the early bird discount requires that you send in your registration payment before the end of the year. The convention will take place July15-18, 2004 at the Hyatt Hotel in Columbus, Ohio. Registration is normally $300 per person (not including the hotel room), but those who register before the end of the year pay only $275 per person. The convention includes several banquets and excursions, and is a great place to meet other Laurel & Hardy fans from around the world. A number of Way Out West Tent members are planning to go. Find out more at our next meeting, or click here to get a registration form online.

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Sons of the Desert & The Music Box on DVD!

A new Laurel and Hardy DVD was released on August 19th, featuring Sons of the Desert, The Music Box, Another Fine Mess, Busy Bodies, and County Hospital. If you own a DVD player, we urge you to buy this new set of discs. If this first volume does not sell well then the rumored second volume will be highly unlikely.

 

Also of interest is a new 5 disc set of DVDs released on July 22nd. The collection features Utopia, Flying Deuces, The Lucky Dog, Be Big, March of the Wooden Soldiers (originally released as Babes in Toyland), the This is Your Life television program, and a special entitled Laurel & Hardy at the Movies (a collection of theatrical trailers).

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Remembering Lois Roberts

By Kris Wiley

On September 20, 2003, the Way Out West Tent lost a very special lady and dear friend, Lois Oliver Roberts. Lois was just twelve days short of her 96th birthday. She was truly blessed with a long, healthy, and happy life, filled with a wonderful family and many, many friends.

Lois was born in Los Angeles on October 2, 1907, and grew up in Glendale. In 1925 she graduated from Glendale High School, along with classmate Marion Morrison (better known now as John Wayne). About that time, Lois lost her mother. She helped her father raise her two younger brothers, while working as a stenographer for a law firm in Los Angeles. On January 1, 1935, Lois married Thomas Benton Roberts and together they had two lovely daughters.

Thomas Benton and Lois attended the 1986 International Sons of the Desert Convention in Philadelphia. They attended as celebrity guests, as Thomas Benton had been a prop maker and special effects wizard at the Hal Roach Studios. He was even seen in Two Tars, as the motorist who gets a tomato in the face from Stan Laurel. Our family first met the Roberts at this convention, and our friendship grew over the years.

Lois lost her dear husband in 1987, after 52 years of married bliss. Lois remained very loyal to the Sons of the Desert and to the Way Out West Tent, attending meetings and banquets. Lois was very generous in her gifts to the Sons Flower Fund. In 1994, Lois moved to Salinas to be near her daughter Mary May and son-in-law Fred Vereen. They all became members of the nearby Midnight Patrol Tent, and attended numerous Sons of the Desert Conventions together. Most recently Lois attended the 2002 Convention in Nashville, including an excursion to Graceland.

Lois loved to sew, and continued to do so until the year before her passing. She made vests for the entire banquet staff for the 2000 Sons Convention, pillows for cancer patients, and did many sewing projects for her church. Over her long life, she made beautiful clothing creations for herself and her extended family.

One Christmas, when our son Jimmy was just a young boy, he met Mr. & Mrs. Claus at the local Elks Club. Years later, we found out that Santa was Thomas Benton and Mrs. Claus was Lois. Both were long time members of the Elks. Thomas Benton designed the San Pedro Elks Lodge. Two years ago, we had dinner with Lois in this building. It brought back so many memories to her.

For her 90th birthday, Mary May and Fred gave Lois a wonderful surprise party. So many family and friends showed up to honor Lois. She amazed us by remembering everything about everyone who was there. She knew exactly what sport all the kids played, and all of their interests. Lois was able to talk with young and old, and hold everyone's interest.

Over the years Lois and I wrote many letters to each other. She became a dear friend who was so knowledgeable and so supportive. So many times she came up with just the right solution to a situation I had. She was so encouraging and loving. We will certainly miss her and remember her always with much love and respect.

Lois is survived by her daughter Mary May Vereen; sons-in-law Fred Vereen and Harry "Skip" Drake; grandchildren Harry, Thomas, Laurann and Gregory; great grandchildren Kevin, Caitlin, Amelia, Victor, Jasper, and Jaden; niece Lois May; and nephew James.

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Birthdays

September

2

Chuck McCann

Sons of the Desert founding member

3

Wally Albright

Our Gang

3

Alan Ladd

Great Guns

4

Pete Smith

Tree in a Test Tube

4

Mantan Moreland

A Hanuting We Will Go

7

Lois Laurel Sr.

Mrs. Stan Laurel

8

Darwood "Waldo" Kaye

Our Gang

12

Arthur Jefferson

Stan's Father

12

Billy Gilbert

12

Dickie Moore

Our Gang

15

Jackie Cooper

Our Gang

16

Tommy "Butch" Bond

Block-Heads, Our Gang

17

Ben Turpin

Our Wife, Saps at Sea

18

Robert "Mickey" Blake

The Big Noise, Our Gang

19

Joy Lane

Babes in Toyland, Our Gang

20

Billy Bletcher

Babes in Toyland

26

Antonio Moreno

Bohemian Girl

October

1

Charley Rogers

A Chump at Oxford

2

Spanky McFarland

Wild Poses, Our Gang

2

Lois Roberts

Mrs. Thomas Benton Roberts

2

Leroy Shield

Composer

3

Leo McCarey

Director

3

Charles Middleton

Beau Hunks, Flying Deuces

4

Buster Keaton

4

Scotty Beckett

Our Gang

9

Jim MacGeorge

Stan Laurel Impresionest

10

Arthur Housman

Our Relations, Scram

10

Johnny Downs

Our Gang

11

Mickey Daniels

Our Gang

17

Art Lloyd

Cameraman

19

Daphne Pollard

Our Relations, Thicker than Water

20

Charlie Chase

Sons of the Desert, On the Wrong Trek

22

Madge Jefferson

Stan's Mother

25

Gordon "Porky" Lee

Our Gang

November

1

Jerry Tucker (Jerry Schatz)

Stolen Jools, Our Gang

1

Felix Knight

Babes in Toyland

2

Dennis King

Fra Diavolo

2

Walter Woolf King

Swiss Miss

4

Darla Hood

Our Gang

6

June Marlowe

Pardon Us

7

Joe Cobb

Our Gang

9

Gertrude Astor

Come Clean

14

John McCabe

Sons of the Desert founder & author

16

Lawrence Tibbett

The Rogue Song

17

Eddie Baker

Come Clean

19

Roy Seawright

Roach Studios Special Effects

21

Vivian Blaine

The Jitterbugs

21

Dorothy Granger

Hog Wild, Laurel-Hardy Murder Case

23

Boris Karloff

French version of Pardon Us

December

3

Ferdinand Munier

Babes in Toyland

5

Walt Disney

Hollywood Party

5

Gordon Douglas

Zenobia

8

Frank Faylen

A Haunting We Will Go

8

Norma Drew

Chickens Come Home

10

Lois Laurel Hawes

Stan's Daughter

11

Marie Windsor

The Fighting Kentuckian

14

James W. Horne

Director

16

Harry Spear

Our Gang

18

George Stevens

Cameraman and Director

18

Leonard Maltin

Author

19

Al Kilgore

Sons of the Desert founding member

20

Ernie "Sunshine Sammy" Morrison

Our Gang

25

Joe Rock

Producer

25

Eugene "Pineapple" Jackson

Our Gang

26

Elisha Cook Jr.

A Haunting We Will Go

29

George Marshall

Pack Up Your Troubles

30

Monty Banks

Director (Fox)

30

Rosina Lawrence

Way Out West

   

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Updated November 28, 2003

Copyright ©2003 Way Out West. All rights reserved.


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