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NOTE: This is an old issue of the Brushwood Gulch Gazette, which has been archived for reference purposes.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. |
We begin 2006 with a Mexican meal and a birthday party on January 24th at the Mayflower Club. The doors will open early at 6:00 p.m. and the meeting will begin at 7:15 p.m. Because everyone's dues will be due, there will probably be a line to get in. As an incentive to come early (and keep the line short), everyone who pays their dues between 6:00-6:45 p.m. will receive a free meal. Non-members or people not paying their dues by 6:45 can purchase a meal for $5.00. The meal will be two cheese enchiladas, refried beans, and nachos. Drinks can be purchased at the Mayflower Bar.
Why Mexican food, you might ask? Well, it just so happens that our feature film for the evening will be The Bullfighters (1945), Laurel & Hardy's only film set south-of-the-border. Our film program will also include Our Wife (1931), Should Married Men Go Home? (1928), and Twice Two (1932).
If you have Laurel & Hardy memorabilia that you are proud of, please bring it to share during the meal hour. At the break, we will honor the 114th birthdays of Oliver Hardy and Hal Roach with cakes. There will also be a quick raffle. The Mayflower Club is located at 11110 Victory Boulevard, in North Hollywood. See you there Tuesday, January 24th.
Click here for a map to the Mayflower Club...
On April 18th, Warner Brothers Home Video will release TCM Archives: The Laurel and Hardy Collection. It will include restored prints of the feature films The Devil's Brother and Bonnie Scotland. Leonard Maltin and Richard W. Bann will provide commentaries on both films. As bonus material, the disc will include scenes with Laurel & Hardy from The Rogue Song, The Hollywood Revue of 1929, Hollywood Party, and Pick a Star. Also included will be a documentary narrated by Chevy Chase, which covers films by Laurel & Hardy, Our Gang, and The Three Stooges.
Click here to order this DVD from Amazon.com...
On April 10th, Turner Classic Movies will show much of the contents of this new DVD during a Laurel and Hardy marathon. Included in the marathon will be The Devil's Brother, Bonnie Scotland, and the documentary hosted by Chevy Chase. The marathon will also include such classics as Sons of the Desert, Way Out West, and The Music Box. Please see the TCM website for a complete schedule.
Click here to visit the Turner Clasic Movies web site...
A new book on popular Laurel & Hardy co-star Edgar Kennedy is now available. The book is titled Edgar Kennedy: Master of the Slow Burn and was written by Bill Cassara, a long time member of the Sons of the Desert. It is available online from Amazon.com.
Members of our tent know Edgar Kennedy well. His grandsons Glenn and Mark frequently attend our meetings, and in 1997 many of our members traveled to Monterey, California, for the first Edgar Kennedy Celebration. This book tells the full story of Kennedy's life and his vast film career. The new research includes many rare photos which have never been printed before.
Click here to order this book from Amazon.com...
As we announced at our Halloween meeting, the October 23rd issue of Parade magazine featured a poll asking readers who they thought was the best comedy team ever. Nearly 7,000 votes were cast on the Internet. The December 25th issue announced that Laurel & Hardy won the survey, beating Lucy & Desi (#2), Abbott & Costello (#3), Martin & Lewis (#4), and Burns & Allen (#5).
Actress Jean Parker passed away November 30th at the age of 90. She appeared in over 70 films alongside stars such as Gregory Peck, Katherine Hepburn, and Gary Cooper. Laurel & Hardy fans remember her best as Georgette, the female lead in The Flying Deuces. She also appeared with Oliver Hardy as Mary Tibbett in Zenobia.
Way Out West Tent members Terry and Tiffany DuFoe are currently broadcasting an Internet radio program, which is a tribute to Laurel & Hardy. The program includes interviews with Laurel & Hardy, music from their films, bits of dialogue from the movies, and other rarities. There are even some quotes and sound bites from Way Out West members recorded at our October meeting. This is an Internet radio program, so you may listen at any time of day using your computer.
To listen, go to: http://www.live365.com/stations/dufoenet
The Old Town Music Hall in El Segundo will have a Laurel & Hardy festival January 20-22nd. Admission is $7. The theater is located at 140 Richmond Street. For more information call (310) 322-2592 or visit http://otmh.org.
In December, the Way Out West Tent met for a special meeting at the Hollywood Heritage Museum. Our members enjoyed the museum's atmosphere and interesting exhibits. Carla Laemmle was our special guest. Carla is the niece of Universal Studio's founder Carl Laemmle, and appeared on screen as an actress and dancer in the 1920s and 1930s. Her credits include The Phantom of the Opera (1925), Dracula (1931), and The Hollywood Revue of 1929 (which also featured Laurel & Hardy). Food and donations were collected for the Maude Booth Family Center annual holiday food drive for the less fortunate.
The Way Out West Tent will meet five times in 2006, not including the annual banquet in October. Members receive free admission to all regular meetings and discounted admission to our annual banquet.
Meeting Schedule
January 24, 2006.........................................Meeting
April 11, 2006...........................................Meeting
June 13, 2006............................................Meeting
August 22, 2006..........................................Meeting
October 21, 2006..................................Annual Banquet
December 12, 2006........................................MeetingAnnual Dues
Single..................................................$28/year
Couple..................................................$44/year
Family..................................................$48/year
Non-members..........................................$10/meeting
Membership is open to everyone; there are no special requirements (other than all members must live at the same address for the family rate). Dues are prorated quarterly when you join during the year and are primarily used to cover postage and to rent our meeting hall. All Way Out West Tent officers work strictly on a volunteer basis.
We will no longer be including celebrity birthdays in the online version of our newsletter. If you wish to see the full listing of celebrity birthdays, please visit our separate birthdays web page.
Click here to see our birthday listings
Free Meals & Birthday Celebration in
January