On behalf of Tom Kessel: Not a blessed thing. And I, the biggest culprit of all, have answered my own question. The big mystery alongside who played Mr. Schwampleast as a possible name attached to the actor. Casablanca 1942 a film classic, probably having more characters and supporting actors in one film other than Mission To Moscow, has many up in arms as to who played the nightclub patron at the table when Sam is playing the piano. This is for the trivia buff that's in all of us TAGS followers. Its JACK BENNY!! It's been long rumored and I've frozen the scene time and again and my goodness it sure looks like him. I'm surprised not many out there have it on DVD to see for themselves. Under contract for Warner and filming George Washington Slept Here, it's just likely Benny did do a cameo. But until its officially confirmed by his family or associates (Everyone connected with the film, I believe, has sadly left us). This will remain an unknown mystery with us scratching our heads ( I mean toupees) alongside who is Mr. Schwamp? Well I got enough mileage out of that inquiry. Moving on. I'll join you for a soda pop and gladly trade recollections with you to that kind Mayberry fan who wrote in today to join you all at Wally's. I can see us all there, Hope Frances, George, Herbie, Anita, Milton, Burt, and stopping by for a visit to sell us a ticket will be Dick Ryan. Why we'll even throw in Jack Benny of all people for extra laughs who will give his Maxwell a fill-up. Jack may even try to remember if it was he or Mr. Schwamp who did a cameo in Casablanca. Hey you know what? Both wore toupees. Anything's possible in fantasy land.
And another TAGS alumni we can add to the roster who I had the honor of interviewing by phone in 1979, the head of Foster Furniture Polishing Co, that Man in a Hurray the brilliant Robert Embardt who was so kind and appreciated. He told me at the time when I commented on his brilliant roles in both episodes that in Foster Lady, he held high hopes for Ronnie Schell to become a big star during the filming, stating Schell was extremely talented outgoing had a natural flair to mug. Schell, by the way, was on an upswing, preparing for a featured role in a new series Good Morning America that featured Billy DeWolf another forgotten massive talent who was one of a kind. Dewolf sent me an autograph near the end of his life after his battle with cancer. He wrote me how appreciative he was that his longtime friend, Doris Day, would stop by endlessly to visit him in the hospital. Back to Mr. Foster, he was moved deeply moved when I highly complimented him, not so much on his two TAGS guest roles, but a brilliant role in a Alfred Hitchcock episode from 1959, called Road Hog. In it Emhardt plays a heartless driver who refuses to give right of way to Richard Chamberlain and Rammond Massey who are in a rush to the hospital to have their injured brother and son tended too. The young man died en route. Chamberlain and Massey hatch a plot to TAKE CARE of Emhardt for his thoughtless misdeed. The last scene was a setup in a barber shop and our Mr. Foster meets his maker in a most undignified way by way of fright. I'll be honest. At the time I should had offered more praise to his two solid roles on TAGS and yes he couldn't get over my praise for his Hitchcock bit but I assured him he can be proud of any roles he did but folks guess what this dear man told me in 1979. "Tom I get a lot of fan mails. I did Broadway, I did films I did television. I'm proud of all my performances but you know what? Most of my fan mail these days comes from kids and you know all they talk about is my role on The Brady Bunch as the Judge from (I had to remind him.. Fender Benders )>I knew it. He got a big kick that the power of television was that this was his lasting image at the time, the Judge . He enjoyed the part yes. But like many actors folks, I learned a long time ago on my own, one sure way to get the attention of a actor you write to is be inventive. Don't ask the same question they've heard before like "What is your favorite film? "With my big mouth rolling off all their credits with my photographic memory, I can see they thoroughly enjoy it when you go beyond a role they are famous for and talk about other roles, roles they assume fans like us never remembered. It warms their hearts. I asked him in passing of one of his best lines anywhere from Man in a Hurray, when he said (Forgive me folks I can't remember every line unfortunately exactly, but you'll know it). Ken and Joe you two among others will know the exact line, " Go Call Thelma Lou." he repeated the line several times. >>>JG Just Do it, Do it Go Take a nap! go to Thelma Lou's for TV, Just Do it!<< He was really put out by Barneys' annoyance. "Oh you like that hah?" Mr. Emhardt asked. I sure did, we all did. Actors like it when you remember quotes, scenes, performers they worked with, ask them about camera setup makeup, shooting schedule and always point out a particular line or memorable scene from a film or TV spot, big or small. They like it when you as a fan go the full 9 yards and commend them on all aspects of their career. Don't you think Clark Gable wanted to talk a lot more than his great role in GWTW? Of course he and others do. When Mr. Emhardt passed away in 1994 I forwarded a sympathy card thru SAG> I had to let someone know he wasn't unforgotten .In <http://unforgotton.in/> fact I think I did, just by calling him. Be it Mr. Foster, the Man in a Hurray, The Judge or that horrible ROADHOG , he was a brilliant thespian of the highest order. So Jimmy Dean many thanks for the kind words and yes include me in for lunch at Wally's but let's include Robert Emhardt and Reta Shaw. No exclusions here. Finally, before I shut my mouth, sincere thanks to those who been kind to me and offered prayers. The future scares me as I widdle my time away but now I found new found friends who respect me as a man and a film TV buff and historian and a friend to so many character-supporting actors, so many like Roy Robert as well were part of TAGS and much more. You make my days easier on me to know I'm appreciated, if only the rest of America would wake up and be in tune like the fans of TAGS and acknowledge these beautiful talented performers. Let them miss the train. What counts is you fans of TAGS out there who want to know more. I'm not the oddball 40 years of correspondence has made me out to be. I rather know the TAGS players and break bread with them anytime than the people I've encountered in everyday life in my home state. God Bless as always. . Tom Kessel. Joe, if you can be kind enough to add on, if you know how, a footnote when forwarding that I picked up today that Kim Chan 95 died. He had a bit part in the Andy Griffith classic A Face in The Crowd but he is well known to most as the butler in 1981s King of Comedy with Jerry Lewis. Many thanks. Tom Kessel _______________________________________________ WBMUTBB mailing list [email protected] http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
