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PHILLY...Back Then
 Relief is Just a Swallow Away!
Somerton, Sewell Rd. and Beyond...
"Let's pretend that it's storytime and I'll tell a
tale to you.
I'll tell you a story of make-believe, and all yor dreams will come true.
And when the story's over, and when we reach the end...
We'll live happily ever after...Where???
In the Land of Let's Pretend!!"
Regarding the picture above, Gene London came along as I was getting toward adolescence. We were a little too macho to act like we liked him, but if any of my friends felt like I did, inside, there was a definite interest in this kind, gentle and immensely talented man. He really loved what he was doing, and thinking back, I believe he could have been on Broadway, or some kind of live theater. He could act, draw, and sing. He captivated his audience as he became each character he portrayed. His skill on the sketch board blew this tuff guy away. Thanks, Gene, for showing me that there is strength in goodness and might in soulfulness.
Paul ("Winch"/"Mr. Winkle") Winchell, Jerry Mahoney and Knucklehead Smith...
Boy was I a sucker for magic and ventriloquism. I wasn't an Edgar Bergen fan (though I had and have a massive crush on his daughter), because he moved his lips the same as anyone talking regularly. I also never understood radio ventriloquism...heck I could do that! Now, Paul Winchell was a different story. Smart as a whip and funny to boot, he had me laughing til my sides hurt...and I couldn't see his lips move. He was a perfect foil for a wise guy (Jerry) and a sweet, lovable moron (Knucklehead).
 ...and Tigger Too! Paul Winchell was brilliant in other respects. He invented a prototype for an artificial heart and his voice still gives life to a favorite of my kids, Tigger. Rest in Peace, sir; you will be missed.
 Jimmy Nelson, Danny O'Day & Farfel
"N..E..S..T..L..E..S...Nestle's Makes The Very Best...CHOCOLATE!"
There were some real characters spicing up the TV screen, back then. One unique person was Soupy Sales. This guy made everybody laugh except the uptight geezers who thought TV should be all Walter Cronkite and John Facenda. If I missed a Soupy Sales show, it was a minor tragedy. I would have to call a friend to find out what Soupy said, what Pookie sang, and who came to the door. This was fast paced, machine gun comedy, and I loved every minute of it.
 
Mean ol' White Fang and Sweet lil Black Tooth; the interspersed clips of sped up little rascal cuts, and the pie in the face were like manna from heaven. Soupy was irreverent, but clean. The stories of him and raunchy jokes were just that...stories. So many urban legends came out of this show. The only one with any truth to it was the New Years Day request for those "little green pieces of paper in daddy's pocket", and Soupy paid for it with a 2 week suspension, and a ton of publicity. Anyone who never heard of Soupy Sales prior to that, had their heads pulled out of the sand. Soupy's still with us..in body and spirit.
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E-Mail: cornnubbin@webtv.net
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