and i mean not much. i went on the internet today after reading todays messages posted and i find it interesting that Jonny coons was born in Lebanon Indina having died in 1975.he had his 15 minutes of fame in the mid 50s with his own kiddy show but quickly faded. And i cant yet find anything on Tom Jacobs. Talented gifted and all still no luck .The internet websites-links may not offer us much data on you but Tom your value as a person and performer always increases your worth. we salute you. It breaks my heart when i think of what Herbie Faye said and Dick Ryan wrote when they commented You remember me?" and "Thanks for remembering me." what humility what human decency in these superb performers who sat by the phone like so many others waiting day in day out to get that casting call to report to the tv or film studio to put in a few days work for what might be a godsend or an insult to play in a thankless meaningless role. No nothing Dick or Herbie ever did was anything to be ashamed of when you realize in the end they brought moments of sheer joy a smile and a tickle to the funny bone.Andy Griffith i assure you who had his hand and rightly so had the final say in casting Hope Summers told me. His decency as a man is evident is his concern for the welfare of our beloved Howard McNear is one example say for instance with the makeshift board they assembled on the set to accomodate his gifted beloved actor after his tragic stroke.Joe Hamilton Dick Ryan Tom Jacobs Mr Schwamp as well and others who did what they must had thought was an unhappy or meaningless chore by doing little more than a walk on did much more than that, they got their creative juices flowing, that drive that motivation up and running known TAGS called . Theyre back in the harness,small as the role is and every trivial bit part paid the months rent. Imagine folks and sadly all of this true, these gifted TAGS performers .im referring only to bit parts, cameos walk ons now not the regular series performers, all waited by the phone for years and years waiting to get that call to report to the studio. To not get that call,youre cutting off the flow of talent we fans want to see. Thank God TAGS can rest on its laurrels supplying the american audience with the best money can buy. To put life into a 5 second scene may put food on that actors table thankfully but it gives him his day in the sun to know someone out there hasnt forgotton him. I got stories first hand from some of the most beloved famouse top rated character actors known all over the world and a number of them privately told me the heartwrencing story of a Hollywood that is passing them by. To not get that call due to changing of times or whatever is a crushing blow to an actors ego.Sir Cedric Hardwick the gifted actor is an example. some committed suicide some turned to drink others changed profession, others broke the law.Poor Burt mustin.He meant well. He was childless, his wufe had died then in 1971 our beloved TAGS player wrote "Tom i just got a co starring role on an upcoming series called The Funny Side."He hoped itd be a hit because he said he had bills to pay. Like all of us even character actors second bananas bit players have to pay bills. The Funny Side was a BOMB.Crushed, in need of money (these character actors from film-tv never made the money todays celebrities make) he was forced to in part seek out any tv roles offered to pay his billsd. old Jud didnt own his own home. The years of letter writing between him and i went on right thru his bout with cancer. Near the end JUD wrote me after my last phonecall. Tom thanks for caring. Dont forget about me. I dont think ill be around much longer." that tore me apart. He told me his last acting role was in an upcoming Phyllis episode and he wrote "Im in in bad shape but im going out in style."My god in hindsight rereading what these performers privately wrote me or told me by phone,its eery. its relevant fascinating a tearjerker but very real and human. Now 30 years later after his death, 20 20 hindsight, i can honestly say to myself Tom look at what you got here. Anedotes from these show buisness performers. their personal thoughts their opinons, their ups and downs. But todays world of show buisness is sadly geared to the youth in all media, films television music etc. But here i can share some of their views in my posted messages. Someone out there in America has got to realize i have a chunk of show buisness history at my disposal.Its not my fault im from another era that appreciated such underated talent.Now again ill close the chapter. I stated my case, spoke up for these gifted artists but its time to give you you a chance to offer feedback if these relevations are of intterest. Well theyve been of interest to me since i nstarted in 1965 with my collections. It goes without bsaying God Bless all of you. And God Bless all who are associated with TAGS/Col Tim Im coming over.Move over Howard Sprague..Tom Kessel ps Im ready be it one of you or all of you who may type in tomorrow "Hey Tom where have you been?WE know all about Joe Hamilton and we too heard about ..............being in Casablanca..Wake up and smell the coffee Tom..REad our past messages posted or read this book or that book,.We fans know all about Joe Hamilton..Youre not btelling us anything we havent already heard about.? Or with my luck youll say "I didnt know his name..i didnt know he was in Casablanca." I cant figure people out. " Who can Tom? _______________________________________________ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
