Many years ago, when JIMMY DEAN died; and I decided to come to Hollywood anyway....I decided Id look up JIMMYS friend and photographer, WILSON MILLAR. As fate would have it (and how lucky I was,) WILSON welcomed me with open arms. We became great friends, and remained so, until he passed away. WILSON took many pictures of me; for work, and for pure enjoyment. WILSON also saw to it that I was always invited to The Greek Theatre, to see whatever show I cared to attend. WILSON was thee Photographer for The Greek. Through WILSON, I met JUDY GARLAND, JOHNNY MATHIS, NANCY WILSON, HARRY BELAFONTE, just to name a few. I was also invited to ALL of the Ballet Companies performances, and became such good friends with them that I often saw the show from the wings. I spent many hours in WILSONS home, up on Weepah Way, in Laurel Canyon. Often, he would be cooking something, and I would be sitting at the large picnic table that sat in the dining area, listening to music and going through all of his photographs. Ive always loved pictures, so I was in Heaven. And, WILSON also said to me, If you see anything you like, tell me, and Ill give you a copy. (Im hoping I find some of those as I continue to unpack.) Anyway, heres a photo of a fellow that struck me when I saw the print. The pose was perfect, and the lighting was superb. Not to mention the story it told, just by looking at it. I took a copy of it when I went home that evening. But not until many years later did I realize that this was a picture of my friend, ARON KINCAID. ARON and I first worked together in 1964, in an awful little film called, The Girls on the Beach. And, a couple of years later, we both found ourselves involved in the AIP Beach Movies. ARON was usually one of the co-stars. I was brought in as a dancer; eventually becoming the Choreographers Assistant, and then (thanks to ANNETTE) the sole Choreographer. Though, I sometimes played some bits, and every now and then, had to dance in for someone who didnt show up. This was a time when I was supporting my infant son, all by myself. (Not easy.) So, that first picture is one of ARON that was taken by WILSON MILLAR. The second photo is one of the AIP Publicity Dept. shots. (And thats how ARON looked in most of the films.) The third shot was taken at ARONS home in Benedict Canyon. By this time, we were neighbors. He, living down the street from the old PAUL BERN-JEAN HARLOW house, and me, living in Falcon Lair, the former home of RUDOLPH VALENTINO, and also, DORIS DUKE. The fourth picture was taken of the two of us at a Beach Movie reunion. I was not to see ARON for quite some time after this was taken. And......the last shot is how ARON looked when he was mainly doing voice-over work. I think its now almost four years since we lost ARON. Unfortunately, he had a bad heart, and it ultimately took him. I miss going to his home, having him make pasta dinners for me, and allowing me to go through his Albums, while he drank his red wine, and I had my Jameson in hand. We would laugh, gossip, argue, and rant and rave. ARON was strong on opinions; but I can tell you.........today, I miss them. Im also very lucky in that, in later years, ARON became a brilliant artist; and he gave me many of his works. They hang in just about every room in my house. So, Im always saying hello to him as I walk by.
Posted on: Sat, 27 Dec 2014 21:27:46 +0000
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