One more post on the afternoon HERMES PAN was honoured. In the first photo, Im catching up with FREDS daughter, Ava Astaire. I hadnt seen her since she was a teen-ager, and she used to visit the rehearsals. In the second picture, Im with Ann Blyth, and Im sure I told her how I fell in love with her as a kid when I went to see Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid. Like so many of the BIG stars of that era, she was, in person, a very tiny lady. In the third photo, Im standing with Larri Thomas, and ROBERT SIDNEY. Larri was one of the top dancers in her day. In the next photo, Im showing you a shot of Larri from Guys & Dolls. I worked with Larri in My Fair Lady. It was sometime during the rehearsals of one of the ASTAIRE TV Specials that Larri began having trouble with her left eye. Years later, she had to have it removed. I write of MR. SIDNEY in my book. The Dancers knew him as, Crazy Mary. He was an erratic Choreographer, to say the least. Hes the one who wanted me to do the CYD CHARISSE-TONY MARTIN act. For reasons explained in the book, I turned them down. But MR. SIDNEY hired me for the film, Looking for Love, and I made a ton of money doing that dangerous number. Years later, MR. SIDNEY made a big Boo-Boo, and I ended up, literally saving his behind and successfully wiping all the egg off his face. My question now arises, Have you ever noticed that sometimes when you do something wonderful for someone.....they then turn on you, and try to destroy you? Well, thats what happened in this instance. In the next photo, Im with Carole Bryan, ex-wife of Buddy Bryan. Buddy was with me in the BARRIE CHASE act, and Buddy, Carole, and Larri and I, all worked together in Fair Lady. Carole and Larri were often paired as bookends/sisters, if you will. The Two Blondes, get me the two blondes. That demand was often heard and dance auditions. (Oh, the man in the middle of Carole and I, is the young fellow Carole became involved with after her divorce. I dont remember his name now, but he was a nice guy.) And, years later, when I was living in Mexico, and at Falcon Lair, I came to visit my son, and Larri called suggesting that we go to lunch. In fact, Larri took this picture of Carole and I, after I had taken them to lunch in WeHo. Hope you enjoyed this afternoon with HERMES and I.
Posted on: Sat, 27 Sep 2014 14:57:27 +0000
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