The Terrible Catsafterme

It was the during the Hollywood Collectors Show during the Summer of 1995 that I got to meet Russell Johnson, better known as the Professor from Gilligan’s Island. In fact, author Stephen Cox had escorted him to the show and it was here that I first met Steve. And if Russell was the Professor, then I was the class dunce. Today I question both why I didn’t get him to sign a photo from the well-known Gilligan’s Island, and more importantly, why I would not think to get my photo taken with him. Read the rest of this entry »

Thomas Jefferson, our third American President from 1801-1809 was quite an eccentric and unique individual based on some of the things I learned during our visit to sites pertaining to him in Virginia. I’m currently reading his autobiography which makes it clear that he considers his primary achievement to have been his authorship of The Declaration of Independence rather that his Presidency. In addition, he was an architect, archaeologist, political philosopher, writer, scholar, horticulturist, inventor, paleontologist, and statesman. However he is best defined, he remains an enormous icon in American History and one definitely worth scoping out in my Presidential studies. Read the rest of this entry »

Let me clarify this…My first foray into collecting autographs from the stars of The Andy Griffith Show occurred on December 11, 1985. I had sent out seven autographs requests the day before and I followed it up on the 11th with five additional letters. Two of them were unsuccessful due to having the wrong addresses – Tim Conway and Art Carney (again). But three were quite successful, one of them being Don Knotts. Read the rest of this entry »

Okay, so if Noel Neill was the very first starring and most prodigious Lois Lane, and Phyllis Coates was the first Lois Lane of TV and the movies, which one is the most popular Lois Lane? Well, as a Gen X’er, I’d have to answer that question with a resounding Margot Kidder!! She of course played lovable but harsh smoker Lois in the four Superman movies of the late ’70’s and 80’s starring Christopher Reeve as the Man of Steel. She also went on to portray Bridgette Crosby in the most excellent Superman TV series Smallville. Read the rest of this entry »