Like all Sons of the Desert conventions that came before it, the 1996 Caribbean cruise had its fair share of celebrity guests on board to share their memories of their work at the Hal Roach Studios and the associations with Laurel and Hardy. In addition to the actors of this era, famous Laurel and Hardy impersonators Chuck McCann and Jim MacGeorge were also on hand to do an appropriate skit and mingle with the swabs on board. Chuck and Jim had not jointly been seen at a Sons convention since 1980, so it was cool to have them back.
I had already gotten a ‘team’ photo signed by them in the past (as seen here), but I had Chuck also sign the Dreamfinder postcard (seen here) that I had obtained at Epcot. I also had lots of exposure to Chuck as he rode the bus with us from Orlando to Miami before the convention, then the plane from Miami to Atlanta after the convention. Chuck was also a notable character actor who can be seen in The Bob Newhart Show, Foul Play, Far Out Space Nuts, and the “Hi Guy!” guy in the old 1970’s Right Guard commercials – in addition to his frequent portrayal of Oliver Hardy.
One of the nicest guys you’d ever hope to meet is Jerome Schatz, who back in the days of the Our Gang comedies was appearing under the name Jerry Tucker in no less than 18 of the films, most notably as the rich kid with the fire engine in Hi Neighbor!. Jerry had become a convention staple after first appearing at the 1986 convention when he first brought along his fabulous slide show highlighting his career, and then all subsequent conventions except Clearwater ’90 up to this point.
Jerry Tucker takes off with Jackie Lynn Taylor, who later signed the photo as well, in Hi Neighbor!
One of the Sons members – who was usually one of the most level-headed and shall remain nameless – had the poor judgement during the Grand Council meeting to pass on a concern (voiced from one of the British members who knew little about the Our Gang) that Jerry’s slide show was technically not about Laurel and Hardy and thus had no place at the convention. This was even more disheartening since Jerry was present and felt horrible about the remarks. Obviously, these comments were hugely unpopular as we all loved Jerry – and his slideshow. And besides, Jerry was in Laurel and Hardy’s Babes in Toyland.
The constantly smiling face of Jerry Tucker Schatz
Eugene “Pineapple” Jackson had first appeared at the 1980 convention, and then didn’t come back until Las Vegas ’92 – then New York ’94 – and finally here during his last convention appearance. Pineapple was the black actor in the Our Gang who briefly replaced Sunshine Sammy Morrison in six of the Our Gang silent films. He also had a rather significant role in the Academy Award winning film Cimarron.
Pineapple Jackson in the 1924 incarnation of the Our Gang, in a photo later signed by Joe Cobb as well
Gene was always friendly and jovial, bringing his ukulele with him wherever he went – but by the time this convention rolled around, I was beginning to think that he had gotten a little too money hungry, trying to sell his photos to everyone, and not being so friendly when signing the photos that I brought along. Of course, nowadays that would be totally par for the course. Still it was disappointing, considering he was a guest of the convention.
Pineapple still entertains on his ukulele
Dorothy deBorba, the Our Gang sweetheart know fleetingly as “Echo”, was one of the most friendly and reliable of all guests having attended all of the conventions except for Detroit (even paying her own way if necessary) since her first appearance at Hollywood ’80. She and I had become quite friendly by this point and I remember having breakfast with Dorothy on the last day of the convention. Her last convention appearance was at Nashville in 2002, but we are hoping that she will make it to Sacramento later this year.
Dorothy put a nice inscription on this great shot with Wheezer from Love Business
Dorothy signs an autograph on the cruise
The 1996 was the last convention appearance of Tommy “Butch” Bond, legendary tough guy of the Our Gang comedies. He had previously appeared at Hollywood ’80 and Las Vegas ’92. He was a nice guy that had a bit of a hearing problem as I recall. When my friend Bob charged me with getting photos signed for our convention hosts Lee and Dee MacBeath, I could hardly communicate this to Butch, who insisted that I was saying “Vee and Bee”.
Our Gang circa 1934. Tommy Bond is the second from the left, standing.
Tommy “Butch” Bond concentrates on his autograph signing
Last and certainly not least was one of the last of the true Laurel and Hardy leading ladies, Trudy Marshall. She had starred with the boys as the female lead in their 1943 feature film The Dancing Masters. This was also her last convention appearance having been a guest at Hollywood ’80, Clearwater ’90, Las Vegas ’92, and New York ’94.
Trudy Marshall (fourth from left) in a nice lobby card, as she appeared in The Dancing Masters
Trudy on the 1996 cruise
One of the biggest thrills of attending the Sons conventions in the past has always been the inclusion of celebrity guests who actually worked in the films that have become a staple of my life. The list is sadly dwindling, with only two of the classic guests of this convention still surviving as of this writing.
(The photos of the celebrities at this convention were brilliantly captured by Seattle Beau Hunks Grand Sheik Jack Taylor.)
Return to the Cruise…
1996 will continue…
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