I had spent the Summer of 1985 immersed in old TV and one of my favorites of the classic was “The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis.” The title character was portrayed by a young actor named Dwayne Hickman, who had gotten his start on “The Bob Cummings Show.” He had later starred in the 1983 TV movie High School U.S.A., which became one of those instant cult classics in my life, which I still repeatedly enjoy to this day. And one other bonus: he actually appeared in the M-G-M Our Gang short Melodies Old and New (1942 – his first credited film appearance). So it was a special treat to meet Dwayne Hickman at the Hollywood Collectors Show during my Hollywood trip of 1995.
Our encounter was short and sweet. My friend Henry Sorenson had sent his “Our Gang” book along with me, so I asked Mr. Hickman to sign it – which he did…for free. I also purchased a nice 8 x 10 then-and-now photo displayed below. From what I recall, it was only $5.00. I also asked him if his brother, who had a more prominent role in the Our Gang, would be willing to sign autographs. His reply: “If you can find him!”
It was a pleasure to have met Dwayne Hickman. I have not heard of him making many, if any, personal appearances at this type of show since then.
[Note: I would later see him at the Chiller Theatre Show in 2009]
Autographs from the Hollywood Collector’s Show of ’95 will continue…
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