I had had some cake the night before at The Smoke House courtesy of my friends, but other than that, I pretty much forgot that Sunday, October 2, 2005 was even my birthday. The day was packed with things to do so there wasn’t time to think of such things. We kicked off the morning with a nice hearty breakfast at the Burbank Airport Marriott Hotel & Convention Center where we had stayed the night. We had a great buffet, but best of all, we dined with two former Our Gang members Patsy Barry and Joy Wurgaft Lane, whose husbands treated us.
I had mostly had my fill of autographs and celebrity encounters at the Hollywood Collectors Show the previous day, but we needed to return on this Sunday for one lone celebrity guest who was making an appearance only on this day, Carrie Fisher (discussed further here). I went ahead and threw on my purple dress shirt and some slacks, merely for the fact that we would be attending a dressier affair that evening, an event to benefit the Actors Fund of America, the star-studded reading of Casablanca.
Before we headed to the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood, we made a brief stop at a nearby classic TV location elsewhere in Burbank, the house used in all exterior shots of the campy classic “The Brady Bunch.” Our bags packed, we headed to the hills of Hollywood for more celebrity encounters and an evening of fun.
The road to Hollywood
Before the show, we attempted to meet up with any incoming celebs at the rear entrance to the Pantages, including Kirk Douglas, who we thought might be in attendance, but alas, we were unsuccessful,
as he did not show up, and all of the celebrities who were in the show apparently were already in the theatre. Bob (seen at right in a completely random theatre shot) and I then met up with the Wileys inside the theatre.
I must confess that although I have seen the classic film Casablanca once, it is not a film that I know inside and out. And this may make me sound stupid, but I have always found the plot rather complicated, what with all of the fictional international intrigue. Therefore, the play, which was not really a play but a group of actors sitting in chairs reading the script – ala a radio play – lulled me into restlessness, drowsiness, and eventual sleep. So there, I said it: I fell asleep during this star-studded soiree.
The famous Pantages Theatre on the night of our Casablanca play
The best parts of the evening for me came immediately before the show and after the show. There was an ice cream malt next door before the show, but that’s not what I’m referring to. I’m talking about the several stars found meandering into the theater who where also there to either enjoy or sleep through the play. It’s always fun to see unannounced celebrities. So although I didn’t have anything there for them to sign, I got my pictures taken with Jane Kean, Betty White, Donna Mills, and Ed Asner (all seen in separate posting by clicking on their names).
After the show, there was a small area cordoned off where the press could get photos of the stars of the show. Audience members were permitted to come all of the way up to the rope and many of the celebs came over and signed autographs and posed for pictures. Here I was able to meet Anne Heche, Thora Birch, Dan Castellaneta, Edward Herrmann, and Hal Sparks. I also met up with Ian Abercrombie after the show. A couple of performers who were originally scheduled to be in the play, but were replaced last-minute were Jennifer Tilly and Kurtwood Smith. I had photos of them ready to get signed (and still have them, unsigned, of course). Other celebs who I have at least heard of and were in the show but I did not get to meet were Henry Gibson, Bruce Davison, Michael York, and of utmost disappointment, Christian Slater.
My program, signed by Edward Herrmann, Dan Castellaneta, Hal Sparks, and Ian Abercrombie
Christian Slater had come out for photographs and was working his way down the line signing autographs, when the jerkwad photographers whisked him away to get pictures. After the photos, he did not return to the ‘receiving line’ but slinked out the back door. I was only about six feet away from him, patiently waiting, but then the paparazzi ruined everything, as they always do.
Bob, the Wileys, and I had dinner at Schwab’s Drug Store, a re-creation of the famous drugstore of yore where supposedly many stars (Lana Turner for one) were discovered. Afterward, I packed up my gear from Bob’s car into the Wileys’ and we headed for their place in San Pedro. Remember those great photos that belonged to my friend Steve that I had borrowed to scan in at Jimmy’s house? I left them in Bob’s car and they, along with him, headed back to his home in San Bernardino. This would provide an additional challenge for our busy week.
Click here to see “The Brady Bunch” house…
Click here to see Carrie Fisher…
Click here to see the stars of “Casablanca”…
Click here to see the other stars I met at the theatre…
I love “Casablanca” but it took several screenings before I figured out all the plot complications. The first half hour is entirely taken up with introducing the many, many characters and how they relate to each other and to the war. Since so much of the film’s effect depends upon those particular actors, and the dynamic direction of Michael Curtiz, I can’t imagine how a *reading* of the dialogue could have been entertaining in any way. I don’t blame you for falling asleep. What character did Dan Castellaneta play? Maybe Ugarte (Peter Lorre) or Major Strasser (Conrad Veidt)?
Okay, so what is a Christian Slater? Not a religious construction worker, I take it.
Randy Skretvedt
September 12th, 2007
Doh! Dan Castellaneta was in fact Ugarte.
Brad
September 12th, 2007