Eddie Quillan (seen at right with comedy producer Mack Sennett) had a long and distinguished film and TV career, playing more than 200 roles from the golden age of slapstick to the late 1980’s. My interest in Mr. Quillan – as you might suspect – was due to the role he played in the 1934 all-star feature Hollywood Party. You might even say he was the ‘leading man’ among the sea of comedians, including Laurel and Hardy, Jimmy Durante, and the Three Stooges among others.
June Clyde, Eddie Quillan, Polly Moran, and Charles Butterworth in Hollywood Party
I only got the opportunity to meet Eddie Quillan one time, when he made an appearance at the Hollywood ’80 Sons of the Desert convention during a Meet the Celebs panel on August 2. Although I didn’t really pose with him, my Dad had the good sense to snap a nice photo of me getting him to sign my little blue autograph book (as seen below).
In 1992, my friend Bob presented me with a collection of autographed photos to honor my graduation from high school. One of the signed photos included was the cool shot below of Quillan with Shemp Howard and Murray Alper. In addition, he had been kind enough to be the only celebrity to actually pen me a note of congratulations. As you can see, the note was dated in January of 1990 – six months before he passed away.
From the 1944 film Moonlight and Cactus
Continue with the celebs of Hollywood ’80…
What a wonderful graduation present!!! It is one that you can enjoy the rest of your life.
Dave Chasteen
January 23rd, 2008