Dad jotted in his little brown memo book on Wednesday July 30, 1980: “Went to McCabe Forum. No McCabe. Heard tape. He is ill. Saw films. Went to Gen. Session and parade of Tents. Saw films in P.M. Went to tech stars panel. Saw many behind the scenes people. Lasted from about 8:30 to 10:15. Saw movie and visited Hospitality room. Went to bed at 12.” I believe by the time that this first full day of the convention had rolled around, we had met up with our fellow tent members Harry and Helen Carter and two other inactive tent members from Lima, Ohio, who would quickly befriend me, Steve and Sharon Stayonovich.
I think I originally went along enthusiastically to the John McCabe Forum (or “Masters Class”), but when he didn’t show up due to illness, I bailed and went to the film room – or possibly one of the two dealers rooms. Dad stayed and listened to the tape that Sons founder McCabe had prepared until about noon. Lunch was on our own and doubtlessly in the hotel cafe. The General Session was an early version of the Grand Coucil meeting where they discussed the business at hand, followed by the now-traditional Parade of Tents. Dad snapped several pictures from our far-away seats, most not worth sharing except for the one below of the Way Out West tent, mostly because in the coming years, many of the members would become some of my best friends. More on that later…
John Duff holds the “Way Out West” banner
The most significant event of the day was the Technical Stars Panel, a question and answer session for those who worked behind the scenes at the Hal Roach Studios, for it was here where I began adding signatures to my little blue autograph book. The first addition was Laurel and Hardy theme song and film score composer T. Marvin Hatley (which you can read more about here). In the photo below is Marvin sitting exactly where he signed my album. At the top, he is speaking at the podium as Roy Seawright looks on.
Other participants of the panel included sound man and boom mike operator Harvey Wasden who worked with L&H in Pardon Us, Beau Hunks, and Way Out West. Mr. Wasden became the second person to sign my album.
Stan Laurel’s daughter was the third. I don’t think Lois was part of the technical panel (mainly because she didn’t serve the films in any technical aspect) – but she was around nonetheless adding invaluable commentary to the proceedings. Of course, I came to know Lois quite well later on and we now speak once or twice a week.
Roy Seawright was a fascinating special effects man at the Hal Roach Studios and was responsible for many of the amazing illusions on film such as Stan lighting his thumb…and Stan smoking his thumb. He was the fourth entry in my book. Later on – in the 1980’s, 1986 specifically – I would write Mr. Seawright a letter and receive a return mailing with tons of interesting material…in addition to a couple of phone call from him, which I thought were the greatest thing since sliced bread. My Dad had some conversation with Roy Seawright while I was collecting autographs that evening at Hollywood ’80 and he told my Dad that he thought major L&H co-star Charlie Hall might still be alive – which excited me greatly. He was incorrect however. Charlie died in 1959.
Bob Overbeck was the fifth signer of the Declaration of Autographs. He was another special effects employee who sold Dinah the Mule to the Roach Studios. Dinah was the animal star of the early Our Gang comedies and L&H’s Way Out West.
Fred Knoth became supervisor of special effects at the studios in 1946, long after Laurel and Hardy had left. He did, however work on the films Swiss Miss, A Chump at Oxford, and Zenobia not long after entering the studios on the ground floor. He and his wife Audrey both signed my book on page six. I honestly didn’t really know who most of these people were, so when I got to his wife, I must’ve figured “what the hell?”
Little old me gathering an autograph from Roy Seawright, while Venice Lloyd and Ruth Burch look on
The convention will continue…
Autographs from the convention will also continue…
Thank you so much for this entry. Please don’t lose it. Back in the 80s, in my college days, I had befriended an elderly couple who took me under their wings sort of. They were Harvey and Ann Wasden. Due to my interest in music, they would invite me musical shows like ragtime piano, etc.. I got really fond of them and hung out with them for several years. Unfortunately, when I started working full time, I lost touch with them. Also, had moved out of state. Later I would learn that Harvey was actually a sound technician on some movies. Then recently, I saw your website and learned of Harvey worked on Laurel and Hardy films. I will cherish my memories with them forever.
Thanks for this information on Harvey, and helping to remember my good times with them.
Sanjai
September 28th, 2017