“Moe, Larry and Shemp, backstage at the Melody Top Theater in Hillside, IL.....very early ‘60’s. Very kind and subdued....I guess the “kid” in me expected them to be as “on” as I had always seen them on television.”
Oh, someone who remembers the Melody Top Theater in Hillside, IL! When I was a young teenager, my parents would take me with them to the mostly musical shows there, where I developed my deep love for musicals. I saw John Raitt perform there, as well as Howard Keel and others. Saw Brigadoon, Oklahoma, Carousel, etc., and I loved going to the Melody Top. Such wonderful memories.
Also was right next to Michael Caine (very tall) who came into a “head” shop during the hippie days, in Piper’s Alley, a famous tunnel of shops off the main drag of Wells Street, in Old Town, Chicago,IL. At the end of Piper’s Alley was the original “Second City” comedy theater, which spawned so many famous stars, many of whom ended up starring or appearing on TV’s Saturday Night Live show.
Also saw Pope John Paul II, when he came to Chicago and first did a motorcade and then gave an open Mass in Grant Park that I also went to. I was pretty far back in the huge crowd of people attending the Mass, however had the presence of mind to bring along some Bushnell binoculars of good strength.
There was a group of nuns standing nearby where I was located, straining to see the Pope who was on the distant stage that had been set up for the Mass. I took pity on them, and brought over to their group the binoculars I had so they could get a better look at the Pope. They passed the binoculars around amongst themselves, and were thrilled. My good deed for the day, lol.
Van is mostly remembered for many comedy, romance and WW2 war movies, but he had started out his career as a young song-and-dance man...and excellent one, by the way. Great dancer, good singer.....and he had appealingly blond good looks.
Leni