Burbank High School Graduating Class of 1967 blog. See photos and read messages from the past and present!
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We are very sorry to share this news with you regarding our BHS '67 classmate, Judy Rosen, and ask that you keep her family and loved ones in your prayers.
Recently got in touch with Jerry Berg who went to Miller with us and I asked him to write about his adventure playing a bit part in the movie 'The Music Man' - thanks Jerry!!!
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Where's Jerry and Ted??
Hi Cathy.
Hope you are doing well. Fran Serafin apparently saw my name on Classmates and dropped me a line. Last time we saw each other was in early 1971. Anyway, it turns out he also lives in Apple Valley about 4 miles from me. Go figure..........
Now for The Music Man thing. In the Spring of 1961 we were all in the 6th grade. Warner Bros. was starting to cast for their production of The Music Man. They sent out notices to all the schools in the area that had music programs that if anyone was interested in being in the movie they should report to Warner Bros. Studios on a certain day. The casting office was on Olive Av. between Hollywood Wy. and Pass Av.
We were all told that each kid would receive $2.50 travel money. For that kind of loot, this was going to be a win/win situation. Besides myself and Ted Goldstone, I don't know if anybody else from Miller School went. At the time Ted and I were in the school orchestra. We found out later that the Studios were under the impression everyone was in some kind of MARCHING band. I'm not sure how many kids showed up, but it had to be several hundred at least.
We signed in (or I guess our mothers signed us in) and we were all given our "show up" money and a piece of paper with a number on it. The paper was similar to what a cowboy in a rodeo would pin to the back of his shirt. As I recall, we did a bunch of waiting around until your number was called. I remember going in to a room with one other kid and standing by a "grown up".
Looking back my best guess is that the person we were standing by was one of the dancers who was also to be in one of the bands. They were mostly in their early 20s. We stood there for a few minutes while several casting people with clipboards sized us up. We were told to hold our number up to our chest so they would know who they were looking at. After being checked out by casting we were all told "thank you and we'll let you know". I figured that was it but at least I was $2.50 richer.
I don't remember how much time passed, probably several weeks, until we received something in the mail informing us that I was one of the kids selected to be in the movie. Ordinarily this would be reason to celebrate but since baseball season was in progress, I would be forced to miss several practices and games. Now I'm pissed!! Since I already blew my $2.50 we figured I better take the job. I ended up working a total of seven days. We had to get a Social Security card but I don't remember anything about a SEG (Screen Extras Guild) card. Maybe Ted remembers that part as I think his father worked for Warner Bros.
The first day the "band" showed up to begin filming was when Warner Bros. discovered we didn't have any marching experience. I remember they brought some guy in to whip everyone in to shape and give us the basics about marching. He didn't have much time but he did a good job with what he had to work with.
Since filming was during the week we all had to miss school. We were instructed to bring work assignments from our teachers. For me this meant Mrs. Ecklund?? For some reason I can't remember her name. All I know is that she was the first teacher I had who I couldn't stand. As I think back on it she really didn't like boys in general. Maybe someone remembers the dear lady's name.
Now, back to the movie. Since we were minors we each had to have a parent or guardian accompany us to the studios every day. In my case it was my mother since she didn't work. I think my father took one day off so he could see how the whole thing worked. In the trailer that served as our classroom I was in with maybe 12 or so kids.
One of my "classmates" was little Ronnie Howard. At the time, Mayberry RFD, or whatever it was called, was in production so Ronnie was working two jobs. I remember that during breaks in our school work my mother would talk to "Opie" and ask him about the show. Ronnie would sit and not only do his lines, but those of Andy, Don Knotts, etc. After one of these sessions we were called to do a scene and Ronnie grabbed my hand to walk to the set with me. Knowing what we all know about Ron Howard now, I probably should have continued to hold on to his hand.
One day in a sound studio my mother was standing with a small group of people when the star of the movie, Robert Preston, walked by. My mother got excited and said "oh look, here comes Preston Foster" (from the old tug boat series). Robert Preston must have heard her because all he did was give her a Charlie Brown look and kept on walking.
Another time a few of the mothers were outside on an outdoor set when some filming was going on. As the camera was moving down the street the women were trying to get out of the way and Mrs. Goldstone remarked that "if we mess up this take my husband is going to kill me". They didn't, so all was well.
That's pretty much the highlights of what I remember. I know we were paid $8-something an hour which was serious money for a sixth-grader in the early 60s. On a sadder note, I'm still waiting for my first residual check. It's been a long wait. That's all I have to say about that.
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Received this email yesterday - thanks Jerry for the kind words AND for the clue as to where you are in the video clip!
I just wanted to thank you for the wonderful job you did with my story on the BHS67 blog page. I hope our classmates appreciate the time and effort you put into this website. Keep up the good work. Jerry. F.Y.I. on the 76 Trombones finale that you posted, as you're looking at the band coming towards you I'm the drummer in front on the left. Thanks again!
It is estimated that over $30 billion is unclaimed and sittiing in state treasuries - wow! The following email gives more info along with a few links.
Thanks Pam and Patti!
Cathy...
Patty Maisner '75 has found some sites, where people can check to see if they have any unclaimed money coming to them...Might be something for your blog...I am going to "Loop" it too...There are the sites below and also this one for California...She found my daughter on the California site, although my daughter had already filled out a claim for the money.
Just type in your name and town...I found some minor amounts for people I know...
Pam
--- On Wed, 3/25/09, PM Maisner wrote:
From: PM Maisner Subject: unclaimed money searches To: "Pam Kirkwood" Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2009, 4:58 PM
Hi Pam
Well, I have been a busy person; making anonymous phone calls and sending out letters to people that I have known in the past that have large amounts of monies waiting for them.
Just wanted to give you the sites, found one for others not living in CA
But it would behoove everyone to check the California site as there are a lot of claims from Security Pacific Bank, First Interstate MetLife Insurance which is just now a stocks and bonds company, the utilities companies, etc etc
I have found so much money that I am literally overwhelmed, I get so nervous on the phone -- anyway -- I found nearly $1000 for someone that I used to work with in the 70's, hard to ignore
Anyway, maybe that gal who has the blog spot can add these sites as well.
Also, my neighbor, MR TALENTED would like if you could loop his name and website Chad Frye @ http://www.chadfrye.com/
Seriously, you will love his work!!
He got laid off @ Disney and is networking anyway that he can
Also he has written a few books that are fab for kids, Mack has 3 of them, they are fantastic
Thanks a million Patti
FOLLOW-UP EMAIL:
Here is one more money claim site from Patti...
--- On Wed, 3/25/09, PM Maisner wrote:
From: PM Maisner Subject: one more To: "Pam Kirkwood" Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2009, 5:07 PM
Rudy Pinnow (BHS '67) passes along this funny email - thanks Rudy!
And I added a little video clip at the end...
Comments made in the year 1955 That's only 54 years ago
'I'll tell you one thing, if things keep going the way they are, it's going to be impossible to buy a week's groceries for $20.00.'
'Have you seen the new cars coming out next year? It won't be long before $2,000.00 will only buy a used one.'
'If cigarettes keep going up in price, I'm going to quit. 25 cents a pack is ridiculous.'
'Did you hear the post office is thinking about charging 10 cents just to mail a letter?'
'If they raise the minimum wage to $1.00, nobody will be able to hire outside help at the store.'
'When I first started driving, who would have thought gas would someday cost 29 cents a gallon. Guess we'd be better off leaving the car in the garage.'
'I'm afraid to send my kids to the movies any more. Ever since they let Clark Gable get by with saying D__N in GONE WITH THE WIND, it seems every new movie has either H__L or D__N in it.'
'I read the other day where some scientist thinks it's possible to put a man on the moon by the end of the century. They even have some fellows they call astronauts preparing for it down in Texas.'
'Did you see where some baseball player just signed a contract for $75,000 a year just to play ball? It wouldn't surprise me if someday they'll be making more than the President.'
'I never thought I'd see the day all our kitchen appliances would be electric. They are even making electric typewriters now.'
'It's too bad things are so tough nowadays. I see where a few married women are having to work to make ends meet.'
'It won't be long before young couples are going to have to hire someone to watch their kids so they can both work.'
'I'm afraid the Volkswagen car is going to open the door to a whole lot of foreign business.'
'Thank goodness I won't live to see the day when the Government takes half our income in taxes. I sometimes wonder if we are electing the best people to government.'
'The drive-in restaurant is convenient in nice weather, but I seriously doubt they will ever catch on.'
'There is no sense going on short trips anymore for a weekend, it costs nearly $15.00 a night to stay in a hotel.'
'No one can afford to be sick anymore, at $35.00 a day in the hospital, it's too rich for my blood.'
'If they think I'll pay 50 cents for a haircut, forget it.'
What a nice surprise to receive a Happy Saint Patrick's Day video from Carol Nicholls Lebrecht and an Irish blessing and prayer from her twin, Cathy Nicholls Coyle, both who are Scottish lasses!
Hi All, Hope you have a wonderful St Patrick's Day.
Check out attached video for some St Patrick's Day cheer.
Irish Blessing "May God be with you and bless you, May you see your children's children, May you be poor in misfortune, rich in blessings. May you know nothing but happiness From this day forward."
Irish Prayer "May those who love us love us And those who don't love us May God turn their hearts, And if He doesn't turn their hearts, May He turn their ankles, So we'll know them by their limping."
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And like many, I too have Irish roots. My grandfather was John O'Hearn who changed his name to John Hearn because he got mad at the Catholic church - or so I was told. His sister, Agnes, was the mother of 1940's movie star, Joan Leslie.
ELIZABETH O'HEARN AND HER CHILDREN
John Hearn "Jack" (my grandfather); Elizabeth; Frank O'Hearn Front: Mary (Regan) - mother of Frances, Shirley and Gail; Agnes (Brodell) - mother of Mary, Betty and Joan.
