Ted Newsom, 1952 - 2020

Above, Ted Newsom seems shocked to be in a photo with a conservative at the 2012 Monsterpalooza..

I was saddened to learn this morning that actor, producer, writer, film historian and an inductee to the Classic Horror Film Board's Monster Kid Hall of Fame (did I miss anything?), Ted Newsom has passed away at 67 from cancer yesterday.

Above, Jack Larson (left) chats with Ted Newsom and Jim Beaver at the Adventures of Superman luncheon in 2014. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We last communicated a few months ago and he indicated that he wasn't doing too well. We commiserated over our ailments and I gave him some words of encouragement. Based on that conversation, it didn't come as a surprise to hear of his passing. Still, 67 is too young to go to the "Golden Hills".

I last saw him at the Adventures of Superman plaque dedication and luncheon back in 2014. I posted back in January 2015 that he was on the mend after lung surgery that removed 1/3 of a lung. I sent him a link to it and he thanked me.

Above, Ted Newsom and Armand at the 2014 Adventures of Superman plaque dedication in Tarzana, California.

Although he and I were poles opposite politically, he had a rare quality (for a liberal) of a great wit and knew his stuff about horror and science fiction. We still got along and swapped political jokes. He got a kick out of an Anthony Weiner joke I told him.

He will be missed.

The Monster and Maria

Ted Newsom posted this colorized (I am assuming he did it) shot of Boris Karloff and Marilyn Harris from Frankenstein (1931).

The photo was taken during production of the movie at Malibu Lake in Agoura, west of the San Fernando Valley.

Nice job, Ted!

Superman Celebration Nominated For Rondo Award Ballot

Above, Jack Larson (left) talks with Ted Newsom (upper right) and Jim Beaver. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Superman Celebration 2014 was nominated yesterday for a Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Award "Best Fan Event" by Ted Newsom at the Classic Horror Film Board Forum.

Newsom wrote in his nomination post:

For Best Fan Event of 2014, I nominate the fun, sweet, old-fashioned fan-convention-style celebration of ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN. 

This was a wonderful, sweet celebration of the 100th birthdays of Adventures of Superman actor George Reeves, Superman creators Jerome Siegel and Joseph Shuster and over 60 years of the Adventures of Superman, a plaque dedicated Saturday, August 16 at 5400 Wilbur Avenue, Tarzana, California. 

The site of the plaque was chosen as it was used in 1953 for a location shoot of the Adventures of Superman "The Man Who Could Read Minds" episode. Here, all principal characters of the show, Clark Kent (George Reeves), Perry White (John Hamilton), Lois Lane (Noel Neill), Jimmy Olsen (Jack Larson) and Inspector Bill Henderson (Robert Shayne), were filmed.  

Attending the plaque dedication were Jack Larson, Beverly Washburn, Laura Siegel Larson and Stephanie Shayne Parkin (Robert Shayne daughter) and about a hundred fans.  At the lunch afterward, the son of John Hamilton (Perry White) showed up and spoke, his first public appearance in 50 years. Jim Nolt, progenitor of the website "The Adventures Continue," was the coordinator, with able help from CHFB member Armand Vaquer, among others. 

The plaque dedication was open to the public.

Above, the dedicated plaque. Photo by John McCoy, Daily News.

The Rondo Awards Ballot has yet to be put together. It is generally comprised by fan nominations (such as this) and what (and who) the Rondo Award Committee members consider meritorious for a place on the ballot.

Keep an eye out at this blog for news on the 2014 Rondo Awards ballot.

A big SUPER thank-you to Ted!

Ted Newsom On The Mend

Above, Ted Newsom and Armand at the Superman plaque dedication last August.

Actor, writer and film historian Ted Newsom, I am happy to report, is on the mend from cancer surgery. He indicated a couple of weeks ago that he would be away from Facebook for a few days, but didn't indicate why.

He posted this the other day:

OK, I'm minus 1/3rd of a lung, but I got plenty of lungin'. and lungin's plenty for me.
Heck, Boris Karloff got by on about a third of a lung for 10 years. God bless him. I have sympathy 'way beyond what I had before. 

My muscles are still a little thore in the Thoracic region, but in the Loki neighborhood, I'm devilishly fine. Odin I always get confused with Onan, which has been embarrassing. If you ever, ever go through this yourself, make sure to keep your mythologies straight. They've offered me the role of the Rock in Ragnarok Around the Clock, but I'm holding out for Armageddon Stronger Every Day. 

They sent a small tank home with me. Very little ammunition, but I had fun bombarding the neighbor's house. Actually, it was Jim Nabor's house. Shazam! Sooprize sooprize sooprize!!!! 

The tank company called and said their driver was coming out tomorrow at my place. Great. Just what I need. I'm trying just to breathe a little, and some guy is going to show up in paisley and Speedos. However, he is showing up with another couple of small tanks, so I may take up squirrel hunting. My New Years resolution is to take up 1 and 2/3rds jogging, the rest of the time resting.

As you can see, his sense of humor wasn't removed with one third of a lung. And, no, he didn't have a sex change operation along with it either, despite the photo below.

Above, Ted in Bikini Jones.

Besides Boris Karloff (as he mentioned), John Wayne also managed to function with part of a lung removed and went on to win a Best Actor Oscar for True Grit. Perhaps Ted has a True Grit of his own in the future.

Best wishes to Ted for a speedy and full recovery!

Above, Jack Larson talks with Ted Newsom and Jim Beaver at the
Superman Celebration Luncheon last August. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Superman Plaque Dedication DVD Screen Captures

Above, the unveiling of the plaque.

The Superman Celebration DVD set, well done by Jared Copenhaver (grandson of James Bartholomew Nolt), contained coverage of the plaque dedication in Tarzana, photo gallery of the weekend's events), the luncheon speeches at the Beverly Garland Hotel and Brad Shey's collection of the best of Jack Larson entitled, "Jimmy!"

I was able to watch the entire set last night and was very impressed with the offerings on the two discs.

I made a few screen captures:

Above, yours truly and Jim Nolt at the plaque dedication in Tarzana.

Above, yours truly welcoming everyone and introducing the special guests.

Above, Stephanie Shayne's remarks. 

Above, Ted Newsom and I before the dedication.

Closet Supermen

During the Superman Celebration in Tarzana and North Hollywood, many fans arrived wearing Superman t-shirts of various styles. Charlie Rose was enterprising enough to bring along a suitcase full of George Reeves-styled Superman t-shirts depicting different seasons (yes, the 'S' emblems changed during the course of the 1951-1957 shows). I bought a black & white season version for myself and posted a photo of it below in black & white. The submission by Chris Brockow shows three of the Reeves styles that were available to fans at the Superman Celebration.

Ted Newsom posted the item at top showing Superman's costumes in Clark Kent's secret closet from three Adventures of Superman episodes. The top two were nicely colorized by Ted. (The "Jimmy The Kid" episode was produced in 1956, not 1957.)

Should Lois Lane stumble upon Clark's secret closet, the secret would be out. But thanks to fans around the country (and world), they have their own Superman shirts to throw Lois off the scent. I asked fans to submit their photos of their closeted Superman shirts (and I grabbed a couple from Facebook). More photos will be added as they come in.

Here's our "closet" Supermen:

Above, Michael R. Matarazzo.

Above, Jim Abbott.

Above, Paul Blake.

Above, Brad Shey.

Above, Armand Vaquer.

Above, Bobby Ryan.

Above, Ted Newsom.

Above, Chris Brockow.

Above, Steven Kirk.

Above, Jim Nolt.

Above, Bruce Kanin.

Above, Mike Cline.

Above, Jim Phillips.

Above, Lee Pecue.

Above, Victoria Bigelow.

Above, Fr. Mike Dieckmann.

Above, Michael Prince.

Above, Kerry Gammill.

The Superman Luncheon At The Beverly Garland Hotel

Above, Jack Larson talks with Jacqueline and John Hamilton, Jr.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Another event took place on Saturday following the Adventures of Superman plaque dedication. A luncheon was held at the Beverly Garland Hotel in North Hollywood to celebrate the show and honor George Reeves, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster for their 100th birthdays this year.

Above, screenwriter (Hollywoodland) Paul Bernbaum and Armand in the hotel bar.

The luncheon was attended by 200 fans and celebrities. They included actor Jack Larson, actresses Ruta Lee, Beverly Washburn and Stephanie Shayne Parkin and actor/stuntman/wrestler Gene LeBell. I sat with LeBell during the luncheon and we talked about my dad's meeting George Reeves at a Los Angeles area gym where Reeves practiced judo and my dad boxed. I can see why George Reeves liked LeBell, he's quite a character!

Above, Gene LeBell and Armand.

Before the luncheon, I talked with Hollywoodland screenwriter Paul Bernbaum in the hotel bar. It was a good and lively conversation and we were joined by Don Rhoden, who started The Adventures Continue fan magazine.

Above, Gary Grossman chatting with Jack Larson. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The luncheon was an enjoyable event. Each attendee was given a commemorative coin that included the images of Reeves and Siegel & Shuster.

Above, the video greetings by Alejandro Vacio. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Speakers included Beverly Washburn, Laura Siegel Larson, Ruta Lee, Brian McKernan, Paul Bernbaum, Jim Beaver, a video greeting by Alejandro Vacio (whose father was George Reeves's best friend, Natividad Vacio), Stephanie Shayne Parkin, Edward Lozzi, Larry Ward, Bruce Dettman and Gene LeBell. The program ended with video clips of some of the best scenes of Jack Larson and John Hamilton.  Following the video, Jack Larson addressed the luncheon.

Above, Jack Larson talking with Ted Newsom and Jim Beaver. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The luncheon was also attended by John Hamilton, Jr., his wife and daughter. This was the first time Jack Larson has seen John Hamilton, Jr. since 1958. The Hamiltons seemed to enjoy the program.

Above, some of the displays of Superman and George Reeves memorabilia. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Actress Ruta Lee spoke of the Superman episode she appeared in. She appeared as a teen dancer in the 1953 episode, "My Friend Superman."

Above, actress Ruta Lee. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Actor Jim Beaver spoke on what George Reeves has meant to him over the years.

Above, actor/author Jim Beaver. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Screenwriter Paul Bernbaum spoke of the making of Hollywoodland and of his disappointment that the movie didn't show George Reeves's benevolent side, although that was in the original script.

Above, screenwriter Paul Bernbaum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Stephanie Shayne Parkin spoke of her father's role as Inspector Henderson and what it was like to visit Disneyland when one of her parents was a big celebrity.

Above, Stephanie Shayne Parkin. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Edward Lozzi spoke of his life living at the estate of Toni Mannix and brought along a brochure that Toni Mannix helped design for George Reeves.

Above, Edward Lozzi. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Wrestler/stuntman/actor Gene LeBell spoke on his friendship with George Reeves.

Above, Gene LeBell. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Biographer Larry Ward spoke of the current life of Noel Neil, who now lives in an Arizona assisted-living home at age 93.

Above, Larry Ward. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Actress Beverly Washburn spoke on working with George Reeves twice during her career.

Above, Beverly Washburn. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Laura Siegel Larson spoke on what Superman has meant to pop culture, her father's enjoyment in writing on the Bizarro World in the early 1960s for DC Comics and of her father's influence on her writing.

Above, Laura Siegel Larson. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Jack Larson spoke on his work as Jimmy Olsen on the show and what it was like to have to adjust to becoming famous virtually overnight in New York once the show began airing on television.

Above, Jack Larson. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The luncheon also included displays of Superman and George Reeves memorabilia.