Tenth Anniversary of Jack Larson's Passing

Above, the Superman Plaque Dedication in August 2014
in Tarzana as covered by the Los Angeles Daily News.

Jim Nolt of The Adventures Continue posted on Facebook that it was ten years ago today that Jack Larson, who immortalized the character of Jimmy Olsen on the Adventures of Superman, passed away.

He died at his home in Brentwood, California.

A memorial service was held at UCLA a few months later at the James Bridges Theater, which I attended. Afterwards, several of us went over to the Smoke House Restaurant in Burbank, within walking distance of Warner Bros. Studios. 

Above, the memorial booklet.

It is hard to believe that ten years has passed.  

Lost Dutchman's Spring Clampout

Above, yours truly at the clampsite with a favorite beverage.

The Spring Clampout of Lost Dutchman Chapter No. 5917 + 4 is now in the history books.

The clampout was held in Quartzsite, Arizona and the plaque dedication was for the Hagley Store, which is now in ruins (but somewhat protected). 

Above, the Hagley Store ruins. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The temperature was over 100° for the most part. We did get some relief on Saturday when a thick cloud cover moved into the area.

I left Jamestown on Wednesday and stayed Wednesday night at the Flagstaff KOA. This was the first time I stayed there since around 1987. I arrived at the clampsite about noon on Thursday. 

Above, the RV at the Flagstaff KOA. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For Friday night's dinner, we had jambalaya. It didn't look appetizing to some, but it actually was good and spicy hot. 

Above, the jambalaya dinner of Friday. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Saturday dinner was bar-b-que beef steak and all the trimmings. 

On the way home Sunday, I met up with Mitch Geriminsky in Parker, Arizona's Blue Water Casino Hotel. While waiting for him, I managed to win a whopping fifty cents on an electronic version of roulette. 

Above, the Hagley Store plaque. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I stayed Sunday night at the Holbrook KOA as I got a late start on the road and I was tired. I also took advantage of the stay by emptying the motorhome's holding tanks. 

Above, clampers who were instrumental in erecting the plaque. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The plaque dedication for the Hagley Store was well attended by clampers, local Quartzsite officials and townspeople. 

Above, the official clampout t-shirt. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Saturday night, the Hall of Comparative Ovations was held to initiate the new members into the Order. I took part in the reading of the ritual (as Royal Platrix). At one point during my reading, my throat got congested briefly (relieved by a swig of water) from chronic allergies. After that, it was smooth sailing.

All in all, it was a successful and fun clampout. 

ECV El Rancho Hotel Plaque Dedication Gallup Sun Article

Above, the plaque dedicated August 10, 2019 at the El Rancho Hotel. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Even though it has been a few years since the Lost Dutchman Chapter of E Clampus Vitus dedicated a plaque at the El Rancho Hotel & Motel in Gallup, New Mexico, I hadn't seen the following article from the Gallup Sun until this morning.

I was looking for something else and the article popped up during a search.

They began it with:

The Lost Dutchman Chapter No. 5917 of the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus, a fraternal organization dedicated to preserving the heritage of the American West, dedicated a plaque to the El Rancho Hotel, Aug. 10.  The location, at 1000 E. Hwy. 66, is now a historical site.

The El Rancho Hotel was constructed in 1936 for R.E. Griffith, brother of filmmaker D.W. Griffith, and served as a base camp for movie crews and actors. That site and its proximity to western landscapes, made it an ideal place to make movies.

Above, some of the ECV brothers at the El Rancho Hotel. 

The plaque is in the hotel's main lobby under a portrait of Armand Ortega.

To read the full article, go here.

Back From The Clampout

Around 2:30 this afternoon, I got back home in Jamestown, New Mexico from the fall clampout with Lost Dutchman Chapter of E Clampus Vitus.

The clampout was held in Bouse, Arizona, which was part of Gen. George S. Patton's Desert Training Center. It was quite hot during the daytime hours. Sierra remained at home minding the store.

We had a plaque dedication for a new plaque along with a rededication of an older plaque that was relocated a small park. In fact, the park holds s everal clamper plaques along with some military vehicles. It has to be the biggest collection of clamper plaques outside of Murphys, California. They were placed in various years by the Lost Dutchman and/or Billy Holcomb and Squibob Chapters.

The new and old plaques commemorate the A & C Mercantile store, the oldest business in Bouse.

A few photos:

Above, the old plaque is below the new one. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the A & C Mercantie store. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a row of past ECV plaques. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a WWII tank on display at the park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, getting the dedication set-up. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, yours truly at the plaque dedication.

Above, the reading of the plaque. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Ten Years Since Superman Celebration

Above, the plaque dedication in Tarzana.

Thanks to Brian McKernan for posting the following, this almost slipped by me.

He wrote:

August 15, 2014: Hard to believe it’s been ten years now since I had the honor of being part of the group that gathered at the Beverly Garland Hotel in North Hollywood for a weekend to observe the 100th birthday of Adventures of Superman actor George Reeves and the co-creators of the Superman character, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.

The entire event was organized by Adventures Continue creator Jim Nolt, with help from Armand Vaquer, Jared Copenhaver, and many others. It began with the placing of a commemorative plaque in Tarzana on Saturday, Aug. 16 to mark the 1953 filming of location shots for the television episode “The Man Who Could Read Minds.”

Later that day was a luncheon with VIP speakers including: Laura Siegel Larson, daughter of Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel; Jimmy Olsen actor Jack Larson; series actors Beverly Washburn and Ruta Lee; Stephanie Shayne (daughter of Inspector Henderson actor Robert Shayne); John Hamilton (son of fictional Daily Planet editor actor John Hamilton); Paul Bernbaum, the screenwriter for Hollywoodland (the 2006 movie about George Reeves); John Rockwell, star of the filmed 1961 Superboy pilot; and many others. 

Above, Jack Larson addresses the attendees at the plaque dedication. By the Daily News.

The plaque dedication in Tarzana and the luncheon in North Hollywood were well-attended and enjoyable. We even got some press coverage thanks to the Los Angeles Daily News.

Unfortunately, during the past ten years, we have lost a few who attended: Jack Larson, Gene LeBell, Ted Newsom, John Hamilton Jr. (son of Perry White). (If I have missed anyone, feel free to post their names in the comments.)  

Since then, the plaque was re-located a few feet from its original spot with better anchoring.

Above, Laura Siegel Larson addresses the luncheon attendees. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The plaque location:

Above, from Roadside America.

Superman Statue News Brings Back Memories

Above, DC Comics Vice President Paul Levitz and Joanne Siegel at  the
 "Superman Week" luncheon at Cafe Pinot in 2001. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

News about the proposed Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster Tribute Plaza and the upcoming press conference on Thursday brought back memories.

First off, it reminded me of the "Superman Week" ceremony and luncheon held at the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in July 2001. 

This was the event that fans of the Adventures of Superman gathered for the ceremony that was attended by Joanne Siegel, widow of Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel, and their daughter Laura Siegel Larson along with Jack Larson, Noel Neill, Robert Rockwell, Jeff Corey, DC Comics Vice President Paul Levitz and others. The event was hosted by then-Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich.

Following the ceremony, the attendees held a luncheon at Cafe Pinot. Paul Levitz graciously picked up the tab for the luncheon.

Above, the 2014 Adventures of Superman plaque dedication.
Laura Siegel Larson is kneeling in front in blue.

Then, in 2014, a plaque dedication was held in Tarzana, California honoring the cast of the Adventures of Superman focusing on the episode, "The Man Who Could Read Minds", in 1953 in which all of the cast members participated in a location shoot there. This was followed by a luncheon at the Beverly Garland Hotel. Laura Siegel Larson also attended these events.

Roadside America posted the location of the plaque (for those who wish to go see it) here.

Superman Plaque Dedication 9th Anniversary

Above, the Adventures of Superman plaque on September 23, 2022. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday was the 9th anniversary of the Adventures of Superman plaque dedication in Tarzana, California.

This was posted by Brian McKernan on Facebook:

August 16, 2014: Fans of The Adventures of Superman TV series dedicate a plaque in Tarzana, California, where location shots for the 1953 second-season episode “The Man Who Could Read Minds” were filmed.

From left is Jack Larson (TV’s original Jimmy Olsen), fan Steven Kirk, Jacqueline Hamilton (granddaughter of “Perry White” actor John R. Hamilton), actress Beverly Washburn (child actress in Superman and the Mole Men), Adventures Continue president/event organizer Jim Nolt, and Adventures Continue associate/monument supervisor Armand Vaquer. Kneeling: Stephanie Shayne (daughter of “Inspector Henderson” actor Robert Shayne) and Laura Siegel Larson (daughter of Superman writer/co-creator Jerry Siegel). Photo by Steve Friedman.

                                                             

Since the 2014 dedication, the plaque has been moved to the corner, which, I think, is a better spot for it with better anchoring. If memory serves, it was moved in 2018.

Here's the plaque today (photo shot last September):

Boot Hill Photo To The Flatlander II

Once upon a time, there was an "unofficial" newspaper/newsletter of E Clampus Vitus called The Clamper. 

When that went belly-up, it was (more or less) replaced by The Flatlander Nugget. 

When The Flatlander Nugget also later went belly-up, it was replaced by the current newspaper/newsletter called The Flatlander II.

This morning, I sent The Flatlander II a photo for the next issue of Lost Dutchman Chapter's Noble Grand Humbug Michael Manning and the Mayor of Tombstone, Arizona, Dusty Escapule, at the plaque dedication at Boot Hill Graveyard on April 15.

The photo release is as follows:

Over 330 Clampers attended the plaque dedication at Boot Hill Graveyard in Tombstone, Arizona on April 15. Pictured above is Lost Dutchman NGH Michael Manning and Tombstone Mayor Dusty Escapule with the plaque. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

ECV...MC?!

The Tombstone News (Arizona) posted the following article on the plaque dedication at the Boot Hill Graveyard in Tombstone.

It's not a bad article, except E Clampus Vitus is not a motorcycle club. Where the heck did they get that crazy idea?

UPDATE:

After being notified, the newspaper corrected the article and posted it online:

Boot Hill Gets Plaqued By Lost Dutchman Chapter

Above, Clampers and PBCs gather for the Boot Hill Graveyard plaque dedication. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday, over 300 Clampers and Poor Blind Candidates (PBC) joined the mayor of Tombstone, Arizona, Dusty Escapule, to dedicate a monument plaque at the famous Boot Hill Graveyard.

The monument is located next to the main building/gift store of the cemetery. 

The dedication consisted of speeches on the history of Boot Hill and greetings by Mayor Escapule along with a reading of the plaque's text.

Here's some photos of the dedication:

Above, the monument and plaque. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, some of the early arrivals. Photo by Armand Vaquer. 

Above, the gift store/main building. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, more clampers. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a section of the Boot Hill Graveyard. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Clampers being welcomed by Mayor Dusty Escapule. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the reading of the plaque text by a PBC. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Humbug Mike Manning and Mayor Escapule. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Boot Hill Graveyard Plaque Dedication Today

A plaque dedication will take place this morning at the famous Boot Hill Graveyard in Tombstone. 

It will be interesting to see how over 300 Clampers will be able to fit into the parking lot in front of the main building. 

Above, the plaque monument under construction.  Photo by Armand Vaquer. 

Now In Tombstone

What better place for a Clampout than near an old western town with lots of saloons?

Above, at the Crystal Palace Saloon.

Jack Larson's 95th Birthday

Above, Jack Larson and George Reeves.

Today would have been the 95th birthday of Jack Larson, who played Jimmy Olsen in the Adventures of Superman television show of the 1950s. 

He was born on February 8, 1928 in Los Angeles. He passed away on September 20, 2015.

It is interesting to me that he was a few months older than my dad, who passed away in 1999. He, too, would have turned 95 this year. 

Above, Supervisor Mike Antonovich and Jack Larson at the "Superman Week"
ceremony on July 10, 2001. Photo courtesy of the office of Supervisor Antonovich.

The last time I saw Jack Larson was on August 16, 2014 at the Adventures of Superman plaque dedication in Tarzana, California and the luncheon that followed in Studio City. He seemed in good health for his age that day.

The Los Angeles Daily News published an article on the plaque dedication and Larson and I wound up in an accompanying photo in the print edition (below).

Happy 95th birthday, Jack!

Goodies In The Mailbox

 

Above, the new Superman book and the American Silver Eagle coin. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After a four hour drive, I made it home from Monument Valley.

It was a nice drive and I made only two stops. The first was for coffee in Window Rock, Arizona and for a couple of grocery item at T & R Supermarket in Gallup.

This was an enjoyable trip. I'll have to do it again.

While unpacking, I did notice something that did mar an otherwise great trip. A chrome wheelcover is missing from the passenger rear wheel. It either fell off (I didn't hear anything) or was stolen. It could have happened either at T & R or in Window Rock (at a Speedway gas station). I am having a Winnebago dealer locate a replacement. 

Some goodies did arrive in the mail while I was gone. I had ordered a Jeep soft top window repair kit last week. One of the vinyl (or plastic) windows is cracking, so this will repair it. 

My 2022 American Silver Eagle coin that I ordered a week or so ago arrived. Beautiful coin!

Next, which is a surprise, a book by friend Brian McKernan, With Thanks To Superman, arrived. It was autographed by Brian. Yours truly is mentioned and a photo of a group of us at the 2014 plaque dedication in Tarzana is in the book. It is a compilation of "40 years' worth of Superman reports, interviews and reflections." Looks to be a good read! (The Superman figure on the cover looks a bit like Leonard Nimoy.)

Thanks, Brian!

"Adventures of Superman" Plaque Database Listings

Above, article on the plaque dedication by the Daily News.

Last night, I was perusing around online and I came upon some postings about the Adventures of Superman plaque we dedicated in Tarzana, California in August 2014.

I wasn't planning on saying anything until two years from now when the tenth anniversary of that dedication arrives. It is even hard to believe that in two months, eight years will have passed since the dedication. But since many aren't aware the plaque even exists, even though the dedication did get some good press, I thought it would be a good time to note some websites who have posted information on the plaque and where it's located so they can go see it.

Above, the Adventures of Superman plaque. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I should note for posterity that two who were at the dedication, one as a participant and one as a spectator, are no longer with us. They being Jack Larson, who helped made the Adventures of Superman the classic television show it is with his portrayal as Jimmy Olsen and Ted Newsom, whose knowledge of entertainment history educated many over the years. Actress Noel Neill couldn't attend the dedication due to her fragile health at the time but was well aware of the plaque, is also no longer with us.

I was checking around for websites that posted listings about the plaque, some I've already posted about, and found some more.

The first is Roadside America. I have posted about their listing before, but here is their listing about the plaque: https://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/44540.

Next, is Historical Marker Database. Here is their listing: https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=125644.

Nicelocal has also posted a listing about the plaque. Their listing can be reached at: https://nicelocal.com/los-angeles/cultural_places/adventures_of_superman_plaque/.

Another listing is at Geek Field Guides. Their listing can be reached at: https://www.geekfieldguides.com/superman-plaque-tarzana-california/.

For those who haven't seen the August 16, 2014 dedication, here's a four minute clip of Jack Larson's address:

Sharp Eyes and the Roy Rogers Plaque

Last evening, I posted on The Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Fan Group on Facebook the blog post of last year's Billy Holcomb Chapter (of the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus) Roy Rogers and Dale Evans plaque dedication.

The administrator of the group, with sharp eyes, asked:

Was there not an E on the end of Sly.???

Roy Rogers birth (or real name) was Leonard Slye.

Here's the plaque in question:

Above, the Roy Rogers/Dale Evans plaque. Photo by Gary Julian.

For those unfamiliar with the traditions of E Clampus Vitus, the Order was founded during the California Gold Rush and was/is based on poking fun on other (more serious) fraternal orders. E Clampus Vitus (ECV) is based on humor. 

One of the more humorous aspects of ECV is that it is traditional to have one misspelled word in ECV plaques. Therefore, that is why Leonard Slye in the plaque was misspelled "Leonard Sly".

This question came up years ago regarding the Godzilla plaque in Los Angeles by a non-Clamper. 

I posted an explanation accordingly. 

UPDATE:

It appears Roy Rogers' family name was spelled both ways. So it looks like the "misspelling" was unintentional in this case.

Here's Roy's father's marriage document: