Got your ears on?

I didn't understand the CB craze of the 1970's.  Truckers used citizens' band radios before the advent of cell phones so they could let other OTR's know where the next filling station was located - or 'Smokeys'.  All I know is that many of my friends got real obnoxious with their handles and CB banter on and off the air.  I couldn't stand being in a car with someone going back and forth.  What made things worse was all those cheesy movies, T.V. shows and songs that came out based on CBers, Truck'n and Smokeys.  I'm glad all that's all in my rear-view mirror.

Hey look, there goes a pregnant roller skate.

He's not an actor, he's a MOVIE STAR!

Peter O'Toole just announced that he is retiring from show business.  What a start he had - as T.E. Lawrence in David Lean's Lawrence of Arabia!  So many great movies and what a fine stage presence.  Have you seen My Favorite Year?  You really must.  It might not be considered his most memorable- but what an enjoyable romp.  Goodbye Mr. O'Toole!
I'm a working stiff, baby, just like everybody else.

-Peter O'Toole

goodbye to one of the good ones

01/24/1917 to 07/08/2012

Ernest made a good heavy.  Yet when we saw that big smile rise on his broad face, we knew that this big man was really a good guy after all.  Ernest Borgnine played hundreds of roles throughout his 70 year career, but he'll fondly be remembered by us boomers as our favorite fictional P.T. Boat Commander Lt. McHale in McHale's Navy.  It is said that it's the role that was closest to who this soul really was. Ernie was one of the good ones.

Mayberry in the rearview.

This is a response to a Boomerville, USA Facebook Group query about how it would be nice to bring Mayberry back.  I know the comment was in fun, but it caused me to ponder about where we have come, where we are, and going..

So many remakes being made today of previous television shows/old movie classics. The original Andy Griffith Show actors, to me, are cemented to the characters they played. Even when the original characters reunited for 'Return to Mayberry' in the 80's - it fell flat. Even the original characters seemed out of step in their own shoes.  Eventually Andy left town and the show was renamed Mayberry RFD.  The lead roll was given to the very talented and down to earth fellow Ken Berry. The show was good, but Mayberry just wasn't the same anymore. Andy was gone, Barney was gone, Floyd was gone.  I just lost interest in Mayberry.  All my friends had left.  The town just wasn't the same anymore.

A few years after leaving the show Andy Griffith tried to recreate his prior success with The New Andy Griffith Show that also fizzled. The New Andy Griffith Show had many of the same actors but not the same names/characters. The town was Greenwood, NC and Andy played Andy Sawyer.  It didn't have the depth.  It just wasn't the same.

Today's ethics/values/morals have gone down the tubes. Even if someone could capture the time, place and people - it just wouldn't be the same. My mind goes to the movie Pleasantville. Here an era was captured but the wholesomeness of what we desire in a picture would more than likely be bastardized by the perverted minds of today. Andy would be fornicating with Ellie Walker. Opie would be suspended from school because he was found with a slingshot in his back pocket. Gomer would come out of the closet. Thelmalu would be a feminist pushing her NOW pro-abortion agenda. Poor Barney would become a  basket case because his masculinity would be completely stripped because of his love for Thelmalu. If it's up to Hollywood - there would be an underlying twisted agenda that we see everyday on the big and little screen. I seriously doubt if the Hollywood today could make something as good and wholesome as the original.   I don't know if you can really return to Mayberry.  That's the bad news.  The good news is...we'll always have reruns.

loved by all

Everyone here in Boomerville, USA are deeply saddened by the loss of our dear friend Andrew Jackson Taylor.  We will all remember the happiness you brought to each of us in our youth.  We will remember the lessons you taught.  We will remember your gentle ways, your laughter, your songs, and your smile.  We will all miss you Andy.

David B. Finlayson
Mayor of Boomerville, USA

Sheriff Andy Taylor, Mayberry, RFD