tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83468460172461729552024-02-08T06:34:19.656-08:00I Come From Circus FolkRegan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786586311631698822noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8346846017246172955.post-81723283415210286912013-11-23T13:24:00.001-08:002013-11-23T13:24:21.130-08:00Something Wicked This Way Went: Whatever Happened to the Creepy Circus? | EsoterXInteresting and good piece that asks where the creep went:<a href="http://esoterx.com/2013/11/18/something-wicked-this-way-went-whatever-happened-to-the-creepy-circus/">Something Wicked This Way Went: Whatever Happened to the Creepy Circus? | EsoterX</a><br />
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I still find the circus, and related venues, including, of course, clowns, creepy, if nothing else just by definition. Regan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786586311631698822noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8346846017246172955.post-64450410707917475812013-07-10T14:50:00.001-07:002013-07-10T14:50:44.273-07:00Found Blog Page: "DIRECTED BY JOHN FORD - Duke R. Lee"Don't know how old this site is, but here's a page on my paternal grandfather Duke R Lee.<a href="http://www.directedbyjohnford.com/peoplepages/dlee.html">DIRECTED BY JOHN FORD - Duke R. Lee</a>Regan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786586311631698822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8346846017246172955.post-23992409123617695142013-06-30T22:47:00.001-07:002013-06-30T22:47:23.162-07:00The World’s Weirdest Theme Parks - Yahoo! Finance<a href="http://finance.yahoo.com/news/world-weirdest-theme-parks-170614178.html">The World’s Weirdest Theme Parks - Yahoo! Finance</a>Regan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786586311631698822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8346846017246172955.post-28286464509641610222013-06-22T13:43:00.002-07:002013-06-22T13:43:50.125-07:00Just Tony, 1922 with Duke Lee<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LgyLKsgf_0s/UcYMV0tkzQI/AAAAAAAAImU/vLL4cdSyyEY/s1600/MixJustTonydukelee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LgyLKsgf_0s/UcYMV0tkzQI/AAAAAAAAImU/vLL4cdSyyEY/s320/MixJustTonydukelee.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://silenthollywood.com/justtony1922.html">Just Tony, 1922</a>: </div>
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Tony the Horse </div>
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Tom Mix ... Jim Perris</div>
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J.P. Lockney ... Oliver Jordan</div>
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Claire Adams ... Marianne Jordan</div>
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Frank Campeau ... Lew Hervey</div>
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<b>Duke R. Lee ... Manuel Cordova (as Duke Lee)</b></div>
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Walt Robbins ... Shorty (uncredited)</div>
Regan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786586311631698822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8346846017246172955.post-55674356012927639352013-06-22T13:33:00.001-07:002013-06-22T13:33:19.147-07:00Tom Mix Movie: "Son of the Golden West" with Duke Lee<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.genordell.com/stores/western/covers/pTMsongoldenwest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Son of The Golden West movie poster directed by Eugene Forde, starring Tom Mix" border="0" height="400" src="http://www.genordell.com/stores/western/covers/pTMsongoldenwest.jpg" width="248" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica;"><b>"Son of The Golden West"</b></span> 1928 silent film</div>
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Directed by Eugene Forde. Cast: Tom Mix, Sharon Lynn, Thomas G. Lingham, <b>Duke R. Lee,</b> Fritzi Ridgeway, and Tony the Horse
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Regan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786586311631698822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8346846017246172955.post-39833158996606585002013-06-22T13:26:00.001-07:002013-06-22T13:26:37.474-07:001932 Ellensburg Daily Record : Tom Mix Hurt in Fall With TonyDuke Lee mentioned in article:<a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=860&dat=19321022&id=rtArAAAAIBAJ&sjid=tYQFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2582,1760539">Ellensburg Daily Record - Google News Archive Search</a>Regan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786586311631698822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8346846017246172955.post-9696405136209090782013-06-22T13:07:00.001-07:002013-06-22T13:07:23.245-07:00Buffalo Bill and William Cody<a href="http://xroads.virginia.edu/~HYPER/HNS/BuffaloBill/realbill.html">Buffalo Bill and William Cody</a>Regan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786586311631698822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8346846017246172955.post-72180602291618185452013-06-22T13:01:00.001-07:002013-06-22T13:01:51.982-07:00Carny and Circus History from Docs Midway Cookhouse<a href="http://www.docsmidwaycookhouse.com/">Circus and carnival history with great carnival pictures and circus photos, circus and carnival historian</a>Regan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786586311631698822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8346846017246172955.post-42806572322476364402013-06-22T00:16:00.001-07:002013-06-22T00:16:12.467-07:00UFO files | Newly released files from The National ArchivesHere it is, the link:<a href="http://ufos.nationalarchives.gov.uk/">UFO files | Newly released files from The National Archives</a>Regan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786586311631698822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8346846017246172955.post-75369776353338534162013-06-21T23:49:00.001-07:002013-06-21T23:49:17.652-07:00The Crumbling Chaos of Abandoned Amusement ParksPhotos of lost theme parks from around the world. Definitely has that surreal, sometimes dark creepy carny vibe. <a href="http://io9.com/the-crumbling-chaos-of-abandoned-amusement-parks-514682250">The Crumbling Chaos of Abandoned Amusement Parks</a>Regan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786586311631698822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8346846017246172955.post-89388560436082570902013-04-07T12:45:00.001-07:002013-04-07T12:45:38.634-07:00Escaped circus camels cause traffic delays in Hassleholm, Sweden - UPI.com<a href="http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2013/04/07/Escaped-circus-camels-cause-traffic-delays/UPI-91501365362983/">Escaped circus camels cause traffic delays in Hassleholm, Sweden - UPI.com:</a><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><i><span class="story_dl">HASSLEHOLM, Sweden, April 7 (UPI) -- </span>A pack of camels wandered off from a circus in southern Sweden and ended up causing traffic delays, officials said.</i><br />
<i>Five camels somehow managed to get out of their temporary enclosure at the Circus Olympia on the outskirts of Hassleholm Saturday night, The Local.se reported.</i><br />
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Read more: <a href="http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2013/04/07/Escaped-circus-camels-cause-traffic-delays/UPI-91501365362983/#ixzz2PoCEQOdT" style="color: #003399;">http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2013/04/07/Escaped-circus-camels-cause-traffic-delays/UPI-91501365362983/#ixzz2PoCEQOdT</a></i></div></blockquote>Regan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786586311631698822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8346846017246172955.post-41147592870665964012013-04-05T16:32:00.001-07:002013-04-05T16:32:11.677-07:00Robert Barrow: Let's Go to the Fair!<a href="http://robert-barrow.blogspot.com/2013/04/lets-go-to-fair_5.html">Robert Barrow: Let's Go to the Fair!</a>Regan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786586311631698822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8346846017246172955.post-61570980125371015542012-09-18T21:34:00.001-07:002012-09-18T21:34:43.996-07:00 The Kansas City Journal 1909: Duke Lee Leaves Police Force to Join Wild West ShowD<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5HtIEg5-YY/UFlK9Ca_c6I/AAAAAAAAHQs/TBfcG7kbYWc/s1600/DukeLeecop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5HtIEg5-YY/UFlK9Ca_c6I/AAAAAAAAHQs/TBfcG7kbYWc/s400/DukeLeecop.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duke R Lee</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Many thanks to author and researcher A.I. Little, who emailed me asking if the Duke Lee in this Kansas City article from 1909 is my grandfather. Indeed, it is! I knew he was married before he married my grandmother, Louise Gladstone, one of the Gladstone Sisters. And I knew the other history mentioned in the article, except for his being a cop. My mother confirmed that bit of info earlier today. <a href="http://www.vintagekansascity.com/100yearsago/2009/04/duke-lee-quits-force-big-cop-returns-to.html">News Items from The Kansas City Journal ~ Old News That's New to You from Vintage Kansas City.com</a></span>Regan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786586311631698822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8346846017246172955.post-31236117094339728702012-09-09T12:08:00.001-07:002012-09-09T12:08:02.488-07:00Buffalo Bill performer, removed from Conn. grave, reburied at S.D. reservation - Norwich, CT - The Bulletin<a href="http://www.norwichbulletin.com/entertainment/x1885025639/Buffalo-Bill-performer-removed-from-Conn-grave-reburied-at-S-D-reservation#axzz2608Mx7uQ">Buffalo Bill performer, removed from Conn. grave, reburied at S.D. reservation - Norwich, CT - The Bulletin</a>Regan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786586311631698822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8346846017246172955.post-69608612837506022372012-01-20T20:10:00.000-08:002012-01-20T20:10:51.916-08:00Novel: Tom Mix Died For Your Sins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zkXyIh2nJvY/Txo3iKALNtI/AAAAAAAAGY4/-TjhRAEK0OI/s1600/CoverTomMixdiedSins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zkXyIh2nJvY/Txo3iKALNtI/AAAAAAAAGY4/-TjhRAEK0OI/s1600/CoverTomMixdiedSins.jpg" /></a></div>I bought this book years ago at a second hand bookstore because of the title. I have yet to read it, and it's been a long time since I looked at it. I noticed it on the shelf the other day, and just noticed that the author, Darryl Ponicsan, also wrote <i>The Last Detail</i> and <i>Cinderella Liberty.</i><br />
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It's a novel, with Tom Mix as a character -- a what if kind of tale. The book has a few photographs of Mix.<br />
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My uncle, Duke Lee (son of Duke R. Lee) is named in the book's acknowledgements.Regan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786586311631698822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8346846017246172955.post-75891083694944930472012-01-04T21:48:00.000-08:002012-01-04T21:48:22.396-08:00My Grandfather, the Map MakerMy mother's father, William H. Galvani, (actual last name <span class="st">Nikoulin</span>) was many things: a 32nd degree Mason, a Buddhist, a vegetarian, a Jewish scholar, mayor, banker,<a href="http://http://books.google.com/books?id=AmcUAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA332&lpg=PA332&dq=map+by+william+h.+galvani&source=bl&ots=dajWrcIjkI&sig=-BLQoyo86QcTH-fCqmpFvXoylRc&hl=en&sa=X&ei=eTYFT-rdEqjdiAKa0ciVDQ&ved=0CCYQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=map%20by%20william%20h.%20galvani&f=false"> historian,</a> surveyor and <a href="http://www.worldcat.org/title/new-sectional-township-county-map-of-washington/oclc/33256187/editions?referer=di&editionsView=true">map maker.</a> His maps are available through a few collectors. Unfortunately, they are asking a lot of money for these maps. Sadly, no one in my family has any of these maps.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.worldcat.org/identities/np-galvani,%20william%20h">Galvani, William H. [WorldCat Identities]</a>Regan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786586311631698822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8346846017246172955.post-72926529869000322382011-12-29T11:18:00.000-08:002011-12-29T11:18:03.613-08:00Tamara Shayne<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D9eTQ4l61xk/Tvy8D3m2WGI/AAAAAAAAGWw/Vj-mOzwThU8/s1600/TamaraShayne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D9eTQ4l61xk/Tvy8D3m2WGI/AAAAAAAAGWw/Vj-mOzwThU8/s1600/TamaraShayne.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tamara Shayne, great uncle's </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamara_Shayne">Wikipedia entry on Tamara Shayne.</a> Tamara was my great uncle's daughter. She was married to Akim Tamiroff. Tamara was an actress, appearing in films and on Broadway. My mother lived with them for a short time when she first came to Los Angeles in the late 1940's.Regan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786586311631698822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8346846017246172955.post-6549237242881334982011-12-19T15:34:00.000-08:002011-12-19T15:34:30.395-08:001933 Western: The Forest Grandpa Duke listed in credits as "Jake," a henchman, in this western starring Randolph Scott. <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/YsZKF1b_ESs" width="420"></iframe>Regan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786586311631698822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8346846017246172955.post-55499016383852928962011-12-18T19:57:00.000-08:002011-12-18T19:57:03.591-08:00Facebook Page<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Duke-Lee-Akim-Tamiroff-Gladsonte-Sisters/340432509304771#%21/pages/Duke-Lee-Akim-Tamiroff-Gladsonte-Sisters/340432509304771?sk=wall&filter=1">I started a FB page on this topic; </a>I think I should have just called it "I Come From Circus Folk" but I didn't realize what the process was, exactly, as I was going through it. So it's clumsily called Duke Lee, Akim Tamiroff, the Gladstone Sisters...oh well. Take a look and feel free to contribute your own links to circus and old time movie history, the west, vaudville, Calfornia history -- especially movie history -- Tom Mix circus, etc.Regan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786586311631698822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8346846017246172955.post-29276233622073032502011-12-18T15:12:00.000-08:002011-12-18T15:13:15.879-08:00Wikipedia Entry: Duke R. LeeWikipedia's brief bio and filmography on my paternal grandfather Duke R. Lee:<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duke_R._Lee">Duke R. Lee - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a>Regan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786586311631698822noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8346846017246172955.post-82057329190275509432011-12-11T19:04:00.000-08:002012-01-03T18:55:03.012-08:00Antique Army Revolver: Sold! Duke R. Lee's Circus Gun<i>Added on January 3rd 2012: Grandpa Duke looks very much like my father, John (Jack, or "Big D" as we called him) Lee in this photo! </i><br />
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I was contacted today by someone who bought this revolver at auction. The revolver belonged to my grandfather Duke R. Lee, who was a carny, actor, stunt man, AD, and so much more. According to the information at the auction site, the revolver belonged to my uncle (deceased) at one time. The retired curator of the Gene Autry museum had bought it from my aunt; (Duke Jr.'s wife.) I never knew of this because, as I commented to the auction winner now in possession of the revolver, that side of the family had always been estranged from the rest of us. Even though I lived with my father, John (Jack) Gladstone Lee, Duke's younger brother, when I was a teen-ager, that side of the family didn't see eye to eye with us. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span><a href="http://www.rockislandauction.com/viewitem/aid/54/lid/3214">Black Powder Colt Single Action Army Revolver, Documented to Two Generations of Western Actors</a><br />
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Here's the blurb from the auction site:<br />
<blockquote>According to factory records (copy included) this revolver was shipped 27 March 1876 to H & D Folsom Arms of New York City. Fixed sights, with the one line Hartford address on the barrel, two-line patent dates on the frame, and "45 CAL" on the trigger guard. Matching numbers on the frame, grip straps and cylinder. Smooth one-piece burl walnut grips. Included with the lot is an authenticity letter from a prior owner, who states this arm was the property of Duke R. Lee (1881-1959) and his son Duke Lee (?-1999), aka "Big Duke" and "Little Duke". Big Duke rode with the Buffalo Bill Cody show, the Tom Mix Circus and the Miller Brothers 101 Wild West before making his break into film in 1915. Little Duke also worked as a rider in the Tom Mix Circus, and transitioned to film and television work. Also included are pictures of the Dukes, as well as a copy of Big Duke's filmography.</blockquote><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6UxHKeBRdIk/TuVthQvsCOI/AAAAAAAAGVA/K_rAbhZU100/s1600/Duke+R.+Lee+revolver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6UxHKeBRdIk/TuVthQvsCOI/AAAAAAAAGVA/K_rAbhZU100/s320/Duke+R.+Lee+revolver.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The revolver sold at auction</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1cO3ckORqWU/TuVtt2047vI/AAAAAAAAGVI/aY0byBfYm1U/s1600/Duke+R.+Lee+with+gun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1cO3ckORqWU/TuVtt2047vI/AAAAAAAAGVI/aY0byBfYm1U/s320/Duke+R.+Lee+with+gun.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My grandfather, Duke R. Lee with revolver. He looks quite a bit like my dad John Gladstone Lee here!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zQKeWwsDAps/TuVuAOrtCjI/AAAAAAAAGVQ/xoEbpNpTvxQ/s1600/lettergunDukeRLee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zQKeWwsDAps/TuVuAOrtCjI/AAAAAAAAGVQ/xoEbpNpTvxQ/s320/lettergunDukeRLee.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Excerpt of letter from retired curator of the Autry Museum, previous owner of the revolver</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tIbPy6ulRo0/TuVuSX3fyfI/AAAAAAAAGVY/xjiF4jPhxIY/s1600/certificateDukeRLeegun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tIbPy6ulRo0/TuVuSX3fyfI/AAAAAAAAGVY/xjiF4jPhxIY/s320/certificateDukeRLeegun.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Certificate: Revolver</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Regan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786586311631698822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8346846017246172955.post-395013465027373372011-10-09T00:13:00.000-07:002011-10-09T00:15:33.039-07:00Esoteric Claims to Fame, Or: My Cousin Was a MIB<i>Reposted from my <a href="http://binnallofamerica.com/tr.html">Trickster's Realm column</a> for <a href="http://binnallofamerica.com/">Binnall of America</a>, September 2010</i><br />
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<center> <span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><span style="font-size: 130%;">Esoteric Claims to Fame, Or: My Cousin Was a MIB </span> </b><b> </b></span></span></span></center> <span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b> </b></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td>An item on <a href="http://naturalplane.blogspot.com/" target="NEW">Lon Sticker’s Phantoms and Monsters</a> about Elvis and his life long interest in UFOs inspired me to write about the time I met Elvis in Los Angles when I was working at the Free Clinic. (see <a href="http://www.ufomystic.com/2010/08/16/elvis-ufo/" target="NEW">my post</a> on UFO Mystic.) That was one of my brushes with fame, and esoteric in a round about way, since Elvis had a strong curiosity about UFOs and believed in extraterrestrial life. <br />
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<tr><td>Another esoteric brush with fame is, I think, waaaaaaaay cool. It concerns Boris Badenov. Yes, that Boris Badenov! Legend has it that the character actor Akim Tarmioff was the inspiration for the spy character Boris Badenov of the Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoons. Here is what a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boris_Badenov">Wikipedia</a> entry has to say about Akim’s inspiration: <br />
<blockquote>Badenov's name is a play on that of the 16th-century Russian Tsar Boris Godunov ("bad enough" vs. "good enough"). His accent and explosive temper are an homage to Hollywood actor Akim Tamiroff, especially Tamiroff's role in The Great McGinty, a 1940 movie directed by Preston Sturges.</blockquote></td><td></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://www.playbrass.com/kingspud/sel_by_actor_index_2.php?actor_first=Akim&actor_last=Tamiroff" target="NEW">Akim (Mikhailovich) Tamiroff</a>, the Russian born character actor who appeared in dozens of films and television shows was often typecast as a Mexican or Greek, among other ethnic characters. He played spies, cops, thieves; all manner of roles. Among the films Akim appeared in:For Whom the Bell Tolls, 1943, Lord Jim, 1965, Oceans 11, 1960, Topaki, 1964, and dozens more. <br />
Akim was married to my grandfather’s niece, actress Tamara Shayne. My mother lived with them when she was in her late teens (that would be in late 1940s, early 1950s) when she first arrived in Los Angeles from Oregon. I met them once when I was little; I remember Tamara as being stand offish , but Akim was pretty nice, very funny and playful. </td><td><img src="http://binnallofamerica.com/pix/tr090610.jpg" /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Truly, how cool is it that one of the iconic cartoon characters, Boris Badenov, was based on a family member? (Another fun esoteric synchronistic fact: my mother’s name is a variation of Natasha.)<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/H3QXBHYRhpw" width="420"></iframe> <br />
Is it fair to say Boris was a MIB? No, it just sounded good for the title. Boris was short, fat, and hardly MIB like in behavior or appearance. He was an Eastern European/Russian spy, bumbling, the bad guy, created during the Cold War, when the spy business was everywhere. It still is; and actually, we’ve come back around to Russian spies recently, with movies like SALT and the plethora of Russian spies on television shows. <br />
I have other claims to esoteric fame, which I'll write about in future columns. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="statcounter"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><a class="statcounter" href="http://www.statcounter.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="StatCounter - Free Web Tracker and Counter" border="0" src="http://c.statcounter.com/t.php?sc_project=728405&resolution=1152&h=720&camefrom=http%3A//binnallofamerica.com/tr.html&u=http%3A//binnallofamerica.com/tr090610.html&t=binnallofamerica.com&java=1&security=cc630e7b&sc_random=0.609939993908641&sc_snum=1" /></a></b></span></span></span></span>Regan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786586311631698822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8346846017246172955.post-84824757143014402382011-10-02T14:28:00.000-07:002011-10-02T14:28:41.062-07:00Duke Regine LeeMy grandfather (my father's father) was Duke Regine Lee. Actor, stuntman, carny, cowpuncher... a colorful life. He worked as an assistant director on many films, including working with John Ford on several of his films. He appeared in Stagecoach among other films. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duke_R._Lee">Wikipedia has a flimography.</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9444fLJHGw/TojWV4EODhI/AAAAAAAAGFY/6_ojdBIeYSw/s1600/Duke+R.+Lee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9444fLJHGw/TojWV4EODhI/AAAAAAAAGFY/6_ojdBIeYSw/s400/Duke+R.+Lee.jpg" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duke R. Lee, my grandfather. Born May 12, 1881, died 1959</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T1nNjagagU0/TojWXvN8wXI/AAAAAAAAGFc/QM3E9QfKD9w/s1600/HeartofBroadwayDukeLee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T1nNjagagU0/TojWXvN8wXI/AAAAAAAAGFc/QM3E9QfKD9w/s400/HeartofBroadwayDukeLee.jpg" width="251" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duke appeared in many westerns but he was also a song and dance and ladies man</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--3cZ-QH-6TE/TojWaKZsGrI/AAAAAAAAGFg/bl--dtacXGY/s1600/desertguns1936DukeLee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--3cZ-QH-6TE/TojWaKZsGrI/AAAAAAAAGFg/bl--dtacXGY/s400/desertguns1936DukeLee.jpg" width="276" /></a></div>Regan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786586311631698822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8346846017246172955.post-32109041026562985772011-08-16T16:57:00.000-07:002011-08-16T16:57:17.640-07:00Character Actor Akim Tamiroff<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rHB_rv0YleY/TksAOiTgTJI/AAAAAAAAGCM/yZnaZLfo-CA/s1600/AkimT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rHB_rv0YleY/TksAOiTgTJI/AAAAAAAAGCM/yZnaZLfo-CA/s400/AkimT.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
Character actor Akim Tamiroff was my married to my mother's aunt, the actress Tamara Shayne. My mother lived with them for awhile when she first came to Los Angeles in her late teens or early twenties. <br />
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I met Akim a couple of times when I was little; probably around five or six. I remember him as being very nice, funny and warm. My mother had many stories about Akim and how nice he was to her.<br />
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Some links about Akim's bio and filmography:<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0848667/bio">Internet Movie Database</a><br />
<a href="http://moviesovermatter.com/2010/10/07/best-supporting-actor-of-1936-akim-tamiroff-the-general-died-at-dawn/">Best Supporting Actor of 1936 – Akim Tamiroff (The General Died at Dawn) on Movie Over Matter<br />
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<a href="http://celebrities.mitrasites.com/imgs/akim-tamiroff-actor.html">Akim Tamiroff Actor Images, on Mitra Celebrities</a><br />
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Regan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786586311631698822noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8346846017246172955.post-90489571454664040232009-03-24T14:03:00.000-07:002009-03-24T14:14:20.060-07:00Louise Gladstone LeeWho: Louise Gladstone Lee<br />Relation: father's mother<br />Categories: vaudville<br /><br />Here is the text from some playbills and flyers about The Gladstone Sisters, which my grandmother Louise Gladstone Lee was a part of.<br /><br /><br /> <span style="font-weight:bold;">BISMARCK DAILY TRIBUNE, 29 JAN 1909, PG 2</span><br /> TITLE: AT THE GEM<br /><br />The Gem theatre has an exceptional bill in vaudeville for this end of the week, and at both performances last night the two acts were generously applauded.<br /><br />The Gladstone Sisters, Louise & Hazel, the juvenile sunbeams,are stars,rarely equalled, and they are certainly big winners. Their harmony singing and acrobatic dancing, are new features in vaudeville acts....<br /><hr><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">RENO EVENING GAZETTE, RENO, NEVADA, 3 SEP 1910, pg 5</span><br />MECHANICAL DOLL TO BE EXPOSED AT WIGWAM TONIGHT<br /><br />Tonight the mysterious mechanical doll will be taken up from the audience in full view of all, and the trick that has been so mystifying during the past week exposed.<br /><br />This will be the last night you will have to hear that clever msical team, Stanley & Scanlon, alos that dainty little soubrette Minnie Baldwin.<br /><br />Commencing tomorrow afternoon the GLADSTONE SISTERS, the child acrobatic wonders, the GREATEST child act ever seen in this city, will open a week's engagement at the Wigdom. This act is considered a GREAT FEATURE.<br /><br /> <hr><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />THE NEWARK ADVOCATE, 29 NOV 1906, pg8</span><br />NEWARK, OHIO<br /><br />THE ORPHIUM Theatre Beautiful.<br />Fouth St., Between Main and Church.<br />MAKE NO MISTAKES. FOLLOW THE CROWD<br />For ladies, gentlemen, children.<br /> ____________________________________<br /> Week<br /> Commencing NOV.26<br /> _____________________________________<br /> "CREO"<br /> European Novelty<br /> ____________________________________<br /> <span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">GLADSTONE CHILDREN<br /> SINGERS AND ACROBATIC DANCERS</span></span><br /> _____________________________________<br /> TOMMY HAYES<br /> Refined Musical Artist.<br /> ____________________________________<br /> FRANKLIN A. BROOKS,<br /> Song Illustrator<br /> _____________________________________<br /><br /> THE MARION DAILY STAR, 30 OCT 1907, pg.9<br /> MARION, OHIO<br /> MARION FAMILY THEATER<br /> ___________________________<br /> <br /> WEEK OF OCTOBER 28,<br /> THE BARRINGTON CO.<br />High Class Spectacular & Musical Comedy,<br />TIPPLE AND CLIMENT<br />Comedy Musical Artista<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">THE GLADSTONE SISTERS Singers, and Acrobatic Dancers,</span></span><br />THE GREAT GAYLOR A Contortionist,<br />EP ROWE<br />Illustrated Song,<br />POWERS MOVING PICTURES<br />Wonderful Flames<br /><br />Matinees Monday, Wednesday and Sunday. 10 cents<br />Children's Sat. Matinee under 12 5cents<br /><hr><br />MANSFIELD NEWS, 5 NOV 1907, pg 7<br />MANSFIELD OHIO<br /><br />EXCERPT<br />TITLE PLAY AND PLAY PEOPLE<br /> ... The juveniles get a good showing on the Orphium bill this week, the <span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Gladstone Sisters</span></span> and three of the five Benningtons coming under this classification and the bill of the week is one that will undoubtedly prove a winner, particularly with the ladies and the children.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">The Gladstone Sisters, two clever little ladies, come on with a song and dance after which they give an excellent exhibition of acrobatics, their good humor during the act being contagious</span>.</span><br /><hr><br />Later, my grandmother and grandfather, and my uncle and father, joined up with the <span style="font-weight:bold;">Tom Mix Circus.</span> I know there’s either a LOOK or LIFE cover of The Gladstone Sisters on it; my grandmother showed it to me when I was a teenager.<br /><br />A cousin recently shared with me that another cousin “ran off” when she was a teen-ager, returning home a few years later, married to a fire-eater!Regan Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786586311631698822noreply@blogger.com0