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Happy Birthday, Old Yeller<br />
By: Beverly Washburn / Hollywood Memories<br />
One of the films I was lucky enough to be a part<br />
of was the Walt Disney movie “Old Yeller.”<br />
What you may not know, is that Old Yeller opened on<br />
Christmas Day, 1957, making it now 60 years old!<br />
How can that be I ask, when I’m only 45! Well, ok, maybe not, but<br />
boy how the time flies!<br />
Sadly, Tommy Kirk (yes, he was the one who shot Old Yeller, bringing<br />
everyone to tears) and I are the only ones still alive from that movie.<br />
Even little Arliss, played by the adorable Kevin Corcoran passed away<br />
in 2015.<br />
How Tommy and I are still here, we’ll never know, but both of us are<br />
truly grateful. Tommy lives here in Las Vegas and we are still friends<br />
after all these years and enjoy getting together from time-to-time for<br />
dinner.<br />
Many of you have asked me about him and what he is doing now.<br />
I can tell you that he is retired, never married, and lives with his cat<br />
whom he adores. He is a kind and caring heart and I am grateful for<br />
our friendship. He still enjoys doing autograph shows (although he<br />
won’t fly, so he mostly does them in California as he can drive there.)<br />
I’m sure some of you have been to various autograph shows and<br />
you know that all the celebrities charge a fee for their autographed<br />
photo. The wonderful thing about Tommy (just one of many things,<br />
of course), is that if anyone in a uniform of any kind (be it a military,<br />
policeman, fireman etc.) asks for his autograph,<br />
he gives it to them for free.<br />
I don’t know of any other celebrity who does that, and<br />
I think it is so sweet. He said anyone who has served<br />
others in any way, should have kindness shown back<br />
to them. Just one of the many reasons I love Tommy.<br />
This past December, my friend Jay Nagle (shown<br />
in the photo) asked if I would go to the Winchester Cultural Center<br />
in Las Vegas to introduce the screening of Old Yeller. Jay is the senior<br />
programing assistant and thought it would be a good time to have<br />
a free screening of the movie. He jokingly told me he had seen the<br />
movie as a child, and cried buckets in front of all the other boys and<br />
consequently has been in therapy ever since!<br />
I was truly honored and touched by all who came to the screening, I<br />
thank you so very much. I was amazed at the wonderful turnout, and it<br />
was a pleasure meeting everyone.<br />
Thank you too, for all the many emails, and the times you have<br />
stopped me in the grocery store, post office, various restaurants etc. to<br />
tell me you enjoy my column. You have no idea how much that means<br />
to me.<br />
Until next time…remember that happiness is the spiritual<br />
experience of living every day with love, grace and gratitude.<br />
Beverly Washburn graced the silver screen as a child actress and<br />
is the author of Reel Tears. You can contact Beverly at: bjradell@<br />
hotmail.com.<br />
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