The Vegas Voice 10-19

By: Beverly Washburn / Hollywood Memories
did a show many years ago called Playhouse
I 90. It was a “live” weekly show at the CBS
Studios in Los Angeles.
It ran from 1956-1960. It had a wonderful reputation as being TV’s
most distinguished anthology drama series and received many Emmy
nominations.
The year was 1959 and I was in an episode called “In Lonely
Expectation.” The story was about unwed mothers and each girl had
her own little story line.
I was to be the youngest girl in the home and my character didn’t
know how I got pregnant! Obviously, the character I was portraying
wasn’t the brightest bulb in the chandelier! It was a fun show to be
working on. Here’s the “backstory” on this episode.
One of the actresses decided she wanted to wear spiked heels. She
claimed it would help her “get into character.”
Her “baby” of course, was a doll wrapped in a blanket. The director
told her not to wear high heels since her feet wouldn’t show and it
would be too dangerous if she should fall while carrying her “baby.”
However, she insisted on wearing her high heels. And you guessed it
- she tripped and the baby went flying! The cameraman did his best to
turn the camera, but it was pretty obvious as to what happened.
In 1957, the show transitioned to video tape which made it easy
for them to edit out any mistakes. I often wonder if this incident had
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Playhouse 90
The Peanut Butter Falcon
By: Renee Riendeau / Movie Revelations
Hollywood has finally made a terrific “feel
good” movie. Directors Tyler Nilson and
Michael Schwartz should be applauded for their
time and effort in producing a unique PG-13 film.
The movie centers on “Zack” who is a Down syndrome 22 year old
young man who wants to become a professional wrestler, like “The
Saltwater Redneck” he sees on television advertising a wrestling school.
During my previous career as a teacher, I spent 25 of my 30 years
as a Special Education teacher; teaching learning disabled students,
including Down syndrome pupils, like Zack. Their characteristics
include; a distinct facial appearance, slant eyes, intellectual disability,
and developmental delays.
The back story for this movie is quite interesting, Directors Nilson
and Schwartz visited a camp for special needs children and while there,
interviewed Zack and asked him what he wanted for a career. He did not
hesitate, “A famous movie star.”
Surprised, they started giving him reasons why it was impossible,
blah, blah, blah, including that there would not be many movie roles
for him. He immediately answered, “Then why don’t you make one for
me?”
Nilson and Schwartz were startled, liked the idea and decided to give
it a chance. They also wrote this excellent script.
The casting is superb with Zack Gottsagen playing himself with Shia
October 2019
anything to do with
it.
In the photo, I’m
with (also playing
one of the unwed
mothers) Jenny
Maxwell who was
a co-star with Elvis
Presley in Blue
Hawaii. Tragically,
in 1981 she and
her husband were
gunned down in
their Beverly Hills
condo during an
attempted robbery.
She was a
wonderful actress
and friend. It makes us all realize just how fragile life can be.
Until next time, remember: Do not regret growing older. It’s a
privilege denied to many.
Beverly Washburn graced the silver screen as a child actress and
is the author of Reel Tears. You can contact Beverly at: bjradell@
hotmail.com.
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LaBeouf, Dakota Johnson, as well as
other strong actors, including Bruce
Dern, and John Hawkes.
The movie begins when Zack runs
away from a care facility leaving
everything behind but the “tidy whitey” underwear he had on. He has
the goal of becoming a professional wrestler.
Rather than tell you what happens next, suffice to say, it is well-worth
your while to watch and cheer him on. Just a wonderful, wonderful feel
good movie!
I happily give “The Peanut Butter Falcon” 5 boxes of buttered
popcorn.
Renee Riendeau is the movie critic for “Renee’s Revelations”
on Anthem Alive SCA-TV. As a dog sitter she operates “ Renee’s
Roommates” out of her home and can be reached at
rriendeau@aol.com.