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Post by Mrs Vindecco on Dec 5, 2010 16:29:47 GMT
I recently wrote this blog about Dwight Frye on the 67th anniversary of his death. I've re-edited several times as I was never quite satisfied with it but thought I would share it anyway. vintage-gold.livejournal.com/1366.html |
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Post by jczolarr on Mar 30, 2011 2:32:19 GMT
Mrs. Vindecco,
I just read your well-crafted, sensitive tribute to Dwight upon the 67th anniversary of his death. Not only did I enjoy it, but I greatly appreciated you kind words about Greg Mank and my work on Frye's biography. It was a wonderful experience collaborating with Dwight D., whose friendship I value and miss. Thanks.
Jim C.
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Post by Luna on Mar 30, 2011 3:21:00 GMT
Welcome Jim C. It is wonderful to see you here. I highly enjoyed your amazing and wonderful work on the poignant "Dwight Frye's last laugh". A book that I will always treasure.
I agree that Mrs. V's entry was lovely and well written. She is a dedicated and wonderful fan to Dwight Frye who helps to keep his memory alive and well.
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Post by Mrs Vindecco on Mar 30, 2011 16:28:41 GMT
Thank you for the very kind words regarding my blog. I would also like to take the opportunity to say how much I enjoyed "Dwight Frye's Last Laugh" and I, along with many of Dwight's fans are incredibly grateful to both you and Greg Mank for collaborating with Dwight D. Frye to write this wonderful book.
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Post by limey on Mar 30, 2011 17:35:35 GMT
Absolutely yes - Thank you so much for this wonderful book Jim. I have learned so much more about Dwight and the amazing person he was.  |
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Post by Monk's Moll on Mar 30, 2011 17:42:45 GMT
Hear, Hear! Thank you Jim, for writing such a great book. It's wonderful to read about a man who wasn't the typical Hollywood type but instead was a God fearing, faithful husband and loving father, who was also patriotic to his Country. When you read about those who are just the opposite, it's refreshing and inspiring to read about a good, honest, decent man like Dwight. Thank you again . |
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Post by jczolarr on Mar 30, 2011 21:32:48 GMT
Mrs. Vindecco, Luna, Limey, and Monk's Moll.
Thank you all for the warm welcome and the nice comments about" Dwight Frye's Last Laugh." I appreciate all that you are doing to keep Dwight's memory alive. I wish Greg and I were able to go with the full manuscript and materials that we intended for the book, but we were forced to make choices and edit due to page and space limitations. I always found the theater work, especially the regional and stock, to be a fascinating part of Dwight's life. Some of that was cut, as were details of his Broadway plays, clippings, photos, etc. There was nothing fascinating like a color picture of Dwight, but there is material that hopefully I could upload and share with this group/community. I also would like to write about my recent visit to the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield, Mass., which is completely renovated and operational as a theater once again. I t was quite a thrill to stand where Dwight had acted eighty years ago, just prior to his discovery by Brock Pemberton and subsequent Broadway contract. I will write that in the stage section of this board either tonight or tomorrow.
Again, thank you all very much,
Jim C.
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Post by limey on Mar 31, 2011 0:30:49 GMT
Jim, One thing I was wondering is if Dwight D. had the same blue eyes that his Dad must have had?
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Post by jczolarr on Mar 31, 2011 1:19:11 GMT
Limey,
No, Dwight D. actually had brown eyes. I am reasonably certain that Laura did, as well. I will try to upload some photos that I have of Dwight D. -some are from the Montclair Library event upon the 50th anniversary of Dwight's death (11/7/93) hosted by the late Randye Cohen. I also have shots of him with Sara Karloff, as well as with Greg and I at a book signing (I believe the Chiller Theater Convention in '97 or '98).
Jim
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Post by limey on Mar 31, 2011 1:48:29 GMT
Thanks Jim. I would love to see some pics of "Buddy". |
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Post by Luna on Mar 31, 2011 18:40:34 GMT
I think that it is wonderful and so gracious of you Jim to share some of the amazing images and Dwight "finds" with us that had to be left out of "Last laugh". I know that I am not alone when I say that I feel honored and excited to see what you will post. I look forward to it whenever you have the time:) Thank you!
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Post by Monk's Moll on Mar 31, 2011 19:01:01 GMT
Jim, I too have a question:does a photo from Dwight and Laura's wedding exist? The honeymoon photos in DFLL are very sweet, and I (like many fans I'm sure) was just wondering what D&L would have looked like in wedding gown and tuxedo . Thank you again for sharing, it is very kind of you . |
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Post by jczolarr on Apr 4, 2011 3:03:50 GMT
Monk's Moll.
I had the opportunity to peruse Dwight D.'s photo albums and loose photographs on a number of occasions - both when working on the book with Greg Mank and later helping Bob Esposito with the website. Both Greg and Bob probably spent more time reviewing photos than I did, but I do not recall ever seeing a picture from Dwight and Laura's wedding. Perhaps that is why we borrowed the honeymoon shots for the book instead.
The shame of the matter is that after Dwight D. passed away, no one had immediate access to his apartment. We hoped that either the Albert Marre family or Dwight D.'s cousin in Connecticut would be able to claim his belongings. The fear was that everything would be thrown out by the landlord or building maintenance people. I do not know what happened. There were many significant items in his apartment - Dwight's pre-Broadway and Broadway scrapbooks, Laura's early scrapbook, photos (mainly family shots, but some professional as well), items that had been given to him by fans, etc. A number of us had chipped in at one point in the mid-90s and purchased Dwight a VCR & many VHS tapes of his father's films. I had made him copies of "The Man Who Found Himself" and "The Crime of Dr. Crespi" too. Dwight had a beautiful Mahjong set that had been passed down from Pauline Frederick to Dwight & Laura to Dwight D. There were many other items of sentimental value. I just hope everything made it to either the Marres or relatives, but I feel badly that I just do not know.
Jim C.
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Post by Luna on Apr 4, 2011 3:10:15 GMT
Jim- I have heard before that Dwight D's belongings may have been "lost" and the story just breaks my heart to read, no matter how often I hear it told. It seems that Dwight D had a number of wonderful items and keepsakes, even more than I had imagined, and if they were truly lost it would be such a shame. Like you I do hope that they ended up with friends or his cousin, but I sometimes fear the worse.
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Post by Monk's Moll on Apr 4, 2011 13:39:12 GMT
Jim, Thank you so much for your reply. I am sad to hear that, if these are indeed lost. I would hope that the landlord would have had the sense and compassion to contact Dwight D.'s nearest and dearest, so that they may collect his belongings. To throw all these wonderful things away without a thought is heartless and cruel. Thank you again, I appreciate it. Their honeymoon photos look so sweet, Dwight and Laura looked so happy. They just seem like a devoted couple very much in love, filled with endless romance. I imagine had Dwight lived, they'd be like the cute older couples you see walking hand in hand in the park . |
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