SEPTEMBER 10th, 2001…

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…An absolute END-OF-THE-WORLD thunderstorm on the night of the 10th with Hudson Street's gutters flooding from the non-stop downpour! I was trapped at the Caffe Sha Sha there at Christopher Street in Greenwich Village, and it was amazing. The towers of the World Trade Center dimly shining through the driving rain, their tops disappearing into the low rolling clouds! Flashes of lightning, deafening cracks of thunder, and a deluge...

No wonder the city sparkled the next morning. Literally sparkled. Every leaf on every tree was emerald green! Every window, every surface, every street….even the SKY was scrubbed immaculately clean, a clear cloudless turquoise... all set... for what was about to start...

Back in the early 70s, I had watched as these buildings went up on the Hudson River. They were built during a terrible time financially for the city. ...a terrible time financially, and reputationally! New York City was still reeling from the decades of "urban blight", West Side Story, Kitty Genovese, and the "I don't want to get involved" mentality. The suburbs were full of "nice people" who had given up on cities, (all cities!), and were becoming part of Nixon's so-called "silent majority".

And so, even as NYC was crumbling, and political assassinations, Viet Nam, and Watergate had corroded the national morale, we New Yorkers displayed our usual chutzpah by daring to build the "world's tallest building"!.... Not once, but TWICE! Imagine, the President of the US basically tells the city to drop dead as it nears bankruptcy, and we build the two tallest buildings in the world...right next to each other!! When New Yorkers get it right, they get it right!!.... You know when someone "gives you the finger"? Well, this was as if all of NYC had given the world TWO fingers! "Ya think we're down? Well, take THAT!"...

While so many others despaired about "how ugly they were", "how boxy", "unimaginative", "so plain", "grim", "cold", I rejoiced every time I saw them! In every season, every kind of weather, any hour of the day...or night. They were gorgeous to me!!... from the highway, flying into the city, during a snowstorm, in the fog, looking up at them, across to them from New Jersey or Brooklyn, or from the top looking down. My one regret?... that I didn't take the hundred photos that I could have over the years when the sun or the moon, the rainbow, the whatever was "just right"... Those towers never bored me. I never took them for granted. I watched as they climbed to the sky, and came alive with tenants and life.... and I watched as they died... right from my street corner in Greenwich Village... on Greenwich Street, the street that literally lead right to the plaza at their feet. They will always mean so very many things to me, but one thing most of all…that New Yorkers, my fellow New Yorkers, with all their neuroses and faults, their hubris and narcissism, dared to be broke…and built two, count 'em TWO of the world's tallest buildings right there on the Hudson River…at the edge of the ocean, for the entire World to see… and stand... stunned.

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A New Sybil's "WHO'Z DAT?"... FRANK CADY (September 8, 1915 – June 8, 2012)

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Darlings! Mummy has made a decision! After reading dozens of posts and having hundreds of conversations with well-meaning folks who just don't know about the great CHARACTER actors who gave films the depth and genius that surrounded and supported the so-called "stars", I am going to post a regular, special entry called "SYBIL'S WHO'Z DAT?"....there'll be photos and a mini-bio, and the next time you see one of those familiar, fabulous faces that you just "can't quite place".......well, maybe these posts will help. Some of these actors worked more, had longer and broader careers, and ended up happier, more loved, and even wealthier than the "stars" that the public "worships". (I think there may be a metaphor in that! What do you think???). Here's our next guest!! Many of you know him on sight! You’ve seen him everywhere on TV and film: FRANK CADY! (September 8, 1915 – June 8, 2012)

Born in Susanville, California, the youngest of three children of Leon and Clara Cady. The acting bug bit him early when he sang in an elementary school play. In high school he worked at a local newspaper, The Lassen County Advocate. Cady's family later moved to Wilsonville, Oregon. He studied journalism and drama at Stanford University, where he was involved with the campus humor magazine, the Stanford Chaparral. Following college graduation Cady served an apprenticeship at the Westminster Theater in London, England, appearing in four plays. In England he made an early (very early!) television appearance on the BBC in late 1938. When World War II broke out he was already in Europe, so he enlisted in the Army Air Force and spent the next several years in postings all over the continent. After being discharged from military service in 1946, Cady appeared in a series of plays in the Los Angeles area which led to movie roles, beginning in 1947. One of his earlier--and more atypical--roles was as a seedy underworld character pulled in for questioning in a cop's murder in the noir classic HE WALKED BY NIGHT (1948). Later Cady was type cast mostly as humble soft-spoken shopkeepers, henpecked husbands, and as the long-suffering “common man”. In 1950, he had an uncredited speaking role in the classic film noir drama D.O.A. starring Edmund O’Brien and another uncredited role in FATHER OF THE BRIDE (1950) starring Spencer Tracy and Elizabeth Taylor. He had a small part in the noir classic THE ASPHALT JUNGLE (1950) playing a witness who refused to identify a robbery suspect. He appeared in George Pal’s film WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE (1951), and later worked with Pal again in 1964 in THE 7 FACES OF DR. LAO. 

Cady had a prominent role in Billy Wilder’s ACE IN THE HOLE (1951) starring Kirk Douglas. He had a small non-speaking role in Alfred Hitchcock’s REAR WINDOW (1954) as the man on the fire escape whose dog was strangled. His appearances included a very memorable turn as Mr. Daigel with Oscar nominated Eileen Heckart as his drunken wife in THE BAD SEED (1956). He appeared again as Heckart’s husband much later in ZANDY’S BRIDE (1974). On television, Cady guest starred on the “Make Room For Daddy” episode with Danny Thomas that was the pilot for “The Andy Griffith Show”. He appeared on some radio programs, including “Gunsmoke” episode #140 ("Outlaw Robin Hood") on January 8, 1955.

Cady had a small but recurring role as Doc Williams in “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet” (1954-55), along with numerous supporting parts in movies. He also appeared in television commercials for (among other products) Shasta Grape Soda. Perhaps best known for his popular role as storekeeper Sam Drucker, Cady was prolific in television and holds the record of being the only actor to play the same recurring character on three different television sitcoms all at the same time, “The Beverly Hillbillies”, “Green Acres”, and “Petticoat Junction”, from 1968 to 1969. He also was one of only three co-stars of “Petticoat Junction” who stayed with the series for its entire seven-year run along with Edgar Buchanan and Linda Henning, appearing in 170 of the show's 222 episodes. His final acting role was in the television movie RETURN TO GREEN ACRES (1990). He then retired with his wife to his hometown of Wilsonville, Oregon. Cady spoke of his television career: "You get typecast. I'm remembered for those shows and not for some pretty good acting jobs I did other times. I suppose I ought to be grateful for that, because otherwise I wouldn't be remembered at all.” Shirley Cady died on August 22, 2008 at the age of 91. The Cadys, who were married 68 years, were the parents of two children — daughter Catherine Turk and son Steven Cady. They had three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Frank Cady died at his home on June 8, 2012 at age 96. He was interred at Meridian United Church of Christ Cemetery in Wilsonville, Oregon.

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Sybil Bruncheon's "Springtime Weddings from Here & There!”... Prayerful Corners, WY.

DATELINE! ....Prayerful Corners, Wyoming..... The On-Your-Knees Sepulchre & Souvenir Emporium is celebrating the once-a-year festival of Smile Day when brides-to-be, high school graduates, and Spelling Bee Finalists are allowed to wear colored clothing, prints, and even fabrics other than burlap. The mayor of Prayerful Corners cut the ribbon for the 24 hour parade and party on the traditional third Thursday in July, when the normally somber citizens toss their black and grey garments to the floor and take their first baths of the year! Then it's every man, woman, and child for themselves! Many have saved up loose change and found pennies to buy fabric, Elmer's glue, and office staplers to put together any shreds of whimsy they can manage in the short time they have. It's a mad dash to weddings, award ceremonies, pie eating contests, piñata breaking, three-legged races, and karaoke barbecues! Because by midnight on Friday everything must be tossed into the giant Bonfire Of Stinky Sinfulness in the town square, and the holy vows of glad-to-be-gloominess begin again. Yes! Laugh it up ladies!.... in a few hours it's back on your knees, and NOT to catch a crepe paper bridal bouquet!

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From Sybil Bruncheon's "MY MERRY MEMOIRS"... Dagmar Does It Again!

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My identical twin sister Dagmar never really had any luck with her attempts at start-up businesses. She was always trying to prove to our Dad that she could "make it on her own" despite the fact that she was underwritten by every one of our family members and relatives including a six-year-old niece that she duped out of her allowance over a platinum-mining scam. This photo is of a candy store she claimed to want to open in time for Halloween called Tasty Terrors. Sadly, 33 of her first customers were food-poisoned on her “gelatinated” locust-bugs. YEEESH!

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Sybil Bruncheon's "KNOW YOUR GAY HISTORY!"... Robert Eselberger.

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Darlings, so many young LGBTQ persons don't seem to know or care about their gay-heritage!... where they came from, what the struggles were, how difficult, and even dangerous it was to be an LGBTQ youngster in the not-so-distant past. It can be very, very discouraging and disheartening to older people who know all too well what the journey was to this point... and how much farther so many folks still have to go in certain parts of the world and even this country. That's why, as a public service, we will be helping to educate everyone about our GAY HISTORY!

Here's a photo of a notorious drag performer from Cherry Grove, Fire Island circa 1950. His name originally was Robert Eselberger, from Ronkonkoma, the son of the famous delicatessen owners, Eselberger's Kosher Catering! But he gave up his place behind the counter and at the Board of Directors table, and became "Shishka-Bobbie", an interpretive dancer and fire juggler who performed mostly to Alice Faye and Patty page records; Bobbie's biggest numbers were "With My Eyes Wide Open, I'm Dreaming" and "Hello, Frisco! Hello"... sadly, it was discovered in 1956, that the shish kabobs she served to the audience during her musical numbers were local roadkill, and possibly even lost house pets... Shishka-Bobbie was arrested at the Matawan Melody Tent after the first act, tried, and sentenced to seven years at the Manonkahottan Institute for Inveterate Discourtesy to Our Four-Legged Friends... She changed her name to Shishka-BARBIE and hosted the Saturday afternoon “Grill ‘n’ Greets” for the new inmates’ arrival. Her parents moved from Ronkonkoma to Akron, and changed their name to Hefflehoffer… they made a small fortune in the library paste industry.

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Sybil Bruncheon's "MY MERRY MEMOIRS!"... chapter 11... Here, Kitty, Kitty!

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My little kitty, Professor Sniffkins, and I solved several shocking mysteries during my years at the Headley-Greers Academy for Disturbingly Precocious Young Persons. There was "The Graham Cracker Crusher Caper", "Another Felonious Frankfurter Horror", "The Afternoon Nap of No Return", and of course, Scotland Yard's favorite, "Nilly Natchet Took a Hatchet".

Professor Sniffkins and I were awarded the Marleybone Star of Meritorious Service to the Nation by his Gracious Majesty. Sadly, Sniffkins chewed the ribbons off of both them and dragged mine to a grate in the garden, never to be found again. And coincidentally, amethyst is my birthstone! DAMMIT!

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A New Sybil's "WHO'Z DAT?"... S.Z. "Cuddles" SAKALL (February 2, 1887 – February 12, 1955)...

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Darlings! Mummy has made a decision! After reading dozens of posts and having hundreds of conversations with well-meaning folks who just don't know about the great CHARACTER actors who gave films the depth and genius that surrounded and supported the so-called "stars", I am going to post a regular, special entry called SYBIL'S "WHO'Z DAT??"....there'll be photos and a mini-bio, and the next time you see one of those familiar, fabulous faces that you just "can't quite place".......well, maybe these posts will help. Some of these actors worked more, had longer and broader careers, and ended up happier, more loved, and even wealthier than the "stars" that the public "worships"......I think there may be a metaphor in that! What do you think???

Originally named Szőke Szakáll , S.Z. Sakall (February 2, 1883 - February 12, 1955) was born Gerő Jenő in Budapest, Hungary, to a Jewish family. During his schooldays, he wrote sketches for Budapest vaudeville shows under the pen-name Szőke Szakáll meaning "blond beard" in reference to his own beard, grown to make him look older, which he affected when at the age of 18 he turned to acting and sketch writing. The actor became a star of the Hungarian stage and screen in the 1910s and 1920s when he moved to Vienna, where he appeared as a regular at Herman Leopoldi’s famous Kabarett Leopoldi-Wiesenthal. In the 1930s, he was, next to Hans Moser, the most significant representative of the Wiener Film, the Viennese light romantic comedy genre. He also appeared in Berlin. He appeared in FAMILIENTAG IM HAUSE PRELLSTEIN (1927), IHRE MAJESTÄT DIE LIEBE (1929), which was remade in Hollywood as HER MAJESTY LOVE with W.C. Fields in Sakall's role, and TWO HEARTS IN WALTZ TIME (1930). For a brief period during this time, he ran his own production company. When the Nazis came to power in Germany in 1933, Sakall was forced to return to Hungary. He was involved in over 40 movies in his native land. When Hungary joined the Axis in 1940, he headed for Hollywood with his wife. Many of Sakall's close relatives later died in Nazi concentration camps, including all three of his sisters and his niece, as well as his wife's brother and sister.

Sakall began a career that included an endless succession of excitable theatrical impresarios, lovable European uncles and befuddled shopkeepers. His first Hollywood role was in the comedy IT'S A DATE (1940) with Deanna Durbin. The first big hit of his American career was BALL OF FIRE (1941) with Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck. Later, he signed a contract with Warner Brothers, where he had a number of other small roles, including YANKEE DOODLE DANDY (1942) with Oscar winner James Cagney.

Later the same year, at the age of 59, he portrayed one of his best remembered characters, Carl the head waiter in CASABLANCA (1942). Producer Hal B. Wallis signed Sakall for the role three weeks after filming had begun. When he was first offered the part, Sakall hated it and turned it down. He finally agreed to take the role provided they gave him four weeks of work. The two sides eventually agreed on three weeks. He received $1,750 per week for a total of $5,250. He actually had more screen time than either Peter Lorre or Sydney Greenstreet.

Sakall appeared in 30 more movies after this, including CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT (1945) again with Barbara Stanwyck. Sakall appeared in four films released in 1948: the drama EMBRACEABLE YOU, followed by APRIL SHOWERS, Michael Curtiz’s ROMANCE ON THE HIGH SEAS (Doris Day’s film debut!!), and WHIPLASH.

He was in four top movies in 1949. First Sakall played Felix Hofer in Doris Day's second film, MY DREAM IS YOURS. Later that year, he supported June Haver and Ray Bolger in LOOK FOR THE SILVER LINING. Next, he played Otto Oberkugen (another one of his iconic roles) in IN THE GOOD OLD SUMMERTIME with Judy Garland and Van Johnson (a musical remake of Ernst Lubitsch’s THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER. Finally, Sakall was given the principal role of songwriter Fred Fisher in OH, YOU BEAUTIFUL DOLL, though top billing went to June Haver.

Sakall appeared in nine more movies during the 1950s, two of them musicals with Doris Day, playing J. Maxwell Bloomhaus in TEA FOR TWO and Adolph Hubbell in LULLABY OF BROADWAY. His other roles included: Poppa Schultz in the Errol Flynn western MONTANA; Miklos Teretzky in the June Haver musical THE DAUGHTER OF ROSIE O'GRADY; Don Miguel in the Randolph Scott western SUGARFOOT; Uncle Felix in the musical PAINTING THE CLOUDS WITH SUNSHINE with Virginia Mayo; and in one of the episodes in the movie IT'S A BIG COUNTRY featuring Gene Kelly, Van Johnson, Gary Cooper, Janet Leigh, Fredric March, and Ethel Barrymore. His last movie was in 1954 playing Joseph Ruder in THE STUDENT PRINCE. His 1954 memoir had the humorous title of “The Story of Cuddles: My Life Under the Emperor Francis Joseph, Adolf Hitler, and the Warner Brothers.”

Sakall died of a heart attack in Hollywood on February, 12th, 1955, shortly after filming the THE STUDENT PRINCE, and ten days after his 72nd birthday. He had been married twice in his lifetime; Giza Grossner from 1916 to 1918, and Anne Kardos from 1920 till his death. He is buried in the Garden of Memory in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.

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Sybil Bruncheon's MORE THAN THEY SEEM STORIES... “Tasty"...

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Uncle Herb was everyone's favorite. He'd come for a visit every Memorial Day weekend and stay for the following week. And it was always his delicious barbecues that brought the whole family together. Of course this Holiday weekend had started off more unhappily than any other when Mikey was bitten by Mrs. Kelly's dog. He'd always been a very mean dog, and Mikey had only been walking down Elco Drive when the dog ran out of nowhere and jumped him. Mikey even tried to be friendly and calm him down by petting him and saying his name, Fritzi... or was it Rocket? Mister Smiley?... Bumpo??... whatever. The dog first bit his hand and then tore his pants when he bit Mikey on the back of his thigh, right on the inside between his legs where it really hurt. But Uncle Herb always made everything alright. He was funny and wise, and helpful, and never had problems making decisions that fixed problems... just like on a TV show. And now, Uncle Herb had fixed it so the dog wouldn't bite anyone again... and he fixed Mrs. Kelly too.

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Sybil Bruncheon's MORE THAN THEY SEEM STORIES... “A Pep Talk"...

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At Rockland State University, the school spirit ran very high! The academic standard was exceptional, rivaling even the more expensive and supposedly "exclusive" Eastern colleges, and its athletic teams regularly triumphed on the national stages in all sports. No one ever suspected in 1950 that there could be any scandals... or that there were subversive elements among the students and faculty. How could anyone guess that popular debutante Betty Lynn Frazier was a double agent for the KGB, and an expert in explosives and sabotage? And what about Professor Seymour Redkin, noted author of psychological texts and beloved children's books, and a master thief and forger of important government documents? There was Dr. Syms Frieborg, who had endowed the Surgical Chair in the Medical School from his family's fortune, and was an expert in interrogation and torture. And then there was his boyfriend, Biff Holloway, captain of the cheerleaders and a ruthless blackmailer who could use his sexual prowess with both sexes to compromise the highest diplomatic officials. Of course, no one found out about any of it till the four of them had left for the Riviera, and the Caribbean, for Paris, and Bali... and had lived happily for decades in security and luxury. Comfortable in their old age... without a care in the world...

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