Tribute: Larger Than Life Friday, Jun 22 2007

This tribute is the property of Worth Remembering Publishing
© 2006

Julia Jean Turner
Lana Turner
1921 – 1995

A publisher for the Hollywood Reporter sat in a Los Angeles
diner called the Top Hat Café. He was the friend of an agent
that was looking for new talent. Julia Turner had decided to skip a class
across the street at Hollywood High and went into the same
iner for a Coke. The result was a chance meeting where a
business card was offered to Julia with a name on it that would
change her life. The petite and shy 15 year old was intrigued.
It was 1936 and a star had just been discovered.

After the early death of her father in a gambling dispute,
her mother struggled to provide for Julia, her only child. Julia
adored her father and became a troubled child due to his death.

At the age of fifteen Julia had a woman’s body and
appearance. Her appeal was striking. It soon brought her
unmeasured fortune and fame.

Her mother agreed to allow her to contact the agent,
Zeppo Marx. She auditioned, and was under contract with
MGM immediately. Her blond hair and blue-eyed beauty
enchanted him. He knew she would be perfect for film.
Lana, as she was now known, would go on to star in
almost sixty movies and countless plays.

Lana was at heart, a gentle and shy woman who
searched for her Father’s love throughout her life.
Being portrayed as a sex symbol both pleased and
embarrassed her. She was most upset at the nickname
“Sweater Girl” that the public branded her with due to
the tight sweater she wore in her first film.

At the same time, she was very mature for her age
with an intelligent mind. Being a stereotypical
“Blond Bombshell” of the era was inevitable, but she also
let people know that she knew the business. Labels and
assumptions angered her.

Love didn’t come easy nor did it last long for Lana.
She married eight times in her life with most of her marriages
lasting just a few years. Only one would produce a child.
Her daughter Cheryl was born with a genetic disease that
required a long hospital stay. Cheryl survived her early illness
and grew up to be as lovely as her mother.

Dealing with Lana’s relationships was something the studio
heads had a hard time with. The negative publicity was known
to ruin box office sales of their films. They often had to scramble
to repair her image. After being under contract with MGM for
28 years, it was agreed that they should part ways.

Searching for love brought a man of questionable character
into her life. A major scandal erupted when Cheryl was forced to
defend her mother one night and Lana’s boyfriend was murdered.
Cheryl was acquitted of the crime, but the damage to them both
had been done. Lana missed the protection that being with a
studio provided during this time. Her career was slowing down;
this tragic event just hastened the process.

In the early 1980’s she was ready to retire. If anyone had
reason to be tired it was Lana Turner. While most stars worked
on one or two films a year, Lana often took on twice that amount.
It was time for a quieter life.

Sightings of her became rare as she chose to become a
recluse. Her days were spent with her faithful maid of 44 years.
She was content to be free of studios and husbands telling her
what to do. Lana succumbed to cancer in 1995. She fought just
as hard for her life as she had for her fame.

In true Hollywood style Lana Turner is a legend. Fans worldwide
will always love her deeply. We are fortunate to have her library of
films to remind us of her glamorous style and innate talent as an
actress. Lana’s personal life was also a part of her appeal. We could
relate with her struggles and root for her to succeed. Her exquisite
beauty and gentle fragility added the incentive.

Annie Thomas-Burke

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Tribute: A Simple Life, Well Lived Thursday, Jun 21 2007

This tribute is the property of Worth Remembering Publishing
© 2006

A Simple Life, Well Lived
Willie Moree Hicks
1936 – 1997

She was the child of a sawmill worker, and a stay at
home Mother. They lived a simple country life in South Carolina.
Their massive vegetable gardens were used both as food for the
family and a small money making opportunity. It was a time
of frugality for the country. The great depression was a fact
of life. With eight children to feed, her parents struggled
daily, yet the children were well fed. They were used to hand
me down clothes and doing without. It was just the way it was.
It was common for children then to remain in school only
until they had learned enough to get a job. Willie left school
after the eight grade. Having been taught the value of work
from her parents, she dutifully began work at a hosiery mill
in North Carolina. It was the beginning of a lifetime of
factory work. She was happy to have a job.
She met my father and married at age twenty.
They began their life together in Pageland South Carolina.
Mom took a job closer to home and gave birth to the first
of three children. My father was a kind and gentle man to
the outside world. Our home life was in stark contrast to
his public image. Mom did her best to shield us from the
truth, but still we knew. Her commitment to her wedding
vows would keep her in the marriage until his death
years later.
Willie was a small woman. She stood just five feet
and two inches tall with a petite frame. She was often
asked to repeat herself; she spoke so softly. Her kindness
and strength toward others drew people to her everyday.
They sought the wisdom life had taught her.
Her life consisted of working to provide an income
for her children and coming home to work in the garden
each night. Willie repeated the lessons her own parents
had taught her with her children. There were chores to
do each day. We were also required to help water and
weed our acres of garden beds.
My Mother showed us how to not only survive hard
lessons, but also to find the good in each situation.
While she suffered in her marriage, she also became
stronger from it. She was a friend to any stranger
in a kind and honest manner.
Having fun with the simple things in life was a
lesson we all learned well. We all laughed uncontrollably
at her run away car with a faulty gearshift. She taught us
to laugh and to take life in stride. As a volunteer bus
driver for our church she once fought off a lost snake
that crawled into our church bus. She was terrified too,
but did so silently. We laughed until we cried when the
danger had passed.
My Father died in 1979 and ended her time of hardship.
Her love for him had never died. Years later she met a
wonderful man who treated her like a princess. His adoration
of her was such a gift to all of us. They remained happily
married until her death.
I lived at home until well into my thirties, helping
out where I could. She was my best friend. We discussed
topics that other people would never discuss with their
parents. I miss that in my life today most of all.
Grandchildren were her life’s reward, a gift from
children that adored her. Family was everything. Her sisters
and brothers remained a close nit family throughout her life,
often dropping in just to visit. Her simple life was a good life.
Willie enjoyed reading romance novels and true story magazine.
Perhaps they spoke to her because of the common story lines she
had lived. If asked, she would say she loved her life. Every aspect
was a lesson. Every person, an opportunity to make a friend.
From her beloved pup Midnight, to adults, to children,
she was deeply loved. This is her legacy.

Annie Thomas-Burke for Jan Hicks and Family

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Tribute: A Mother’s Lessons Sunday, Jun 17 2007

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© 2006

 

A Mother’s Lessons

 

Vilas Mae Langan

1936 – 2003

You could say that she was a formidable woman. Her stature and presence were something people took notice of immediately. As you met her, you could choose to be on guard, or be charmed by her ready smile. In her later years her six-foot frame would betray her need to be on the move constantly. It was her way to keep moving in spite of the challenges life brought. She had lived a hard life and it showed in every move she made. Still nothing could keep her from her volunteer duties at the local Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Bingo hall.

She was one of the oldest children born into a large poverty stricken family in rural Michigan. Her father died young. Her mother worked hard to support the family on her own until her remarriage years later. My mother learned those lessons of sacrifice and hard work well. She would need those skills in her own lifetime.

Her mother insisted that each of the eleven children in her care should learn to play an instrument. School band programs were a big part of their lives. They enjoyed many nights in their living room practicing for some upcoming band event. My mother kept this deep love for music throughout her life and encouraged her own children to play as well.

As a young woman, her choices in love were not always on target. Love was lost and gained several times. She eventually found herself alone with five children to raise on her own. Hard times had led her to California, hundreds of miles from her family home. It was the early sixties, and divorce was taboo. There were hurtful stigma’s attached. She responded to this attitude as if it had been a verbal challenge. Her inner strength shone brightly. Instead of giving up, she worked her way up with only a ninth grade education from file clerk to office manager. She became the “go to” person in every organization she was a part of. It is this determination and strength that she will be remembered for.

Her health declined and she found it necessary to retire, yet she had no intention of sitting while watching the world drift by. In honor of her father’s service in the Military, she gladly gave her time to the DAV. She worked as a bookkeeper and organizer of their events while teaching other women what she knew so well.

As her child, I grew up watching her as she took on home maintenance projects that men could not do. She researched her options and set about asking questions that would enable her to do the task well. This is the greatest gift she gave to me. It is because of her that I am able to see a problem as a challenge and not an obstacle. Her strength and wisdom will remain with me as I strive to pass those traits down to my own children.

Her life touched a wide variety of people. Her success is measured in much broader terms than the all mighty dollar. The lessons she taught are invaluable. In a time when women were expected to let their husbands take care of them, she showed many women that they could rely on themselves. She taught all of us that we are much stronger than we know. “Challenge your self” was her mantra. She lived it, taught it and we are all the better for her lessons.

Annie Thomas-Burke

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Tribute: More Than A Puppeteer Tuesday, Jun 12 2007

This tribute is the property of Worth Remembering Publishing
© 2006

More Than A Puppeteer

 

Jim Henson

 

1936  -  1990

     On the eve of a memorial to Jim Henson, Kermit the Frog said. "I don't know who Jim Henson is, but I've heard he has his hand in a lot of things around here." It was an attempt at humor from a puppet that had just lost his voice. Jim Henson was more than Kermit's creator. He was Kermit’s voice from the moment Jim and his future wife Jane threw together a bit of wire, green fabric and two ping pong balls. 

     Jim became a puppeteer by default. He was entranced by a new technology called Television and wanted to be a part of it. He decided to create his first puppet family, Sam and Friends using sewing skills his grandmother had taught him. He pitched his new act to a local television show and was rewarded with a three-minute piece.

     Jane and Jim went on to create Muppets Inc. They hired only the best, most creative people to work along side them. Jim had innovative ideas from the beginning. He had watched other puppeteers who stood behind standard backdrops and

knew that there was another way it could be done. He felt that if they could keep the camera on the puppet alone, it would seem more real to children. He used soft pliable fabric and rods to make his characters move. They were capable of facial expression. He called them Muppets. It is said that the name was derived from the words Puppet and Marionette.

     Jim and Jane were often booked on the Today show and other programs, but they wanted to reach more children. When Jim was approached to create a family of puppets for a new show called Sesame Street to be aired on public television, he jumped at the chance. Big Bird and his friends were created. They became an immediate hit with parents who wanted more than cartoons for their children’s viewing.

     Despite his success and reputation as an innovative puppet master and filmmaker, he struggled for years to find a production company who would buy his idea of a show based on his Muppets. No one in America ever did. A London based company finally bought his ideas and The Muppet Show hit the air. It was 1975. He had been trying for ten years.

     As the Muppets Show and Sesame Street grew in popularity, agents and stars noticed. They lobbied to be included in the program. This was unheard of at the time. Stars didn’t regularly appear on children’s programming. They avoided them. The Muppets and Sesame Street changed that. It was amazing to see Lucille Ball conversing with Oscar, or Christopher Reeve reciting the alphabet with Elmo. Something about Jim Henson’s loveable Muppets brought out the child in hundreds of stars and political figures alike.

     Jim and Jane had five children of their own while working and improving their unique band of sassy characters. Jim was a wonderful Father. His children would reflect later and admit that their only complaint was the time he had to spend away from them. He was intent on creating new technology each day, yet he also knew how to live. His colleagues are the first to say he knew the importance of family and friends. He often took his children along to work assignments to spend more time with them. He showered friends with trips and activities.

     Jane and Jim separated late in his life. It was an event that devastated everyone who knew them. They were never able to divorce each other and remained best friends until he died. She was the only woman he ever loved.

     I wasn't a young child when Jim Henson's Sesame Street became a worldwide phenomenon. I watched as my own children were taught the basics of life. From the alphabet to morals, they learned and enjoyed every moment. As parents, we knew Jim Henson could be trusted with our children. We were grateful for the help. We often laughed with them.

     While some characters were gruff or down right rude, children were never afraid. When Oscar insulted someone from his famous trashcan, children knew that he was just a naughty grouch and learned that they should never be like him. Jim innately knew what children would respond to and   created those characters for them.

     As Kermit, Miss Piggy and their friends engaged in frantic yet educational antics, children and adults were brought together to laugh. The Muppets wit was a gentle mix of appropriate humor for children, yet with enough of an adult edge to appeal to us as well. It was easy to forget that we were watching a puppet.

     His friends and colleagues say he was an infinitely patient man. He never raised his voice in anger. When he grew irritated with a film crew for goofing off, he would simply clear his throat or shuffle his foot. They knew it meant that they should get back to work. Yet he was also just as apt to be the instigator of the same behavior. He knew how to have fun, but work was always foremost on his mind.

     His dreams of taking the technology he created to new heights were realized. Yet he continued to work diligently to create new visual effects and animatronics. His work revolutionized the industry. Through it all he remained a genuinely kind man. People that knew him well would describe him as having great strength. His strength of character and his strength of will inspired those who worked with him and the people he loved.

     Frank Oz, his partner and the voice of Miss Piggy throughout the history of the Muppets, said of Jim, “He wasn’t perfect, but he is as close to it as a man can get.” He touched the people who were fortunate enough to meet him. He was a larger than life man who displayed immense compassion for children, adults and the world as a whole.

     He never complained of being tired. Perhaps in the end this inability to recognize his own human frailties is what led to the illness that took him from us. In the years since his death, his children have taken over the reigns of his company. Each displays the same energy as their Father. They continue to live the dreams he had for animatronics. They are as dedicated to educating children as their Father was.

     Sesame Street has been on the air for thirty-seven years. The Muppets fame is beyond measure. You would be hard pressed to find a person anywhere in the world who does not recognize Kermit, Miss Piggy or Elmo. All of his creations are American icons.

    It all started as a simple dream by a young man to be on television. His makeshift puppet evolved into the most successful television programming for children ever produced. His legacy lives on as we feel the gentle nature of Elmo and watch Miss Piggy chase after Kermit one more time. We must give thanks for what he gave to us all. 

     “Follow your enthusiasm. It's something I've always believed in.  Find those parts of your life you enjoy the most.  Do what you enjoy doing." -Jim Henson

 

Annie Thomas-Burke

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