Frankie Goes to Hollywood Part 3
Just returned from another adventure through BC; Alberta; Montana; Idaho; Washington. No Lynn and I didn’t hitch-hike, we toured in our sexy Chevy Van.
At the end of Part 2 the 3 amigos were deciding where to spend the night. Well Bill solved that, he drove to the YMCA and retrieved our gear, including STEAMER TRUNK and moved to HOLLYWOOD. We found there were 3 sleeping choices: Couch, Floor and BILL’S BED. Democratically we tossed a coin and guess who slept in Papa Bears Bed, Frankie who is now, really in HOLLYWOOD. Glen got the couch (lucky Glen) Gary the deck (lucky Gary). Remember we are only 19 year old OD’s. It all worked out , no problemos senores.
Now Bill leaves for work as a stockbroker and we have this expensive pad to ourselves. This would be the first time we drank Bacardi & Coke in the bath-tub. He also had a great record collection. I noticed a 45 rpm by Jeri Southern, "An Occasional Man" and had second thoughts. Not to worry, we were trained sailors and knew boxing.
We decided to check-out the Hollywood USO, located at Hollywood & Vine area. We missed Edgar Bergen & Charlie McCarthy but we were invited 2 blocks away to the Starlets Home. This is where the beautiful gals from across the nation came to become famous movie stars.I often wondered who was there that night who became one of Hollywood’s stars.
This home was very elegant with Grand Piano near the crackling fire-place where I stood talking with a starlet from Boston. Glen & Gary were across the very opulent, cozy room. When Glen approached with a US Marine in his #1’s looking like Jack Webb in "The DI" Glen had been chatting with this Marine and apparently he was from Fort Erie, Ontario. Glen says my friend over there by the fire-place is from Crystal Beach, which is 10 miles away. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw him approach, it was Ned Brown from 337 Squadron Air Cadets, Fort Erie. We were on the same swim team that won the Ontario Championships. What a great Christmas seeing someone from home. Boston Beans gave me a ride home in her expensive 57 Mercury.
Now we are approaching Christmas. What to do, where to go? Bill asked if we’d like to spend Christmas at DISNEYLAND? Wow! what a treat. He let us phone our parents on Christmas Eve. Gary told his folks that he had met a Hollywood Screenwriter. That sounded pretty good.
Disneyland was terrific, we spent most of the day, when Bill asked if we’d like to head south to Tijuana. Si, Si Senor, Por Favor!!
He wouldn’t let us buy a drink. I still have over $50.00 in my bellbottoms.
Back in Hollywood next day, Bill says we’ve been invited to a party in the Hollywood Hills. Wow! we’re going to meet some chicks. Wrong!! Same old, same old.
We arrived at this Spanish Hacienda high above Hollywood, hanging over the cliff. What a "Mucho Grande Casa". Spanish-tiled floors, wrought iron, and very, very luxurious.
Now the fun begins. We are the guests of honour. There is not a female in sight.The 3 of us look at each other and shrug. "Que, Sera, Sera"
We were brought drinks immediately (rum & cokes). The Yanks don’t drink that much Rum, mostly Scotch & Bourbon. Can’t remember ride home, but we all ended up at Bill’s.
Took Bill next day to Graumann’s Chinese Theatre to see "ON THE BEACH" Greg Peck, Ava Gardner. That evening before we departed to BC, he took us to the Blarney Castle, for the most delicious Filet Mignons ever. What a guy. So very generous.
He drove us to the edge of Hollywood to the Golden State Freeway where we stuck out or thumbs again hoping to return safely to Esquimalt, our home.
We got a ride to Merced, where a semi, with a double load picked us up to keep the driver awake through the night to "The Dalles, Oregon"
Being highly trained duty watchers, we stood two hours each through the night to keep our driver awake. I remember I got the 2 to 4 watch. Passing through Oregon near Crater Lake it began to snow and the driver started dozing. I opened the vent window on my side and directed the snow at driver, while Gary & Glen slept . He screamed, to tell me to shut the vent and I said no way, you’re falling asleep. At the end of my watch, he thanked me for keeping him awake. Said that was his worst time, now he was OK.
We arrived in Bend, Oregon about 6:00am and had to unload the after cargo. He backed this huge semi into the loading dock and we all pitched in to unload cargo. It was hot work so we removed our jumpers. Glen hung his on a nail high above us. After the unloading we drove on for about 2 miles , before Glen realized that his jumper was still hanging on the nail.
The driver was great. He had to turn this huge rig around and return to the warehouse to retrieve Glen’s jumper. I think he was so pleased to have made it to Bend and have us help unload, that he didn’t get upset with the turn-around. Next stop "The Dalles" He had driven us 500 miles closer to home so we decided to buy him breakfast, which he really appreciated.
We pulled-up at PUSSER CORNER, that evening December 31st New Years Eve. Rick Beresford was standing there and invited us to his very popular home on Simcoe St. to bring in 1960.What wonderful memories.There’s no place like home.
I would like to dedicate this story to our dear and late friend Gary Durham. Gary, the steamer trunk wasn’t a big deal. Rest in Peace, matey. Your pals Glen & Frank.