Legendary movie star Van Johnson died Friday at age 92. Link
To classic movie buffs he was once the "all-American boy" and box office champ for a few years in the 40's and 50's.
To boomers and camp fans, he played The Minstrel on the Adam West version of Batman.
I had the chance to understudy him in the 1970's as Harold Hill in The Music Man, and then later on direct him as the Devil in Damn Yankees (which co-starred another MGM dancer, the late Bobby Van).
Van was one of the last stars from the golden years at MGM, he was quite a character, but always upbeat -- even if he was a little angry about something.
One of the best days of my life was when I took my mom and dad backstage to meet him after a performance of Damn Yankees. Their little kid was directing this big MGM star they used to pay to see at the movies. After that, my dad was a little more accepting of my career directing musical comedy.
Also, at my first rehearsal with him, Van remembered everyone's name except mine. He called me "Lou" for the first half hour before the producer corrected him. It still makes me laugh.
Thanks, Van! Take an extra bow.
--Ted
To classic movie buffs he was once the "all-American boy" and box office champ for a few years in the 40's and 50's.
To boomers and camp fans, he played The Minstrel on the Adam West version of Batman.
I had the chance to understudy him in the 1970's as Harold Hill in The Music Man, and then later on direct him as the Devil in Damn Yankees (which co-starred another MGM dancer, the late Bobby Van).
Van was one of the last stars from the golden years at MGM, he was quite a character, but always upbeat -- even if he was a little angry about something.
One of the best days of my life was when I took my mom and dad backstage to meet him after a performance of Damn Yankees. Their little kid was directing this big MGM star they used to pay to see at the movies. After that, my dad was a little more accepting of my career directing musical comedy.
Also, at my first rehearsal with him, Van remembered everyone's name except mine. He called me "Lou" for the first half hour before the producer corrected him. It still makes me laugh.
Thanks, Van! Take an extra bow.
--Ted
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