Friday, December 25, 2009

Adriana Caselotti, the Voice of Snow White



Snow White is one of the most beloved Disney films of all time. Adriana Caselotti is the woman who gave Snow White her voice. Walt Disney blacklisted her after the film was made, as he did not want her voice used in any other film. She can be heard, however, in The Wizard of Oz- During the Tin Man's Song "If I Only Had a Heart" she can be heard uttering the line "Wherefore art thou, Romeo?"

Later in life she sold autographs. She sent everything back unsigned, with a price list. I figured what the heck, she's 80, I may as well- so I sent her $60, her fee for signing both drawings. She signed both of them, and also sent me a nice note on Snow White stationary, and a signed photo for free! Sadly she passed away just two months later at age 80, so I was glad I ended up paying her to sign them.

Richie Ashburn, Philadelphia Phillies Icon


Richie Ashburn was one of the most beloved Baseball Players on the Philadelphia Phillies. He played ball from 1948-1959, and served as a long-time Phillies announcer, calling games until the day he died.
It took over a year before I received this back signed by him. About two or three weeks after I got it back, he sadly passed away from a heart attack.

Joan Baez- "We Shall Overcome"


Joan Baez is one of America's most well-known Folksingers. She has been performing for over 50 years, and is probably most remembered for her involvement in the Peace movements of the 1960's. She continues to speak out on behalf of those who are oppressed and has always been a voice for those who have no voice.

Herman Brix/ Bruce Bennett- "Tarzan"


Herman Brix made a name for himself as an athlete, playing tackle in the 1926 Rose Bowl and winning the Silver Medal for Shot-Put in the 1928 Olympic Games. From there he went to Los Angeles, and starred as Tarzan in films made by the production company owned by Tarzan's author Edgar Rice Burroughs. It is said that his depiction of Tarzan was the most accurate one of the time. He soon changed his name to Bruce Bennett to avoid being type-cast as Tarzan, and acted in many films during the 1940's and 50's. He enjoyed sky-diving, and last jumped at the age of 96. He passed away at age 100 in 2007.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

James Leavelle, Dallas Police Detective


November 22, 1963 was the day President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. His (supposed) killer, Lee Harvey Oswald, was soon captured. Two days later, November 24th, Oswald was being led from the jail to be transferred to the County facility. Dallas nightclub owner Jack Ruby had posed as a reporter and was lurking in the hallway with members of the press. On live television, Ruby jumped out and shot Oswald, who later died.
Dallas Police Detective James Leavelle was hand-cuffed to Oswald on Oswald's right, and is very noticeable in the footage of the event as he is wearing a light colored suit and hat (everyone else is dressed in dark suits). He is the last man alive who was in the group escorting Oswald.
I drew this picture on the exact 33rd anniversary of Oswald's shooting.
Leavelle just happened to be present at another historical event, having been stationed on the U.S.S. Whitney in Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941.

Roy Rogers, King of the Cowboys


Roy Rogers was an icon for millions of children all over America. His image was plastered on all sorts of toys and clothing all throughout the 1940's and 50's. He and his wife Dale Evans inspired every kid to be a cowboy when he/ she grew up. Before starring in hundreds of Western films, he was an accomplished singer in "The Sons of the Pioneers," one of the best known groups singing songs of the Old West.
Roy and Dale dressed in western attire for the remainder of their lives, living up to the image they portrayed on the screen decades earlier. This was one of the first pictures I ever sent out, and is a little rough as far as quality, but I was thrilled to get an autograph from the King of the Cowboys!

Frank Perdue, Chicken Man


Perdue Fams was founded in 1920, the same year Frank Perdue was born. He quit college to work for his father's company, over the ensuing decades turning into the first well-known brand of chicken in America. He appeared in many commercials for Perdue Chickens, saying "It takes a tough man to make a tender chicken."
I never actually met him, but years ago in the grocery store I worked at, Frank Perdue came in with several other "high ups" to check out the Perdue section in the meat dept. This was after he retired from leading his company, and I was surprised how frail he looked compared to the man I had seen on TV. Still it was a neat experience to actually see this American business visionary in person.

The Osborne Brothers


Bobby and Sonny Osborne had been performing together for over 50 years until Sonny retired a few years ago. Bobby, the older of the two, continues to perform to this day. They had their biggest hit in 1967 with "Rocky Top," a song which the University of Tennessee has been playing at sporting events since the 1970's.
They were criticized in the 60's for adding electric instruments to their act, but by the 1990's they had returned to their roots. At that time they had one of the few traditional sounding groups still performing regularly on the Grand Ole Opry.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Leni Riefenstahl- German Film-Maker


Leni Riefenstahl has been called the greatest female filmmaker of the 20th Century. Her most famous film, however, is "Triumph of the Will" -a documentary of the 1934 Nuremburg Congress of the Nazi Party. She was personal friends with Adolf Hitler and Josef Goebbels, but she always denied that she deliberately attempted to make pro-Nazi propaganda- despite the fact that her films were used as such. She was arrested after the War but was never convicted of any crimes. Her later photography work won much acclaim, and she was active in photography and filmmaking right up to her death in 2003 at the age of 101.

Ricou Browning- The Creature From the Black Lagoon


Ricou Browning's most famous role is that of the creature in the 1950's Sci-Fi classic film "The Creature From the Black Lagoon." Browning played the creature in the under water sequences, while Ben Chapman did the land ones. He wrote me a letter as well and also sent a signed photo of himself out of the costume (I had asked what he actually looked like). He wrote that he's a bit older now than in the photo but "I'm still a handsome devil!"

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Byron Nelson, Golfer

Byron Nelson has been labeled by Golf Magazine as the 5th Greatest Golfer of all time. In 1945 he won 18 professional tournaments, 11 of those in a row- These two records still stand to this day. Those who knew him always said he had such a positive energy about him, which extended off the green as well. He retired at age 34, but remained active in Golf untill his passing at age 94 in 2006.

Sheldon Leonard "Nick the Bartender"



Sheldon Leonard's thick Brooklyn accent and tough guy looks earned him many roles playing bad guys in films and television over several decades. He was also involved in television production (The Andy Griffith Show for one).


The role of his I always loved though was that of Nick the Bartender in "It's a Wonderful Life." In the first part of the film he was a jovial nice-guy bartender. When George sees how things are if he had never lived, he finds that Nick no longer has love for his fellow man, and runs a rowdy flop-house of a bar. The end of that scene shows him laughing and opening the cash register again and again to make the bell ring "Get me- I'm givin' out wings!"


I sent this to him not long after I found out he was still alive, and was thrilled to get it back. Unfortunately passed away about a year later at age 89.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Peter Paul and Mary


Peter Paul and Mary are one of the most beloved Folk Music groups in America. They've been singing together for nearly 50 years, despite some serious health concerns for Mary Travers. Their songs like "Puff the Magic Dragon" and "The Times They Are a Changin'" have become standards, and will continue to be listened to long after they are gone. I mailed this to Paul Stookey and asked if he could have Peter and mary sign it whenever he got together with them again- It was quite a while before I got this back, but I was thrilled when I saw all three signatures on it. It's one of my favorites.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Pete Gray, One-Armed Baseball Player


Pete Gray lost his arm in a childhood accident. He didn't lose his interest in Baseball, and learned to catch and hit with the one arm he had left. He was quite exceptional in the minor leagues, and in 1945 the St. Louis Browns purchased his contract, making him the only one-armed player in the major leagues. His big league career ended on V-J Day, when the players who were serving in the War returned home. I remember watching a TV movie about him when I was a kid, and was surprised when I found out he was still alive and still lived in his hometown of Nanticoke, PA. He even wrote a note on the return envelope thanking me for the picture.

Billy Rogell, Detroit Tigers Shortstop


Bill Rogell, at the time of his death at age 98 in 2003, was one of the last living links to Baseball in the 1920's. His career began in 1925 and ended in 1940. He was on the Pennant Winning Detroit Tigers in 1935. The Tigers won a trip to the World Series in 1934 as well, but lost. During game 4 of the series, Rogell was throwing the ball to first base to make a triple play, and hit Dizzy Dean square on the head! He later remarked that if he knew Dean's head was there, he would have threw the ball harder! He threw out the first pitch at the final game in Tiger Stadium, nearly 70 years after playing his first game there.
When i wrote to him I asked what he thought of Baseball today. He wrote back that "There are too many big league clubs. The good players are spread out too much..." He stated that he only watched Little League games.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

John Hurt "The Elephant Man"


British actor John Hurt has been giving memorable performances in films for over 45 years. My favorite of his many roles I have seen, however, is that of John Merrick, The Elephant Man. Hurt's skill as an actor is flawless in this role, and is a beautiful tribute to the sad case of Merrick. I think the real David Merrick would have appreciated Hurt's portrayal of him.

Russell Means, American Indian Activist and Actor


Russell Means has been called the most famous American Indian since Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse. He has been active in drawing attention to the plight of America's native peoples for decades, and has made a few memorable film appearances along the way. He was one of the activists who occupied Alcatraz for 19 months, and was involved in several other prominant takeovers, including the occupation of Wounded Knee in 1973. He gave a wonderful performance in "Last of the Mohicans" as Chingachgook.

Kurt Waldheim, U.N. Secretary-General


Dr. Kurt Waldheim served as the Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1972-1982. During this time and afterwards, he worked to find peaceful solutions to International issues. His career was tarnished by claims that he had committed war crimes during his service in WWII, but he always denied this. Even his superior stated that Waldheim had mainly been "confined to a desk." In addition to signing the picture, he also included his signed business card.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Wade Mainer


Wade Mainer first recorded music in 1936 when he was 29 years old. Today he is still living at age 102, and still performs occasionally. He picks the banjo in an old-time style and performs songs that if you close your eyes you'll think you're back in the hills of North Carolina 100 years ago. His wife Julia, who was known in the 30's as "Hillbilly Lilly" is 90 and has been accompanying him for decades.
The picture on the top shows him in the 1930's (he's at the bottom) when he was in his brother's band "J.E. Mainer's Mountaineers." The one on the bottom shows him and his wife when they were performing at "Uncle Dave Macon Days" in Tennessee in 2002 when he was 95 years old.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

James Stewart, Had a Wonderful Life


Jimmy Stewart was one of the most successful and respected actors in Hollywood. He was a natural at playing the "Little man" - the regular "Joe" who despite things being stacked against him, comes out ahead in the end. "It's a Wonderful Life" is one of his best known films.
When his wife passed away in the 1990's, Jimmy became very depressed. He did not come out in public much after that, and stopped answering fan mail. His hometown of Indiana, PA opened The Jimmy Stewart Museum in the late 1990's. My dad went out there for the day and ended up helping out with some of the festivities. He took my drawing out there with him. Jimmy declined the invitation to attend due to his health, but his two daughters were there. My dad spent some time talking to them, and told them how much he and I both loved their dad's films. He gave the drawing to them to take home with them, and they told him they'd have their dad sign it for me. Sure enough, a few weeks later it came back with his autograph. I can't thank his daughters enough for their kindness, knowing that he was not in good health at the time.

Monday, June 1, 2009

Millvina Dean, the Last Titanic Survivor


Millvina Dean had the distinction of being the youngest survivor of the Sinking of the Titanic. She also ended up being the last. She passed away the other day at age 97, on the anniversary of the date the ship was launched in Belfast.
She was thrust into the limelight in the last 10 years of her life, as she was the only remaining survivor who was willing to talk about the disaster. She would spend hours every day answering letters that poured in from people all over the world. I wrote to her several times in the late 1990's, and she always replied and several times even wrote me letters back.
This drawing was done from a photo taken a few years after the disaster. Millvina's father was lost in the sinking, and you can see the pain of his loss on the faces of his family.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Arnold Palmer


Arnold Palmer is one of the greatest Golfers in the history of the game. Despite his fame, he is still the same man who grew up in Western Pennsylvania 70+ years ago. He lives in Florida now but lived around Latrobe PA most of his life. His accomplishments on the course speak for themselves.

Eddie Dean- Singing Cowboy


Eddie Dean was born the 7th son of a 7th son of a 7th son- That must have been a lucky thing, as he enjoyed a long life and a long and successful career as an actor and singer. When he died in 1999 at the age of 91, he had been singing professionally for 80 years. He continued to perform and record long after he retired from acting, and many of his fans commented he sounded even better in his old age!
He was very cordial in his response- writing "Thanks a lot! A good friend and good likeness when I was young." Ironically, I drew this picture exactly two years to the day before he passed away.

Gregory Peck- Captain Ahab


Gregory Peck was one of the all-time great American Film actors. He is probably best remembered for his role as Atticus Finch in "To Kill A Mockingbird" but I always loved the film "Moby Dick" and his role as Captain Ahab. Even in his later films, he still brought a commanding presence to the screen. His final film role was as Father Mapple in a re-make of Moby Dick- a fitting end to an illustrious career.

Edward J. Smith, Captain of R.M.S. Titanic



Ok so it's not a drawing, but definitely one of my most prized items.

Nearly 100 years ago, the largest and most luxurious ship in the world struck an iceberg on her maiden voyage and sank to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. This was to be the final voyage for Edward J. Smith, Captain of the Titanic- After reaching New York, he would return to England and retire.

Some people have blamed Capt. Smith for the sinking of Titanic- claiming he ignored ice warnings and was going to fast- some even claiming he was drinking. The blame does not lie with him, or with any one person- there are countless "what-ifs" -any one of which would have created a different outcome. Capt. Smith's decision to keep the water tight doors closed saved many lives- Had he opened them in order to let the ship sink evenly, it would have rolled and prevented the launching of many of the life boats.

This Happy New Year card was sent in about 1910 to "Maurice," a friend of his- perhaps a fellow ship's Captain. He signed his distinctive "E J Smith" at the bottom of the card. I get chills every time I think that about 100 years ago, this very card was in his hands- he touched it- read it- His eyes looked upon it just as mine do now.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

John Parkinson- Witness to RMS Titanic


When John Parkinson was 5 years old, he watched Titanic sail away from the Harland and Wolff Shipyard in Belfast Ireland. His father had spent three years helping to build her, and took his son down to the docks to watch her depart. 90 years later he remembered it like it was yesterday- He could still recall the throngs of people waving good-bye to her. It would have been un-imaginable to any of them that they would never see the ship again. Titanic sank on her maiden voyage in 1912. John's father broke down and cried when he heard the news- as did nearly everyone else in Belfast- they all had family members- or at least knew someone- who had perished when she sank.
John still had in his posession his father's tools that were used in her construction. He was very proud of his connection to the ship, and enjoyed telling school children about "The World's Largest Liner" that was built in Belfast. John Parkinson passed away in 2006 at the age of 99. He was more than likely the last person alive who had actually witnessed her launch.

Bill Monroe- The Father of Bluegrass

After Bill Monroe's first performance on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry in 1939, Opry founder George D. Hay told him "If you ever leave, it'll be because you fired yourself." He never left, preforming regularly until ill health forced him to stop shortly before his passing in 1996.
He kept his music pure, long after many bands were featuring electric instruments or drums. his band's line-up from 1946-1947 is said by some to be the best line up of any music group ever. Two of them, Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, later left and formed The Foggy Mountain Boys- what is probably the second best Bluegrass group after Monroe's Bluegrass Boys.

I met Bill Monroe once, at a concert he gave ina small theater in Philadelphia PA in 1994. He and the band came in the main entrance, and as he made his way down the left aisle, Bill shook hands with people sitting on that side (including me). Later my dad lied to the manager saying it was my Birthday, and they let me go back stage to meet him- He signed the color photo shown above, and was very codial even though I had interrupted him while he was talking with a band member's wife.
After the show was done and everyone got up to leave, Bill walked back out on stage alone, no Mandolin, and sang "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" as the crowd joined in. He was truly a wonderful performer who really appreciated his fans and loved what he did.

Miep Gies- Saved the Diary of Anne Frank



Miep Gies recently turned 100 years old. During World War II, The Netherlands was occupied by Nazi Germany. Many Dutch citizens, risking their own lives, did what they could to hide Dutch Jews- These were their friends- people they had known their whole lives- and now all of a suden these people were now "Juden." and subject to deportation and death.

Miep was employed in the Spice company owned by Otto Frank. When things became too dangerous, Otto Frank, his wife, their daughters Margot and Anne, along with four others went into hiding in the attic above Mr. Frank's business. For over two years, their secret was safe. Miep, her husband Jan, and three others kept their friends alive and hidden. On August 4, 1944, an informant informed the Gestapo there were people in the building. The Franks and their friends were discovered and sent to the Concentration Camps. Only Otto Frank survived the war. Miep found Anne's Diary in the rubble of the torn apart office, and later gave it to Otto Frank after she learned that Anne did not survive.

The Diary of Anne Frank is the second most widely read book in the World, second only to The Bible. Miep did not read it when she found it- She later stated if she had, she would have destroyed it due to the incriminating evidence in it against those who kept the Franks in hiding. Many people hail her as a hero, but she was simply doing what she knew in her heart was right- helping her friends.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Joan Leslie


Actress Joan Leslie starred in many films in the 1940's, but pretty much gave up acting in 1956 to raise her family. I've always enjoyed her role in Yankee Doodle Dandy as Mary, George M Cohan's (James Cagney's) wife. I drew them in the scene when they're in the offices of theatrical producers Dietz and Goff, singing "Harrigan." I told her that was my favorite scene- and she wrote above her signature "My favorite scene too."

Monday, March 16, 2009

The Stanley Brothers


Ralph Stanley has been performing Bluegrass Music for over 60 years. Over 40 of those years he has done so alone, as his brother Carter Stanley passed away in 1966. Despite the onset of electrified instruments and other modern changes to Country music, he never faltered and always stayed true to his roots and his music. He became known to a whole new generation of people for his rendition of "Oh Death" in the film "Oh Brother Where Art Thou?" He is in his early 80's now and is still performing.

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Yvonne DeCarlo


Yvonne DeCarlo is known to many as Lily Munster from the 1960's TV show 'The Munsters." She had been a very popular actress in Hollywood for nearly 30 years before that. One of the major roles in her film career was that of Sephora, Moses's wife, in "The Ten Commandments." She passed away in 2007 at the age of 84.

Dustin Hoffman


Dustin Hoffman has appeared in countless films over the years, but my favorite of his roles has always been that of 121 year old Jack Crabb, who recounts the story of how he was the only white man to survive Custer's Last Stand at the Little Bighorn. I thought this one was long gone, but lo and behold a year or two after I mailed it, i got it back. Whether or not the signature is actually his I can't say for certain, but hopefully the long wait means that it actually got to him personally.

Buck Leonard- The Black Lou Gehrig


Buck Leonard played Baseball in the Negro Leagues from 1933-1955, retiring at age 48. He played the majority of his career as a first baseman for the Homestead Grays, usually in the batting line-up right behind Josh Gibson. The Grays of the 1930's and 40's have been called the greatest team of any race ever assembled. Late in his life he suffered a stroke which affected his ability to write. You will notice his signature here is very labored- it looks like it took him quite some time to sign his name, but he was always very obliging to the fans who took the time to write to him.

Hank Aaron- baseball's Home Run Record Holder


Hank Aaron played Baseball from 1952-1976, first playing with the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro Leagues. His most well-known acheivement is breaking the Home-Run record of 714 set by Babe Ruth. He was one away from tying the record at the end of the 1973 season, and over the winter received numerous death threats and other racist mail. Some people did not want to see a Black man break Ruth's record. Ruth's widow even spoke out in support of Aaron, stating her husband would have enthusiastically cheered him on. Aaron ended his career with 755 Home Runs, a feat which has never been eclipsed except by a player who took steroids and cheated his way past that number.
It is quite difficult to get Hank Aaron to sign things these days. When i sent this, he was signing things if you sent a donation to his charity. I was more than happy to do so to have an autograph from this Baseball legend!

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Gene Autry, The Singing Cowboy


Gene Autry was always one of my favorites. I was too young to have grown up with him, but I always enjoyed listening to CDs of his old Western songs. He was one of the first people I ever wrote to. He was always a true gentleman- definitely lived up to the persona he portrayed on the screen. Needless to say I was pretty thrilled when I got this one back!

Sir Alec Guinness



Sir Alec Guinness probably received a ton of fan mail from people who knew him as Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars. Personally I preferred watching his other roles. I wrote to him in 1995 and I don't think i even mentioned Star Wars at all. The picture I chose to draw him from was from one of his first films, Great Expectations (if I remember right). His signature is in the lower left corner.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Ralph Fiennes- A Villianous Nazi


Not in real life of course, but Ralph Fiennes won much acclaim for his role as Nazi Concentration Camp Commandant Amon Goeth in the film "Schindler's List." His portrayal was so realistic that one of the real Schindler Jews shook in terror upon meeting him on the set when he was in full costume.

The Weavers


Sixty years ago, four singers got together and formed a group, performing Traditional Ballads, Folk Songs from around the world, Blues, Labor Songs, etc. They sang about the common man, and were immensely popular. They popularized obscure folk songs which are now considered standards like "On Top of Old Smokey" and "Midnight Special." The personal beliefs of the members of The Weavers, combined with the many songs they sung that were supportive of worker's rights and other "Socialist" themes caused them to be Black-listed in the 1950's. Eventually this faded, and their concerts and later their reunion concerts generally sold out.


It is amazing that a group formed 60 years ago still has three of its four members living. Lee Hayes passed away in 1981, but Ronnie Gilbert, Pete Seeger, and Fred Hellerman are all still living. Seeger and Gilbert both still regularly perform. I first sent this to Pete Seeger, and he was very kind to provide me with addresses for Ronnie Gilbert and Fred Hellerman. Pete did not keep the extra one, and signed them both. I managed to get Ronnie Gilbert and Fred Hellerman to also sign two instead of just one. This is one of my favorites.

"Slammin Sammy" Sam Snead


Sam Snead was one of the all-time great Golfers. His acheivements speak for themselves. Originally I had received the drawing back unsigned, with a price list enclosed of how much he charged to sign various things. I hesitated a bit, especially since the money was not going to a charity (I don't mind paying when the money is donated to charity). A few weeks later I sent it back (minus the extra one for him to keep....) along with a check for $40. I was kind of ticked off I had to pay so much for him to sign this, but now that he's gone, I'm glad I did.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Ted Briggs, Last Survivor from the Sinking of the HMS Hood


Ted Briggs passed away October 4, 2008 at age 85. In 1941 he was one of over 1,400 British Seamen serving aboard H.M.S. Hood, one of the most celebrated ships in the Royal Navy. The Hood and HMS Prince of Wales were dispatched to intercept the German Battleship Bismarck. Bismarck's massive guns fired, and HMS Hood exploded, splitting in half and sinking. Ted Briggs was one of only three sailors who survived. Since 1995 he had been the last of these three survivors.

Living through such a nightmare is unimaginable. Not surprisingly, he couldn't ever shake the memories of that day. I managed to write to him through a fellow seaman who had served on the Hood before the War, and Ted gave me a gracious response. I really think he enjoyed the picture that he kept- he didn't seem to mind complying with my request. The true heroes are the ones who didn't come back, but we are only able to convey our thanks to those who did. I'm glad I got to thank him just 8 months before he passed away.

Gene Wilder- Willy Wonka


Gene Wilder in my opinion always seems best when playing a quirky character. Young Frankenstein, Blazing Saddles, and of course Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. It's usually tough to get him to sign things through the mail. You have to catch him at the right time from what I've read. I found out that during WWII he served in a military hospital that was about 15 miles away from my house. When I wrote to him I barely even mentioned his acting career- but thanked him for his service in the War and mentioned that I live very close to where he was working at during that time. A few months later I got this back with his signature on it. I absolutely loved him as Willy Wonka- I was really glad to have hi sign this for me.

Monday, January 5, 2009

Into the West- Gordon Tootoosis and Simon Baker


A few years ago TNT aired a mini-series titled "Into the West." I really enjoyed it- no matter how inaccurate it may have been according to some, I thought it did a wonderful job of illustrating what the Westward Expansion really did to the Indians. One of the main characters was played by Simon R. Baker- "Loved By the Buffalo." Veteran actor Gordon Tootoosis appeared in the first episode. Among other roles, Tootoosis played "One-Stab" in Legends of the Fall. I had to send this to each actor separately, and they were both kind enough to sign it for me.

Nicholas Winton "Save One Life, Save the World"


Nicholas Winton will turn 100 years old later this year. In 1939 he was a stockbroker in London, who by chance ended up saving the lives of 669 Jewish children from Czechoslovakia. In the months before the German invasion of Poland, he managed to arrange the transport and adoption of children from the un-occupied part of Czechoslovakia, convinced that it was only a matter of time before the Nazis took control of the entire country. On September 1, 1939, when Hitler invaded Poland, the largest transport was to leave Europe. Because of the invasion, it never left, and those 250 children were never seen again. He is an ordinary person who saw a terrible situation and decided to do something about it. For saving so many lives- especially children- he is a Saint.

The Browns


I've always liked the older Country Music, and also have always like music from the 50's in general. The Browns had some hits back then, most notably "The Three Bells." The harmony when they sing is perfect. Jim Ed has been a staple on the Grand Ole Opry for decades, and his two sisters still join him occasionally and sing some of their old songs. Over 50 years later, they still sound great! Jim was kind enough to have Maxine and Bonnie sign this for me as well.