American Bandstand

[Deleted]

Today is Monday, April 15, 2013


Today in
Dick Clark's American Bandstand History

1958 - The Ames Brothers performed "A Very Precious Love" on "American Bandstand."

1960 - Freddy Cannon performed "Jump Over" and "The Urge" on "American Bandstand."

1967 - Martha & the Vandellas performed "Jimmy Mack" on "American Bandstand."

1967 - The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band performed "Buy for Me the Rain" on "American Bandstand."

1972 - Bobby Vinton performed "Every Day of My Life" on "American Bandstand."

1972 - The Five Man Electrical Band performed "Signs" and "Absolutely Right" on "American Bandstand."

[dave]

I remember watching American Bandstand once or twice after we were able to bring a signal in from Syracuse when I lived on Cornhill in the 1950's, then a great area to have a home and bring up kids, etc. I don't think WKTV ever carried the show when I was in high school. I don't remember when the show began.

(Wiki says it began in 1952, but Dick Clark didn't take it over until 1956. The kids dancing on American Bandstand always seemed to be a bit behind the curve. I remember that assessment, but I don't remember why I thought so this many years later. And I suppose it would have been nice if Annette Funicello appeared on A.B., but I doubt if Disney would have allowed it. Annette, who is known as a Utica native, but in reality left Utica for the coast at age 4, never to return except for a few sightings on supposed visits to her aunt in North Utica, was not exactly a favorite of our set anyway, because in high school few of us watched Mickey Mouse. The beach party films came later. Beach Blanket Bingo was released in '65 and some of us were married with children by then. The beach-party films were indeed shot on California beaches because the studio wouldn't give the films' producers space for the endeavor. I knew a cameraman at one time who was either a best boy or grip ... I forget which ... on a few of the beach films and he said that with such bright sun they had to stop the lenses down so far everything was in focus all the way to Sausalito, not a good thing when you can't control everything happening in the background.)

Before Uticans put up roof antennas, all you could watch was what WKTV chose from the lineups of the three networks. The networks didn't like that idea, preferring to lock in a station to its complete lineup. However, the FCC decreed that in markets served by only one station, the station was to assess the desires of the local population and choose show by show from any of the networks. So one hour you might be watching something from ABC and the next hour was from NBC. Normally, not having Ed Sullivan was OK with most everyone I knew, because instead we got Steve Allen, and before that Sid Caesar.

Before Dad had an antenna put up on our roof, we had to watch such spectacular events as Elvis' appearance on the Ed Sullivan show on our downstairs neighbor's TV. They had an antenna. I have a distinct memory of everyone (from probably 3 or 4 neighboring households, ages three years to somewhere in their forties) packed into the Orlando's living room as Elvis was introduced, awkwardly as usual by Sullivan. Just as Elvis began his act, Mrs. Orlando shouted something regarding Oh-her-god. She jumped up and ran to the tv and swept the Infant of Prague statue (who I think in September would have been wearing ... what, green?) from the top of the television and rushed it into the dining room where presumably the little guy wouldn't be scandalized by the star of the new film Love Me Tender.

Wiki: "Elvis mythology states that Sullivan censored Presley by only shooting him from the waist up. Sullivan may have helped create the myth when he told TV Guide, "as for his gyrations, the whole thing can be controlled with camera shots." In truth Presley's whole body was shown in the first and second shows."

That's true. However, I think I remember and I believe I saw one or two songs covering him only from the waist up.

[Clipper]

I actually went to school at Seymour School with Annette's cousin from N. Utica. Annette visited her family a couple of times, but did not make any personal appearances, and kept her visits private and low key.

[dave]

Clip, did you know the Van Brocklins? I went to school with a girl who also told me of Annette's one or two visits.

[clarencebunsen]

In the late 50's the Mickey Mouse Club was aimed at a much different demographic than today's version.

[Clipper]

My dad was fairly good friends with a Charlie Van Brocklin that was in the Auto Parts business on the River Road in Marcy for years. That is the only Van Brocklin that I am personally acquainted with.

I am pretty sure that the cousin that I am acquainted with lived somewhere off of Herkimer Road, in the vicinity of Linda View or Elmhurst. She was simply a class mate and not someone that I knew well. Her name was Funicello but I can't remember her first name. I can picture her face as we speak. Short, blondish colored hair and wore glasses.

[bobbbiez]

I had the pleasure of meeting Annette back in the late 50's early 60's when she visited her relatives (Spina/Gimmelli/Barber) bowling alley that was located on South Street. Can't remember the name of the alley. I was dating her cousin, John, and went to a private birthday party at the alley that Annette attended for a relative. Very sweet girl but quiet with a wonderful extended family.

John was one of my mistakes in life. I let him get away. He was in the Navy and while he was away on the USS Nautilus I met and started to date, Vinny, who I ended up marrying. Yep, I was guilty of giving a "Dear John" letter to a sweetheart of a man which did come back to bite me.

[Clipper]

The name of the bowling alley was the "Royal." It was right around the corner from Tony Rafael's house when he lived with his mom on Dudley. Tony lived there. It was his home away from home. I think Tony is still one of the better bowlers in the city. He was almost pro material when he was still in high school.

[bobbbiez]

Yep, the Royal it was. Couldn't think of the name. It was driving me crazy cause I spent a lot of time there when I was dating John.

[dave]

My older brother set pins at the Royal in '58 or so.

Clip , I think the the father of the girl I went to school with was Charlie or maybe he had a brother. The girl was not a relative of the Funicello's, but did know a relative.
The girl named VanBrocklin lived just north of Herkimer road. I don't remember which street, but it was not far from the Deerfield Corners and they lived in a "Cornhill style" two-family house, which would have been somewhat unusual for North Utica. This was around '59.

Bz, I can finally say that other than the girl from high school, I finally met someone ... you ... who actually met Annette in Utica.

[Clipper]

That is the same Charlie Van Brocklin Dave.

[kit]

The name 'Norm' VanBrocklin is ringing a bell with me from years ago. Could he have been in the family?

Dave, when I ran across a bright scene and needed a short depth-of-field, I used a 'Neutral Density' filter. They came in various strengths depending on your needs. I would imagine a film company would know about these. Perhaps your friend was a grip.

[dave]

Kit, Norm sounds familiar too. But it's been too many years.

[kit]

Dave... I modified my post above. Did you see the thing about the Neutral Density filter?

[dave]

Kit, No, I just noticed your modification. It's been years since I fooled with (moving picture) film. But I seem to remember some disadvantage to ND filters. Was it focus or blurring of moving images? I don't remember. By the time I spoke with him, the fellow was quite an experienced camera man, so he would have known his filters by then.

I had a ND filter when I shot 35 stills with my Rollei SLR. I mainly used it for contrast when I shot b+w, I think. I shot a lot of b+w for two reasons: 1. that's all I could print, and 2. luckily I love b+w, more than color.