The history of Lee & Lionel
When it was decided to go with a full blown Lee & Lionel show featuring
the "Three Stooges," I decided it was also time for a REAL
castle. So, out to the shop I went and with 2x4's and 1/2 inch plywood
I started to build. For all the lattice work, I used cut up picture frame
molding. To cover the round parapets, I used screen molding. I had a six
foot long plastic pipe cut in two lengthwise and fitted out front as the
"moat!" Of course, I had the large double doors that would open when
I pulled a lever. I
The castle's size was from wall to wall...six
feet inside by about four feet deep. With the lawn, from front to back it
was about six and a half feet. From side to side outside, about eight feet
wide. The middle rear parapet was removable to allow us to get it out of
the studio, so to the top of the flag pole, it was over eight feet tall.
The only place we ever took it was to do the Philharmonic "Pops Concerts"
with
Back to the castle! During the years of this show, I was pleased that many people thought it was a network or syndicated show. We did have a great opening on film, nicely synced with the "Wedding Music" mentioned earlier, and the same with the closing credits. On many occasions we had guests drop by and as you have seen a full shot of the big castle, here is another with Art Linkletter chatting up the King and I.
Back to main Lee and Lionel page Back to main page
|
I mentioned
that the
had
a runway for the toy car that ran just behind the open doors. The
styrofoam ball being blown from the smoke stack, suspended just above it.
The koala bear in the right rear tower was on a lever that raised
him up. I controlled that with my foot. I had a railing on the inside of
the castle the was just the right height for me to rest my elbow on to support
Lionel and when I had Lionel or Granny in the right front parapet, they actually
sat a little higher. There were some angles that could give away the illusion,
But Ralph and the camera crew never let that happen. Sometimes, a film would
break and they would have to come out to the studio and I would be caught
"bare handed!" So, I would act as though Lionel or Basil or Granny were down
in the dungeon while I was busily getting one of them ready to fill!
Maestro Franco Autori. He was a delight and
loved Lionel. After the third concert, he came to me and said, "I will come
over to the castle after the applause, to congratulate Lionel. And when I
do, you must have him bite me!" I thought that was great! So, we did the
"Brittain" piece, Franco came over and hugged Lionel, who then bit him on
the neck! Maestro made a big play out of it and it was very funny. Like most
conductors, he was a great showman. I performed with the "Phil" over thirty
times! As an encore during one concert, he asked if I would like to sing
something? I said yes and the music was ordered for Vincent Youmans' "Without
A Song." I had sung this many times and to save time in rehearsal, Maestro
only went through the intro. Bad mistake! I came in early on the bridge and
all hell broke loose! If you ever doubt the importance of an orchestra conductor,
don't! He actually got all eighty some odd musicians to cut to the chase
and saved my bacon. I could tell after the number was over that he wanted
to come over and bite ME on the neck! KVOO's Jack Moore recorded that
concert and I got a copy of the encore in which you could hardly tell anything
had happened. I wonder what happened to all those concerts that KVOO taped.
There were some real heavy hitters back then. Priceless stuff. I hope someone
has them!
