Cary Grant

[Larry Kart]

Among the many interesting things I found out while reading Marc Eliot's somewhat gossipy (how could it be otherwise?) but seemingly sound 2004 biography "Cary Grant," perhaps the most surprising was that in his later years Grant (who liked to go to Las Vegas and catch all the shows) was a great admirer of, and became quite friendly with, standup comic Charlie Callas, often spending several days at Callas' home when he was in town.

Eliot writes: "Grant especially enjoyed the Jewish dialect Callas was so adept at and asked if he could teach him how to do it. As Callas remembers, 'Grant trying to sound Jewish was one of the funniest things I ever heard.'"

[JSngry]

Charlie Callas was a funny guy.

His cousin Maria, maybe not so much.

You be the judge.

[Larry Kart]

Yes, Callas (Charlie) was a funny guy.

Also a surprise -- Grant's top grossing film.

No cheating now.

OK -- it was "Operation Petticoat," with Tony Curtis. A darn good comedy, too.

Grant wanted to work with Curtis on it because he'd enjoyed Curtis' Grant-tinged shtick in "Some Like It Hot." They got along well during the film and remained friends over the years.

[Teasing the Korean]

At Max's Kansas City, during the smacked-out Velvets era, all the waitresses were immune to any sort celebrity intoxication, except when Cary Grant showed up, and they all acted like schoolgirls.

[Larry Kart]

Speaking of Charlie Callas, who was I believe a would-be jazz drummer, once while he was doing his act on some TV show (maybe Merv Griffin?) I saw him refer in passing to Gene Quill. IIRC it was one those "inside" remarks that comics sometimes make to amuse the band, In any case, Callas clearly knew who Quill was.

[danasgoodstuff]

IIRC correctly, Cary Grant and Gary Cooper owned the only two short wheelbase Duessenburg roadsters ever made. Ironically it was these rare cars dimensions that later would-be replicas were based on/off.

[Dave Garrett]

IIRC correctly, Cary Grant and Gary Cooper owned the only two short wheelbase Duessenburg roadsters ever made. Ironically it was these rare cars dimensions that later would-be replicas were based on/off.

It was Clark Gable and Gary Cooper that owned the two Duesenberg SSJ roadsters.

[danasgoodstuff]

IIRC correctly, Cary Grant and Gary Cooper owned the only two short wheelbase Duessenburg roadsters ever made. Ironically it was these rare cars dimensions that later would-be replicas were based on/off.

It was Clark Gable and Gary Cooper that owned the two Duesenberg SSJ roadsters.

thanks for the correction, lovely vehicles they are!