“Forgotten Hollywood”- Two Guys I Knew…

Posted on March 18, 2019 by raideoman1 | No Comments

Manny P. here…

“`Working in broadcasting has afforded me the opportunity to cross paths with successful individuals in our industry. This weekend, we lost two of the nicest…

“`Tom Hatten was a fixture on television and a thespian. He was best known for his hosting chores on The Family Film Festival on KTLA, and for his Hollywood reports on KNX 1070. His Southern California career began in the 1950s.

“`Hatten served in the Navy before attending Pasadena Playhouse on the G. I. Bill.  He was hired as an announcer at KTLA in 1952. An accomplished cartoonist, Tom delighted children as the genial host of Popeye and His Friends show from 1976 to 1988, and on  KTLA’s The Family Film Festival from 1978 to 1992.  He was always ready to hand youngsters his sketches of Popeye, that was completely met with appreciation.

“`On television, Hatten guest-starred in Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C., WingsHogan’s Heroes, Get Smart, and Hawaii 5-0. On the big screen, he had a role in Sweet Charity. He also toured in a live theater production of Annie.

“`Tom Hatten (above) was ninety-two.

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“`Dick Dale was dubbed The King of the Surf Guitar. His biggest hit was Miserlou,  recorded in 1962, and it was showcased in Quentin Tarantino’s iconic flick,  Pulp Fiction. Legendary guitar builder Leo Fender customized many of the performer’s instruments.

“`Dale’s raucous guitar style replicated the crashing sound of ocean waves, and his work influenced The Beach Boys, Jan and Dean, Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn. Dick appeared in a couple of beach movies, including Beach Party and Back to the Beach. The latter movie elicited a famous record album that was distributed by 1110 KRLA. I was personally on hand when this iconic photo was shot.

“`A frequent performer at Newport Beach’s old Rendezvous Ballroom, Dale owned his own club in Orange County. He also loved wild animals, and his personal collection included lions, tigers, and jaguars.

“`Dick Dale (above) was eighty-one.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

This entry was posted on Monday, March 18th, 2019 at 4:35 pm and is filed under Blog by Manny Pacheco. You can follow any comments to this post through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.


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