Recap – 2007 Convention
2007 was our second convention. Still considered the early stages, anyone who was there can look back today and see how far we have come. Four years after the 2007 event, our attendance tripled in size, as well as the number of vendors. We offered a wide variety of pop culture celebrities from Virginia Davis, the little girl who pre-dated Mickey Mouse and became Disney’s first commercial success, to script writer Arthur Weingarten who contributed scripts for Wonder Woman and The Green Hornet, among others. Local celebrity Ed Walker came to MANC, known as one of the two Joy Boys during the 1960s and 1970s. Denny Miller of Wagon Train attended the event, and we even screened the rarely-seen Tarzan, The Ape Man with Miller in the lead role.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEKEND
* Author and magazine editor Ed Hulse presented a cultural history of pulp magazines from the 1920s, 30s and 40s!
* Author and DVD commentator Michael Hayde offered a back-stage glimpse of the television and radio program, The Adventures of Superman!
* Author Jim Rosen offered a presentation about the television classic, Route 66.
* Archivist and Historian Terry Salomonson discussed the history of the classic series, The Lone Ranger.
* A vintage 1950s burlesque film was offered for the adults! (Kiddies were not allowed because of the vintage strip tease act.)
* A special showing of Frank Tashlin cartoons was offered for the kiddies (and kids in all of us).
* Ken Stockinger hosted a Charlie Chaplin film festival, providing insight to the comedian we all know and enjoy, but his genius has only recently been explored on a deeper level.
* Author Martin Grams discussed the history of the television series, Have Gun – Will Travel.
ACTORS SIGNED AUTOGRAPHS FOR FANS WHO ATTENDED!
Denny Miller (Wagon Train and Tarzan, The Ape Man)
Erin Gray (Buck Rogers and Silver Spoons)
Ed Walker (host of The Big Broadcast and The Joy Boys)
Virginia Davis (star of the Disney Alice in Cartoonland shorts)
Annette Andre (Randall and Hopkirk, Deceased)
Arthur Weingarten (script writer of Green Hornet, Wonder Woman)
THE REVIEWS ARE IN!
Hi Martin,
I am sorry I didn’t get to say good-bye, but I just want to thank you and Michell for all your kindness this weekend. It was a lot of fun for me. Thanks for the transportation, and the certificate of recognition. I think you have a good thing going with your convention. My prediction is that it will get bigger and better.
Yours very truly,
Ed Walker
By the way, your show was even better than last year and that first show was terrific too! – Kevin Flynn
Meeting Virginia Davis was an exceptional treat. I had no idea who she was when she came to the table but when I searched Google and saw what her history was, I couldn’t wait to hear her presentation and it was excellent! The treasures in her memories of the early days of Walt Disney and her part in it were something I will treasure. The dinner and entertainment was top notch and you are to be commended on the excellent work putting all this together. I can’t wait till next year to visit. – Joan of lassie.net
Once again, I had a great time at MANC, and would love to be a part of the next one. – Michael Hayde
I really enjoyed myself and I was very happy my work schedule cleared up so I could attend for the half day Friday. The one interview I did miss was Denny Miller – but I made up for “lost time” by talking to him at his table in the dealers room. What a nice guy! – and his wife was a real sweetheart, too! It was really nice meeting Erin Gray and her friend Teresa. It was great to see you again – I enjoyed meeting your family too! Take care and thanks again for all your efforts. – Hank Pabst
Very nice event last Saturday! I look forward to returning next year – hope you get more exciting stars from TV and film! – Kelly Sheridan
Hello,
I’m writing to give you some feedback on the Convention. In a word, it was terrific! I enjoyed every part I could and only wish I had the opportunity to see more of it. I could only attend two days and needed to set up and man the Solar Guard table for a time, but even with that what I did get to see was great. I loved Erin Gray. Of course, so did every other guy, but I really felt I got to know her, both at her table and her panel discussion. She was super. I also really enjoyed the Lassie presentation (you just can’t beat having a dog around) and the one film I got to see, the Twilight Zone “pilot” episode. I didn’t know it existed and for a real T-Zone fan like me, it was great. And the radio show recreations were a complete surprise. When Mr. Ramlow came through the dealer’s room and announced the auditions, I said, what the hell, why not? I had no idea what I was getting into, but I loved every minute of it. It was a feature that fitted right in with the theme of the convention, and topped off the banquet (great food!) perfectly. The stars seemed to love it just as much as we amateurs. I got some great souvenirs, met some super people, and found out a lot about old time radio, which I plan on listening to more and more in the future.
I know I can speak for the rest of the Space Cadets who were there and tell you they enjoyed it as well. I can’t wait for next year. You’ll have your hands full trying to top this one. It was a truly memorable weekend for me.
Thanks so much for your efforts and for allowing us to exhibit there.
Sincerely yours,
Michael Turco
Cadet, Solar Guard
P.S. Coincidentally, on my way home from the convention I just happened to tune in to a radio show from Philly for the first time, one dedicated to, believe it or not, “the way things were in the good old days”. I plan on trying to contact the show and see if they might be interested in at least publicizing the convention, since it fits right in with their show’s theme. If I’m successful, I’ll let you know.
Marty,
Your show is the best! I loved meeting the movie stars, especially Denny Miller. He is such a cutie. Please keep putting this one every year because it is the closest I get to a vacation and I do not have to drive too far from home. Now if you can get Jack Klugman to attend and sign autographs, you’ll be my guardian angel forever.
Cheers,
Joy
I just found out about your show. If only you could have had it next weekend, I would not have missed it. Please let me know when you hold your next event. Any way you can get Peter Graves to come sign autographs?
Don’t forget me,
Ted West
I attended three other conventions since November and your event is by far the best. There is always something to do. Next year I will bring my mother. She needs to get out of the house and your event is perfect for someone like her who watches old TV shows every day.
Keep up the good work,
Ralph Vaughn
Silver Spring, Maryland
I predict your convention will continue to be a success. Give it a few more years and you’ll have the biggest and perhaps the only convention that specializes in old classic movies. I would like to toss a few names at you. If you can get them to attend and sign autographs, I will convince my friends to carpool hell or high water. Peter Falk, Gil Gerard, Clint Walker and my favorite, the men from U.N.C.L.E.
best to you and your wife,
Melissa Overall
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
