When I was 12, I wrote to George Pal, asking for a photo of Rod Taylor fighting a Morlock, from the movie The Time Machine which Mr. Pal produced and directed. I didn’t have his address, so I sent it to MGM Studios with only Hollywood as the address. I figured it would probably never get into Mr. Pal’s hands, but at least I tried.
A month later, I received an 8X10 photo of Rod Taylor holding a torch as he hits a Morlock, plus a letter from George Pal saying, “I’m glad you like the movie. Here is a photo for you.”
Fifteen years later, I met Mr. Pal at a movie convention with my first words being: “When I was 12, I wrote to you for a photo of Rod Taylor in The Time Machine….”
As I spoke, I could see his face getting worried that I was about to complain about never getting it.
I continued, “…. And you sent me the best photo of Rod fighting a Morlock and a personal letter from you. You made a 12-year-old boy very happy.”
Oh, that's nice," he said.
"I really like your movie The Power," I said. "That was a movie about mind-power years ahead of Carrie."
Yes," Mr. Pal said. "It was a little ahead of its time."
He signed a photo for me, then turned to someone else, but then turned back and said, "I'm glad you recieved the photo."
Over the years, various filmmakers have answered my letters and requests. Animator Ray Harryhausen – The 7th Voyage of Sinbad - sent me a photo and letter and years later I showed it to him and thanked him for it.
Movie director Peter Tewksbury, always answered my letters about his filming and editing techniques and working with Elvis Presley on Stay Away, Joe.
These days, because of the movies I directed getting re-issued, Forbidden Power (2018) winning awards, plus the fact that I wrote How to Live the James Bond Lifestyle, I get lots of requests for advice. Because I remember how much it meant to me that George Pal and others replied to my requests, I never turn down requests for movie production or lifestyle advice. In fact, I enjoy the comunication.
Little did I know that Rod Taylor and Alan Young, who played the time traveler's friend, would perform in my audio-books years later. Dreams are worth pursuing.
FREE link below on Youtube: Rod Taylor narrating the audio-book Rock Star Rising. Performed by Russ Tamblyn, George Chakiris, Robert Culp, James Darren and Kevin McCarthy.
You certainly have a fine line up of actors to narrate Rock Star Rising. After listening to My Casino Caper yesterday, I can see why they are eager to perform. These books take me back to the radio days, when a good voice presentation and a few small sound effects, were all the drama that was needed for a good story.
Ron