I’ve always been in love with movies. As a kid I wanted with every fiber of my being to be Gene Kelly. To sing like him. To dance like him. But most of all, to kiss girls like him. Especially like he did Debbie Reynolds in Singin’ in the Rain.
My own leap to fame came when I wrote and starred in a five minute sketch for The Sixth Grade Talent Show. I’m sure you’ve heard of it. It was huge. After that, I knew I’d have to choose my projects carefully in order to maintain my A-list status. I needed an appropriate leading lady. One I could kiss a lot.
Then one day in the public library I stumbled across a play script adapted from the movie Tammy and the Bachelor, which had starred Debbie Reynolds. That was it! My next project would be a live theatre production of Tammy and the Bachelor starring Debbie Reynolds. And me. In my back yard! I scheduled a production meeting with my best friend Jeff to plan how we would: 1) build a professional theatre in my back yard (which was just slightly larger than a bedspread), and 2) Get Debbie Reynolds to clear her schedule so she and I could rehearse. And kiss a lot.
You’ll be surprised to learn that it never happened. To be honest, I never even had Debbie’s phone number.
However, seven years later…
I was in a rock band called The Daily Planet, and we were pretty freakin’ good. Good enough, in fact, to win a national talent search (what is it with 
me and talent shows?) and appear in an ABC music special with Aretha freakin’ Franklin!
A couple of months later, the show’s producer, Robert Peterson, was hosting a charity event in his Beverly Hills back yard (which was just slightly larger than six or seven thousand bedspreads). “We ought to have live music!” he thought. But he only knew one band: The Daily Planet. So we got the gig.
Being middle class suburban kids, we’d played for very few famous people. Let me think, oh, yeah, none. Pretty much everyone there was famous. In fact, we were the only ones I’d never heard of. But the most luminous star of all was the event’s hostess, my old co-star, Debbie freakin’ Reynolds!
I was a bit surprised when Debbie failed to recognize me, even after she borrowed my microphone to tell everyone that the buffet was ready. But then she turned to me and said the words I’ll never forget, “Could you turn it down a little?”
Not even a glimmer of recognition. I instantly realized we were not going to be kissing a lot. Which was OK because: 1) She was kinda old—like, my mom’s age! (what the…?) and 2) she didn’t like my band.
There was a gaggle of young girls there, however, who absolutely adored us. They were led by a perky young brunette who insisted that we were not too loud, that we were, in fact, “perfect!” She and her homies stayed in front of the bandstand all night, dancing, singing along with us, arguing over which of us was “the cutest,” and getting our autographs on every unclaimed cocktail napkin in sight. In short, they made us feel like bigger stars than their parents!
Later, after most of the guests had left, my former flame, Debbie Reynolds, came up to the perky brunette, and said, “Time to go home, Carrie.”
Carrie Fisher blew me a kiss as her mother dragged her away.
A few years later, in a galaxy far away, I watched as a perky young brunette Princess Leia lit up the screen, and wondered, “Does she still have my autograph?” When my friends finally dragged me off, I blew two kisses at the screen: One for Princess Leia…
And one for her mom.
Ha! That was just adorable. Now I shall always think of you as Gene Kelly 😉
Lol…Debbie Reynolds?
It’s probably just as well, Mitch. If you and Debbie had kissed, your mad infatuation might have led to a Hollywood marriage, where you would have gone onto fame in the music business—possibly changing your last name—while Debbie would have became a Hollywood legend. Then you both would have had a child and named her, Carrie. And then Carrie, might have never blown you that kiss when Debbie drug her off after divorcing you. And that’s Hollywood! Trust me, Mitch, its better this way. 😀
Thank you so much for the insights, Paul! What do you charge by the hour? ;>)
Apparently not enough. 😀
We’re in the virtual presence of someone, who knew someone, who knew Debbie?…wow… (can I remove my tongue from my cheek now?) .. Lovely story and written with such skill that I just have to wonder how long it took… How long does “something-like-that” take to pen with “such-clarity-and-emotions”??
BTW…are you on that newfandangled twitter-thingy Mitch?
Regards
#FatMilton
scratch the last question. answered when I tweeted it,…lol…alottolearnanddoingsospeedily!
Boy Mitch, you have really loved a charmed life – and pretty funny too!
In a sense. I’ve been almost famous and almost rich several times. “Almost” is the great constant in my life. ;>)
Hilarious! Had me laughing the whole post!
What a story!!! Love life stories like yours, you almost got here, almost rich famous or otherwise… but then we wouldn’t have you among us which would be very sad because you’re a beautiful shining light ( a very funny one I might add) who brings joy in our everyday life! Thanks for the awesome story… Princess Leia blew you a kiss, unbelievable!
Aw, thank you, ma’am!
Most welcome sir!
I don’t know… Carrie turned kind of psycho in The Blues Brothers.
You lucky dog…you may not have been able to fulfill your dream of kissing Debbie but God made sure to give you a life from which to spin many interesting stories.:0)
Aww shucks… captivating story Mitch… well done!
Great story!
Thank you, Elijah!
Positively brilliant. Bob said I’d like your post today, and steered me to it. But then, I like all of your posts, and steered him to your website. Isn’t marriage good??? (Seriously, great piece. We’ve got our tix for tomorrow…)
Oops. I mean Saturday. We’ll expect your name on the screen credits, along with the music score by the Daily Planet.
What a story, Mitch! Absolutely made my day!
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Great story ! I learn a lot about you, thank you Mitch !
Such a fun read, Mitch! To think Carrie Fisher has YOUR autograph! (I can’t imagine her throwing away a precious memory like that.) Glad I caught this one!
I wouldn’t bet a lot on her still having my autograph. “What’s this old cocktail napkin say? ‘Mike Toomsley?’ Who the heck is that?” ;>)
First thing first (but not necessarily in that order) wow…you once met Debbie Reynolds and Carry Fisher…second, have you look into eBay for your long lost napkin? Great story!
Good point. Carrie could snag beaucoup bucks for my autograph! ;>)
Hilarious. Brightened up a downer of an afternoon.
Now that’s a good story Mitch! I have greatly enjoyed my visits here this year and I’m sure to be back for more. Regards Thom.
Thank you, Thom! And Merry Christmas, btw!
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Whoo! Not only very well written, but funny mucho. How late at night do you stay up dreaming this stuff up…or is it so weird because it’s true?!
Yes, true. Thanks, Badfish!
That’s just a really good story 🙂 My son will live the Princess Leia trivia… Someone who reads YOUR blog blew a kiss at Carrie Fisher!
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Finally got around to reading this. You story telling is really a gift! It was a blast to be a part of it.
I’m especially pleased to hear that from one of the stars of the story, Joe!
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Happy birthday, Carrie Fisher! May the farce be with you.
Great story, Mitch! Enjoyed it!
Thank you, Galen!
Life is magical.
That is awesome!
Great story! I used to follow Carrie Fisher on Twitter. She answers fans if they have a story about herself or her mother. She might remember that party. I’m not on Twitter any longer. My mom, sister and I went to see Debbie Reynolds in Las Vegas. Her show was fantastic.
Cool freakin’ story, Mitch. My guess is Debbie didn’t want to kiss you because she 1) didn’t want to set a bad example for Carrie and 2) she didn’t want to rob the cradle.
Cheers!
;>)
“The Daily Planet” ! I remember them. You dressed like Superman, right? Then you flew Mollie Brown onto the Titanic, sank the unsinkable and then Debbie Reynolds made a hit movie. Am I right so far?
On the nose, Larry, give or take a few facts. ;>)
Very cute story. AND I believe you too. 🙂
;>)
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What a precious story! Heartwarming as always. 🙂
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The story of a lifetime, and you tell it so very well. To think that Carrie loved your band. And Debbie was the hostess. Wow! Back up, before the big party did I hear you say you performed at an event with…Aretha??? Sigh! My dearest friends know that in my second life I want to be Aretha’s back-up singer. But, I digress on your WONDERFUL story. Apologies, and thank you for a great read!
Actually, the show was hosted by Ed Ames and co-hosted by Aretha. But few people under 50 know of Ed anymore (singer-actor popular in the 60s). Everyone knows Aretha.
Of course I know Ed Ames. Great show, too. I suppose that says something for being 66. Ha! 😀
wow this was such a great story! I LOL-ed at several points. Excellent writing 😀
Thank you, new best friend. ;>)
This had me laughing out loud! I am a movie buff from wa-a-a-y back. Can you send me your autograph? :)))
;>)
It is brilliant pieces of writing like this that sparkle as the star above that create a dark snowy night into a fantasy and leave me with a huge smile. Thank you for this.
Wow, thank you, Rasma!
You welcome.
Really cool…Gave me cold chills.
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That was a cool story, dude! So much so that I told my mom to pause her Hallmark Channel Christmas movie (one of the countless I’m being forced to watch while recovering) so I could read it to her. Now, if the story could have been a little longer 😉
Wow, I preempted a Hallmark Christmas movie!
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