Reno Gazette-Journal from Reno, Nevada • Page 11

Chcbbf Johnson bthgt hit aemotht Reno roigq oflwiffc Cray Jimmy gflotfair faGad mirfiGC BvJOHN HUETHER singer. To liven up the show one day, he tossed a wisecrack at his father, who just as quickly tossed the precocious lad clear across the stage. The audience loved it, and Chubby was tossed that same way every day for the run of the show. When that ended, Chubby found himself making a silent picture at age 5 in the midwest somewhere. The exact location escapes him now, and he usually remembers pictures by the places he fished while making them.

MOVE, MOVE' All he recalls of that first picture was that the director kept telling him to move, move. Ana mere were no cioseups tor people witn Diue eyes. earn his earn his But there were other ways for an actor to way, including vaudeville, "until radio killed it," and the stage. So the Johnson family kept on the move, touring from the East Coast to Chubby Johnson's blue eyes almost kept him out of silent films, but 30 years later Errol Flynn wanted him in all his scenes. By that time, "talkies" had arrived and it no longer mattered that blue eyes washed out in a black-and-white motion picture.

If you could talk, you could act. And Chubby Johnson does both. What he can tell you about everything from vaudeville to Hollywood to meat marketing has the understated ring of truth that comes from experience. "I'm interested in so many things, it's hard to say what I'm not interested in," he says. And as he recalled memories during an interview in Reno this week, that fact became more and more obvious.

SOME MEMORIES A few pages from the scrapbook of Johnson's memory include: The time Ronald Reagan jokingly nailed hishoe to the floor to stop him from stealing a scene. The time he and Ann Sheridan ducked out of a black-tie premiere to go drinking; The time Rin Tin Tin was supposed to attack him in a scene, but wound up licking him instead. The time he was accosted in a bar because a man was angry at him for shooting at Lassie in another TV show. He still wears a battered old cowboy hat, just like ones he's worn in countless Hollywood and tv westerns. And the beard that changed its shape to suit the whims of different directors is just the way he likes it now.

WAIT FOR WINTER Johnson moved to Reno a month ago to manage Myron Leavitt's campaign for the U.S. Congress. He thinks he'll stay here "if I can hack the winter." But that doesn't mean he couldn't be lured back to motion pictures if the right kind of role came along. "I did quit once," he recalled. "But I finished everything I wanted to do in six months, so I went back." To do that again would take an offbeat role "something from left field, out of the ordinary." Probably a villain "or an old fuddy-duddy." But not a homosexual.

Johnson played one once on the stage and received a fan letter. One thing he's always looking for is a different way to be killed. "My agent says I've died 80 different ways I've been arrowed, stabbed, shot The chance to be killed by a ray-gun in a science fiction western a few years ago brought him out of semi-retirement because "it was so screwy I couldn't help but do it." REALLY CHUBBY Johnson, whose given name really is Chubby, was born to Irish immigrants 71 or 73 years ago his mother put 1903 on his birth certificate, but he suspects she was fudging by a couple years. Those were the days of vaudeville, and his father carried him across stage when he was three weeks old just so he culd say he did it. A few years later young Chubby made his real debut in vaudeville as a the West and back again during summers when it was too hot to perform indoors.

One day they passed through Las Vegas on their way to Hollywood, and Chubby vowed he'd live there. He did, for 53 years until his recent move to Reno. Johnson managed three meat markets at one time in Las Vegas, in between acting assignments and other enterprises that included a regular syndicated column about Hollywood for 17 years and other newspapering activities. "Every now and then I'd take off and do something on my own. I bluffed my way, mostly.

I've done everything I've dug ditches and cesspools. I'm not proud. Prestige? You can't eat it! NEVER PHASED The prestige of Hollywood's top stars never phased him much either, perhaps because he knew most of them when they were on their way up. Those memories also produce some interesting observations: Errol Flynn always wanted Chubby in a scene with him, because he looked so young by comparison Doris Day once forgot his name in a scene from "Calamity Jane," so she called him "you old toothless walrus" instead; Jimmy Stewart always stuttered because he had difficulty remembering his lines; Marlon Brando "didn't start mumbling until he wanted to impress (Elia) Kazan;" Robert Wagner wanted people to like him, and always got stuck for the drinks; But despite their tarnish, they were all stars, and part of a giant industry that no longer exists, as far as Johnson is concerned. "It's a dead business," he says mournfully, blaming runaway production for Hollywood's decline.

CHEAP EXTRAS "Moving pictures are passe in Hollywood now. They take 'em to Spain because they can hire extras there for $5 a day." That means a lot of actors in Hollywood are out of work, and it upsets Johnson who counts most of them among his friends. "I'm proud that if you go to Hollywood and mention the name Chubby, they know who you're talking about. You don't have to say the last name." Tou old toothless walrus' Doris Day once forgot Chubby Johnson's name during the filming of "Calamity Jane" so she called him "you old toothless walrus." $ut he says he's proud most people in Hollywood will know who you're talking about when you mention Chubby. (Gazette Photo by Franco Molina) Nevada Road Toll Reno Evening Gazette This year to date: 90 Last year to date: 125 PHONE (702)786-8989 RENO, NEVADA, SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 1974 ELEVEN Construction temporarily blocked Tahoe hotel builders win partial victory MINDEN (AP) Developers trying to build two controversial casinos at Lake.

Tahoe have won a partial victory even though blocked by a judge from starting actual construction. District Court Judge John Sexton issued a temporary order Friday barring any construction on the $48 million Hotel Oliver and $40 million. Tahoe Palace planned for the Stateline, area. But Sexton's order also narrowed remaining legal issues to the sole question of whether a proper building permit had been granted for the clubs. The Nevada Environmental Attorney F.

R. Breen, representing Oliver Kahle who hopes to build the Club Oliver, said the order means work could start on the clubs in the event of a favorable ruling on the remaining building permit question. A date has yet to be set for a hearing on the dispute. Commission contended that it had to review the plans as well. If Judge Sexton rules in favor of the clubs and says the building permits are proper, the matter of environmental review apparently would be out of the commission's hands under terms of the order he signed.

jpMisslr 111,1 1,11 11 By welfare dispute fiyure Traffic New Reno post sought accidents Mapes awaits legal work injure 10 'Destruction' queen George Pagliaro of Carson City has filed as a candidate for justice of the peace in Reno Township Department Two. He will oppose Reno attorney Richard Minor, who was appointed to the job last year and is seeking election. The position was created last year. Wjlliam Beemer is seeking re-election as justice of Reno Township Department One. Pagliaro, 74, has been an unsuccessful justice candidate several times.

He currently is appealing to the U.S. District Court a $500 fine imposed in 1972 after he was convicted of knowingly trying to get old age assistance by means of false statements. His appeal to the Nevada Supreme Court was dismissed "without merit." Pagliaro said his rights were violated because he was denied counsel. His statement of candidacy says he is a retired security officer and a former New York City policeman. Pagliaro said his background as a homicide detective and three-year law student qualifies him for the position.

Valerie Rose, a University of Nevada, Queen for the Sertoma Club's second Reno student, is the Destruction Derby annual fund raising race. Local mayors to race in derby for burn center GEORGE PAGLIARO Rock at T-Car Burn cases in Washoe County have increased from 37 patients in 1970 to 64 in 1974. The burn center would provide immeidate treatment for burn victims in Northern Nevada. The proposed center would be a complete facility, sufficient to eliminate the need to send victims to other states for treatment. Several recent burn victims have been sent as far away as Texas for treatment.

The destruction derby will begin at noon with the mayors' race. Sam "The Flash" Dibitonto and Jim "Speedball" Lillard, Reno and Sparks mayors, will race around the Washoe County Fairgrounds to begin a Destruction Derby July 6 to benefit the Washoe Burn Center. Flash and Speedball received their nicknames for the event on a poster advertising the race. Sponsored by the Sparks Sertoma Club, the derby aims at raising $5,000 towards a $50,000 for six-bed burn center at Washoe Medical Center. The show will go on T-Car attnrnpv Arthur Baver Jr.

con Two Northern Nevada traffic accidents Friday night and this morning injured 10 persons, seven seriously, the highway patrol reported. And, Reno policeman Gene Gunderson injured himself helping to lift an overturned car from on top of one of the victims involved in a 5:56 a.m. rollover on Hash Lane near South Virginia Street. The officer was going to his own physician. The Nevada Highway Patrol reported the car rolled over twice and struck a utility pole, pinning two occupants under it.

Driver Joseph Handy, 27, of 2433 Hiko Reno and passenger James Handy, 21, of 622 Pine Meadows, Sparks were released after treatment at Washoe Medical Center. But Jerry Nelson, 27, of 15 Hastings Drive, Reno was admitted with undisclosed injuries. The other accident happened at 9:30 p.m. at U.S. Highway 395 and U.S.

Highway 50 West. One driver, Richard Bethel, 19, of Yerington, and his passenger, Heidi Hoffer, 18, of 4095 Warren Way, Reno, were released after treatment at Carson Tahoe Hospital. Driver William Blais, 23, of 2750 14th Sparks and four of five passengers were admitted to the hospital. Passenger Brenda Ballewet, 14. of Gard-nerville was released.

Listed in fair condition today with Blais were Bruno Huf, 22, of Minden; Janet Baker, 15, of Gardnerville, and Michael Casidy, 24, of 524 Greenbrae Drive, Sparks. Carson City's outdoor music festival -(rock show) ordinance does not apply to existing musical shows at the Tahoe-Carson (T-Car) Speedway, dist. Judge Noel Manoukian said Friday in ruling the shows will go on. City officials, in their unsuccessful bid for a preliminary injunction, said permission for the shows had not been applied for under the ordinance, which specifies strict health, safety and sanitary requirements. tended the ordinance does not apply to permanent structures such as the speedway.

He said the shows or "youth interest programs," as they are called can be performed under T-Car's existing license. Judge Manoukian was substituting for Carson Dist. Judge Frank Gregory, who stepped aside after T-Car officials suggested he might be prejudiced in the matter. Van didn't slow as it dragged dog Carol Read of 895 Vassar St. watched a white panel truck hit and drag a large black dog half a block late Friday night.

The courtroom phase of Charles Mapes' attempts to oust John Cassinari from a building near the Mapes Hotel was completed Friday. The next step is the filing of briefs by the lawyers. Cassinari says he holds a lease in the Hall Building for his "Johnny's Little Italy." The restaurant is the last block to Mapes' plans to level the Hall Building and the adjoining Majestic Theater. He said he wants to clear the block for parking. Cassinari has refused to move.

Washoe Dist. Judge John Gabrielli ruled Friday Johnny's Little Italy will remain open until the case is decided. Gabrielli gave Cassinari 15 days to file closing briefs in the case, Cassinari's attorney, William Raggio, said Friday. Raggio said an engineer hired by Cassinari testified the crack probably happened years ago. Thursday, consulting engineer Jack Means said the crack could have appeared during Cassinari's occupancy without him knowing it.

State workers set priority for request CARSON CITY (AP) -The executive director of the State of Nevada Employes Association says a cost of living increase will be he group's highest priority request from the 1975 Legislature. Bob Gagnier said the cost of living increase would definitely be sought for the state's 7,000 employes but increased fringe benefits and higher longevity pay would probably also be requested. Gagnier and other representatives of the SNEA met with Gov. Mike O'Callaghan Friday to discuss the group's priorities for 1975. Ahlswede, Hicks battle The dog died in her lap.

"I don know whose dog that was, but he had recent tags," she said today. 'hp whitP van didn't stoD. "Its driver could not ha'e been Tli Bandits beat up victims Reno kitchen helper Gary P. Burke, 39, was listed in serious condition today at Washoe Medical Center with injuries suffered in a $10 robbery, police said. And, a 32-year-old Sun Valley man was beaten and robbed when he stopped on the U.S.

Highway 395 Freeway near Oddie Boulevard to help what appeared to be a stalled motorist. Three persons were arrested after the Burke robbery, in which Burke was beaten near his residence. Held for investigation of robbery were Kenneth R. Claus.25, of 1700 E. Fourth St.

and Calvin 34, of 1604 Driftwood Drive. Their bail is $5,000. Police arrested Harlon D. comments from Hicks that all such offenses in the city limits are prosecuted by city attorneys. Friday Ahlswede said he made a random check of Reno Justice Court files and found five cases that happened in the city that were being prosecuted by the district attorney's office.

Hicks said those cases all involved arrests made by the Nevada Highway Patrol. Such cases are handled by the district attorney. Hicks said. The Thompson case involved Reno police. Hicks is Washoe County chief deputy district attorney.

Ahlswede is Nevada chief deputy attorney general. Larry Hicks Friday continued to defend himself against attacks from Herbert F. Ahlswede, his opponent for Washoe County district attorney, over the jurisdiction of driving under the influence of liquor cases. It started earlier this week when Ahlswede criticized Hicks for what Ahlswede said was a failure to prosecute the case of Nevada Supreme Court Justice Gordon Thompson who was stopped in Reno for investigation of driving under the influence of liquor, but not arrested. Hicks replied by saying the case, if an arrest had been made, would have been handled by the city attorney.

Ahlswede said he is deeply disturbed by deaf to the piercing cries of the large dog," she said. She said she and others who witnessed the accident were nearly hit three times as they attempted to slow traffic around the injured animal. She wants to start a petition to slow traffic on Vassar Street. She said the van is typical of the traffic hitting at least 50-60 m.p.h between Kietzke Lane and Kirman Avenue. She said today she wants something done about it.

Prisoner apoloyizes to yovernor for escape CARSON CITY (AP) A Nevada State Prison inmate who walked away from a conference on prison reform in Reno has apologized to Gov. Mike O'Callaghan. Roy W. Osborn, 47, said in a letter to O'Callaghan Friday that he was sorry for leaving a national college of state judiciary meeting and asked the governor "not to punish anyone for something I am soley responsible for." Osborn, serving a life term for first-degree murder, spent several hours in downtown Reno before he was recaptured by police in a motel earlier this month. Osborn said the prison reform programs "not only should be continued, but should be enlarged and given a lot more support from everyone concerned." I vi up CP I I AWBE I'LL 5PEN? THE WHOLE Tu.0 WEEKS IN 0EP Tioith poison oak; H(M DO THESE THINGS HAPPEN TO NO ONE ELSE I KNOU) MAi'SE I'LL A BEAUTIFUL Gift.

AT CAMP, AMP MAV6E U)'LL FALL IN LOVE AMP CHILPHCUP k)EETHAgT Kf-i A.tt AT THE WTjT I STATION 1 Ajirford, 27, of Boise, Idaho, as a material witness. His bail is $10,000. Ronald J. Jensen said he stopped on the freeway at 1 40 a.m. Friday when he saw a car with the hood up..