The Gastonia Gazette from Gastonia, North Carolina • Page 11

GASTONIA. GAZETTE, Jan. 26, 1970 Dan Blocker Was Once A Football Prospect "Bis." Dan Blocker might have made a name for himself on the gridiron scene had he not accidentally become staje struck in a college piny. This ultimately led to his successful role as Hoss on NBC Television and' "Bonanza" a Sunday night winner for (ho past 10 ycarsf Who else could (ho college drama department at Sul Hoss State College in Alpine, Texas, select for a strong, husky actor to carry bodies out of (he basement for "Arsenic and Old Lace" other lhan the football leam's biggest lineman? Although Dan was jibbed by his teammates, he accepted the offer, and so enjoyed the reflections of the footlights Ihat he quickly chanegd his major from physical education to drama. IN HIS YOUNGER'days Dan did have a certain fame that was credited to his strength, size and his'fighling ability, but nothing fa his early life rcf- ftected any desire lo enter the acting pro.essio;).

Dan born in Bowie Coun- iy, Texas and made quilo an Peter Ustinov To Star In New Hallmark Fame Show Peter Ustinov will star in the Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation "A Storm in Summer," an original drama, special written by award-winner Hod Sterling, colorcast Friday, Feb. 6 at 8:30 PM on Channel 9. Ustinov portrays Abel Shaddick, oiraer of a delicatessen in an upstate New York community, who finds himself unexpectedly playing host lo a young boy from New York Cily's Harlem. The boy is Shaddick's guest as part of a project to aid youngsters from deprived areas. Uga (pronounced Guy) Dixon, 10, son of aetor Ivan Dixon, makes his second television appearance with his portrayal of Herman D.

Washington, the Harlem youlb. Marlyn Mason, who has appeared on many television dramatic programs as well as the stage, will be seen as Gloria RENT TV's! Gaston Rentals, Inc. 515 E. Second Are. PHONE SW-7156 Ross, a society girl ivho aranges vacations in the country for underprivileged youngsters.

Peter Bonerz uill portray Stanley Banner, Shaddick's irresponsible nephew who is lie cause for Herman's visit. Ustinov excels as an playwright, novelist and as a director and producer of films, theatre radio and television. Ho won two Emmy Awards for Best Television Dr. Samuel Johnson on "Omnibus" and as Socrates in Hallmark's 1965 production of Maxwell Anderson's "Barefoot in Athens." He was awarded two Oscars as Best Supporting Actor in "Spartacus" and "TopkapL" His recording of "Peter and the Wolf" brought Ustinov a Grammy Award. He las written screenplays and legitimate plays and is a currenlly writing a novel, "Krumnagel." Hod sterling, one" of (he most prolific writers for television has been honored with Emmy, Sylvonia and Peahody Awards, including Emmy prizes for two original dramas which became motion pictures, "Patterns" and "liequicm for a Heavyweight." Impression on his parents weighing in at' pounds! By the time he was 10, Dan was tossing grain socks with grown men.

At 13 he was a rugged 200-pounder and his scrapping talents so delighled local townsmen they arranged regular weekly fights with all comers. Even though -his opponents ivere often six or seven years his senior, Dan eventually ran out of available, competition. Upon graduation from Sul Hoss Slate, Blocker passed up a pro football offer to do summer stock in Boston. He was soon drafted, however, and served in combat during the Korean conflict. ON JUS RETURN home, Dan married his childhood sweetheart, Dolphia Lee Parker and worked for a master's degree at Sul Ross, While doing this he sandwiched in a year of high school teaching at Sonora, Texas and he also taught for two years in Carlsbad, N.M.

In 1956, Dan enrolled at UCLA to work on a doctorate while doing substitute teaching on the side. While the teaching profession seemed to be his destiny, Blocker still wanted, to take a fling at professional acting. When a encouraged him to audition for a role in "Gunsmoke," Dan did and got the part. After that initial success, numerous other roles soon followed and Blocker no longer had time (or his school work. DAN'S PERFORMANCE in such shows as "Cheyenne," "Zane Grey Theater," "Maverick" "Restless Gun," "Cimarron Cily" and "Wagon Train" led to his role in "Bonanza." Last year Dan co-starred in his first feature film, "Lady in Cement" with Frank Sinatra.

The six-foot-four-inch, 280- pound actor and his family reside in Northridge, Calif. The Bfockcrs have four children twins Debra and Danna, 15; David. 13, and Dirir, 11. Dan's main hobbies are auto and speed boat racing. Andy Williams Started Out As Choir Boy RCA AND SERV RCA and SERVICE these are tho two things Haas and Herron have to sell.

RCA you can buy at other places Haas and Herron's service you ca'n'f. Don't be misled into believing that a Color. TV is like a piece of furniture. A. Color TV is a complicated mass of electronics.

RCA manufacturers their sets under the most exacting standards in the industry, but even RCA's sometimes need servicing and Haas and Herron is the only RCA dealer in Gastonia that has its own service department. They had already established a reputation for quality service long before they became a dealer. Remember, you wouldn't buy a new car from a dealer without a service department. Shouldn't you use the same care in buying a TV? family-size screen! breathtaking color E-S9T. HEE HAW Buck Owens and Roy Clark "Hee Haw" partners "Hee Haw" Is Rural Funfest HEE 'HAW, the a-muiule flavored comedy hit'of last summer, returns to the air as a regular Wednesday night feature of the CBS Television' Network.

Originating in Hash- ville, Tennessee, the -hour-long funfest replaces "The Gien Campbell Goodtime Hour," which moves to Sunday nights. Buck Owens and Roy Clark, both prominent names in' the' continue. as co-hosts of the" barnyard put- on. The versatility these two solid performers' fits perfectly Into HEE HAW's lightheaded format of songs, sketches and one-liners. Oweas and his Buckaroos are annually among the top contenders tor music popularity lilies, while Buck himself is also a noted' country comedian.

The versatile Clark is a singer, hanjo player, guitarist, fiddler, and a comedian known for his repertoire of humorous facial 1 With tho addition of two new regulars, 'lfie HEE'HAW supporting cast'now numbers fifteen. Returnees include storyteller and banjo-picker Grandpa Jones, dead-pan yam-spinner Junior Samples, comedian-writer Archie Gordie Tapp as Cousin Clero, Don Herron, I.ulu lioman, Stringbean, the singing Hager Twins, Jean- nir.e Riley, Calhy Baker Hce and the Buckaroos. Joining the zany group for the new' season are pretty blonde Gunilla llutton, formerly of CBS' "Petticoat series, and singer-comedienne Mary Taylor. Also appearing weekly are a flop-cared mule, a chorus line of dancing piglets and a tart- tongued goai, all of whom are products of animation. The HEE HAW-guest list thus far includes the names of such counlry-and-wcstcrn favorites as Merle Haggard, Tammy Wy- I nclte, Lorclta Lynn, Hank Wil- 'liarns Wcsi, Sonny James, Wanda Jackson.

Lynn Anderson, Hank Thompson, Fcr- lin Husky, Susan Rayes, Henson Cargill, and Dillard and Clark. A new member of tho writing staff is Pat Bultram, who is featured as Mr. Haney on the CBS "Green Acres" series. Frank Pcppiott and John Ay. lesworth arc the executive producers of HEE HAW.

Producers are Sam Lovullo and Bill Davis, who doubles as the director. Tlie needs of a small church -in Wall havd resulted, In one of the most spectacular careers in show business. The church needed a Jay taught his four eons how to sing and sent them to the church. Before long the lads, who called themselves Ihe Williams Brothers, had thotr own radio 'show In DCS Moine's, Iowa, and then In Chicago end Cincinnati. Tho success of iho Williams Brothers, Bob, Dick, Don and Andy, continued to grow when Ihe family moved to Los Angeles.

In IMG the brothers teamed with comedienne Kay Thompson to form what was to become one of Hie most successful night club acts in show business. Tho act disbanded six- years later and so did the Williams' Brothers singing group. Although 1932 marked Ihe end of the group's career, it marked the beginning of Andy's. Setting out on his own to continue his life to music, Williams headed for New York, where he was signed as a featured vocalist by Steve Allen, on NBC-TV's "Tonight Show." The lirst contract was for two weeks tut Williams stayed for nearly three years. In 1902, Williams began his long association with NBC-TV during the following years with a series of lop-rated also continued making best-sel- ling record albums, winning a total of 13 gold albums, which arc awarded for sales that top a million or more.

Andy who holds the attendance record in every auditorium in which he has ever appeared, finds relaxation in the world of sports especially golf. He is so interested in golf that ho has his own tournament on the PGA trail, "The Andy Williams San Diego Opeii." The 150-pound singer married Parisian singer-dancer Claudine Longet on Dee. 15, 1951. homo In Holmby Hills, with their two children, Chris- lino mid Christian Jay. Don Chastain Continues To Move Up Don Chastain lakes another slcp forward in his acting career, as ha portrays sports columnist Jim Thompson in the NBC-TV comedy series, "Ttie Debbie Reynolds Show." a Tuesday night colorcast feature.

Don left his Oklahoma City birthplace at the age of 18, lo become a professional singer-in Hollywood. His enrollment in Jeff Corey's acting school stirred an Interest.in acling. but during a two-year' hitch in the U. S. Army his musical ambitions were activated hen he formed a five-piece army band.

Soon after his army discharge, Don won the second male lead role in the Broadway musical hit, "No Strings." Some TV appearances followed, ar.d then Don the West Coast with his own jazt group. Tho group disbanded, and Don again headed East tills time lo co-star on Broadway in "Superman." i. The handsome 185-pound son ot a professional fighter has marie numerous TV appearances, including the Carol Burnett "Calamity jane" special, and a variety series that starred Edie Adams. A resident of Hollywood, Don spends much.of his time writing and enjoys sailing, riding horses and politics, He has a profound interest in American Indian history. When Don goes out for an evening, he is usually accompa-.

nled by his fiancee, actress Karen Arthur, along with a stack of records and his record pi ayer. RENT TV's! Gaston Rentals, Inc. WE SERVICE WHAT WE SELL HAAS HERRON ELECTRONICS GETS THE FACES RIGHT WHY THE FACE TEST? A Color TV that can show you a closeup of the human face in good lifelike color can get any colors right. Philco's special color circuit produces a wider range of flesh tones. It catches the subtle shades of color that make faces more natural and lifelike.

Come in, take a close look and compare. 602 W. AIRLINE AVE. -GASTONIA, N.C.- RECTANGULAR COLOR TV KllllColor Tunl.igEy« lor Illy luninj Phllco MugiCorof Tub. brines n.w sh.rpn.ss.

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Genuine wood veneers and solids finished to match walnut furniture. WE SERVICE WHAT WE SELL HAAS HERRON ELECTRONICS 602 AIRLINE AVE. -GASTONIA, N.C.- 865-5566.