Todd Mueller and myself are making some wonderful plans for Lenny’s House and the best way to realize them so that we can get started and get Lenny’s House built! From last year at this time there has been huge progress. As soon as I get the date of the auction I will post it. We are looking at perhaps early fall. Thank you everybody for all the wonderful kind words of encouragement and purchasing shirts.
Love, Kitty Bruce
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Kitty,
I was just thinking…..I do that once in a blue moon…..
There is a Buster Keaton Convention. There is a Laurel and Hardy Convention. There is a Robert Benchley Convention.
Why not organize a LENNY BRUCE CONVENTION?
Seriously! This is an idea whose time has come.
As far as that auction is concerned, please let me know the minute it happens. I’d love to own one of Lenny’s ties – or anything!
Love and Peace,
Tom Degan
Dear Tom,
Great idea! That may be the next event! Love, Kitty Bruce
Dear Kitty,
The Robert Benchley Society had a convention in Los Angeles last year and it was very well attended. The Buster Keaton Convention in Kansas City was also an overwhelming success. Three years ago, a symposium on the life and artistry of Bing Crosby was held at Hofstra University. Thousands showed up and it lasted for three days. Just think of the kind of attendence a Lenny Bruce convention would generate!
All the films and documentaries could be shown. Arragnements could be made with the Museum of Radio and Television to have all the TV clips of your father presented – not to mention the speakers who would show up to lecture or relate their personal stories of their friendship with Lenny Bruce.
A photographic exhibit could be set up showing rare and unseen photos of Lenny. Even at the end of his life when his health was deteriorating, I always thought he was one of the most photogenic men who ever lived.
You might even be able to raise a nice chunk of change for Lenny’s House. It staggers the imagination!
All the best,
Tom Degan
FURTHER THOUGHTS ON THE LENNY BRUCE CONVENTION:
Vendors could sell their Lenny Wares:
CD’s, rare records (The red vinyl Sick Humor of Lenny Bruce LP. I just purchased that on ebay. The cash that TAHT ONE set me back, Oy!!), video and DVD’s – Photos, posters, T-shirts and memorabilia.
A booth can be set up specifically for the purpose of collecting donations for Lenny’s House.
An exhibit can be dedicated to the life and career of Sally Marr – often overlooked under the shadow cast by Father Bruce. (He’s up and walkin’/And now he’s gonna start talkin’). She made an appearance on the Merv Griffin Show in 1971 or 1972 – that was the very first time I heard Lenny’s name mentioned in the main-stream media. You could arrange with the Griffin estate to have that appearance shown.
A Lenny Bruce Contest: Men and women compete to give the best interpretations of Lenny’s greatest bits – would be a great forum for up and coming comics.
A First Amendment Exhibit: A history of that amendment and Lenny’s importance to it.
A special video could be made to show at the event – comics, politicians, artists and social critics (Mr. Hentoff, can you hear me?) can share their thoughts about Lenny and his imporatnce and value to America’s culture.
Oh, MAN! Think about the possibilities! The Beatles Convention has been going strong since 1975 (My brother Pete and I attended the first one!) An annual Lenny Bruce Convention could last at least that long – and then some!
Love and Peace,
Tom Degan
PS – Yaddah! Yaddah, Warden!
I almost forgot (forgive me)
THE HONEY HARLOWE EXHIBIT
This would display photographs and films of the legendary lady.
“Honey Harlowe was was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen in my life….And she still is.”
Lenny Bruce
Yes indeed.
To check out what I wrote about Lenny’s House, click on the link below:
http://tomdegan.blogspot.com/2009/06/lennys-house.html
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