Through An 'Old Timer's' Eyes
By Howard 'Mac' McDonald

Last week I mentioned how my brother and I had to sing and dance for my aunts, and how I did my routine to the song, "Goody, Goody."

Well, Saturday night the Lawrence Welk Show came on TV and opened with -- you guessed it -- "Goody, Goody."

Hearing some of the old songs brought back some great memories.

The big bands started to fade away after World War II. Their romantic love songs that made you pull your honey up close and go gliding across the dance floor are a thing of the past. Now, couples barely touch each other. It helps if you are part-monkey, as it makes learning the new dances easier.

Another type of entertainment that has faded is the big-production musical, complete with fantastic costumes, pretty chorus girls, song and dance couples, and beautiful music. I always liked "Fiddler on the Roof," and the featured song, "If I Was a Rich Man."

Westerns have suffered the same fate as the musicals. None of the modern-day actors can portray a cowboy as well as Gary Cooper, Tom Mix or John Wayne.

They've gone to the big round-up in the sky, leaving Clint Eastwood and his generation to take up the slack. But time has also taken a toll on them and they, too, will soon be gone.

Cameron County's contribution to the silver screen was, of course, Tom Mix, who rode tall in the saddle of his "Tony." On the highway between Florence Junction and Florence in Arizona is a memorial to Tom Mix, built on the spot when he was killed when his car plunged into a ditch. A suitcase from the back seat was hurled forward and broke his neck.

Maybe you could win a trivia contest by knowing the names of some of these famous cowboys' horses.

Gene Autry and his "Champion" chased the bad guys.

"Trigger" carried Roy Rogers off into the sunset. When old Trigger died, Roy had the horse stuffed.

His wife Dale Evans rode along on her trusty "Buttermilk." Their daughter was married to an Air Force staff sergeant stationed at Dover, Del., when our family called that our home away from home. Dale Evans visited frequently and we saw her several times.

The Cisco Kid's horse was "Diablo," and his sidekick Pancho rode "Loco."

Hopalong Cassidy rode "Topper."

The Lone Ranger had "Silver," while Tonto tagged along on "Scout."

These old cowboys sure did make the local moviehouse hum on a Saturday afternoon.

Edgar Rice Burroughs created the character "Tarzan," but former Olympian Johnny Weismuller was the perfect actor to bring him to life on the movie screen.

The only way my big brother was allowed to go to the movie was if he took his brat of a kid brother along. I remember watching "Tarzan of the Apes" at the Princess Theater in Donora. Whenever the big lion charged or the big bull ape thumped his chest, I dropped to the floor to hide.

Usually at the most exciting part of a movie, I got thirsty and my brother would have to take me to the lobby. He finally got wise and started carrying in a quart jar full of water.

My wife and I were at a yard sale recently and spotted a ceramic-faced dolly of child star Shirley Temple. As an adult, Shirley Temple Black was appointed U.S. Ambassador to Ghana. She later was named Chief of Protocol for the State Department, the first woman to hold that post.

Remember Jackie Cooper, Jackie Coogan and good old Mickey Rooney? Another big star, Elizabeth Taylor, is still in the news every now and then.

And Robert Blake? Few people probably know that he was the little Indian sidekick of Red Rider. Who can forget Judy Garland's performance in the Wizard of Oz? She led a troubled life, but left behind Liza Minelli to carry on the family tradition.

Margaret O'Brien was another pretty little girl who could bring a tear to your eye.

The kids in "Our Gang" were so talented and could make you laugh, no matter how bad you felt.

I sometimes wonder if today's stars will be looked back upon one day as symbols of happy times.