Z,
Congratulations! Will you select the pen or the poster as your prize?

In 1955 I was a housewife with small children and a gray-flannel-suited husband living 30 miles north of Manhattan. Once a month I spent a day in the city window shopping and sightseeing.

On a cold December Saturday in 1955, I was at the watch counter on the main floor of B. Altman & Co., a department store at Fifth Avenue and 34th Street. Huddled shoulder to shoulder with a group of men, I was surprised when one of them addressed me, saying "Why, hello there? How are you?" I looked up and beheld Liberace, the pianist then at the height of his popularity, beaming at me. He wore a full-length mink coat and had an entourage of three men with him, I think he thought I was a fan who had placed herself strategically near him. We exchanged a few words (me breathlessly), and then I withdrew, leaving the guys at the counter.

A few hours later I was at Fifth Avenue and 59th Street where I saw a striking blonde walking along with a dog. It was Grace Kelly, also in a full-lenth fur coat, high heels, sunglasses, and an upswept hairdo, with her poodle Oliver. (She had an apartment on East 66th Street.) She was walking alone, unaccompanied by publicist, personal assistant, etc., and was not being followed by photographers or any media types. If passers-by noticed her, they smiled or nodded, respecting her space. A week or so later she became engaged to the Prince of Monaco, and her life changed forever.

Two "star" sightings within hours on a street in Manhattan. A thing like that!

Wow, that's exactly what I was asking for, Remembering. Great story!

Wow, Remembering, that is indeed a Great Story. Thanks for sharing!

BTW, North By Northwest is on tonight...I think it's the one with the part where Cary is running from the bad guys and takes a detour through a woman's room (sleeping with her lights out) and she wakes up, puts on her glasses and sees it's Cary...well just watch it...that part is so neat!

This is a sort of secondhand experience, but I think it fits here. I watch North By Northwest whenever I can - should probably buy the DVD! Anyway, at the beginning of the movie Grant is rushing down the street with his secretary when he decides to take a taxi. There is a man at the cab, just ready to get in when Grant kind of pushes him aside with the remark: you don't mind do you?
Well, the man who gives up the taxi to Grant is Mr. Laurens Moore. I think he has one or two words at that point and we never see him again in the movie.

Mr. Moore, from South Carolina, is now 89 years old. I had the good fortune to meet him when our local little theatre did Our Town several years ago. It was an honor to have him in the cast since Mr. Moore had portrayed the stage manager in Our Town off Broadway for almost 200 performances. He is one of our cherished local celebrities (Andie McDowell is another!.)

Mr. Moore, his wife Mary and I became good friends during our little theater production and a couple of years later he asked me to direct him and his wife in Love Letters, which I was more than happy to do.
During one of our many conversations Mr. Moore told me about filming N by N and meeting Cary Grant and actually riding in a taxi with him to a studio to do some re-dubbing. Always the gentleman, Mr. Moore described that meeting as less than enjoyable because of Grant's aloofness. He never spoke a word during that taxi ride. There was another scene filmed between Mr. Moore and Grant which unfortunately, found its way to the cutting room floor. Unless you watch N by N on TCM, you may not even see the "taxi" scene because of editing for time by the station showing the film.
And, Mr. Moore isn't even noted on the cast list. "That's show biz", I guess.

Mr. Moore went on to do more movies after a successful career on Broadway and radio (Bunco Squad with George Raft). No, he's not a household name, but he is a fine gentleman who is not in very good health now. It is after all, the unnamed people, the character actors and supporting players who can make the "star" look so good. I hope it doesn't sound boastful, but I'm proud to say Mr. Laurens Moore is a friend of mine. I wish he could share firsthand some of his experiences with all you posters while he and his family lived and worked in New York City.

Thank you, thank you, Rozsie, for such great background on one of my favorite movies, and especially for bringing forward into the "spotlight" one of the many unknowns without whom the movies and TV shows would be so boring.

I have watched that particular scene from North By Northwest many times, and now, instead of looking for Alfred Hitchcock's climb onto the bus, I will always be on the lookout for Mr. Laurens Moore giving up the taxi to Cary Grant.

If Mr. Moore should provide you with more stories from his fascinating past, please consider sharing them with us! Thank you, again, and please thank Mr. Moore for me when next you visit with him.

Rozsie, your story is fascinating, not “second-hand” at all. Mr. Moore sounds like a real gentleman and someone to admire. Many thanks for your post.

“Fiddler on the Roof”
I used to take my children to matinees in Manhattan of plays that I had seen previously and thought they might enjoy. One Sunday afternoon in 1965 my children (3 of them at the time) and I sat in Row 1 Orchestra to see “Fiddler on the Roof.” While driving home after the show, my son (then 10) volunteered that it was a great show and we had great seats. “We were so close that when the dancers were dancing, I could see them sweating through their costumes. When they came close to the front to sing, I could see them spitting, and some of it hit me,” he announced proudly. The other children agreed with this “review.” Sweat and spit were the earmarks of a successful outing that day!

“Man of La Mancha”
My son (he of the sweat and spit) told me that his sixth-grade teacher had recommended “Man of La Mancha” as a good family show. I had seen it and wouldn’t have recommended it for young children, but what did I know? I wasn’t a teacher. The music is lovely, and the inspirational message (Never give up. Follow your dream.) is a good one for children. I ordered tickets for the two oldest children and me. It was 1966.

The production had a particularly graphic rape scene that I had forgotten about. The patrons of a bar, several men, attack Aldonza (a slut who is trying to reform), throw her all over the floor, bounce her from wall to wall, and end up throwing her down on a table and raping her. I cringed. My sons (11 and 7) watched impassively. On the way home, they commented on the music, costumes, and, yes, the rough treatment of Aldonza, but, much to my relief, the rape sequence had been over their heads. Nevertheless, had I remembered that the scene was so shocking and violent, I would have thought twice about hurrying to get tickets on the recommendation of a young fifth-grade teacher.

Correction. It's "sixth-grade" in the last line, not "fifth-grade." It's late, my attention is wandering.....

I saw Dustin Hoffman as a very young actor in a play called (forgetably) Jimmy Shine.

Got into a huge traffic jam and was told that it was Judy Garland's funeral that had Fifth Ave tied up every way.

Met Salvador Dali at the Museum of Modern Art. My college rooommate and I were speechless. We were waiting for him to make some bizarre, cosmic pronouncement. He just looked at her dress and said, "Nice collar." She had hand embroidered it herself so she was very flattered.

One night in a cafe in the Village, a very drunk Bob Dylan came in, smashed up a few chairs and tables and staggered out, to applause.

That's about it.

Great stories, Remembering and Flowerpower! Thanks!

Love all these stories! So interesting and so funny, too.

Thanks all...and thanks, z, for posting it!

My husband and I lived in Manhattan in 1962-1964. We often went to Broadway shows. They were affordable!!
A high point was a very young Robert Redford in "Barefoot in the Park" with Jane Fonda. He was so gorgeous! Has anyone noticed that he looks a whole lot older and more haggard than Paul Newman did? I wonder why.
We were walking on Fifth Avenue one Easter Sunday (Yes, people did that then!) and saw Dihann Carroll coming out of the Plaza Hotel. We had just seen "No Strings." She was gorgeous too.
We often went to the Carlisle Hotel to hear George Shearing- I think a cocktail was $1.50.
Many more sightings and memories, but that'll have to do for now.

Dear fellow Maddicts, I have some sad new to tell you about. My Friend Laurens Moore died on Monday morning. Included here is a part of his obit. My heart is sad but I have sweet memories of him and his lovely wife Mary.

GAFFNEY, SC-- Laurens Potter Moore, 89, formerly of 500 S. Petty Street, died on Monday, January 12, 2009 at Summit Hills in Spartanburg, SC.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Mary Haynes Fultz of Moncks Corner, SC. Mr. Moore was born in Gaffney, and was the son of Major Henry Carlton and Eloise Potter Moore.
He attended Gaffney City Schools, served in the US Navy during World War II, and was successfully involved in the entertainment industry for over 60 years; in radio, television, major motion pictures, and worked on the stage on Broadway and touring companies, etc., having performed in leading roles in over 75 plays in New York and other locations.
When Mr. & Mrs. Moore returned to Gaffney in 1965 they developed an active and practical theatre program for Limestone College, and headed the department until 1975.

Exit stage right...RIP, love you both always, j.

I'm betting Mr. and Mrs. Moore were a very charming couple. You were indeed blessed to have known them, Rozsie. I wish we could hear more stories from their very interesting lives. I know I will never watch North By Northwest again without thinking of this "unknown" actor. Thanks, Rozsie, for sharing with us.

When I was an art major at Pratt Institute, in Brooklyn, one of my friends had a huge crush on Dustin Hoffman. She asked me to go with her to The Village, in Manhattan, to try to visit him, as somehow she had gotten his address.

He lived in a mid-century brick apartment building and my friend, whose name was Joan, had to jimmy the front door with a bobby pin or something so that we could get into the lobby. Dustin's apartment was just a few steps up from the lobby, towards the back. We rang the bell, but no one answered.

Joan and I went to some party in the neighborhood, and a little while later, left a paper plate of cheese from the party at Dustin's door with a little note, when there was still no answer at his door.

We went back a third time that same night, and this time, we lucked out! Dustin was standing in the doorway wearing a white terry cloth bathrobe and saying goodbye to two women who were just leaving. He looked over at us and said, "Who are you?"

We explained that we had left him the cheese and the note. He looked at the other women and said, "I thought you said the note was from you." Those women left and he invited us in.

We hesitated, not wanting to impose on him. We figured, god knows what he had been doing. But he insisted that we come in. We sat in his living room. The thing that impressed me most about the decor was an entire wall of bookcases loaded with books.

Dustin asked us about ourselves. We said we were interested in filmmaking. He was modest and said, "I'm just an actor, what do I know about making films?"

He said he wished that all the people who were making such a fuss over the movie "The Graduate" (which had recently come out) would put their energy into protesting the Viet Nam war instead.

I asked him if he had always been so political. He said no.
I said I thought that most people were focused on trying to become successful in their work, and didn't pay attention to politics and the larger world until they had achieved that success.

Dustin seemed to think at first that I was Tracey Bogart, the daughter of Humphrey and Lauren.

As Joan and I left, Dustin asked us our first names, and we told him. "Well, you're both very pretty," he said.

Judy
rawstyle.blogspot.com

I love this! This is exactly what my sisters and I would have been doing had we lived in NYC back then - stalking Dustin Hoffman! We loved the "Graduate," and had we had any clue at all as to where to find him, we would have been knocking on his door all night! Do you know if he actually ate the cheese? Thanks, Sketchgrrl, for the great story!

Forgot to add that we are still crazy about DH and are planning to see his latest movie with Emma Thompson as soon as it gets to our little town. Also loved him in "Meet the Fockers." He was wonderful in "The Graduate" and has only gotten better over the years. "Tootsie" is my all time favorite of his films.

Oh, you said it, z...love Dustin!

Tootsie is about as funny as it gets...

I agree also that The Graduate was fantastic and that DH has only gotten better...also he's just as good in dramas...does it get any better than Kramer vs. Kramer?

I love this thread, Thanks, Z!!!!

Oh, by the way,z, I think that movie "The Naked City" is on tonight, right? (your last sentence in the topic post up there references that movie's tag line)

It's a good "NYC-in the-fifties" 'atmosphere' movie, I think.

Zerelda, thank you for your kind and thoughtful comments about Mr. Moore. I appreciate them very much.

I have enjoyed reading all the experiences posted on this thread - makes me wish I could have lived in NYC. I visited twice and can only say how much I enjoyed it. No celebrity spottings but did enjoy La Boheme (sp) at the Met and Miss Saigon. My cousin arranged for seats at the Met - first balcony about six rows down from the top, with a very steep stairway and no hand rails. I sort of panicked since I can't tolerate sitting high with open spaces before me. But contrary to some people's notion that New Yorkers are cold, uncaring people, a complete stranger (to me) and the usher were so helpful in finding me a seat on the ground floor with a perfect view of the stage. It was a thrilling experience for me. I especially loved the snow scene that was so realistic. Another thing I remember is the standing room area with its padded arm rests. That was neat!

re: Dustin Hoffman - how great that some of you posters actually met him. His performance in Midnight Cowboy is a classic. I've seen the ads for his new movie with Emma T. I think he gets better looking the older he gets.

SCfan, I plan to watch The Naked City tonight after Pres. Bush speaks.

Oooh, wish I could have joined you at the Met, Rozsie, although I know what you mean about those seats way up high in what my husband calls the "nosebleed" section. I couldn't take it either. Someday I hope to make it to NYC and attend a Broadway play or the opera. I have always loved hearing other peoples experiences at these events.

I was sad to read about so many Broadway shows closing due to economic hard times, but these hard times won't last forever. There will be new shows to enjoy and revivals of old ones, too. As Cole Porter put it:

Another op'nin, another show
In Philly, Boston, or Baltimo'
A chance for stage folks to say hello!
Another op'nin of another show.

Another job that you hope will last
Will make your future forget your past
Antoher pain where the ulcers grow
Another op'nin of another show.

Four weeks, you rehearse and rehearse
Three weeks, and it couldn't be worse
One week, will it ever be right?
Then out of the hat it's that big first night

The overture is about to start
You cross your fingers and hold your heart
It's curtain time and away we go -
Another op'nin
Just another op'nin of another show!

This is not a story about New York...far from it...but my half-brother was an extra in "Shawshank Redemption", filmed in Ohio. It was a wonderful experience for him. As for the cast, he said that every day, without fail, Morgan Freeman came over at the lunch break to sit with the extras! It seems he is the nicest guy ever to wear shoe leather. I was so very pleased that he was honored at the Kenndey Awards this year.
Now, back to New York, please......

Sandy, isn't it funny how the nicest (in "real life") stars usually show that quality even on the screen?

I can usually tell (even though they are experts at "performing" and making their actions seem genuine) if they really are class acts. I always thought Morgan F. seemed like a great guy, and am so glad to hear he is.

James Garner is another example of that. He usually plays a "nice guy" and he really is one!

This is not about my experiences in New York City, as I have never had any. It is about a movie I watched tonight for the first time - can't believe I never saw it before - "You've Got Mail" with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. It takes place in New York City and is just the sweetest story. I always enjoy Tom Hanks and this was Meg Ryan at her best. The reason I am writing about the movie, though, is because it is also such a sweet love story about New York City. This is a Nora Ephron movie, and just like "When Harry Met Sally," this movie shows NYC at its finest. Ms. Ephron must love NYC very much, as she always makes it as big a part of her stories as her characters. Such a good movie.

I wish Ms. Ephron would write another love story for Tom Hanks. He is older now, and I would like to see him paired with an age appropriate actress in something romantic and funny.

You are so right, z...that is one sweet little movie. I have seen in over and over and whenever it is on, I seem to just watch it again, it is that good.

Those Nora Ephron movies are always so special, I think.

Some call them "chick fllicks" but I see them as just plain good movies...even if I am a chick!

zerelda...... I agree."You've Got Mail" is just wonderful. Did you realize that it is a remake (and a nicely updated version, indeed) of "The Shop Around The Corner" (1940) starring Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullavan?

New York scenes seem to stay with me forever -- ala the Plaza area. etc., in "The Way We Were".

Back to Nora Ephron. Have you read her book, "I Feel Bad About My Neck"? I bought it last week and laughed out loud.

Yes, "The Shop Around the Corner" also spawned a later musical version starring Judy Garland and Van Johnson, "In the good Old Summertime". In that version they work together in a music store in the Gay Nineties and dislike each other intensely, while carrying on a secret romance as anonymous pen pals. I agree that "You've Got Mail" was a very clever updating using E-mail instead of "snail" mail.

Set in 1963 Manhattan when it was filmed, right in the MM era, is "The World of Henry Orient" starring Manhattan has herself, with Peter Sellers, Paula Prentis and Angela Landsbury. The screenplay is by Nora and Nunnally Johnson.

This is the story of two teen gals who stalk "Henry Orient".

That sounds like leaving the cheese outside Dustin's door.

Rozsie, I watched "North By Northwest" tonight. I hadn't seen it for awhile, and I was enjoying the opening sequence with all the New Yorkers leaving work and rushing about, and here came Cary Grant. I watched as he walked down the street, all the while dictating to his secretary, and then she asked if they could take a taxi to the Plaza instead of walking. I sat up, looked closely and listened, and there was the anonymous stranger very graciously allowing Roger O. Thornhill to steal his taxi. As the taxi pulled away you could still see him in the rear window hailing another cab.

Well, he is no longer a stranger and anonymous to me - he will forever be young Mr. Laurens Moore, co-star of Alfred Hitchcock's "North by Northwest" and very nattily dressed, too, in his summer straw hat and suit. Do you know, by chance, of any other films Mr. Moore was in? I would love to watch for him in other movies.

Hi, everyone,
I've been reading all of your entries and agree with your comments. "North by Northwest" is my favorite Alfred Hitchcock movie, and I was well aware of the gentleman who yielded his taxi to Cary Grant, but Rozsie has given that scene new meaning. I've also admired Dustin Hoffman all these years since "The Graduate" and marvel that he is playing a romantic lead in a new film with Emma Thompson. It has received good reviews. Can't wait to see it.

My New York story today might be filed under the category of "Theatrical Mishaps."

In 1965 I saw “The Odd Couple,” a Neil Simon comedy, during its opening week on Broadway. Walter Matthau played Oscar Madison, a relaxed slob as far as housekeeping goes, and Art Carney played Felix Ungar, Oscar's neat-freak roommate.

(To clarify the various Felixes and Oscars over the years, in 1968 a feature film was made with Walter Matthau, again as Oscar, and Jack Lemmon as Felix. Then in 1970 came the TV series with Jack Klugman as Oscar and Tony Randall as Felix.)

I particularly wanted to see Carney on stage. I remembered him vividly as Ed Norton, the upstairs neighbor of Ralph Kramden (Jackie Gleason) on “The Honeymooners” TV show in the mid 1950s.

The performance was going along smoothly. Carney, as Felix, was following Oscar around the stage (Oscar’s apartment) with a dustpan and whisk broom, scooping up cigarette butts, bits of paper, and other small objects. Suddenly Carney must have lost his footing for a second. The dustpan went flying out of his hand and scattered debris on the stage floor. This was not in the script. After all, Felix was a neat freak. Carney looked startled, hesitated for a nanosecond, and quickly regained control. Shrugging his shoulders, he hastily kicked and brushed the debris under a table on the stage where it remained, ignored, for the rest of the scene. It had miraculously disappeared by the time the curtain went up on Act II.

In the feature film and on the TV show, there would have been retakes for a mishap like this. That’s a wonderful thing about live theater. These mishaps do happen, and the actors deal with them and move on!