Art Linkletter: 50 years later, one of his ‘kids’ recalls his ‘special day’ on TV’s ‘House Party’
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‘I was one of Art’s kids,’ said the subject line of the e-mail from Michael Dubrow, who appeared on TV with Art Linkletter 50 years ago and wrote after reading the obituary for Linkletter, who died Wednesday. Dubrow goes on to say:
Thank you for your story about Art Linkletter. The world has lost one of its true gentle men. I was one of the thousands of children who appeared on ‘House Party,’ way back in 1960. I remember that day clearly, even now. ... They sent a limousine to my elementary school (Hillcrest Drive Elementary, in Baldwin Hills), and chauffeured me (and the other 3 kids) to CBS studios on Fairfax. We got a tour of the studio (I met Red Skelton) and then they took us to a plush office where the producers interviewed us. They were scrupulous about not coaching us in how to answer the questions. But they did give us the questions in advance and let us practice some possible answers. Their goal was just to get us comfortable with the interview process. After that prep time, we were back in the limo and whisked away for lunch at the old Brown Derby restaurant. It was literally built to look like a brown derby! That’s where the cobb salad was invented, btw. After lunch, we went back to the studio, got a little makeup applied, and went out to sit on stage in our four little chairs. Art came out and was SO wonderful, respectful, kind and affectionate. I remember how he made us feel so good about ourselves. He had piercing blue eyes, and he brought his kindly face very close to ours.I only remember one of the several questions he asked: ‘If you were having a dinner party at your house, and people stayed too late, how would you get them to go home?’ My own answer was very practical. ‘When no one was looking, I would set the clock ahead til 2 in the morning. Then I’d hold up the clock and say ‘Oh my! Look how late it is! It’s time for everybody to go home.’I was very tiny for my age, with long curly eyelashes and curly brown hair. I was smart, loquacious and spoke with a lisp, so all my S’s sounded like Th. I was 6 years old, and it was a very special day in my life.Do you know if there is an online place where one can share stories and tributes to Art? I’d like to contribute mine.Thanks again, Valerie. And God bless your soul, Art.Michael DubrowSanta Barbara
If any more of ‘Art’s kids’ would like to share their stories, here’s your forum.
-- Valerie J. Nelson
