From: Jack Douglas - Haines City, Florida
RE: Joel McCrea
Date: Sept. 9, 2003
Hello Stan,
Just to let you know that I really enjoy your web site. Thanks for the untold hours you must have worked to establish it. I usually look at it about once a week and it sure has brought back great memories of when I was a kid back in the late forties going to the local cinema (one screen in my little town) on Saturday afternoons to see all my favorite cowboy stars in action. I happened to catch a couple of Joel McCrea's films on television last week and thought I would share a moment in my life when I met him in person at his ranch in California in June 1959.
My Father has passed away from brain cancer that year, I graduated from high school and Mom, my Brother and I traveled to visit my Uncle in Ventura, California. My uncle was a concrete contractor and had done work on the homes of a number of Hollywood film actors homes. While we were there my Uncle asked us if we would like to meet a real Hollywood movie star. Of course, we were really excited.
My Uncle drove us out in the hills and turned off the highway down a paved single lane road that ran back up in a small valley. At the end of the valley was a big ranch style house sitting on a rise facing us and the valley. As we approached the house a rider on a horse approached us riding across the pasture. He looked like a ranch hand. Cowboy hat, boots, dungarees and a plaid shirt. My Uncle stopped the car and the cowboy rode up to the fence.
When we got out of the car, the cowboy spoke to my Uncle and said, "Hello Johnny, who are these fine looking young men with you today"?
It was Joel McCrea in person. I couldn't believe that I was really talking to a real movie star. He showed us his horse and talked about a television series he was going to do called "Wichita Town". He asked many questions about us, where we went to school, if we played sports, did we like to ride horses, etc. I guess we talked to him for at least 30 minutes when he excused himself and said he had to make some business calls.
He is the biggest movie star I ever met in person and still can't believe that he was as friendly and cordial as he was. Of course, He was a major matinee star and I grew up seeing mostly Saturday afternoon western heroes, so I didn't realize at the time just how big a star he had been in the 30's and 40's.
I have often thought that I would like to write a letter to his Son's or some surviving relative and express my appreciation for the way he treated two teenagers from Florida. He was quite a gentleman and I shall never forget meeting him.
Thanks again for the web site and thanks for listening.
Jack Douglas,
Haines City, Fl.
Date: October 1, 2003
Dear Stan: I would be delighted and honored to have my letter posted on your web site. Thank you for the opportunity to share my experience with your readers.
Joel McCrea was a big silver screen star in his day and no doubt received a lot of unwanted attention from people where ever he went, but on that day in June 1959 he treated a couple of teens from Florida like they were his Nephews. I'll never forget it and my only regrets today are that I never wrote him a letter to thank him for his kindness and friendliness.
And, yes, I would love to receive your COWBOY DIRECTORY newsletter. Thanks for offering and once again, your website is excellent.
Best Wishes,
Jack Douglas
Haines City, Fl.
© 2003 by Stan Paregien, Sr.
