September 10, 2002
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TAKE MY CALL .... PLEASE!
I was going to college in Stockton, California. To support myself, I landed a part time gig taking tickets at a local movie theater. Stockton was a cool little town, as you didn't have to go very far for entertainment, and there was always something going on.
Henny Youngman was set to perform at the college over the weekend. I tried like hell, but was unable to get the time off to go see him. I was really dissapointed. So there I was stuck in the movie theater watching Popeye through the entry doors for god knows how many times now, when some friends from the college drop by for a visit.
They had stopped by Lyons for a bite to eat, and saw Henny Youngman in the bar. They said he was getting pretty snockered, and they overheard him saying where he was staying. They left shortly after.
I decided that even if I couldn't see the man, I was going to try like hell to talk to him. So I called up information and got the number of the hotel. Nervously, I dialed the number.
"Hello, ***hotel, how may I direct your call?"
"Uh, yes. Ahem .... uh...Mr. Youngman's room, please."
"Please hold while I connect you."
Oh my god! they're putting me through.... what am I going to say??? What am....
"Hello?"
"Uh, Mr. Youngman?"
"Yes?"
I'm not sure exactly what happened, but the dam burst, and I ended up gushing all over the phone....
"Mynameisdanleadbetterandi'myourbiggest
fanandididn'tgettoseeyourshowtonightcuzihadto
workandireallywantedtoandi'myourbiggestfanandi ......
"Hey, that's great. what can I do for you?"
"Uh..... well, it would mean the world to me if you could just say one thing."
"Sure what's that?"
"Would you please say, "Take my wife.... please?"
"<laughs> Sure. <pause> Take my wife ... please!"
"Wow .... thank you, Mr. Youngman! You totally made my life!"
"No problem, kid. Goodnight."
And with that, he was gone.
Years later, on the day Henny Youngman died I was struck with a certain sadness ... not like we were friends or anything, but that night on a pay phone in a movie theater, I think I experienced something most people only dream about.
I truly brushed greatness.
I will remember that night for the rest of my life.
DG
Comments (2)
Wasn't I there when you made that call? Either that, or I just remember it so well, I place myself there.
Nope, it was Allison Harnden who was there .... It was an awesome moment. Too bad you weren't, we probably would have ended up drinking with Henny.
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