Two Treasures from "Treasure Island" - Bobby Driscoll and Geoffrey Keen

Geoffrey Keen and Bobby Driscoll, in the "crow's nest" 

scene from Walt Disney's Treasure Island

Autograph of Bobby Driscoll,

from a 3x5 card

Autograph of Geoffrey Keen

from a 3x5 card.

My autographed memorabilia of choice, is the signed photograph. Something I can display on the wall is the ideal, even though I have to admit, most of my collection remains in binders. Being of often limited means to pursue my passion for collecting, I do purchase other signed items, like 3x5 cards, short writings and various other interesting signed bits of memorabilia. I try to find photos and other items to go with the loose autographs, so to make a "cut-piece" display.

My acquisition of the Bobby Driscoll* autograph shown above was one of my most fortunate finds. I had long searched for a Bobby Driscoll I could Afford. My collecting has always been done on a budget, and Bobby Driscoll, being one of the more valuable autographs, as well as one of my favorite child stars, seemed out of reach.

I had never seen an autographed photo of Bobby, but occasionally a signature from a card or autograph book would emerge. I purchased this signed card at auction, in 2006, and got it for a bargain price, perhaps because of the slight water smear at the end of the signature. Upon purchase, I immediately began exploring how I would mount and display it.

Bobby Driscoll as Jim Hawkins from 

from Walt Disney's Treasure Island.

I initially thought I would display it with a picture of Bobby as Jim Hawkins from Treasure Island, as that was my favorite Bobby Driscoll movie. As I looked for photos of Bobby, I came across two from my favorite scene in the film, the struggle between Jim Hawkins and Pirate Israel Hands.

One, in the crow's nest, just before the pirate throws the knife hitting Jim in the shoulder, and the other 

just as the knife hits Jim's shoulder, and he fires his pistol.

 I had often said that I would love to have an autographed photo from this scene. I could not find any photos available of these two photos, but I did find a gentlemen who had a large stock of Disney photos that were used to send to newspapers to promote the films. I found the black and white picture at top, which shows the scene directly after the shot is fired, and Israel Hands is falling. I acquired this picture, but then had the task of seeing if I could find the name of the actor playing Israel Hands, and if I had a chance of finding an autograph!

On the back of the press picture, I discovered the "blurb" the studio had given to be placed along with the picture, and there was the name of the actor; Geoffrey Keen^. Probably a bit player, I said to myself, but started doing research. To my surprise, Geoffrey Keen was well known, and sought after in autograph circles, as one of the James Bond regulars. Keen played Frederick Grey, minister of Defense, in six Bond films between 1977 and 1987.

With the popularity of the Bond films, and the subsequent interest in the actors autographs, Keen's was not hard to find, and one was purchased from England.

I have yet to mount these autographs and picture, but they will make a fine display, even though Bobby Driscoll is not shown as "cute" as he often is. The photos from this scene really show the power of  Bobby's acting, which is striking. 

*Bobby Driscoll

Bobby was born Robert Cletus Driscoll on March 3,1937, and was truly one of Hollywood's tragic child actors. Bobby did a large body of movie and TV work between 1943 and 1960, much of it for the Walt Disney Company. He stared in some of the most popular live action films for the Disney Company, such as Song of the South in 1946, So Dear to my Heart in 1948, and of course, Treasure Island in 1950.

Under contract to Disney, Bobby was "loaned" to RKO Studios to do The Window, based on Cornell Woolrich's novel, The Boy Who Cried Murder. 

When it was released in 1949, it was a surprise hit. The New York Times credited Bobby with the success:

"The striking force and terrifying impact of this RKO meoldrama is cheifly due to Bobby's brilliant acting, for the whole effect would have been lost were there any suspicion of doubt about the credibility of this pivotal character.  The Window is Bobby Driscoll's picture, make no mistake about it."

So Dear to My Heart and The Window earned Bobby a special Academy Award in March 1950, as best juvenile actor of 1949. Bobby's last major success was Disney's Peter Pan, in which he did the voice of Peter, and was used for close up model for the character.

Upon the release of Peter Pan, Bobby's contract with Disney was canceled. Walt had felt that Bobby was now alright for playing "bullies", but was not good for leads any longer. Also, a bad case of acne, which affects most teens, caused "too much time in make-up", and was used as further reason to terminate Bobby's contract.

At 17, Bobby began to experiment with drugs, mostly heroin. In 1956, Bobby was arrested for the first time, for possession of marijuana. Hedda Hopper said; "This could cost this fine lad and good actor his career." Bobby was married for about three years and had three children.

Bobby went to prison as a drug addict, and upon release was unable to find work. He relocated to New York, and was for a time part of Andy Warhol's Greenwich Village art community known as the Factory.

Bobby left the Factory in 1968, and without funds, became lost in Manhattan's underground. His body was found by some boys playing in some old tenements, about three weeks after his 31st birthday.

Jim Hawkins (Bobby Driscoll) and Israel Hands (Geoffery Keen)

fight in this scene from Waly Disney's Treasure Island.

^Geoffrey Keen

Actor Geoffrey Keen was born in Wallingford, Oxfordshire, in 1916. He was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, and made his film debut in 1946 in Raiders of the New Forest. He soon began to appear in better known films like Odd man out (1947), The Fallen Idol (1948) and The Third Man (1949)

Of course, in 1950, he appeared as pirate Israel Hands in the Disney production of Treasure Island, which was filmed in England.

Geoffrey Keen as Pirate Israel Hands in the Disney

Production of Treasure Island.

Keen was mainly cast as establishment characters, including ministers, senior police officers, and military figures. His portrayal of Frederic Gray in the James Bond Movies lasted through 6 films; The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker , For Your Eyes Only, Octopussy, A View to a Kill, and The Living Daylights.

Throughout his career, Geoffrey Keen made 100 films before his retirement in 1991. Geoffrey Keen Passed away on November 3, 2005 in London, England.

Even though Keen was born 21 years before Driscoll, he out lived Bobby by 37 years. In the movie Treasure Island, it is Jim (Bobby) that comes out on top. In life, Geoffrey was as successful as Bobby was Tragic. But they both brought us moments of excitement, adventure and an escape from our hum-drum lives. In this, they were both winners.  

Roy and Dale - Cowboy Royalty

Estelita Rodriguez, Roy Rogers, Pat Brady, Dale Evens

Signed by Roy and Dale

When Andy Slye was told of a shoe factory hiring in Los Angeles and asked his son Leonard (the future Roy Rogers) to join him in applying there for work, Leonard, having seen the joy that his guitar and singing had brought to the destitute around the campfire, hesitatingly told his father that he was going to pursue a living in music. And the rest, as they say is history!

Leonard moved to California to become a singer. After four years of little success, he formed the Sons of the Pioneers with Bob Nolan and Tim Spencer. A lucky break occurred in 1938, when Gene Autry temporarily walked out on his movie contract, and Leonard was suddenly renamed "Roy Rogers" and assigned the lead in Under Western Stars.

Roy first met Dale in 1944, and by 1947 they were married at the Flying  L Ranch in Davis, Oklahoma.

With money from not only his films, but from his public appearances going to Republic Pictures, Roy brought a clause into a 1940 contract with the studio where he would have the right to his likeness, voice and name for merchandising. There were Roy Rogers action figures, guns and play sets,

 This, of course led to the Popular Saturday afternoon TV series, The Roy Rogers Show.

Roy and Dale were well known as advocates for adoption and as founders and operators of children's charities. They, themselves adopted several children. In Apple Valley, where they made their home, numerous streets and highways, as well as civic buildings have been named after them in recognition of their efforts on behalf of homeless and handicapped children.

Roy left us in July 8, 1998, and Dale followed, less than three years later, on February 7, 2001. Thanks Roy and Dale! You will be missed. It is so good that the movies live on!

The Search for Charles Herbert

Autographed Photo of Susan Gordon 

and Charles Herbert, from The Boy and the Pirates.

One of the wonderful things you come upon in Autograph collecting is the chance to get in contact with some of your favorite stars and personalities. In my case, collecting stars, mostly from the past, many, if not most of my autographs come from dealers or the internet. In the case of some of the child stars, I sometimes get lucky. My search for Charles Herbert was just such a case.

If you don't remember Charles Herbert by name, I couldn't blame you. He was one of my favorite child actors of the 1950's and 60's, but I did not remember his name, if indeed, I ever knew it!

I have contacted, and received autographs from Jon Provost, who played "Timmy" on television's "Lassie", and noticed on Jon's website a picture from his 13th birthday party.

It shows, from left to right, Flip Mark, Anglia Cartwright, Susan Gordon, Jon, Charles Herbert, and Jay North. I recognized Charles right away, and was thrilled to learn his name. I attempted to find him on the internet to no avail.

Charles can now be found regularly at Si-Fi Conventions and Autograph Conventions, but back then, he was hard to find. I wrote to Jon Provost, telling him how I had seen Charles in his 13th birthday picture, and wondered where he was now, and if he knew how to contact him. Jon, very helpfully, wrote back that he had lost contact with Charles, but said that he was in contact with Susan Gordon, and that he believed she was in touch with Charles.

Again, I have to admit, I was at a loss as to who Susan Gordan was, apart from the familiar girl in Jon's birthday picture. When I wrote her, I immediately recognized her from Twilight Zones, Gunsmoke, and I couldn't tell you how many other things I had seen her in. And she was so nice.

Susan Gordon and James Arness

in the 1961 Gunsmoke episode

"Little Girl"

Susan told me that Charles was sometimes hard to reach, but would relay a message. I told her I would like an autograph from them both, and chose the picture from the Boy and the Pirates. Susan and Charles were old friends. They had appeared together on the Twilight Zone, and in 1960, in the "Pirates", which was directed by Susan's Father, Burt I. Gordon, the well known adventure and fantasy director.

Susan eventually sent me the autographed picture, and conveyed my best wishes to Charles. Charles had been one of the "lost" child stars, his years after his career being anything but pleasant. But finding that he is remembered fondly has brought him out of obscurity, and as I said, he can now be found at Movie conventions, and Si-Fi conventions all across the country. Apart from his work in television, he is remembered for films like 13 Ghosts,

and perhaps, his most popular film, 1958's The Fly, with Vincent Price and Patricia Owens.

Patricia Owens and Charles Herbert in The Fly.

Autographed by Charles Herbert.

Thanks for all the entertainment Charles! And, oh yeah, thanks to Susan and Jon. Without all your contributions, our childhoods would have lost a lot.

William Boyd - Alias, Hopalong Cassidy

Pencil signature of William Boyd, in an old Autograph Book.

Actor William Boyd has been one of my favorite Western Stars all my life. Born in 1895, in Hendrysburg, Ohio, Boyd went on to Hollywood in the 1920's, where he became a leading man in Silent film romances, earning an annual salary of 100,000.

He was the lead actor in Cecil B. De Mille's The Volga Boatman (1926) and in DeMille's extravaganza, The King of Kings, helping Christ carry the cross, as Simon of Cyrene.

After a long period of unemployment, due to a scandal involving an actor with a similar name, and partly due to age, in 1935, at age 40, Boyd was offered the supporting role of Red Connors in the movie Hop-a-Long Cassidy. Boyd ask to be considered for the title role and won it.

The original Hopalong Cassidy character, written by Clarance E. Mulford  for pulp fiction, was changed from a hard drinking, rough-living wrangler

Mulford's Hopalong Cassidy

 to its eventual incarnation as a cowboy hero who did not smoke, drink or sware and who always let the bad guy start the fight.

The Hopalong Cassidy series ended in 1947 after 66 films, with Boyd producing the last 12.

Anticipating television's rise, Boyd spent $350,000 to purchase the rights to the Hopalong Cassidy character, books and films. In 1949, he released the films to television, where they became extremely popular and began the long running genre of Westerns on television.

Both Bill Boyd, and his wife, Grace signed many contracts with the television studios in those early years. I was fortunate enough to acquire one a few years ago, from a contract signed in 1951.

Boyd's wife Grace took a chance right along with her husband, and in the end it payed off. I have a wonderful picture of Grace, before she retired from the screen, which she has signed, "Mrs. Hopalong". It is a real treasure.

Bill Boyd so identified with his character, he often dressed as a cowboy in public. He appeared regularly as Hopalong Cassidy on the cover of numerous magazines, including the June 12, 1950 issue of Life, 

and the November 27, 1950 issue of Time.

William Boyd passed away in 1972 in Laguna Beach, California, but he will always be remembered, by a generation of "little buckaroos" all grown up, who owe a debt of gratitude to a great man that taught them how to be honest, and true.