Catalina Island Man

My Gregory Harrison Story

Yesterday, a good friend, Gregory Harrison, left with his family back to Oregon. You probably recognize his name, and picture, from a number of television, movie, and Broadway performances (look him up on the "internet" to be reminded of his work!). Like me, he was born on the Island. He is younger than me and LOOKS IT!



http://www.gregoryharrison.com




I knew Gregory's father, mother, and his paternal grandmother. There are a lot of stories here and Gregory loves to tell them. His lovely wife is Randi Oakes, known for her work on the television show, "CHIPS", and his three beautiful daughters, one who is following in her parents' footsteps and is becoming an actress!


















http://www.goldensilents.com/stars/charlesbuddyrogers.html





My favorite story concerning Gregory goes back to 1987. The Catalina Island Museum (which I am a board member) was presenting its first "Silent Movie" (which is now done annually), with Gaylord Carter, one of the last original "Silent Movie" organists and the movie that was shown was the




















http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wings_(film)

1927 classic, "WINGS"
(the first movie to ever receive an "Academy Award"), with the star of the movie, Buddy Rogers (look for the upcoming "BLOGS" about Gaylord and Buddy). Gaylord and Buddy stayed in town rehearsing for the movie and concert to follow and I had the honor of escorting their primarily female entourages around the Island.




















When I told them that that evening, in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the naming of "Avalon" a our only incorporated city on the Island, Gregory was going to be the "Master Of Ceremonies" for the event, which was going to include dancing, there was MAJOR excitement in my 1979 VW van! I assured them that I would invited Gregory to our table, at the event, and the excitement grew even more!







As can ONLY happen on Catalina, just about then I saw Gregory, with his shirt off, running down the hill, entering Avalon from the "Interior" of the Island, in our direction. He looked GREAT with his shirt off and didn't have a bead of perspiration on his body, although it was a pretty warm afternoon. He and I exchanged "hi's" and we passed each other and the screams started in my vehicle, luckily not causing me to get distracted and run off the road, which would have meant, if you remember my "BLOG" about getting my driver's license, sure and complete death!






















That evening, after he had done his ceremonial work and had been interviewed by a member of the press (I seem to recall the "Los Angeles Times")I went up to him and reminded him that the "Carter/Rogers" table would LOVE to have him drop by at his convenience. As the consummate gentleman, he readily agreed.

Before we started over to the group, I had to tell him how "impressed" was with seeing him running down the hill, with his shirt off, and not a drop of perspiration on his body! He then said that he had a "confession" to make! "I was walking down the Summit Road", he said, "with my shirt on, when I saw the reflection of your van in the traffic mirror (see "BLOG" about the "COWS, MIRRORS, and BANANAS"). I knew who was in your van, so I quickly took off my shirt and started running. When you passed me and I could tell that you weren't able to see me any more, I put my shirt back on and kept walking!"







I BLESSED GREGORY FOR HIS HONESTY! Greg made me feel a little less inferior to him! By the way, he hasn't changed at all since then, as you can see in the picture. If we weren't such good friends, I would hate him!