Daily life in the historic movie colony of Palm Springs Ca.
My dad had an upscale liquor store one block north of Casa Liberace on Palm Canyon. Liberace (Lee) as most called him wouldn't be seen wearing the sequined capes and satin trousers. More likely it would be baggy shorts, flip-flops and little attention to his hair. He was a friendly, outgoing guy who usually took time to sign autographs if not too much in a hurry. He genuinely liked people and was well liked in return.
My dad and moms very favorite was Kirk Douglas who paid his liquor bill exactly on the first and by personal check. It was like clock-work. Because of that, dad gave him and a few others a special price on the expensive Dom Perignon champagne. When word got out more movie stars moved liquor accounts to dad's store.
One of them was Bob Hope who unfortunately, had garnered a reputation for being a tightwad. Not only among local Palm Springs vendors but also the workers who were working on the huge house on the hill overlooking much of the town of Palm Springs. A few of these workers complained to dad about not getting paid. As a result, dad called his friend Gene Autry who had made his vast fortune in real estate, moreso than in movies. Apparently Gene called Bob Hope and made it clear he expected those workers to get paid. Apparently he did as many of them dropped by dads store to thank him and load up on beer the following day.
Pricilla Presley would sometimes stop into dads office, she was un-happy about the ever- present "boys" And the lack of privacy. She also hated the heavy black mascara Elvis insisted she paint her eyes with and the piled high Bee hive hair do she loathed and Elvis loved. But she was careful not to complain too much, she really was dedicated to Elvis and only shared the negative things with my dad.
There was a standing order which involved the Gabor sisters and the mother. My dad didn't approve of the foul language and said they talk like "Drunken sailors" and that if they came into the store dad was to be notified so he could leave out the back.
Once, Lucille Ball complained about an order and dad said, "{Okay dear I will stop by and see if I can fix it. To which Miss Ball said, "How dare you presume to be so familiar and call me dear?" Dad said he would correct the order with a check and that ended her patronage. Ironically, each time someone would drop my dads store he would gain even more celebrity patrons.
When the cancer got my dad, Kirk Douglas sent over a personal limo for my mom for as long as she needed, the entire house was filled with cases of Dom Perignon, a massive number of notes and cards from hundreds of movie people and others who loved my sweet, loving dad.
I am proud even to this day to be my fathers son. You were and are, one of a kind dad!
My dad and moms very favorite was Kirk Douglas who paid his liquor bill exactly on the first and by personal check. It was like clock-work. Because of that, dad gave him and a few others a special price on the expensive Dom Perignon champagne. When word got out more movie stars moved liquor accounts to dad's store.
One of them was Bob Hope who unfortunately, had garnered a reputation for being a tightwad. Not only among local Palm Springs vendors but also the workers who were working on the huge house on the hill overlooking much of the town of Palm Springs. A few of these workers complained to dad about not getting paid. As a result, dad called his friend Gene Autry who had made his vast fortune in real estate, moreso than in movies. Apparently Gene called Bob Hope and made it clear he expected those workers to get paid. Apparently he did as many of them dropped by dads store to thank him and load up on beer the following day.
Pricilla Presley would sometimes stop into dads office, she was un-happy about the ever- present "boys" And the lack of privacy. She also hated the heavy black mascara Elvis insisted she paint her eyes with and the piled high Bee hive hair do she loathed and Elvis loved. But she was careful not to complain too much, she really was dedicated to Elvis and only shared the negative things with my dad.
There was a standing order which involved the Gabor sisters and the mother. My dad didn't approve of the foul language and said they talk like "Drunken sailors" and that if they came into the store dad was to be notified so he could leave out the back.
Once, Lucille Ball complained about an order and dad said, "{Okay dear I will stop by and see if I can fix it. To which Miss Ball said, "How dare you presume to be so familiar and call me dear?" Dad said he would correct the order with a check and that ended her patronage. Ironically, each time someone would drop my dads store he would gain even more celebrity patrons.
When the cancer got my dad, Kirk Douglas sent over a personal limo for my mom for as long as she needed, the entire house was filled with cases of Dom Perignon, a massive number of notes and cards from hundreds of movie people and others who loved my sweet, loving dad.
I am proud even to this day to be my fathers son. You were and are, one of a kind dad!
