Which way did the Wendigo go?
BY DAVID INMAN The (Louisville, Ky.) Courier-Journal
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Q.I remember, in the early 1960s, watching a
summer replacement series that featured scary
stories. One was about a group of campers in
the north woods. I believe they got lost and
were in fear of a creature called the Wendigo.
The next week was about a hotel that had no
13th floor or room number 13, but certain
guests could still find number 13. What was the
series?
A.That was an NBC series called “Great Ghost
Tales,” and it ran during the summer of 1961. It
holds the distinction of being the last regularly
scheduled drama series to be broadcast live.
“The Wendigo” aired on September 14, 1961,
and “Room 13” aired on August 31, 1961.
Q.Wasn’t there a TV series in the late 1960s or
early ‘70s about a man who could live forever?
A. “The Immortal,” as it was known, ran on
ABC from 1970-71. Christopher George
played Ben Richards, a race driver whose
blood just happened to contain all known
immunities, meaning he will probably live forever
as long as he stays away from the smokes.
Meanwhile, dying millionaire Arthur Maitland
(David Brian) will stop at nothing ‚(euro) “
Nothing, I say! ‚(euro) “ in his efforts to
imprison Richards and his superblood.
Actually, he did have to stop, after 15
episodes, because “The Immortal” was canceled,
and everyone went to the ratings graveyard.
Q. My husband and I have been watching
reruns of “The Waltons.” I was wondering if
the young man who plays Jason is really playing
all those musical instruments and if so, is
he playing music professionally now.
A. Yes. Jon Walmsley, who played Jason, is in
a band called The Ravers, which performs
British rock music from the 1960s. And in the
late 1980s, he was the guitarist in Richard
Marx’s band.
Write David Inman in care of The
(Louisville, Ky.) Courier-Journal, 525 W.
Broadway, P.O. Box 740031, Louisville, Ky.
40201-7431; or email him at incredibleinman@yahoo.com. No personal replies
