Priceless Memories
Page 20
There will be six professors teaching animal ethics from a variety of angles, including religion, philosophy, environment, criminology, biology, and law. The course will count toward fulfilling ethics course requirements. It will also include seminars, conferences, and symposiums. Various animal rights experts and scholars have already been contacted, and have expressed interest and willingness to be visiting lecturers.
I am delighted to report that Dr. McEachern is already receiving inquiries from other universities and colleges that are interested in adding similar courses to their curricula.
• • •
Now that I am retired, I am devoting even more time to the DJ&T Foundation, too. When I was taping Price, I often spent the morning working on foundation business before I went to the studio, but now I have more time for the foundation. And I need it because the scope of the foundation is growing by leaps and bounds—of happy dogs, that is!
We have organizations receiving grants in every state in the union and multiple organizations in most states. Individuals and organizations across the country tell us that we are making a positive difference in reducing the tragic problem of animal overpopulation, and the beauty of it is that the DJ&T Foundation will go right on making a positive difference long after I am gone. Animal rights of every description are gaining momentum at a veritable tsunami rate!
Oprah Winfrey featured an exposé of puppy mills on her hugely popular television show, and the repercussions continue today. Oprah, in a matter of minutes on her show, did more to raise awareness of the puppy mill horror than anyone else thus far. Let’s hear it for Oprah!
And let’s hear it for Los Angeles City Councilman Richard Alarcon and Councilman Tony Cardenas! Councilman Alarcon introduced and Councilman Cardenas seconded an ordinance that requires that dogs and cats be spayed or neutered in the city of Los Angeles.
I was pleased to be able to lend a hand in getting the ordinance passed. Los Angeles is the first major city in the United States to pass such an ordinance, but officials in other cities are making inquiries, and we hope that many of them will follow suit. Already, I have had invitations to write to the mayor and council members of both Dallas and Chicago in support of spay/neuter ordinances similar to the one passed in Los Angeles.
• • •
And the animal rights tsunami rolls on to elephants—more specifically to the elephant named Maggie. You may have heard her name—Maggie’s plight received worldwide attention.
While I was still doing Price, I received a couple of letters from Anchorage, Alaska, describing the conditions under which Maggie was living. Because of the inclement weather, Maggie had to be kept indoors seven months of the year, and an elephant cannot be healthy, let alone happy, living indoors seven months of the year. I gave the letters to Nancy Burnet of UAAR, who did her own investigation and determined that Maggie did, indeed, need our help.
For more than a year, Nancy worked with Diane Raynor and April Warwick, advising them in their Free Maggie campaign. Pat Derby and Ed Stewart, directors of the PAWS animal sanctuary near San Andreas, California, agreed to accept Maggie. An elephant is an expensive guest, but I assured Pat that it would be a pleasure for me to pick up Maggie’s tab. In my opinion, the PAWS sanctuary provides the best life possible for an elephant, short of its own natural habitat, and after living all those years in Alaska under difficult conditions, Maggie deserved the best.
Moving an elephant from Alaska to California is no small chore. For transportation, I turned to Congressman Bill Young of Florida. Bill is a dear friend of mine and a great friend to animals. Maggie’s plight had been well publicized, so Bill knew her story and was delighted to learn that Maggie was moving to California. He said, “Bob, I think I can get Maggie a ride.”
A couple of days later, I received a telephone call from General Michael Mosley of the United States Air Force, who told me that the air force had an airplane that Maggie would fit in perfectly. It would pick her up in Anchorage and fly her to Travis Air Force Base, which is a short drive from the PAWS Sanctuary. Let me hasten to add that if you are a taxpayer, fear not. I paid the Air Force for Maggie’s flight. It took all of my frequent flier miles!
Two weeks ago, Nancy Burnet and I went up to PAWS to help celebrate Ruby’s first anniversary at the sanctuary. Ruby is another elephant, and Nancy and I helped get her out of the Los Angeles Zoo and into the sanctuary. Perhaps you saw me feeding Ruby some of her cake on television. After seeing Ruby roaming over acres and acres of beautiful countryside filled with trees, a pond, a mud hole—all of the things that keep elephants happy and healthy—it is easy to understand why more and more enlightened, progressive zoos are closing their elephant exhibits.
While we were at PAWS for Ruby’s anniversary celebration, we visited all eleven elephants living there, including Maggie. Maggie is gaining weight and strength, and she has made friends with the other elephants. Ed Stewart pointed out that they knew she was enjoying her new home when she ripped up her first tree. Happy elephants apparently love to rip up trees. She is, of course, deeply grateful to Congressman Bill Young and General Michael Mosley of the United States Air Force.
• • •
As I come to the end of this book, I realize that there are several people who have played important roles in my life who deserve recognition. First is Joe Torrenueva, who started cutting my hair when I was hosting Truth or Consequences in Burbank, and is still cutting it forty-two years later. He had just begun as a hairstylist when I met him, but he later cut hair for many of Hollywood’s biggest stars, including Robert Redford, Martin Sheen, Marlon Brando, Steve McQueen, Brad Pitt, Robert Wagner, and Charles Bronson. Interestingly enough, he was the stylist who gave the $400 haircut to John Edwards.
Joe didn’t charge Edwards $400 for the haircut. Joe had to go to Edwards’s hotel to cut his hair, and the $400 included the haircuts that Joe could have done if he had not left his salon, driven through Los Angeles traffic, cut Edwards’s hair, and driven back through Los Angeles traffic to his salon. (Incidentally, these are not haircuts that we’re talking about. These are hair stylings. But frankly, they’ll always be haircuts to me.)
The part of this whole fiasco that I enjoyed the most was a line in the Washington Post that said, “Joe Torreneuva has cut them all, from Brando to Barker.” I liked being in the same sentence with Brando, even if I got second billing.
My business management combo is pretty impressive, too, when it comes to longevity. Guy Gadbois, a well-known and well-respected business manager, and I were seatmates on a flight from New York City to Los Angeles in 1962. By the time the plane landed in California, I was so impressed with Guy that I retained him to handle my business affairs. Guy suggested that I buy some land in the Perris Valley adjacent to land already purchased by two of his clients, Jimmy Stewart and Tony Curtis. I bought the land, and over the years it has become the best single investment I ever made. It may not be number one on Jimmy’s and Tony’s lists, but I know they did well, too.
Unfortunately, Guy passed away in 1976. But Mary Prappas had worked in Guy’s office for years, and when she opened her own office, both Jimmy Stewart and I became her clients. When Mary retired in 1992, her son, William, took over the office, and both Jimmy Stewart and I became William’s clients. Of course, Jimmy is gone now, but William and I are still chugging along together. In fact, William is the business manager for the DJ&T Foundation, too. So, like Tinker to Evers to Chance, it has been Guy to Mary to William for me for almost half a century.
Sol Rosenthal, a prominent entertainment attorney, and I have been associated for twenty-six years. Sol has negotiated many a contract for me professionally, and he has participated in writing the agreements for the endowment funds I have established with universities on behalf of animals.
And, of course, there is Henri Bollinger. Henri has been my public relations representative for more than twenty years. He has watched over me like a mother hen in all sorts of situations in all sorts of places wit
h all sorts of people and never missed a beat.
Which brings me to Tom Stasinis, a true artist of the needle. Frequently, I have been complimented on my clothes, and Tom has been my tailor for thirty years. Tom has made me everything from corduroy jackets to tuxedos, and he has never dropped a stitch. He’s a great luncheon companion too, with stories about clients all the way back to George Raft. (If that name isn’t familiar, your grandfather will explain.)
All of these fellows with whom I have been associated for so many years are gentlemen of the old school, and I am proud to have them as friends as well as business associates.
A gentleman of the old school who is new to the Barker clan is my collaborator, Digby Diehl, with whom I have had a good time writing my book. I must also give thanks to his wife, Kay, for her proofreading and research and to his daughter Dylan, for her compliments and chocolates.
Good fortune smiled on me yet again on the day that Christina Boys became editor of Priceless Memories. Although Christina and I have not met, in our lengthy telephone conversations she has warmly encouraged me and expertly guided me in the preparation of this book. Working with Christina has become another one of my priceless memories.
I have a long list of cousins, nephews, a niece, and in-laws spread all over the country, but the only family I really spend any time with these days is my brother, Kent, and his wife, Beth. They live about fifteen minutes from me.
I began playing with Kent when he was a baby in his crib. He’s seventy years old now, and we still enjoy playing together. But he has a couple of grandchildren now, about whom he talks endlessly. He was a lot more fun when I got to talk about me.
• • •
There’s no stage manager here to give me a signal, but I think the time has come for me to wind things up. Thank you so very much for reading my book. I sincerely hope that you have enjoyed reading it even half so much as I’ve enjoyed writing it.
Of course, we know there’s only one way for me to say the end:
This is Bob Barker reminding you to help control the pet population. Have your pets spayed or neutered.
Good-bye, everybody.
PHOTO CREDITS
Pages 176, 179, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, and 192, courtesy of Ralph Edwards Productions. Pages 187, 188, 189, 191, 193; and 210: Price Is Right and other photos courtesy of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Page 194 Originally published in the Springfield News and Leader. Pages 200, 201, 202, and 205, 206, courtesy of Tilly Barker Valandra.
Pages 211, 215, 216, 217, and 218, 219, 223, 224, 226, 228, 229, 233, 234, 235, 236, 238, 239, and 244, Price Is Right and other photos courtesy of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Page 211, 212, 213, by Bob Barker. Page 220, 221, photos by Nelson Morris; originally published in Service: A Publication of City Service, July 1950. Page 231, 232, courtesy of Universal Studios Licensing LLLP.
My first publicity picture for Truth or Consequences.
Sign for The Bob Barker Show.
A publicity photo of Dorothy Jo taken for the Southern California Edison radio show, around 1952.
Ralph Edwards and me with his “Aren’t we devils?” pitchfork.
At the Ambassador Hotel in 1957, with Ralph Edwards and Bill Leyden, host of It Could Be You, another of Ralph’s shows.
One of the first publicity shots for Truth or Consequences.
My mother surprises me on Truth or Consequences, 1957.
Truth or Consequences staff (left to right): Dresser Dahlstead, Charlie Lyon, Ed Bailey, Jerry Payne, me, and Ralph Edwards.
Robert Mitchum and me with contestants on Truth or Consequences.
With Gloria Swanson on Truth or Consequences.
Buddy Ebsen, me, and Keenan Wynn at the Beverly Wilshire hotel in 1980.
My brother, Kent Valandra, his wife, Beth, me, and Kent’s son Bob at the 5,000th show taping of The Price Is Right.
Henri Bollinger, me, and Les Moonves celebrating a Price Is Right season in my dressing room after the show.
The staff of The Price Is Right at the end of the 35th year—my last season.
With Cary Grant, 1970s.
With Dick Clark at the Emmys.
Being installed as a member of the sheriff’s posse in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.
Roger Dobkowitz and me on set at the end of the 33rd season of The Price Is Right.
Me (on left), Walter Baker, and James (Dolly) Brazeale, during practice for the 1940–41 Central High basketball team in Springfield, Missouri.
Gene Sparlin and me shortly after the basketball tournament in Lebanon, Missouri; this photo was originally printed in the Springfield News & Leader.
Dorothy Jo and me during our freshman year at Drury; this photo was originally printed in the Springfield News & Leader.
Dorothy Jo and me just after we married, when we returned from St. Louis.
Dorothy Jo, age twenty. She sent me this photo when I was in the navy.
Working as a disc jockey at KTTS, 1946.
Age four in Pampa, Texas.
Age 5 in Brownsville, Texas.
Age twelve with Brownie on the reservation.
In Washington, DC, in 1962 with Alice Reifel, my mom, Ben Reifel (the first Sioux Indian elected to the House of Representatives), and Dorothy Jo.
With Whitey Herzog, manager of the St. Louis Cardinals.
A photo of my mother at the wheel of an automobile from an Arlington, South Dakota, newspaper, 1918.
At age twelve sitting on the bumper of Mother’s Chevrolet (in which she taught me to drive) in Mission with Brownie.
Playing basketball for the navy, 1944.
In my navy greens, 1945.
Me and Dorothy Jo with Suerte, Juan, and Carlos.
With Federico. This is my most popular fan photo of all time.
Giving cookies to Lupe, Carlos, and Juan.
Mr. Rabbit and Honey Bunny playing in the hallway.
Mama and baby ducks in the pool.
Jessie.
With some of my Emmys.
Receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Emmys.
The plaque commemorating the 5,000th show and naming Studio 33 the Bob Barker Studio.
With a happy winner on The Price Is Right.
A special Price Is Right for the army.
Dorothy Jo with the yellow Studebaker in front of our duplex in Lake Worth, Florida, 1950.
The ads Dorothy Jo and I modeled for in Florida for Kool-motor Motor Oil.
The ads Dorothy Jo and I modeled for in Florida for Kool-motor Motor Oil.
Dorothy Jo and me, Christmas 1965, at a friend’s house.
With Dorothy Jo on the stairs of our home.
Getting my star on the Walk of Fame, May 5, 1976. My mother is on the far left, Dorothy Jo and Ralph Edwards are beside me.
Dorothy Jo and me.
Running on the beach in Biloxi during the 1980 Miss USA pageant.
Hosting the Miss USA pageant.
With past winners of Miss USA and Miss Universe.
Nancy Burnet and me leading an antifur march down Fifth Avenue in New York City, 1990.
Adam Sandler and me on location shooting Happy Gilmore.
Adam Sandler and me arriving in a golf cart for the premiere of Happy Gilmore.
Taping the special celebrating my fifty years on television in 2007, with announcer Rich Fields and Barker’s Beauties.
Dennis Weaver, Dinah Shore, and me on The Dinah Shore Show.
Hosting The Bob Barker Fun and Games Show in St. Louis the night we broke the attendance record at the Old Checkerboard Dome.
Jackie Chan holds the bag for me, around 1975, just after he arrived in the United States.
With Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, grand marshals of the Rose Parade.
With actress and my co-host June Lockhart interviewing the 1970 Rose Parade grand marshals: Apollo 12 astronauts Charles Conrad Jr., Richard F. Gordon, and Alan L. Bean.
Interviewing parade grand marshal Lee Iacocca.
Loretta Swit, Zsa Zsa Gabor, and me at an a
ntivivisection press conference.