Memories of Meeting Michael Landon 1976
Posted: Sun May 08, 2016 8:56 am
Sat. May 8, 1976
I can hardly believe it has been 40 years ago that I first met Michael Landon. It started out as a bet between me and my friend. She was tired of hearing me moan the blues about never meeting my first crush. She told me to just go for it! All I would be out is airfare and hotel, and maybe I would get lucky enough to meet him!
Mike was hosting the finals of the Junior Miss Pageant in Mobile, Alabama. I thought at least I could see him on stage for the telecast. I decided it would be better to have some type of credentials (real or not). I knew a contact for a local newspaper, and asked her if I could get some type of ID to at least show I was going to report back to them about the pageant. The only thing I had was a business card showing the name of the newspaper and the editor’s name. (Wow, that’s a real “in”….)
I had a long flight from Cincinnati to Mobile, with multiple stops. It took most of the day for me to arrive there in early evening. As luck would have it, I was standing in line to get off the plane, and I looked out the window. There HE was! I would know his hair anywhere, even though he was a quite a distance away, standing out on the tarmac. He was surrounded by the Trail Miss Southern Belles, so I first saw their gowns and one man in the middle of them! I quickly was getting my Instamatic Camera with flash cube attached out of my purse, as I was running down the staircase!
I got to the main door shortly before he came into the terminal with Lynn. He walked right by me and I managed to say “Hi Mike!” He smiled and said hello! I managed a few quick pictures. He was totally surrounded by officials of the pageant and the Trail Miss Belles. Meanwhile, as all this was going on, my suitcase was doing multiple trips on the luggage carrousel. When I finally went back to claim it, the belts were silent and it was just sitting there. Good thing it wasn’t a large airport….now I would have been arrested! So much for keep your bags with you at all times – but this was 1976.
I went outside the terminal, and Mike was getting into a station wagon (!). No limo for him, I guess.
I managed to snap a few more pictures.
When I arrived at the auditorium the following day, I learned they were going to be rehearsing for the next TWO days! Oh my gosh – two whole days in the same place with him?!? This seemed too good to be true.
I presented my great “credentials” at the registration table, and was given a temporary pass to wear. (This pass is still in my possession to this day.) I tried to blend in with the families that were there to watch their girls who were vying for the title. It really wasn’t difficult, and I was there for hours watching Mike do run-throughs of the questions and lines he had to say on camera for the finals.
I had to strain my ears sometimes to hear what he was saying He would be telling jokes to the crew, and relating stories, etc. I wish I could remember everything he said. He wore his tuxedo jacket with his jeans. I think the reason was for the color cameras. It looked odd, but very cute. He had on bell bottom jeans and boots.
When they took their lunch break, I went outside by the main doors. The guard was friendly, and I asked him if he would take my picture with Mike when he returned from lunch? He said sure, not a problem.
I’ll never forget seeing him from about a block away, walking down the sidewalk from the hotel. There was nobody there, and he was alone walking back to the auditorium. He was so nice, even though I was a nervous wreck. (Please, don’t make an idiot out of yourself…) He signed my autograph book, and I told him I had waited thirteen years to meet him! He just laughed and said “OK”, what’s your name? Uhhhh – oh yeah….hmmm? I loved watching him sign my book with his back-handed writing that I had noticed all the years on the show.
Mike was really nice to all the families who were there, posing for pictures, etc. During the last day of rehearsal things were more strict. They all had to adhere to the cue cards, and timing. After the rehearsal, I met Mike and Lynn leaving the auditorium.
It was over all too soon. The telecast was nice, but I had an assigned seat that wasn’t close to the stage. I didn’t really care at that point…. Mission accomplished! When I see my old video of the show I remember it all like yesterday.
I can hardly believe it has been 40 years ago that I first met Michael Landon. It started out as a bet between me and my friend. She was tired of hearing me moan the blues about never meeting my first crush. She told me to just go for it! All I would be out is airfare and hotel, and maybe I would get lucky enough to meet him!
Mike was hosting the finals of the Junior Miss Pageant in Mobile, Alabama. I thought at least I could see him on stage for the telecast. I decided it would be better to have some type of credentials (real or not). I knew a contact for a local newspaper, and asked her if I could get some type of ID to at least show I was going to report back to them about the pageant. The only thing I had was a business card showing the name of the newspaper and the editor’s name. (Wow, that’s a real “in”….)
I had a long flight from Cincinnati to Mobile, with multiple stops. It took most of the day for me to arrive there in early evening. As luck would have it, I was standing in line to get off the plane, and I looked out the window. There HE was! I would know his hair anywhere, even though he was a quite a distance away, standing out on the tarmac. He was surrounded by the Trail Miss Southern Belles, so I first saw their gowns and one man in the middle of them! I quickly was getting my Instamatic Camera with flash cube attached out of my purse, as I was running down the staircase!
I went outside the terminal, and Mike was getting into a station wagon (!). No limo for him, I guess.
I managed to snap a few more pictures.
I presented my great “credentials” at the registration table, and was given a temporary pass to wear. (This pass is still in my possession to this day.) I tried to blend in with the families that were there to watch their girls who were vying for the title. It really wasn’t difficult, and I was there for hours watching Mike do run-throughs of the questions and lines he had to say on camera for the finals.
I had to strain my ears sometimes to hear what he was saying He would be telling jokes to the crew, and relating stories, etc. I wish I could remember everything he said. He wore his tuxedo jacket with his jeans. I think the reason was for the color cameras. It looked odd, but very cute. He had on bell bottom jeans and boots.
When they took their lunch break, I went outside by the main doors. The guard was friendly, and I asked him if he would take my picture with Mike when he returned from lunch? He said sure, not a problem.
I’ll never forget seeing him from about a block away, walking down the sidewalk from the hotel. There was nobody there, and he was alone walking back to the auditorium. He was so nice, even though I was a nervous wreck. (Please, don’t make an idiot out of yourself…) He signed my autograph book, and I told him I had waited thirteen years to meet him! He just laughed and said “OK”, what’s your name? Uhhhh – oh yeah….hmmm? I loved watching him sign my book with his back-handed writing that I had noticed all the years on the show.