Ford's Theatre Museum

[Rogerm]

I admit to being a little over 6 ft., 5 inches tall. But, you people are the real giants here.

[BettyO]

Aren't you sweet, Roger? No - we're all giants here - in heart as well!

[MaddieM]

Since we are sharing height -- I'm 5'2", with a mouth as loud as Ethel Merman's, and on occassion a quick temper like -- shall we say, Mary Lincoln?

Squeaky wheel gets the oil

[BettyO]

Oh.....I have a temper as well -- remember I'm a red head -- with a big mouth similar to the late Phyllis Diller AND temper too -- trust me! Don't mess with "Big Red!" And NEVER make me "Summon the Flying Monkeys!"

[sandman]

thanks for sharing these photos, folks. it makes me homesick. for the better part of a month i lived in that building while snooping through the files upstairs. the late, great mike maione provided comic relief. what a wonderful character....and what a wonderful history package ford's and the petersen house are! historical sites do not get any better than this.

[Rob Wick]

a big mouth similar to the late Phyllis Diller

Was your ex-husband named "Fang" too?

Best
Rob

[MaddieM]

a big mouth similar to the late Phyllis Diller

Was your ex-husband named "Fang" too?

Best
Rob

Phyllis Diller...even I remember her. We got her show here in the UK...when I was kid. God, I feel old

[BettyO]

Me, too....but no - I don't mind - it means I'm closer to retirement and FREEDOM to do and research as I please! Get a nice cushie little part-time job in a museum or historical society, draw my pension and REALLY live a bit before I shuffle off this mortal coil.....

I've gotta visit the UK before I go -- if you know what I mean! HA! Been all over the US - but never outside....I think it's time!

And no, Rob - my ex was not named FANG - I was!! He may have been a Navy Seal - but he was a -- well, I'd better not say!!

[RJNorton]

Thank you to Bob Cook for sending some older photos of Ford's Theatre.

[L Verge]

Did you notice that the caption for the first photo with the Reagans mentions the Presidential BOOTH where Lincoln was shot? I wonder if that was an intended pun?

[LincolnMan]

Laurie: you're right! Funny thing is-it's never referred to a the "Presidental Booth"- it had to be intentional!

[L Verge]

The last photo is of Frankie Hewitt, the first executive director of the Ford's Theatre Society (the theatrical end of Ford's as a continuing theater). She was quite a dictator in her day (now deceased) and had the money and power to enforce her will - former wife of Don Hewitt of NBC hierarchy. She caused quite a few headaches among NPS staff during the 1970s and 80s and was not a friend to those interested in the Lincoln assassination history.

I believe that I'm correct that she allowed only one production that had anything to do with Lincoln during her reign. That was a one-man performance by Roy Dotrice as Mr. Lincoln. I was able to attend that and started crying at the beginning. Mr. Dotrice walked out on the stage, turned to the Presidential Box, took off his stovepipe hat and bowed his head for about fifteen seconds and then began his monologue. Talk about goosebumps!