Bart Art :)

Hello Everyone!

Due to COVID-19 lockdowns, some museums have been offering virtual tours of their collections. So, I'm opening up the Kellection for an online exhibit titled "Bart Art", that is, artwork depicting Jack Kelly as Bart Maverick.

First, here's a striking portrait of Bart from a Dutch Maverick comic book:

Next up, a comical newspaper caricature of Bart promoting a repeat of "The Third Rider" episode of Maverick on July 20, 1958:

"Bart Maverick (Jack Kelly) Chases Bank Robber Tonight at 7:30--Tries to Clear Himself of Crime in Maverick on Channel 10

This dandy drawing from the Kellection is dated October 8, 1958, and promotes JK's United Appeal tour:

  

Dated May 1960, this photo shows Bart with his famous arched eyebrow:



Here's how the complete photo with Brother Bret looked when it was published in a newspaper TV log in July 1960:

Of course, the above caricature was based on the same iconic photo that's on the cover of Poker According to Maverick (only Bart is sans cigar on the cover):

This drawing heralded the arrival of Bart's Cousin Beau (Roger Moore) in September 1960:

A September 1960 newspaper ad for "A Bundle From Britain" :



The sketch of Bart is based on one of my favorite JK photos:

More "Bart Art" in the next TDS--please stay tuned and stay well. :)



Those "Mercury"-al Mavericks! :)

Howdy Everyone!

Just about this time 60 years ago, the Maverick boys--Jack Kelly and James Garner--were crisscrossing the country making personal appearances.

Many of these appearances were in support of the United Appeal charity. For example, according to newspaper accounts, JK promoted the UA campaign mainly in western cities while JG did the same in the east. While JK paused for the cause in Cincinnati, JG visited Cleveland, and they eventually met up in Chicago to wrap up the promotion. Then, they returned to Hollywood to resume filming Maverick.  

So, how did Bart and Bret accomplish this whirlwind trek? Certainly not on horseback or by stagecoach. Nope, they traveled via the latest mode of luxury air transportation for 1958: a non-stop, all first-class American Airlines DC-7 propliner! It was part of AA's service dubbed the "Mercury" because of its speed (7 hours and 15 minutes from Los Angeles to New York City). 

And...well, I'll just let these vintage newspaper ads for the Mercury--starring the Mavericks!--explain the rest:

  
"Millions of viewers follow James Garner and Jack Kelly as Bret and Bart Maverick each Sunday night on ABC-TV in Maverick filmed by Warner Bros.", the text reads. "And when they set forth across the country to meet personal appearance commitments, both Mavericks follow the trail of other knowing travelers aboard American's famous Mercury. Once you've been aboard, the reason's obvious. You fly the radar-equpped DC-7, fastest airliner coast-to-coast. You enjoy reserved seats, spacious lounge, the marvelous Mercury menu and and exceptionally attentive service every minute of your flight. Make your next trip East on American's Mercury. You'll be glad you did."

There were variations of the ad tailored to different cities:

    

 

To get an idea of the Mercury "experience" for yourself, here's a fascinating video from the archives of the San Diego Air and Space Museum:

 

 

Well, I hope you enjoyed our flight through time with JK and JG. Where will TDS travel to next? Please stay tuned and find out! :)  



A Maverick in the Queen City :)

Hello!

A wonderful book recently joined the Kellection. Titled The Trouble Is Not In Your Set, it examines early television history in general and the TV scene in Cincinnati, OH, in particular. What makes it especially interesting is this fantastic photo of Jack Kelly--and Jack Kelly:

The caption reads "JACK KELLY AND JACK KELLY! -  The one on the left played James Garner's brother in the western TV series Maverick. Bret and Bart! And the one on the right is the former WCPO producer-director who drew a bead on TV shows for WCPO including the Maverick series..."

The photo isn't dated, but the feather on JK's hat is a clue as to when it was taken. This October 1958 story from the Cincinnati Post explains the significance of the feather and shows JK wearing the same vest:

"Brother Bart Maverick--Jack Kelly--rode into town on one of those new-fangled airplanes last night, with a red feather on his Western hat and his beautiful wife, actress May Wynn, on his arm," the article begins.

"The red feather was in honor of the United Appeal fund drive which Kelly is in town to boost and Mrs. Kelly was there because she always goes along on her husband's personal appearance tours..."

JK also visited the Convalescent Hospital for Children, a United Appeal agency, during his stop in Cincinnati:

 

"Fast draw" contests at children's hospitals were actually a recurring part of the Maverick's United Appeal tour:

 


The United Appeal is generally known as the United Way today. And, the Terrace Hilton, where JK is shown dealing a "winning hand" is still in existence, but just barely. Once one of Cincinnati's poshest hotels, the Terrace is now a long-derelict structure whose future--like its famed Gourmet Room Restaurant--is up in the air.

And, if you recall from a previous TDS post, Maverick aired on WCPO until 1961, when station WKRC became the ABC affiliate in Cincinnati.

Finally, The Trouble Is Not in Your Set was authored by Mary Ann Kelly. No relation to JK, though, whose mother was named Ann Mary Kelly!

Stay tuned for more about JK and the Queen City, coming soon in TDS!