Great time this evening at the Writers Guild Theater in Beverly Hills. The independent group known as Writers Bloc hosted it, and Stan and Hunter Freberg were interviewed by Penn Jillette. There was a nice turnout and it included some interesting folks like editorial cartoonist Mike Ramirez, directors John Landis and Arthur Hiller, voice guys Billy West and Will Ryan, artist Chad Frye and a whole lotta other people. I had dinner first with Leonard and Alice Maltin, Leonard's lovely mother and Disney exec Howard Green. I'd post a photo but I was so engrossed in talking to people after that I forgot about the camera in my pocket. Billy West, by the way, does an incredible vocal impression of Penn that reduced Mr. Jillette to tears of laughter out in the lobby.
Stan and Hunter discussed Stan's work — mostly his records and advertising. Not a word about his many, many credits as a cartoon voice actor. Penn was effusive in his praise of Freberg, telling of a time recently when he was present for a live performance by Stan of his song, "Take an Indian to Lunch." Penn said (this is a paraphrase from memory) that he wouldn't trade that moment for being present at Beatles reunion where Bob Dylan sat in and played the harmonica. And speaking of the Beatles, Stan also told of the time he turned down an offer from John Lennon to run the Beatles' record label, Apple.
After the presentation, the Frebergs had a long line of buyers for their recently-released CD. If you weren't there to get one signed by them, you can get one unsigned at this link.
Writers Bloc has these wonderful events where they get one celeb to interview another and then the first guy sells autographed books, CDs or other products. Upcoming on December 7th at the Saban Theater in Beverly Hills, Dick Cavett will be questioned by Mel Brooks. The organizer, an amazing lady named Andrea Grossman, tells me that tickets are disappearing rapidly and that it'll be sold out before long. If you want to be there, you'd do well to click on this link and order seats now.