HOLLYWOOD'S CHAMPIONSHIP MOVIE
BASEBALL TEAM GAME


Comedian Marty Allen, acting as trainer of Paramount's "The Bad News Bears" little leaguers, and his wife Frenchy, serving as their housemother, move to the enemy side to taunt James Earl Jones, catcher for Universal's "The Bingo Long Travelling All-Stars and Motor Kings," during a game between the two movie aggregations to determine Hollywood's team champions. The three-inning played at USC, characterized by wild chases on the diamond and zany comedy on the part of the "Bad News Bears" youngsters and the adult "Bingo Long" players, ended in a 5-5 tie.

{short description of image}
Michael Ritchie, Sam Elliott and Marty Allen







Marty Allen - his hair helped a solider feel better Wild haired comedian Marty Allen, who calls Las Vegas home, was in the Army Air Corps, stationed with the 15th Air Force in the province of Foggia, Italy. The 15th was a legendary unit whose B-17 bombers flew raids from bases in Southern Italy into Southern France, Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia and the Balkans. It is best known for destroying German oil fields at Ploesti, Rumania, in the summer of 1944. Because of a perforated eardrum he was a member of the ground crew, doing duty as a security guard.

In early 1945 a fuel truck, containing 4,000 gallons of gasoline, was refueling a B-17 filled with bombs when a motor on the back of the truck ignited gas fumes and started a fire on the nose turret of the aircraft.

On board were two men who, instead of fighting the fire or moving the vehicle to a safer location, jumped off and ran. Not Allen. Instead of running away Allen ran towards the problem, jumped into the cab of the fuel truck and drove it away, preventing an explosion. He then raced back to the plane, crawled into the bomb bay and rolled on the flames to extinguish the fire.

He became a decorated war hero. In addition to the medal, his heroism earned him a full-dress parade.

Since then Allen has done what he could to help the troops. From 1968 through 1972 Allen made an annual tour of military hospitals in the United States, paying for his own transportation and hotel costs.

In that 1968 tour of military hospitals Allen went bed to bed attempting to cheer up the Vietnam wounded. In one bed was a soldier depressed because his prosthetic leg didn't look real. "That can be fixed," chirped Allen, who asked the nurse for some scissors and tape. Then the comic cut off some of his hair and taped it to the prosthetic leg. The soldier started laughing - and getting better. A commendation for Allen's generosity was read into the Congressional Record.









Roulette, R 508, circa 1960's; Marty Allen & Steve Rossi album 'Dedicated To Our Armed Forces'; 13 tracks including 'Punchy The Fighter', 'Blood Brothers' and 'See The Funny Clown'







Sunday, February 08, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
NORM: Comedy duo had unenviable task



The scene was almost as wild as Marty Allen's hair.

Forty years ago Monday, Las Vegans Marty Allen and Steve Rossi were at the epicenter of the Beatles' U.S. debut, an earthquake in pop culture.

"It was total pandemonium, pure electricity" recalled Allen. Every time Ed Sullivan tried to introduce the British boy band on Feb. 9, 1964, "all those girl went bananas. You knew this was going to sweep the country."

At the time, Allen and Rossi, six years into their act, were one of the hottest comedy teams of their era. They were making their 12th appearance on Sullivan's Sunday night TV show, then the entertainment world's greatest launching pad.

After the Beatles' five-song set before a then-record 73 million viewers, Allen and Rossi's dilemma was immediately apparent: How do you avoid bombing when you're following the most explosive act ever?

With a screeching teeny-bopper crowd drowning out Sullivan, Allen and Rossi stepped into the swirl.

"If we had done our comedy bit, we would have died," Rossi said.

The big-haired Allen, who earlier cracked up John Lennon backstage with, "A lot of people mistake me for you," went with his trademark opener, "Hello dere," and added, "I'm Ringo's mother."

Big applause. Then Rossi, an accomplished singer, launched into the Beatles' hit song "I Want to Hold Your Hand" as Allen ran up the aisle, dancing and clapping.

"Marty got them hand clapping. We won 'em over," said Rossi, who teamed up with Allen for almost 30 years, including 44 appearances on the Sullivan show.

They've gone separate directions but continue to entertain. Allen, who turns 82 next month, and his wife, Karon Blackwell, are cruise ship sensations. Rossi, six years younger, has been touring with Dean Martin's son Ricci.

And thanks to a little help from their friends, Allen and Rossi are getting royalties from the new Beatles DVD that is flying off shelves.



Sunday, February 15, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Veteran comedian Marty Allen always had a wacked sense of humor. For Valentine's Day, he gave wife Karon Kate Blackwell the traditional huge heart-shaped box of candy, with a twist: broccoli instead of candy. She loves veggies.









Marty Allen, Johnny Grant, Bob Hope and Angie Dickenson at Toy for Tots drive, Hollywood, California




Hanging with Merv Griffen, Marty Allen, Leslie Uggams and Joe in the early 70's