Tiya Sircar Retro Expo July 2024

 

Speaking of Star Wars and ‘getting’ colors choices, Tiya Sircar also got it.  Or maybe her handler got it.

As I stepped forward, she stepped away to pose with a Chomper droid on the floor. She had to; they are crew and good friends.

Before the show, I could not find a photo I liked for Tiya. So, I was left with her table choices but I did like the one I selected. However, it was very dark.  The handler and I chatted and he suggested a purple and I was very skeptical.  I liked the color as it matched her hair but I didn’t think it would show with the black background. He promised it would and if I didn’t like it, I could get another photo and choose a different color.

Tiya returned to the table and we chatted.  She signed and mentioned that she loved that pen color because of the hair. Which I had to tell her that was why I liked it too.

Again, I left with another big smile.

AH

Taylor Gray Retro Expo July 2024

Yes, you all know I really enjoyed a lot of the Star Wars animated series.  I’m always happy to add more voice actors to my collection. Retro Expo was helpful this time with Taylor Gray.

He was friendly and we chatted about the ‘normal stuff’. I found a table photo I liked and he suggested the green color. He ‘got it’ with the color choices and signature location.  I loved his suggestion. It fits very well with the whole photo and especially with the color of his light saber.

I left with a big smile.

AH

Priscilla Presley Retro Expo July 2024

I got this autograph because of the movie Naked Gun 2. I was never really an Elvis fan and I didn’t really follow Priscilla Presley. But Naked Gun, from all those years ago, put her on my radar.

She had the longest line all day.  She had a huge selection of photos at her table. Many of them were wedding photos or photos of her and Elvis. Many of the people in line were selecting those photos or bringing books for her to sign about her and Elvis.

One fan brought a Bucc-ees stuffed beaver.  Bucc-ees is an iconic stop when traveling along the Interstate between Dallas, Austin, or Houston or San Antonio. It’s huge and has a million gas pumps and very clean bathrooms.  They are very busy and their mascot is a Beaver.  You can buy a stuffed beaver in various sizes.

Priscilla was handed the beaver and really didn’t know what it was but knew the connection to Naked Gun movie. She held the beaver up and asked if she should sign it. The crowd laughed and said yes.  She then ‘worked blue’ and said it wasn’t even hers.  A very big laugh.

She was warm and smiled and was patient as she listened and took selfies with people.   I’m very happy to add this to me collection.

AH

Patrick Duffy Retro Expo July 2024

I have to be truthful, I really thought I had a Patrick Duffy signed book. I don’t. Maybe I’m confusing it with Larry Hagman.  Regardless, I was adding Patrick to my to do list.

He stood behind his table. He greeted people as they approached. Large smile and willingness to chat and listen. I was about to do the typical: welcome to ‘xx’. But I realized, he has spent a LOT of time in Plano, Texas.  I even mentioned that as we shook hands.  He laughed and said, he feels this is his second home.

I also mentioned I watched Man from Atlantis with my sister as a kid. Hey, it was the 70’s and there wasn’t any good sci fi. And I admitted I saw Step by Step more than once. No excused offered there.

Very nice guy and you should go out and meet him if you get the chance.

AH

Harry Hamlin Retro Expo July 2024

Retro Expo has a few shows every year. This time, it was at the Plano Event Center. The building is undergoing some construction.  Parking near the ‘front’ entrance is non-existent but there is plenty of parking in the ‘back’ entrance. The only issue is you enter the show at the back and walk through everything to get to the front and buy your admission. However, as I was walking through the convention I saw where everyone was before I got my ticket. That was helpful.

The first autograph I got was Harry Hamlin.  The Wife knows him from L.A. Law. I know him from Clash of the Titans. The photo I printed was the nearly the same as the one he had on the table.  Mine is zoomed in a little more.  Harry was about to sign with a black sharpie I handed over the red pen. The photo screams for red, doesn’t it?

He was friendly. A lot of fans had stories to share and he patiently listened.

AH

Steve Guttenberg Retro Expo Allen Sept 2023

After Melody Anderson, I checked in on my buddy again.  He moved about 15 feet.  I was gone about 10 minutes. He was making progress. He was not a happy camper. I showed him my autograph and told him I was going to do Steve Guttenberg next. He wanted to give up on his line. I told him to stay strong.

I truly think I got lucky and hit each guest at the perfect time. My waits were incredibly short. However, I was not going to tell my friend that. Let him think I have the magic touch. Besides, after a 5 hour wait for Andy Serkis, I was due a smooth ride.

Steve was actually free when I walked up. We shook hands and I picked up the best of his table photos. My searches for something printable were unfulfilled. Either the background was wrong or someone else was in the photo, or whatnot. The Police Academy photo worked.

Steve was nice and willing to chat. He had a few movies to chat about.

When we were done, I visited my friend. He looked worn out. I told him I was done and I would hang out with him. My buddy hung his head and said he wanted to go home. He would try another time for that actor.  We went to lunch and relaxed and enjoyed sitting. The ice cream at the end of the meal was a good pick me up for him.

AH

Melody Anderson Retro Expo Allen Sept 2023

After getting the New Zoo Revue autographs, I checked in on my buddy.  He was still in the same line and really hadn’t moved much.  He was discouraged and said he felt like he just wasted an hour.  I told him to check his watch. He might have been in line 20 minutes. Shocked, he asked how I got 2 autographs already.  I told him not to give up and went to MelodyAnderson’s line.

 I had a small wait. Melody looked great and was chatting with the ladies in front of me. She shared with the ladies how heavy the dress was. She admitted it was gorgeous but weighed a ton.

I had printed a photo but I liked her table photo better.  Getting it signed in red was a nice touch.  

I shared with her when I saw the movie the first time. It was a snow day in Jersey. The roads were too dangerous to go to school, so every high school student drove to the mall or movie theater to waste time. Kids, what do they know of caution.

AH

New Zoo Revue Retro Expo Allen Sept 2023

When I saw that the hosts of New Zoo Revue was going to be at Retro Expo, the theme song was an instantly in a loop drilling itself deeper and deeper into my brain.  But I like that theme song…it’s the New Zoo Revue, coming right at you…

As I was standing in line to get Emily Peden and Doug Momary’s autographs, a young lady come over to chat. it turned out she was their daughter. Yes, Doug and Emily are married. And on top of that, they live a few miles north of me. Who knew?

I know this isn’t exciting to most, but I did watch the show and I have fond memories of Freddie the Frog, Charlie the Owl and Henrietta Hippo.

AH

PS on the right side of the photo, under the mail box, is the daughter.

Larry Wilcox Retro Expo Allen Sept 2023

Retro Expo is a small convention. I like it. It has some interesting guests, both big and lesser-known names. I went with a buddy as he was interested in what the whole ComicCon thing was about. He only been to the Vegas Trek Con and had nothing to compare it to. This is very different. I prefer this type of convention. While the Vegas con brings in a lot of guests and ones that don’t tour much, it’s an expensive convention.  My buddy got in line for another actor and after making sure he was ready I left.

The first guest on my list was Larry Wilcox. My sister and I watched C.H.I.P.S. every week. Erik Estrada was also there but I got his autograph at a Chiller Theater a long time ago. 

Larry was chatting with a family in front of me. I had paid and the handler laid my photo in front of Larry.  The family asked him something and Larry starting listing things off. The Dad asked that he write it down. Larry picked up my photo, flipped it over, and started to write the list down.

I quietly laughed.  I got the handler’s attention and said I needed another photo.  I saw the question marks in her eyes. I said he used that photo to make a list and gave it to the other guy.  She got me a new photo. 

Then Larry turned his attention to me.  He was nice and we exchanged a few words. He signed my photo sans list and I went my merry way.

AH

Sid Krofft Retro Expo March 2023

Saturday Morning Cartoons have given me a lot of ear worms over the years.  And it seems a bunch of them are from Sid and Marty Krofft. Who doesn’t know…Marshall, Willie, and Holly…on a routine expedition…

Sorry if that sticks in your ear for a while.

Retro Expo brought in Sid Krofft. I was happy about that because I loved Land of the Lost and Sigmund the Sea Monster when I was a kid.

I was also happy because a long time ago, I got Marty to sign a DVD cover at SDCC. I think Rhino had a booth and only Marty was there.  I have wanted to get Sid to sign that cover to make it complete.

Sid was great. He chatted and included the others in line to the conversation. When I handed over the DVD cover, he asked why didn’t he sign it when Marty signed.  I told him that he wasn’t there.  He scoffed and said he was ALWAYS at San Diego Comic Con.  I wasn’t to going to argue.

As he signed the other photo, he mentioned he loved Dallas and spent time in Arlington when they filmed the amusement park scenes for the Banana Splits. That’s another ear worm. One Banana, Two Banana, Three Banana, More…

Did that wash out the Land of the Lost theme from your head?

AH

Don Bluth Retro Expo March 2023

Don Bluth had the longest line at Retro Expo. His career spans across so many movies that he has touched everyone at some point.

He was very friendly and chatted with every

one. He gave everyone a minute or two of his time. I’m sure it was mostly the same: I LOVE (sill in the blank) it’s my favorite movie I watched it all of the time with my parents. But he listened patiently.

 His booth had a large number of photos and other art work for sale and to get signed. They even had his book.

I’m glad I got this chance to get his autograph.

AH

PS my fav movie was An American Tale

Dan Molina Retro Expo March 2023

Dragon’s Lair was a game I played but never got close to mastering. My quarters would vanish before I know what I was doing wrong.  But it was captivating to watch others play. And watching others play was much cheaper.

As Dan Molina signed, he asked if I played and how far I got.  I told him truthfully, I was pitiful.  In return, I asked if he got quality time with the game. He said he did. Mostly the prototype to better understand how he was supposed to actor for the animators.  He told me he learned a trick or two and enjoyed playing.

AH

Lorna Cook and Jeff Etter Retro Expo March 2023

This rendition of Retro Expo had a very animation heavy guest list. It was a good list.

Lorna Cook and Jeff Etter were the voices for the video game Space Ace. I’ll admit, I remember the game but never really played it.  It came out as I was spending a lot less time in the arcade halls in the local malls.

Both Lorna and Jeff were friendly. Jeff asked if I would sign his autograph book.  That’s the first time I ever heard that request. I laughed and gave him my signature.

AH

Keone Young Retro Expo July 2022

For me, the big name as Retro Expo was Keone Young. While he has done a lot of voice work, to me he is Mr Wu from Deadwood.

I found him in the concourse at a vendor’s table. He was chatting with his handler. When I told him I was a Deadwood fan, he asked if I remembered what he always said to Swearengen.  When I could not remember, he told me: Hung Dei. Then he asked if I knew what it meant.  I was thinking it was friend but he said it was more like blood brother. The friend you would do anything for.  Which does describe the relationship Wu and Swearengen had.

As he signed, I asked if he would add that to the signature. He nodded and wrote it. Then we both repeated it back to each other.

AH

William Daniels and Bonnie Bartlett Retro Expo July 2022

Retro Expo in Plano is doing several shows a year in Plano. This is very convenient and allows me to pick up a few autographs without investing the whole day at a show.

At this show, they brought in William Daniels and Bonnie Bartlett.  The two guests sat next to each other in the same line. Of the two, Bonnie was more outgoing and personable.

AH