SDCFans - The Unofficial Fan Site For Silver Dollar City
General Category => Branson Talk => Topic started by: Junior on January 07, 2010, 08:54:05 PM
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Does anyone remember the Hee Haw Theater in Branson from 1981-1983? It was a showcase for the Hee Haw TV Stars. I worked there almost the entire time it existed. (Concession stand, parking lot, ect.) Got to meet all the old Hee Haw TV stars that showcased their act there. My boss was Tom Lutz, a writer for the TV Show. He was an interesting guy who started his show biz career as a page at the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Later Tom went on to write comedy for Bob Hope and Jonathan Winters, started with Hee Haw in 1969 as a cue card guy, and became a writer on Hee Haw from 1970-1981. Tom lived in a house at Shell Knob, MO designed by noted Arkansas Architect
E. Fay Jones. (Jones studied under Frank Lloyd Wright) Some of the house band members at Hee Haw still perform in Branson. Jim Ingall has been a drummer for Jim Stafford. Gary Myers is a talented guitarist who has worked for several shows. Wayne Massengale was a 14 year old kid when he worked at Hee Haw. He later worked at Mutton Hollow and recently has been in the Country Tonite show. His wife Melody works with Buck Trent, who got his start in Branson working at Hee Haw. The present location of the Mickey Gilley Show is where Hee Haw was located. Any memories? I'd like to hear from you if you were an employee there or came by and saw a show!
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I remember it. We saw Misty Rowe and Kenny Price, and maybe Cathy Baker.
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Misty Rowe, appeared in 1981. Kenny Price, appeared many, many times 81-83. Ms. Baker never did perform there, she may have come by for a visit, but I don't remember. One "star" that did come by on a night I took off was Leslie Neilson, the guy in the Airplane! and Police Squad! comedy films. I regretted missing him, as Airplane! was a huge hit film during the time I worked at Hee Haw. Neilson came by one night to sit backstage and watch the show with my boss, Tom Lutz. I don't know if he popped on stage to wave to the crowd, but I know he did not perform. One Hee Haw star that came by to see a show but did not perform was Gaylord Sartain. He later went on to be in a string of hit movies like Fried Green Tomatoes (The husband of Kathy Bates), The Outsiders (Guy at Hospital who told Ralph Macchio not to smoke), Mississippi Burning (Sheriff) and many more. He turned out to be a fabulous dramatic actor.
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Yeah, I was unsure about Cathy Baker, but I was impressed that Misty Rowe was a good singer, not just a busty bimbo babe. Kenny Price had always been one of my favorites because I fancied myself a gospel quartet bass singer. One of the funniest lines I ever heard was when he said he weighed 12 pounds at birth, and "...it took my momma six months to get over it. Of course, my daddy said she never did get over it."
;D ;D ;D
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I have added photos of my days at the Hee Haw Theater in Branson to my Flickr account. You can find both the Hee Haw photos and the diving bell photos at the following address:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juniordugan
Not much has been written about the Hee Haw Theater (1981-1983) in Branson, so I hope you like what's been posted here.
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I have added photos of the Jim Owens' Float Trip Ride to the Flickr account. Enjoy the new shots!
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I remember the Hee Haw Theater. I remember seeing the Hagar Twins. Thanks for all the pictures!
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My name is Lew Wright. I went to School with Tom Lutz and was connected with the
Theatre During the summer of 1980. Does any one know if he is still alive?
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Hello Lew: Well, I suppose if you read the postings on this thread from the top down you probably still don't remember me...but, well, I guess it's only been 30 years since we've spoken! (Ha!) I was the 19 year old college kid working in the concession stand at Hee Haw Theater in Branson back in 1981 when you ran the sound and light boards, and your wife took tickets and seated theater patrons. Of course, during intermission, she would help me out in the concession. Good to see your above post! Good news, Tom Lutz is alive and well and living in northwest Arkansas. He only lives about 45 minutes away from my front door. I have not spoken to Tom in several months, but I do have his address and phone number if you are interested, I am sure he would like to hear from you! By the way, if you would like to see some old photos from the Hee Haw Theater days, go to the posting above with the Flickr address and go all the way back to the last two or three pages. Several old shots there. If you want to contact Tom, send me a private message and I will get back with you ASAP. Hope you and your family are well! -Mark (JUNIOR here at SDCfans.com) :)
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Since Lew was kind enough to drop in on us at SDCfans, I added ten additional photos to my Flickr site that he...and you...will enjoy. If you only have dim memories of this old, "lost" Branson theater, (or maybe no memories of it at all!) I hope you like the newly posted photos.
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I never went to the Hee Haw Theater, however, one of my dad's and my favorite shows was the Roy Clark show when he had his theater...We also enjoyed Box Car Willie...One time while at the Box Car Willie show, the power went dead and the emergency lights came on...Box Car gave everyone in the theater a free pop from the concession stand...
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One of the things I always found interesting was that Roy Clark was asked to perform at the Hee Haw Theater, but he never did. The theater was owned by the folks who produced the TV show. Instead, Clark partnered with a local businessman and built his own theater two years later...right next door to Hee Haw Theater! In his autobiography George "Goober" Lindsey said Hee Haw Theater was ten years before it's time. As far as I know, Roy Clark never even mentioned Hee Haw Theater in his autobiography. Then, when the Hee Haw Theater went bust in 1983, Clark and his partner purchased it, and called it "Roy Clark's Ozark Hee Haw" in 1984! A decline in revenue and management issues allegedly were at the heart of the closing of the theater. Roy Clark is credited with being the first celebrity to own and perform in his own Branson Theater. However, I'd like to point out that my boss, Hee Haw TV show writer Tom Lutz, was there two years before Clark, and was the first to book nationally known music and comedy performers, all Hee Haw TV show stars, for each and every performance, as well as experiment with off season shows, and even scheduled the first Christmas shows...all in 1981. Of the off season shows, only three performances were held...Grandpa Jones was the headliner, and played to a house that averaged 30 patrons per night! The rest of the off season shows were dumped, as well as the scheduled Christmas shows. However, the attempt was made. I believe Tom and his idea for the Hee Haw Theater WAS ten years ahead of their time. I believe that Tom had a vision of the future of Branson entertainment and tried, unsucessfully, to bring it to full fruition. Tom Lutz and his work are an overlooked chapter in the history of the Branson entertainment industry. I hope this little post helps to set the record straight.
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For those of us in OKC that need our fix till we get to Branson again
http://okhc.us/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=104&Itemid=130
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It looks like a fun exhibit. :)
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yeah, and the $7 to get in helps me save up for the next SDC trip :)
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does look like fun, the auto exhibit looks interesting too.
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I too saw the Hager Twins . We ( My mom and three brothers)were even able to get a picture with them, while they were autoghaphing pictures for other guests. Now if I can just find them I'll try to post them.
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Bobber: Please do. The three years that theater existed I saw hundreds of photos taken, but have never run across anything posted on the Internet about the theater, photos/videos of the stars, or much else. The theater existed for but a brief moment in time, and so I guess that is why I haven't seen much of anything on it over the years.
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I will do my best I'll have to go tearing into my mom and dads old family pics but i'll try my best. I want to say that the pics where probably taken in year two of the theaters operation. I want to say that i was about 8 or 9 years old at the time but , I might be off on that as I can't remember the years it was open, but I'm 36 years old now and I want to say that I remember it being open as Hee Haw the next year that we were down but the following year it was either closed or already The Mikey Gilley theater before it caught on fire and the current theater was built. The pic of all of us was actually taken in, I believe the gift shop area, they had a small desk set up were the celebrates could sign autographs insted of down in the stage area. We actually got two autographed pics signed, one for my brother and one for an uncle. I'll try to get a pic of those too.
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I have been doing a lot of research on Hee Haw. Both of the Hager Twins are dead now. Jim died of heart failure in 2008 and Jon died in his sleep in 2009
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Bobber, you have a good memory. The stars signed autographs in the gift shop at the check out counter. Love to see the photos, and any of SDC from that time period if you find them.
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I would also like to see some pics of that..
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Go to my Flickr site, and all the way back to the last couple of pages to see many photos of Hee Haw Theater. There are some newly posted photos on page 1, too. I actually have many other photos of Hee Haw Theater but just have not posted them because I've tried to emphasize my SDC stuff.
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Ok I raided the old family photos and came up with some pics from the old Hee Haw Theater. I just set up my flickr account so I hope this works. Here is my flickr account info so enjoy.http://www.flickr.com/photos/robertburton620/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/robertburton620/)
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Bobber, there is a problem with the flickr address listed above. After you post the address, go back into your post and run your mouse over the address to see if it changes color, then click on it. It should bring the site right up. I tried typing in the account number on my search engine, and it did not work either. I'm looking forward to seeing your photos!
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I think I got it try it now :) I didn't add it as a hyperlink i had just typed it in normally. I'm still a bit new at all of this fourm stuff, but i'm getting there. LOL
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Bobber, I can't thank you enough for posting those Hee Haw Theater pictures! From what I see, the photos were taken in the 1983, and last, season of the theater. In the photo of the outside of the theater you will notice to the extreme left the silver car. That is MY CAR, a 1975 Ford LTD! That is where I parked every night. The comedian pictured on stage is ERNEST T...otherwise known as Jack McDowell. At the time the photo was taken, Jack was the deputy sheriff at SDC during the day. In 1984, he began a long stint as MERCY PURVIS at Echo Hollow at SDC. Most people that are here at SDCFans. will remember him from there. Jack currently works at the Titanic Exhibit in Branson. He is a wonderful fellow, and was always fun to work with. Of course the stars at Hee Haw in your photos are The Hager Twins. They appeared on a regular basis at the theater the three years it existed. Also wonderful to see the shot of the gift shop. I well remember those stuffed animals and caps, and so on in the gift shop. So I was there working at the theater the night your family came to see a show. I was the guy behind the concession stand, making popcorn and pouring Cokes at the fountain machine. However, I'm sure you would not remember THAT guy! Of the photos of your family with the Hagers in the gift shop, which one is you? It's OK, you can confess here! Thanks again, and if your mom and dad have any more Branson vacation photos from that time...any more Hee Haw stuff or SDC stuff, please post it here! ;D
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Awesome pictures Bobber! Who knows, I may have been at that show to. I remember seeing the Hager twins on a visit, but have no idea what year it was. Thanks for the pictures!
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Your welcome. Junior I am the one in front in the middle wearing the yellow shirt. Based on your estimate of the time period I should be about 8 or 9 years old. I think that they have more pics of either the Baldnobbers or the Presleys show I'll have to look again and I know they have a few of Dog Patch too. I'll try to get them as well. I did have some pics of the "City" posted on here before but the admin. had to pull some of them because someone complained that they saw themselves in the pics and had not given permission to use their image. So to keep from having legal issues he asked if he could pull them until he found out which ones were the culprits and said he would repost the others when he had a chance. So far they haven't shown back up but I know that he has been working on upgrading the site so I'm not too concerned.
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Just checking in. :)
:) joe
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Nice to have you check in Capt. Joe! Gosh, it's only been about 29 years since we have had a conversation! Email or the forums is a "modern" way to communicate that was not available in the old days! How have you been? (If you are not using a false Internet cover name, than you are the former sound and light engineer of Hee Haw Theater!) Remember Lew, who proceeded you for most of the 1981 season? He has been in contact with me in the last year or so. Tom is alive and well in the Fayetteville area! I'm sure you have read the previous posts on this forum, though! I'm going to send you a private message, and I hope you will respond. I make it to Branson from time to time, and it would be nice to visit with you! To all those visiting the forums, if Capt. Joe would tell us some of his stories about the old days in Branson, you would see very quickly the stories I've told here over the last couple of years pale in comparison to anything he relays! Capt. Joe's parents used to own Ye Olde English Inn in Hollister, and Joe has a long, rich history with the Branson entertainment industry. We call him "Captain" Joe because he was a captain on the Lake Queen that used to ply the waters of Lake Taneycomo. HOPE to visit with you more in the near future! Thanks for checking in, Joe! -JUNIOR (Also known formerly as "Captain Concession" of Hee Haw Theater!)
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No, “Captain Joe” isn’t a false or Internet cover name, it’s really me. :)
Yes, I remember Lew, and Tom, and the other great folks involved with the Hee Haw Theatre. It was a special time in my life filled with fellowship, pleasure, fun and pride, a period I hope I won’t repeat! (grin)
I can share tales of the Theatre, and often do. But I’m afraid I can’t speak of any events I wouldn’t tell my fgf’s (favorite girl friend) eight year-old son or the older ladies at church! Some flashes of memories are best reserved for those moments of reflection, when others wonder why a sneaky smile mysteriously and momentarily appears across ones face. Many of those thoughts are worth more than a penny!
After Hee Haw, I went to work with David Straub at the Ozark Mountain Amphitheatre as the house Monitor man. A few years later, my wife decided to upgrade and gave me the boot; I became a full time single parent and quickly learned 15 towels in the washer wasn’t “dry cleaning.” I never remarried, but instead bought a front load washer that will do 15 towels!
For many, many years I coached youth sports, boys baseball and girls softball so that and the music era makes for an interesting adventure during my annual trip to the Walmart. From some aisles come “Hi Captain Joe” and from others “Hi Coach Joe,” I suppose I should be content I never became a cop, “Officer Joe” has too many syllables.
I best get moving, I have a thirty-minute “date” with a wonderful gal most of us know, she’s been cutting my hair since 1975, though for the past ten+ years I (finally) agreed to let her cut it the way she wants to, I no longer look like I’m left over from the 60’s. (That would be –0060’s, the cave man days!)
:) joe
(I'll reply to the PM after my "beautification" session)
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Well...it WAS Capt. Joe from Hee Haw Theater that has visited with us on the forums! It was good to "catch up" with him here, and he was kind enough to send me a private message, and I've sent one to him. Perhaps he will check in with us from time to time. Like I said in another post, he has a long history in the Branson entertainment world...and would have many interesting stories to tell of that period of time from the mid-70s through at least the mid to late 80s when Branson was going from "mom and pop" owned music shows like Presleys and Baldknobbers, Bob-O-Links, and others, to the beginning of the "stars" era with Hee Haw Theater and Roy Clark Theater. Good to hear from you, Joe! ;D
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I was sad to see that George Lindsey, who played "Goober" on both The Andy Griffith Show and Hee Haw, has passed away. I met George when he appeared at the Hee Haw Theater in Branson in 1981. He did a Las Vegas stand up comedy bit, which surprised me. I figured it would be "Goober" all the way, but it was not. He joins The Hager Twins, grady Nutt, Grandpa Jones, Archie Campbell, Kenny Price, all other Hee Haw veteran performers who did shows in Branson, who have passed on. George was one of those actors who was typecast as "Goober," if you get a chance to see some early Twilight Zone episodes, or MASH, or Gunsmoke, you will catch a few performances by George, and he was a pretty good actor. Also he was in some Disney films, doing voice work, like The Aristocats. Last saw George perform on a Larry the Cable Guy Christmas show where he played Larry's grandpa in a sketch or two, and he was pretty funny. Funeral arrangements are pending. God be with you George! I know when you rejoin some of your Hee Haw buddies above, it will be a joke cracking, funny time in Heaven. Check out the Hee Haw Theater photos posted. There is a set of photos you can look at and enjoy. http://www.flickr.com/photos/juniordugan
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I have created a "Hee Haw Theater" page on Facebook. All you have to do is type in Hee Haw Theater when you are on Facebook, and it should pop right up. It contains a brief history of the theater, and several photos of the stars who appeared there, as well as some scans of promotional material from the theater. Hope you enjoy it! :D
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A reminder for all my sdcfans.com friends. Check out the Hee Haw Theater page I've created on Facebook as a tribute to the old Branson area theater. "Like" please...I'd sure appreciate it. Hope you do indeed like what you see. A big Hee Haw Saloot!
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Junior, In the last pic bobber posted on filckr shows the showing the parking lot and 76, what is the theater across the street? Looks like it says "Lowe's" on the the sign but I can't tell for sure. Is that about where Jim Stafford is now?
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Good eye! Yes, it is now Jim Stafford's place. :)
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Since last posting here, several people connected to Hee Haw Theater have passed on. TV show cast members Jim and Jon Hager, Gordy Tapp, and sadly, the theater manager, Tom Lutz, who had a 15 year career in showbiz as an actor on Gunsmoke and Bonanza, a writer for comedy greats Jonathan Winters, Bob Hope, the Smothers Brothers, and a cue card guy and writer on Hee Haw, died. Tom was my boss at the theater for 3 years, and a great guy and an influence in my younger days.After the Hee Haw Theater went bust in October of 83, Tom left showbiz and partnered with some friends and had ownership in a BBQ joint in Fayetteville, AR, he later built or remodeled houses, and drilled oil wells in western Kansas. His marriage fell apart when the Branson theater failed, but he later remarried a nice gal who was at his side when he died at a hospice in Fayetteville early this spring.cannot say enough nice things about him. He started showbiz as a page at the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. He always told great stories back then about his showbiz experiences, like writing with Jack Burns, a comedy legend, working on Bonanza as a supporting actor, and, funny behind the scenes stories about working on the Hee Haw set. Anyway, God rest his soul, condolences to his family and friends.
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As of late, I have been busy updating and posting on my. HEE HAW THEATER FB tribute page. Many new photos and comments. Please chech it out and like it, share photos, too. I have been in private contact with family members of George Lindsey and Grady Nutt, as well as Roni Stoneman, Lulu Roman, Buck Trent, and Misty Rowe. I have encouraged them to post on the page, and have been delighted to see Misty and Lulu both have! So visit the page and see what is new...the theater operated in Branson 1981 to 1983.
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Grady Nut?? I didn't realize he was involved with Hee Haw. My dad loved him! I remember the family sitting around listening to tapes of Grady when I was little. I've never seen my dad laugh so hard as he did at those tapes.
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The Terry Sanders connection has blown my mind. I can't believe that guy has been around so long and in so many places. He seems a lot younger in person.
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The Terry Sanders connection has blown my mind. I can't believe that guy has been around so long and in so many places. He seems a lot younger in person.
I agree! Had no idea!
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Terry Sanders is amazing... all he does for his fans and family..
I truly believe He works 8 days a week, 30 hours a day