I link to Mark's blog every day and, this small world being as tiny as it is, I'd like to add a note to two of his recent posts.

(1) He recommends the book Son of Harpo Speaks! -- as do I. But some might be intrigued to know that my daughter, Valerie Thompson, handled the book design for the Bear Manor volume. (And just between us, she says Bill Marx was wonderful to work with.)

(2) Mark also provides links to two articles about Richard Beals, and I was delighted to read them. Valerie and I first met Beals at a Friends of Old Time Radio convention in Newark years ago and have always been impressed with his magnificent performances and professionalism. Not only is he the voice of Speedy Alka-Seltzer, he's also the voice of countless cartoon and radio children (Ralph Phillips in two Chuck Jones cartoons, two of Roger Ramjet's American Eagles, etc.). Valerie had the opportunity to play a bit part in a re-creation of a Suspense show in which he starred decades ago; I played Lois Lane to his Jimmy Olsen in a Superman re-creation. He's one of the world's best examples of turning a seeming disability into a triumph by determination and hard work.