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Phone Call From Vultura
Topic Started: Nov 15 2005, 02:45 PM (941 Views)
Sgt King
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Yesterday, Nov 14, 2005 at about 3pm, as I was typing e-mails to California serial devotee’s Pa Stark and Laughing Gravy, the telephone rang. The caller said, “Duane? This is Adrian Booth Brian. Do you remember me?” Was she kidding??? Needlessly to say I was pleasantly surprised. Yes, it actually was Adrian Booth (formerly Lorna Gray who played Vultura in the 1942 Republic serial Perils of Nyoka) calling from her home in Sherman Oaks, Calif.
Let me explain. At The Charlotte Western Film Fair this past July Adrian had just poised for a couple photos with my son and I and autographed a photo when Frank Capra, Jr. came up and sat next to her. They are old friends and Adrian asked if I would take a photo of them and send it to her.
Several weeks passed before I sent her 4 photos along with a short note complimenting on her friendliness at the film fair. I also offered more photo reprints if she wanted them.
After a few more weeks Adrian sent me a thank you note with a request for a couple more copies of the photo. She also included four autographed glossies - 1 as Nyoka, 1 throwing pies with The Three Stooges in “Three Sappy People,” 1 in 1890 period western dress, 1 of her late husband David Brian and 2 poems dated 1959 & 1960 written by David when he attended Kent State and Boston Universities.
So the reason she called yesterday was to find out where the extras photos she asked for were. If I didn’t send them right away, she threatened to truss me up by my wrists and hang me over a flaming pit. She boasted that she had done exactly that to others in the past who have crossed her. Well of course she didn’t say that at all but we had a nice talk of about 20 minutes.

A couple side notes: she asked me to call her Adrian, and that is why I refer to her that way, certainly not because of disrespect. Also as we were talking I was jotting down notes and wishing I had my tape recorder going. The quotes below are word for word.

She comes across as a very classy and religious lady. Our conversation covered her working with The Three Stooges, the Nyoka and Deadwood Dick serials, black and white glossies, the Charlotte Film Fair, her husband, her care taker, her life, etc. And she is also in the process of writing a book. I asked her the title. It was a 4 word title to which I asked her what it meant? She said it was from the bible. Then she mentioned twice for me not to tell or pass it along as she wanted to protect that title if indeed it was used. Of course I assured her I wouldn’t. I also asked how far along the book was and she said, “It’s almost finished.”
Adrian said she would write me again and include more poems if I would first write her and tell her which ones she already sent. I asked when Mr. Brian passed away and she answered, “In 1993. He gave me a life of love, memories and a very nice house. He was a very smart man.” I asked if she had an e-mail address and she said, “Oh no. My children (maybe she said child) got me a computer and I don’t think I even know how to turn it on. I live in the last century not this one.” My answer was, “I think I understand why you would say that.”
When my wife got home I laid out the photos and tapped on each one as I proudly exclaimed, “That woman called me this afternoon!” My wife looked over the photos, looked at me and said, “Oh, really?” Man, she’s hard to impress let alone make jealous!
I wish I could share more than this story with you folks but I don’t know how to send a copy of Adrian’s hand written note or a couple of the autographed photos to the site. The one close up of Adrian as Vultura sitting cross legged on her throne is a knock out.
To end . . . I was amazed of the coincidence of the phone call just as I was e-mailing two fellow serial collectors and I added that bit of info to their notes.
Also hope you other folks enjoy hearing about my conversation with Adrian Booth.
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Laughing Gravy
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Well, *I* did... if you can scan the pics and email them to me, I'll be happy to put them up on the site.

Also, please tell her that Laughing Gravy is a proud Kent State grad, and would love to post her husband's poems here and let his light shine on!

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"I'm glad that this question came up, because there are so many ways to answer it that one of them is bound to be right." - Robert Benchley
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Laughing Gravy
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Sgt. King's pictures can now be accessed from the main page at www.inthebalcony.com! No, really! Thanks, Sarge!

"I'm glad that this question came up, because there are so many ways to answer it that one of them is bound to be right." - Robert Benchley
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The Batman
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I will add my thanks, Sgt. King, for a very nice post. Lorna Gray, as I will always know her, is a personal favorite.

Sgt, please keep us informed as to the progress of her book, I definitely will want to pick up a copy of that. Is it an autobiography or something else entirely?
Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman...then always be Batman!
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Sgt King
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Concerning Adrian Booth's book, the only other thing I asked her about it was, "Will it cover your movies as well as your private life?" She said yes.
If I find out any more about the book, I'll post it here.
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The Batman
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Hey, Sarge, any update on that book?

And I see, according to IMDb, that Ms. Booth is still with us at 99 years of age. Is this true? Do I still have the opportunity to mail her a request for an autograph? If so, could you PM me the address I would send it to, as you seem to have connections (hint, hint).


Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman...then always be Batman!
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Pa Stark
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The Batman
Jun 13 2016, 06:33 PM
as you seem to have connections (hint, hint).


Bats, I also have a lot of connections. Unfortunately they are mostly with parole officers, judges, and prison wardens. :'( Let me know if you need my help there.
Honest and Lovable Pa Stark
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rodney
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She is still alive. Been meaning to write her and let her know how much I appreciate her. Should do that sooner than later, while I still can.
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The Batman
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While she can still read it. Me, too. Does anyone have an address for her?


Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman...then always be Batman!
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rodney
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I do, but I'm not sure what the etiquette is on sharing such things.
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The Batman
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Neither am I. Anyone have thoughts about Rodney sharing a mailing address?


Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman...then always be Batman!
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The Batman
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Rodney, I found an address for Adrian Booth on a fan autograph site. I have sent you a PM with the address. Would you be able to confirm that this is the same address you have?


Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman...then always be Batman!
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The Batman
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OK, the address is confirmed, and according to the fan autograph site, Adrian Booth is still accepting autograph requests.

Thanks, Rodney.



Now, does anyone know if she ever published her book?


Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman...then always be Batman!
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Pa Stark
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I have to sadly report that Ms. Booth passed away today, less than three months before her 100th birthday. My condolences to her family.
Honest and Lovable Pa Stark
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Barcroft
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Pa,
Sorry to hear that..............At least we got to meet her at one of the last good SerialFests. May she rest in peace. I guess now she's back with the love of her life David Brian.
Barcroft
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