By Jayanna (209.245.71.221) on Sunday, November 10, 2002 - 07:56 pm:

Dear David,

I wanted to reach out to you, being of Scottish blood, and mutual loves. I too love music and, being a Real Estate Broker, appreciate building structures and architecture. In the most recent past, I have been unable to access the outside world, and am facing my computer daily more and more, and listening to music.

I yearn to return, once again, to Scotland to visit my heritage and bring back my Mother and Father to scatter their remains upon the bonnie hills of Alva. It will take a miracle to accomplish this, because I am tied to a machine with a long clear plastic hose, which brings me oxygen. From smoking British and American cigarettes, I have developed an acute case of emphysema. Now I cannot sing and dance. All I can do is listen to music. Thank goodness I still have ears.

I used to appear on the Frank Sinatra television shows at the El Capitan Theatre, in Hollywood, located on Vine Street, near Hollywood Blvd., just a few blocks away from the building occupied by Motown Record Corp. for many years. When I performed there, it was a beautiful theatre with a spiral staircase backstage to the dressing rooms below, where Ethyl Merman yelled down to me, "I've broken my fingernail!," screaming and having a terrible carry-on with her manager. All because Frank chose me to dance with, instead of her. I had no idea, at that time, what dangerous waters I was treading. Anyway, enough of that.

I saw the El Capitan Theatre three years ago. What a sad looking sight it was: All boarded up with newspapers and debris thrown in its dirty entrance with the homeless sleeping in the doorway. A year ago, I drove by and noted that they were painting, and cleaning it up, and only in the past month and a half they announced on television that a big new production was opening there. They showed it on the screen, and it looked like a brand-new building.

Like the El Capitan, many old theatres are now being rejuvenated because a few people have taken a liking to appreciating the structures that were built in a time gone by. So many have been demolished it's disgusting.

I recently acquired a little two seat Mazda Miata roadster. There are Miata clubs all over the world, including Scotland. In my monthly magazine they showed beautiful pictures, which made my heart weep, seeing the lambs and the sheep on the hillside, spotting the hills. Most people wouldn't know what that was.

A couple from here went to Scotland and called the Miata Club and immediately the Club came up with a travel plan for all, including an extra Miata for the couple. I know that such generosity is rarely found elsewhere.

Except for what has led me to send you this letter. I have a 1963 pink Thunderbird which I have decided to sell. My battery had gone dead, and I called a neighbor friend of mine. He immediately helped me with the battery, got me all charged up, and then asked if there was anything more he could do. I said you should never ask a woman that. I immediately gave him a software application to install in my computer, and he showed me your websight. Maybe you know him: He is my buddy, good old Mike McLean, of the McLean clan.

Do you know Mike? Have you met Mike? You haven't lived until you have met Mike. He's always so busy with his studio work. We both live in a beautiful area of Burbank, which has now become the "HollyBank" of California. Are you planning a trip here some day? I know Mike would set some time aside if you were. Let us know.

Mike and I are intending to go for Italian tonight, so I will close and post this on your forum.

Jayanna (Arnot Welsh) Bradbury

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6) on Monday, November 11, 2002 - 03:10 pm:

Hi Jayanna

Isn't it funny how you ache for Scotland and I ache for Detroit, Chicago, Philadelphia, Manhattan and Hollywood!

I visited Hollywood in 1995 and stayed behind the Chinese Theater, on Highland.

I took a notion a few days before departure to visit some of the musical sites but couldn't get enough address detail to do it justice.

I did manage a visit to Capitol Records, a visit to the (empty) block of Liberty Records on Sunset (a pilgrimage to the Minit label) and a visit to the local library near Hollywood and Vine.

On Hollywood Boulevard I was enthralled by the likes of Musso and Frank's grill, the exterior architecture of the Elephant(?) Theater.

We had a great time touring the entertainment history of Hollywood and it was that visit which ultimately laid the foundations for this website.

I've since got a list of over 150 addresses to visit in Hollywood itself and it is indeed my intention to come back sooner rather than later.

It's so good to hear that they are renovating these old theaters.

Anyway I hope you had a great evening with Mike. He sure sounds like a lot of fun.

I would certainly like to look him up one day!

best wishes
David

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6) on Monday, November 11, 2002 - 03:25 pm:

Here's Capitol Records on Vine Street close to Hollywood Boulevard.

Note the stack of records design.

By Vickie (152.163.188.68) on Monday, November 11, 2002 - 10:33 pm:

AHHHH - Home Sweet Home!

Vickie

By M.McLeanTech (209.245.76.65) on Tuesday, November 12, 2002 - 02:30 am:

Jayanna is a married woman. Her husband is in Iowa settling his Mother's estate.

I am strictly a pal of Jayanna.

Being a smart ass is my game,
And it often leaves me lame.
But to steal a dear,
As if shooting a deer,
Makes me think of her spouses pain.

No adulitry for Mikie!

Jayanna is a sweet girl that has spent her entire life being a "fine broad," as Frank Sinatra would say.

Now we are Pals. She has asked me to scan a picture in which she, and the other "eye candy" were hanging out with Frank Sinatra.

I am picking the picture up to scan just as soon as I finish up taking her groceries upstairs. Poor sweet little thing: What a kick: To have a woman that is virtually world class, in her good looks, engage with me in becoming deeply involved in friendship.

Jayanna is a fantastic, physically beautiful, old fashioned, defeated by her obsessions, DARLING!

I will always respect her husband, who has been away for the last 2.5 years.

David, I confess: I typed her words. I will help her oxygen starved voice to speak to you about Scotland again.

That said, I must say: She is, looks wise, the twin sister of Cibil Shepard. Va Va Voom!

Soon, the forum will see a picture of beautiful Jayanna, taken in 1959, with all the eye candy girls, including her, and Frank Sinatra.

Mikie

By M.McLeanTech (209.245.76.65) on Tuesday, November 12, 2002 - 02:50 am:

AND ANOTHER THING, TOO!

By Carl Dixon London (62.31.32.130) on Tuesday, November 12, 2002 - 06:15 am:

Mike - we look forward to the photo. What a lovely thread. Mike, only I could be thinking of you last night whilst sorting out about 200 commercial CD's that were given to me. I need the empty boxes for my stuff I am doing and I obtained these professional music CD's, the type that are used on TV programmes and backing tracks, that were due for the bin. I was looking through them and came across enough classical music and opera to increase my collection by about 15 CD's worth. So, here I am listening to Fur Elise performed by Santiago Mantas, for a pleasant change and last night had the delights of Don Giovanni. Time and a place Mike, and last night was perfect! It was so relaxing.

Please say hello to Jayanna for me.

By Lynn Bruce (64.53.143.164) on Tuesday, November 12, 2002 - 10:41 am:

Jayanna,how nice to hear from another Scottish-American. This va va voom that Mike mentioned, of course,when you mix scottish blood with American air, wonderful things happen. If you'd like to see some great pictures and stories of Scotland,I subscribe to a magazine called Scots.You can order it on-line at www.scotsheritage.net
The pictures alone are worth the price.
I thought my name was laddie till I was about five,because of my relatives.
If you go to archives past and scroll down to Lynn Bruce-drums you'll see how proud I am of being Scottish also.Take care of your self and take your vitamins to boost your immune system.
Mike there's a special place above for careing guys like you.
SLAINTE VA,Lynn

By M.McLeanTech (66.218.59.52) on Tuesday, November 12, 2002 - 07:38 pm:

Here is the picture of Jayanna that I promised.

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These are some of the cast members of the Frank Sinatra TV show, including Old Blue Eyes himself. Jayanna is the lady in the right forground, with her elbow on the table.

She told me today that she was a bit tipsy on champagne at the time.

There are some other pictures of her that I could post: One with film director Otto Priminger, and one with President Richard Nixon.

We went out this afternoon in her Mazda Miata. This was the first time I had a ride in it. It was a bit crowded with that oxygen tank in the front seat with me, but I sure do love that car!

Mike McLean

By M.McLeanTech (66.218.59.52) on Tuesday, November 12, 2002 - 07:48 pm:

Here is the picture of Jayanna that I promised.



These are some of the cast members of the Frank Sinatra TV show, including Old Blue Eyes himself. Jayanna is the lady in the right forground, with her elbow on the table.

She told me today that she was a bit tipsy on champagne at the time.

There are some other pictures of her that I could post: One with film director Otto Priminger, and one with President Richard Nixon.

We went out this afternoon in her Mazda Miata. This was the first time I had a ride in it. It was a bit crowded with that oxygen tank in the front seat with me, but I sure do love that car!

Mike McLean

By Mobius (12.141.160.25) on Wednesday, November 13, 2002 - 10:05 am:

Ole Blue Eyes on SOULfuldetroit. Lol.
Mike, you are always full of surprises.
Great shot.
Yours, from the Forbidden Planet,
Mobius

By M.McLeanTech (66.218.59.18) on Wednesday, November 13, 2002 - 11:36 am:

Dear Dr. Morbius,

I hate to be a stool Pidgeon (as in Walter,) but your name is spelled with an R.

Here is a good websight with more information:

http://www.tvguide.com/movies/database/ShowMovie.asp?MI=27304

Speaking of attractive young ladies (Jayanna,) that Anne Francis (as your daughter Altaira) scores some high readings on the eye-candy meter, as well.

Mike McLean

By Larry (216.23.183.2) on Wednesday, November 13, 2002 - 02:51 pm:

Mike,
Thanks for the link to my new favorite 50's sci-fi film.