Story
and photos By David Laurell
Reprinted from the October, 1997
issue of "Autograph Collector"
A few minutes passed. Lost in Space's Dr. Zachary Smith couldn't stand to be ignored any longer.
"Not acknowledging old lovers are we?" he boomed at the blonde sarcastically.
Startled, Marilyn looked up. Surprised to see who had been sitting next to her, she embraced him excitedly, kissed his cheek, and the two old friends fell into animated conversation.
Across the table form Marilyn and Dr. Smith, Jody was reminiscing about Uncle Bill and other "family affairs" with his older sister Cissy. To the right, Wilber was telling talking-horse stories to Timmy who in turn shared tales of his Collie's heroic rescues. To the left, Gomez Addams was ghoulishly gabbing with Mayberry lawman Barney Fife. To the right, Tabitha was entertaining Eddie Haskell with "bewitching" memories.
On the other side of the room, Chip and Ernie Douglas politely excused themselves and walked toward Special Agent Maxwell Smart's table. Smart smiled momentarily as two of Steve Douglas' three sons passed by, then turned back to The Professor and Mary Ann, dramatically making a point that, by his deduction, perhaps there are no uncharted desert islands within a three-hour cruise of Marina Del Rey.
"It's like being in the middle of a surreal TV-land dream," said autograph collector Fred Dresch as he clutched a freshly-signed photo of Pat Priest who played the part of Marilyn Munster. "It's really a strange situation. One moment I'm standing by a fountain outside a hotel, and the next I'm two feet away from practically every star I ever watched on television as a kid growing up. It's a bizarre dream!"
Dresch's description was repeated by practically every collector in attendance. "It's a dream come true to meet these icons," said Rich Chernikoff, who traveled to Los Angeles from Cleveland for the Hollywood Collectors & Celebrities Show June 28-29, 1997.
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Bob Westbrooks, who made the pilgrimage from Atlanta, proudly showed off his newly-acquired autographed treasures. "I never dreamed anything like this existed," Westbrooks said.
In the midst of all the excitement, watching peoples' dreams literally become reality, was the dream-maker himself-the man who brings the stars and the fans who love them together- Ray Courts.
After a 20-year career selling 16-millimeter television shows and feature films to collectors all over the world, Courts and his wife Sharon began putting on small memorabilia shows in 1990.
"I was always talking about having celebrities come to the shows to sign autographs and have their pictures taken with fans, but the dealers I was working with weren't interested." said Courts in his unmistakable drawl. "They felt it would be a distraction. They thought people would be more inclined to come see the celebrities rather than look at the memorabilia they were offering.
Courts disagreed strongly, and became more vocal in his belief that having stars in attendance would draw more people to the shows. "Finally, a colleague told me if I didn't like the way the shows were run and I felt I could do a better show, then I should just go ahead and do it no matter what the dealers thought."
That's just what Courts did. In June 1991 he and Sharon journeyed from their Spring Hill, Fla. home to Los Angeles, where Courts put his money where his mouth was. The couple booked a ballroom and conference facilities at the Hollywood Holiday Inn, and staged their first celebrity autograph show.
"We had about 250 fans show up and it was a moderate success, but we were up on the hotel's 24th floor and that wasn't the right location for us," Courts recalled.
Realizing that success was close at hand given the right venue, Courts immediately started looking for another facility. He found the Beverly Garland Hotel in North Hollywood, a two-level complex just a stone's throw from the Universal Studios. "I just loved the way it was laid out, so we did our second show there in September of '91, and we've been back at the Garland every three months since," Courts said.
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Officially promoted as Ray and Sharon Courts' Hollywood Collectors & Celebrities Show, dealers once leery of inviting celebrities now clamor for highly-coveted vendors' tables and booths. For Courts, attracting the stars is just as easy.
"The celebrities now call me wanting to get involved, but I must admit it was tough at first to get big names to come," said Courts laughing. "They couldn't figure out what the catch was. We give them a table, charge them nothing and get no commission, so they all wanted to know what was in it for us. Well, that was easy to explain. There's an admission charge for every person who comes in the door and, of course, I charge the dealers. That's how we make our money."
In turn, the stars usually charge between $5 and $25 for an autographed photo or to sign memorabilia brought by fans.
"That's a completely accepted practice," said Courts, who wouldn't have it any other way. "These people have paid their dues. Dealers and collectors are making money off their autographs, so why shouldn't the stars themselves get something?"
Courts does admit that some celebrities are uncomfortable about taking money to sign. If that's the case, he suggests they contribute the money to their favorite charity. "Keep in mind, many of these actors and actresses from the '50s and '60s never got the kind of money that stars get today and , as far as residuals (are concerned), some of them get nothing," Courts said.
For the most part, collectors seem to have no problem with the celebrities charging for autographs. Dresch and Westbrooks reflected the view of most collectors attending.
"I certainly don't blame them for making money off their signatures," said Dresch, shrugging his shoulders. "God knows other people are, so why not them?"
"I don't mind paying," Westbrooks nodded in agreement. "I'd have to pay if I bought through a dealer, and here I get a no-doubt-about-it authentic, in-person signature. At the same time, I get to have a one-to-one conversation with a legend like Mickey Rooney or Steve Allen."
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From the other side of the table, celebrities have their own feelings about charging. Lisa Loring, better known as Wednesday on The Addams Family said at first she felt weird. "I had never sold an autograph," Loring said. "I always just signed for free, but by doing these shows I have become aware of what a big business autograph collecting is," Loring says she is now completely comfortable with charging for her signature, and loves doing the shows. "It's a pleasure to see the reactions of the fans. They get such a kick out of being able to walk right up to us," she said.
Bernie Kopell, The Love Boat's doctor, added to Loring's insight. "In some ways you feel like merchandise on display in a window, and it seems rather crass to sit there selling your autograph," he said, rolling his eyes. "On the other hand, it stimulates pleasant memories for both the fans and the celebrities. It evokes happy times, and there's something sweet about it."
A sampling of the other 130-plus celebrities in attendance brought more comments. Said Brandon Cruz, who played Eddie Corbett in The Courtship of Eddie's Father: "I think the world of Ray. The shows are done well. I'm always making new friends and getting to see old friends I probably wouldn't otherwise hook up with. But most importantly, it's a way to give back to the fans who were supportive of the show."
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Added the multi-talented Steve Allen: "It's very enjoyable because each person has individual memories of films, or concerts, or shows like you have done. I especially like it when people bring a photo of me that I've never seen before."
"I wasn't sure about doing Ray's show at first," said Traci Lords of Melrose Place. "I myself have never asked anyone for an autograph and I have no desire to meet the stars I've admired. I prefer to retain the fantasy and illusion. Many times that perception has been ruined for me when I met a star. Not that they're not nice; it's just that in your mind they can be whatever you imagine them to be. When they're actually standing in front of you, it kind of ruins the illusion. Despite my feelings, I find this to be very positive and family oriented. Ray is great, and the fans are wonderful."
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"These shows are so much fun," said Jon Provost, who portrayed Timmy on Lassie. "Fans are always giving me Lassie memorabilia, which I love. Back when I was doing the show, I was just a kid. And never thought of saving anything. So now I'm just like any fan out there, looking for stuff and spending my money at Ray's show."
"This is pure pleasure for me," said legendary film star Mickey Rooney. "These fans are my family, and it's always great to see your family!"
"It's very encouraging doing these shows," said John Astin, best known as Gomez in The Addams Family. "You get so much lovely feedback. Every encounter is unique. I completely enjoy everyone I meet."
"This is a fabulous opportunity for people to live out a little nostalgia," said Bridget Hanley, who played Candy Pruitt on Here Come the Brides. "A lot of people remember our show (during) an impressionable time in their lives, when they were teenagers or younger. It makes me feel special that it meant something to them, and when they share their memories with me."
"The first time I did one of Ray's shows I was a bit nervous but it was such a success I've come to love doing them!" said Erin Gray, who starred as Colonel Wilma Deering in Buck Rogers In the 25th Century. "My most memorable show was when a woman told me I inspired her to go into the Air Force. She said watching the show and seeing a woman as a colonel made her set her sights on what she wanted to do. That's very gratifying when you realize your work has had an impact on people. And I'm always completely amazed at how intense people are about autograph collecting."
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"I've been doing these shows for a long time and have seen them grow by leaps and bounds," explained teen heart-throb Christopher Atkins. "That's probably because a whole new generation is being exposed to classic TV by cable stations like Nick At Nite's TV Land. I love meeting fans. I feel it's a part of the business, and I think it's terrible when actors or athletes snub their fans."
"For me the most exciting thing about doing Ray's shows is getting to know the other celebrities I never would have met otherwise," said Johnny Crawford, who played Mark McCain in The Rifleman.
If you get the impression that fans and celebrities alike love these shows, you're right. Courts' shows have gotten so big they even attract high-profile autograph collectors. U.S. Rep. James Rogan of California and Playboy publisher Hugh Hefner attend regularly to add to their collections.
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There's little doubt that no one loves and enjoys the shows as much as Courts himself. Small wonder when Traci Lords came up and gave him a big hug.
"Where else on the face of the earth could you go and see Traci Lords sitting next to Dorothy "Echo" De Borba from the original Little Rascals?" mused Courts, hugging Lords back. "Where could you have the chance to chat casually with Mr. Blackwell, Jay North- who played Dennis the Menace- David Carradine, Adam West or Ken Berry?
Whether you're into classic TV, westerns, sci-fi, comedy or whatever, we've got something for everybody."
Collector Dresch, leaving the show at the end of the day with a stash of signed photos, agreed. "At first I was a bit embarrassed to approach celebrities," he admitted. "But they're all very friendly and they put you at ease."
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Dresch who travels extensively on business, say that when people find out he's from Los Angeles, the first thing they ask is if he ever sees any stars. "I travel all over the country and everywhere I go people are intrigued by celebrities," Dresch said. "If they ever had something like this in Idaho or Montana it would be insanity. They would literally bust down the doors."
Courts is well aware of those untapped markets, and plans to expand to other cities. "Right now we do Los Angeles, Fort Lauderdale and Chicago, and we're planning upcoming shows in San Francisco, Atlanta and Houston." said Courts, who just signed a contract with Beverly Garland's Holiday Inn to continue the North Hollywood shows every three months for the next two years.
"Doing these shows has been wonderful experience," Courts said. "You know, people back in my home town don't even know what I do. They would never believe that when Sharon and I leave little ol' Spring Hill we come to Hollywood and put on shows with major celebrities. I never mention it to anybody. They just wouldn't believe me!"
One person Courts did 'fess up to, however, was the pastor of his church. "I always knew he was a big fan of The Andy Griffith Show and that he loved Barney Fife, so when I booked Don Knotts the first time, I brought our pastor out with us so he could meet Don. That was a dream come true for him. He still talks about it."
Courts the dream maker at it again!
"That's the real gratifying part of doing these shows- making dreams come true and giving people memories of a lifetime," Courts said. "And making wonderful memories for ourselves while we're at it. We've been very blessed."
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