Me and George Pal as I thank him.

When I was 12, I wrote to George Pal, asking for a photo of Rod Taylor fighting a Morlock, from the movie The Time Machine which Mr. Pal produced and directed. I didn’t have his address, so I sent it to MGM Studios. I figured it would probably never get into Mr. Pal’s hands, but that at least I tried.

A month later, I received an 8X10 photo of Rod Taylor holding a touch as he hits a Morlock, plus a short letter from George Pal saying, “I’m glad you like the movie. Here is a photo for you.”

15 years later, I met Mr. Pal at a movie convention with my first words being: “When I was 12, I wrote to you for a photo of Rod Taylor in The Time Machine….” As I spoke, I could see his face getting worried that I was about to complain about never getting it. I continued, “…. And you sent me the best photo of Rod fighting a Morlock. You made a 12 year old boy very happy.”

He smiled and then, after signing a photo of War of the Worlds, he said, “I’m glad you received the photo.”

Over the years, various filmmakers have answered my letters and requests. Animator Ray Harryhausen – The 7th Voyage of Sinbad sent me a photo and letter and years later I show it to him and thanked him for it. Director of two Elvis Presley movies, Peter Tewksbury, always answered my letters about his filming and editing techniques and working with Elvis on Stay Away, Joe and The Trouble with Girls.

These days, because of the movies I directed have been getting re-issued and some attention, plus the fact that I wrote How to Live the James Bond Lifestyle, I get lots of requests for advice. Because I remember how much it meant to me that George Pal and the others replied to my request, so I never turn down fan requests that come to me. In fact, I enjoy doing so.

And little did I know that Rod and Alan Young would perform in my audio-books years later. Dreams are worth pursuing.

Coming soon to kindle / audio for $2.99:

Rod Taylor narrating my audio-book: Rock Star Rising. Performed by Russ Tamblyn, George Chakiris, Robert Culp, James Darren and Kevin McCarthy.

In Bill Medley’s new book: The Time of My Life – A Righteous Brother’s Memoir, he says:

In Las Vegas, I went to my road manager's office. I was not dressed well for such a meeting; I was wearing slippers, a ratty old sweater and Levis. I also hadn't shaved for about three days. We noticed that Bobby Darin was playing at the Flamingo, so we snuck in the back because I was dressed so badly.

Halfway through the show, Bobby announces, "Ladies and gentlemen, Bill Medley from the Righteous Brothers is here. Bill come on up." There was no way, dressed like I was, that I was going to get up there. I signaled a polite "no thanks" but Bobby persisted with the band playing What'd I Say, while I kept saying, "No, no thanks," for three minutes.

"C'mon up Bill," Bobby said, not giving up. Finally my road manager said, "You're just gonna have to go up....and start dressing better."

As I got up, I hit the table and a pitcher of beer spilled all over my crotch. Dressed like a homeless guy, with my pants looking like I'd just had a bladder accident, I took the stage. Since the band was playing, I couldn't stop and explain what had happened. Thank God this was before cell phone cameras.

After the song I said, "Bobby, sorry for the way I'm dressed, I was just coming into town for a quick meeting and I spilled a pitcher of beer on my way up here." Bobby cracked up, along with the audience.

I did learn a great lesson though. Believe me, I never go out in public looking like that anymore, and I'm extra careful about having pitchers of liquids on my table. In hindsight, it was one of my most embarrassing moments, but a funny one, too.

James Bond Lifestyle rule #5: I dress up, even at home alone.

How to Live the James Bond Lifestyle - Read 30 sample pages on amazon: http://goo.gl/IsNrU