I guess that I grew up on Carl Reiner’s comedy, or at least the comedy that he influenced, so I feel fortunate that our friends at the Conan Show sent us this link to an interview that he did with Conan talking about his service in the Army towards the end of the Second World War and how he just missed going to Iwo Jima.
I especially liked the “throwing papayas”.
Good stuff! Love him and Mel Brooks (also a WWII vet) doing the 2000 year old man.
Alan Ludden was in WWII? Never knew that. It’s always a surprise to find out who was there.
One thing leads to another. During WW II, many families provided more than one fighting son. (We all know about the Sullivans.) Reiner’s brother, Charlie, was not an entertainer. He served with the Army in Europe and was in on D-Day. Allen Ludden’s brother, Frank, also was with the Army in Europe and is listed in MOPH. His Purple Heart, he said, was paired with another–the one received by Allen and Frank’s Dad in WWI.
Very cool!
http://www.angelfire.com/my/mighty8thlh/hwood.html
Awesome list, that makes today’s Hollywood “stars” just a bunch of pansy ass freaks.
He speaks of Iwo Jima and knows that he probably wouldn’t have come back. Truly the hand of providence in action there.
I’ve seen it in my life, I know he did too.