Close encounters - celebrities

[jawjahboy]

I've had many chance encounters with celebrities through my life. One of my earliest occurred outside the Imperial Theater in Augusta, Ga in 1955 or 1956. During my early years many celebrities appeared on Saturday programs. Among them, Brenda Lee before she was famous; Butterfly McQueen, who lived in Augusta; and Lash LaRue.

After Lash LaRue's appearance, my brother and I were walking in the alley beside the theater to meet our mother, who normally picked us up in the parking lot behind the theater. Just as we were nearing the stage door, out pops Lash LaRue. There we were face to face with one of our heroes. Imagine our surprise when he acknowledged us with a warm greeting and a hand shake. Imagine our disappointment when we realized our hero was wearing pancake makeup including LIPSTICK --- yuck !!!