Our Mantra
The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
PHOTO PROMPT © J Hardy Carroll
Please be considerate and try to keep your stories to 100 words. Thank you.
Genre: Historical Fiction from the 1980’s
Word Count: 100
DIAL TONE
The phone rang.
Tammy pouted. “It’s probably for Bobbie.”
“She’s on a date,” said Grandma. “Go answer the Ameche.”
“The A-what-chee?”
The ringing stopped.
“That’s what we called the telephone when I was a girl.” Grandma popped a VHS tape in the VCR. “Sit. I’ll make popcorn.”
“‘The Story of Alexander Graham Bell?’” Tammy read the case and groaned. “This movie’s older than dirt.”
Bobbie came home just as Don Ameche and Loretta Young exchanged loving smiles. “What’s with the black and white moldy oldie?”
The phone rang.
“Rad flick.” Tammy brushed a stray tear. “Better answer the Ameche, sis.”
Henry Fonda, Loretta Young and Don Ameche
And just for fun…
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
I can’t begin to tell you how much I hate the telephone, I’d walk two miles to make a housecall rather than phone. Damn you Alexander Graham. Nice story though, Rochelle
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Unless you are The Proclaimers, it is preferable to use the phone rather than to walk 500 miles, and 500 more!
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Nope. You send a messenger
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Dear Neil,
Have you considered a carrier pigeon?
I wonder what Mr. Bell would say if he saw how his simple invention has evolved.
Glad you liked my story. Thank you. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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He imagined it would be used for much more benign purposes, connecting subscribers to concert halls so they could listen to music from their living rooms
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As we Game of Thrones nerds prefer – ‘A RAVEN’
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Good story, m’lady. I don’t know the movie, but I bet Mr Ameche didn’t have a Scottish accent!
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Dear CE,
I guess the movie didn’t make it across the pond. It was one of the most popular movies of the day. I built this one on my mother who told me about “the Ameche.” Nope Mr. Ameche didn’t speak with a Scottish accent, although the dialogue of the 1930’s was vastly different than what passes for English today.
Thank you for your call.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such fun and a great bit of footage from them unmouldy days.
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Dear Patrick,
I do love the oldies. I searched, without success, for a short clip from the movie but couldn’t find one. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I remember reading about his death in 1993, up until then I’d not really registered him, even though it’s such an unusual name. Looking him up again today, I see a certain lack of inspiration in the names he gave to some of his children, Connie, Ronald, Lonnie,Thomas, and Bonnie. 😦 Good story, Rochelle, as always.
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Dear Sandra,
Hm. How did Thomas get there? Connie, Ronny, Lonnie and Bonnie Ameche. Charming.
At any rate, my mother was quite taken with him as a young woman. The Ralph Fiennes of his day. Glad you liked my story. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So that’s where my fellow student’s dad got the idea! They had about six: Connie, Lonnie, Bonnie, etc, and named the youngest boy Swannie —poor kid. (They probably didn’t want a Tommy in the midst so they invented.) We thought the parents were being “unique” and here they were just copycats. (I never heard of that actor, though.)
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Perhaps they named him Swannie because he was their swansong. 😉 Now I can hear Jolson singing “Swannie, how I love ya, how I love ya…” Thanks for the earworm. 😀
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Thomas shoulda been Tommy! 😉
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Great piece, great dialogue. Did they truly call it ‘ameche’? I love all the history you uncover.
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Dear Karen,
My mom, who was a young woman in 1939, shared the Ameche story with me. I’ve since looked it up. Yes, they really did call the phone the Ameche after the actor who made women swoon in his day. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A great flick back when movies were movies! Nice tie-in story, too. I remember, I think my folks used to call the phone the Ameche. Or they told me about it anyway.
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Dear Cuzzin Kent,
It was my mom who told me the Ameche story. I thought it was so cute. And I did take the time to watch the movie last week. Such a sweet flick. Thank you re my story. What? No five out of five candlestick phones???
Shalom,
Cuzzin Shelley
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Candlestick phones, huh?
“Hello, Thelma Lou? ‘Barn!’ Listen, Thelma Lou, I bought you a little present from that new store in town, Frederick’s of Mayberry …?”
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No dees eez not Chief. OOOH? jah?? Dees eez happy time!
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Hahahahaha! Danke schön, Ilsa.
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Excellent story! I read that Bell recommended that the telephone be answered “Ahoy!” as if it was a ship. The Simpsons use this reference for Mr. Burns, so old that he answers the phone “Ahoy hoy!”
There’s also an old joke about an Italian millionaire who wants a “hollow statue” in the foyer of his mansion. Many statues are brought in, but he rejects them all, growing angrier and angrier. Finally he holds up his hand to his ear and says “No no no! It-a goes ring ring. You go ‘Hollow! Es dat choo?’ 😉
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Dear Josh,
I heard the joke as “halo statue.” So they brought in all these religious statues. “Halo. Stat Choo?”
In the movie, Bell is depicted saying “Ahoy!”
Re my story, muchas thanks. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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☺️
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That’s as bad as “Seville der Dago.”
(“See Willie der dey go; seven boxcars in a row.” I forget the whole speil)
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Yes, I remember that one, too, Christine. 😉
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Thanks for sharing yet another enriching story , Rochelle.
Regards and best wishes ,
Moon.
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Dear Moon,
I’m glad you enjoyed. Thank you for a lovely comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The pleasure is all mine .:) 🙂 🙂
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Sometimes those old movies are the best (though I don’t know if I ever saw this one). Nice story.
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Dear Trent,
I love the old movies. In fact this one is on You Tube. I watched it last week…for research purposes, of course. 😉 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks for the story and a wonderful piece of history, Rochelle 🙂
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Dear Kitty,
You’re very welcome. Always happy to share history. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for such a nice comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Welcome, Rochelle 🙂
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Just one of the many innovations we Scots have given the world. Wasn’t aware of the film, will need to give it a look.
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Dear Iain,
Now I know who to blame…I mean thank. 😉 The film is on You Tube. I love the old movies so I enjoyed watching it last week while painting. Thank you for coming by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a tale. Converted. Black and white movies are the best, bit like sepia photographs. So good for getting at those grey emotions. Loved the cut and thirst of this story. Rochelle. Shalom.
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Dear Kelvin,
Your comments make my fishing trip worthwhile. 😉 I adore the old black and white movies. Glad you enjoyed my story. Incidentally, in the book of illustrations I’m working on I’m painting sepia portraits of my novels’ characters. Gives the feel of the time and place. https://rochellewisoff.com/2017/05/15/cast-from-her-fathers-house/ (there’s one of those sepia portraits there…)
Thank you again for such a lovely comment/compliment. I’ll have to buy a larger hat.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Haha, so long as it isn’t a ten gallon hat from Texas!
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I’m afraid that kind of hat would reach my ankles. I’m 5ft nothing.
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😂🤣🖊
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I’ve heard of the film and may have even seen part of it.
Were phones ever really called Ameches?
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Dear James,
The film was actually before our time. 😉 Personally, I love the moldy oldies. So romantic and sweet. Yes. Phones were called the Ameche. The fad of that day. My mother, who was only 25 in 1939 told me. I’ve also researched it. Thanks for coming by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Before our time, but I think it was shown in television more or less regularly. Have fun finding it now.
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It’s on You Tube. 😉
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Good story about the Ameche.., when it was used to talk to someone. Now you could talk but most seem content to text.
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Dear Jan,
I like mine for Scrabble. 😉 Oh…and keeping track of Word Press blog comments. I do remember when phones were merely used for talking. Ours got plenty of use, didn’t it? Thanks for reading and commenting, m’love.
Rochelle
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Another nice one, Rochelle. I wonder, too, what AG Bell would make of our “staring into the cell phone screen” society today. Or of the phone company nickname, Ma Bell.
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Dear Christine,
Remember when Bell’s motto was, “We may be the only telephone company, but we try not to act like it”? Then came the spit and subsequently cell phones. How things have changed. I’m not sure it’s progress or regress.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wasn’t Don Ameche a handsome young man? I think I’ve only seen him older. Love that the phone was called the ‘Ameche’ – must have been a really popular film! Lovely snippet of daily life, Rochelle and I’m going to be very tempted to use the word myself from now on 🙂
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Dear Lynn,
I remember when my mom told me about the Ameche. At the time I was familiar with Don Ameche but by then he was “old.” And every generation seems to have a fad or two, don’t they? 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Love these fads, the quirks that are identified with a brief cultural moment. There are a few Dickens references – a dance called the Roger do Coverley, a snack called Norfolk Biffins, the exclamation ‘Walker!’ – which I had to Google to find out what they were, but that have added to my pleasure of reading A Christmas Carol. I shall add Ameche to these glorious moments 🙂
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Guess what I’ll be watching on my next rainy day off? Yes, that Ameche fella was a handsome one indeed…
This was yet another gem. You da best! And I love the banter that happened up there in the comments between y’all and J & K!
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Dear Dale,
I think you’ll enjoy the movie. Mr. Ameche was a handsome guy and then there’s his sidekick, the very young Henry Fonda. Thank you. You always make me feel like royalty. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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😁
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I always learn interesting things from your stories, Rochelle. I love that the phone was called Ameche.
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Dear Sascha,
Every generation has its fad, doesn’t it? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yes, Rochelle, they do. Some just don’t have neat names. 🙂
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I love the character growth in this one. Tammy changed by the end of it. I always remember Don Ameche as an older man in the movies. Not so young like he is in the picture. Great last line in this one. Just loved it, Rochelle! 🙂
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Dear Eric,
At the time my mother shared the Ameche story with me, he was fairly old. Certainly not as dashing as he was in the 30’s. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love the story.
How did he end up with that name? Sounds like a native Igbo name Amechi.
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Dear Chioma,
You got me curious. I had to look up the name. Originally it was Amici. His father was from Italy.
Glad you liked the story. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ohhh, interesting.
Thanks Rochelle.
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I’d forgotten all about Don Ameche. Sweet story, Rochelle.
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Dear Ted,
You forgot Don Ameche? I’m surprised at you. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Loretta looks so pretty. I could just stare at her in that picture.
Lovely story
Click Here to see what Mrs. Dash Says
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Dear Dee Dee,
She was a beautiful woman. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
PS I’ve tried a few times to comment on your blog and my comments never show up.
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I’ve not heard of that film but it looks like it was a biggie in its day. I remember when my parents first got a telephone in the house. Ooh, the excitement!
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Dear Ali,
It doesn’t seem to have been big on your side of the pond. Apparently it rocked the States. My mom had fond memories of the phone being called the Ameche. Thank you for coming by. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle, you have allowed nostalgia to seep through this humid weather. Delightful as always.
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Dear Neel,
It’s very humid on this side of the globe, too. There’s always a place for nostalgia, isn’t there? Glad you enjoyed and took the time to say so. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well, that’s something I’ve learned today! Thanks, Rochelle!
Click to read my FriFic
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Dear Keith,
I’m always happy to pass along bits of trivia. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Marlene Zuckerburg,
The telephone was an amazing invention, especially the “party line.” I don’t recall seeing that movie, but remember others featuring Mr. Ameche. He was quite popular in those days.
I can’t wait until Hollywood makes one on Al Gore’s invention, the internet. Watch for my review of that flick.
Jimmy Olsen
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Dear Jimmy,
I’ll be interested to see Mr. Gore’s bio-pic. Should create quite a sensation. Personally I’ll take old Ameche movies any day. Thank you for ringing in.
Shalom,
MZW(T)F
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Believable characters (cunning Grandma making popcorn!). Entertaining period details. Nice story, Rochelle!
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Glad you enjoyed it, Penny. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Another bite-sized piece of history – your mind must be like an encyclopaedia!
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Dear Liz,
I think I’m more like a pack of Trivial Pursuit cards. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such a lovely story! Always learn something new through your stories. Thank you so much!
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Thank you, Fluid Phrase. I’m always happy to pass on tidbits of history. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Another tidbit of information from you. I’d never heard about the phone being called an Ameche 🙂
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Dear Linda,
it was before our time. 😉 My mom told me about it. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great story!! Reminded me of sitting with my Nana watching musicals. Thank you for a great flashback moment for me.
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Dear Laurie,
I’m so glad my story brought back happy memories for you. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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the sound of the phone ringing gives me the jitters. one of my first jobs in the u.s. was in a payroll service company that required on-call production support. when the phone rang during the wee hours, it meant the system was down and that i had to get it fixed under tremendous stress. i was a sucker for taking jobs that nobody wanted. those were the days. 🙂
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Sorry to stir up bad memories, Plaridel. Thanks for coming by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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For those of us who actually remember USING those antique things! Sometimes I feel older than dirt…. 🤤
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Dear Courtney,
I remember using one with a dial…before push buttons. I think I am older than dirt. Thanks for coming by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well, now, that’s taking us waaaaaaaaay back. I remember the movie. But I wasn’t aware that some people referred to the phone as an “Ameche” afterwards. Interesting.
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Dear Sandra,
Happy to be your tour guide to the past. The movie’s on You Tube. I love those old romantic movies. My mom was the one that told me about the “Ameche.” As I’ve said before, every generation has their fads and idols. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely voices, especially Tammy’s turnaround at the end. This has a great homely feel, although it makes me feel a little old, VCRs being historical now. Really enjoyed this one and the young learning from their elders.
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Dear Sarah Ann,
I understand about feeling old. I go back to black and white TV and telephones with rotary dials. 😉 I’m glad you enjoyed my little blast from the past. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yep, we had those as well – a B&W TV licence was cheaper than a colour one and we needed to make all the savings we could as students.
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Ameche means grandmother in my mothertongue so it is appropriately old 🙂 Nice nostalgic story Rochelle.
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Dear Joyful,
Grandmother? That makes me smile at my unintentional connection. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I’m going to test out Mr Potter now and inform him someone contacted him on the Ameche when he was out. If he knows what I mean, then he has probably been lying about his age all these years 😉
Seriously, I love your dramatised historical snippets. I learn something knew every week.
All best wishes,
Sarah
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Dear Sarah,
From the comments I’m getting from my friends across the pond, I’m not sure Mr. Potter would have any knowledge of the Ameche. I learnt it from my mother who was a tender 25 in 1939. Always happy to share history, particularly when it’s happy history. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, you have shared good information about Ameche.
http://www.orissapost.com/homing-pigeons-as-ornaments/ Homing pigeon service in India now discontinued.
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Thank you, Kalpana. Nice of you to say so.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Between your story and the clip, I’m longing to see the rest of the movie.
Thanks for stopping by!
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Dear Alice,
Nice to see you back around FF. I recently watched the movie on Your Tube. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The story is cute and educational (as usual). 🙂 I had no idea Don Ameche was a heartthrob in his day. The name rang a bell though, because it is so unusual. I remember having seen him in Trading Places.
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Dear Gabriele,
He made a bit of a comeback in Cocoon years ago. But, yes, he was quite the heartthrob in his day. Enough to have people calling the telephone by his name. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I LOVED the pic of the ladies at the premier.. wearing their monstrous furs !!!!
Absolutely delicious… those were the days of unpolitical incorrectness…
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Dear Valerie,
It’s always a delight when you visit. I still adore the old films when people were elegant. I hope you enjoyed my story as well. 😉 Thank you, dear lady.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You mean the breakdancing guy from Cocoon? I didn’t know his name was slang for telephone. Fascinating.
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Yes, Subroto,
The very same. He considered quite the hottie back in those days. My mom’s the one who told me about “the Ameche.” I’ve always enjoyed that story and the realization that my mother was once a young, starry eyed fan girl. Thank you for coming by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Nice to treat the youngsters to a blast from the past.
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Dear Dawn,
Without our past, there’s no future. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hello Rochelle, This comment is for a shameless self promotion. Based on popular opinion, I wrote an extended version of my take to this week’s wonderful prompt. Could you please check it out and give your valuable feedback on the same? Thanks in advance abs sorry for the spam. Cheers, Varad.
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Dear Varad.
I will certainly go and read. As for shameless self promotion…I hope you enjoyed my story while you were in the neighborhood. (I like feedback, too).
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
When I sat to write my piece for this week’s prompt, I made a decision to read and comment in all the entries for the challenge. And guess whose I didn’t comment? Yours. But then, how is that possible? I quite vividly remember reading and commenting on your take on Thursday. So I go back and check. I find that I had replied to one of Neil’s comments and had forgotten to post my own.
So here’s my comment. This is exactly what I thought after reading yours last week. “I loved this one as it reminded me of the type of tales my grandmother used to tell me when I was a kid. I still remember her story about the first television in her village and the crowd that would gather whenever someone drove down in a Standard Herald or an Impala. Really enjoyed reading your lovely take on the ‘Ameche’. BTW, did you know cars were called as ‘Pleasures’ in rural India those days?
Cheers, Varad.
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Dear Varad,
I’m woefully ignorant of India. I love that cars were called Pleasures. Thank you for sharing that. I remember stories about people watching the first television sets gathered around store windows since they couldn’t afford their own. Oh the things we take for granted. 😉 Thank you for taking the time to backtrack. It means a lot.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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My pleasure, cheers
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