30 November 2018

Published November 28, 2018 by rochellewisoff


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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 © Nick Allen

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Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

HEARTLESS

Buddy woke up one morning, struggling to breathe. He sat up, but the intense pain in his stomach doubled him over. “Must be something I ate.”

            After two weeks in the hospital, he shook the doctor’s hand. “Thanks, Doc. For a while I feared I was going to that yellow brick road in the sky.”

            The doctor handed him a prescription. “Take it easy—no more aluminum makeup.”

            “No problem—lost my job.”

            Later Buddy Ebsen called Ray Bolger. “Hey, you old scarecrow. I should never have traded roles with you. Tell Mr. Haley to keep his oil can handy.”

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120 comments on “30 November 2018”

  • I was relieved to read the rider at the bottom of the article you linked to. I’ve seen references to aluminium in some cosmetics I’ve used in the past. Another informative post, nicely crafted. Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

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      • Yes, my original thought – when I saw the photo I knew I had to do something on The Wizard of Oz… that is until I read this. After the fun I had with my little poem, I’m glad I went a different direction.

        As to the little tidbits of history that you dig up, I’m glad you love learning them. Your FF stories are always fun to read, yet I often learn something new from them.

        Liked by 1 person

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  • I didn’t know that… but for sure it doesn’t sound healthy to be painted with aluminum paint… sometimes losing your job is not the worst thing.

    but remember

    Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man that he didn’t, didn’t already have… (from the lyrics of Tin Man by America)

    Liked by 4 people

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  • Hi Rochelle,

    A nice bit of movie history. I enjoy learning classic movie trivia. I’m happy that nothing serious happened to Buddy. I used to enjoy watching him in the role of Barnaby Jones. He’s the only detective I know who drank milk. Kind of like Kojak and the lollipop.

    Shalom,
    Adele

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Dear Adele,

      Funny, I never watched Barnaby Jones, although I did enjoy Buddy on the Beverly Hillbillies. Despite his backwoods character’s ignorance, he brought a certain level of common sense and intelligence to the role. Thank you.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

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  • Querida Rochelle,
    Fun Fun Fun …!!! I love your sense of humor sprinkled with facts.
    Who doesn’t love the wizard of oz??!!!
    An unusual photo this week. I almost got here last week but the holiday took over my life.
    Belated Thanksgiving Greetings. Hope you had a blessed one.
    Espero le guste mi cuento. Como siepre es un placer visitar y leer sus obras, mi amiga.
    Abrazos y Carino,
    Isadora 😎

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Querida Isadora,

      It’s always a pleasure to see you here in Purpleville. BTW, I get so many compliments on my purple hat. 😉
      I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen the Wizard of Oz. Glad you enjoyed my story. We did have a pleasant laid back Thanksgiving.
      Gracias y Carino mi querida amiga.

      Rochelle

      Liked by 1 person

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      • Querida Rochelle,

        I’ve seen the Wizard of Oz hundreds of times. I have 3 girls. It was their favorite movie. When I took my girls out for Halloween, I dressed as Dorothy with a stuffed Toto dog from my Fluffy Suffy stuffed animal store. The candy was hidden under Toto. Later in years, when they didn’t go out we’d dress-up and hand out candy in various Oz costumes. It’s such a classic.
        Gracias … for mentioning the compliments on the hat. I’m pleased you are enjoying it. From my FB-PM I think you know I haven’t read any books lately. Stress shuts me down.
        My hope is to read while recuperating and perhaps … knit another purple masterpiece you might want to barter for your newest book. BUT … I may be laid up for awhile.
        Siempre en mi corazón, mi amiga. Me siento tan rica de haberla conocerla …
        Abrazos y Shalom …. Happy Hannukah
        Isadora 😎

        Liked by 1 person

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  • Dear “Oil Can Boyd” W(T)F,

    I bet in later years Buddy discovered Granny’s Rheumatis medicine. It’ll cure what ails you–and even what doesn’t. I was aware that he once had a part in this show, but didn’t know about the aluminum effect. They put it in Pepto-Bismol, you know. Be careful you don’t O.D.

    Following the yellow brick road,
    Rusty Elbows

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Dear Rusty Elbows,

      Funny how many don’t know this story. I thought it was universal…but perhaps it’s just MGM. Raise your hand if you remember who Jack Haley is. 😉 Be careful not to fall and break you–hip–on the Yellow Brick Road. Now that you’re a year older. Thanks for limping by.

      Shalom,

      Oil Can Boyd W(T)F

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      Reply ↓

    • Dear Alice,

      So true about performers. What comes to my mind is Adrien Brody who sold most of his worldly possessions and lost 40 lbs from his already thin frame for his role in “The Pianist.” And the list goes on. Thank you.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Like

      Reply ↓

  • Another fine piece of fiction tapas with a side order of a historical titbit. I will always have a soft spot for T.W.O.O. after my daughter spent many month in rehearsals for a stage version when she was twelve years old. Our lives were completely at the mercy of her schedule from the end of August 2009 until the end of the following January, but I must say she was a fine Munchkin and a very amusing Toto! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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  • Poor dude! The sacrifices people make (knowingly and not) for their professions! I’ve known someone who’s relative got ill because of exposure to face paint with some toxins in it–perhaps it wouldn’t have been a big deal if used sporadically, but that guy was a professional clown … He didn’t know that what he used to earn a living was potentially going to rob him of a life.

    Here’s my contribution for this week’s photo prompt (yep, left it at the link-a-think-thing, too!)

    Aladdin’s Ally


    Na’ama

    Liked by 1 person

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  • Dear Rochelle,

    I love that we are always smarter after reading one of your stories. Now I keep thinking of “Goldfinger”… ‘course they had improved makeup by then…

    And good for Buddy. Firing can be a turn-around, can’t it?

    Lotsa love,

    Dale

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Dear Dale,

      There’s an old expression that says when a door is closed, a window opens. And who remembers the name Jack Haley? Pity he was a wonderful singer/dancer.

      I remember that scene in Goldfinger.

      Thanks for dancing down the yellow brick road with me. 😀

      Shalom and hugs,

      Rochelle

      Like

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  • Rochelle, that is fascinating. I loved Buddy Ebsen, a great actor and a fine dancer. I didn’t know he had that connection to The Wizard of Oz. I remember seeing the film for the first time and being absolutely transfixed by the “real” men appearing on screen. How fascinating too that we both saw the tin man in the image. I promise I hadn’t looked at any of the FF posts before I put mine up. Best wishes and thank you for all you do, Jillyx

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Dear TRG,

      This is one story I’ve known about for years. I guess it’s one of those forgotten histories. I think a few of us went in the same direction with this prompt. 😉 Thank you for swinging by Frogtopia.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Like

      Reply ↓

  • That’s excellent. I knew the tale of aluminium poison that Buddy Ebsen suffered because my Grandmother told me when I was little. We were watching the Beverley Hillbillies and she said, “See that man. He should have played the Tin Man in Wizard of Oz. She also said that the Granny in Beverly Hillbillies, Irene Ryan was Irene Dunne. She didn’t get everything right. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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  • The Tin Man nearly died of aluminium poisoning, who would have thunk? The MGM were real hard task masters so reading up further on the story didn’t surprise me at all. Ah well it’s good to see so many of us thought of the Wiz on seeing that photo. Childhood memories never go away it seems.

    Liked by 1 person

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  • Good story based on history, Rochelle. Those two actors were fortunate to escape death or disability. It would have also been terrible for the studio and film if worse had happened. It would have been known as the film where people died in the making. Good writing as always. 🙂 — Suzanne

    Liked by 1 person

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  • Great story, and of course, based on the truths behind the scenes – and as so many have noted, often, there are so many toxins and carcinogens that we just can’t know of, until the disastrous effects, often years later. And for what it’s worth – I have to say, I personally, have never been a fan of the “Dorothy” club — so for those who can’t imagine it – heh, you can say, now you know there are those of us who exist and just don’t like the movie. LOL … but Jed always cracked me up, although Grannie was a hoot!

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Dear Wildchild.

      My husband is one of those who has never seen The Wizard of Oz nor wants to. I don’t understand but I can live with it. I’ve loved the movie as long as I can remember. Thank you for commenting on my story. Welcome to Friday Fictioneers.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Liked by 1 person

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  • thanks Rochelle, I’ve been here before … “out” for a long time now … anyhow, I’m back, but for my comments notifications, which still haven’t been “fixed” yet, so if I don’t “return” back here to engage in delightful conversations, I’m not being rude. I just can’t keep track! Maybe I need to oil the machine? 😉

    LOL – we are a weird bunch, those who have no like or pull towards “Oz” – *shrugging* – but I think if something endears to the heart, then hold onto it — we all could use some magic in our lives, perhaps now, more than ever. (And that is testament to a good solid relationship – acceptance of the differences 😀 )

    Have a wonderful rest of the weekend and week to come –
    Shalom!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓

    • Dear Lyneane,

      I imagine there was some disappointment. I wonder how he felt in later years when the movie became a classic? On the other hand, he went on to have a lucrative career. Jack Haley who? Thanks for swinging by. Give Basil a tummy rub for me.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓

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