Brunk, Mercedes 1980-12-29
Mercedes Brunk discusses her life in show business with her husband, Henry L. Brunk.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Mercedes Brunk
Additional Parties Recorded:
Date: December 29, 1980
Location:
Interviewer: Jerry Martin
Length: 52 minutes
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1:
1952, Problems with the cast,
Mikey diagnosed as retarded,
Troublemakers on the show,
Leading lady,
Problems with appearance,
No effort to improve after required for job,
Buddy Manley,
Eight fired in spring of 1952,
Henry good judge of people,
Jimmy and Eddie Farron,
Troublemakers also,
Payraises,
Henry's brothers,
Fred:
Characteristics,
Glenn:
Characteristics,
Elba:
Characteristics,
Pete:
Characteristics,
Charlie:
Characteristics,
Show business career,
Drinking problem,
Anecdote about Thanksgiving dinner,
Relationship between Henry and brothers,
L. V.,
Children,
Show business career,
Father (Sam, Sr.),
Hated show business,
Mother,
Anecdote about mother's attendance of Henry's show,
Henry and Mercedes Brunk,
Married, Tucson, Arizona (1943),
Henry's stories,
Left company in 1939 to join Fred's show,
Reasons for leaving,
Freeze in the Valley,
Show not understood,
Move north,
Performers restless,
No money,
Muddy Brown takes show
Tape 1, Side 2:
Blank
Tape 2, Side 1:
Fred's show "J. L. Brunk Show",
Weakness of show,
Henry's deal with Fred,
Henry and Mercedes get show going,
Worked well for two years,
Pearl Harbor killed,
Business,
Henry advised Fred to return home,
Fred opened picture show in his tent,
Reasons why Henry grew tired of show business,
Christmas dinner in hotel room,
1930s Depression,
Salaries and cutbacks,
Ed Ward,
Performers perception,
Henry enlarged show prior to 1932,
Mid-1932, Henry limited the show,
Williams' Stock Company, (circa 1932),
Material,
Cast
Tape 2, Side 2:
Blank
Range Dates: 1930-1952
Bulk Dates: 1950s
Access Information
Original Recording Format:
Recording Format Notes:
Transcript:
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