The Beat Generation

Discussion in 'Other Reminiscences' started by Hal Pollner, Jun 5, 2020.

  1. Hal Pollner

    Hal Pollner Veteran Member
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    Do any of you older Seniors remember the "Beat Generation" and some of its personalities?

    The most famous exponent of this counterculture was Jack Kerouak, who was famous for his novel
    "On the Road".
    Others included Beat poets Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Gregory Corso, and Allen Ginsberg.

    This was the era of the "Coffee House" where Beatnicks used to gather to recite poetry while drinking Espresso.

    The girls would be barefoot and wear black leotards and no makeup, and there was always a folk singer with guitar who would perform anti-establishment leftist songs. The guys would wear goatees, dark shades, and berets and someone would be playing Bongos. It was also a place where homosexuals would gather. Not my kind of hangout!

    The Dobie Gillis show had a counterculture Beatnick character played by Bob Denver.

    Ken...I'm not sure If I posted this a couple years ago, but like many things lately,
    I'm increasingly forgetful.

    Hal
     
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    Last edited: Jun 5, 2020
  2. Beth Gallagher

    Beth Gallagher Supreme Member
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    #2
    Last edited: Jun 5, 2020
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  3. Beth Gallagher

    Beth Gallagher Supreme Member
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  4. Hal Pollner

    Hal Pollner Veteran Member
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    You're right, Beth.

    He also played "Gilligan" on that dumb series "Gilligan's Island".

    Hal
     
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  5. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    I remember the Dobie Gillis Show, with him standing next to Rodin's The Thinker every episode.

    I also remember beatniks. But I was pretty young (born in '54). Alan Ginsburg is a familiar name, but I've never read any of his books.
     
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  6. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    Sir, any show that brings Dawn Wells into my living room is not "dumb."

    It is my friend.
     
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  7. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    I loved that show!

    Mr. Peabody and his pet boy Sherman. "Every dog should have a boy." Indeed.
     
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  8. Hal Pollner

    Hal Pollner Veteran Member
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    I looked up Dawn Wells!

    She was beautiful, I'll admit, but the series was created by demented, juvenile writers, with Gilligan being a weak, fumbling character.

    Hal
     
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  9. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    [​IMG]
     
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  10. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    It's daytime TV. The same people who brought you a talking horse as the lead character.

    What's a critic supposed to write of Gilligan's Island? "I laughed. I cried. I avoided 3 hour tours."
     
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  11. Craig Wilson

    Craig Wilson Veteran Member
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    Being shipwrecked within cooee distance of a major continent is a lame premise for a sitcom in the first place. Nevertheless I was hooked on Gilligan's Island. Watched every single episode. Sometimes I even seek out episodes on YT for a touch of childhood nostalgia. @John Brunner agree about the delectable Dawn Wells. Boy did she get the adolescent hormones racing.
     
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  12. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    I agree about the whole premise being lame.
    Then there's the Howell's having all that luggage with them.

    I've not sought out any episodes as an adult.

    I just read her Wiki page. She and Tina Louise are the last surviving cast members. Dawn had roles in about all of the tv shows of the day, as did Tina Louise.
     
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  13. Craig Wilson

    Craig Wilson Veteran Member
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    Wasn't there a reunion of sorts.. Return to Gilligan's Island.. or some such. I got a kick out of seeing all the characters now in wheel chairs or on walking frames:p
     
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  14. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    It makes me feel old watching that kind of stuff.

    I've often wondered if (or how often) actors & actresses watch their old films. I've heard of various reunion shows, but never saw one.
     
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  15. Herb Sutton

    Herb Sutton Very Well-Known Member
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    I liked the Kingston Trio in that era. Tijuana jail was popular hit, I was in the Navy in San Diego which made it a fun song.
     
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