Memories of a first love, on screen

I noticed in this morning’s paper that actress Ann Blyth had passed away. The paper mentioned a number of movies she was in, but for me I will always remember the 1948 film “Mister Peabody and the Mermaid.”

I was just a young lad getting off my Bloomingdale school bus around 3:30. I would drop my school books on the couch and turn on the “Early Show.” Yes, that is what I watched instead of Mickey Mouse Club or American Bandstand. It was here I first saw Clark Gable, Errol Flynn and of course the woman I fell in love with when I was 6 years old Susan Hayward.

CBS would play that “Early Show” music and announce what that afternoon movie would be. That day’s picture the fellow said was “Mister Peabody and the Mermaid” starring William Powell and Ann Blyth. It was here I thought I saw the most enchanting face, exotic eyes and warmest lips I had ever seen (i.e. of course as I was at best 12 years old and I really had no idea what that feeling was).

Yet for the next two hours, I was in love, even more so when I first saw Annette in “Spin and Marty.” In any event a little bit of me died today when I read of her passing. Perhaps much like William Powell no longer a young man nearing 80, wondering if maybe I someday will be sipping my brandy with my fishing pole in the water, watching my bobber go under and have that special moment in time.

Thank you, Ann Blyth, for the memories.

Larry Eichman

Addison