Child Stars Shine for Collectors

Friends told Ray Court of Florida no one would come to a movie-actors memorabilia show in Hollywood. They said no one would come to see former child stars and Western heroes in a town where celebrities can be seen everywhere from local fund-raisers to the corner market.

They were wrong. Court, promoter of the Hollywood Collector’s Show, says not only do show-goers love having an opportunity to shake hands and chat with stars of TV shows and films they grew up with, but dozens of celebrities have been hooked too. And many of them set up their own tables with photographs, books and memorabilia from their movies and television shows. Three members of the “Dennis the Menace” show will attend the shows scheduled Saturday and Sunday at the Beverly Garland Hotel, 4222 Vineland Ave., North Hollywood. They are Jay North (Dennis), Gloria (Dennis’ mom, Mrs. Mitchell) and Jeannie Russell (prissy neighbor Margaret).

Other child stars who will bring their own merchandise are Paul Petersen (“The Donna Reed Show”) and Brandon Cruz (“The Courtship of Eddie’s Father”) and Lisa Loring (“The Addams Family”). Among the heroes of the 1940s-’60s are cowboys Montie Montana, George Montgomery and Monte Hale, Gordon Scott of “Tarzan,” Phyllis Coates of TV’s “Superman,” Hal Smith of “The Andy Griffith Show,” and Eddie (Kookie) Byrnes of “77 Sunset Strip.”

More than 100 dealers will also participate in the show, held four times a year. Show hours are Saturday 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is $5, children free with an adult. (800) 238-3759.