LETTERS  PCR #273     (June 13--19, 2005)

		We welcome your feedback. DR. PAUL BEARER CONTEST WINNER MAKES CONTACT Nolan, Not sure if you can help or not, so here goes. I was wondering if I could get a better copy of the article on your web page that tells of the "Look-a-like" contest that was held at Seminole Mall? The reason I ask is that my name is Jim Tanner and I won that contest. After I won, I was a co-host on the show for one episode. All I have from the show is one autographed photo made out to me, a polaroid photo of me as "Dr. Paul Bearer" and a "Deathly Certificate" showing when I was on the show and signed by DPB. I've been trying forever to try and obtain film footage of the episode I was on, but have never been successful. The date on my "certificate" is 12-18-76....I was a mere four years old. I would be willing to provide you with copies of my photo certificate for your site if you could provide me with the newspaper copy? If you have any sort of thought on where I might be able to obtain the film footage, I would be forever in your debt. "Horribily Yours" Jim Tanner Jim, It is an incredible honor to hear from you, sir, I just wish I had better news regarding the video footage you seek! As far as any of us have been able to determine, all broadcast tapes from WTOG Channel 44 featuring Dr. Paul Bearer were destroyed well before the station's takeover by UPN. The only episodes currently in existence are VHS-type taped by private individuals and collectors and are frequently found on eBay. Please note that the first commercially available personal videotape machines for home use were introduced right about the time in question, 1976, and were exclusively Beta-Max and quite expensive. Nevertheless, in the million-to-one shot that somebody may have some Beta-Max footage from your episode, I'll post your message in this week's PCR Lettercol. In the meantime, if you would like to share your photos and certificates with our readership, please send good scans of them to this address and I would be DELIGHTED to post them on Crazed Fanboy's "Creature Feature/Dr. Paul Bearer Fan Archive and Database" along with your story! In addition to archiving the episodes, this is exactly how the database is supposed to work. I'm sorry to say I don't have the newspaper copies you're referring to--I think you might be confusing Andy Lalino's side-notes about newspaper listings; those were found at the public library, not from a personal collection. I think it would be a gas to interview you for Nolan Radio! If you're OK with sharing your story via a telephone interview, please send me your telephone number and best time to contact you. The interview would run approximately 30 minutes or until whenever we run out of steam. (Of course, I will share your phone number with no one without your permission.) If you still live in the Tampa Bay area, I'd also like to personally invite you to attend NolanCon this August 13th in Tampa as a special guest and participate in a Dr. Paul Bearer seminar, headed up by special feature writer Ed Tucker, and tell of your 1976 adventure! In any event, we'll start with the Lettercol. And I'd like to see some of those scans gets into the database. Thanks so much for writing, Jim, I hope we can do you some good. "Horribly" yours in fandom, Nolan B. Canova VINNIE BLESI ON JAWSFEST Mike, Just wanted to congratulate you on your excellent coverage of JawsFest. It made me feel like I was there. Unlike most conventions this seemed like a truly special gathering (sort of like NolanCon) of fans and friends for whom this movie has made an undeliable impression on. Oh yea and no people in Stormtrooper costumes. Take care, Vinnie Blesi MIKE SMITH RESPONDS: Vinnie, Thanks for the note. You knew how I was in high school - there was no way I was missing this. I'm glad you enjoyed the piece. It was certainly my pleasure writing it. See you at NolanCon! Michael To send an email to Letters to the Editor write to: Crazedfanboy1@aol.com.  Any emails sent to this address will be assumed intended for publication unless you specifically instruct me not to. I can and do respond privately, if that is your preference. Frequently, it's both ways.---Nolan

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