HOLLOW SQUARE PRESS
  • HOME
  • BLOG
  • BOOKS
    • TOM'S BOOKS >
      • BAKER'S DAUGHTER, MILLER'S SON
      • BOY AT SEA
      • THE CURSE OF VILMA VALENTINE
      • A FEVER OF THE MAD
      • GHOST GUITARS
      • SOME TRICKS OF DESPERATION
      • TOM'S SONGBOOK
    • JONATHAN'S BOOKS >
      • A HOWLING IN THE NIGHT
      • RANTS, RAVES, RUMINATIONS, AND RAMBLIFICATIONS
      • SIREN SONG
      • TELLING STORIES
      • THE TURBERVILLES OF GREENSBORO, ALABAMA
  • FILMS
    • THE EARLY YEARS: 1970 - 1975 >
      • ALEX IN WONDERLAND, 1970
      • RYAN'S DAUGHTER, 1970
      • SHAFT, 1971
      • THE GANG THAT COULDN'T SHOOT STRAIGHT, 1971
      • THE WRATH OF GOD, 1972
      • THE EFFECT OF GAMMA RAYS ON MAN-IN-THE-MOON MARIGOLDS, 1972
      • THE LAST AMERICAN HERO, 1973
      • THE HAPPY HOOKER, 1975
    • THE MIDDLE YEARS: 1976 - 1981 >
      • GODZILLA VS. MEGALON, 1976
      • BOARDWALK, 1979
      • BLOW OUT, 1981
      • THE CHOSEN 1981
      • SO FINE, 1981
      • TATTOO, 1981
    • THE FINAL YEARS, 1982 - 1987 >
      • EASY MONEY, 1983
      • HARRY AND SON, 1983
      • THE LAST DRAGON, 1985
      • A GATHERING OF OLD MEN, 1987
  • SONGS
    • AN ASSORTMENT OF LYRICS
    • THE DARWIN THEORY
    • THE STONEWALLYA KID
    • A STRING OF BANJOS
    • BOOZE
  • PLACES
    • OLD SAWYERVILLE
    • GHOSTS OF SAWYERVILLE
    • HOLLOW SQUARE CEMETERY
    • PIE LAB
  • SEASONS
    • SPRING >
      • 1. Bulbs, Redbud, & Crabapple
      • 2. Azalea, Iris, & Dogwood
      • 3. Magnolia & Dootsie
    • SUMMER >
      • 1. Black-Eyed Susans, Day Lilies, & Four O'clocks
      • 2. Crepe Myrtle
      • 3. Tiger Lilies, Althea, & Naked Ladies
      • 4. AUGUST/SEPTEMBER
    • AUTUMN >
      • 1. FALL: THE EARLY SIGNS
      • 2. OCTOBER
      • 3. FALL: THE REST OF THE SEASON
    • WINTER >
      • 1. WINTER'S ON THE WAY!
      • 2. THE PROGRESS OF WINTER
GODZILLA VS. MEGALON, 1976

Picture
Picture



Definitive illustration of the publicist as whore who will do anything for a buck. (Maybe it is fitting that this was his next paycheck after The Happy Hooker!)

Actually, from time to time Tom would take  on special jobs between movies. Working on the New York premiere of Lean's Ryan's Daughter and the American release of Fellini's Amarcord were two special projects, and from time to time he would fill in for staff publicists, usually friends of his, when they were on vacation. His background as a staff publicist before he moved into unit work made that an easy paycheck for him.

But nothing was quite as special in its own way as Godzilla vs. Megalon!




Picture



Tom was hired for one day to shepherd an unemployed actor in a tacky monster suit around New York and the Democratic National Convention at Madison Square Garden. Why anyone thought this would add one dollar to the movie receipts is a mystery. Nevertheless, Tom threw himself into the task and had a great time. You can just tell in these photos. He had a ball that day, and the paycheck covered more than a month's rent on his apartment.


Picture



His favorite memory: of the day: The actor in the tacky suit needed to urinate, and the suit did not lend itself to such activity at a public urinal. Tom told the actor that it might be best to go to Tom's apartment. They drove up in the pictured limousine, and Tom got out and held the car door for the actor. Tom's neighbor, Mr. Patton, as was his usual habit on sunny days, was standing on the steps in front of the building. He just nodded to Tom and his guest as they entered and didn’t crack a smile. The unflappability of the native New Yorker!




    Picture

    contact form

Submit