Cunard Yanks Stories.

[Jim Brady]

Brian will be interested in this or anybody else who knew the Cunard Yanks Richie Barton and Billy Harrison.They were on a three hour chat show on radio Merseyside the other night telling of their times aboard the passenger ships,the stars that they met and their times in New York.One such story was Alan Ladd was aboard on his way back to the States after attending the premier in London for the film where he played Jim Bowie.They invited Alan to the pig for a bevvie,they asked him about the Bowie knife,yes he said I have got that uptop in my cabin,one of the lads took him upto his cabin and he brought the knife back to the pig.Did you realy throw the knife in the film he was asked,oh yes I did said Alan I can throw it,anyway he threw the knife at the dart board and split the dartboard in two!!!!What amazes me billy takes pictures of everyone and everything but never took pictures of the knife or the dart board.
Maybe Brian has done this one.He visited the old Queen Mary in Long Beach,just as he was about to pay he said to the girl I sailed on this ship,whats your name she asked,he gave her his name she hit the computer and said thats correct your were a panntryman and you became a cook,you don't have to pay sir and him and his wife were piped aboard.
I don't know how many times I've heard this story,one of his mates bought an overcoat from the Left Laundry or Sally Army in NY,he got back to the ship and tried it on and it had all bullet holes in the back.
Many yarns of New York and the Diner.
Regards.
Jim.B.

[Captain Kong]

Hi Jim
I did buy a Midnight Blue Silk Drape suit from the Salvation Army complete with 3 bullet holes in the back, it had been cleaned but the red lining was permanently dark stained, cost me nearly ten dollars, Mother darned the bullet holes, about half and inch in diameter.I wrote about it in one of my Seafaring Stories , maybe on the old Franconia.
With a packet of Luckies in the top pocket, a white Sharkskin shirt, and a tie from Tie City on Broadway, a genuine fake Rolex on the wrist and the girls at the Locarno were screaming after me. Fantastic days in the 50s that no one today or in the future can ever experience again.
It was like being in the movies.
Many movie Stars came down to the Pig in those days, for the Gambling. Gambling was illegal on ships from the States but the Crew Pig was a casino as well. Roulette, Crap games Poker schools, Cock and Hen Boards etc, the gambling went on all night and day. Some of the big time Stewards paid other men to do their jobs for them as they were involved in massive Poker games that lasted days. BIG Money, thousands of dollars changing hands
The BBC ? came to the Eldonian Club a few years ago and were interviewing every one for a TV show, "The Cunard Yanks",
We went outside and sat at a table with two interviewers, man and a woman. I went with my mate Tommy Miller, we were on the Franconia together , Tommy had just written his book, "A PIER HEAD JUMP" the interview was going well but Tommy as usual drunk as a monkey cocked it up and we didn't get chosen. Richie and Billy and another fella I cannot think of his name now , got the job and they were flown back to New York and taken round to all the places, we frequented. the clubs were we saw all the greats in music live, Tommy Dorsey, Dizzy Gillespie and so on. A great TV show . I don't know if it is on UTUBE or what but if any one can find it that film says it all.
Cheers
Brian

[Jim Brady]

Brian its a bit long I listened to it in two go's just stop it and know what time you stopped it at and pick it up again on the pointer at that time.I skipped any music there are some interesting stories which I enjoyed.Victor Mature in bed bollicko with two women caught by Billy.
Regards.
jim.b.
BBC Radio Merseyside - Linda McDermott, 10/06/2016

[Captain Kong]

Cunard Yanks,
click on this for a 7 minute clip

https://youtu.be/O7V520MqpmY



Cunard Yanks Where Are They Now



Cunard Yanks Where Are They Now






... Harrison…in1961…for £90.00 and getting £70.00 and an I.O.U. for £20.00…and if you saw him in the "Cunard Yanks" film…you will remember him saying that ...


Cunard Yanks Tall Tales 4



Cunard Yanks Tall Tales 4

[Red Lead Ted]

Cunard yank lives a few doors away from me, A good friend of Charlie Hannah who is on this site, The guys name Eddie Dean, Still dons his two tone suit and his pork pie hat every day, He was telling me the other day he knows of only 2 survivors Cunard yanks who still manage to get into Liverpool city center for a few drinks every afternoon. There is a great DVD Available called Cunard Yanks well worth a watch good health to them all, Terry. :

[John Callon]

I have that DVD Terry, Richie Barton kindly sent me a copy and well worth watching. Hope everything OK with you mate.
Regards
John C.

[Red Lead Ted]

Cheers John, Hope all is well in your world mate, The DVD Can be obtained online and i agree a very interesting watch Good health John Terry.

[Captain Kong]

I have had the DVD of the trip to NY by the lads, I think Richie gave to me in the Eldonian,
Brian