Leo Gorcey: Bobby Jordan's Funeral

The somber event of Bobby Jordan's funeral in 1965 is the unlikely setting for Leo Gorcey's bemused recollection of East Side Kid Ernie "Sunshine Sammy" Morrison. Ernie (erroneously referred to as "Leo" Sunshine Sammy Morrison in this interview) had departed the series after being drafted in World War II, and declined an offer to sign on later with the Bowery Boys because, in his words, he "didn't like the set-up." (One can only assume that he was referring to the diminishing roles of series regulars in favor of the increasing "Leo & Huntz Show" nature of these postwar entries; but it could have been that the financial renumerations were unappealing, or a combination of both.) In any event, Ernie prospered in an aircraft profession that saw him driving in style to Bobby Jordan's funeral, to the obvious consternation of his fellow East Siders!
Note: the footage in this video marks the momentous first cinematic meeting of the two gents who were to eventually serve as the "head honcho" of the Bowery Boys -- Leo "Slip" Gorcey and Stanley "Duke" Clements!
You can see all my Bowery Boys videos at http://bowery-bijou.blogspot.com/

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Leo
• Gorcey
• Bobby
• Jordan
• Sunshine
• Sammy
• Morrison
• Stanley
• Clements
• Huntz
• Hall

[MisterMasterShafter]

It's sad what happened to Bobby. After he returned from the service and the gang changed from the East Side Kids to the Bowery Boys, his role and importance was reduced and he left. His life and career didn't turn out like he wanted, and like Leo for other reasons (Leo's dad's death) he turned to the bottle and died much the same way - a shot liver. Bobby was a good actor, like Leo, who never got the work he deserved. When I see these talentless retards now making millions, it turns my stomach.

[akwaqs]

Honestly, I don't think Leo Gorcey was making a racist comment. Back in my school days whenever some kid had new clothes we'd say "where'd you steal that?" we said it so often it became a slang phrase instead of a joke. The Bowery Boys were paid such little wages for their films, I could see "Mugsy" surprised with Sammy's success in the tech industry.

[rem2267]

I remember seeing Bobby Jordan in a very small role in a 1940 Mickey Rooney movie called "Young Tom Edison." Rooney played the title role and Jordan played a neighbor who was nasty and is fed a cocktail that totally f's up his stomach and is laughed at by a gaggle of other kids. I remember shaking my head, feeling so sorry for him. To add insult to injury, at the end he gets punched in the face by Mickey. I felt even worse for him then. So sad.

[jlovebirch]

Jordan only did a few Bowery Boys films as he didn't care for the new series being totally based on the Slip & Satch characters. The team spirit was gone. He, Billy Halop, and Gabriel Dell all seemed destined for better things but it didn't work out that way. Huntz Hall had twice the talent of goofballs like Adam Sandler, but never got paid zillions per picture like today.

[rwaggs62]

If these guys were around today, in their youth, Leo Gorcey, Bobby Jordan, Huntz Hall, Sunshine Sammy, Gabe Dell, Billy Halop, etc., they would be the highest paid actors in comedy/drama...these kids were the most talented young men Hollywood has ever seen...They could play straight up knife stabbing drama to complete 3-Stooges style slaptick comedy...and everything in between...No one today can come close to these guys...

[DavidHenesy]

@gropingwithastoker true but they were stoned....

luv, Sophie and... the evil ones >:D (:)~) >:(\)

[gropingwithastoker]

@DavidHenesy I'm at a bit of a loss as to why Ernie would consider Leo re-naming him after himself "a name of endearment", but whatever. I generally call my friends by their own names rather than mine.

As far as your entirely irrelevant comment about your trip to Amsterdam, do enjoy, but you may want to go easy on the substances. I'm not sure you need them. Cheers.

[gropingwithastoker]

Why would Leo call Ernie "Sunshine Sammy" Morrison "Leo"? I mean, if my name was Leo I doubt I'd refer to a co-worker whose name I'd forgotten as Leo as well.

Ernie was, by the way, the first black actor ever signed to a long term contract way back in 1919.

[lorrie1956]

Ya sure do a lotta' advertising fer yasef on these long too short clips, kinda hoggin' the kids heeah' ain't ya??

[LkOutMtnMan]

I believe the black dancer is the same actor in the movie with Jimmy Stewart called Pot of Gold. He is very talented for sure!

[Shelby1314]

Racist, yeah maybe, but unfortunately alot of us didn't know any better back then. Do they have to put a label on everything?