PARLEY EDWARD BAER was born on August 5, 1914, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He died at 10:45 pm, on November 22, 2002, at Motion Picture Hospital, in Woodland Hills, California, of complications of a second stroke. It is difficult to realize he has been gone these seven years now, reunited on the Big Lot with his beloved Ernie, who died on his 86th birthday, August 5, 2000, at their home in Tarzana, California, following a long illness. God rest them, these icons of circus, film, radio and television. |
Sunday, November 22, 2009
From Roger Smith
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6 comments:
They will both be long and lovingly remembered. ~frank
Great people.
Great memories.
I met Parley Baer in 1972 or early 73.He was in Orlando with Clifford Vargas and Miller Johnson Circus.I didnt know who hw was but I knew he was tv star.I walked up and said something to the effect "Havent you been on tv?He replied my name is Mr.Smith.
The next day I met Vargas and he kindly gave me lots of press photos.One of which was Parley.
I thought it was very professional the way Parley introduced Sandy Dobritch as ringmaster to the audience."
The first performance was several hours late.This as the Harold Barnes rented tent wasnt up yet.
Once the show started it was incredible.Pat Anthonys cats then one of the best shows I had ever seen period.
Oh to see such great shows again!!Most entertainment today is bland period.
For those sticklers among our historians, it will come as a surprise that Mrs. Parley Baer was formally named Elizabeth Laura Clarke. Ernestine is, of course, a natural diminutive of Ernest, her father. Thus, Ernestine easily became Ernie, and either was considered her name even for legal purposes. Indeed,her grave marker reads "Elizabeth Ernestine Clarke Baer", proving that her true middle name, Laura, rather quietly faded from use, and the readily acceptable Ernestine and Ernie took hold.
Great photo of Parley and Barbara. The last time I saw Parley was in the mid eighties in Park City Utah. I was advancing the Ringling Blue show and he was filming a TV show that summer in Utah.
The production company rented him a nice condo for the summer and it happened to be close to my place as I was also staying in Park City.
I recall we had dinner on several occasions that summer and he told me stories of my mom on the Pollack show during the 1960 season. He remembered my grandfather and my dad. All in all we had a great time and it seems just like yesterday.
Parley was a prince of a person. He was always kind to me and my family. Parley possessed great talent and was on virtually every TV sitcom from the 1960's. He also played some fine dramatic roles.
I believe the Parley was the first Chester on Gunsmoke from the radio days. To this day I see him pop up on an old TV show and I tell my son or wife "I knew Parley Baer and he was on great guy."
Bill Powell
Yes, that's correct. Parley Baer played the part of Chester on the radio version of "Gunsmoke." William Conrad played Marshall Matt Dillon. I still hear it occasionally on weekends carried by one of our Public Radio stations.
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