Earl Holliman’s path to Hollywood is a compelling story of ambition and aspiration. At the age of 14 in 1943, he was resolute in his desire to become a movie star.
Raised in Oil City and Mooringsport, often mistakenly identified as Shreveport, he embarked on his journey to Hollywood through several stops along the way. His adventure began with a trip to visit relatives in Camden, Arkansas, followed by a bus ride to Texarkana, Texas. From there, he hitchhiked to Hollywood.
Having saved some money working as a theater usher and during the night shift at a café near Barksdale Air Force Base, Holliman had also connected with a serviceman who offered a lead on a place to stay. However, this turned out to be in El Monte, California, a significant distance from Hollywood. Looking back, Holliman acknowledges that it was a risky decision, one that wouldn’t be advisable in today’s world.
His initial foray into Hollywood didn’t pan out, prompting him to return home briefly before enlisting in the Navy. Nevertheless, his dream of becoming an actor remained alive. He eventually made his way back to Los Angeles, where he honed his craft at the Pasadena Playhouse and the University of California, Los Angeles.
Holliman’s determination paid off, leading to an impressive film career with notable roles in classics like “Giant” (1956), “Forbidden Planet”, “The Rainmaker”, and “The Sons of Katie Elder”. He also became well-known on television, especially for his work alongside Angie Dickinson in “Police Woman” and with Richard Chamberlain and Rachel Ward in “The Thorn Birds”.
He fondly reminisces about his early days in Hollywood, particularly his first morning in El Monte, when he wore a short-sleeved silk shirt and dark glasses while walking in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, fantasizing about being mistaken for a star. It was a moment filled with youthful dreams and innocence.
See below how Earl Holliman looks today at 96.
DO YOU REMEMBER THIS LEGENDARY DANCE FROM THE 1950S? IT BRINGS STRONG MEMORIES
For me, dancing has always meant a lot of happy times and wonderful memories. A wide variety of dance forms have developed and changed throughout the years.
Although some have lost steam, others have maintained a steady following. “The Stroll” was a popular dance move in the 1950s, and it’s time to bring it back into the spotlight.
How does “The Stroll” work?
“The Stroll” may be a familiar name to anyone who lived during the late 1950s. American Bandstand was the birthplace of this iconic dance number, which shot to fame. The beauty of it was in its accessibility; anyone could participate.
The dance called for the males and girls to form an aisle separated by a line. Each pair would take turns walking down the line, with the leading lad and girl meeting in the center. Everyone was enthralled by the ensuing synchronized routine.
A Reflection on the Past
If you want to see this famous dance in action, here’s a clip from an Idaho dance program that aired in February 1958.
A lot of people’s happiness and excitement for “The Stroll” are shown in this video. Feel the joy and excitement as the happy couple walks down the aisle.
The original “Stroll” from the 1950s has a certain allure, even though dances and times have changed. It is a dance worth remembering because of its simplicity and the purity of that age.
Even if there are modern group line dance renditions of “The Stroll,” nothing beats the timeless allure of the original.
Take Part in “The Stroll”
To see “The Stroll” or relive it, just click the video below. We are eager to hear your feedback once you’ve watched.
Share your thoughts on this charming dance from yesteryear by posting a comment on our Facebook page.
Enjoy the timeless joy of “The Stroll”—a dance that has been delighting audiences for decades—with the help of this high-quality content.
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