St. John's Confidential File

HELLO AMERICA!—I must confess that it’s rather gratifying having so many of you so anxious to hear stories of my very insane days surviving in Tinsel-town! Hey! I confess it is also perfect therapy reminiscing about the good, bad and sometimes dangerous excursions into utter madness. While at the famed Ebony Showcase Theatre founded by iconic “Amos ‘n’ Andy”...

HELLO AMERICA—Many of you continue to inquire about my next book, “Fast Ride on a Golden Ass.” I decided to give you a sample and I have no doubts that some of you will feel it is outrageous for sure. However, I pray you enjoy the tease! Before Jonathan knew it, he was spread-eagle on his stomach, as if he...

HELLO AMERICA!—I am always surprised when many people explode with horror when hearing about some kid who is not even in his or her teens goes off to explore New York. Frankly, it’s relative to who the kid is and how he or she sees the world. For example, one of my mom’s friends, Louise Smith, had been a...

HELLO AMERICA!—I am rather overwhelmed by the response I have been receiving from so many young people, especially high school students interested in our history, especially the second World War period. Since there have been so many references to the Holocaust, Nazis, Hitler effecting towns and cities of our nation, many students are anxious to hear from someone who...

HELLO AMERICA!—Since we are in the center of the awards season, I am very grateful to one of my industry friends, Terrance Bell for bringing to my attention Dytanian Stringfellow, Lux Pro LLC Director of Executive Services. Let’s face it, those of us connected with entertainment in every possible way, are forced to consider attending attire, transportation and all...

HELLO AMERICA!—During the early days, roughing it in Hollywood, I, like many actors, rushed early to purchase the trades. The Hollywood Reporter and Variety  were industry publications, ones which actors referred to when searching information about new films, auditions or anything concerning the entertainment industry itself. In other words, these were the bible for millions of dreamers hoping to survive...

HELLO AMERICA!—For so many years going to school and universities, hungering to understand life and my place in it, most of my teachers and professors had no genuine experience in survival themselves. Everything referenced was based on books or classes they had read or discussed during their respective journey, attempting to find a place in the sun. Somehow, this...

HELLO AMERICA!—When taking grad classes in music composition at Dominican University, I found it made sense if I should move closer to the campus. Susan King, one of the professors, as well as advisers for those interested, generally, in the arts, offered to rent me a room in her two-story Victorian home located very close to the San Rafael...

HELLO AMERICA!—Upon leaving Fox Studios, I was ready to return to the usual gossip world of madness. As soon as it was known that I was resuming my column, the phone began to ring off the wall. Sonny West, a mutual friend and one of Elvis Presley’s bodyguards, called and gave me information about the rock king that no...

HELLO AMERICA!—During the 1950s, when returning from Taiwan, I received a call from Steve Mills, Program Director at ABC network in Los Angeles. It was requested that I meet with him concerning becoming the entertainment news reporter for the station. This was, of course, the dream-phone call I had hoped for a long time. The session with Mills went well....