Mamie's Hollywood
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George Barris
King of the Kustomizers
The Friar's Club
Beverly Hills
June 17, 2006
If you don't happen to know who George Barris, you know his cars sure are. George is truly the King of the Kustomizers and well known in custom car circles, but his cars are the ones you will recognize: the Bat Mobile, the Munsterkoach, the Beverly Hillbillies'truck to name just a few. When I was asked to be one of the celebrity guests of honor at a Friar's Club Lifetime Achievement banquet, I couldn't refuse. I've known George since he provided the picture cars for several of my teenage movies. It was a wild affair, with celebrities from movies, music, and motorcraft. And cool cars!
Video Part One
Video Part Two

The Bat Mobile certainly needs no introduction. It looks even better in person than it did in the Adam West series.

Posing with George for the mad rush of photographers....

....Finally almost getting Gloria Alred in the picture.

A great shot of the lovely Marcelle Becker.

It was a thrill to meet Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top. Love their music!
I was introduced by master of ceremonies Fritz Coleman of NBC 4 who said some sexy things about me. I love Fritz! He's the cutest weatherman in town! Here's my speech: "It is a thrill to speak tonight honoring George Barris. I first met George on the set of Running Wild when I got to drive one of his cars because I was the only one on the set at the time who could drive a stick shift. I was making a slew of teenage movies at the time and the girls were all crazy for the boys who drove hot rods. George provided picture cars for the films. George and his brother Sam almost single handedly created the custom car hot rod culture in Southern California after the Second World War. It spread through the rest of the country, but no one could create a custom car like George. In fact, George is the man who made stars of cars: the Batmobile, the Munsterkoach, ZZ Top’Äôs roadster, and many more. George also owned a car I knew a little something about: Clark Gable’Äôs Mercedes convertible. I starred opposite Gable in Teacher’Äôs Pet, and I used to follow that little blue Mercedes through the gate every morning at Paramount. And he was always on time. My father was an automobile mechanic who worked on hot rods and his Indian motorcycle and let me drive them, so it’Äôs easy for me to appreciate the artwork that George still creates today out of fiberglass and chrome and bondo. Those lovely hot rods are so about California, rock and roll, back seats at the drive in, and the movies. Keep it up, George. I love you."

Photographer David shows me some of his shots...

...And shoots some more.





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Revised June 18, 2006 Copyright Mamie Van Doren
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