Year In Review – 2017

So much has happened in 2017. Let’s have a look back at a fantastic year for Movin’ On:

  • The big news of 2017 was the debut of officially licensed, remastered DVDs, which are for sale at Amazon.com and Moviezyng.com. It took a lot of work but we finally made it happen. Many thanks to the fans for your patience and support, and to Steve, Arny, and Ron at PRO for getting us there.
  • Movin’ On began streaming on Amazon Prime. We continue to stream on Hulu, Youtube, and Yahoo View.
  • Because of an innocuous comment about an unknown little girl, Movin’ On fans scoured the internet and located Alison Grooms, who, at age five, played Charley in the episode “Will The Last Trucker Leaving Charlotte, Please Turn Out The Lights”. I spoke with Alison and published her comments and the photos she sent us. See the full interview and photos here: http://movinontvshow.com/charley.
  • We posted an additional ten of Barry Weitz’s Movin’ On Memories to Facebook and also added them to our website’s Episode Guide Details. Fans can now read what the Movin’ On Creator had to say about actors, writers, directors, and locations for twenty-nine episodes!
  • The Big Green Movin’ On Kenworth starred at GATS with owner Paul Sagehorn. For three days it attracted crowds, was photographed, and then left with new owner, Mark Stracener. Mark has already been a great addition to the Movin’ On family! He has the big rig on public display at Art & Speed in Collierville TN, just outside Memphis. Mark has also been enlisted to help Bill and Dennis administer the Movin’ On Fan page. It’s great to have you with us, Mark!
  • Speaking of Bill Bazen and Dennis Johnson, they continue to do a fine job leading discussions with fans and posting everything that comes to them from people all over the country. Bill’s latest kick is tracking down local newspaper articles reporting about when the Movin’ On circus came to town.
  • In 2017 our Facebook likes grew to over 3700. That’s a 22% gain over one year!
  • Also continuing strong is the Movin’ On Museum. Bill’s had over 1000 visits and loves nothing more than showing off his wonderful collection of memorabilia. Stop by when you’re near Wake Forrest, NC. But please call ahead!

On the sad side we lost a real friend of the family in 2017. Bill’s sister, Brenda, passed after a long illness. We will all miss her.

Looking forward to 2018 –

  • We hope to remaster In Tandem, the Movin’ On Pilot! Once that is done, releasing it on DVD would be the next step.
  • We signed an agreement with Truckworx, a major Kenworth dealership with locations in Alabama and Mississippi, to build new, Movin’ On, “Special Edition” Kenworth tractors! Each big rig will boast the Movin’ On paint scheme and other Movin’ On goodies. Truckworx expects to show off a pair of them at GATS 2018, alongside Mark’s original. Visit Truckworx and get yours so you can “Do it like Pruitt”!
  • We hope to make original Movin’ On music available to fans. Our show had well known composers and we’d love to highlight their contributions to Movin’ On. What can be done is unclear at this point, but the desire to do something is strong.

Lastly, a very, very long shot for 2018 is a reboot! I only mention it because Barry and I have spoken with a talent agency and they are exploring opportunities. Take it with a grain of salt people.

Barry in the cab of the Movin' On Kenworth for the first time in 40-years

Barry in the cab of Movin’ On Kenworth

 

Music Bumpers

“Movin’ On” New Year’s gift for all fans!

Landslide 1/2 inch audio master ltape

Landslide 1/2 inch audio master tape

Landslide 1/2 inch audio master label

Landslide 1/2 inch audio master label

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All are welcome to a free mp3 download of “Movin’ On” bumpers! Bumpers are short “music stings” that lead in and out of the commercial breaks on the half-hour, in the day known as Station ID Breaks. These bumpers are from the episode “Landslide”. Bumpers were not included in the remasters because we eliminated the commercial breaks. So enjoy these long unheard musical goodies.

If these snippets please you and you have a few coins to spare, a donation will help us bring more of this type of unavailable content to you in the future.

 

        
[emd_donation email="movinontvshow@gmail.com"]

Merry Christmas 2017

This year’s Christmas Greeting included our Christmas card plus a plug for newly available “Movin’ On” DVD sets.

 

Christmas Card 2017

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all of our “Movin’ On” family

Thank you for making 2017 the best year yet for the Movin’ On revival. Your love and dedication is truly remarkable. This year, with your help we’ve been able to provide even more ways for fans to see our vintage programs. In addition to streaming options; Amazon Prime, Hulu, Yahoo, and Youtube, we now offer fans the chance to own the entire series with the first ever high quality, remastered DVDs.

Is there a trucker on your Christmas list? Show your love and appreciation with the gift that says: Truckers RuleMovin’ On’s Will and Sonny epitomize the spirit of the road and the belief that the men and women of the trucking community are heroes, always willing to lend a hand when it’s needed most.

 

Season 1

Season 1

Season 2

Season 2

 

Season One features guest stars: Michael J. Pollard, Mackenzie Phillips, Janet Leigh, Frank Gorshin, Tina Louise, John Ritter, Clint Howard, and Jeff Conaway!
Season Two introduces Art Metrano and Rosie Grier as Moose and Benjy and includes the episode, “The Elephant Story” starring Anna Mae the elephant!
DVDs are available at Amazon.com and Moviezyng.com

Thanks to everyone for a great year!

Charley

Alison today

Alison today

Alison Grooms played “Charley” in “Movin’ On” season 2 episode “Will The Last Trucker Leaving Charlotte, Please Turn Out The Lights”. In a post on our Facebook page, I marveled at the incredible ability of the unidentified five year-old child playing the part. That post got our fan community in gear and with the help of “Amazin’ Bazen”, Fred and Christopher, the little actress was identified and located. Barry’s wife was the first to make contact with Alison. Heather has a comfortable and charming Southern accent and we thought an out-of-the-blue phone call, forty years after the show aired from Heather was less likely to creep Alison out. It turns out we need not have worried. Alison was happy to talk to us and answer every question we put to her. She even supplied us a few photos that had never been seen outside her family.

I posted the interview with Alison over three Facebook posts. Below are the photos Alison shared and the entire interview I did with Alison.

How were you able to act so natural? Did you have any training? Do you recall following instruction from the director or others?

Alison in the newspaper

Alison in the newspaper

  • I had no professional experience prior to this. Though my mother says, “it just came naturally to me”, I owe her many thanks for her time spent and dedication in helping me with this early start to my years of acting. Mom said I listened well, but she did too. We forever remembered all the valuable direction that came from the crew, director and cast after every take and every rehearsal. I do recall hearing from the director that my mom was not the typical “stage mom”… she stayed out of the way and let me do my thing. It came “naturally” because cast and crew made it easy!

You were five years old, yes?

Alison

Alison

  • Yes, I was five years old when I auditioned but was 6 years old at the time of filming. My mother does remember the director being concerned about my young age in this large role.

You were so bold, so calm. How did that happen? What were you thinking?

  • It was the environment the cast and crew created that made my performance go well. In addition, my mom’s dedication to rehearsing the lines with me made me very comfortable in front of the camera.
Alison Grooms and Claude Akins

Alison Grooms and Claude Akins

How did get the job?

  • A neighbor dared Mom to take me to audition! I had no experience but Mom thought it would be fun to see how a TV audition works. She grabbed a school picture of me, a deck of cards, and we headed downtown. I remember sitting in a large room with many other girls waiting to be seen. My mother recalls most of the other girls had portfolios and composites, so she just treated it as a neat experience, a fun afternoon taking part in the selection process. She did not prepare me for the audition since she was unaware of what to expect. What she did tell me was to, “just be myself”.  When we got the next few call backs, I remember how excited she was but I did not realize the magnitude of the follow up calls. Finally, we were notified I got the part and we got to work!

 

Who cared for you on set?

  • My mother and grandmother were with me for most of the filming. At night, my Dad and Mom would go over the next day’s lines and I remember rehearsing in my dressing room a lot. On set I felt like I had even more “Moms”, as the ladies whose characters worked at the truck-stop were extremely nice and generous with their help.

Do you remember Barry Weitz, Claude Akins, Frank Converse or the director?Alison and Claude between takes

  • I remember all of them! They created such a fun (but professional) atmosphere and made me feel very comfortable. Claude Akins gave me a gold bangle with the inscription “Movin’ On”  which I still have today. Claude and Frank were very protective of me and I remember that if any of the actors or the crew used a bad word they had to pay a penalty. I also remember getting a toy “Movin’ On” truck.
Alison Grooms and Claude Akins

Alison Grooms and Claude Akins

How did you feel around the trucks? Were you impressed? Did you sit behind the wheel? Blow the horn?

  • The trucks were intimidating, there were so many buttons and knobs. I was fascinated by the sleeping cabin. I couldn’t believe people really slept in a truck. I did get to sit in the “Movin’ On” Kenworth, though the steering wheel was too big for me to be able to see anything over it. The scene where the truck is stolen while I sleep and I then have to wake up and try to blow the horn made me nervous because  “a bad guy” was driving and I knew the horn would be loud if I pulled it. Another time, Claude Akins, Frank Converse and I were acting like we were driving when we weren’t really moving at all. The truck was completely covered in a black drape and I could not believe the number of men physically shaking the truck to make it look like we were moving. I felt like I might mess up my lines or miss a cue because I was mesmerized by the logistics of it all.

Do you have other memories or stories of being on set or what it was like?

  • It is amazing how many memories I still have of being on set more than 40 years later. I remember I got to hold a kitten much of the time (the kitten was part of a segment in the episode). My dressing room was very “fancy”. There was food available anytime you wanted to eat and I had my very own director’s chair to sit in. I felt like a princess.
Alison Grooms, Claude Akins and Frank Converse

Alison Grooms, Claude Akins and Frank Converse

Did you do any acting afterward? Community Theater? Any wish that you had continued acting?

  • This opportunity led me to further jobs. I signed with several talent agencies and my jobs included national commercials, voice overs, and print ads – working with people like Peter Graves and Nancy Sullivan. Disney’s Mouseketeers wanted me but my parents decided against moving to California. I’m told they pursued me quite persistently. Imagine where that could have led! “Movin’ On” was an exciting start and my first great experience in acting. I am truly blessed to have been provided the opportunity.

If you have recently watched the episode, what do you think of it and yourself? What were your kids reactions?

  • It all came back to me. I even recall some things I said while filming that were not in the script. I was afraid I would get in trouble but my “ad-libs” ended up in the show. In one scene Claude Akins was carrying me, walking downtown, and I said, “It’s raining.” I said, “please” and “thank you” a few times when it was not in the script. My parents obviously taught me manners well. I also remember when I said the line, “Grits give me gas.” Everyone thought it was very funny but I did not understand. Mom had to explain the phrase to me. I recall the shower scene was confusing because I could not understand why I wasn’t really going to get a shower when people kept telling me to take a shower! My children were thrilled to see their five year-old Mom performing on a real TV show. And they especially like the memories I shared about the experience.
Alison

Alison

 

 

 

Valentine’s Day 2017

Valentine’s Day Sweets

Happy Valentine’s Day from Movin’ On!

The Movin’ On art department has been at work, yet again, to bring our fans something sweet.

We love you all! Enjoy this delicious Valentine’s Day confection.

Heart-shaped box of Movin' On themed sweets.

Box of Movin’ On goodies

Barry Weitz: A Day In Production on Movin’ On

Barry Weitz in the Kenworth cab

Barry Weitz in the Kenworth cab

In answer to a question posed in our Facebook page feature, “Ask Barry Weitz”, Barry laid out what a typical day might be like during production on Movin’ On:

Getting Up To Speed  –

Let’s say the production schedule is such that we have a day shoot…12 hours… relatively easy stuff… a couple of long dialogue scenes with Sonny and Will and then a rather complicated chase scene with our trucks. The director has rehearsed the dialogue with the actors that morning and made some script changes based on what the location suggests and what the other cast members can handle. I’ve watched the rehearsal, made some suggestions, and released the script supervisor to type up the changes and get them to the various cast and crewmembers. Keep in mind that most of the crew has only read the previous version of the script. They are ready to “rock and roll”, but after the changes we need to update the crew and get them on the same page with the director and actors. As it’s an early call, the caterers have put together breakfast for the cast and crew and we go off to the truck for a delicious burrito and coffee, and to get the rest of the cast and crew up-to-speed.

Non-stop Meetings –

Once final rehearsal and blocking of the morning dialogue scenes are done, shooting begins. When I’m satisfied that all’s going well, I’ll drive to the chase scene location. I’ll meet with the stunt coordinator, drivers, and additional production crew to see if the “chase scene” is ready for the director and cast when the morning’s work is completed and it’s time to move on. As we had a flawless crew, all would naturally be in order and the conversations and decisions of our earlier production meeting would be coming together like clockwork. Satisfied with the progress, I might drive back to the office and perhaps meet some of the local casting options that our 1st. Assistant Director has assembled. I’ll make necessary casting decisions, and then meet with the location people to discuss what the next week’s locations look like and what problems they may be encountering trying to get the right look for the next episode.

Then it’s time for a meeting with the Unit Production Manger for a review on how the costs of the episode are going. Happy with that conversation, and curious to know how shooting is going…. and not having the pleasure of cell phones… I’ll drive back to the location and watch the First Unit do their thing. I’m probably driving while First Unit is taking lunch, so I hope they put aside something for me.

Company Move –

After we wrap the dialogue scenes the whole company: actors, crew, makeup, props, costumes, catering, and craft services – all move on to the chase location, joining the stunt drivers and show trucks.

I love watching the drivers move our monster trucks around like sports cars. I’m fascinated how our gaffers, grips and camera people rig camera mounts and lights on our Kenworths and chase vehicles. And I’m always surprised to see the sound guy hidden in the sleeper in order to record Will’s and Sonny’s off the cuff dialogue that’s always heard so clearly in the final print. The stunt comes off beautifully. I’m thrilled and promise to buy a round of beer when we all return to the hotel later that day.

The Finish Line –

Back at the office (again), I call the editors in LA to check how the previous days dailies looked, and was there anything additional that we need to film to make a particular scene work. If so, I would get those notes to our director and production crew and schedule a time to have that work done. Finally, the department heads and I will have conversations about the next days work.

I’ll often eat in the office while on the phone to LA or talking to the department heads. If not, I may join one or more of the crew for a bite. In any case, we’ll gather at some watering hole later where I’ll make good on my promise to buy a round. We all raise a glass and toast another day of work well done!!!!

Then I crawl into bed!!!

Robb Mariani and Overdrive Magazine

I had written of Robb Mariani in a previous blog. Robb is the creator of American Trucker, a series that ran on the Speed Channel. In my September 2016 blog I described how, at his first trucking show, Barry had met Robb. Now Robb has written his version of not only meeting Barry, but of the historic nature of Brad Wike’s Southern Classic Truck Show itself. In his Overdrive Magazine article, Robb recounts how five legendary trucks, icons of movies and television, assembled for the first time ever on a hill in Lincolnton, NC. Now, and forevermore, that hill will be known as “Hollywood Hill”.

 

Here is Robb Mariani’s article, including photos and a video.

History made on ‘Hollywood hill’: The day five famous trucks from 1970s trucking movies, TV shows all got together

Merry Movin’ On Christmas

Movin' On Christmas Card 2016

Movin’ On Christmas Card 2016

 

Merry Christmas Movin’ On fans!

2016 has been a great year with many significant steps forward for our beloved TV show.

2016 Highlights

  • Movin’ On is now streaming on Hulu, Yahoo View, PROClassicTV.  Youtube is streaming four episodes with more being added regularly!
  • Movin’ On merchandise is available at our own Zazzle Store
  • The Movin’ On / In Tandem Museum is open in Wake Forest NC and has already attracted 200 visitors
  • Our Facebook page  continues to grow. We now have almost 3000 followers.
  • Barry Weitz attended his first Trucking Show this past summer and had a great time.
  • Barry and Mark were interviewed on Sirius/XM Radio on Freewheelin‘ and The Jay Thomas Show. Re-listen to them by accessing our blog posts
  • Movin’ On was featured in articles by Overdrive Magazine, It’s About TV, and Television Obscurities. You can find them on the blog page as well (except for The Overdrive article. That link will be posted soon)
  • Bill Bazen remains “Amazen”! He continues tracking down locations, fan photos and stories, and vintage Movin’ On newspaper clippings and posting them on the Official Historian Facebook page
  • And of course, Barry continues to publish his memories and random thoughts on Movin’ On. All of which can be read on this website’s Episode Guide.

Upcoming in 2017

I’m going to take a risk here. I’m going to break one of my rules because I’m so excited about Movin’ On’s future. I expect Producer approved DVDs of Movin’ On will finally be available in 2017. I also anticipate that the success of those DVDs will allow us to remaster In Tandem, Movin’ On’s TV movie pilot! If everything works out, we will be thrilled to present In Tandem to fans for the first time in over 40-years, at the quality you deserve.

We are also looking forward to new dramatic audio production of the classic shows. Some details are still to be worked out with our partner, Colonial Radio Theater, but if all goes as planned, fans, both old and new, will be downloading Movin’ On audio dramas and listening to them on the road in 2017. To be clear, these will be brand new productions of the existing episodes. That means new actors, sound effects, and except for Merle Haggard, new music. We hope truckers everywhere will enjoy content specially created with them in mind. I look forward to the day when a trucker can listen to Movin’ On at the wheel of his rig all day, then curl up comfortably in his sleeper at night and watch Movin’ On on DVD.

Because of Barry’s incredible experience and Brad Wike’s Southern Classic Truck Show, we are striving to arrange appearances for Barry and the Big Green Kenworth at a show or two in 2017. We are aiming for The ATHS National Convention in Des Moines, The Mid-Atlantic Truck Show in Louisville, and The Great American Trucking Show in Dallas. Maybe we’ll even make it back to Brad Wicke’s with the rig this time! Stay tuned for details.

Lastly, thanks to Bill, I’ve been in touch with a photographer in Astoria, OR who found a box of large format pictures he shot in 1974, when Movin’ On was in town. This means there are new, never before seen high quality images from the episodes filmed around Astoria. We are working to bring them to the fans.

That’s it for now. Barry, Bill, and Mark wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year.

 

Movin’ On Zazzle Shop

Tee-shirt with Movin' On Kenworth design by Bill Bazen

Movin’ On Kenworth design by Bill Bazen

– Movin’ On has opened a new Zazzle Shop –

Movin’ On has several new designs on hats, tee-shirts, kids apparel, and mugs! Click Movin’ On Zazzle Store to see “Amazen” Bill Bazen’s designed Movin’ On Kenworth products. We also have designs incorporating the Movin’ On Logo based on the Movin’ On belt buckle that was a gift from the producers to the film crew!

 

 

– New Movin’ On Caricature –

Kiddie Caricature designed by Movin' On art department and given to film crew as gifts

Kiddie Caricature designed by Movin’ On art department

Back in the day, one of the art department film crew created an original caricature of Sonny & Will and the big green Kenworth and silkscreened it on shirts! Those shirts were given out as gifts to the entire crew. It’s a very different caricature than the one we all know and love but is wonderful none-the-less. This one is very kid friendly. We call it the “Kiddie Caricature”. Using Barry’s 40-year old shirt as our guide, we have reproduced the “Kiddie Caricature” on children’s apparel and offer it for sale at Movin’ On’s Zazzle Store!

Barry Weitz at The Movin’ On Museum –

The Movin' On Museum Banner

Barry’s Emotional Visit To The Movin’ On Museum

Barry visited The Movin’ On Museum that Bill Bazen opened recently. The Museum is located at 14917 Creedmore Rd. Wake Forest, NC 27587. It is open Saturdays from 12 pm to 3 pm and Monday – Friday by appointment. Sorry, we are closed Sunday. For appointments to visit the museum on a weekday please email MOVINONFAN@YAHOO.COM or call Bill at 919-282-2372 and leave a message.

A look inside the Movin' On Museum

A look inside the Movin’ On Museum

The extensive collection of Movin’ On items at the museum left Barry a little dazed. On the phone to me later in the day, Barry had a difficult time describing the emotions he experienced meeting Bill and finally realizing how deeply Movin’ On, his creation, touched people. Claude Akins had once told Barry that his part as Sheriff Lobo was a job, done for a paycheck; his role as Sonny Pruitt was for love, he’d have done it for nothing! At the Museum, Barry saw a letter Claude had written repeating the same story.

Barry is used to actors saying things like that. He believed Claude completely, but after all, Claude was in show biz. At the Movin’ On Museum, and earlier in the week at The Great Southern Truck Show, Barry was hearing from people – regular people who had been touched by his program. It’s a unique experience for a Producer to be told things like, “What you did was what made me want to be a trucker,” and “Your show made me proud that my Daddy was a trucker.”

Barry was deeply affected by what he saw and heard in North Carolina. Describing it to me he used the words inspirational, touching, tickled. Barry spoke of getting a little “weepy” when he touched items that he hadn’t seen in over 40-years.

Barry Wietz and Bill Bazen

Barry Wietz and Bill Bazen

I don’t expect you will get weepy when you visit the museum. Maybe only the baby’s father feels that way. But, if Movin’ On reminds you of family, pride, and long ago good times, perhaps you will have to fight back one or two tears.