Part of this complete Breakfast! - The Stars Of Metro Goldwyn Mayer

sunbeam_bears

November 13th, 2:21

We had one of the most unusual evenings ever. We and 2 other neighbors went to Lyon's Grill in the Cabaret room for "An Evening with Micky Rooney". We arrived early and things went down hill from there.
When they started seating everyone to preassigned tables, we were led to the last table in the back of the room. It was a booth that seats four. It was set for 9. Others arrived cramming themselves in next to us. One a female Canadian film buff w/ camera in hand, a couple from London with Cockney accents, a midwest couple with a star struck wife. When Margret O'Brien was spotted entering the dining room, we all had to take turns turning around to look, as it was too cramped for everyone to turn around at once. Then we all took turns turning back around to face our place settings. Margret O'Brien was part of the show we would later learn, and she was seated at a table up front.
We ordered food and drink, and they started serving immediately. Half way through our salads the main course arrived. Plates knocked against each other, B&B plates removed to make room. That's when after only a few minutes dessert arrived. Dessert was placed around what little room was left, and then the popovers arrived, and sat atop salt shakers, and au jus cups.
The waiters apologized at rushing us, but explained that the star wanted to start the show now. Our neighbor Dan was to be the opening act, and we figured his bit had been cut from the show. But Dan stepped into the spotlight, and started to sing.

After his first number, the audio was screwed up by one of the Cabaret staff, and Dan lost all his accompaniments. After several painful minutes, Dan was able to find one song that he didn't intend to use. Dan then introduced the Host of the event, a tall man with the largest, most ill fitting toupee we had ever seen. I forget his name, but he had just driven Mickey Rooney, and staff for 4 hours in horrid traffic to get to this gig. He told us so. He was very good at keeping the evening on track, when it never actually was.
He introduced Margret O'Brien, and showed clips from her movies.
Then they brought out Mickey.
They showed a clip of his movies, and then had a Q&A session. Margret decided to intervene, and made mention of what a wonderful, caring man Mickey is...7 times over the course of the evening. I wanted to intervene, and say, "Thank you Miss O'Brien, but we got that on the first take."
Mickey had had enough of being in the spotlight, and decided to leave the room. Honestly, the poor man really didn't want to be there. Actually he really had to go to the bathroom, and quickly. I know this because our neighbor took a bathroom break at the same time. I went outside for a cigarette, as the entire show had ground to a complete halt. Did I mention they were filming this?
While I was outside, our neighbor Dan was asked by the big wig to sing another song. Dan's reply? " Oh God no." Meanwhile my neighbor James, who had been in the bathroom with Mr. Rooney came out to join me and stated that the Gents room stunk to high heaven, and it came from the stall the MGM star was in. Inside, Mr. Rooney was brought back into the Cabaret to say goodnight. John relayed later that it was painful to watch, as Mr. Rooney seemed to have lost his ability to speak... and they kept the microphone on him as he struggled.
I was still outside, and motioned to James that I was going back in, and I opened the door. Standing right there was Mickey Rooney! He smiled at me, as I held the door open while his son helped him out.
Back at the table, John was telling us about what happened, when Dan came over to chat with us. The International, and midwest couples were agog that we knew the opening act. "What a disaster this has been, and that fucking song machine broke." I suggested to Dan that he might need a drink. James and Odessa were coming over to our house, and would he like to join us? He declined saying that he was tired, and had to break down his sound equipment, and had to get home and give Cheetah his diabetes shot.

Source: http://sunbeam-bears.livejournal.com/455518.html

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