STAN FREBERG HERE...Happy Birthday, Empire State Building!
Stan Freberg here. Well, New York's 102-story Empire State Building, for years the tallest building in the world, just turned 65. Hunh--doesn't look a day over 64. More, after this. [:60 SPOT BREAK]
Freberg here. Yes, the grand old lady of tall buildings just turned 65. Yes, she did. By the way, how come they always refer to buildings and ships as a "she", like, "She's leaning to starboard, mate"? Isn't that a little sexist? Oh, well, that's another commentary. Anyhow, I've stood on top of the Empire State Building, and she's really up there...there I go now!
Among the many things the building is noted for is the wonderful ending of the movie, "Sleepless In Seattle," where Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan finally get together on top of the building. Never mind that you can't really get up to the observation tower at night. And in the 50s, an airliner crashed into the side of the Empire State Building in the fog.
But its' biggest claim to fame is the classic movie, "King Kong," where the giant gorilla holds Fay Wray in his arms on top of the building. For its 65th birthday, Miss Wray was there on top of the building, along with other celebrities.
I appeared not long ago at a book signing with Fay Wray. We both had books out. I said to her, "Have you heard from your gorilla friend King Kong lately?" She stared blankly at me. I said, "I know, he doesn't write, he doesn't call..." She continued to stare at me.
Oh, well...Happy Birthday, Empire State Building!
Stan Freberg here.
Copyright (C)1996, Stan Freberg/Freberg, Ltd. (but not very) Distributed by Dick Brescia Associates and Radio Spirits, Inc.