Motion Pictures Norm Grabowski: "Norm In The Movies" !!

THE LEGENDARY NORM GRABOWSKI IS known WorldWide as the "Father of the T-Bucket" with his iconic "Kookie Kar"...BUT, did you know how Norm's career as an Actor in both TV & Movies began ?

In this rare Interview we did a number of years ago at the KKOA Lead Sled in Salina, Norm told me how it all started, how he got into the Screen Extras Guild, and, how he went from being an "extra" to getting speaking roles & being cast as an Actor !​

As we all know Norm is battling some severe health issues at this time, and I wanted to let you hear this Special Interview...when Norm Grabowski was in his Prime ! Simply click-on here to Listen...and, ENJOY !​

Get Well, Norm ! We all love you and want to hear some more of your GREAT stories when you get back on your feet, my friend ! ​

Jonnie www.legends.thewwbc.net​

PS: If you've got a favorite Norm Movie or TV Story let us know !​

 

I watched this movie over Memorial day. Different to see Norm as young soldier.
May God restore his health.

 

1956 F100,

Yes, to watch him through those young years to his older time-frame is just very cool.

He's always been a true "people person" and loves to share stories !

Jonnie www.legends.thewwbc.net

 

Cool site Jonnie ... and best wishes to Norm.

 

Always great hearing these old stories and Norm is the consumate story teller. What a life he has led and hopefully he is on the mend. Thanks for the great addition to your series.

 

SAM 123, hotrod1940...

Thanks so much for the kind words !

Norm has always been an "on the go" kind of guy, and I hope he's around for a lot more "going" and can get through his current health problems...he's one of the true pioneers that has kept the Spirit of Hot Rodding alive for all these years.

And these stories tie-in with all of his history perfectly !
http://www.legends.thewwbc.net/gpage170.html

Jonnie www.legends.thewwbc.net

 

HUGE THANKS, Johnnie!




Though we tend to think of Norm "Woo-Woo" Grabowski first as a 'rodder
and the father of the trad T-bucket, Normie-Poo did enjoy quite an exten-
sive career of support roles in B-flicks and TV, mostly geared to teens. In
this 1960 lobby-card image, thanks to 3BTheater, Woo-Woo is momentarily
decked and rendered speechless by the sheer pulchritude of bombshell
Mamie VanDoren. This wacky teen-sploitation flick was apparently gen-
erated during a scriptwriters' strike, though a disparate (sometimes out-
right desperate!) cast included the likes of horror stars John Carradine and
Vampira, with a young Martin Milner, Conway Twitty (!) and Jackie Coogan
tossed into the mix!


Keep on the mend there, Woo Woo!

 

Kool!

 

First time I saw him was in a TV detective series, "Peter Gunn," which featured Norm as one of the bad guys, the roadster was in it too, brief part, but maybe the start of his movie career

 

Norm didn't just do B moves. He stood alongside the King in a couple Elvis movies! Best wishes to him on his recovery. Aloha.

 

Here's a sampling from I.M.D.B. (the internet movie database)
Now you guys know what your doing this weekend right?
He's a national treasure
All our best Norm-

Actor (54 titles)
1981 The Cannonball Run
Petoski

1979 Fantasy Island (TV series)
Horsehead Harry
– Tattoo's Romance/Handy Man (1979) … Horsehead Harry

1978 Hooper
Hammerhead (as Norm Grabowski)

1975 Win, Place or Steal
Officer Sprivten

1974 The Towering Inferno
Flaker

1974 Herbie Rides Again
Security Guard #2

1973 The Naked Ape
Sargent

1972 Oh, Nurse! (TV movie)

1972 The Jimmy Stewart Show (TV series)
Police Sergeant
– Song of the Jailbird (1972) … Police Sergeant

1971 Love, American Style (TV series)
(segment "Love and the Wake-Up Girl")
– Love and the Detective/Love and the Guilty Conscience/Love and the Mixed Marriage/Love and the Wake-Up Girl (1971) … (segment "Love and the Wake-Up Girl")

1971 Nanny and the Professor (TV series)
Jack Dodge
– A Diller, a Dollar (1971) … Jack Dodge (as Narman Grabowski)

1966-1969 The Beverly Hillbillies (TV series)
First Mugger / Bernie
– Manhattan Hillbillies (1969) … First Mugger
– The Clampetts in New York (1969) … First Mugger
– The Cat Burglar (1966) … Bernie

1969 City Beneath the Sea (TV movie)
Irish' Shawn OReilly

1968 The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit
Truck Driver

1968 Mod Squad (TV series)
Norman Petree
– Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Starlet (1968) … Norman Petree

1968 Blackbeard's Ghost
Virgil

1967 The Second Hundred Years (TV series)
Frankie
– The Abominable Iceman (1967) … Frankie

1967 The Happiest Millionaire
Joe Turner (uncredited)

1967 The Monkees (TV series)
Butch
– The Wild Monkees (1967) … Butch

1967 The Gnome-Mobile
Male Nurse

1966 Batman (TV series)
Treble
– Barbecued Batman? (1966) … Treble
– The Minstrel's Shakedown (1966) … Treble

1966 Out of Sight
Huh!

1965-1966 Hank (TV series)
Padowski
– Rah, Rah, Commissar (1966) … Padowski
– The Ten Letterman (1966) … Padowski
– My Boyfriend, the Doctor (1965) … Padowski

1966 Run for Your Life (TV series)
Mickey Moose
– Hoodlums on Wheels (1966) … Mickey Moose

1965-1966 My Mother the Car (TV series)
Auto Wrecker / Police Officer / The Motorcycle Rider
– The Incredible Shrinking Car (1966) … The Motorcycle Rider
– I Remember Mama, Why Can't You Remember Me? (1966) … Police Officer
– Lassie, I Mean Mother, Come Home (1965) … Auto Wrecker

1965 Sergeant Dead Head
Air Policeman

1965 The Monkey's Uncle
Norman

1965 Girl Happy
'Wolf Call' O'Brien (uncredited)

1965 The Munsters (TV series)
Winthrop
– Love Locked Out (1965) … Winthrop

1964 Roustabout
Sam

1964 The Misadventures of Merlin Jones
Norman, Midvale Football Player

1963 The Wheeler Dealers
Delivery Boy (uncredited)

1963 The New Phil Silvers Show (TV series)
Grabowski
– The Little Old Gluemaker, Me! (1963) … Grabowski

1963 Going My Way (TV series)
The existentialist
– Run, Robin, Run (1963) … The existentialist

1963 Son of Flubber
Rutland Football Player #33 (uncredited)

1962 The Chapman Report
Beach Football Player (uncredited)

1962 Bachelor Father (TV series)
Carl
– Curfew Shall Not Ring Tonight (1962) … Carl

1962 Route 66 (TV series)
Georgie
– A Feat of Strength (1962) … Georgie

1962 Cain's Hundred (TV series)
Milt Grey
– The New Order (1962) … Milt Grey

1961 The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis (TV series)
Fast Freight McCurdy / Horse Bronkowski
– Crazylegs Gillis (1961) … Horse Bronkowski
– Will Success Spoil Dobie's Mother? (1961) … Fast Freight McCurdy

1961 My Three Sons (TV series)
Herman
– Instant Hate (1961) … Herman

1961 The McGonigle (TV movie)
Hammerhead

1961 The Honeymoon Machine
Max's Operator (uncredited)

1960 Sex Kittens Go to College
Woo Woo Grabowski (as Woo Woo Grabowski)

1960 College Confidential
Skippy (as Woo Woo Grabowski)

1959 Girls Town
Skin (as Grabowski)

1959 The Big Operator
Lou Green

1959 The Beat Generation
The Beat Beatnik (as Grabowski)

1959 Night of the Quarter Moon
Tough Punk (uncredited)

1958 The Perfect Furlough
Soldier in Hospital (uncredited)

1958 Torpedo Run
Sub Crewman (uncredited)

1958 The Naked and the Dead
Shipboard Soldier (uncredited)

1958 High School Confidential!
Flat Top (uncredited)

1958 The Young Lions
Private at Barracks Inspection (uncredited)

 

Great chronology, 5WCoupe! Goes to show how popular -- and versatile -- Norm has been in his career paths. From all I've read on the subject, Norm got lots of work for several reasons. He projected a readily recognizable, and thus bankable, image. Whether cast as a sidekick or a tough, his presence was a plus in any movie or show. Just as important was Norm's personality and work ethic. He was likeable and easy to work with, adaptable and reliable to show up for work without the vain antics of some "stars." (Alan Hale was the same way and got very steady work as almost a stock player in Errol Flynn's movies, remember?)

 

jimi...

You're so right ! And anyone who's had any personal contact with Norm know's that he's always been "the real deal" !

Funny thing about my meeting Norm was when I told him that I lived in Pasadena, and, Hollywood back in back between '62-'64 I was at Magoo's, Tiny Naylor's, and all of the rest of those cool SoCal hangouts/cruisin' spots.

Then, after I got into radio, from 1969-1972 is was at 50kw KAAY Radio in Little Rock. And, like Norm had lived in both SoCal & Arkansas !

And his cool stories about getting into Movies/TV tie-in with all of his history perfectly !
http://www.legends.thewwbc.net/gpage170.html

Thanks to all of you who've contributed to this thread...the reach of the H.A.M.B. is truly awesome !!

Jonnie www.legends.thewwbc.net

 

Right on, Johnnie. Life can be good, DESPITE the inevitable rough spots. Norm's living PROOF that some talent, HARD work, plus a tremendous sense of humor can take you a long, long way! It surely didn't hurt that Norm is a genuinely nice guy who just digs other people and wheels! God bless Woo-Woo AND you.

 

Norm's LAR membership card.
Did he ever show you how to "Whistle" with his mouth closed?????

 

Deuce Daddy Don,

YES ! That's one of Norm's cool tricks...and, he's got a million of 'em !!

Jonnie www.legends.thewwbc.net

 

One night after LAR club meeting we cruised over to where Norm was working at a bar & he performed that neat trick, back in the early 70's.

 

Bump.

 

Very cool!

 

Some years ago I saw him in High School Confidential, at least I was sure it was him but there was no credit for him. Thanks for clearing that up. I really like his movie rolls. If I remember right, in Hooper he's the one that put the helmet on his head and rammed the jukebox. Priceless! I wish I could have met him.

 

Yeah Man, nother good one gone but Never Forgotten!!

 

Always enjoy your posts Jonnie. aren't you glad you got to record Norm when you did? Very nice.

 

Man....... I just saw a post on Norm's passing.......RIP good Sir.

 

hugh, and, all my fellow HAMBERS...

Thanks, and yes, it was truly a real privilege to record Norm and become friends with him.

With Norm, what you saw was what you got...just an honest, fun, wonderful guy who was always a "people person" and so talented in his own right.

I called him the "Don Rickles" of the R&C Community because of his wild sense-of-humor, and ability to bring fun with him wherever he went.

Again, that's one of the reasons I created the concept of the HOF Legends Series...so that the voices of Norm, the late-Elden Titus, and all of the rest that are featured, could be heard both now, and in the future, by those who love their work today...and those in coming generations can learn from.

Again, R.I.P. Norm...you were a true "Original" in every sense of the word, and will be missed by all whose lives you've touched.

Jonnie

 

J.K.,thanx for posting up some of Norm's accomplishments, he had so many. When I met him at K.K.O.A. he was so ecxited about all the great customs at the event. When I was lucky enough to shake his hand and meet him, he say's, what a great show and a ton of cool customs, are you having a good time? It is a super sacred moment to me. ~sololobo~

 

He is one of our favorite Disney movie actors! Great all around guy! RIP Norm & prayers for your family.


Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad

 

SPECIAL NOTE TO ALL...
So many of you loved the Tribute Stories to Norm Grabowski that I began bringing back to honor the 4th Anniversary of Norm's passing away, and, many of you mentioned Norm's "Being in the Movies". So I've made a few updates & added info to that story, and wanted to share it again with you.

This is one of the longer stories that Norm & I did, and it's just so great to hear his voice and to hear that cool laugh of his, that if you've not heard it before it will give you a real glimpse into the really honest, fun-loving guy he was. And if you have heard it before, it will bring back some warm memories for you.

Here's the Direct Link that will take you there...relax, listen & enjoy "Norm In The Movies" :http://www.legends.thewwbc.net/gpage170.html

As always, if you've got a Norm story for us...bring it on !

Jonnie
www.legends.thewwbc.net

 

BTW: In this Interview Norm talks about having the top put on the "Kookie Kar" by Bill Colgan in Burbank. What some may not know, and some may not remember, is that's who Spence Murray took the R&C Dream Truck to. Colgan did the interior & the bed cover on the Dream Truck...and was an expert at getting things done right ! http://www.legends.thewwbc.net/gpage170.html
Jonnie
www.legends.thewwbc.net

 

Thanks ! for posting this, did not know of his career as an actor, I remember watching 77 SunSet Strip, just to see Kookie's car, Koolest T-Bucket ever and Cricket, WooHoo !

 

One TV show missed was a 1958 Peter Gunn episode "Sisters of the Friendless" where Norm drove the T pretty hard at the beginning. If you can find it, turn up the volume, 'cause that Caddy sounds really nasty!