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May 2007
Dear Paul,
I want to start by telling you that I grew
up very close to the Varsity Theater in Fort
Worth. You may remember that it was only a
few blocks from Poly Elementary and
William James Middle School. I remember
going to the theater and waiting in front
for candy to be passed out, and then if I
remember correctly the next week we would be
on TV somehow connected to SBT as part of
the intro for the week. What a wonderful
place it was to grow up in, and what magic
your father gave us as memories ! We also
went to the channel 11 studios for the
haunted house segments, it scared me to
pieces !! Until recently I didn't know that
your dad was the Dracula type character that
kept me scared of the dark for awhile. He
was good !!!! Last year some ladies
from the neighborhood put together a reunion
on the old elementary school grounds, these
were kids from the area dating back to the
60's and early 70's. There were between 50
and 60 people that showed up, another get
together is being planned for this year with
more involvement and we are hoping for a
turn out of between 60 to 100 people . These
are kids from back then , most have moved
away to different places, but when we find
one , it usually leads to another. Would
there be any way to get a life sized poster
of your dad ? I thought it would be a cool
thing to have at the entrance of the
reunion!! By the way, I always thought that
the Three Stooges were inside the Varsity
Theater with Icky Twerp.
Thanks,
George C.
Jan 2007
Dear Mr. Camfield,
I would like to thank you for your website.
I was born in 1960 at Harris Hospital, Fort
Worth, TX. I grew up in a small community
called Garden Acres south of Forth Worth,
north of Burleson. I watched Icky Twerp and
The Slam Bang Theater everyday while as a
pre-schooler and thereafter before catching
the school bus. The black and white images
of the three stooges, and your father with
his silly hat, the music and all...that was
my childhood, every morning. I am
presently a Chaplain with the State of
Texas. I work with individuals with mental
retardation and mental illness. I did a
google search a few months ago when a friend
at work passed away. We were always talking
about Mr. Peppermint, and our favorite, Icky
Twerp. Turned out that he too was a child
while living in Ft. Worth during the 1960's
too. I believe he was a resident at the Ft.
Worth State School at the time. My friend
was a resident at the State School where I
currently serve as a Chaplain. Although he
was limited in cognitive skills and
physical/mobility issues, your father's
television show had a large impact upon his
formative life, as it did for all of us kids
living in Fort Worth at the time. It served
as a point of "connection" and opportunity
for my ministering to him. Icky Twerp,
Harold Taft, Romper Room, or Bobby Wygant,
you had to be there to understand. KFJZ,
KXOL, KLIF, WBAP. Times have changed
so drastically and so rapidly that growing
up with Icky Twerp, black and white
television, wrestling on Saturday Night from
the Coliseum in North Ft. Worth... all seem
so distant, or perhaps I am just growing
old. Thanks for your website. Peace
be unto you.
Sincerely,
Timothy T.
Dec 2006
Dear Mr. Paul Camfield:
Please forgive me for sending this message
to you via email, but I do not have your
regular mail address. I am editor of
descant, the literary journal of Texas
Christian University . Recently, descant
reached its fiftieth year of publication,
and to celebrate we plan publish an
anthology of the best of descant, hopefully
to be issued by TCU Press in 2008. We would
like to include an essay by your father
titled father “Cricket from a Yellow Room.”
The essay appeared in the very first issue
of descant in the fall of 1956. I was hoping
you might grant us permission to publish
this essay in our anthology. I’ve attached a
Word file containing the essay. As you
may know, descant is a small literary
journal, and we have a very limited budget
for our planned anthology. Therefore, we
can’t pay for the essay, but we are able to
offer the anthology to you at a 40% discount
if you order directly from the TCU Press.
Having been involved in the TCU Creative
Writing Awards program for several years, I
know you have funded an award in your
father’s honor. I just want to take a moment
to thank you for funding that award and to
let you know how much that award means to
students at TCU. Again, Mr. Camfield,
thank you for considering my request.
Dave K.
Nov 2006
Hi,
Both my mom and dad grew up near Mineral
Wells. When we moved to Graford in 1960 I
became almost instantly addicted to Slam
Bang Theater although I thought it unfair
that Ajax should have to go home to a wife
dressed as a gorilla. Later after Skillet
Shewmake (old friend of my dad's) married
Bonnie she told me how she was Icky Twerp's
cousin I was very impressed. So do you have
any hats left and other stuff? Let me know
and I will try and get an order off.
Thanks,
Riley
PS: For the most part I grew up in Kansas
and whenever asked for my name, if I didn't
want to use my real one I always used Icky
Twerp. People would go, "Icky?" in disbelief
and I'd respond, "Old family name" prices
thanks etc
I received my tape of Volume I of Slam Bang
Theater. Let me say it has not only brought
back memories of my pre-school and first
grade years in Dallas, Texas, I found the
skits to be just as funny now as I did then!
Your dad's humor was ahead of his time and I
loved the way Icky Twerp got into all those
dilemmas. They were all good, but I
especially loved the ones where he kept
moving the films back and forth as his ape
friends moved the projector, and the skit
about the garbage can, and I loved the one
where he keeps trying to interview the
people on the street and the worker keeps
knocking them all out with the long board.
It is so refreshing to see that kind of
comedy again and will watch this tape over
and over again. Thank you so much for
bringing back such a memorable part of my
childhood! Merry Christmas to you!
David M. in Wingate, N.C.
November 2006
Paul,
I am a true fan of Slam Bang Theatre and
your dad, Icky Twerp. I was born in Nocona,
Texas in 1953 and raised in Bowie, Texas.
During my elementary school and junior high
years, I would rush home every afternoon to
watch SBT. I am also a true Three Stooges
fan. Please let me know if you have
any video tapes or DVD's from the old shows
and quote your prices. I am now a
resident of Mineral Wells and would love to
hear about your dad's time in this historic
city. Thanks for your assistance. Look
forward to hearing from you.
Ike M.
November 2006
Hi Paul:
I stumbled quite accidentally onto your
website while browsing through technical
company-stuff on the Boeing 737. Don't ask
me which link got me there, but somehow it
did. Needless to say, your site was much
more fun! I cannot even begin to tell you
about all the great childhood memories which
spontaneously came flooding back. It is no
exaggeration to say that your dad, may his
wonderful soul rest in eternal and
well-deserved peace, was a truly unique
person, and my childhood was better because
of him. Since I'm sure you're
busy with other things I'll keep this short.
I'd like you to know that I met your father
on two occasions: during a parade in
downtown Dallas and during a school
fieldtrip to the KTVT studios. Even though I
NEVER missed Slam-Bang theatre, ever, I
thought Mr Bill was even better in-person
than on TV. He was zany, funny, personable
and made sure each of the kids got some sort
of special personal attention. He was, in
other words, completely "for real" in his
talent at making children laugh and have
fun. Our current world could sure use
another Bill Camfield or another Icky Twerp
but in this age of computer-generated
everything , that's not likely. Too bad,
it's the world's loss.
Sincerely and Respectfully,
Doug M.
Oct 2006
Paul, I didn't move to Dallas until 1970 at
age 17. In high school, I would hear kids
refer to Icky Twerp, and though I didn't
know who or what that was, I had a visual of
a nerdy, bumbling, slapstick kind of
character. I did not know that the name
applied to your father's character. Your
website and history of your dad's
achievements are a delight to read, and sure
enough, my mental image of him matches the
pictures you have posted. Clearly he was a
genuine character, and by the manner in
which you write, a good dad. Best wishes to
you. By the way, your website was forwarded
to me by someone I knew in high school who
grew up with SBT. There were a lot of names
on that forwarded email, many of which
apparently grew up in this area. Your dad
left a warm, reassuring, and funny legacy.
Anyone should be so fortunate to have a
legacy like that.
Regards,
Jay S. in Arlington
Sept 2006
Hi, I am one of those kids from the sixties.
I just got an e-mail from one of my older
brothers about this web site. I am the
youngest girl of six brothers (yes –six
brothers) and one sister, but she was long
gone when I came around. I have fond
memories of every morning watching Slam Bang
Theatre with my brothers and I can’t forget
Icky’s goofy falls. I think my mom even took
us to visit the theatre once. Who knows,
can’t remember? Well, every time I watch The
Three Stooges I think of my brothers and
myself squeezed on a chaired in my parents
house. (Not all six-just two or three)
Lynn G.
Sept 2006
Hi Paul,
My name is Kathy and I stumbled onto your
site while I was looking for some nostalgia
that might be out there on the old days at
KTVT. I worked there in the 1970's as a
secretary to Clem Candelaria, Jack Berning &
Jim Terrell. Part of my job was to "type"
the upcoming week/month's TV schedule, and I
remember that I had to type endless pages of
old Charlie Chan, Thin Man, Sherlock Holmes
movies listings, as well as all of the old
re-run shows that we had on our lineup. I
remember Phil Crow who was there during the
time I was there also. In the time I
worked there we had many celebrities come
thru, which was always exciting, as you just
may get their autograph and pose with them
for a picture -- Vidal Sassoon, Mickey
Rooney and others came thru. I have a photo
of myself and another employee with
Mayberry's Ken Berry. Also we were known as
the independent ones (11) and I have a brass
belt buckle still in its box with that logo!
I left there in the middle of 1979 as my
family was moving to Longview, Texas and I
was sad to leave my friends behind as it was
one of the most exciting jobs I've ever had
as far as secretarial type jobs go!
Anyway, hope you enjoy this bit of going
back to yesteryear...I now live in Denton
and don't get to Fort Worth much at all,
just seems different now that the old
building is no longer there, sitting to
greet you at you passed it on the highway
going thru town. Just wondering if there are
any more old KTVT-ers out there and what
they are doing these days??? Take care
and drop me an email if you want to pick my
brain about some of the old days! Both
Clem & Phil were great guys!
Kathy M.
Sept 2006
Paul, we recently acquired a Japanese Beta
(fish) and went around and around to find a
name. One came to us from our childhood
memories and we came up with Ickey Twerp.
Ickey, short for the Greek work ‘iktus’
fish. And I said why not Ickey Twerp? And we
started have memories come back and looked
online and there the site was. Boy, what
memories that brings back! Thanks for
doing this for your dad and his fans.
Milt L. in Tulsa
Sept 2006
Hi Paul: I typed "Icky Twerp" into
Google and came up with your site. That just
goes to show you that even though I'm a
grown-up now, I haven't forgotten the work
your dad did back in the 50's and 60's.
My wife is not a boomer like me, but rather
a Generation X-er. So she doesn't understand
my love of The Three Stooges and Soupy
Sales. It really was a different time on TV
back then. And I loved Slam Bang Theater and
even felt that I "got" a lot of the goofy
jokes that were intended for the adults in
the audience. Your dad was way ahead of his
time. In some way, that show must have
inspired me to go into the TV business, too.
I worked at four stations in four different
markets before becoming an independent
producer in Austin. A lot of my sense of
humor must have been shaped by Icky and his
minions. I will always appreciate the many
hours of entertainment your dad provided
kids in the DFW area back then. Plus,
he was really scary as Gorgon. Watching
Nightmare with Frankenstein and the Wolfman
was fun. I don't like scary movies now- it
will never be the same. But as a kid on
Halloween, watching that on TV with the
lights off- that was the ultimate sort of
freaky joy. Thanks for your site. I'm
glad I found it and will order some videos
now (my wife still won't understand)...
SC in Austin
August 2006
Dear Paul,
Tonight, my 9yr old son and I were returning
from an evening fishing trip and he asked me
if I watched cartoons as a kid and which
ones were my favorites. It rekindled
memories of watching your dad a.k.a. Icky
Twerp. I got on the web and was so glad to
see someone else remembered it too. The
picture of your dad was just as I
remembered. My son enjoyed the pictured as
well. I wish I could tell your dad how much
I enjoyed the show each morning before
school. I also remember someone in a Gorilla
suit as well. Is this correct? Anyway, I'm
sure you are very proud of your dad for
putting a smile on many faces each morning.
Thanks for the wonderful trip down memory
lane.
August 2006
Paul,
I was 4 tp 5 years-old when I remember
seeing Slam Bang Theatre. I was so amazed
that a great show like that was coming from
just down the street. Every time I passed
the KTVT logo along the freeway, I knew Icky
Twerp was inside. While the show has faded
somewhat from my memory the Theme song never
does. Every time someone gets nostalgic for
the past, I top them with a rendition of the
theme song and thoughts of Icky Twerp.
Anyway, a couple of years ago I went looking
online and then again a few weeks ago I
decided that I had to have something that
would bring back the show. I found you
again. I never grew up. Thanks for the
info and for writing back.
Bobby
July 2006
Hi Paul,
My kids have grown up listening to me going
on and on about Icky and SBT and the 3
stooges. It was my introduction that adults
could be playful. What inventory do you have
left? I had to forward your page to all my
family (we were born from 1948-1958. Your
Father had Mr. Peppermint and Howdy by a
mile. Thank you for sharing with us. It made
me smile,My wife had just served a Friday
meal of Fish sticks and Tater tots, which as
good Catholics we had every Friday and I
said, all I need now is to sit at the TV
tray and watch SBT, so I searched and found
you. Thanks again,
Jim B.
May 2006
Mr. Camfield,
I hadn't even thought of SBT in years until
a recent reference on a local radio show, as
I was listening I heard them play the SBT
theme song, it did not register at first,
but the more I listened the more I realized
"I know this music" when the music ended the
DJ said those magic words that took me back
to my childhood, "that was the theme to Slam
Bang Theatre. Immediately, images of your
dad as "Icky Twerp" and his cast of
characters took their rightful place in my
memory banks. I was ecstatic; I had to share
this new found remembrance with my
co-workers who share my age range and grew
up 'round here and can remember back that
far. My dad and I would eat breakfast
together and watch SBT every morning before
it was time to go to school and time for him
to go to work. We lived fairly close to my
school and I would walk home each day at
lunch so that my dad and I could eat
together and watch "cartoon carnival"
I thought that "Icky Twerp" and my dad were
the coolest guys around. It is rare when you
find a man who is not afraid to let the
little kid in him come through. Your father
brightened the days for many children in my
generation and I just wish my own kids could
have had the privilege to watch good clean
programming as I did. If you still
have any of the T-shirts, preferably in a
xxxl, please e-mail me. In closing let
me say that I am very delighted that I found
this site and a missing piece of my
childhood puzzle. In memory of your father I
say Thank you.
Robert M. in Sherman, TX
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY! You don't know
how glad I am to have found your website!
Your father made a great show and I what I
can remember of it, I remember fondly! I am
41 and would love the opportunity to see
some old clips! I never dreamed it could be
possible! Do you think that Channel 11 has
anything in it's library? I see you offer
vhs tapes. I don't even have a vcr anymore!
Do you offer dvd's? Please let me know!
Thanks so much for putting up the website
and please please please get out any and all
footage you have!!! Awesome!
Dear Paul, I found the site by typing ICKY
TWERP KFJZ TV FORT WORTH into GOOGLE. I have
told my wife many times about the good times
my brother, my friends and I had watching
SLAM BANG THEATRE, so decided to see if I
could find anything about Icky on the web.
Glad I found it. Thanks for putting the info
on the web.
Joe
Hello Paul,
Great to see your website. What a blast from
the past! I grew up in Ft. Worth when your
Dad was on the air. Slam Bang Theater was
the most important part of our day! Loved
seeing his commercials too. Thanks in
advance.
Allan B., Supreme Icky Twerp fan and
displaced native Texan-Thomasville , GA
Just to let you know, I remember your Dad,
and his show. I was born in '65, and lived
in Richardson until '71 when we moved to
Austin, where I am to this day. I can still
recall the first full day in Austin, with no
Slam Bang Theatre. I vividly remember Slam
Bang Theatre, my kids think I am crazy, but
they just don't understand the way things
were back then; some crazy guy on TV doing
his best to crack up kids !! I still
remember the theme music, and your Dad's
antics; a bit of him lives in me, and the
way I am with my 4 young children !
John in Round Rock, Tx
Hi!
loved icky twerp and slam bang theater, but
nightmare scared the daylights outta me! i
would love a t shirt. what do i need to do?
send me an address and ill send you a check.
thanks!
debby l.
Mr. Camfield:
Greetings. My name is Michael. I live in
Grand Prairie, TX, where I grew up. I just
found your website and I remember watching
Slam Bang Theater when I was growing up.
Your father was already out of the show when
I was too young to remember him, but I want
to say that watching the show was one of the
best memories of my childhood.
Michael H.
Some emails from 2005....
My sister sent me an article about Bill and
I found your website. I was born in 1950 in
Ft Worth ...so I didn't miss a thing that
your father did...I was a big fan of
Nightmare...and had forgotten about Mortimer
Moolah it all comes back. Also we were
members of All Saints Episcopal Church ...
my dad was also on the vestry. I can
remember being very impressed when I saw
Bill Camfield around the church. I was
too shy to get his autograph though ... (I
may have shook his hand but I'm not sure).
Please send me info on your tape /DVD I want
one
Thanks
Ed H.
Mr. Camfield,
I was born in Dallas, Texas in 1957 and grew
up in Denton, Texas. Slam Bang Theater was a
must see program for my sister and I. We
enjoyed your dad's program very much. I
would like information on ordering the SBT
Video CD so we can relive those wonderful
memories.
Thank you,
Greg M.
Paul:
I was thrilled to see the article in the TCU
magazine about your dad. And then to find
this website was wonderful. It brings back a
lot of memories. I am a 1961 graduate
of TCU and part of the time I worked for
KFJZ Radio while I was going to school. I
was classmates with Phil and Clem and have
talked with them a couple of times since
graduation. I was thrilled to know your Dad
and I think I made one appearance on Slam
Bang Theater as a gorilla once, but I was
not a regular. I always got a smile from
Bill when I would see him in the halls of
the station on the South Freeway. I
was a weekend newsman and worked with the
likes of Porter Randall and Dave Naugle. For
the most part, however, I was the Continuity
Director for the radio station, writing
commercials and working in the same office
with the Traffic Manager, Mary Lynn Brush,
(Miss Mary Lynn) of Romper Room, who later
married Phil Crow. I left the station
when I was called into the military. After
my time was up, I returned to broadcasting
and worked in Galveston for a station owned
by Sid Wilson. Then to Lubbock for several
years and then Dallas with Channel 8 in the
late 60's and early 70's. In 1974, I was
offered the job of Sports Director with KOCO-TV
(ABC) in Oklahoma City and accepted for a
couple of years. I stayed 25 and retired in
1999. Thanks for the memories of your Dad.
He was one of the greats and will be
remembered with fondness for many years.
Jerry P.
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