Michael McNamara was a "Equilibrist" who had placed 2nd on Ted Mack's Amateur Hour Talent Show at age 11. He was from Crown Point, RFD, Ironville, New York. He had learned his field from an artist with the county fair. When asked, Michael said an old guy taught me. When pressed by Gary Moore, he said that the guy was about 30. You could hear the groans among the panel.
Michael was scheduled to appear on the Steel Pier at Atlantic City during the Memorial Day Break from college. He had already appeared in major venues in Los Angeles, Chicago, Minneapolis and New York. He appeared twice on "I've Got A Secret", at age 13 and again at age 15, and both times charmed and stumped the panel. Michael balanced his entire body on one finger.
Crown Point Bridge over Lake Champlain, Crown Point has a population of about 2400 in 2020
Revolutionary War US Fort at Crown Point
Unfortunately, Michael never had a chance to display his unique talent as an adult.
"Michael and a friend, Paul Frolich, also a student at St. Procopius College, were walking at the side of the road in Naperville, Illinois when an approaching car went out of control. Michael immediately pushed his friend out of the way, just in time, saving his life. Unfortunately, because of this decision, Michael received the full force of impact from the careening automobile. He sustained a shattered skull and two fractures of his right leg as he was slammed against a brick wall. He remained in a coma until he died after 8 days in the intensive care unit."
"Michael and a friend, Paul Frolich, also a student at St. Procopius College, were walking at the side of the road in Naperville, Illinois when an approaching car went out of control. Michael immediately pushed his friend out of the way, just in time, saving his life. Unfortunately, because of this decision, Michael received the full force of impact from the careening automobile. He sustained a shattered skull and two fractures of his right leg as he was slammed against a brick wall. He remained in a coma until he died after 8 days in the intensive care unit."
From the local Naperville Newspaper:
Junior Michael McNamara Sustains
Fatal Injuries in Automobile Accident
St. Procopius College Naperville Illinois
Maple Drive near Four Lakes the site of the drunk driver caused accident which took Michael's life.
An automobile accident ended the life of
junior Michael McNamara on Dec. 8, 1967.
He and junior Paul Froehle were walking
along Maple Avenue near Four Lakes on
Dec. 1 when a car skidded out of control and
hit them. Paul sustained a compound leg
fracture, but Mike suffered severe head in-
juries and died a week later in Naperville's
Edward Hospital. He was 21 years old.
Edward Hospital Naperville Il in the 1960's, where Michael died.
A transfer student from Assumption Junior
College in Richardson, N.D., Mike had at-
tended Crown Point Central High School in
his hometown of Crown Point, N. Y. He had
planned to teach French and physical educa-
tion on the high school level after college.
Mike was a professional acrobat and equili-
brist. When he was five years old, Mike, his
brother and sister formed a novelty act
known as the Aero-Macs. They performed
acrobatics at high schools and county fairs,
and for several years tliey appeared on a
New York television program "The Teenage
Bam."
Michael McNamara on the Ted Mack Amateur Hour
He finished second on a "Ted Mack Ama-
teur Hour" show in 1958. He has also ap-
peared twice on "I've Got a Secret," once in
1960 and again in 1965. Both times, his secret
concerned his acrobatic talent.
He saved his friend's life at the cost of his own. Michael knew the real definition of friendship: he lived it and was willing to die for it. But more than that, the impact of losing such a accomplished young man, because few have had more promise than Michael did, made the pain of losing him all the worse. He was a member of the generation which went to war in Vietnam. His sacrifice was as honorable as any soldier's, because he chose to do the right thing for the right reason. His parents and his brother and sister, rightfully, should be proud of Michael, who was a real hero.
He lies buried in a grave in Torrington, Connecticut
Michael McNamara Section #22 St Andrew Lot 34 Grave #1
New St Francis Cemetery
863 S Main Street
Torrington, Connecticut 06790
Saint Francis Cemetery
Catholic Cemeteries Association
Archdiocese of Hartford
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPZRAJiqJTk
I spoke to Arlene Francis and Martin Gabel's son, Peter, and told him that the thing that struck me from watching his mother and father, as well as, Benett Cerf, John Daly and Dorothy Kilgallen was how nice they were and that you could tell that they were truly pulling for contestants to win. When Peter and Benett Cerf's son, Jonathan, appeared you could tell how proud each of the panelists and John Daly, the host, were of the boys and their success as editors of the Harvard Lampoon(Peter went to Deerfield prep, Johnny Gunther's Alma Mater). Many people credit Peter and Jonathan for laying the foundation for the talent and ambience which helped create The National Lampoon.
And I told Peter that I had come to the conclusion that we were much nicer people then. Peter agreed.
Nowadays, the only thing that matters is winning, back then people mattered too.
Back Row to Front: Comedian Fred Allen, Journalist Dorothy Kilgallen, Host and Newsman John Daly, Actress and TV Host Arlene Francis Gabel and Bennett Cerf.
I stumbled across the movie Searching for Bobby Fischer online, the best movie ever made about chess, according to Roger Ebert. Roger gave it four stars, his highest rating. Something with which I totally agree. Three footnotes that people sometimes don't know about the film. Real Life Chess Champion Max Pomeranc played Josh Waitzkin the real life hero of the story. But Chess World Champion Bobby Fischer did not like the movie. He can be forgiven, life as a child genius and chess champion was difficult and lonely, Bobby would develop mental illness as an adult.
Michael Nirenberg played Josh/Max's opponent in the championship at the end of the movie. Of course, Josh/Max wins. But there is a poignant epilogue. The movie's producers and director heard that Michael was dying and cast him as Josh's opponent. Max and Michael knew each other and played each other in chess before the movie and were friends. Michael died of cancer December 4, 1996 at the age of 13-years-old, a couple of years after the film was released. I have included a video of Bobby on the 1950's game show, I've Got a Secret. He won a free trip to Moscow to play in the World Championship. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otg85v4KJvM
Michael Nirenberg shortly before he died
Bobby when he started winning and became US Champ
Max Pomeranc plays against the real Josh Waitzkin in a NYC Public Park
Chess teacher Bruce Pandolfini
Josh and his Dad
"And I told Peter that I had come to the conclusion that we were much nicer people then." And classier.
ReplyDeleteThat's why I enjoy watching re-runs of these old game shows. They had fun. It wasn't about money or winning. I noticed these things when I watched them at age five in the mid 1950s. The panelists were highly educated and accomplished. It showed.
I watched tonight, September 5, when the cast of What's My Line eulogized Fred Allen who had died suddenly the day before. Very moving. After watching I've Got a Secret, I googled guest Michael McNamara to see how his life turned out. Tragically as it turned out. Thanks for posting the informations.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI was looking for information on Michael when I came across your article. My Stepfather is Paul, the friend that was walking with Michael when a drunk driver hit them. His name is Paul Froehle, not as it is spelled in the article but nevertheless I was curious about the accident and I'm glad to run across the Youtube videos and this article. Thanks.
I watched the video of Michael and you got a sense that he was a good kid. I couldn't find anything about him anywhere on the internet, so I did some serious research and found the news story. He was a real hero and deserves to be remembered, if in some small way I gave him that then I have done something right and good. I'll never forget you, pal. Nor, will anyone who knew you. They will miss you, their friend, every day of their lives. And that is the highest complement one human being can pay another.
ReplyDeleteBrian
You definitely notice that the panel and host are not loud and talking over one another as in todays shows. I love hearing Arlene speak. Such a great voice and so pretty. I enjoy all the YouTube clips from What's My Line. It was a kinder more gentle time.
ReplyDelete