Harvey's Tom Dreesen home to sign new autobiography

BY PHILIP POTEMPA
ppotempa@nwitimes.com
219.852.4327 | Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Earlier this summer, I dedicated a couple of my blog columns in Shore magazine (which is also published by The Times) about our Harvey, Ill., comedy claim-to-fame Tom Dreesen and how he had finally written a joint autobiography with his former stage partner Tim Reid.

Well, after much anticipation, "Tim & Tom: An American Comedy in Black and White" ( 2008 University of Chicago Press $24.95), a 237-page paperback filled with photos, is finally out, and Dreesen is in and around Chicago this week to sign copies.

In fact, he'll even sing "Take me out to the Ball Game" at Wrigley Field for the Chicago Cubs game against the Milwaukee Brewers today.

He'll also be with Reid signing books at noon Thursday at the Borders on State Street and then head to Chicago's South Side to sign more books at 7:30 p.m. at Borders at 2210 W. 95th St., and then head to the Barnes and Noble, 47 E. Chicago Ave. in Naperville on Saturday for a 2:30 p.m. book signing.

You also can catch both Dreesen and Reid when they appear on David Letterman's talk show promoting the book on Sept. 23.

Dreesen and Reid were helped with their writing duties for this long-overdue book by Ron Rapoport, a sports columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times, who previously helped actress Betty Garrett pen her memoirs.

As I was reminded by so many readers, my previous columns teasing to the release of this new tome failed to share enough of the "juicy" details.

At the time of that last column, as I had explained, I had JUST received my advance review copy of the book, so I hadn't even had a chance to read all of it.

But ask, and you shall receive, so here's a more in-depth showcase of some of my favorite parts of the new book, in addition to its center section, which is filled with some great (and rare) photos.

Dreesen doesn't soft-soap what it was like growing up on Chicago's South Side.

"I was one of eight children living with alcoholic parents in a cold-water flat near the railroad tracks in Harvey, Ill.," he writes.

"We were raggedy-ass poor. To this day, some of my brothers and sisters can't talk about it."

He also gives credit to his Catholic faith for helping him with hope and determination to succeed. He details his 1968 return to his alma mater Ascension Catholic Elementary School in Harvey, as well as the moments in the spotlight playing at Chicago's famed club, Mr. Kelly's.

But he details that one of his biggest breaks came in 1975, the first time he sat on Johnny Carson's couch on "The Tonight Show."

"Sitting next to Johnny Carson, I would think it was as if God had said: 'Tommy, I'm going to put a load on you the first half of your life, a real load. But if you survive, the second half is on me,' " Dreesen writes.

Even though Dreesen and Reid parted ways to pursue solo careers, they teamed up for minireunion for a 1982 episode of Reid's popular sitcom "WKRP in Cincinnati."

But one of the most fascinating chapters of the book comes toward the end when Dreesen details his visit to Frank Sinatra's deathbed. Dreesen long had been Ol' Blue Eyes' opening act in Las Vegas and on tours around the country. He had grown up listening to Sinatra as far back as when he was still shining shoes in Harvey.

He also goes into great detail describing Sinatra's funeral at Good Shepherd Roman Catholic Church in Beverly Hills. Check out this who's who list of mourners who attended to pay their respects: Gregory Peck, Kirk Douglas, Sidney Poitier, Anthony Quinn, Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis, Tony Bennett, Liza Minnelli, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Steve Lawrence, Eydie Gorme, Diahann Carroll, Vic Damone, Milton Berle, Don Rickles, Jerry Lewis, Quincy Jones, Betty Garrett, Debbie Reynolds, Angie Dickinson, Ed McMahon, First Lady Nancy Reagan and all three of Sinatra's wives, past and present, Barbara Marx, Mia Farrow and Nancy Sinatra Sr.

Dreesen writes that as he approached the pulpit to say a few words, following the family's request, he thought to himself, "You did it to me again, boss," as he took a deep breath and began telling jokes once more to an audience who had not come to see him.

Now's the time to mark your calendar for Dreesen's visits back to Chicagoland for book signings and other events where you can cross his path.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at ppotempa@nwitimes.com or 219.852.4327.

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