Mendie Koenig: Last of the East Side Kids
Actor Mendie Koenig holds the distinction of being one of the last surviving members of the East Side Kids! (Others in this lamentably endangered species include Johnny Duncan, with whom Mendie co-starred, and Eugene Francis, who played "Algie" in the earlier entries of the series).Mendie joined Leo Gorcey and the gang in 1945, on the strength of his convincing portrayal of a street tough in his debut film, "River Gang" (starring Gloria Jean). This was shortly before Leo and Huntz revamped the series into the Bowery Boys, dealing out producer Sam Katzman in favor of their own agent, Jan Grippo, for a bigger piece of the profit pie.
Incidentally, Mende was tipped to the part in "River Gang" from his pal, a former hairdresser turned cowboy star, named Alfred "Lash" LaRue! You can glimpse Lash on the receiving end of a knuckle sandwich served up by Mendie in the video clip below!
The following is a tribute to Mendie -- "Last of the East Side Gang" -- which was intended to play like an old Monogram Pictures trailer of the period. More with Mendie to follow!
posted by Background Bennie @ 1:42 PM
4 comments
4 Comments:
AMAZING!!
Our next door neighbour, a movie star... wowww
!!
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0462846/
check out this mad list goin on here
:]
THEY DON'T "MAKE 'EM LIKE MENDIE ANYMORE.
Mr. Keonig was the principal of Tarzana Elem. School back in the mid 70's. The was the best! I remember how he would alway walk the campus singing into his microphone on his hand held PA system.
I am a relative or Mendie's and I can tell you he was always a terrific cousin, father, and principal..loved by all. He was the most positive and motivating person I have ever met.
Sorry to report that Menie passed away early in January, this year 2013.
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