t.tex's hexes: Slam Bang Retrospective Scoop

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Slam Bang Retrospective Scoop - Icky Twerp!!!

Slam Bang Theater returns to local television (and the internet) on Dallas iMedia Network for a retrospective weekend that will bring back memories of Dallas and Fort Worth during the formative years of today’s baby boomers. September 24 & 26, 2009, Dallas iMedia Youth Channel and the TCU Writing Scholarship will receive the proceeds from a weekend-long celebration that will feature:

*Slam Bang Theater documentary screening
*Slam Bang Theater cable television marathon
*60’s dance band
*a live interactive discussion about the early days of local children’s television programming with the stars that were there
*appearances from original Slam Bang cast members and other VIPs that grew up watching the show

Bill Camfield created the character Icky Twerp and the program Slam Bang Theater as a means to showcase local products or services. Early sponsors included Dr. Pepper Bottling Company, Borax and many others. Paul Camfield, Bill’s son, says his father entered the profession at a time when most of the programming was being created in house and his father’s talent as a writer served him very well. “My Dad and most of his co-workers had no idea they were creating lasting TV memories. They were just having a blast showing up for work each day.” Bill Camfield’s character Icky Twerp even enabled him to be invited to play a bit role in the last Three Stooges feature length film “The Outlaws is Coming” in 1965.

When Dallas Morning News reporter, Jacquielynn Floyd, published her list of the “Ten DFW Things That I Miss Most”, Slam Bang Theater was in the #1 spot. iMedia contacted Paul Camfield about collaborating with us and the SBT DFW Retro Weekend was born.

What: Slam Bang Theater DFW Retro Weekend

When: Thursday and Saturday, September 24 & 26, 2009

Where: September 24 – Dallas iMedia Network Studio - 7-8pm
September 26 – Scott Theater in Fort Worth - 10am–9pm

Why: Support Dallas iMedia Youth Channel, iMedia youth media literacy programs, and TCU Writing Scholarship

For more information contact :
Lisa Hembry at Dallas iMedia Network, 214-631-5571 ext 304 lhembry@dallasimedia.net

Slam Bang Theater Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=11432742735

IckyTwerp.net - The Bill Camfield Story: http://www.ickytwerp.net/

"Whether it was Slam Bang Theater, Nightmare, Million Dollar Matinee, Hoover the Hound, Binky & Belinda, Reveille, Home Town Harmony, or The Three Stooges, this site has some basic background information about my father's career and highlights from his years in television in the Fort Worth area from about 1955 until 1972. My hope is that this site will be a place that people who have been looking for information about my father's shows and other programs from the early days of KTVT history can come read and see some images from the past. On the "Fans Speak" page, I have imported comments and thoughts from the great fans who have emailed me about Dad's career and work. Click here to see what the fans have said in recent weeks and months. All materials I have used for this website come from the personal collection of my father. I inherited his entire archive when he passed away in 1991." --Paul Camfield

From Barry Kooda's personal collection, Icky thanking him "for the good, solid beat":

KTVT KFJZ TV Slam Bang Theater Opening Theme circa 1960

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tz5EoRtzJNk

Fort Worth's own Icky Twerp was our host of Slam Bang Theater. The pie thrown broke the plate glass window in front of the camera. This was NOT suppose to have happen. The beauty of live TV! Bill Camfield (Icky Twerp) was the reason the Three Stooges came back to popularity on TV. Thank you Mr. Twerp. More nostalgia at www.ickytwerp.net

ICKY TWERP FINE DINING

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdA6P4wdnBI