Just when you thought things were going smoother here with the U.S. Postal Service, we learn this: The Chicago Hilton & Towers got mail delivered the other day that was postmarked this month–but upon closer inspection, it was found to have been sent Aug. 27, 1960. The envelope contains a customer satisfaction survey mailed to Conrad Hilton, who used the Chicago hotel as his headquarters until his death in 1979. It’s from a Chicago woman, Helen McBride, who stayed in the now defunct Statler Hilton Hotel in New York.
McBride was satisfied with the service, but wrote a personal note that included this complaint: While shopping in a hotel china store, she was “unnecessarily insulted” by a clerk because she is African-American. Hilton & Towers PR director Robert Allegrini, who received the 38-year-old letter, told us his research showed that the shop was leased by an outside firm. Allegrini also managed to contact McBride, who is alive and living in Chicago. She confirmed everything and also was puzzled why the mail took so long to be delivered. “This is really an incredible peek into history,” he said. The note–and survey–are headed into the hotel’s archives. Bob also was happy to learn McBride continued staying at Hilton hotels despite the incident.
Monster mash: Rights for “Godzilla,” fading fast at the box office these days, have been picked up by NBC for nearly $25 mil. But if you’re anxious to see it, head to the theater–it isn’t expected to be broadcast until 2001.
What a kick: David Carradine, who has kept “Kung Fu” on film and TV for the past 28 years, announced Monday from Planet Hollywood’s stage here that he was feeling no pain. Forget the root canal, etc. the day before. Carradine, sporting a black fedora, credited his painless state to tai chi and chi kung (two videos he just happened to be promoting). “I’m not good at making speeches, just good at making moves,” Carradine told a crowd of pint-sized fans, before explaining these days he was into “internal kung fu . . . not just kicking and punching.” Fresh from a trip to China where he worked on a martial arts documentary and opening this week with his band in L.A., he says he’s amazed by the enduring popularity of his “Kung Fu” films–“I just thought it was a great part–this half Chinese guy walking across the West without a gun.” His favorite acting role? “Playing Woody Guthrie” in “Bound for Glory.”
Airwaves: We hear TV’s “NewsRadio” team was busy in L.A. Monday trying to determine the NBC sitcom’s future following last week’s death of star Phil “Bill McNeal” Hartman.
Wheels away: Here’s something for the CTA memory books. The driver of a northbound LaSalle 156 CTA bus Monday made a wrong turn onto Clark Street from LaSalle instead of swinging east to Stockton Drive. By the time the bus got to Armitage, passengers were starting to freak. The driver had to ask directions before cutting through Lincoln Park to find the route.
Passages: Tuesday birthdays: Diana Canova, 46; Charles Haid, 54; Marvin Hamlisch, 54; Stacy Keach, 57; Sally Kellerman, 61; Jerry Mathers, 50; Charlie Watts, 57.
Update: Good to hear Gene Siskel returned– via telephone–to last week’s “Siskel & Ebert” show. A spokesman for Siskel, who underwent surgery for removal of a growth in the brain nearly three weeks ago, told us the movie critic is in “good form” and resting at an undisclosed location.
EAVESDROPPING
“She is the dominant personality now, and you’re going to see her showing off a lot more at concerts.” New York Post sources on Scary (Melanie Brown) Spice’s heir-apparent status in the Spice Girls thanks to Ginger (Geri Halliwell) Spice’s recent departure.
