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A Friendship: The Letters of Dan Rowan and John D. MacDonald 1967-1974
Gathers letters written between Dan Rowan, the popular TV comedian, and John D. MacDonald, the mystery writer, and provides a behind-the-scenes look at network television
- GenresBiographyNonfiction
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1986
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 14, 2014
Friendships are valuable in so many ways and it’s surprising who readers might discover are friends.
Anytime I see anything with John D. MacDonald’s name, it’s mine. This was a great thrift shop find.
John D. MacDonald
JDM is my hero and has been for my entire adult life reading the Travis McGee series in my early 20’s.
Being of that age, I watched the TV program “Laugh-In” along with the rest of America as “Sock it to me,” “You bet your sweet bippy” and "Look that up in your Funk and Wagnalls!” became catch phrases for water cooler talk and laughter.
Dan Rowan and partner Dick Martin had been a comedy duo for 20 years when “Laugh-In” was created. At the time they weren't household names since they played mostly in Las Vegas, NYC, Miami and the larger venues in the U.S.
Dan Rowan as a Young Man
Goldie Hawn got her start on “Laugh In” along with Ruth Buzzi, Flip Wilson, Judy Carne, Henry Gibson and Dave Madden who died just this past January in Jacksonville, FL. (Madden later played the manager of The Partridge Family.)
“Laugh-In” ran from Jan-’68 to March-’73 on NBC and was similar to the “The Smothers Brothers” in part because it was so irreverent. (The Smothers Brothers ran from ‘67-’69 on CBS. All four stars, the Smothers, Martin and Rowan all had a difficult time getting past censors on many of their subjects, lines and sketches.
Everyone knows I’m a huge fan of Travis McGee and of course, his creator John D. MacDonald. I've read many articles about JDM but I never knew of his friendship with Dan Rowan.
Unbeknownst to JDM, Dan Rowan was a keen fan of Travis McGee going so far as to stop by what he thought was Bahia Mar Marina looking for the “Busted Flush.” Rowan mentioned his love of the series to his friends Erskine and Virginia Caldwell who were also friends of MacDonald and his wife, Dorothy. Virginia Caldwell wrote the JDM a letter of introduction to his unknown admirer, Dan Rowan.
That first letter to JDM (in the summer of ’67) from Dan Rowan began a seven-year friendship by phone, letter and in person. In his first letter to JDM, Rowan said “I simply wanted to be like him (Travis McGee), to have all those qualities and by associations be admired.”
At the time “Darker Than Amber” was in the early stages of a movie and Rowan, in that same letter, offered his opinion on Chuck Connors playing Travis. Speaking of Connors Rowan said “He is a typical Hollywood choice, you see. They only see the exterior and Trav is a big guy and Connors is a big guy, so there you are.” Rod Taylor eventually landed the role. In a review Roger Ebert said “…it’s a surprising good movie.” (Unfortunately, I haven’t seen it yet but I will.)
At the time Dan Rowan was married to 26 year old Australian model Adriana Van Ballegooyen and it was his second marriage and the two couples became friends enjoying each other’s company in southwest Florida and even meeting in countries outside the U. S.
They had much in common including their politics, concern for the environment, health, racism and humor to name a few of the topics of their letters. They had a great discussion of the 1968 Democratic Convention held in Chicago. Yes, that one.
Eventually the Rowans purchased property south of JDM, in part, to be nearby their friends.
The two exchanged requested advice and suggestions, JDM on Laugh-In and Rowan on the minefields of going Hollywood with producers, screen writers and those decision makers when I book is readied to be made into a movie.
Rowan, having time on his hands in Las Vegas, wrote to JDM that he hates the losing money but…JDM writes back in Meyer’s voice and I'm paraphrasing ‘after consulting with Meyer about your displeasure of your gambling knowing you’re eventually going to lose, he had this to say and believe me, Dan, I’m paraphrasing.’ JDM then went on to give some thoughtful and philosophical advice which, to those of us who read Travis, are familiar with.
The end of their relationship came with the divorce of Rowan from Adriana. As many of us know, sometimes divorce or even a boyfriend/girlfriend breakup can have a ripple effect on others around and connected to the couple.
Apparently the MacDonalds had a relationship with Adriana apart from Dan even asking confidential questions. And Rowan and JDM had a huge difference in how a wife plays in a marriage Rowan expecting the “traditional” 1950’s housewife mate rather than JDM’s expressed opinion to Dan that “…yearning for a willing, dependent, compliant girl-wife seems to me to be an adolescent dream.”
It did turn out to be a messy divorce.
A mutual friend in Manasota Key where Rowan had built his house, contacted both men asking if they would have lunch with him and at that time, a new friendship albeit lacking the previous total trust and admiration of the two men began once again. JDM states in his forward “Dan took the initiative.” (Rowan also wrote a forward.)
I loved this book but I love JDM and now Dan Rowan. Gratefully they were able to mend somewhat, their friendship since the book was published in 1986 and JDM died dec 28 1986. Dan Rowan died the following year, September 22, 1987.
This book isn't for everyone but if you have any interest in how friendships develop, mature then fall apart, pick this one up. I have a particular fondness for books in diary form and/or personal letter. And I loved this book giving me such personal insight to both of these similar but very different people.
A few interesting thoughts:
JDM was fond of saying any friend of Travis is a friend of mine and said that early on to Rowan in his letters.
Rowan ended most of his letters with the word “Peace” which I thought was ‘telling’ in its own way.
Never seen Laugh-In? President Nixon was on this segment. Goldie Hawn, the regulars. Laugh-In 1968 At Rowan's request JDM gave him his honest opinion of the show sometimes in detail as to what worked and what fell flat. Much of the time Rowan agreed.
Rowan sailed with two fellow sailors (no motors aboard) from southern California to Hawaii which was an adventurous trip at the time and I would guess, still is.
From “Wiki” about Dan Rowan: In WWII “He flew Curtiss P-40 Warhawk fighters and shot down two Japanese aircraft before he was downed and seriously wounded over New Guinea. His military decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal, and the Purple Heart.” Pretty impressive, I think.
Again from “Wiki” about JDM: In WWII: “In 1940, MacDonald accepted a direct commission as a First Lieutenant in the Army Ordnance Corps. He later served in the OSS in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations during World War II. He was discharged in September 1945 as a Lieutenant Colonel.”
Heroes to me, both.
Anytime I see anything with John D. MacDonald’s name, it’s mine. This was a great thrift shop find.
John D. MacDonald
JDM is my hero and has been for my entire adult life reading the Travis McGee series in my early 20’s.
Being of that age, I watched the TV program “Laugh-In” along with the rest of America as “Sock it to me,” “You bet your sweet bippy” and "Look that up in your Funk and Wagnalls!” became catch phrases for water cooler talk and laughter.
Dan Rowan and partner Dick Martin had been a comedy duo for 20 years when “Laugh-In” was created. At the time they weren't household names since they played mostly in Las Vegas, NYC, Miami and the larger venues in the U.S.
Dan Rowan as a Young Man
Goldie Hawn got her start on “Laugh In” along with Ruth Buzzi, Flip Wilson, Judy Carne, Henry Gibson and Dave Madden who died just this past January in Jacksonville, FL. (Madden later played the manager of The Partridge Family.)
“Laugh-In” ran from Jan-’68 to March-’73 on NBC and was similar to the “The Smothers Brothers” in part because it was so irreverent. (The Smothers Brothers ran from ‘67-’69 on CBS. All four stars, the Smothers, Martin and Rowan all had a difficult time getting past censors on many of their subjects, lines and sketches.
Everyone knows I’m a huge fan of Travis McGee and of course, his creator John D. MacDonald. I've read many articles about JDM but I never knew of his friendship with Dan Rowan.
Unbeknownst to JDM, Dan Rowan was a keen fan of Travis McGee going so far as to stop by what he thought was Bahia Mar Marina looking for the “Busted Flush.” Rowan mentioned his love of the series to his friends Erskine and Virginia Caldwell who were also friends of MacDonald and his wife, Dorothy. Virginia Caldwell wrote the JDM a letter of introduction to his unknown admirer, Dan Rowan.
That first letter to JDM (in the summer of ’67) from Dan Rowan began a seven-year friendship by phone, letter and in person. In his first letter to JDM, Rowan said “I simply wanted to be like him (Travis McGee), to have all those qualities and by associations be admired.”
At the time “Darker Than Amber” was in the early stages of a movie and Rowan, in that same letter, offered his opinion on Chuck Connors playing Travis. Speaking of Connors Rowan said “He is a typical Hollywood choice, you see. They only see the exterior and Trav is a big guy and Connors is a big guy, so there you are.” Rod Taylor eventually landed the role. In a review Roger Ebert said “…it’s a surprising good movie.” (Unfortunately, I haven’t seen it yet but I will.)
At the time Dan Rowan was married to 26 year old Australian model Adriana Van Ballegooyen and it was his second marriage and the two couples became friends enjoying each other’s company in southwest Florida and even meeting in countries outside the U. S.
They had much in common including their politics, concern for the environment, health, racism and humor to name a few of the topics of their letters. They had a great discussion of the 1968 Democratic Convention held in Chicago. Yes, that one.
Eventually the Rowans purchased property south of JDM, in part, to be nearby their friends.
The two exchanged requested advice and suggestions, JDM on Laugh-In and Rowan on the minefields of going Hollywood with producers, screen writers and those decision makers when I book is readied to be made into a movie.
Rowan, having time on his hands in Las Vegas, wrote to JDM that he hates the losing money but…JDM writes back in Meyer’s voice and I'm paraphrasing ‘after consulting with Meyer about your displeasure of your gambling knowing you’re eventually going to lose, he had this to say and believe me, Dan, I’m paraphrasing.’ JDM then went on to give some thoughtful and philosophical advice which, to those of us who read Travis, are familiar with.
The end of their relationship came with the divorce of Rowan from Adriana. As many of us know, sometimes divorce or even a boyfriend/girlfriend breakup can have a ripple effect on others around and connected to the couple.
Apparently the MacDonalds had a relationship with Adriana apart from Dan even asking confidential questions. And Rowan and JDM had a huge difference in how a wife plays in a marriage Rowan expecting the “traditional” 1950’s housewife mate rather than JDM’s expressed opinion to Dan that “…yearning for a willing, dependent, compliant girl-wife seems to me to be an adolescent dream.”
It did turn out to be a messy divorce.
A mutual friend in Manasota Key where Rowan had built his house, contacted both men asking if they would have lunch with him and at that time, a new friendship albeit lacking the previous total trust and admiration of the two men began once again. JDM states in his forward “Dan took the initiative.” (Rowan also wrote a forward.)
I loved this book but I love JDM and now Dan Rowan. Gratefully they were able to mend somewhat, their friendship since the book was published in 1986 and JDM died dec 28 1986. Dan Rowan died the following year, September 22, 1987.
This book isn't for everyone but if you have any interest in how friendships develop, mature then fall apart, pick this one up. I have a particular fondness for books in diary form and/or personal letter. And I loved this book giving me such personal insight to both of these similar but very different people.
A few interesting thoughts:
JDM was fond of saying any friend of Travis is a friend of mine and said that early on to Rowan in his letters.
Rowan ended most of his letters with the word “Peace” which I thought was ‘telling’ in its own way.
Never seen Laugh-In? President Nixon was on this segment. Goldie Hawn, the regulars. Laugh-In 1968 At Rowan's request JDM gave him his honest opinion of the show sometimes in detail as to what worked and what fell flat. Much of the time Rowan agreed.
Rowan sailed with two fellow sailors (no motors aboard) from southern California to Hawaii which was an adventurous trip at the time and I would guess, still is.
From “Wiki” about Dan Rowan: In WWII “He flew Curtiss P-40 Warhawk fighters and shot down two Japanese aircraft before he was downed and seriously wounded over New Guinea. His military decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal, and the Purple Heart.” Pretty impressive, I think.
Again from “Wiki” about JDM: In WWII: “In 1940, MacDonald accepted a direct commission as a First Lieutenant in the Army Ordnance Corps. He later served in the OSS in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations during World War II. He was discharged in September 1945 as a Lieutenant Colonel.”
Heroes to me, both.
January 11, 2011
I adore this book. It shows a growing friendship/mentor-ship between two famous men, each of whom is seeking in each other experience and a different brush of fame. Although Dan Rowan comes off looking the worse in this book, John MacDonald's choices of tarring Rowan with the damnation brush during the failure of his marriage is hard to read.
Of a lover of the Travis McGee books and Laugh-In, this book is on my keeper shelf and will always remain. Brilliant!
Of a lover of the Travis McGee books and Laugh-In, this book is on my keeper shelf and will always remain. Brilliant!
November 17, 2014
No one could wander on this book, it is a destination. It may have been read by fans of John D. McDonald, a world famous mystery writer of the 70's and 80's with his "Travis McGee" character or by fans of Dan Rowan coconspirator of one of televisions finest variety-comedy shows of all time: Rowan and Martin's "Laugh-In". The book is titled "A Friendship" which turns out to be a perfect title. These two men corresponded in writing for nearly a decade and had a brutal truth to their friendship at a time when their careers were at a peak. I read this book because of my fondness for McDonald mysteries, but was given the book by a friend who had delved mush deeper than I would have. The book is simply structured by including the written letters, postcards and other correspondence between the two men and includes much constructive criticism, sharing of joy and occasional getaways with their wives. It includes their substantial health issues {both died young} and summarizes much of their lifestyle. It is an interesting and revealing look into the lives of two famous and succesful entertainers and also into the perils of that journey. Do not rush out and purchase this book, it only works if you have a vested interest into the lives of these two men and their unique friendhip.
July 27, 2016
A Friendship: The Letters of Dan Rowan and John D. MacDonald 1967-1974 by Dan Rowan and John D. MacDonald (Alfred A. Knopf 1986) (Biography). This is two-hundred-thirty-nine pages of collected correspondence between two entertainers trying to forge a friendship on paper by exchanging letters while each party was at the absolute top of their respective entertainment niche. Dan Rowan was a stand-up comedian and half of the television duo of “Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In” along with Dick Martin, and John D. MacDonald was the highly popular author of many thriller novels, most notably as the creator of the series starring private eye / Florida beach bum Travis McGee. It was interesting to observe Rowan and MacDonald search for common ground upon which to tread as pen pals. One can never have too many friends, I guess. My rating: 7/10, finished 7/26/16.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews