Jimmy Bangley Memorial
A Tribute to Jimmy Bangley
Jimmy Bangley (1956-2004)
On December 8, 2004, our friend Jimmy Bangley sadly passed away from our lives. He was returned to his family in Suffolk, Virginia to be interred next to his beloved grandmother. The memorial service the following January was a standing-room-only event. Since then, his friends have made donations to purchase a cenotaph niche at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. A place where we can visit and remember. Yesterday, that dream came true when more than 30 friends gathered at the cemetery’s Cathedral Mausoleum to unveil the decorated niche to his memory.
For those who did not know him, Jimmy Bangley was an accomplished actor, writer and film historian. He appeared in numerous plays both here in Los Angeles and his hometown in Virginia. His film credits included roles in the films Rollercoaster (1977), Lost in the Pershing Point Hotel (2000) and the Faye Dunaway short film, The Yellow Bird (2001). He also appeared in more than 200 television programs representing Hollywood memorabilia and film costumes since the early 1990s. Although his first love was acting, he was also a successful writer. He wrote numerous articles for Collecting magazine, Classic Images and Films of the Golden Age.
Over the years Jimmy waited tables, performed stand-up comedy and sold celebrity memorabilia. For a while he worked at the Writers Guild and spoke at the yearly Rudolph Valentino Memorial at Hollywood Forever. He was also working on a biography of the “Too beautiful” silent screen siren, Barbara La Marr, with his close friend Margaret Burk. Jimmy was multi-faceted and had his hands in many pies during his brief life.
For more about Jimmy, please click on CONTINUE READING…
The signature curtain covering Jimmy’s niche
Jimmy was unique; a one-of-a-kind. I know that’s said of many but with Jimmy it was true. Sometimes I think that Jimmy — at some point in his life — kissed the proverbial blarney stone. That boy could talk. He would walk up to perfect strangers and begin a conversation on what ever caught his eye (something that I was quite envious of) and always get a smile in return. I guess they realized he was something special.
Friends will remember his two minute (or longer) telephone messages – however long the voice mail would allow him to talk. And if he needed more time, he would call back. And then, just to make sure you knew who was calling, he would end it with, “Jimmy Bangley here.” Yes he was.
Jimmy and his idol, Bette Davis
Jimmy loved a good party and was invariably the center of them. He also loved his divas — besides La Marr, there was Marlene Dietrich, Joan Crawford, Mae Murray, and of course Barbra Streisand and Bette Davis. Jimmy worshipped Streisand and Davis. He knew and collected all their films; he memorized lines from their films and had all of Streisand’s albums. Whenever a new Streisand CD would premiere, we listened to it over and over and over — and if the song was good we would “crank it up” and play it again and again.
Fortunately Jimmy got a chance to meet Davis and Streisand before he passed. He was buried in the suit he wore when he met Streisand at a public event. That was fitting. He also took with him a cross given to him by Cher and he was wearing his trademark beret.
Jimmy loved visiting Hollywood Forever so it is appropriate that his cenotaph is there. During our visits he would talk to the ducks in the pond and serenade them as Marlene Dietrich. Every time they would gravitate to him, either fascinated by the sound of Marlene’s voice or maybe they sensed his charm. Jimmy had a great talent for impersonations — especially the divas he loved so well. Dietrich, Crawford (though his Crawford was more Faye Dunaway impersonating Crawford), Tallulah Bankhead, Mae West and of course, Streisand and Davis — he did them all and did them well.
Jimmy’s friend, Jim Shippee unveils the niche
Yesterday’s ceremony was a casual event. After the unveiling, everyone had the chance to view the niche and all the personal memorabilia that was Jimmy. It brought a smile to all that attended. He would have been happy that we toasted him with champagne, but would probably have preferred a Long Island Ice Tea.
Friends gather to remember Jimmy
Jimmy’s niche
Personally, I have and will continue to miss Jimmy. He was a funny, loving, intelligent friend. Later Jimmy.
There is no way that I could relate everything that was Jimmy Bangley. Please, if you want to share your own feelings, stories or whatever, about Jimmy, leave a comment below for others to enjoy. Thank you.
March 31st, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Not a day goes by when I don’t think about my dear, dear friend Jimmy. My life has never been the same since his untimely passing …
The last conversation I had with Jimmy was when I still worked at Hollywood Forever back in 2004. I was in charge of bringing the cremated remains of movie star Ann Sheridan to an appropriate resting place in the cemetery — after 37 years left abandoned and forgotten in a storage closet. Once I had actual possession of Miss Sheridan, I immediately called Jimmy. He said, “Oh, honey — you MUST remember this moment. You are part of Hollywood history now!” That was our Jimmy …
I am so sorry I was unable to attend this beautiful tribute and unveiling. God bless you Alan, Jim and everybody involved. I still have such a very difficult time accepting the fact that he is not here with us …
None of us had the opportunity to say good-bye to our beloved friend. When that thought becomes too painful to bear, I always try to remember that Jimmy and I never actually said good-bye to each other — in person, on the phone, anytime. Instead, I would always say “I love you” — and he would always reply “I love you more”.
Again, that was our Jimmy …
April 1st, 2008 at 10:18 am
Jimmy possessed special magic in his personality. He was someone you were always glad to see because he brought happiness to everyone around him.
April 1st, 2008 at 1:18 pm
What a sweet post Allan. I’m sorry I never knew him. What a wonderful tribute.
April 2nd, 2008 at 9:56 am
Thank you Allan for your wonderful post and tribute to Jimmy. I never had the honor of meeting him in person, but he was legend among mutual friends and I always enjoyed hearing about his zest for life and passion for Hollywood history. I do, however, own a bit of cherished Bangley history, having purchased two books from his personal library that were donated for charity sale at the Hollywood Heritage barn: The Films of Myrna Loy and The Films of Gregory Peck, each inscribed in his own hand with name and date. I’m so glad to know he’s immortalized at Hollywood Forever, and look forward to paying respects to him there soon. Thanks again, Allan.
April 3rd, 2008 at 5:59 pm
I was just back there again today and it looks great. I know Jimmy would have LOVED it!!
And don’t worry about the Long Islands…I had a chamagne hangover that was every bit as good. It reminded me of all the times Jimmy and I tried to bring back the Zombie. ugh.
Thanks, Allan.
April 4th, 2008 at 11:27 am
Jimmy always made me laugh and smile. I think of him often, but always think of him when I see the ducks at Hollywood Forever. Thank you for helping to build a memorial there, a place we can all visit and remember him.
April 5th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
I assume I met Jimmy through Allen…although we seemed to travel in the same old Hollywood circles for years, when we finally did meet, it was as if we’d already been old friends for decades. Jimmy was a guest at our annual Christmas party, and I had spoken to him only a few days before he passed about attending.
My most distinct memory of Jimmy is a selfish one: I ran into him at the French Market (as often was the case). I can’t remember who he was with, but he casually and confidently introduced me as ‘Max Pierce, a writer and fellow Hollywood historian’. Those adjectives made me feel 1o feet tall, for Jimmy was a hard act to top in the history department, but such was his kindness, generosity and professionalism. His absence devastates me still, and even as I write this I am shedding tears. I look forward to the day when we reunite at that Cocoanut Grove (or possibly the Brown Derby Vine Street) in the sky. Until then, I am blessed to have known Jimmy.
April 6th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
I met Jimmy a handful of times at Hollywood Forever but he always made a BIG impression on me! I just loved his personality and his vibrance. He just cracked me up everytime and he was just so damn interesting! I was sadden when I heard that he’d died. He is truly missed, even by those who only knew him casually.
April 11th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
What a wonderful tribute for such a wonderful soul. My second day in Hollywood I walked into the WGA library and into the life of Mr. Bangley. Soon thereafter I was fortunate enough to be introduced to so many of his friends (you know who you are.) I don’t think anyone understood and appreciated the concept of “friend” better than Jimmy Bangley. He constantly talked about and bragged about them all. I have never known anyone who had more friends, nor who was a better one. I miss him every day. Special thanks to Allan and Jim and others who have so tirelessly worked to create a physical memorial to a presence who will always remain with those he knew.