A Claryon Call

On Stu Shostak's interview program, Stu's Show, his main guest was Robert Clary, who at 89 has had a fascinating life.  Born in Paris in 1926, when he was 16 he was held in a concentration camp and lost most of his family in other camps.  But he survived and made it to America, where he was soon one of the performers in the famous New Faces of 1952 production on Broadway -- that included such other up-and-coming performers as Paul Lynde, Carol Lawrence (who later created the role of 'Maria' in West Side Story), Eartha Kitt, Alice Ghostley and Ronny Graham, and had sketches and songs written by people like Mel Brooks and Sheldon Harnick.

Clary came to his most notable fame in the TV series on Hogan's Heroes, as 'LeBeau.'  (On Stu's Show, he was asked if it was difficult deciding to appear in the program, considering his experience.  he said it wasn't at all.  First, he said, he was an actor, so you play the part.  But most importantly, he said that there is a world of difference between a concentration camp and a prisoner-of-war camp.)

Another guest on the interview show as his nephew, Brian Gari -- who's also the grandson of the legendary Eddie Cantor.  Gari has written and performed several of his own CDs, and one of his songs that they played was a tribute to Clary, called "Mon Oncle."  It was a touching song, and though some of the words may be a little difficult to hear, he made an effective video of it.

Here it is --