Today, Norm Goldman, Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures.com is delighted to have as our guest, Joan Davis widow of Stan Davis.   Stan was well known as a composer, writer, cinematographer, fine arts photographer, and even a lamenting dieter.  In the 1930s and 40s Stan wrote songs for various crooners and themes for radio soap operas, often playing them live on the air. Stan also wrote the theme for an early Daniel Boone TV show and in the 1960s he was music director on NBC's Exploring. For many years he was associated with the Captain Kangaroo show for which he composed and produced over 150 songs and films.  

Stan even found the time to study painting with Arthur Schwieder in New York City and he was also assistant to the photographer Ivan Dmitri, who initiated Photography in the Fine Arts at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

After working as a cryptographer during World War II, Davis got a job at CBS and worked with the legendary Edward R. Murrow.   He served as Music Director on Viva America and played instrumental solos with the CBS Symphony Orchestra and the NBC Studio Orchestra. He wrote songs for Rosemary Clooney and was Music Director on Exploring  for NBC-TV in the mid-60s.  

Joan has posthumously published Stan's delightful little book, Long Time No Spree.  The book is composed of his humorous laments about losing weight.  Each poem is illustrated by Dick Maccabe, well-known artist who recently died.

 Good day Joan and thanks for participating in our interview. 

Norm:

When did Stan write Long Time No Spree and will you share a little bit about the book with us?
 
Joan:  

He needed to lose weight back in the 1980's  and he often wrote  about what was happening  in his life.  So all  his setbacks, temptations and rueful  comments are revealed in the verses .

Norm:

How was the title Long Time No Spree chosen?

Joan:  

The Wall Street Journal published about a dozen of Stan's verses, only one of which, Long Time No Spree, was about dieting so it was decided to use that as the title.  Of course, that verse is included in the book.

Norm:

Why and what motivated you to publish the book?

Joan:   

It seemed even more timely today than it was twenty years ago when he wrote it.

Norm:

Is there an underlying message or theme in Long Time No Spree? 

Joan:   I would say it tells us that dieting can be humorous.  There's a lot to laugh about in the process of losing weight.

Norm:

Whom do you believe will benefit from Stan's book and why? 

Joan:    

I suspect men will benefit  most because it's written by a man with a man's point of view.   I noticed recently that Weight Watchers has begun conducting meetings for men only.   According to an article I read in the New York Times, there's  more wisecracking  and humor in these  meetings.

Norm: 

What are your hopes for Long Time No Spree ?

 Joan: 

The book will definitely help people get through a sometimes difficult but ultimately rewarding undertaking.  They will be aided and abetted by a fellow traveler who had a great sense of humor.  Even if you are just trying to maintain your weight and resist temptation, you'll get a chuckle out of the verses as well as the delightful illustrations by Dick Maccabe. 

Norm:

How long were you married to Stan and what was it like to be married to someone who was so talented and who wore several hats?

Joan:   

We were married 34 years which was much too short a time.  It was a life full of fun, love and laughter.   At his memorial dinner, a young woman, Melody James, who knew him all her life, said in her eulogy,  "For me, Stan always represented the best of what it means to lead a creative life:  Charged up, enthused, inquisitive, willing to take risks, and daring to fly".    He never lost that passion and enthusiasm for every one of his projects.  I like to think of Long Time No Spree as a gem of a little book which was written by a great big "gem" of a guy.     

Norm:

Were you involved in any way with Stan's work, and if so please tell us about it? 

 Joan:   

I took care of the logistics of our lives and handled sound for his 16mm camera while on location,  but his music, lyrics and verses flowed totally from his talented and creative brain.

Norm: 

I noticed  Stan passed away in 2002 at the ripe old age of 96. Was he still active in his later years?

Joan: 

Some hearing loss forced him to abandon his music and singing, and about three years before he died, weakening eyesight prevented any camera work.  However, he was in good health and good spirits until the last week of his life.

Norm:

Where can we find out more about Stan Davis and Long Time No Spree?

Joan:  

There is a web site which also describes his long career -  about 65 years -  in radio and television.    It's www.nospree.com.

Norm:

Is there anything else you wish to add that we have not covered and are you planning to publish any other of Stan's works?

Joan: 

I hope to publish some of his books for children and distribute CDs of his music and songs.  (He had a wonderful singing voice.)  His short films should be reissued, and his stunning photographs need to be exhibited again and shared with a new generation of admirers.

Thanks once again and good luck with Long Time No Spree.