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I write this piece with a broken heart. 30April at 12:57 I received a call from Diane Vettori, Judge Diane Vettori who told me that her Dad had passed, just a few hours ago. Although his name is Joseph Angelo Vettori, you and I know him as OMG, Old Movie Guy.
Many,many years ago, I began getting calls from a really bright and interesting guy. He'd back-pat me when he felt I was correct...he'd 'touchas-kick me when he thought I was off. The difference in OMG's critiques, is that he always explained why, usually citing some historical examples. Sometimes we agreed, sometimes argued, politely, of course. Politics, economics, societal issues, whatever the topic, the more he called, the more I liked him. I began looking forward to him calling in to the show. As with most callers over the years, I didn't have a clue as to who he was...who he was, outside of the talk-radio world.
We bonded over old movies. He and I both loved http://www.tcm.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Turner Classic Movies. He remembered the times of those films, I longed to live in the them. I began to call him: Old Move Guy, then, just OMG. I always took his recommendations regarding old movies - I never,ever regretted watching his EVERY recommendation. I remember when he said: "ah, Louie, watch http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/3463/Gold-Diggers-of/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Gold Diggers of 1933 and pay attention to the song, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzMy7-7WV44" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> Remember My Forgotten Man. Gold Diggers immediately became a favourite of mine, and, the song, still impacts me on how we send soldiers off to war and forget about them when they return. OMG knew that it would - a wise http://www.jewish-languages.org/jewish-english-lexicon/words/15" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">alte kacker is an understatement.
Many,many years ago, I began getting calls from a really bright and interesting guy. He'd back-pat me when he felt I was correct...he'd 'touchas-kick me when he thought I was off. The difference in OMG's critiques, is that he always explained why, usually citing some historical examples. Sometimes we agreed, sometimes argued, politely, of course. Politics, economics, societal issues, whatever the topic, the more he called, the more I liked him. I began looking forward to him calling in to the show. As with most callers over the years, I didn't have a clue as to who he was...who he was, outside of the talk-radio world.
We bonded over old movies. He and I both loved http://www.tcm.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Turner Classic Movies. He remembered the times of those films, I longed to live in the them. I began to call him: Old Move Guy, then, just OMG. I always took his recommendations regarding old movies - I never,ever regretted watching his EVERY recommendation. I remember when he said: "ah, Louie, watch http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/3463/Gold-Diggers-of/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Gold Diggers of 1933 and pay attention to the song, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzMy7-7WV44" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> Remember My Forgotten Man. Gold Diggers immediately became a favourite of mine, and, the song, still impacts me on how we send soldiers off to war and forget about them when they return. OMG knew that it would - a wise http://www.jewish-languages.org/jewish-english-lexicon/words/15" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">alte kacker is an understatement.
Bun-E and I were at an event one night when someone came up to me and said: "Judge Vettori's looking for you." My reaction was, 'what did I do now or say on the show'. Judge Vettori came up to me, telling me how much her Dad likes the show and enjoys talking with me. She told me that he records our(OMG 'n me) conversations and plays them for her. I thanked her, not having a clue as to who her Dad was - I asked her if she was sure it was me, and she said I have a name for him: "Old Movie Guy". Needless to say, but, I will anyway, I freaked out! Of course my first thought was ' did I say anything bad about her (Judge V.) on the show? Then, quickly checking my brain bank: 'of course not, she's one of the very few 'electeds' in the valley that there's only GOOD to say , about....
I was very grateful that she told me who OMG was.
A couple of years later, I stopped by a political event where I was told OMG would be in attendance. Someone pointed him out to me, he was in a wheelchair. I went up to him and said 'guess who'? OMG: "come on,Louie, i know who you are..." I still wonder how he knew. Not long after, Judge Vettori called me, off air, to tell me that OMG was in a nursing facility. I went to see him. My eyes teared up and this guy, always so strong-voiced, looked a bit frail. OMG rallied, but, didn't return home. I loved stopping to see him. He usually had Turner Classic Movies on, and, we'd do a http://siskelandebert.org/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Siskel and Ebert style review. OMG had difficulty with his hands, so, talking on the phone presented some problems for him. More recently, Diane got him a smart phone. He was usually able to do a speaker phone call, became a texting master and,VERY recently got into selfies. His tech abilities certainly out shined mine!
OMG's absence from the show was obvious to regular listeners. 'N-1' a fan of OMG and old films, contacted me asking "Where's OMG?" 'Darlin' Darlin' called numerous times asking about OMG. Listener's emailed their concerns as to OMG's absence. I'm so glad that OMG agreed to do a live-on-air call with me, just a number of weeks ago. He was his usual bright and wonderful self. It was one of the very rare times that all emails were positive. EVERYONE liked OMG, even if they didn't agree with his view.
I'm reminded of being in Ollie's at the Boardman Plaza when a woman came up to me saying " I know you, you're the guy that comes to visit Joe at the nursing home." I replied 'ma'am, I don't visit anyone named Joe'.Well, she said I'm not mistaking you for anyone...you come to _______ and visit Joe!" I said' OMG!, yes, I love OMG", she shook her head and moved on....
My plans were to stop and see him last Friday(01May). I found a pair of 3.25 magnifying glasses, 'cheaters', for him. When Judge Vittori called me to tell me that her Dad passed, I went out to my car where it was quiet. On the seat next to me...the glasses. When I'd see OMG on Fridays, my week end was always better. I'd walk into his room and marvel at all the pictures on the wall - a timeline of OMG's life, filled with pictures of him with his adoring daughter,Diane, from when she was a little girl, to photos of her, now, as a Judge, but all of them, so obviously loving...so obvious that he loved his little girl and she loved her Daddy. OMG and I would plan out the weekend watching schedule on TCM. He'd pull out the schedule and tell me what to watch. We'd text back and forth about the films. Over the years he insisted that I watch http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/1036/North-by-Northwest/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Alfred Hitchcock's North By Northwest.
I kept missing it and missing it. When I finally saw it, he asked, via text, "Well, Louie, did you understand the symbolism of the ending?" I responded, 'yes! thanks for encouraging me to watch it!'
I already miss the Friday visit and weekend texting with OMG. It's odd, I feel like a part of me went with him, maybe back to the days of the classic movies. Maybe, somewhere... we're both looking dapper with hats, double-breasted suits, brown and white wing tipped shoes and pocket watches... OMG with good working hands and me with a full set of pearly white teeth.
There's a piece of art at the nursing home where my aunt resides. She took me to it when she first arrived there and I take her to it every time I visit. It's in Hebrew, based on Psalms 71:9. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iO85hWyJhKk" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Ofra Haza wrote about it in her song, Don't Forsake Me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iO85hWyJhKk" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Don't cast me awayWhen I start to fade When my mind's unmade Don't forsake me When my strength has ebbed Don't forsake me .I know the day will come ,I know the day will come And all my life will be haze and spark Don't ever leave me in the dark. Don't cast me away When I start to fade When my mind's unmade Don't forsake me When my strength has ebbed Don't forsake me.Oh, Oh, Oh,Don't cast me away
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