Mr. Arbuthnot at the Races - by John McEvoy

re: Mr. Arbuthnot at the Races - by John McEvoy

Johnny — Fri, 23 May 2008 14:53:36 GMT

Mr. McEvoy, I just read your 'Final Turn' this morning and thoroughly enjoyed it. You called Frank Sullivan a "gifted writer", but may I say sir, you are also a very gifted writer.

I have to confess I haven't been a reader of fiction in many years and haven't read your mystery novels; however, I was so pleased when you wrote the 'Thoroughbred Legends' book about Round Table. Your tribute to this great champion was outstanding and touching.

Thanks again!

re: Mr. Arbuthnot at the Races - by John McEvoy

Don Reed — Thu, 22 May 2008 22:48:13 GMT

"ONBD" = The Night The Old Nostalgia Burned Down, Frank Sullivan; Little

Brown & Co. (1953)

This is the closest comedy is ever going to be connected to Chinese food.

I had an eerie reaction to Sullivan's comedic writing. While I enjoyed the book, shortly afterwards, I discovered that I could recall almost nothing about it .

(This is the most immediate consequence of what happened after the What's Good For You Mafia legislated the MSG right out of the humor recipes.)

Old is a collection of short bursts written for TNY & other magazines. Oddly, though, although there's a list of where they had first appeared, the dates of publication are omitted. So my guess is that they could have been first published at anytime between the 1920's-50's.

I ran into someone who had known Sullivan, a native of Saratoga Springs. Hoping to hear an interesting story, I pressed my acquaintance for the details.

"I sold him a mattress."

"You sold him a mattress?"

"Yes, I sold him a mattress."

Fascinating.

Yet another priceless dividend derived from our discovery of the Saratoga racing scene in 1994.

re: Mr. Arbuthnot at the Races - by John McEvoy

Paul Cassidy — Thu, 22 May 2008 14:46:46 GMT

Used to shovel his Lincoln Ave, sidewalk in the heavy winter's. I have all 35 of his Christmas Poems from the New Yorker. They should publish them in a new book.

Great friend of Jimmy Cagney's and Admiral Nimitz, who visited often.

Nice, colorful person, who tipped me nicely for college.

re: Mr. Arbuthnot at the Races - by John McEvoy

Frier McCollister — Wed, 21 May 2008 23:54:55 GMT

Racing needs some laughter. This helps supply it.

re: Mr. Arbuthnot at the Races - by John McEvoy

Bellwether — Wed, 21 May 2008 09:50:51 GMT

deep pockets are a must...

re: Mr. Arbuthnot at the Races - by John McEvoy

Jude Feld — Tue, 20 May 2008 23:55:02 GMT

One of the best things I've read in years! Congratulations!

re: Mr. Arbuthnot at the Races - by John McEvoy

Stgajoe — Tue, 20 May 2008 15:52:09 GMT

Frank Sullivan lived on Lincoln Avenue in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. He was a stones throw from the Saratoga Racecourse. In fact, in his earlier years, the horses arriving from New York by train would prance in front of his house on their trip from the Saratoga train station to their temporary home in a stall at the racetrack.