I am the nephew of Rusty Hamer (Williams)

[Ian Hamer]

you guys know 10x as much about his career than I do. All I know of him in was Fort ty and MRFD and MRFGD. Anything that you may have would be nice to see.

[Michael Menkin]

My name is Michael Menkin. I was Rusty Hamer’s next door neighbor in 1956 and 1957. I lived on 27 Latimer Road in Santa Monica, California. I had three brothers, Thomas, Peter, and Kit. Thomas died of cancer in 1991. Rusty Hamer had two brothers, Johnny and Walter. Johnny is my age, 64. Walter was 18 when he drove my Paul Revere Junior High School Club to Palm Desert in April of 1957. James Whitmore lived across the street from us. He had three boys who I used to baby-sit. Lee Marvin lived down the street.

In 1957 we moved to Greentree Road in Pacific Palisades, about a mile away. Not far from where James Arness of Gunsmoke lived. I still saw Johnny when I was a teenager. He was into cars as I was. He drove so fast on Latimer Road that they put speed bumps on the road just to slow him down. Your uncle would be interested to know that the “Uplifter’s Ranch” sign still hangs over Latimer Road.

As I recall, Rusty’s father was a Hollywood cameraman who died when the boys were young. Rusty became the family breadwinner. Maybe he was spoiled then but it was still hard on him. I remember one year he got 100 silver dollars to play with as a present.

I have not seen any of the Hamers since 1962. I am deeply sorry about Rusty’s death. We all liked him. My father, Lawrence Menkin, was a Hollywood writer so we were all part of show business. He wrote many of the TV series in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. When that dried up he got a job in public relations in San Francisco.

Ian, who is your father, Johnny or Walter? I haven’t seen them since 1962. If they are interested in contacting me, please have them email me at mmenkin@hotmail.com. It would be great to see them again. Michael Menkin

[Michael Menkin]

My name is Michael Menkin. I was Rusty Hamer’s next door neighbor in 1956 and 1957. I lived on 27 Latimer Road in Santa Monica, California. I had three brothers, Thomas, Peter, and Kit. Thomas died of cancer in 1991. Rusty Hamer had two brothers, Johnny and Walter. Johnny is my age, 64. Walter was 18 when he drove my Paul Revere Junior High School Club to Palm Desert in April of 1957. James Whitmore lived across the street from us. He had three boys who I used to baby-sit. Lee Marvin lived down the street.

In 1957 we moved to Greentree Road in Pacific Palisades, about a mile away. Not far from where James Arness of Gunsmoke lived. I still saw Johnny when I was a teenager. He was into cars as I was. He drove so fast on Latimer Road that they put speed bumps on the road just to slow him down. Your uncle would be interested to know that the “Uplifter’s Ranch” sign still hangs over Latimer Road.

As I recall, Rusty’s father was a Hollywood cameraman who died when the boys were young. Rusty became the family breadwinner. Maybe he was spoiled then but it was still hard on him. I remember one year he got 100 silver dollars to play with as a present.

I have not seen any of the Hamers since 1962. I am deeply sorry about Rusty’s death. We all liked him. My father, Lawrence Menkin, was a Hollywood writer so we were all part of show business. He wrote many of the TV series in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. When that dried up he got a job in public relations in San Francisco.

Ian, who is your father, Johnny or Walter? I haven’t seen them since 1962. If they are interested in contacting me, please have them email me at mmenkin@hotmail.com. It would be great to see them again. Michael Menkin

[WestLAGuy]

I was on three "Make Room for Daddy" shows, with my Little League team in 1955, then as the drummer in Sherry Jackson's band from an episode in 1957/58 called I believe, "Memories" and finally in a show just released as part of the new DVD package, "The Saints Come Marching In", as the drummer once again. My dad was an actor announcer and so I grew up in the business, but I had a regular childhood compared to what your uncle experienced.

From the first show, I remember being impressed with Rusty Hamer's acting chops. He was a terrific actor, with excellent comedy timing far beyond his years. I also remember thinking how lonely this boy was in that environment. When my Little League team was on the show, Rusty got to hang with us, but we were older and so it was brief in nature. The other two shows, when we were required to be in school ( a teacher there on the set and specific time devoted to school only) I remember Rusty being in the class setting, but little else. The enduring memory I have of your uncle in breaks during rehearsals was seeing him outside playing catch with one of the crew. There were no friends his age on the lot and even at 13 years old, it struck me as being a tough way to go through childhood. I had my best buddy in the band with me, the trombone player, and since this was an once in a while thing (being on tv) we went to the same junior high, high school and college. In contrast, this was a full time job for your uncle. and because of that, he had to do all his schooling on the lot and that meant there weren't any kids close to his age to play with, only adults. I do remember Sheldon Leonard ( the producer) spending time talking to Rusty. Danny Thomas I'm sure like Rusty, as well. The writers did for sure, since your uncle could pull off his lines the way they were written to be said, but your uncle paid a heavy price for his fame.

I thought he was a wonderful child actor and the sad end to his life was not what should have happened, but so often does to adults who were famous as child stars and aren't able to translate their talents to adult life.

Best regards,
Bill Baldwin, Jr.
Los Angeles

[Steverino]

Ian- Here's something on a positive note about your uncle. Everybody remembers him, his talent, and his great sense of humor. Even though his death was very unfortunate and his treatment unfair, he did leave his mark.
That's something many of us will never have.

[honeybea]

Yes, a great actor to be so young. I really liked watching him on this show.

[Kathy H]

Hi Ian: I don't think you'll ever get this message. You and I are second cousins. My mother, Karen Hamer, was your uncle's first cousin. Her father was Frank Hamer. Anyway, I grew up knowing some of the Long Island Hamers who may be even more closely related to you. Kathy

[MickeyMac]

Mr. Hammer I appreciate you being so open about your uncle here with us. When Nick at Nite got that show, I used to watch it quite a bit. I enjoyed it much.

[EdEval]

Ian, I remember Danny Thomas saying on one of his last appearances what sounded like an embittered statement, "The young man I had on my show was a disappointment." He didn't even mention his name. I guess Danny thought of Rusty like a real son. I read also Danny was going to use his real daughter Marlo on the show but Mrs. Thomas put her foot down and said no.
I believe Sherry and Angela really loved Rusty like a brother. To think that this bright and talented youngster could have been another Ron Howard who also played Opie for years. What a wonderful legacy you have for your children and grandchildren. Their uncle was one of the first child stars of television. He should be forgiven. He was a victim of circumstances.

[Bob's TV Treasures]

Hello again, Ian. Several years ago I taped some of Rusty's many
appearances on THE JOEY BISHOP SHOW in its final season for you.
Hope you are well.

[FLGuru]

Yes, we're still around. some of us are even still involved in the industry in one way or another. (smaller markets though)

Arthur (Walter) is living in Regina, Sask. - and doing well.

Rusty, John, and Arthur's father was not a cameraman but a salesman for menswear.

Mr. Menkin, my father would love to chat with you contact me at cahamer AT bellsouth.net and we can get you two in touch (he uses Skype)

Kathy , my father says he remembers Frank Hamer, and his brother Arthur being moved to Brookyln from Lancashire by Grandma Lova

Walter (Arthur) from the West Coast contingent is my father, and I have 3 children

I have some other informaion, might be able to fill in some gaps.

[Zenna]

Originally Posted by Michael Menkin

Ian, who is your father, Johnny or Walter? I haven’t seen them since 1962. If they are interested in contacting me, please have them email me at mmenkin@hotmail.com. It would be great to see them again. Michael Menkin

I don't see a response to your question from Ian, but since his family lived in Louisiana at one time, I think his father was John. John was the one who owned a restaurant in DeRidder where Rusty was living at the time of his tragic death.

I believe Rusty's oldest brother Arthur Walter Jr. died in 2010. Rusty was the youngest.

I agree with the poster who said Rusty had entertained us for years with his talent, his comedic timing, and his musical ability. It's sad that Hollywood treats its talented youngsters so shabbily. None of them deserve that.

In late December 1966, Rusty was accidentally shot when his weapon fell out of its holster onto the street and went off, wounding him in the abdomen. Danny Thomas visited him in the hospital in Santa Monica. He moved from California to Louisiana in 1976.