Tag: The Twilight Zone

One Degree of Separation Between Bob Dylan & Twilight Zone: Bonnie Beecher & “Come Wander With Me”

Some of the earliest recordings of Bob Dylan singing were made at the apartment of his college girlfriend Bonnie Beecher, who went on to play some iconic TV roles during her short acting career.

Bonnie Beecher, who was born on April 25, 1941, establishes an interesting connection between Bob Dylan and two classic TV shows, The Twilight Zone and Star Trek.

First, her connection to Dylan. Beecher was friends with and dated Dylan when they both went to the University of Minnesota. One theory is that “Girl from the North Country” may be at least partially about Beecher.

Perhaps most significantly for music history, there is no doubt that some of Dylan’s earliest recordings were made at Beecher’s home in 1961. Below are some of those recordings, including “Omie Wise,” “Wade in the Water,” and the not-to-be-missed “I Was Young When I Left Home.”

After her relationship with Bob Dylan, Beecher had a short successful acting career. Not long after her relationship with Dylan in the 1960s, Beecher pursued an acting career in television. Her biggest role was probably on the episode of The Twilight Zone entitled, “Come Wander With Me” (1964). In the episode, which was the final one of the series filmed, Beecher played a muse haunting a young singer seeking a new song.

Beecher, who beat out Liza Minelli for the role, also sings in the episode. She sings the title folk song that foretells the doom of the young man. Beecher, whose voice appears with Dylan on some of the Minneapolis tapes, had a wonderful singing voice herself.

The song “Come Wander With Me” was written by Jeff Alexander and Anthony Wilson. Most recently, Beecher’s recording of the song was used in the Netflix series Baby Reindeer (2024).

Beecher, however, did not continue with her acting and singing career past the 1960s. Her career ended around 1968, not long after appearing in a Star Trek episode, “Spectre of the Gun.” In that show, she appeared as Pavel Chekov’s love interest (where his love for her character saved his life).

In addition to Bob Dylan (and Chekov), Beecher’s love for another famous man would fill much of her life. Since 1967, she has been married to 1960s icon (and Woodstock MC) Wavy Gravy. She runs charitable organizations and  Camp Winnarainbow with him.  After her marriage to Gravy with whom she has a son, she adopted the name Jahanara Romney.

Finally, below, Beecher tells a funny story about Dylan traveling to Oklahoma.

Happy birthday Ms. Beecher/Romney! Leave your two cents in the comments.

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    Jack Klugman: A Game of Pool

    Jack Klugman Tony Randall Book I was sad to hear that Jack Klugman passed away this week on Christmas Eve. Unfortunately, we also lost the excellent actor Charles Durning, whose many accomplishments include a memorable role in O Brother Where Art Thou? (2000), on the same day too. The first thing that comes to my mind when I think of Klugman is his great work in The Odd Couple (1970-1975). Apparently the show was on the minds of other people too, as after news spread about Klugman’s death, fans began going to 1049 Park Avenue in New York, the location of the apartment of Felix and Oscar. I remember watching the show regularly as a kid, and although the impetus for the storyline was the adult problem of divorce for the two men at the center of the story, a kid could easily relate to the humor the show found in the challenges of friendship.

    Of course, Klugman did a lot of other great work in shows like Quincy, M.E. But when I think of Klugman my next thought after The Odd Couple is his great work in The Twilight Zone episode “A Game of Pool” (1961), also starring Jonathan Winters. In the episode that originally aired October 13, 1961,both Klugman and Winters, largely known for their comedic skills, show they can pull off drama just as well. Klugman’s character aptly illustrates the dream of being the best, as his character dreams of playing the greatest pool player of all time. But in the end, we also learn that with accomplishment comes its own kind of responsibilities.

    Klugman also appeared in three other episodes of The Twilight Zone, including another memorable starring role in an episode touching on the afterlife, “A Passage for Trumpet” (1960). His other two episodes were “Death Ship” (1963), and “In Praise of Pip” (1963). According to Wikipedia, Klugman’s four appearances in the original series tie him with Burgess Meredith for most appearances. In this video clip, Klugman discusses series creator Rod Serling and his work in the series. Here is hoping that Klugman and Durning both find more peace in the afterlife than Klugman’s character did in “A Game of Pool.”

    What is your favorite work featuring Jack Klugman or Charles Durning? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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