SEA-TAC 2000 The 12th International Sons of the Desert Convention Tacoma, Washington July 20-23, 2000.

Greetings from Seattle, Saturday night. We have a few minutes between activities and I thought I'd use them for a brief report on the SONS OF THE DESERT convention, SeaTac 2000. Nearly 400 fans from around the world have gathered for the fun. Looking out the hotel at this moment one can see (and hear!) a row of ancient autos from the 1920s, classic old Model-T Fords, and so on, set to escort special guests a few blocks down the street to a restored Theatre where we will see a special vaudeville show including a performance by Laurel & Hardy lookalikes. The marquee outside features Laurel & Hardy's name in lights! One really has to be here to get a flavor of what this experience is like. Everyone is at ease, having fun, reflecting the same feeling invested in these marvelous movies to begin with by the talented people who created them. I recited the activities on the schedule once before, but that cannot come close to conveying the sense of discovery and enthusiasm permeating all the events. I trust you received the few photos I was able to transmit, but again, they can be misleading. It's like taking a frame of film, then cropping it in half, and hoping someone might be able to extrapolate from that and guess what happened in a feature film -- much less answer the question of whether or not the film is any good. Can't be done! You have to be here in person! I can answer this one question; at the Grand Council meeting, it was voted today that our next convention will be held in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2002. We have enjoyed plenty of surprises, including a screening of a unique color movie featuring Laurel & Hardy and many of Hollywood's biggest stars on tour with the so-called Hollywood Victory Caravan about 1942. This footage never has been screened publicly anyhwere, ever, except at International SONS conventions. No doubt everyone will go home with new friends, new acquisitions of treasured and foolish collectibles alike from the dealers' room, and a new feeling of warmth and love for the films of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy as well as the people who made them. So the films, the costumes, the collectibles, the conversation, the seminars, the autographs, the contests, the banquets, the live entertainment, the stunts, the screen tests, the slide shows, the trades, and the art direction involved in creating Laurel & Hardy Town -- what fun! Plan now to attend the next SONS convention in 2002. We all thank Jack and Cathy Taylor for their enormous efforts in producing a successful convention! L&Heartily yours, Richard W. Bann  Start the photo tour of Sea-Tac 2000.  Find out more about the Sons of the Desert.