Post #635378 by Rum Dog on Mon, May 7, 2012 12:51 PM

I don't think that is what John-O is looking for ATP.

This is too easy. I don’t need Google for this one.

Max Baer Jr. has not one but three indirect links and connections to the world of tiki. Later in life in a futile attempt to shed the Jethro image he sported an awesome mustache that made everyone in the 1970’s porn business envious. This no doubt was the impetuous for the many mustache competitions that have taken place at various tiki events such as last year’s Tiki Oasis and the Rumpus Room annual competition.

A second connection, Tom Selleck, who was an admitted huge fan of the Beverly Hillbillies and Jethro in particular, sported a similar mustache on Magnum P.I. which brings in several tiki connections. Selleck grew his famed mustache after seeing Baer Jr. on an episode of the Dinah Shore show in 1978 where Baer discussed how the Jethro character had typecast him and ruined his acting career. Selleck was impressed how Dinah was infatuated and giddy with Baer’s mustache. (Side bit of trivia is that Selleck nicknamed his mustache “Bodine” to pay homage to Baer’s Jethro character.)

Third link and as well as being a connection to this year’s Tiki Oasis theme. Baer was under consideration to play James Bond in “Diamonds are Forever”. This was just a ploy used by Cubby Broccoli to get Connery back in the role. Connery balked at first, but when rumors started that Baer got the role and the 007’s name was being changed to “Bond, Jethro Bond” Connery reluctantly agreed to reprise the role.