This article appeared in the December 1971 issue of After Noon TV.
It is accompanied by photos of Michael Storm (Larry Wolek), his wife Sally & son Jason
This article wouldn't be here for your viewing without John. THANKS John!!!
“What kind of world will my son grow up in?”
Michael is concerned about the environment his son’s generation will inherit.
by M.V. Bevans
Michael and Sally Storm … and that little tiger of a Jason … what a happy family! You meet the Storms in their new and very large West Side apartment, and immediately you get a sense of happiness. It’s probably because Mike and Sally are two of the nicest, most real people you ever want to encounter.
“We’re not very theatrical-minded people,” Mike says, looking at Sally. “We’ve never been. Actually, I’m not terribly ambitious. I’m happy doing ‘One Life to Live’ and hope it lasts.”
“Right now is a happy time in my life. There is a tremendous amount of security … my creative instincts are being fulfilled. I like living in New York and being able to afford living here.”
Mike continues talking about his lifestyle here in “Fun-City,” and while he’s talking one is reminded of a Beau Bridges or a Burt Bacharach. There’s a little boy quality about him and every so often it comes out. But apart from this, it is easy to see that Mike is very much his own man with some very definite views on his life and the life around him.
About today’s world: “It’s frightening thing, Look at a city like New York,” Mike says. “Everywhere … filth and muck. I don’t want to sound pontifical, but certain things are very sad to me. I look at the Hudson and I become very pessimistic when I think that it may be irrevocably polluted.
“The physical deterioration of out world … the fact that our fish are dying … that we can’t swim in our waters is a sad thing to me. Perhaps, this is because I am close to nature and animals.”
“When we were first married Sally and I owned a tropical fish store. Remember?” he says, looking at his wife. “I love salt water tropical fish. I enjoyed operating the store, except that we got hit in the middle of a recession. We also grew tired of the petty hassles with the clientele. But it was a good life. I opened shop and closed whenever I wanted to. The store was in Topanga Canyon in California.” Sally agreed that it was a fun life, except when she had to clear away the dead fish.
Mike was giving up the store to go back to school and get a Master’s Degree in painting when his brother, James Storm, called him and asked him if he would like to take over for him on the daytime show. Mike accepted. Actually, Mike tried getting into television out on the Coast, but found the going rough.
His only credits prior to One Life were his appearances with a group called the Goodtime Singers. “I was a prominent member of the group,” Mike explains. “It started when a friend of mine and myself used to sing in these small clubs in Los Angeles area. A talent scout came around and asked us to form a group of several guys. We did and then we appeared regularly on ‘ The Andy Williams Show.’ We replaced The New Christy Minstrels.”
“We traveled around the country, and, boy, can I tell you stories about our tours. We did 40 one-night stands with the Beverly Hillbillies and Spike Jones. It was insane. We’d go to Pittsburgh, then to Long Beach, South Bend to Ashville. It was ridiculous, but I’d do it again like that.”
“They were crazy circus days and I look back on them with a sense of nostalgia. If I ever make it big in performing I’d love to travel the country semi-headlining some sort of show.”
“I love travel … so does Sally. We just came back from two weeks in St. Tropez. That turned out to be one of the best vacations I ever had. Friends of ours had a house and they invited us and in a minute’s time we decided to go. We took Jason and it was really no problem. I think he’s the only American kid who likes peanut butter and croissants.”
“There are things I will never forget about the trip. For example, one night we stopped in this little town somewhere on the road to Paris. We stayed at an old country hotel … so old that the stairs were away from the wall. I remember we opened our windows and there before us was this vast panorama. That night we went into the restaurant … what food. I’m sure Sally will agree … that’s got to be the closest thing to the good life.”
“I’d love to do more traveling … go to Africa. My father was a writer and while he was working on a book, Jim and I lived in England. What a fantastic experience. Jim also likes traveling. Right now I think he’s in Spain … or Morocco.”
“In many ways we’re very similar. We’re very close. I think Jim is much more into theatre scene than I am. He’s just completed the new ‘Dark Shadows’ film.”
“I would say that we were both very fortunate in that we had terrific parents. They helped me realize some of the important values in life … concerning morality. I can’t speak about them specifically. My father inspired whatever creativity we both have. He was an experimental man. He had fun and he tried things. Looking back on it, growing up first in the Mid-West, then California … it was a very happy childhood.”
“Actually, Sally and I had known each other when we were kids. We both came from the Mid-West and moved to the West Coast. We lost contact. One day Sally was at a friend’s house and admired one of her paintings. She asked her friend who had painted it. The friend promptly said Michael Storm. Sally, quick to answer, said, ‘Not the Michael Storm who came from the Mid-West and then…’”
“Through that painting and that friend we got together. I think what makes our relationship special is that there is a mutual respect that we have for each other. We can talk to each other … there’s a friendship going on as well. She’s also a good cook … which helps. (Those shrimp dishes of hers . .!)”
“We try and spend as much time as we can together. Now we have a new apartment to work on and we’ve got a place in Dutchess Country. I spend lots of time there growing vegetables and looking after the garden. I’ve grown the most delicious corn … and squash … lettuce … strawberries and raspberries … and maple syrup … I made maple syrup. It’s amazing how great life can become that way.”
“I would like more time to do some painting. Of course, I’ve got to finish painting the house first. I’m not a representational artist. I’m interested more in shapes and colors. As an artist I suppose it’s true I am more aware of what I see. I would hate not to see something.”
“Lots of my time is taken up with Jason. It’s amazing to see the changes … minutely, hourly discoveries. He’s 17 months old, but oftentimes we’re his servants. He an be very arrogant with his orders … ‘feed me,’ ‘change me,’ ‘take me out,’! He’ll just take you and lead wherever he wants to go. But he does bring us closer together. I don’t know if we’ll have another, quite honestly, because he does tie us down. Perhaps, we’ll adopt some children. We just don’t know yet.
“What do I do in my free time? You mean besides chasing after Jason. Well there’s music I listen to … and football … and eating … and having fun. It’s a beautiful world, isn’t it?”
Michael and Sally Storm … and that little tiger of a Jason … what a happy family.