A school full of standout students
Every school has its standouts, those students who seem certain
of bright
– even brilliant – futures. Most later become model citizens. A
few seem destined to achieve their dream but fall short. Once in a
great while one will validate the early promise.
Toledo’s Woodward High School already had several outstanding
graduates. The best-known was Amos Jacobs, who began his career in
vaudeville a week before he was to graduate in the late 1930s under
his own name, and re-christened himself Danny Thomas. Two 1944
graduates, Bob Harrison and Paul Seymour, became professional
basketball players.
A school full of standout students
Every school has its standouts, those students who seem certain of bright – even brilliant – futures. Most later become model citizens. A few seem destined to achieve their dream but fall short. Once in a great while one will validate the early promise.
Toledo’s Woodward High School already had several outstanding graduates. The best-known was Amos Jacobs, who began his career in vaudeville a week before he was to graduate in the late 1930s under his own name, and re-christened himself Danny Thomas. Two 1944 graduates, Bob Harrison and Paul Seymour, became professional basketball players.
A pair of brothers from the early 1940s, who had not yet made their mark, were Andrew and George Fenady. Andrew originated a popular Western television show, “The Rebel,” produced many Hollywood films and wrote more than 20 books. George became a highly sought-after television producer.
Four students in the 1948-49 school year were also predicted to go far.
Philip Hall was Senior Class president, in the Honor Society and was the Drama Club’s star. He was awarded the school’s Achievement Cup upon graduation.
Andy Douglas, a junior, was president of the Student Council and belonged to the Honor Society as well as several other clubs.
My fellow sophomore, Morris Reichlin, was the smartest member of our class and possibly the entire student body. He was in the Honor Society, a member later of the varsity basketball team, and shared star billing in the school’s annual Extravaganza as a senior.
Freshman Jameel Farah’s humor seemed a natural gift and he was extremely popular in skits. He also belonged to the Honor Society and became his class president all three years (Woodward did not have freshman officers).
After graduation from the University of Toledo, Philip acted in regional troupes, served in the Army Security Agency, then taught at high school. He moved to New York City in the late 1950s. He was the original Oskar in “The Tin Drum” and played the title role of “Gorky” on Broadway. Later he was the one-man cast as Richard Nixon in a touring play of “Secret Honor,” which so impressed Robert Altman that he produced it as a movie with Philip in the sole role. He is a staple on television and movies.
Andrew Douglas was an attorney, served as an officer in the Army, was mayor of Toledo, then became an Ohio State Supreme Court justice until retirement several years ago.
Morris, as Dr, Morris Reichlin, made tremendous strides in the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis, and later developed the definitive test for Lupus.
Jameel Farah won a scholarship to the Pasadena Playhouse, and had roles in movies and television. His career had its ups and downs and he was considering returning to Toledo when he got a part in an episode of the TV series M*A*S*H*. It received such a tremendous response that Jameel, who had by then changed his name to Jamie Farr, became a regular, the scheming, cross-dressing soldier Max Klinger.
All four were class acts.
