by Luke Halpin
(Published in 16 Magazine, Dec 1966 issue)
(Full text below picture)
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FIRST OFF, I'm not really Sandy Ricks -- by no means! In real life, I'm not at all that guy you see on Flipper. All he does is ride around in boats and swim once in a while. I do that sometimes, but not often. While I am sincere, I'm not a "do-gooder", and I'm surely not a conformist -- like Sandy is. You could say (as some adults -- not my folks, though -- say) that I have turned rebellious. Well, I suppose I am a bit wild. I'm going through a lot of changes. I think what it really is -- is just growing up.
I guess you know the show is over. This is the last season, and Flipper will end next April [1967]. I have no regrets. I sure learned a lot from both the dolphins and the people I worked with for so long. The dolphins taught me love and kindness. I will always go back and see them. It makes me sad to think they'll always be there. I secretly harbor a deep longing to go over one night and let them all out -- let them swim into the ocean, where they will really be free.
I just got a brand-new car -- a Cobra 289. It's like a streak of lightning. It's Nassau blue and goes up to 100 mph in nine seconds -- but not with me in it. I have sense enough to be afraid of it. It spun around on me once in the rain, and I know how much power it has. Anyway, it's a gas (no pun intended) -- and I hope to get to take you for a ride in it one day.
My brother, Eugene, just married his girlfriend, Pat. I went to New York for the wedding, and I was best man. The night before the big day, I painted the word SAVE on the bottom of his left shoe, and ME on the other. During the wedding, when he knelt at the altar -- well, the relatives who were crying stopped crying pretty quick.
My folks have moved to Englewood, Florida, on the Gulf near Sarasota, where they will run a motel I bought for them. They are very happy with it, and I spend weekends with them there. My sis, Joan, and her husband, Les, are still living with me in my Miami home.
My complete flip-out right now is speedboats. I've gone berserk on them. The fastest one is a 20-foot racing boat, The Formula. It has two 200 h.p. engines, which means it can skim along the ocean at about 70 mph. There is a fantastic wind-blast and the engines don't quit screaming. You hit a gigantic wave and the boat leaps 15 feet into the air and then crashes back into the water. Your whole body zings with the speed and the vibration.
As far as work goes, there are several projects in prospect. Ivan Tors has a movie coming up called Lost Island, which I may do. (Note: it was eventually called Island of the Lost, and he did do it.) I wish I could get a role playing a bad guy. I mean, I've been a good guy for three years, and it's time for a change -- don't you think?
As far as romance goes, I'm a free man. I don't have anyone. I did have a secret steady for a long time, but now I'm all alone. I miss having a girl and I don't know what to do -- I mean I don't know how to go about looking for a new girl.
I want a girl who doesn't get mad if I don't call her up every night; who understands when I'm tired and who also understands that I am sometimes even thoughtless. I want a girl who will let me be a human being, with all the human faults that other people have. If I find a girl like this, I will do anything to make her happy.
I am letting my hair grow out. When I got out of the National Guard it was short. I really want it to be shaggy, but I can't let it grow that long until I finish Flipper. Anyway, look at the picture of me here -- it's the very latest that I have -- and tell me if you like my hair this way. Or should I have it shorter? Or longer? Personally, I like it longer.
I have been out of touch with you for a while, but now I'm back -- and that means it's time for you to get in touch with me again. I look forward to hearing from you.
Write to me c/o Meyers, 407 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, Florida.