2008-07-15 07:16:38

Hi sam,
here is a female sam from germany. great honor to write you a message...
i ask me a long time what happens to you. about ian tracy i found any in the tv.
loving greetings from neumünster
samantha

-Samantha Podewski-

2008-05-26 00:16:15

Hi Sammy,

Just an old Beaver Dam, WI contact from your "The Pit" filming days. As a local extra I even got to attend your premier in Waupun, WI. Just wanted you to know that many folks in Wisconsin still talk about your movie making days back then and our brush with greatness.

-John Bauer-

2008-05-23 09:47:54

I force everyone I know to watch THE PIT. It's the ultimate fantasy of every socially inept 12-year-old boy.

To be honest, I was crushed to discover that you've moved beyond the tra-la-logs and into dance. I'm going to conveniently forget about this website and continue to believe that you obey the commands of your possessed teddy bear. You *are* Jamie, and don't let anyone else tell you differently.

-A lad Inane-

2008-04-02 14:22:37

Hi

I know this will seem a bit stalker-ish but I just wanted to say a huge thank-you for hours of entertainment as Tom Sawyer in Huck Finn and Friends.

I'm in London and things haven't been so good of late - am having a lazy night watching YouTube, came across old Huck Finn clips, it all came flooding back! Used to LOVE Huck Finn, has so many good memories when I was young!

Thanks so much for hours of entertainment - I still remember the theme tune word for word!

Sincerely

James

-James Bishop-

2008-03-16 15:11:10

HELLO SAM,
MY KIDS (8 & 6 )WATCHING RIGHT NOW TOM SAWYER AND HUCKELBERRY FIN....THEY WHERE WONDERING HOW YOU LOOK TODAY....I FOUND YOU AND I SHOWED THEM YOUR FOTOS FROM THAT PAGE NOW......YOU LOOK STILL THE SAME...DEFENITLY A BID OLDER...WELL I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST FOR YOU FUTUER, GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS....FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE EARTH....CONNIE FROM ZÜRICH-SWITZERLAND

-Connie Hidringer-

2008-03-11 19:56:32

Hi Sam

Just got side tracked and after finding the old Huckleberry Finn theme tune on youtube brought back some amazing memories of watching the show here in England 20 odd years ago
Great to see that you`ve done so well

Steve

-Steve Biggins-

2007-08-25 07:43:21

Sammy,

The Pit is an awesome movie.

After I first saw it on telvision, it took YEARS for me to locate a copy. Reason being, that I COULDN"T REMEMBER THE TITLE!

Mid 90's, I saw the tape box at a video store "out of business" sale, I flipped over the box cover, read the description, looked at the screen capture, and knew it was the film.

I still talk about this movie to others. A post I've made on a message board in the past few months, regarding movies and such;

"The Pit is such an awesome movie. It took years for me to track it down on video. All I recalled about the movie were it's plot (Pit, trolalogs, teddy, etc). It took going to a video store out of business sale, and picking up a video titled "The Pit" to realize it was the same movie! Sword of the Valiant was similar, in that I saw it on television, and had no idea of the title. Eventually I recalled it starred Sean Connery, from there I skimmed movie books looking at movies the actor had been in, and tracked it down to that title. No VHS was available though.... Though, in the past 5 years there was a DVD release that almost snuck by me. Odd film that chugs along. I enjoy it."

Also, enclosed is a pic of my "The Pit" poster. Basically, anytime I'm near the primary television I watch movies on, this psoter hovers nearby. Framed.

"They're tra la logs.... They eat people....." "I know!"

Take care Sammy, The Pit has been on my mind for many years, and will continue to be!

Richard Ringeisen

-Richard Ringeisen-

2007-08-20 22:11:23

Hi Sam, sorry this email is nothing to do with your dance classes. I am just dropping you a line as I am an old fan of your TV series Huckleberry Fin and Tom Sawyer. Let me just tell you that when I was a kid, many years ago now I'm afraid, my best buddy and I were addicted to that show and played it out many times, in fact I always played Tom and she played Huck (yes, we were a couple of tom-boys back then, excuse the pun!). That show helped us have the best summers ever. I have recently recieved the show on DVD as a birthday gift, what a blast from the past. Wow, it is amazing to see it all again and now I am able to watch it along side my 7 year old daughter and I can see she is watching it with the same kind of love I had for the show. Anyway Tom (Sam), again, just want to let you know that you have a fan on the other side of the water who appreaciated you making those summer times so much more fun. - Zoe x
P.S. I also lived in Toronto back in the early 90's and miss the place with a passion!

-Zoe Towsnend-

2007-08-20 10:30:51

Hi Sam, I am just dropping you a line as I am an old fan of your TV series Huckleberry Fin and Tom Sawyer. Let me just tell you that when I was a kid, many years ago now I'm afraid, my best buddy and I were addicted to that show and played it out many times, in fact I always played Tom and she played Huck (yes, we were a couple of tom-boys back then, excuse the pun!). That show helped us have the best summers ever. I have recently recieved the show on DVD as a birthday gift, what a blast from the past. Wow, it is amazing to see it all again and now I am able to watch it along side my 7 year old daughter and I can see she is watching it with the same kind of love I had for the show. Anyway Tom (Sam), again, just want to let you know that you have a fan on the other side of the water who appreaciated you making those summer times so much more fun. - Zoe x

P.S. I also lived in Toronto back in the early 90's and miss the place with a passion!

-Zoe Townsend-

2007-08-19 13:52:37

Sammy Snyders,
Hi my name is Devon Whitehead, Im from Los Angeles, CA. I am a huge fan of your work in the movie The Pit. I love this movie and have watched it many many times ever since i was a kid. It is definitely one of the best horror movies and definitely one of my all time favorites.
I just wanted to say thanks for such an awesome performance in the role of Jamie and was wondering if there was anyway I could get an autograph? If its not too much trouble that is.
Thank you so much for your time, hope to hear from you soon!
-Devon

-Devon Whitehead-

2007-08-10 14:47:56

Hi Sam,

My name is Amanda Reyes and I'm a super big fan of your movie, The Pit, which I think is one of the most underrated films of the 80s. It's so wildly entertaining, I find myself watching it often. I was pleased as punch when I came across your website to see that you listed the movie on your resume. So many people don't put their horror films on their sites and it's frustrating. The Pit would have been nothing if it wasn't for your performance!

That said, I write for several websites and I'd love to send you a list of questions if you have time to answer them. This movie is loved by many (did you know there was a Sammy Snyders Yahoo group?) and I bet people would love to see how successful you've become. I can send you some reviews and interviews I've done if you'd like to read something first...

Of course, if you don't have the time or just don't want to, that's fine too. I just wanted to try to catch you before anyone else!

Please be well and I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Amanda

-Amanda Reyes-

2007-08-06 21:45:16

Thank you so much for making this movie. My friends and I found it at a used store, and we knew we just had to see it. The film was fantastic, and your portrayal of the autistic boy was top notch. I hope you are doing well, and if you are willing we would love to possibly get some autographed headshots if you do that sort of thing. Just write back if you are interested. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Nick Ludy

-Nick Ludy-

2007-07-11 09:56:56

Hello Sam

I have recently purchased the new DVD containing all the episodes of my favourite ever programme - Huckleberry Finn & His Friends! I hope you don't mind me sending you an e-mail just to say I really enjoyedyour interview about your time on the show, and how much I enjoy watching the episodes over again.

I was about 9 when I first saw the show on tv (I'm now 31). As I watch it now, I'm instantly transported back to my childhood and the school holidays (when the show was always aired). My favourite episode wasalways ''Mystery at Midnight'' and I prefer the first half of the series, when your character Tom Sawyer featured. I always remember how happy I was when he returned in the last 3 episodes, to rescue Jim!

Since I last saw the series on tv in 1991, I've wanted to see it again. Every year, I went through the tv guides hoping to find it on a satellite channel, but no luck. I even sent several e-mails to Hallmark (who werescreening the series in Scandinavia) trying to persuade them to show it in the UK, but they refused. Eventually, I found 3 videos of the series on Amazon Germany and bought them, but theywere in the German language with no subtitles!! But just to see the scenery, characters and hear that unforgettable music was worth the money.

I'm sure you can imagine my delight when I heard that the series was going to be released onto DVD. This was confirmed on amazon.co.uk. I literally counted down the days and a few weeks ago the DVD arrived!I'm now up to the episode when you're lost in the caves with Becky.

So fascinated was I with this series, that I wanted to follow your careers after Huck Finn & His Friends. I've seen Ian Tracey in ''Stake Out'', ''Tropical Heat'' and most recently ''Intelligence''. I saw Blu Mankuma in''Another Stake Out'' (definite Huck Finn link there!) and ''Flight of the Reindeer''. I always wondered what you had been up to since ''The Pit'' in 1981. I wish you every success with the dancing school.

I really appreciate your time Sam in reading this e-mail. I hope you don't think I'm mad! It would be great to hear from you sometime. Just to let you know, you were absolutely fantastic as Tom Sawyer and nowfinally the series has had the recognition that it has always deserved.

Very best wishes,

Alan

-Alan Bradford-

2007-07-08 12:01:09

Hi Sam

I hope you don't mind me emailing you. I had a look at your website to get your contact details. My name is Kevin, I live in Scotland and as a kid I was a huge fan of the Huckleberry Finn tv series in which you played a major role.

I recently bought the dvd series released in the uk and I had forgotten how good it was. Although I had bought some of the episodes from a source on the web some time ago they were nowhere near the quality I expected and were mostly incomplete episodes.

I have now watched the special box set in full, and I would just like to say how fantastic it was to watch them again and relive the old summer school holidays when they were on tv every morning. I bet you had so much fun making that show and working alongside a great acting team.

I see from your website you are doing well and would like to wish you all the best.

Regards
Kevin McLaughlin

-Kevin Mclaughlin-

2007-06-05 22:05:31

An excerpt from one of Sam's students


Swoon Lake


It all started when I saw “Chicago.” I got teary-eyed watching Catherine Zeta Jones dance. I used to dance - a little - two decades ago. But I haven’t even exercised since except for one failed yoga venture. I’m only 42, and I figured it wasn’t too late to start again.

For my first class, I’m decked out in a yellow tank top and yellow sweat pants. I even bought a matching yellow headband to contain my sweat. Dancers are supposed to glow and glisten. Not me. I sweat copiously. I knew I couldn’t survive without at least two headbands. I should’ve bought a pair of legwarmers to match.

I slink into the studio and scan the room. I don’t see anybody wearing legwarmers; thank goodness I didn’t buy any. I guess nobody wears legwarmers anymore, but they were really big back in the eighties. Were these people even born in the eighties?

A tall, leggy redhead strides over. She isn’t wearing a headband – yellow or otherwise.

“I’m Claire,” she says. “I’m at Sheridan’s musical theatre program. That’s Deborah.” She points to another young, leggy dancer – a blonde this time. “She’s at Sheridan too.”

Claire waits.

”I’m Annie,” I say. “I’m at… a… job.”

“Oh… right. Wow, that’s… great.” Her eyes glaze over.

The instructor is blond, blue-eyed and pony-tailed with an astounding muscle to fat ratio. He’s not wearing a headband either.

“Tendu, passé…relevé…”

Tendu, passé - what? Which foot are we starting on? The footwork is so fast. I stare at my feet, but it doesn’t help. We do grande pliés – deep knee bends with your feet pointing west and east; I struggle not to tip over on the way down.

Next we do battements – high kicks à la The Rockettes, only without the kick line. I hoist my leg up, but it refuses to budge over 90 degrees. I can’t remember the sequence, either; I’m a full count behind everybody else, maybe two.
“You all know this exercise,” the instructor says. “I’ll just walk around.”

Walk around? Why is he suddenly walking around? Shouldn’t he be demonstrating? He’s weaving through the dancers, giving corrections, when he suddenly stops right in front of me. Please don’t stop right here, I pray silently. I’m sweating buckets; I’m on my second yellow headband already and the warm up isn’t even over.

He’s standing this close to me; and at this distance, his muscle to fat ratio is even more astounding. We’ve been standing on our toes - otherwise known as demi-pointe - for what feels like forever. A single bead of sweat escapes the headband and begins making its way down my nose. My demi-pointe finally fails and I land with a thump on my heels. I suck in my stomach; if I can’t stay up on demi-pointe, at least I can try to be thin. He doesn’t seem to notice my failed demi-pointe, however.

“Grab a mat,” he says.

We’re lying on our backs, one leg stretched out flat, pulling the other leg towards us, but how am I supposed to pull my leg towards me when I can’t even reach it in the first place? Meanwhile, the instructor’s left foot is holding a tête a tête with his left ear while the Bee Gees croon “Love You Inside Out.” I resist the urge to break into song, because I adore the Bee Gees. They make me want to leap and soar, but the warm-up isn’t over, so I can’t leap and soar just yet.

“Okay,” he announces, “into your split.”

My split? What split? I don’t have a split. I might’ve had one once, but I lost it along with my youth. Nevertheless, I make a valiant effort, straddling the mat and sliding down as far as I can. I finally come to a stop a good foot above the floor, hovering like an eagle waiting to pounce.

“Nice work. Put on your shoes and we’ll do across the floor combinations.”

I love across the floor work. I may not be able to do grande pliés or battements, but I can travel great distances across the floor. I can leap and soar and -

“Châinés please.” Châinés are quick turns on demi-pointe. The trick is to pick a spot on the wall and focus on it so you don’t get dizzy. Spotting was never my strong suit. I let the others go first, and soon there are only two of us left. The instructor is looking at me expectantly. He finally starts counting:

“Six, seven eight and châiné châiné –”

I make it most of the way across the floor before the room starts to spin, and then I have to stagger to the barre.

“Are you okay?” A young girl of about twelve puts a steadying hand on my back.

“Oh yeah,” I say. “I had the flu on the weekend and I’m still getting over it.”

The châinés are over, thank goodness. It’s time for the real combination. Anticipation fills me – will it be a lyrical, bluesy number or jazzy à la “Chicago”? I’ll be Catherine Zeta Jones minus the bob.

“We’re doing a sexy combination this week,” the instructor explains, “so you’ve got to sell it.” He demonstrates, shaking his er, booty, and shimmying with a finesse that – given his lack of equipment - is vaguely alarming.

My own booty can’t possibly compete, but I can still shake it, can’t I? As for the shimmy, my chest, at least, is still more or less upright. This I can do; there’s no doubt about it. I have no balance, no split, and no demi-pointe, but I can shake my booty and shimmy.

“Six seven eight –”

I burst into action, shimmying with such conviction that the girl next to me shrinks back in alarm. I’m sweaty and red-faced, and I have to wear my kneepads to do the part on the floor, but I don’t care. I figure if I shimmy and shake enough booty, no one will notice my knees anyway. I leap and soar, shaking and shimmying. This is it; the real thing: I’m in heaven.

I’m going to go buy some legwarmers. Yellow ones, to match my headband.

-Annie Rosenberg-

2007-04-21 22:03:47

Hi Sam
I loved that I could see some pics of you This is your long lost cousin. PEI is beautiful and my business is growing too much, too fast. I am very well known and in high demand here. I hope every thing is good with you. You are an extremely talented person with a lot of knowledge to pass on to your students.

-Josephine Clements-

2007-04-07 08:30:59

Hi Sam,

Just like to say I've enjoyed looking at your site. I enjoy dancing myself so found it very interesting. I would love to attend one of your classes but alas I live in England! If I ever make it over to Canada I will have to drop by your studios.

I actually came across your site after looking at stuff about a show I used to love to watch Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer.

Anyway, good luck with everything.

Laura.

-Laura Clegg-

2006-09-12 09:45:12

Hey...

I finally had a good dance audition...thanks to Sam! One section inparticular reminded me of something Sam has mentioned in class. My developpes were so much higher because I remembered to lift my knee and then extend! Thanks Sam.

-Sarah Dorman-

2006-08-15 19:50:11

Hey Sam:

Thanks for the info you emailed me the other day re. the Thursday and Sunday classes. I'm off to Vancouver for ten days, but I'll be back in class after I'm back - your classes are great!

Thanks a bunch,

Annie Rosenberg

-Annie Rosenberg-

2006-07-17 08:46:00

I love your class. I had never taken a dance class before I first came to yours in December, and it's really helped me. I'm a lot more relaxed in the shoulders, and a little more graceful too! Great workout, tonnes of fun...I just wish I could come more.

Thanks a lot!

Fiona

-Fiona Roulston-

2006-07-16 13:56:14

I absolutely adore Sam's Jazz classes. His warm up is a fastastic work out while at the same time a blast! Sam has helped me with my technique and musicality. I have grown so much as a dancer over the past two years, and with much help from Sam.

Thanks Sam...see you in class.

Sarah

-Sarah Dorman-

2006-06-14 07:05:13

Hi Sam!
Great web site! I am so happy that I had a chance to watch the girls dance!They did so well! It is hard to believe that they only started dancing a year or so ago! But-where's my pic?! Lol
I miss our fun times together...
Sandra

-Sandra Clarke-