End of 2011

So I thought I would end the year with a post from TCM with their annual remembrance of all the film industry people who have passed away this year.

Jamed Arness (1923-2011)

I just found out today that James Arness, of Gunsmoke fame, passed away yesterday at the age of 88. Before he took on the role of Matt Dillion for twenty years (it held the record for the longest running drama TV until last year) he did a few film roles and was hesitant to take on Gunsmoke and be typecast until his friend John Wayne encouraged him to take it. “Go ahead and take it, Jim,” Wayne urged him. “You’re too big for pictures. Guys like Gregory Peck and I don’t want a big lug like you towering over us. Make your mark in television.” Standing 6 feet, 6 inches tall he most defiantly left a mark and he will be missed.

Jane Russell (1921-2011)

It’s always sad to report that another Hollywood legend has passed away. Yesterday we lost Jane Russell to a respiratory-related illness. Russell, known for her roles in Gentleman Prefer Blondes and The Outlaw, brought to the screen a presence of strong beauty. One who could play against men like Robert Mitchum and hold her own. Too bad Howard Hughes controlled her early film contract and limited her opportunities to become a bigger star than she was.

James MacArthur

I’m sad to report that James MacArthur has passed away from natural causes at the age of 72. I was really hoping he would have been able to make a cameo appearance on the new Hawaii Five-0 since he is the original Danno. Though out of all his film, stage, and TV performances, I will most fondly remember him as Fritz from Swiss Family Robinson.

Happy 85th Angela Lansbury!

When I was kid I grew up watching Murder, She Wrote. It is a fun show to watch even now just to see who’s who in classic Hollywood guest starring. Though there is one thing to make note: Never, ever invite Jessica Fletcher to your wedding or have her come for a visit because a murder was guaranteed. Anyways, I grew up knowing Angela Lansbury as a kind, gentle woman from her roles like Murder She Wrote, Bedknobs and Broomsticks and Blue Hawaii. Then when I was in high school I watched Manchurian Candidate (1962) and that was when I realized that she really is a talented actor. If you get a chance, watch it. It’s one of my favorite psychological thrillers. The pace maybe a bit slow, but the cinematography/set designs in the flashback scenes were quite ingenious. Plus, you will never look at Angela Lansbury the same way again.

Tony Curtis

Bernard Schwartz aka Tony Curtis (1925–2010)

Today the film icon Tony Curtis passed away from cardiac arrest. It makes me sad that we are quickly losing classic Hollywood. If you have never seen one of his films you should try two of my favorites:

Some Like It Hot (1959)
Starring Tony Curtis and Jack Lemon
When two musicians witness a mob hit, they flee the state in an all female band disguised as women, but further complications set in.

Operation Petticoat (1959)
Starring Tony Curtis and Cary Grant
World War II comedy about a submarine commander (Grant) who finds himself stuck with a decrepit sub, a con-man executive officer (Curtis) and a group of army nurses.


In 2002 I had the opportunity to see Tony Curtis perform live in a touring production of Some Like It Hot but this time around he was Osgood Fielding III and not the young romantic lead.

Goodbye Tony Curtis, I will miss your beautiful blue eyes.

Happy Birthday John Wayne!

I just could not let this day go past without sending out a birthday wish to the Duke! In honor of his 103rd birthday I would like to share one of my favorite film quotes of his from the film Chisum.

He just tracked down the thief that stole his horses:

Thief: So if you want these horses, I sell them to you. Did you bring some gold with you?
Chisum: No.
Thief: Silver?
Chisum: Just lead! (and of course Wayne shoots him and takes back his horses)

They will never learn, that you just do not mess with the Duke.

Happy Birthday James Stewart

Today James Stewart, affectionately known as Jimmy, would have been 102. If all you know of him is “It’s a Wonderful Life” let me suggest two films of his that I really enjoy and might make you want to stop and watch another film of his when you see it while flipping through the channels.

Rear Window (1954)
Professional photographer Jeff confined to his New York apartment with a broken leg spends his time looking out of the window observing the neighbors. He begins to suspect that a man across the courtyard may have murdered his wife.

My Thoughts: One of my favorite Alfred Hitchcock films, that has a great cast- Grace Kelly, Thelma Ritter (who I think is a wonderful character actor), and even Raymond Burr (that is Perry Mason to you).

Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation (1962)
Mr. Hobbs longs for a vacation alone with his wife away from his long commute into work and his dysfunctional family. His wife longs for a family get-together. Of course the wife wins and off to the beach with the family they go.

My Thoughts: Laugh out loud funny. I particularly love the dance scene with Jimmy drumming up dance partners for his daughter.

Happy Birthday James Garner

Happy 82nd Birthday to James Garner!

To celebrate his birthday let me recommend three must see films of his or least my three favorite films of his:

The Great Escape (1963)
Allied POWs plan for several hundred of their number to escape from a German camp during World War II.

My thoughts: This is one of my favorite war films and Garner’s character “The Scrounger” is brilliantly played.

Support Your Local Sheriff (1969)
McCullough is "passing through on my way to Australia" when he takes a job in a gold rush town. After a startling display of marksmanship he immediately arrests the youngest son of the evil landowner. A battle of hired guns begins as McCullough continues to tame the town and defeat the gunslingers with a combination of skill and wit.

My thoughts: Laugh out loud funny with so many memorable moments.

Murphy’s Romance (1985)
Emma is a divorced woman with a teen aged boy who moves into a small town and tries to make a go of a horse ranch. Murphey is the town druggist who steers business her way. Things are going along predictably until her ex husband shows up.

My thoughts: A different kind of romantic comedy that shows that love has no age.

Robert Culp

Yesterday the actor Robert Culp passed away and it made me think of my childhood and how I loved watching The Greatest American Hero. You remember the series of the man who is given the red suit that gives him superhuman powers by aliens but he lost the instruction manual so he is really bad at flying? Culp played the FBI agent Bill Maxwell who helps Ralph Hinckley (played by William Katt) with his magic red suit fight the bad guys. Culp also starred in the original I Spy series with Bill Cosby and made numerous of television appearances on shows like Columbo. He was a true television icon and will be missed.

Elvis

Today, Elvis Presley would have turned 75. He has been dead for 32 years yet everyone knows who he is. Now that is a music legend. You may be asking yourself, why would I be posting about Elvis? Well, before there was John Wayne in my life, there was Elvis. It started when I was in 3rd grade (7 years old) and lasted through 6th grade. I still love his music and enjoy his films I just don’t have a picture of him hanging on my wall. At times I really think I was born in the wrong era, but lucky for me I was not because wearing a dress everyday would have killed me. I only like Elvis when he was young and handsome, before the years of drugs and fame dragged him down. Every year in honor of him I watch one of his films for his birthday- mainly Blue Hawaii my personal favorite. Yes, it is fluffy but seeing Angela Lansbury (Murder She Wrote) play his mom is worth it even if you don’t like him. Plus the film has a great soundtrack that even you would recognize. G.I. Blues is a pretty good film as well—young Elvis in a uniform, need I say more?

Happy 75th Elvis!