James Farentino and Robert Hegyes R.I.P.

James Farentino

Prolific actor James Farentino passed on 24 January 2012 at the age of 73 after a lengthy illness.

James Farentino was born on 24 Feburary 1938 in Brooklyn, New York. He trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. He made his debut on Broadway in The Night of the Iguana. In 1962 he made his television debut in The Naked City. He made his motion picture debut in 1963 in Violent Midnight. He appeared extensively on television in the Sixties, in such shows as The Defenders, 77 Sunset Strip, Route 66, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, Ben Casey, Laredo, The Virginian, The F.B.I., Run For Your Life, The Fugitive, and Ironside. He was a regular on The Bold Ones: The Lawyers. He appeared in such films as Ensign Pulver (1964), The War Lord (1965), The Pad and How to Use It (1966), Banning (1967), Rosie! (1967), Me Natalie (1969), and Story of a Woman (1970).

In 1973 he returned to Broadway in a revival of A Streetcar Named Desire and in 1975 in a revival of Death of a Salesman. In the Seventies he appeared on such TV shows as Rod Serling's Night Gallery, and Police Story. He was a regular on Cool Million. He appeared in the film The Final Countdown (1980).   In the Eighties he was a regular on Dynasty, Blue Thunder, Sins, and Mary. He appeared in the movies Dead and Buried (1981) and Her Alibi (1989). In the Nineties he was a regular on Julie. He appeared on the shows E.R. and Melrose Place. In the Naughts he appeared in the film Women of the Night (2001).

While Mr. Farentino had a troubled personal life, he was a fairly good actor. He played a wide variety of roles, ranging from hard working lawyers to abusive husbands. He did all of them convincingly.

Robert Hegyes

Robert Hegyes, best known for playing Epstein on Welcome Back Kotter, passed on 26 January 2012 at the age of 60. The cause was a heart attack.

Robert Hegyes was born 7 May 1951 in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. He grew up in Metuchen, New Jersey. He received a degree in speech, theatre, and dance at Glassboro State College in Glassboro, New Jersey. After college he moved to New York to pursue a career in acting. He was performing in an off Broadway play, Don't Call Back, when he was cast on Welcome Back, Kotter. He appeared on the series for four years. In the Seventies he also guest starred on The Streets of San Francisco and Chico and the Man. He appeared in the film Just Tell Me You Love Me (1978). In the Eighties he was a regular on Cagney and Lacey. He appeared on the series Lewis & Clark and CHIPS. He also appeared in the movie Underground Aces (1981).  In the Nineties Mr. Hegyes appeared in the movies Bob Roberts (1992) and The Pandora Project (1998). He appeared on the shows L. A. Heat, NewsRadio, and Diagnosis Murder. In the Naughts he appeared in the films Pupose (2002) and Hip, Edgy, Sexy, Cool (2002).

He also taught at Venice High School in California.

Robert Hegyes created two memorable characters on television. Epstein on Welcome Back, Kotter was a teenage Sgt. Bilko with a penchant for forging absence excuses. Manny Epsoito on Cagney & Lacey was a freewheeling detective who took a somewhat informal approach to his job. That people remember both characters, that Mr. Hegyes was mourned a good deal on both Twitter and Facebook, is a tribute to his career as an actor. While his career was not necessarily long or prolific, he accomplished something only a very few actors did. He left a lasting mark in the lives of many fans.

Dick Tufeld Passes On

Voice artist Dick Tufeld, best known for providing the voice for the Robot on Lost in Space, passed on 22 January 2012 at the age of 85.

Dick Tufeld was born on 11 December 1926 in Los Angeles, California. He grew up in Pasadena, California. As a child he was fascinated by radio dramas such as The Shadow and The Green Hornet. He studied at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, majoring in speech. After college he moved to Los Angeles, where he found employment in radio. Starting in 1949 he was the announcer on The Amazing Mr. Malone, Falstaff's Fables, and the radio version of Space Patrol.

It was through Space Patrol that he first worked in television, serving as the announcer of the television version of the space opera starting in 1953. He also served as the announcer on the Fifties series Annie Oakley and Surfside 6. In the Sixties he was the announcer on the TV series The Gallant Men and The Judy Garland Show. It was in 1964 that he first worked with producer Irwin Allen on the TV show Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, serving as a the announcer on that series. It was in 1965 that he received his most famous job, one courtesy of Irwin Allen, as the Robot on Lost in Space. Memorable for the line (not quite uttered every episode) "Danger, Will Robinson," the Robot was easily the most popular character on the show alongside Dr. Smith (played by Jonathan Harris). He also served as the announcer on the Irwin Allen show The Time Tunnel.  In the Seventies, Eighties, and Nineties he served as an announcer on cartoons such as The Fantastic Four, Spider-Woman, Thundarr the Barbarian, Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends, Garfield and Friends, and Histeria. He reprised his role as the Robot in the 1998 feature film version of Lost in Space and in 1998 and 2004 episodes of The Simpsons.


Dick Tufeld also voiced many commercials over the years. He voiced commercials for Mr. Bubble bubble bath, Gallo wine, and Zenith television sets. He also narrated The Wonderful World of Disney and the trailer for the movie Mary Poppins.

While not everyone might recognise Dick Tufeld's name, the majority of the population might well recognise his voice. Even if he had not been the voice of the Robot on Lost in Space, his voice was ubiquitous on television from the Fifties into the Sixties. The reason was that he was one of the great voice talents of his generation. Mr. Tufeld's voice was mid-ranged and very easy on the ears. He could convey excitement without seeming bombastic or overblown. What is more, his voice was such that he could convey emotions very subtlety, whether it was excitement, solemnity, or sorrow that was called for. It is little wonder, then, that he should have done so many television shows and commercials, or that the Robot on Lost in Space is remembered to this day. 

The Late Great Nicol Williamson

Nicol Williamson, perhaps best known for his role as Merlin in the movie Excalibur (1981), passed 16 December 2011 at the age of 75. The cause was oesophageal cancer.

Nicol Williamson was born 14 September 1936 in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, Scotland. When he was still young his family moved to England, where young Mr. Williamson attended Central Grammar School in Birmingham. He left school at 16 to work in a factory run by his father. He later attended the Birmingham  School of Speech and Drama. He regarded his time there as a disaster, dismissing the school as "...nothing more than a finishing school for the daughters of local businessmen” He spent his National Service as a gunner in the Airborne Division.

Following National Service Nicol Williamson became part of the Dundee Repertory Theatre. There he appeared in 33 productions. He made his debut at the Royal Court in 1961 in That's Us. He had his first big success in the theatre with Inadmissible Evidence on the West End in 1964. In 1966  Inadmissible Evidence moved to Broadway. Mr. Williamson won a Tony Award for his performance. Nicol Williamson's stage career would include performances in such productions as Hamlet, Plaza Suite, Hamlet, Uncle Vanya, Macbeth, and Jack: A Night on the Town with John Barrymore.

Nicol Williamson's film career began in 1956 with an uncredited part in The Iron Petticoat. In the Sixties he appeared in such films as The Six-Sided Triangle (1963), The Bofors Gun (1968), the film adaptation of Inadmissible Evidence (1968), The Reckoning (1969), Laughter in the Dark (1969), and Hamlet (1969). He appeared on such television shows as ITV Play of the Week, Z Cars, Teletale, Six, and The Wednesday Play.

In the Seventies appeared in such films as The Jerusalem File (1972), Le moine (1972), The Wilby Conspiracy (1975), Robin and Marian (1976--in which he played Little John to Sean Connery's Robin Hood), The Seven Per-Cent Solution (1976--in which he played Sherlock Holmes), The Goodbye Girl (1977), and The Cheap Detective (1978).  On television he appeard on such shows as Thirty Minute Theatre, Late Night Drama, and Columbo. It was in 1981 that he appeared in his best known role, as Merlin in Excalibur. During the Eighties he appeared in such other films as Venom (1981), I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can (1982), Return to Oz (1985), Black Widow (1987), and The Exorcist III (1990). He appeared on television in the mini-series Christopher Columbus and Lord Mountbatten--The Last Viceroy. In the Nineties he appeared in an episode of Chillers and the movies The Advocate (1993), The Wind in the Willows (1996), and Spawn (1997).

Nicol Williamson was as well known for his temperament as he  was his talent, and both were considerable. Very few actors over the years could play characters with the intensity with which Mr. Williamson did. Indeed, in many respects Nicol Williamson could be compared to Richard Burton or Marlon Brando, although arguably he had more consistency in the quality of his performances than either of them. Indeed, Mr. Williamson did not simply give great performances in classics such as Excalibur (playing the quintessential Merlin), but good performances even in films that were somewhat less than classics (Cogliostro in Spawn). Although often known for his somewhat fiery temperament, it will be for his talent that he will be remembered.

Robert Dozier Passes On

Film and television writer Robert Dozier passed on 6 January 2012 at the age of 81.

Robert Dozier was born in 1930 in Hollywood, California. His father was producer William Dozier, who would later gain his most lasting fame as producer and narrator on the TV series Batman. Mr. Dozier graduated Beverly Hills High School and attended Brown University for a brief time. During World War II he served in the United States Army Signal Corps, where he made documentaries.

Mr. Dozier started out in television writing episodes of Studio One. During the late Fifties he would go onto write for the series Four Star Playhouse, The Kaiser Aluminum Hour,  Front Row Centre, Thriller, Have Gun--Will Travel, and G.E. Theatre.  In the Sixties he wrote the story for the film I Could Go On Singing, and the screenplays for The Cardinal (1963) and The Big Bounce (1969).  He wrote episodes of Espionage, Dan August, The Lieutenant, and Batman. In the Seventies he wrote episodes of Harry O., a series which he also produced. In the Eighties he wrote an episode of The Devlin Connection and produced the series The Contender.  He retired in 1989.

Robert Dozier was a very good writer whose teleplays often portrayed the downtrodden. For instance, one of his scripts for Have Gun--Will Travel centred on an elderly man who believed himself to be Don Quixote, still hoping for knighthood. Mr. Dozier's script for Thriller centred on a young boy who has been neglected by his father. Mr. Dozier wrote "Deal a Blow" for Climax, which dealt with the relationship between a son and his overbearing father. It was later adapted as the motion picture The Young Stranger in 1957. Throughout his career Robert Dozier wrote many fine scripts which upheld the underdog. It's for that he will be remembered as a television and movie writer.

Johnny Otis R.I.P.

Legendary rhythm and blues bandleader Johnny Otis passed on 17 January 2012 at the age of 90.

Johnny Otis was born John Alexander Veliotes on 28 December 1921 in Vallejo, California. The son of Greek immigrants, he grew up  in a predominantly black section of Berkeley, California. He started drumming professionally in 1939. In 1945 he formed his own sixteen piece band. It was also that year that he had his first hit with "Harlem Nocturne."

From the late Forties into the Fifties he would have several hits, including "Double Crossing Blues," "Mistrustin' Blues," "Rockin' Blues," "Gee Baby," "Call Operator 210," and "Willie and the Hand Jive." "Willie and the Hand Jive" was arguably his biggest hit. It was also his last. In addition to his various hit songs, Mr. Otis also discovered the recently deceased Etta James and Big Jay McNeely.  He also produced the original version of "Hound Dog," performed by Big Mama Thornton. He composed several songs as well, including "Every Beat of My Heart," performed by The Royals.

In the Sixties Mr. Otis turned his attention to politics and the civil rights movement. In 1968 he published his first book, Listen to the Lambs (1968). He would publish three more books, including Upside Your Head!: Rhythm and Blues on Central Avenue (1993), Colours and Chords (1995), and Red Beans & Rice and Other Rock ’n’ Roll Recipes (1997).  He continued to perform music into the Naughts.

There can be no doubt that Johnny Otis was a pioneer. With his orchestra in the late Forties he blended jazz, gospel music, and the blues in a way that could rightfully be considered a forerunner of rock 'n' roll. Indeed, by the early Fifties it can be argued that he was performing rock 'n' roll before the genre had even been given its name. Although his last hit would be in 1958, he then had a lasting impact on the history of popular music.

Etta James Passes On

Etta James, the legendary rhythm and blues singer, passed today at the age of 73. The cause was complications from leukaemia.

Etta James was born Jamesetta Hawkins in Los Angeles, California on 25 January 1938. Her mother was only 14 when Miss James was born. During her early years she was raised by foster parents. Etta James started singing early, at age five in church.  At the age of 12 she moved with her mother to San Francisco. As a teenager she switched from the Gospel music she sang in church to rhythm and blues.

She was only 15 years old when she recorded her first song and had her first hit. "Roll Me with Me, Henry (also known by its bowdlerised title, "Dance with Me, Henry") topped the rhythm and blues charts for four weeks.  She had a follow up hit with "Good Rockin' Daddy," which went to number 6 on the rhythm and blues chart in 1955. Miss James would not have another hit until she signed with the legendary Chess label in 1959. That hit was "If I Can't Have You" with Henry Fuqua.

In 1960 "If I Can't Have You" was followed by the hits "Spoonful," "All I Could Do Is Cry," and "My Dearest Darling." It was in 1961 that she had a hit with what many consider her signature song, "At Last." "At Last" hit number two on the rhythm and blues chart, but only went to number 47 on the Billboard Hot 100. Despite its poor showing on the Hot 100 chart, the song would grow in popularity until Miss James' version became the quintessential one and her most popular song. She would have further hits with '"Trust in Me," "Something's Got a Hold of Me," and "Pushover."

After "Loving You More Every Day" was released in 1964, Miss James' career would go into a lull and she would have no further hits until "Tell Mama" in 1967. Miss James had further hits with "Security," "Almost Persuaded," and "Losers, Weepers (Part 1)." "I Found a Love" was her last major hit, released in 1972.The 1980 album Changes would be her last for nine years as she fought both alcoholism and drug addiction. Following Seven Year Itch in 1980 she would release several more albums until her final album, The Dreamer released in November 2011.

While many of Etta James' songs would fail to cross over from the rhythm and blues charts to the Billboard Hot 100, her songs have proven to have a lasting success that some of her more successful contemporaries would not. Much of the reason was her incredible voice, which could deliver emotion more powerfully than most any other singer. Another reason was that Miss James was very versatile as a singer. She started her career singing doo wop. During her years with chess she tended more towards ballads. In her later years she gravitated more towards jazz. In fact, even though Miss James has often been classed as a rhythm and blues singer, she is actually difficult to classify to one single genre. Etta James performed everything from traditional rhythm and blues to doo wop to rock 'n' roll to soul. She was a one of a kind talent who could perform almost anything.

The Day the Internet Went Dark

“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”~Edmund Burke

If you went to A Shroud of Thoughts yesterday, you would have encountered a 503 error accompanied by verbage explaining why the Stop Online Piracy Act and the Protect IP Act bills are dangerous. The 503 error was coded by me at the suggestion of Google (503 error prevents one's rankings on Google from being affected). The blackout template was designed by April Russo of Cranial Soup. The reason that A Shroud of Thoughts went dark was quite simply that it was part of the much larger internet strike protesting both SOPA and PIPA, in which several sites throughout the Web went dark. I don't want to talk here about why SOPA and PIPA are bad here (you can read all about both bills at Fight For the Future). What I would like to discuss is the fact that what happened yesterday was, quite simply, unprecedented.

Indeed, according to  Fight for the Future some 50,000 websites blacked out all or some of their sites. The most publicised was perhaps Wikipedia, where the only entries one could look up without encountering the blackout page were "SOPA," "PIPA," and "Censorship." Google blacked out their famous doodle. Clicking on the big black space that covered the doodle took one to an online petition against both bills. Both Wired and The Huffington Post redacted large parts of their site. Matthew Inman, creator of the popular webcomic The Oatmeal, replaced his strips with a long animated GIF explaining SOPA and its dangers with his characteristic humour. For Wordpress bloggers there was a blackout plugin available, although the popular blogging service itself participated in the blackout by redacting the blogs hosted there. Even members of Congress blacked out their web sites in solidarity with the protests against SOPA and PIPA: Representative Anna Eshoo and Representative Zoe Lofgren.  Fight for the Future estimates a total of 116,000 websites participated in the protest in some way, shape or form.

Indeed, according to Fight for the Future, 3 million people emailed congress and another 10 million people signed petitions. Fight for the Future estimated that 2.2. million tweets on Twitter mentioned SOPA yesterday. In fact, at times yesterday Congressional websites were receiving so much traffic from anti-SOPA/anti-PIPA protesters that they crashed. The offices of Congressmen and Senators were inundated with calls and emails from people protesting the two bills.

What is more is the online protests seem to have had some effect. The number of Senators supporting PIPA dropped from 40 to 20. Six of the Senators who had co-sponsored the bill withdrew their names from it. In the House of Representative, three Congressmen who had supported the bill backed away from it. Given the fact that this happened on the same day as the blackout to protest the two bills, it would seem that the blackout had its intended effect. In fact, on his Facebook page Senator John Boozman of Arkansas said that he had changed his position on PIPA because of the protest. Sadly, many Senators still support PIPA and many Congressmen support SOPA  (for those of you who might want to contact them and convince them to straighten up their act, here's a complete list).

Three things strike me with regards to yesterday's protest against SOPA and PIPA. The first is how large the protest actually was. As shown above, individuals who took action in some form against the two bills was estimated to be in the millions. In the seventeen years I've been online I don't think I have ever seen that many people gathered together on the internet for one cause. The second is that this was a protest as never has been before. Websites either went dark or redacted much of their text. It was as Fight for the Future describes it, an internet strike. What is more, it was not simply the big name websites that went dark, but small websites like The Oatmeal and many blogs (like this one). Quite simply, the technoscenti and those of us who regularly use the web stood up together and told Congress, Hollywood, the music industry, and the various other corporate supporters of the bills, "No." The third is that to some extent the internet blackout actually worked. PIPA and SOPA both lost supporters.

Of course, the fight is not over yet. SOPA could still pass. And while President Obama has said that he will veto it, it is possible that it could pass with the two-thirds majority necessary to override his veto. Because of this we must keep up the pressure. Contact your Senator or Representative and let them know how dangerous these two bills are. Whether they are intended as a means of censoring the Web or not, the way that they are written that is certainly the effect they will have.