Nightmare Alley (1947)

Coleen Gray and Tyrone Power in Nightmare Alley

Nightmare Alley (1947) differs from the majority of film noirs. First, while most film noirs were either low budget B-movies produced by the major studies or independent, low budget B-movies, Nightmare Alley (1947) was an A-picture with a much bigger budget produced by a major studio, namely 20th Century Fox.  Second, Nightmare Alley (1947) is far darker than the average film noir. It is a vision of dysfunction and despair that is intense even by today's standards.

Nightmare Alley (1947) was based on the best selling, 1946 novel of the same name by William Lindsay Gresham. Like the novel, Nightmare Alley (1947) centred on Stanton "Stan" Carlisle (Tyrone Power), a shady barker with a travelling carnival. He works with mentalist Zeena Krumbein (Joan Blondell) and her alcoholic ex-husband Pete (Ian Keith). Once a big time act on vaudeville, in the past Zeena and Pete had operated using a code that would effectively allow Zeena to give the illusion of having actual mental powers. Stan cajoles Zeena of the code, only to desert Zeena for Molly (Coleen Gray), the carnival's "Electric Girl." Stan then uses the code to create his own, highly successful mentalism act.

It was in late September of 1946 that 20th Century Fox bought the rights to the novel Nightmare Alley for $50,000. William Lindsay Gresham was also hired as a consultant to screenplay writer Jules Fuhrman, although he is given no on-screen credit. According to a November 1946 issue of The Hollywood Reporter, Mark Stevens and Anne Baxter were set to star in the movie, with William Keighley directing. By January 1947, Lloyd Bacon was set to be the director. In a February 1947 memo, 20th Century Fox head Darryl F. Zanuck suggested Celeste Holm as Zeena, June Allyson as Molly, and either Marlene Dietrich, Luise Rainer or Constance Bennett  as psychologist Lilith Ritter. 

Ultimately, it would be Tyrone Power would play the lead role of Stan Carlisle. As of the mid-Forties, Tyrone Power was best known for such swashbuckling movies as The Mark of Zorro (1940) and The Black Swan (1942). He was eager to expand beyond those sorts of roles, and the part of seedy, dishonest Stan Carlisle was certainly a far cry from Zorro or Captain  Jamie Waring. As to Colleen Gray, her husband at the time, director Rod Amateau, brought the book home and told  her to read it. She did so and thought she was "born to play Molly." She then met with Darryl F. Zanuck. He told her if they got a big name to play Stan, then they could use an unknown actress as Molly. But if they only got a medium star as Stan, they would have to go with a bigger name for Molly. Coleen Gray then tested for the role opposite with some of the men who were testing for Stan. These tests would not only lead to her being cast as Molly in Nightmare Alley (1947). Director Henry Hathaway saw the tests and decided he wanted her as Nettie in Kiss of Death (1947).  As to director Edmund Goulding, Tyrone Power reportedly campaigned for him to helm the picture.

While Tyrone Power was drawn tot he role of the conniving Stan Carlisle, Darryl F. Zanuck was not so enamoured with the novel. The novel was dark even by today's standards, and Darryl F. Zanuck wanted it toned down considerably. In story conferences for Nightmare Alley Darryl F. Zanuck criticized the outlines as "lacking a sympathetic character to root for." He also insisted that Stan be made more relatable by giving him some good traits. It was also Darryl F. Zanuck who suggested that screenwriter Jules Furthman  soften the novel's extremely bleak ending.  Nightmare Alley (1947) would not only run afoul of Darryl F. Zanuck. The Production Code Administration insisted that 20th Century Fox tone down its treatment of "illicit sex and adultery." 

While Darryl F. Zanuck was not particularly fond of the movie's source material, 20th Century Fox was committed to bringing a travelling carnival to life on screen. They used 10 acres of the 20th Century Fox backlot to build a fully operational carnival. They also hired over 100 sideshow attractions, as well as carnival workers. Adding to the film's authenticity was that some scenes were filmed at the San Diego County Fair in Del Mar, California.

Given that Darryl F. Zanuck was not particularly fond of the movie's source material and not too happy that his romantic lead was playing an unscrupulous character, 20th Century Fox provided Nightmare Alley (1947) with little in the way of promotion. To make matters worse, reviews for the film were decidedly mixed. The New York Times review praised Tyrone Power and others' performances, but stated, "this film traverses distasteful dramatic ground and only rarely does it achieve any substance as entertainment."James Agee in both The Nation and Time viewed Nightmare Alley (1947) somewhat more positively, writing in Time, " They have seldom forgotten that the original novel they were adapting is essentially intelligent trash, and they have never forgotten that on the screen pretty exciting things can be made of trash." Variety also gave a somewhat more positive review than The New York Times, beginning their review with "Nightmare Alley is a harsh, brutal story told with a sharp clarity of an etching. There isn't a really sympathetic or inspiring character in the show, but acting, direction, and production values lift the piece to the plane of gripping drama."

Made for $1,900,000, Nightmare Alley (1947) made only around $2 million at the box office. This meant that 20th Century Fox actually lost money on the film. While it received mixed reviews and bombed at the box office, Nightmare Alley (1947) would be re-evaluated and over time has become regarded as one of the greatest film noirs of all time. The film is regarded as some of Tyrone Power's best work. 

In 2021, a new adaptation of the novel was released, directed by Guillermo del Toro. Given times have changed, Nightmare Alley (2021) is more faithful to the novel. It received largely positive reviews, although, like the 1947 version, it lost money at the box office.

Even though compromises had to be made in adapting the novel Nightmare Alley to the screen in 1947, Nightmare Alley (1947) remains intense. In fact, at times it borders as much on horror as it does film noir. Unlike many film noirs, it focused not on violent crimes or murder, but instead on the corruption and psychological decay both in one individual (Stan), as well as American society. It also broke with Tyrone Power's previous, heroic roles. Nightmare Alley (1947) may not have been particularly well-received upon its initial release, but it has since become regarded as a classic. 

Naturally Native (1998)

Hollywood has not always been kind to Native Americans. When Native Americans have appeared in Hollywood films, it has been in Westerns where they were often portrayed as gross stereotypes. It is rare occurrence that Native Americans have appeared in movies in the present day in stories centred around them. That alone makes Naturally Native (1998) a remarkable film. What makes it even more remarkable is that it is the first film created by and starring Native American women. It is also the first film to be financed by a Native American nation. It was financed by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation of Connecticut.

Naturally Native (1998) centres on three sisters: the eldest, Vickie Lewis Bighawk (Valerie Red-Horse), a San Fernando Valley housewife who is something of an activist and has something of a temper; middle sister Karen Lewis (Kimberly Guerrero), who has just received her Masters in Business Administration and is considering a big job in Chicago; and the youngest, Tanya Lewis (Irene Bedard), an aspiring actress who is more interested in men and fashion than her Native heritage. The three sisters were taken from their father at a young age and placed with white foster parents. Only Vickie, who is married to a Sioux man, Steve Bighawk (Pato Hoffmann), has made an effort to reconnect with her Native heritage. She met with their biological father, who taught her old tribal remedies and self-care. It is Vickie who comes up with the idea of launching a business making cosmetics and hair care products made using the old tribal remedies. Unfortunately, to launch their businesses the three sisters face obstacles in the form of everything from personal problems to outright racism and sexism.

Naturally Native (1998) was directed by Valerie Red-Horse and Jennifer Wynne Farmer. The film emerged from Valerie Red-Horse's own difficulties for finding funding for her films in Hollywood. She and her friend Jennifer Wynne Farmer enrolled in a class on low-budget filmmaking at UCLA. Valerie Red-Horse thought her fellow students did not take her too seriously when she said they were going to make a film. Regardless, Valerie Red-Horse continued with her plans to make a movie and asked Jennifer Wynne Farmer to co-direct it. This proved to be fortunate, as Valerie Red-Horse found out she was pregnant while the movie was being produced.

As to the personalities of the three sisters, Valerie Red-Horse based them on herself at various stages of her life. The youngest, Tanya, was based on herself as she was in high school, when she was more interested in boys and clothes than her Native heritage. The middle sister, Karen, was based on herself in college, when she was focused on academics. The eldest, Vickie, was based on herself in the present. When she made Naturally Native (1998), Valerie Red Horse had already both acted and written for television. She had guest-starred on such shows as Werewolf, Supercarrier, and Murder, She Wrote. Kimberly Guerrero, who played Karen, had guest starred on Northern Exposure and Seinfeld, and appeared in TV movies. Irene Bedard, who played youngest sister Tanya, was probably the best known of the three lead actress. She was the voice of Pocahontas in the 1995 Disney movie and had appeared in the cult classic Smoke Signals (1998). She had also appeared in several TV movies and guest starred on such shows as The Marshal and Profiler.

As to financing the film, Valerie Red-Horse and her co-producers Dawn Jackson and Yvonne Russo approached the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe of Connecticut, who operated one of the largest and most successful Native American casinos. She asked for $100,000, with plans to approach other tribes for the rest of the financing. As it turned out, Mashantucket Pequot Tribe of Connecticut loved the script and agreed to finance the whole $700,000. 

Naturally Native (1998) was shot over 19 days in the Los Angeles area, from October 15, 1997 to November 7, 1997. The film's cinematographer, Bruce L. Finn, had worked on a project connected to Valerie Red-Horse before. She had co-written a CBS Schoolbreak Special, "My Indian Summer," centred on a Native American teen who spends a summer on a reservation in order to learn more about her culture. Bruce L. Finn was the cinematographer on the special.

Naturally Native (1998) premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 1998. In April of the same year it was shown at the USA Film Festival and WorldFest Houston. It was also screened at various Native American reservations and even at Paramount Studios in Hollywood. Unfortunately, it failed to find a United States distributor, although there would be individual screening at various theatres around the country and it would be released on video. Currently, Naturally Native (1998) is unavailable on streaming, although Valerie Red-Horse uploaded the movie to Vimeo, where it can still be viewed for free.

As mentioned earlier, Naturally Native (1998) was the first film made by and starring Native American women. It was also the first move financed by a Native American tribe. Naturally Native (1998) covers a good deal of ground and touches upon so many issues still experienced by Native Americans to this day. It addresses the policy of separating Native American children from their tribes and placing them with white parents as well as the Bureau of Indian Affairs and its policies on determining on just who is Native American. As might be expected, then, much of the movie, deals with the nature of Native American identity. If that sounds like a lot, Naturally Native (1998) also addresses the sexism and racism faced by Native American women, cultural misappropriation, Native American stereotypes, the sexual objectification of Native American women, and much more. That sounds like a lot, but while watching the film it does not feel forced or contrived in anyway. Of course, much of this is helped by the strong performances of the three leads.

Naturally Native (1998) is a historic film in multiple ways. As the first film created by and starring Native American women, it features a feminine perspective not seen in earlier films about Native Americans, such as Powwow Highway (1998) and Smoke Signals (1998). It also differs from those films in that it is not set on a reservation. Naturally Native (1998) largely unfolds in suburban San Fernando Valley. Of course, as mentioned earlier, it was the first film produced by a Native American tribe. Naturally Native (1998) broke a good deal of new ground. It is a shame that it is not better known and not seen more often.

The Late Great Sir Patrick Stewart

Sir Patrick Stewart died on October 28, 2026, at the age of 86. He had Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia. Although best known for playing Captain Jean-Luc Picard on Star Trek: The Next Generation and Professor Xavier in the X-Men movies, he appeared in a wide variety of roles, from Sejanus in I, Claudius to Gurney Halleck in Dune (1984).

Patrick Stewart was born on July 13, 1940 in Mirfield, Yorkshire. He attended Crowlees Junior and Infants School in Mirfield and then Mirfield Secondary Modern School. He left school at age 15 and he took a job at the newspaper The Dewsbury Reporter. At the same time, he took part in local theatre. He left the newspaper after a year to pursue acting. To make a living, he took a job in sales at a furniture store. At 18, he won a scholarship at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. He was 26 when he joined the Royal Shakespeare Company. In the Sixties, he also acted with the National Theatre.

Patrick Stewart made his television debut in an episode of Story Parade. In the Sixties, he appeared on the TV shows Theatre 625 and Coronation Street. He appeared in the mini-series Civilisation. In the Seventies, he made his film debut in Hennesssy (1975). He appeared in the movies Hedda (1975) and The Anatomist (1980). He appeared on the TV shows BBC Play of the Month, Play for Today, 2nd House, Omnibus, Joby, Churchill's People, Drama, BBC2 Play of the Week, and The BBC Television Shakespeare. He appeared in the mini-series Fall of Eagles; North & South; I, Claudius; and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. He appeared on Broadway in A Midsummer Night's Dream. In Britain, he appeared in productions of Hedda Gabler, Bingo,. A Midsummer Night's Dream, and A Miserable Lonely Death.

It was in 1987 that he began playing Captain Jean-Luc Picard on Star Trek: The Next Generation. He also guest starred on the shows The English Programme, Maybury, Screenplay, and Theatre Night. He appeared in the movies Excalibur (1981), Uindii (1984), Dune (1984), Wild Geese II (1985), Lifeforce (1985), Code Name: Emerald (1985), The Doctor and the Devils (1985), and Lady Jane (1986).

In the Nineties, he continued to appear on Star Trek: The Next Generation. As Jean-Luc Picard, he also made a guest appearance on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and appeared in the movies Star Trek: Generations (1994), Star Trek: First Contact (1996), and Star Trek: Insurrection (1998). He appeared in the mini-series 500 Nations and Moby Dick. He appeared in the TV movies The Canterville Ghost, Moby Dick, and A Christmas Carol. He was the voice of Napoleon in the TV movie Animal Farm. He appeared in the movies L.A. Story (1991), Gunmen (1993), Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993), Jeffrey(1995), Let It Be Me (1995), Conspiracy Theory (1997), Masterminds (1997), Dad Savage (1998), Wayfarers (1998), and X-Men (2000). He was the voice of Set in Prince of Egypt (1998) He appeared on Broadway in A Christmas Carol, The Tempest, and The Ride Down Mt. Morgan.

In the Naughts, he guest starred on the TV shows Frasier, Extras, and Great Performances He appeared in the mini-series Mysterious Island and Eleventh Hour. He appeared on such TV movies The Lion in Winter, The Last Dragon, The Snow Queen, and Hamlet. He appeared in the movies Star Trek: Nemesis (2002). X2 (2003), The Game of Their Lives (2005), X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), and X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009). He provided voices for the animated films Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius (2001) and Chicken Little (2005). He appeared on Broadway in The Caretaker, Macbeth, and A Life in the Theatre.

Starting in 2020, Patrick Stewart reprised his role as Jean-Luc Picard in the TV series Star Trek: Picard. In the Teens, he starred on the show Blunt Talk. He guest starred on the shows Futurama, The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, Robot Chicken, The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and Family Guy. He appeared in the movies Latzud Pillim (2013), The Wolverine (2013), Match (2014), X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014), Green Room (2015), Christmas Eve (2025), Logan (2017), The Wilde Wedding (2017), The Kid Who Would Be King (2019), Charlie's Angels (2019), and Coda (2019). He provided voices for the animated movies Gnomeo & Juliet (2011), Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012), Legends of Ox: Dorothy's Return (2013), and The Emoji Movie (2017). He appeared on Broadway in Waiting for Godot and No Man's Land.

In the 2020s, he continued to appear on Star Trek: Picard. He guest starred on American Dad!. He appeared in the movie Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022). He was a voice in Sheep Detectives (2026). He will appear in the upcoming movie Avengers: Doomsday (2026).

Most people will probably remember Patrick Stewart best as Jean-Luc Picard in the Star Trek franchise and Professor X in the X-Men movies,, and he was remarkable in both roles, but he played much more. He was the ruthless villain I, Claudius. He played Captain Ahab in Moby Dick, Sir Simon de Canterville in The Canterville Ghost, and Ebeneezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. He played the loyal Gurney Halleck in Dune and Captain Nemo in Mysterious Island. Throughout this career, Patrick Stewart played a wide variety of roles, from heroes to villains and everything in between. He was gifted with both an incredible voice and a remarkable talent.

Godspeed Elke Sommer

Elke Sommer, who appeared in such movies as A Shot in the Dark (1964) and The Wrecking Crw (1969), died on October 28, 2026, at the age of 85.

Elke Sommer was born Elke Schletz in Berlin on November 5, 1940. Her father, a Lutheran minister, died when she was 14. When she was 17 she worked for a year as an au pair in London. It was while she was vacationing in Viareggo, Italy with her mother that she was declared the winner of a beauty contest while sitting in a cafe. Her picture appeared in the local paper. This led to her being cast in The Friend of the Jaguar (1959). Director Vittorio De Sica took notice of her and cast her in Men and Noblemen (1959). In the late Fifties, she appeared in the films Ragazzi del Juke-Box (1959), The Death Ship (1959), The Day the Rains Came (1959), La Pica sul Pacifico (1959), Stage Fright (1960), Howlers in the Dock (1960), Heaven, Love and Twine (1960). The Warrior Empress (1960), and Femmine di lusso (1960).

It was in 1961 that Eke Sommer appeared in her first English language film, the British comedy Don't Bother to Knock. Her first Hollywood film was the thriller The Prize (1963). In the Sixties, she appeared in the movies Und sowas nennt sich Leben (1961), Daniella By Night (1961), Beloved Imposter (1961), Auf Wiedersehen (1961),. Café Oriental (1962), Douce violence (1962), Das Mädchen und der Staatsanwalt (1962), Un chien dans un jeu de quilles (1962), Bahía de Palma (1962), The Phone Rigs Every Night (1962), Les Bricoleurs (1963), Ostrva (1963), The Victors (1963), ...denn die Musik und die Liebe in Tirol (1963). A Shot in the Dark (1964), Among Vultures (1964), La bambole (1965), Hotel of Dead Guests (1965), The Art of Love (1965, The Money Trap (1965), The Oscar (1966), Boy, Did I Get a Wrong Number! (1966), The Venetian Affair (1967), The Peking Medallion (1967), Deadlier Than the Male (1967), The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz (1968), They Came to Rob Las Vegas (1968), The Wrecking Crew (1969), and The Invincible Six (1970). On television, she guest starred on The Jack Benny Hour.

In the Seventies, Elke Sommer guest starred on the shows Probe, Die Vico-Torriani-Show, Six Million Dollar Man, and The Muppet Show.and Forever Fernwood. She appeared in the movies Percy (1971), Zeppelin (1971), Baron Blood (1972), Trip to Vienna (1973), Lisa and the Devil (1973), One or the Other of Us (1974), Percy's Progress (1974), Ten Little Indians (1974), Carry On Behind (1975), The Net (1975), One Away (1976), The Swiss Conspiracy (1976), Meet Him and Die (1976), The Astral Factor (1978), I Miss You, Hugs and Kisses (1978), The Prisoner of Zenda (1979), The Double McGuffin (1979), The Treasure Seekers (1979), A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square (1979), and Exit Sunset Boulevard (1980).

In the Eighties, she appeared on the shows Fantasy Island,. Die Krimistunde, The Love Boat, St Elsewhere, and Adventures Beyond Belief. She appeared on the mini-series Jenny's War, Peter the Great, and Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna, She appeared in the movies The Man in Pyjamas (1981). Lily in Love (1984), No One Cries Forever (1984), Death Stone (1987), and Himmelsheim (1988).

In the Nineties, she appeared in the movies Severed Ties (1992), Life is a Bluff (1996), Doppeltes Spiel mit Anne (1999), and Flashback (2000). She guest starred on the shows Countersrike, Happy Holidays, Destiny Ridge, and Florian III. In the Naughts, she appeared in the movie Life is Too Long (2010). In the Naughts, she guest starred on the TV show Für alle Fälle Stefanie.

Elke Sommer was a remarkable actress. She had a gift for comedy, and excelled in caper movies and spy films. She played one of two lesbian assassins in the spy spoof Deadlier Than the Male. In The Venetian Affair, she played the ex-wife of a former CIA agent, who may or may not be a Communist sympathizer. In They Came to Rob Las Vegas, she played the secretary and mistress of a security transport expert. Of course, she may be best remembered as Maria Gambrelli, the maid who may or not be guilty of murder in A Shot in the Dark. She played a woman saved by an artist in The Art of Love and a French movie star in Boy, Did I Get a Wrong Number!. She could play roles beyond caper movies, spy movies and comedies. She was a history scholar and architect's assistant in Baron Blood and an American tourist who is Satan's prey in Lisa and the Devil. Elke Sommer could play a variety of roles and was entertaining in many films and TV shows.

Gospeed Barbra Barrie

Barbara Barrie, who played the wife of the title character on the classic sitcom Barney Miller and appeared in such movies as Breaking Away (1979), died on October 28, 2026, at the age of 95. She had terminal cancer.

Barbara Barrie was born  Barbara Ann Berman on May 23, 1931, in Chicago. She was 9 years old when her family moved to Corpus Christi, Texas. She graduated from Corpus Christi High School and then studied at the University of Texas in Austin. In 1955, she moved to New York. She made her television debut in an episode of Kraft Television Theatre in 1955. That same year she made her debut on Broadway in The Wooden Dish. She made her movie debut in a bit part in Giant in 1956. On television, she guest starred on the shows Playwrights '56; Robert Montgomery Presents; The Kaiser Aluminum Hour; Suspicion; Decoy; Faith for Today; Play of the Week; The Eternal Light; and Love of Life. She appeared on Broadway in The Beaux Stratagem. 

In the Sixties, she guest starred on the television shows Armstrong Circle Theatre; The United States Steel Hour; Great Ghost Tales; Route 66; The Untouchables;  Naked City; Dr. Kildare; The Virginian; The Twilight Zone; Alcoa Premiere; Mr Novak; The Nurses; The Defenders; The Alfred Hitchcock Hour; The Fugitive; Ben Casey; Rawhide; The Trials of O'Brien; Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre; Ironside; and The Invaders. She appeared in the movies The Caretakers (1963) and One Potato, Two Potato (1964). She appeared on Broadway in Happily Ever After.

In the Seventies, she played Elizabeth Miller, the wife of Barney Miller on the TV show Barney Miller. She was also a regular on the short-lived sitcom Diana and the show Breaking Away, based on the movie of the same name. She guest starred on the shows Play for Today; The ABC Afternoon Playbreak; The Mary Tyler Moore Show;  Bronk; MacMillan & Wife; The Wonderful World of Disney; Visions; and Lou Grant. She appeared in the mini-series Harold Robbins' 79 Park Avenue, Backstairs at the White House, and Roots: The Next Generation. She appeared in the movies The Bell Jar (1979), Breaking Away (1979), and Private Benjamin (1980). She appeared on Broadway in Company, The Prisoner of Second Avenue, The Selling of the President, and California Suite.

In the Eighties, Barbara Barrie was a regular on the shows Tucker's Witch, Reggie, and Double Trouble. She guest starred on the shows Private Benjamin; Standing Room Only; American Playhouse; Trapper John, M.D.; Kate & Allie; I'll Take Manhattan; Mr. President; Family Ties; A Fine Romance; His & Hers; and Thirtysomething. She appeared in the movies End of the Line (1987), Real Men (1987), and After the Rain 1988). She appeared on Broadway in Torch Song Trilogy.

In the Nineties, Barbara Barrie was a regular on the sitcom Suddenly Susan. She guest starred on the TV shows Babes; Law & Order; ABC Afternoon Specials; The Fifth Corner; Lovejoy; CBS Schoolbreak Special; The Commish; and Once and Again. She appeared in the miniseries Scarlett. She appeared in the movies Spent (1999) and 30 Days (1999). She was a voice in the animated movie Hercules (1999). She appeared on Broadway in Company.

In the Naughts Barbara Barrie guest starred on the shows Law & Order: Special Victims Unit; Dead Like Me; Pushing Daisies; Surviving Suburbia; Army Wives; and Nurse Jackie. She appeared in the movies Second Best (2004), Frame of Mind (2009), The Six Wives of Henry LeFay (2009), Harvest (2010), and Twelve Thirty (2010). She appeared on Broadway in Fiddler on the Roof,. In the Teens, she guest starred on the show Enlightened. She appeared in the movie Somewhere Only I Know (2018). She appeared on Broadway in Significant Other. In the 2020s, she appeared in the movies The Magnificent Meyersons (2023) and Things Like This (2025).

Barbara Barrie was an actress of considerable talent. I have to think that many will remember her as the grounded and warm Elizabeth Miller on Barney Miller. She'll also be remembered as Evelyn, the supportive mother of bicycle racer Dave Stohler. Barbara Barrie was prolific and she appeared on a number of TV shows, regularly giving solid performances. In the Route 66 episode "Even Stones Have Eyes" she played an instructor at a school for the blind. In the Virginian episode "The Small Parade," she played a woman taking care of orphans. She was also noted for her performances on stage. Barbara Barrie was a remarkable talent who leaves behind many great performances

Godspeed Susan Saint James

Susan Saint James, who starred on McMillan & Wife and Kate & Allie, died on October 26, 2026, at the age of 80. The cause was pancreatic cancer.

Susan Saint James was born Susan Jane Miller on August 14, 1946 in Los Angeles. In 1958, the family moved to Rockford, Illinois. She went to the Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart in Lake Forest, Illinois. She began modelling while still in high school. Afterwards she attended Connecticut College. She adopted the surname "St. James" when she was 20 and decided to pursue acting as a career.

Susan Saint James signed with Universal and made her television debut in the TV movie Fame is the Name of the Game in 1966. It served as the pilot for the TV series The Name of the Game. She later had a regular role on the show. She also had a recurring role on the show It Takes a Thief. She guest starred on the shows Ironside and McCloud. She made her film debut in 1967 in P. J. She appeared in the movies Where Angles Go Trouble Follows! (1968), Jigsaw (1968), and The Cockeyed Cowboys of Calico County.

In the Seventies, she starred as Sally McMillan, the wife of Police Commissioner Stuart McMillan (Rock Hudson), on McMillan & Wife. She guest starred on the shows Alias Smith and Jones and M*A*S*H. She also appeared in several TV movies. She appeared in the movies Outlaw Blues (1977), Love at First Bite (1979), and How to Beat the High Cost of Living (1980).

In the Eighties, Susan Saint James starred on the sitcom Kate & Allie. She guest starred on the show Tattingers. She appeared in the movies Carbon Copy (1981) and Don't Cry, It's Only Thunder (1982). In the Nineties, she guest starred on The Drew Carey Show and in the Naughts she guest starred on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. In the Teens, she guest  starred on Suits. She appeared in the TV movie Holiday Hearts and the mini-series The Haunting of Bly Manor. From the late Teens into the 2020s, she had three guest appearances on the TV series Upload.

Chances are good that Susan Saint James will always be best remembered as Sally, the crime solving wife of a police commissioner on McMillan & Wife  and the free-spirited Kate on Kate & Allie, but she played a variety of other roles. In How to Beat the High Cost of Living, she played Jane, a divorced woman who plots a heist with other women to solve her money woes. In Love at First Bite, she played quirky fashion model Cindy Sondheim, who becomes the object of desire of Dracula (George Hamilton). She played war correspondent Aggie O' Shea in a guest appearance on M*A*S*H. Susan Saint James played a wide variety of roles in her career and played all of them well.

Happy Halloween 2026

On Halloween, here at A Shroud of Thoughts, we only offer you treats and no tricks. As to the treats, they are vintage pinups. Without further ado, here are this year's "treats."

First up is Jane Harker, who looks ready for a Halloween party.

/Next is Jeanne Crain, who is posing with a rather large pumpkin. 

And here's Dusty Anderson dressed up as a cat.

And here Audrey Totter is doing some pumpkin carving

Anne Nagel standing atop a large pumpkin.

And it wouldn't be Halloween without Ann Miller!

Happy Halloween!