Batman's Debt to The Spider

It is well-known that the comic book character Batman was inspired by the pulp character The Shadow. The very first Batman story, "The Case of the Chemical Syndicate," published in Detective Comics no. 27 (May 1939) was taken from The Shadow novel Partners of Peril by Theodore Tinsley (using the Street & Smith pen name Maxwell Grant) from The Shadow no. 113 (November 1936). While Batman owes an obvious debt to The Shadow, it seems to me that the superhero was also inspired largely by another pulp character, The Spider.

For those unfamiliar with The Spider, he was  a character published in the pulp magazine The Spider, published by Popular Publications. He first appeared in The Spider no.1 (October 1933). The first two issues of The Spider were written by R. T. M. Scott, most famous for having created "Secret Service Smith." In those first two issues "The Spider" was little more than a pseudonym for millionaire Richard Wentworth as he operated as an amateur criminologist. Popular Publications decided the first two Spider novels were too slow-paced, so writer Novell Page was brought into replace him. Norvell Page totally revamped The Spider. He was still millionaire Richard Wentworth, but now as The Spider he fought crime in a sallow fright mask complete with fangs, a black felt hat, and a black cape. What  is more, he had no compunctions about outright killing criminals,  although he scrupulously avoided killing law enforcement or ordinary civilians. As written by Norvell Page and such writers as Donald C. Cormack, Wayne Rogers, Emile Tepperman, and Prentice Wnchell, he proved to be success.

As stated above, The Spider's alter ego Richard Wentworth was a millionaire. From his first appearance in Detective Comics no. 27, Batman's alter ego Bruce Wayne is also described as a socialite and a millionaire. This is in sharp contrast to The Shadow, at least in the pulp magazine (the radio show is a different matter). The alter ego of Lamont Cranston, "wealthy man about town," is not The Shadow's real identity. In fact, the real Lamont Cranston  had a deal with The Shadow so that The Shadow could masquerade as him as he travels the world. The two men looked so much alike that the masquerade was successful. That Bruce Wayne is a millionaire may then owe a good deal to The Spider. Of course, both The Spider and Batman owe a good deal to Zorro, whose secret identity was that of Don Diego de la Vega, son of the wealthiest landowner in California.

The similarities between Batman and The Spider do not end with the fact that both are rich. Richard Wentworth's best friend is New York City Police Commissioner Stanley "Kirk" Kirkpatrick. Commissioner Kirkpatrick was certain that Richard Wentworth is The Spider, but was never able to prove it. He was certain to let Wentworth know that he ever learned the truth, he would arrest him. Like many pulp vigilantes, The Spider was wanted by the police (little wonder given his tendency to kill criminals). As to Batman, it is the very first panel of the very first Batman story that we are introduced to both Bruce Wayne and his friend Commissioner Gordon. Unlike Kirk in the Spider novels, Commissioner Gordon never suspects Bruce Wayne is Batman.

Of course, this brings us to another similarity between The Spider and Batman. As mentioned above, The Spider was wanted by the police. This was also true to a degree of Batman in his first year of appearance. In multiple issues of Detective Comics he finds himself falsely accused of a crime and must clear himself. Eventually, the Gotham City Police Department would become allies of Batman, so much so that Commissioner Gordon would summon him via the Batsignal.

One final similarity between Batman and The Spider is that both use gadgets. The Spider had a small array of gadgets, the best known of which was a gold ring with which he could imprint his symbol on the heads of criminals he killed so others would not be blamed for the crime. He also carried what he called his "web," a silken line that could hold a good deal of weight. He also had a powerful air pistol so that he could kill silently when the need arose. Of course, Batman's many gadgets are well-known. The Batarang first appeared in Detective Comics no. 31 (September 1931). Batarangs would be followed by a number of other gadgets, everything from tear gas pellets to torches. Of course, in using gadgets both The Spider and Batman owe a good deal to Doc Savage, who kept such gadgets as anesthetic gas grenades, a lock picking kit, a hypodermic kit with vials of truth serum, and other gadgets in his vest.

While Batman obviously owe a good deal to such characters as Zorro, The Shadow, and Doc Savage, it would seem he also owes a good deal to The Spider. Both are millionaires. In their secret identities, both have friends who are police commissioners. Both were wanted by the police at one time or another. And both use gadgets. Anyone familiar with both characters would probably notice the similarities.

Stop Showing Police Bodycam Videos on the Evening News

Earlier this month the bodycam video of the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey in her own home was released. For those who have not heard about the case, Ms. Massey had called 911 to report a possible prowler. Two deputies responded and, ultimately, Sean Grayson shot her in the head. Grayson was fired from the Sangamon County, Illinois Sheriff's Department two weeks after he killed Sonya Massey. Grayson has since been charged with three counts of first-degree murder and one count each of aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct. Sadly, the NBC Nightly News chose to air the bodycam video of Sonya Massey's murder upon its release, and I have to think the other networks did the same. I know that many news sites embedded the video in stories and set it to autoplay. To me, this is totally unacceptable.

The simple fact is that for many of us, police bodycam videos of the killings of individuals serve as nothing more or less than triggers for post-traumatic stress. From speaking to other survivors of victims of police violence I know I am not alone in this. Actress Vanessa Marquez, who was shot in the back and killed by officers of the South Pasadena Police Department, was my dearest friend. Ever since then I have been unable to watch any police bodycam video without serious trauma to my psyche. When the bodycam video of Vanessa's killing was released, it was aired by many news outlets. I watching one of our local television stations one Sunday night when Inside Edition came on. Unfortunately, they had a preview of a story on the shooting of Vanessa at the start of the show. It was bad enough that they claimed she was "mentally disturbed," but they also included a portion of the bodycam video. It was only someone calling Vanessa's name in a shrill voice (I am guessing it was one of her killers), but it was enough to give me nightmares for the next two weeks. I have since forced myself to watch portions of the bodycam video, but always with the same result. Here I want to state I have never watched the footage of her death, as I suspect I could never recover from that. What makes all of this sadder still is that I know mine is not an isolated case.

Here I have to emphasize that police bodycam videos of killings by law enforcement officers not only cause stress in survivors of victims of police shootings, but African Americans in general. A study published in the Fall issue of Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology and conducted by Glenna L. Read of the University of Georgia Grady College; Harry Y. Yan of Texas A&M; and Rachel L. Bailey of Florida State University revealed that viewing violent police bodycam videos by African Americans can result in difficulty sleeping, feelings of being on guard, and even symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. A 2018 study published in The Lancet about police killings showed that Black people continued to be affected by the killing of an unarmed Black person months after they first heard about it. I have not read any studies on the effects of police bodycam videos on Latinos or Native Americans, but I have to suspect they would be similar to the effects they have upon Black people. After all, Latinos and Native Americans are also disproportionately shot and killed by law enforcement.

Here I want to state that I do not oppose the release of police bodycam videos. They can and often do reveal police misconduct and unprofessional behaviour. Indeed, I have to wonder if Sean Grayson would have been charged with Sonya Massey's murder if the video had not been released. That having been said, I do wish the media would show some discretion with regard to police bodycam videos so that we survivors of victims of police violence do not see them by accident and as a result experience post-traumatic stress. To me, the best solution would be for media outlets to embed them on a webpage with a robots.txt restricting search engines from spidering the page so that the video does not appear in search results. This would give those curious about any given bodycam video a chance to see it while keeping survivors of victims of police violence from seeing it and experiencing post-traumatic stress. As to the evening newscasts, they could simply direct people to the web page.

The sad fact is that many Black people, Latinos, and Native Americans have been killed over the years. The George Floyd Protests of 2020 do not seem to have decreased them in the slightest. That means that as time goes by there are more and more survivors of victims of police violence. None of us should be subjected to police bodycam video of another killing by police that could result in post-traumatic stress.

Godspeed Duke Fakir, Last of the Original Four Tops

Abdul "Duke" Fakir, founding member, first tenor, and last original Four Tops, died on July 22 2024 at the age of 88. The cause was heart failure.

Duke Fakir was born on December 26 1935 in Detroit. He attended Pershing High School in Detroit. Growing up he wanted to be a professional athlete, and he played basketball and football, and took part in track and field events. He sang in his church's choir where his talent first became obvious. As a teen he became friends with fellow singer Levi Stubbs. They first sang with Lawrence Payton and Renaldo "Obie" Benson at a local party.

Initially, Messrs. Fakir, Stubbs, Payton, and Benson called themselves "The Four Aims." As The Four Aims they released a single on Grady Records, "If Only I Had Known," in 1956. It failed to chart. That same year they recorded the single "Kiss Me Baby" for Chess Records. It was at their first recording session at Chess Records that it was brought up that the name "The Four Aims" might be confused with popular singing group The Ames Brothers. They then took the name 'The Four Tops." They later recorded singles for Columbia Records and Riverside Records, none of which charted.

While The Four Tops saw little success with singles in those early years, they continued to tour extensively. This brought them to the attention of Barry Gordy, who convinced them to sign to Motown Records in 1964. Their first single on Motown Records, "Baby, I Need Your Loving," was also their first hit. It went to no. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was in 1965 that they had their first no. 1 hit, "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)." Throughout the Sixties, The Four Tops would have several more hits, including "It's the Same Old Song," "Reach Out I'll Be There," "Standing in the Shadows of Love," and "Bernadette." Over the years The Four Tops also released several albums, the first being their self-titled debut album in 1965 and the last being Christmas Here With You in 1995.

The Four Tops continued to release singles throughout the Seventies and into the Eighties, although with less success than they had in the Sixties. They continued to tour extensively. One thing that set The Four Tops apart from other groups is that their membership remained stable. Levi Stubbs did not leave the group until 2000, and then only because he had a stroke. He died in 2004. Lawerence Payton and Obie Benson remained with The Four Tops nearly until their deaths. As to Duke Fakir, the continued to tour with The Four Tops until less than a month before his death.

Like the rest of The Four Tops, Duke Fakir was an incredible performer. As first tenor his voice was always and smooth. Like the other Four Tops his voice was also versatile. He could perform pop standards, rock 'n' roll and even country songs. The Four Tops were great showmen, and few vocal groups ever matched their talent.

The 100th Anniversary of Don Knotts's Birth

Don Knotts is best remembered for his role as Deputy Barney Fife on the classic television series The Andy Griffith Show. He is also remembered as landlord Ralph Furley on the classic Three's Company and a slough of comedy movies released by Universal in the Sixties. To this day Don Knotts remains not only one of the best remembered performers of the 20th Century, but one of the most beloved as well. Don Knotts was born 100 years ago on this date, July 21 1924.

Don Knotts had an interest in entertainment from when he was very young. He performed as a ventriloquist at school and church events before he even entered high school. While in the United States Army, he performed as a comedian and ventriloquist for the troops. He eventually abandoned ventriloquism and threw his dummy (named Danny) overboard according to Al Checco (who was a friend and classmate of Mr. Knotts).

After his stint in the Army, Don Knotts began performing at clubs as a stand-up comic. He eventually found his way to radio, appearing on various shows. He was a regular on the Western-themed children's radio show Bobby Benson and the B-Bar-B Riders. There he played a know-it-all handyman named Windy Wales, who was in a way the forerunner of Barney Fife and many of Don Knotts's other characters. As hard as it is to believe given he is best known for comedy, Don Knotts's television debut was as a regular on the soap opera Search for Tomorrow. He appeared on the show from 1953 to 1955. It was in 1955 that he began a stint in the Broadway production of No Time for Sergeants. He continued to appear in No Time For Sergeants until 1957.

Of course, it would be television that would be Don Knotts's greatest claim to fame. His big break would be as part of one of the regulars on The Steve Allen Show. He played in a variety of sketches but was best known for playing the high-strung, nervous Mr. Morrison in the "Man on the Street" interviews. With The Steve Allen Show, Don Knotts became a household name. He appeared on it from 1956 to 1960.

Don Knotts went from The Steve Allen Show to his most famous role of all. Don Knotts and Andy Griffith had become friends when they both appeared on Broadway in No Time for Sergeants. They later worked in the movie adaptation of the play. When Andy Griffith told Don Knotts about his upcoming show, Don Knotts suggested that Sheriff Andy Taylor (Andy Griffith) should have a deputy. In the end, Don Knotts was cast as Deputy Barney Fife on The Andy Griffith Show. Don Knotts drew upon the nervous Mr. Morrison from The Steve Allen Show for part of the inspiration for Barney Fife, who was also high-strung. To this, he added a streak of self-importance which covered up his many insecurities. Barney tended to be a know-it-all, claiming expertise in fields where he actually had very little (everything from firearms to martial arts). As a law enforcement officer, Deputy Fife tended to be a bit too much "by-the-book." Barney proved to be the breakout character on The Andy Griffith Show, becoming the show's most popular character on the series. Don Knotts's performance as Barney Fife was so admired that he won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy five years in a row.

The character of Barney Fife was lightning in a bottle, and Don Knotts would never again have a character as phenomenally popular. Regardless, he would continue to have a good deal of success in television. While his variety show, The Don Knotts Show, would only last one season, throughout the Seventies he guest starred on such shows as Here's Lucy, The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour, The Muppet Show, and even The New Scooby-Doo Movies. In 1979 he joined the cast of Three's Company as landlord Ralph Furley, who replaced the previous landlords Stanley and Helen Roper who had received their own spin-off. Ralph Furley thought he was a ladies' man, despite rarely having any dates. He also thought of himself as a manly man, despite that he lived in fear of his mean, heartless brother Bart. While Mr. Furley would not become as popular as Barney Fife, the character did prove to be popular. He remains one of Don Knotts's best-remembered characters.

Don Knotts would continue to appear on television following Three's Company. For the last fifteen episodes of the syndicated sitcom What a Country!, he played  Principal F.J. "Bud" McPherson, replacing Gail Strickland who played Principal Joan Courtney. He later became a semi-regular on Andy Griffith's show Matlock, playing lawyer Ben Matlock's neighbour Les Calhoun. He also continued to make guest appearances on such shows as The Love Boat, Newhart, Burke's Law, 8 Simple Rules, and Las Vegas. He reprised his role as Barney Fife for one last time in the television reunion movie Return to Mayberry.

While Don Knotts may have been best known for his television work, he was also a movie star. He made his movie debut in No Time for Sergeants in 1958, in which he played Corporal John C. Brown, who has the unfortunate duty of giving Air Force recruit Will Stockdale (Andy Griffith) a dexterity test. He appeared in such films as Wake Me When It's Over (1960) and The Last Time I Saw Archie (1961) before making notable cameos in It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963) and Move Over Darling (1963). With The Incredible Mr. Limpet (1964) he received his first starring role. the Henry Limpet of the title, A bookkeeper who longs to be a fish. While it received mixed reviews, it proved to be a hit at the box office.

Don Knotts thought The Andy Griffith Show would end after five years, so with the show's fifth season he began seeking other roles. He signed a contract with Universal to make a series of comedy movies. The first, The Ghost and Mr. Chicken (1966), did well at the box office and has since developed a cult following. His following movies, The Reluctant Astronaut (1967), The Shakiest Gun in the West (1968), The Love God? (1969), and How to Frame a Figg (1971), did not do nearly as well but have remained popular on television. The Love God? was significant in that it had themes that were slightly more mature than Don Knotts's other films. He played the owner of a failing birdwatching magazine whose new partner turns the magazine, The Peacock, into a girlie magazine.

Don Knotts would continue to appear in movies after his contract with Universal ended. In the Seventies he appeared in a number of Disney films, including No Deposit, No Return (1976), Gus (1976), Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo (1977), and Hot Lead and Cold Feet (1978). His most successful film with Disney may well have been The Apple Dumpling Gang (1975), in which he was paired with Tim Conway as a pair of inept outlaws. Don Knotts and Tim Conway reprised their roles in The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again (1979). Tim Conway and Don Knotts followed their work with Disney with the independent comedies The Prize Fighter (1979) and Private Eyes (1980). 

Don Knotts's movie appearances would be sporadic following the Seventies. He had a cameo as a CHiPs officer in Cannonball Run II (1984) and a small role as a school principal in Big Bully (1996). In Pleasantville (1998) he had a small, but significant role as a mysterious television repairman. Don Knotts also did voice work in such animated films as Cats Don't Dance (1997) and Chicken Little (2005).

Don Knotts died on February 24 2006 at the age of 81 due to lung cancer. There were many, many tributes to him. There should be little wonder that there would be. Quite simply, he was one of the funniest comedians and actors of all time. He had a knack for creating hilarious, yet well-rounded and sympathetic characters. It is with good reason that Barney Fife remains one of the most popular characters of all time and Ralph Furley is still loved by many. Regardless of how well the comedies he made at Universal did initially at the box office, they became popular on television and remain so to this day. It was with good reason that Don Knotts had such a successful career. He was just so very talented.

The Late Great Bob Newhart

Bob Newhart has been part of the entertainment landscape nearly as long as I can remember. The Bob Newhart Show debuted when I was only eight years old. As I got older I learned of his comedy albums. When I was in my twenties I was a faithful viewer of his sitcom Newhart. Bob Newhart was one of those people who seemed to have always been around and it seemed as if he always would be. Sadly, he died yesterday morning, Thursday, July 18, at the age of 94.

Bob Newhart was born George Robert Newhart on September 5 1929 in Oak Park, Illinois. His father was also named "George," so he went by the diminutive of his middle name, "Bob," to avoid confusion with him. Growing up he was a huge fan of the Chicago Cubs, and in 1945 he even took part in the Cubs' victory parade when they won the National League pennant in 1945. He attended St. Catherine of Siena Grammar School in Oak Park, and then St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago. He graduated from Loyola University with a degree in business management. Following his graduation, he was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served as a clerk stateside. He attended Loyola University Chicago School of Law, but did not graduate. During this whole time he never thought about a career in entertainment.

Afterwards he worked as an accountant at U.S. Gypsum and later the Glidden Co. Bob Newhart decided he was not suited to being an accountant, and he later worked as a copywriter for Fred A. Niles, a Chicago based film and television producer. To pass the time he and a coworker would make prank calls, which would evolve into one-sided phone conversations on sometimes absurd topics. Bob Newhart and his friend eventually recorded some of these comedy routines and sold them to radio stations for $7.50 a week. In 1959 another friend in Chicago, Dan Sorkin, who was a disc jockey, introduced Bob Newhart to a Warner Bros. Records executive. He wound up signing a contract with Warner Bros. Records.

The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart proved to a success. It became the first comedy album to reach no. 1 on the Billboard album chart and the first to win the Grammy for Album of the Year. It would be followed six months later by The Button-Down Mind Strikes Back, which also proved to be a hit. In the Sixties Bob Newhart would record several more albums, including Behind the Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart, The Button-Down Mind on TV, Bob Newhart Faces Bob Newhart, The Windmills Are Weakening, and This is It!. He recorded one last comedy album, Button-Down Concert, which was released in 1997.

Bob Newhart's success with comedy records would lead to television appearances. In 1960 alone he appeared on Tonight Starring Jack Paar, The Ed Sullivan Show, Teh Garry Moore Show, and Playhouse Penthouse. He had his own variety show, The Bob Newhart Show, during the 1961-1962. With Carol Burnett and Caterina Valente, he was one of the stars of the variety show The Entertainers, which ran during the 1964-1965 season. During the Sixties he appeared on such variety shows, talk shows, and game shows as The Dinah Shore Show, Dateline, Here's Hollywood, What's My Line?, House Party, The Judy Garland Show, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, Fractured Flickers, Password, The Jack Paar Program, The Celebrity Game, The Andy Williams Show, The Perry Como Show, The Hollywood Palace, The Dean Martin Show, Personality, The Jackie Gleason Show, Laugh-In, The Jackie Gleason Show, George Jessel's Here Come the Stars, Playboy After Dark, The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, It's Your Bet, The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour, and The Jim Nabors Show. He guest starred on the shows The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre, and Captain Nice. He appeared in the movies Hell is for Heroes (1962), Hot Millions (1968), On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (1970), and Catch-22 (1970).

In the Seventies Bob Newhart starred as Chicago psychologist Dr. Bob Hartley on The Bob Newhart Show. The show proved to be a hit and would persist in syndication for years. He guest starred on The Don Rickles Show and Insight. He appeared on such variety shows, talk shows, and game shows as The Don Knotts Show, The David Frost Show, The Carol Burnett Show, The Dick Cavett Show, The Vin Scully Show, The Dean Martin Show, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The Merv Griffith Show, The Mike Douglas Show, and Tattletales. He appeared in the movies Cold Turkey (1971), Little Miss Marker (1980), and First Family (1980),. He ws the voice of Bernard in the Disney animated movie The Rescuers (1977).

Throughout the Eighties Bob Newhart played innkeeper Dick Loudon on the hit TV show Newhart. He guest starred on It's Gary Shandling's Show. He reprised the voice of Bernard in The Rescuers Down Under (1990). In the Nineties he starred as comic book artist  Bob McKay on the sitcom Bob. Later in the decade he starred on the short-lived sitcom George & Leo with Judd Hirsch. He reprised his role as Dr. Bob Hartley in an episode of Murphy Brown and played himself on an episode of The Simpsons. He appeared in the movie In & Out (1997).

In the Naughts he appeared in the movies Legally Blonde 2: Red White & Blonde (2003) and Elf  (2003). He guest starred on the shows ER, Committed, and Desperate Housewives. He appeared as Judson in TNT's series of The Librarian television movies. In the Teens he guest starred on the shows NCIS, Svengoolie, Hot in Cleveland, The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon. He reprised his role as Judson on the TV series The Librarians.

With his low-key humour I always thought Bob Newhart was one of the funniest comedians of all time. What is more, his humour translated well to television. Both the sitcom The Bob Newhart Show and Newhart were hits. It was perhaps because he never aspired to working in show business when he was growing up that in both his comedy routines and on his sitcoms he always came off as an ordinary, everyday guy. In Catch-22 he played the overly mediocre Major Major.  As great as Bob Newhart was at comedy, he could play other sorts of roles as well. He guest starred on three episodes of ER as a doctor developing macular degeneration. In Hell is for Heroes  he played a green combat solider. On NCIS he played Dr. Walter Magnus, the former Chief Medical Examiner before Dr. Donald Mallard took over. Bob Newhart was one of the greatest comics of all time and a fine actor. He will never be forgotten.

I Write Books

As many of my readers already know, I have written a few books. Of course, as many of you may also know, I am also not particularly good at promoting them. Here then are the books I have available. All of them are available in paperback and Kindle. Two of them are also available on audiobooks. With any luck, I will have another book out later this year, this one on Christmas in movies and television.

Television Rare and Well Done: Essays on the Medium: This is the oldest of my books. I will confess it requires some revision. I will also say upfront that it is essentially a collection of posts from this blog. Still, it should be of interest to those who love classic television.

That Was Halloween: This is my favourite of my books. It is a short volume that covers the history of Halloween, and then addresses some of its customs as well as Halloween in the media. It is not only available on Kindle but as an audiobook as well.

Country Comedies: The Rural Comedies of the Sixties: This is a short book on the rural sitcoms that aired on American television from the late Fifties to the late Sixties. It covers the beginning of the cycle of rural sitcoms and its end with the Rural Purge. It also has an appendix that covers rural-oriented variety shows. It is also available on Kindle and in audiobook.

Anyway, if you buy any of these I hope you enjoy them! And look for my Christmas book later this year.

Godspeed James Sikking

James Sikking, who played Lt. Howard Hunter on the classic television show Hill Street Blues, died on July 13 2024 at the age of 90. The cause was complications from dementia.

James Sikking was born on March 5 1934 in Los Angeles. He attended El Segundo High School and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He attended UCLA, where he earned a degree in theatre. He made his movie debut in an uncredited bit part in the movie Five Guns West in 1955.

In the Sixties he guest starred on the shows Assignment: Underwater; Perry Mason; General Hospital; Combat; Rawhide; The Outer Limits; The Loner; The F.B.I.; O.K. Crackerby!; The Long, Hot Summer; The Virginian; Honey West; My Favorite Martian; My Mother the Car; The Fugitive; 12 O' Clock High; Run for Your Life; The Invaders; Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.; Bonanza; Adam-12; The Survivors; Here Come the Brides; The Young Lawyers; Love, American Style; and Hogan's Heroes. The Strangler (1964), The Carpetbaggers (1964), Von Ryan's Express (1965), In Like Flint (1967), Point Blank (1967), Charro! (1969), and Daddy's Gone A-Hunting (1969).

In the Seventies James Sikking had a recurring role on the short-lived sitcom Turnabout. He guest starred on the shows The Bold Ones: The New Doctors; The Immortal; The Name of the Game; Night Gallery; Cade's County; Ironside; Longstreet; Mission: Impossible; The Bob Newhart Show; Banyon; The Doris Day Show; M*A*S*H; The Streets of San Francisco; The Mod Squad; Search; The Rookies; Mannix; Room 222; The F.B.I.; Cannon; Ellery Queen; Rich Man, Poor Man-Book II; Police Story; Little House on the Prairie; Delvecchio; Eight is Enough; The Feather and Father Gang; Man From Atlantis; Rafferty; Starsky & Hutch; The Bionic Woman; The Incredible Hulk; Operation  Petticoat; The Rockford Files; Lucan; Hawaii Five-O; Charlie's Angels; The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo; and Paris. He appeared in the movies Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971), The Night God Screamed (1971), The Magnificent Seven Ride! (1972), The New Centurions (1972), Scorpio (1973), Brother on the Run (1973), Capricorn One (1977), The Electric Horseman (1979), Ordinary People (1980),  and The Competition (1980).

In 1981 James Sikking began his stint as Lt. Howard Hunter on Hill Street Blues. He began his stint as Dr. David Howser, the father of the title character, on Doogie Howser M.D.In the Eighties he guest starred on L.A. Law, Who's the Boss?, CBS Summer Playhouse, Hunter, and Cop Rock.  Mr. Sikking appeared in the mini-series Dress Gray, Brotherhood of the Rose, and Around the World in 80 Days.  He appeared in the movies Outland (1981), The Star Chamber (1983), Up the Creek (1984), Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984), Morons from Outer Space (1985), Soul Man (1986), and Narrow Magin (1990).

In the Nineties James Sikking continued to appear on Doogie Houser, M.D. He was a regular on Brooklyn South. He was the voice of General Gordon in the show Invasion America. He was a guest voice on the animated shows Duckman: Private Dick, Aaahh!!!  Real Monsters, Batman Beyond, and Rocket Power He appeared in the movies Final Approach (1991), The Pelican Brief (1993), and Dead Badge (1995).

In the Naughts he guest starred on the show Curb Your Enthusiasm. He appeared in the movies Fever Pitch (2004), Made of Honor (2008), and American Primitive (2009). In the Teens he guest starred on The Closer. He appeared in the movie Just an American (2012).

Chances are good that James Sikking will always be best remembered as Lt. Howard Hunter (who started the show as a sergeant), the at times politically incorrect police officer who thought civilization was in decline and tends to favour militaristic solutions, but none the less has a strong streak of compassion. He will also probably be remembered well as Dr. David Howser, Doogie Howser's level-headed, compassionate father. During his career James Sikking played a wide variety of characters. In Star Trek III: The Search for Spock he played the stuffy, arrogant commander of the Excelsior, Captain Styles. In Point Blank he played a mocking hired gun. In The Pelican Brief he payed F.B.I. director F. Denton Voyles, who investigates the Pelican Brief because it could possibly hurt the President. Throughout his career, James Sikking played many different roles and played all of them well.

Shannen Dohtery Passes On

Shannen Doherty, who starred on the shows Beverly Hills, 90120 and Charmed, as well as the movie Heathers (19/88), died yesterday, July 13 2024, at the age of 53. The cause was cancer. She had been first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015.

Shannen Doherty was born on April 12 1971 in Memphis, Tennessee. Her mother operated a beauty parlour. Her father was a financial advisor. She was only ten years old when she appeared in Pepsi commercial. It was about the same time that she made her television debut in a two-part episode the short-lived show Father Murphy. She made her movie debut as a voice in the animated movie The Secret of NIMH (1982). She appeared in the movie Night Shift (1982) the same year. She guest starred on the short-lived shows The Phoenix and Voyagers! before having a regular role on the final season of Little House of Prairie.  In the Eighties she had a regular role on the show Our House. She began her stint as Brenda on Beverly Hills, 90120 in 1990 Shannen Doherty appeared as Kathleen Kennedy in the mini-series Robert Kennedy and His Times. She guest starred on the shows Magnum, P.I.; Airwolf; Highway to Heaven; Still the Beaver; Outlaws; 21 Jump Street; and Life Goes On.. She appeared in the movies Girls Just Want to Have Fun (1985), and Heathers (1988).

In the Nineties Shannen Doherty continued to appear on Beverly Hills, 90120. Later in the decade she began her stint on the TV series Charmed. She appeared in such TV movies as Jailbreakers, Gone in the Night, Sleeping with the Devil, and Satan's School for Girls. She appeared in the movies Mallrats (1995), Nowhere (1997), and Striking Poses (1998).

In the Naughts she continued to appear on Charmed. She also had regular roles on the shows North Shore and 90210. She was the lead voice on the animated series Mari/Kari. She guest starred on the shows Gary & Micke and Love, Inc. She appeared in the mini-series Category 7: The End of the World. She appeared in such TV movies as Another Day, The Rendering, and View of Terror. She appeared in the movies Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001) and Burning Palms (2010).

In the Teens she had a regular role on BH90120. She guest starred on the shows Suite 7, Rock in a Hard Place, Heathers, and Riverdale. she appeared in such TV movies as Blood Lake: Attack of the Killer Lampreys and All I Want for Christmas. She appeared in the movies Bukowski (2013), Back in the Day (2016), Bethany (2017) and Undateable John (2019). In the 2020s Shannen Doherty appeared in the movies Fortress (2021), Hot Seat (2012), and Darkness of Man (2024).

Beverly Hills, 90120 debuted when I was in my Twenties, so I never watched it, but I remember Shannen Dohtery well from Our House, Charmed, and the movie Heathers. She could play a wide variety of roles, often quite different from each other. She played Kris Witherspoon on Our House, the eldest daughter trying to adjust to live in California. On Charmed she played the eldest of the Haliwell sisters, who is also the most powerful witch of the three. In the movie Heathers she played Heather Duke, the opportunistic high schooler who takes over as her clique's leader following the death of Heather Chandler. Shanen Dohtery was a very talented actress, so it's little wonder she starred on multiple TV shows and in multiple TV movies.

IMDB Should Keep the Full Credits (Text Only) Page for Actors, Directors, and Other Crew

In December 2022 IMDB introduced its redesign for Name Pages for actors, writers, filmmakers, and other crew members. Many IMDB users were not happy with the redesign and made their displeasure known on IMDB's support forum and elsewhere. Users' anger was only mollified by the fact that IMDB still had what they now called a "Full Credits (Text Only)" page, which resembled a simplified Old Name Page.

Unfortunately, it appears that IMDB may be doing away with the Full Credits page. On Thursday I wrote my eulogy for Shelley Duvall. I did a Google search so I could go to her Full Credits page on IMDB. Sadly, when I clicked on the search result, I found that the Full Credits page was redirected to the New Name Page. I tried to find some way of circumventing this, but I couldn't find any way to do so. A search revealed an announcement of a redesigned Full Credits (Text Only) page. From the way I look at it, it doesn't look so much like a redesign of the Full Credits (Text Only) page as simply forcing people to use the New Name Page. Fortunately, the Full Credits (Text Only) Page appears to still be available on Chrome on mobile and Vivaldi on desktop (I wound up using my phone for Shelley Duvall's eulogy).

Needless to say, this has once more made IMDB users unhappy. The plain truth is that the New Name Page is much more difficult to use than the Full Credits (Text Only) page. While they have made changes to the New Name Page since its introduction in December 2022, the problem is that they are not enough and the Full Credits (Text Only) page remains far superior. To wit, on the Full Credits (Text Only) Page, in an actor, writer, director, or other crew member's credits, when a television series appears, every single episode that person worked on is listed below it. On the New Name Page, it simply lists the number of episodes the person worked on. The user has to click on that, after which a pop-up appears. Even then, in the pop-up the episodes are listed by season, so that one must do yet more clicking. Quite simply, with the Full Credits (Text Only) page one has no clicks to see what episodes of a TV show a person worked on, while with the New Name Page, one has multiple clicks.

I still honestly do not know why IMDB created the New Name Page to begin with. It is less user-friendly than the Old Name Page. I also do not know why they would want to get rid of the Full Credits (Text Only) page, as the New Name Page is also inferior to it. Users have made it clear that even after about two and half years they still hate the New Name Page and they want the Full Credits (Text Only) to be page kept. The sensible thing would then be to keep the Full Credits (Text Only) page. I have a feeling that if they don't, then people will turn to other sources for filmographies of actors, writers, directors, and so on, such as The Movie Database or even Wikipedia. I know I will. The New Name Page on IMDB is simply too user-unfriendly and too time-consuming to use.

ALF Actor Benji Gregory Passes On

Benji Gregory, best known for playing Brian Tanner on the sitcom ALF, died on June 12 2024 at the age of 46. His official cause of death is still pending, but his sister posted on Facebook that he died from "vehicular heatstroke" in a Chase Bank Parking Lot in Peoria, Arizona. He was found dead in his car, along with his dog.

Benji Gregory Hertzberg was born on May 26 1978 in Los Angeles. He made his television debut on an episode of The A-Team in 1984. That same year he guest starred on T.J. Hooker. He also guest starred on the shows Punky Brewster, Amazing Stories, The Twilight Zone, The Disney Sunday Movie, and Murphy Brown. He was a voice on the animated television shows Fantastic Max and Back to the Future. He was a guest voice on the animated series Pound Puppies. He appeared on ALF for the entirety of the show's run, from 1986 to 1990. He appeared in the movie Jumpin' Jack Flash (1986). He was a voice in the animated film Once Upon a Forest (1993).

Benji Gregory served in the United States Navy, where he eventually became an aerographer's mate.

The Late Great Shelley Duvall

Shelley Duvall, who starred in such movies as The Shining (1980) and Popeye (1980) and worked a good deal with director Robert Altman died today, July 11 2024, at the age of 75. The cause was from complications from diabetes.

Shelley Duvall was born on July 7 1949 in Fort Worth, Texas. Her family moved to Houston when she was five years old. She attended South Texas Junior College. There she studied nutrition and diet therapy. While in college she threw a party for her fiancé, artist Bernard Sampson. At the party she met crew members of Robert Altman's movie Brewster McCloud, then filming in Houston. The crew members took her to meet casting director Lou Adler, who offered her a role in the movie. Shelley Duvall then made her film debut as Suzanne in Brewster McCloud. She made enough of an impression on director Robert Altman that he her cast her as mail order bride Ida Coyle in McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971).

In the Seventies she appeared in the movies Thieves Like Us (1974), Nashville (1975), Buffalo Bill and the Indians or Sitting Bull's History Lesson (1976), Annie Hall (1977), 3 Women (1977), The Shining (1980), and Popeye (1980). She made her television debut in 1973 in a guest appearance on Cannon. In the Seventies dhse also guest starred on Love, American Style; Baretta; American Short Story, and Saturday Night Live. She appeared in The Paul Simon Special.

In the Eighties Shelley Duvall was the narrator on the TV show Faerie Tale Theatre, which she also produced. Later in the decade she narrated and produced the show Tall Tales & Legends and she produced the show Nightmare Classics. She guest starred on the 1980s revival of The Twilight Zone.  She appeared in the movies Time Bandits (1981) and Roxanne (1987). She appeared in the short subject Frankenweenie (1984).

In the Nineties Shelley Duvall produced and hosted the TV show Shelley Duvall's Bedtime Stories. She guest starred on the show The Ray Bradbury Theatre, L.A. Law, Adventures from the Book of Virtue, Aahh!!! Real Monsters, Wishbone, The Adventures of Shirley Holmes, Maggie Winters, and The Hughleys. She appeared in the movies Suburban Commando (1991), Underneath (1995), The Portrait of a Lady (1996), Changing Habits (1997), Twilight for the Ice Nymphs (1997), ShadowZone: My Teacher Ate My Homework (1997), RocketMan (1997), Tale of the Mummy (1998), The 4th Floor (1999), Big Monster on Campus and (2000). She appeared in the movie Manna from Heaven in 2002. It was following Manna in Heaven that she went on hiatus from acting. She played one final role in The Forest Hills (2023).

Shelley Duvall was a remarkable actress capable of playing a wide variety. Chances are good that many people will remember her best as Wendy Torrance, Jack Torrance's much put-upon wife in The Shining. Many will also remember her as Olive Oyl in Popeye, a role she was seemingly born to play. In Thieves Like Us she played Keechie, a garage owner's daughter who falls in love with bank robber Bowie (Keith Carradine). In Nashville she played groupie Martha, who insists on being called "L.A. Joan." Over the years she played everything from Grover Cleveland's wife in Buffalo Bill and the Indians or Sitting Bull's History Lesson to an attendant at a health spa for the elderly.

Of course, Shelley Duvall was also a great producer. She was responsible for such classic TV shows as Faerie Tale Theatre, Tall Tales & Legends, and Bedtime Stories. These were shows that were meant for children, but were done in such a way that adults could enjoy them as well. It is little wonder that they were nominated and won awards. Shelley Duvall as a great actress and a great producer, and she will be remembered for both.

TCM Summer Under the Stars 2024

Turner Classic Movie has released its schedule for the 2024 edition of Summer Under the Stars. For those who are unfamiliar with TCM Summer Under the Stars, it is a programming block takes place every August on TCM in which each day is devoted to a classic star. Many fans look forward to Summer Under the Stars each year, including myself.

This year sees a few stars who have never been featured on TCM Summer Under the Stars before. Among these are Julie Andrews, Gordon McRae, Peter Ustinov, Eleanor Powell, Meryl Streep, Anita Page, Jean Paul Belmondo, Jerry Lewis, Jose Ferrer, Robert Shaw, Grace Kelly, Ossie Davis, and Leo Gorcey. If you're like me, you might be surprised that some of these stars are new to TCM Summer Under the Stars. Given the programming block has been around for 21 years, I would have thought at some point Julie Andrews, Gordon McRae, Eleanor Powell, Jerry Lewis, and Jose Ferrer would have been featured at some point!

This year has a fairly solid line-up of films being aired this August. As usual, there are some films I wish they would show during this year's TCM Summer Under the Stars. During Bette Davis's day on August 22, Now, Voyager (1942) is notably missing. And given this is Julie Andrews's first year for TCM Summer Under the Stars, it would have been nice if they would show Mary Poppins (1964), although I realize they may not have been able to get the rights. For the most part, however, I can't complain with TCM's choices. I would have scheduled some days differently. Given how often TCM shows Some Like It Hot (1959), I think I would have shown it earlier and scheduled The Great Race (1965) at 8:00 PM Eastern/7:00 PM Central. For Grace Kelly's day on August 24, I would have flipped To Catch a Thief (1955) and Rear Window (1954), so that Rear Window would be at 8:00 PM Eastern/7:00 PM Central and To Catch a Thief at 10:00 PM Eastern/9:00 PM Central. For Jose Ferrer's day, I would have scheduled The Caine Mutiny (1954) far earlier than 2:00  AM Eastern/1:00 AM Central.

Anyway, below are my picks for each day as to the movies you really don't want to miss. All times are Central.

William Powell (Thursday, August 1):
2:00 PM Libeled Lady (1936)
4:00 PM The Thin Man (1934)
7:00 PM Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid (1948)
8:45 PM My Man Godfrey (1936)
10:30 PM Love Crazy (1941)

Ida Lupino (Friday, August 2):
2:15 PM The Sea Wolf (1941)
4:00 PM Out of the Fog (1941)
5:30 PM On Dangerous Ground (1952)
7:00 PM High Sierra (1940)
9:00 PM They Drive By Night (1940)
11:00 PM While the City Sleeps (1956)

John Wayne (Saturday, August 3):
11:00 AM Stagecoach (1939)
3:00 PM The Train Robbers (1973)
4:45 PM McLintock! (1963)
7:00 PM The Sons of Katie Elder (1965)
9/:15 PM Red River (1948)

Julie Andrews (Sunday, August 4):
7:00 AM The Americanization of Emily (1964)
4:15 PM Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967)
7:00 PM Victor/Victoria (1982)

Gordon McRae (Monday, August 5):
11:00 AM Tea for Two (1950)
7:00 PM Oklahoma! (1955)
9:30 PM Carousel (1958)
11:45 PM On the Moonlight Bay (1951)

Jean Harlow (Tuesday, August 6):
9:00 AM Red-Headed Woman (1932)
10:45 AM The Girl From Missouri (1934)
7:00 PM Bombshell (1933)
9:00 PM Platinum Blonde (1931)
11:00 PM Hell's Angels (1930)
3:00 AM Wife vs. Secretary (1936)

Peter Ustinov (Wednesday, August 7):
9:15 AM Billy Budd (1962)
1:30 PM The Sundowners (1960)
4:00 PM Quo Vadis (1961)
7:00 PM Spartacus (1960)
10:30 PM Topkapi (1964)

Eleanor Powell (Thursday, August 8):
9:30 AM I Dood It! (1943)
11:30 AM Ship Ahoy (1942)
7:00 PM Broadway Melody of 1936 (1936)
9:00 PM Broadway Melody of 1938 (1938)
11:00 PM Broadway Melody of 1940 (1940)

Montgomery Clift (Friday, August 9):
5:00 AM I Confess (1953)
8:30 AM Suddenly, Last Summer (1960)
1:00 PM The Young Lions (1958)
7:00 PM A Place in the Sun (1951)

Meryl Streep (Saturday, August 10):
7:00 PM Sophie's Choice (1982)
9:45 PM The French Lieutenant's Woman (1981)

Cary Grant (Sunday, August 11):
7:15 AM Topper (1937)
9:00 AM Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)
12:45 PM Gunga Din (1939)
3:00 PM Charade (1963)
5:00 PM Notorious (1946)

Anita Page (Monday, August 12):
9:30 AM Our Dancing Daughters (1928)
7:00 PM  The Broadway Melody (1929)
10:30 PM Night Court (1932)

Jean-Paul Belmondo (Tuesday August 13):
11:30 AM Two Women (1960)
3:00 PM A Monkey in Winter (1962)
7:00 PM Breathless (1960)
8:45 PM Pierrot le Fou (1965)
10:45 PM The Professional (1981)

Anne Bancroft (Wednesday, August 14):
8:30 AM 7 Women (11966)
5:00 PM The Pumpkin Eater (1965)
7:00 PM The Graduate (1968)
9:00 PM The Miracle Worker (1962)

Joseph Cotten (Thursday, August 15):
1:30 PM Journey Into Fear (1942)
3:00 PM Citizen Kane (1941)
5:15 PM The Magnificent Ambersons (1942)
7:00 PM Portrait of Jennie (1948)
11:15 PM Shadow of a Doubt (1943)
3:00 AM Petulia (1968)

Jane Russell (Friday, August 16):
3:00 PM His Kind of Woman (1951)
5:15 PM The French Line (1954)
7:00 PM Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)
9:00 PM The Paleface (1948)
11:00 PM The Outlaw (1943)

Jerry Lewis (Saturday, August 17):
7:00 AM At War With the Army (1950)
9:00 AM Sailor Beware (1951)
11:00 AM Scared Stiff (1953)
7:00 PM The Nutty Professor (1963)

Katharine Hepburn (Sunday, August 18):
8:30 AM Little Women (1933)
9:30 AM The Philadelphia Story (1940)
11:30 AM Bringing Up Baby (1938)
5:00 PM On Golden Pond (1981)
7:00 PM State of the Union (1948)
9:15 PM Woman of the Year (1942)
11:15 PM Pat and Mike (1952)

John Gilbert (Monday, August 19):
5:00 AM The Show (1927)
11:15 AM AM Bardelys the Magnificent (1926)
1:00 PM The Merry Widow  (1925)
3:30 PM Queen Christina (1933)
7:00 PM Love (1927)
8:30 PM Flesh and the Devil (1926)
10:30 PM The Big Parade (1925)

Jeanne Crain (Tuesday, August 20):
8:30 AM The Fastest Gun Alive (1956)
3:00 PM A Letter to Three Wives (1949)
9:00 PM The Model and the Marriage Broker (1951)
11:00 PM People Will Talk (1951)

Jose Ferrer (Wednesday, August 21):
5:00 PM I Accuse!  (1958)
7:00 PM Moulin Rouge (1952)
9:15 PM Cyrano de Bergerac (1950)
1:00 AM The Caine Mutiny (1954)

Bette Davis (Thursday, August 22):
6:30 AM Front Page Woman (1935)
8:00 AM Dangerous (1935)
9:30 AM Marked Woman (1937)
11:15 AM The Catered Affair (1956)
1:00 PM Dark Victory (1939)
5:00 PM The Little Foxes (1941)
9:00 PM The Letter (1940)
1:00 AM Dead Ringer (1964)
3:00 AM The Nanny (1965)

Robert Shaw (Friday, August 23):
5:00 AM Libel (1959)
7:00 PM A Man for All Seasons (1968)
9:15 PM The Sting (1973)
1:30 AM The Taking of Pelham One, Two, Three (1974)

Grace Kelly (Saturday, August 24):
9:00 AM High Society (1956)
11:00 AM The Country Girl (1952)
1:00 PM The Bridges at Toko-Ri (1954)
5:00 PM Dial M for Murder (1954)
7:00 PM To Catch a Thief (1955)
9:00 PM Rear Window (1954)

Fred MacMurray (Sunday, August 25):
5:00 AM Alice Adams (1935)
2:30 PM The Egg and I (1947)
4:30 PM The Apartment (1960)
7:00 PM Double Indemnity (1944)

Donna Reed (Monday, August 26):
8:00 AM Shadow of the Thin Man (1941)
10:00 AM The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945)
1:30 PM See Here, Private Hargrove (1944)
7:00 PM From Here to Eternity (1953)
1:15 AM They Were Expendable (1945)

Ossie Davis (Tuesday, August 27):
11:15 AM The Sheriff (1971)
4:45 PM The Hill (1965)
7:00 PM Do the Right Thing (1989)
9:!5 PM Get On the Bus (1996)

Marlene Dietrich (Wednesday, August 28):
2:00 PM Rancho Notorious (1952)
7:00 PM Blonde Venus (1932)
9:00 PM Morocco (1930)
1:00 AM The Blue Angel (1930)
3:00 AM Stage Fright (1950)

Leo Gorcey (Thursday, August 29):
6:30 AM Hell's Kitchen (1939)
1:15 PM Maisie Gets Her Man (1942)
7:00 PM Angels in Disguise (1949)
8:15 PM Blonde Dynamite (1950)
10:45 PM Ghost Chasers (1951)

Ginger Rogers (Friday, August 30):
3::00 PM The Gay Divorcee (1934)
5:00 PM Top Hat (1935)
7:00 PM Swing Time (1936)
9:00 PM Shall We Dance (1937)
11:00 PM The Major and the Minor (1942)

Tony Curtis (Saturday August 31):
10:45 AM The Great Race (1965)
1:30 PM The Perfect Furlough (1958)
7:00 PM Some Like It Hot (1959)
9:15 PM The Defiant Ones (1958)
1:15 AM Sweet Smell of Success (1957)

Film Editor Bud S. Smith Passes On

Bud S. Smith, the film editor who was nominated for the Academy Award for editing for The Exorcist
(1973) Evan A. Lottman & Norman Gay and was nominated for the Academy Award for editing for Flashdance (1983), died on June 23 2024 at the age of 88. The cause was respiratory failure after a prolonged illness.

Bud S. Smith was born on December 6 1935 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He began his career in television as part of the editorial department of the documentary television series Hollywood and the Stars. He was also part of the editorial department of the documentary TV movie Pro Football: Mayhem on a Sunday Afternoon. In the Sixties he was the editor on the documentary TV movie The Bold Men (1965). He edited the TV specials The Incredible World of James Bond, Lucy in London, and Petula. He also edited the documentary TV movies Prelude to War: Beginning of World War II and The Big Land. He edited both episodes of Time-Life Specials: The March of Time and National Geographic Specials. He directed an episode of Dundee and the Culhane. The first feature film on which he was an editor was Putney Swope in 1969. He edited Pound 1970.

In the Seventies he served as an editor on the feature films Greaser's Palace (1972), Rhinoceros (1974), Sorcerer (1977), The Brink's Job (1978), Cruising (1980), and Falling in Love Again (1980). For television he edited the documentary TV movie Tribute to Bogart and the TV movie A Death in Canaan. He was on the editorial department of the feature film The Exorcist (1977).

In the Eighties he edited the movies Personal Best (1982), Flashdance (1983), Deal of the Century (1983), The Karate Kid (1984), Poltergeist II: The Other Side (1986), Some Kind of Wonderful (1987), Sing (1989), and Dark Man (1990). He was the supervising film editor on the films Zoot Suit (1981), Cat People (1982), and To Live and Die in L.A. (1985).

He edited the movie The Replacements (2000) and served as post-production advisor on Christina's House (2000). In the Naughts he edited the movies Young Black Stallion (2003), Ladder 49 (2004), and The Game of Their Lives (2005). He was an editorial consultant on the movie G-Foce (2009) and and an assistant editor on the short "Where's Barry?" (2014).

He also served as a second unit director or assistant director on the movies Sorcerer, Cat People, To Live and Die in L.A., Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot (1992), Virus (1999), and Driftwood (2006). He was a second unit director on the movie C.A.T. Squad. He was a producer on the movies Sorcerer, The Karate Kid (1984), To Live and Die in L.A., Virus, Driftwood, Lonely Street (2008), The Mighty Macs (2009), Alone Yet Not Alone (2013), and the short "Where's Barry?".

The 60th Anniversary of A Hard Day's Night (1964)

It was sixty years ago today that The Beatles movie A Hard Day's Night (1964) premiered at the Pavilion in London. I have already written a good deal about A Hard Day's Night on this blog, so for now I will leave you with the opening of A Hard Day's Night, featuring the legendary song of the same name.

Godspeed Robert Towne

Robert Towne, who received the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for Chinatown (1974), died on July 1 2024 at the age of 89.

Robert Towne was born Robert Schwartz on November 23 1934 in Los Angeles. He grew up in the San Pedro neighbourhood. His father ran a ladies clothing store called the Towne Smart Shop and later became a real estate developer. His family eventually moved to Rancho Palo Verdes. Robert Towne attended Chadwick Prep School and Redondo Union High School. He attended Pomona College, where he studied English literature and philosophy. He graduated in 1956. He studied acting under actor Jeff Corey, among whose other students was Jack Nicholson.

It was through the legendary Roger Corman that Robert Towne began his career. His first screenplay was for the Corman film Last Woman on Earth (1961). He also appeared in the movie as an actor, playing Matin Joyce using the stage name Edward Wain. The following year he appeared in Corman's Creature from the Haunted Sea (1961), playing Sparks Moranaja (Agent XK150), again using the name Edward Wain. In the Sixties he wrote several episodes of The Lloyd Bridges Show, as well as episodes of the TV shows Breaking Point, The Outer Limits, and The Man From U.N.C.L.E. He also wrote screenplays for the movies The Tomb of Ligeia (1964) and Villa Rides (1968). He also worked as a script doctor, doing uncredited work on Bonnie and Clyde (1967).

In the Seventies Robert Towne wrote the movies The Last Detail (1973), Chinatown (1974), The Yakuza (1974), and Shampoo (1975). He did uncredited work on Drive, He Said (1971), McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971), Cisco Pike (1971), The New Centurions (1972), The Parallax View (1973), The Missouri Breaks (1976), Orca (1977), and Heaven Can Credit (1978). As an actor he had appearances in The Zodiac Killer (1971), Drive, He Said (1971), and Shampoo (1975).

In 1982 Robert Towne made his directorial debut with Personal Best. He also directed Tequila Sunrise (1988). He wrote the films Personal Best (1982), Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (1984), Tequila Sunrise (1988), Days of Thunder (1990), and The Two Jakes (1990). He did uncredited work on Deal of the Century (1982),8 Million Days to Die (1986), Tough Guys Don't Dance (1987), and Frantic (1988). He appeared as an actor in The Pick-Up Artist (1987).

In the Nineties he wrote the movies The Firm (1993), Love Affair (1994), Mission: Impossible (1996), Without Limits (1998), and Mission: Impossible II (2000). In the Naughts he served as a consulting producer on the TV show Mad Men. He directed the film Ask the Dust (2006), for which he also wrote the screenplay. As an actor he appeared in the movie Suspect Zero (2004). In the Teens he wrote an episode of Welcome to the Basement.

Robert Towne was certainly a versatile writer. In television alone he wrote for multiple genres. He wrote an episode for the medical drama Breaking Point, an episode for the sci-fi anthology series The Outer Limits, and the spy series The Man From U.N.C.L.E. His screenplays for movies were similarly diverse. He wrote The Tomb of Ligeia, generally considered one of the best of Roger Corman's Edgar Allan Poe movies. He wrote the classic and Academy Award winning neo-noir Chinatown. He wrote the comedy-drama The Last Detail. Robert Towne worked in multiple genres of film and television, and he did all of them well.

Happy 4th of July 2024

I want to wish my fellow Americans a happy 4th of July. As I usually do every July 4th, I am sharing with you some vintage, patriotic pinups. I do hope you appreciate them.

First up is Cyd Charisse, who is celebrating the 4th of July with Tom and Jerry.

And here is Helen Twelvetrees riding a bottle rocket.

You might say Rita Moreno is a real firecracker.

Joan Dixon is ready to light a rather large firecracker.

And here is a patriotically dressed Ann Miller!

Happy 4th of July!

The Late Great Martin Mull

Actor and comedian Martin Mull, who starred on the TV show Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman and played Colonel Mustard in the cult classic Clue (1985), died on June 27 2024 at the age of 80. He had been suffering from a long illness.

Martin Mull was born on August 18 1943 in Chicago. His father was a carpenter while his mother was an actress and director. When he was two years old his family moved to North Olmstead, Ohio. He was 15 years old when his family moved to New Canaan, Connecticut. He wanted to be a painter and graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1965. In 1967 he earned a Master of Fine Arts from the same school. He paid his way through college by forming bands, which is how he entered the entertainment industry.

In fact, for the first part of the Seventies he was best known as a musical comedian. He wrote the country song "A Girl Named Johnny Cash" for Jane Morgan. In 1972 his self-titled, debut album was released. During the Seventies he released several more albums, including Martin Mull and His Fabulous Furniture in Your Living Room (1973), Normal (1974), Days of Wine and Neuroses (1975), I'm Everyone I Ever Loved (1977), Sex and Violins (1978), and Near Perfect/Perfect (1979).

He made his acting debut on television in 1976 playing Garth Gimble and later his twin brother Barth on Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman. He continued to play Barth on the Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman sequels Fernwood 2 Night and America 2 Night. In the Seventies he guest starred on the shows Wonder Woman, Laugh-In, and Taxi. He made his move debut in FM in 1978. He appeared in the moves Serial (1980) and My Bodyguard (1980).

In the Eighties Martin Mull starred on the sitcom Domestic Life, which he also  co-created with Steve  Martin, Howard Gerwirtz, and Ian Praiser. He made several appearances as himself on It's Gary Shandling's Show and starred in the sitcom His & Hers. Martin Mull guest starred on the TV shows Square Pegs, George Burns Comedy Week, Tall Tales & Legends, Fast Times, D.C. Follies, The Magical World of Disney, TV 101, and The Golden Girls. He appeared in the movies Take This Job and Shove It (1981), Private School (1983), Mr. Mom (1983), Flicks (1983), Growing Pains (1984), Clue (1985), O.C. and Stiggs (1985), The Boss' Wife (1986), Rented Lips (1987), Home is Where the Heart Is (1988), Cutting Class (1989), Think Big (1989), Ski Patrol (1990), and Far Out Man (1990).

In the Nineties he starred on the TV shows The Jackie Thomas Show, Roseanne, and Sabrina the Teenage Witch. He was a regular voice on the animated series Family Dog. He guest starred on the shows Get a Life, Dream On, Parker Lewis Can't Lose, The General Motors Playwrights Theatre, The Larry Sanders Show, L.A. Law, Burke's Law, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, The Drew Carey Show, Life...and Stuff, Over the Top, The Simpsons, The Nanny, Sin City Spectacular, Family Guy, The Wild Thornberrys, Twice in a Lifetime, Recess, Just Shoot Me!, and The Geena Davis Show. He appeared in the movies Ted & Venus (1991), The Player (1992), Dance with Death (1992), Miracle Beach (1992), Movies Money Murder (1993), Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), Mr. Write (1994), Eddie & Pen (1996), Jingle All the Way (1996), Zack and Reba (1998), and Attention Shoppers (2000).

In the Naughts Maritn Mull  was a voice on the animated series Teamo Supremo, Danny Phantom, and American Dad!. He was a regular on the show The Ellen Show and 'Til Death. He guest starred on the shows Dexter's Laboratory, Kristin, Less Than Perfect, Greeting from Tucson, Reba, Life with Bonnie, Half & Half, Reno 911!, Crumbs, Thick and Thin, The War at Home, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Gary Unmarried, My Boys, and Eastwick. He appeared in the movies The Year That Trembled (2002), Come Away Home (2005), Relative Strangers (2006), and Killers (2010).

Two and a Half Man, Dads, Veep, Life in Pieces, I'm Sorry, Arrested Development, The Cool Kids, and The Ranch. He guest starred on the shows Working Class, Mad Love, Franklin & Bash, Psych, Community, NCIS: Los Angeles, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Bless This Mess, and Bob's Burgers. He appeared in the movies And They're Off (2011), and A Futile and Stupid Gesture (2018).

In the Twenties Martin Mull guest starred on the shows Grace and Frankie, Maggie, Not Dead Yet, and The Afterparty.

Martin Mull was a remarkable talent. While many actors will be best remembered for one or two roles, Martin Mull played so many brilliant roles that it is like that each individual person will remember him for something different from other people. On Mary Hartman Mary Hartman he played the rather unpleasant, abusive Garth Gimble and his twin brother,, talk show host Barth Gimble on the show's two sequels. He was Colonel Mustard in the movie Clue, a military officer who had engaged in war profiteering. On Arrested Development he played incompetent private detective Gene Parmesan who regularly worked for Lucille Bluth. (Jessica Walter). One of his many guest appearances I best remember is the one he made in the Golden Girls episode "Snap Out of It," in which he played an aging and agoraphobic hippie named Jimmy. Martin Mull certainly had a gift for comedy. Furthermore, he could play a wide variety of characters.

An Update

As I mentioned in my prior post, it was Wednesday might that my desktop computer started making a lot of noise. What is more, I don't think it is the fan. For that reason, I started using my phone for most of my social media stuff. Unfortunately, it is difficult to do a blog post on a phone. For that reason, I only made three posts last week.

Anyway, we have an old laptop that still works fine, so the past few days I have been getting things moved over to it. I completed that task today, so I am ready to go. Tomorrow I will eulogize the late, great Martin Mull. I am so thankful to be able make blog posts again.

Technical Difficulties

If you are wondering why I haven't been posting, my desktop is dying. I am then getting everything transferred to my laptop. I should be up and running tomorrow.

The MTV News Website R.I.P.

On May 9 2023 it was announced that MTV News, the news division of MTV would close. It was then just two days ago, on June 24 2024, that Paramount Global shuttered the MTV News website, making it clear that MTV News was no more. Apparently editorial content on the website for CMT (essentially what was the country music version of MTV) is gone as well.

The closure of the MTV News website essentially erases nearly thirty years of content. This includes news articles, interviews with major artists, and news columns. Quite simply a good deal of music history is gone now. Some of the content dated back to 1996, when the MTV News website was launched. It seems likely that some of the content may have been archived by the Wayback Machine. Unfortunately, it seems unlikely that the Wayback Machine archived many of the early MTV News content (it began archiving pages in 1996, the same year that the MTV News website was launched). Also, the Wayback Machine can be hit or miss in archiving many websites, particularly ones from the late Nineties and the early Naughts.

In many ways the closure of the MTV News website is the final nail in the coffin of MTV as we originally knew it. When MTV was originally launched in 1981, it was a cable channel entirely dedicated to music videos. In 1987 MTV News began. While MTV would add programming other than music videos and music-oriented programming over time, in 1996 much of its programming was still dedicated to music. Sadly, as time passed, MTV eventually phased out its music content in favour of reality shows and the occasional scripted show.  MTV ceased to be "Music Television" long ago.

The MTV News archive was the last vestige of MTV's days as a music channel. With its closure MTV has now completely become a channel dedicated primarily to reality shows. Once a cultural phenomenon that even inspired a fad towards music videos in the Eighties, it is now pretty much just another cable channel. I honestly doubt that they have the audience they once had.

TCM Pays Tribute to Roger Corman in July 2024

Legendary producer and director Roger Corman died on May 9 of this year at the age of 98. Next month, July 2024, Turner Classic Movies will pay tribute to Mr. Corman. On the first three Wednesdays of the month, TCM will be showing movies produced or directed by Roger Corman. Below is the schedule of the films they will be showing. All times are Central.

Wednesday, July 3:
7:00 PM X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes (1963)
8:30 PM A Bucket of Blood (1959)
9:45 PM The Wasp Woman (1960)
11:15 PM The Little Shop of Horrors (1960)

Thursday, July 4:
12:45 AM The Creature from the Haunted Sea (1961)
2:00 AM Atlas (1961)
3:30 AM Tower of London (1962)

Wednesday, July 10:
7:00 PM House of Usher (1960)
8:30 PM The Pit and the Pendulum (1961)
10:00 PM The Raven (1963)
11:45 PM The Masque of the Red Death (1964)

Thursday, July 11:
1:30 AM Bloody Mama (1970)
3:15 AM Wild Angels (1966)

Wednesday, July 17:
7:00 PM Boxcar Bertha (1972)
10:30 PM Dementia 13 (1963)

Thursday, July 18:
12:00 AM Caged Heat (1974)
1:30 AM Piranha (1978)

Announcing the 11th Annual Rule, Britannia Blogathon

I am proud to announce the 11th Annual Rule, Britannia Blogathon, which will take place on September 20, 21, and 23 2024.

While many people think of Hollywood when they think of classic movies, the fact is that the United Kingdom made many significant contributions to film over the years. From the Gainsborough melodramas to Hammer Films to the British New Wave, cinema would be much poorer without the British.

Here are the ground rules for this year's blogathon:

1. Posts can be about any British film or any topic related to British films. For the sake of simplicity, I am using "British" here to refer to any film made by a company based in the United Kingdom or British Crown dependencies. If you want to write about a film made in Northern Ireland or the Isle of Man, then, you can do so. Also for the sake of simplicity, people can write about co-productions made with companies from outside the United Kingdom. For example, since 2001: A Space Odyssey is a British-American co-production, someone could write about it if they chose.

2. There is no limit on subject matter. You can write about any film in any genre you want. Posts can be on everything from the British New Wave to the Gainsborough bodice rippers to the Hammer Horrors. I am also making no limit on the format posts can take. You could review a classic British film, make an in-depth analysis of a series of British films, or even simply do a pictorial tribute to a film. That having been said, since this is a classic film blogathon,  I only ask that you write about films made before 2014. I generally don't think of a film as a classic until it has been around for thirty years, but to give bloggers more options I am setting the cut off point at ten years ago.

3. I am asking that there please be no duplicates. That having been said, if someone has already chosen to cover From Russia with Love (1963), someone else could write about the James Bond series as a whole.

4. I am not going to schedule days for individual posts. All I ask is that the posts be made on or between September 20, 21, and 22 2024.

If you want to participate in the Rule, Britannia Blogathon, you can simply comment below or get a hold of me on Twitter at mercurie80 or at my email:  mercurie80 at gmail.com

Below is a roster of the participants:

A Shroud of Thoughts: The Italian Job (1969)

Realweegiemidget Reviews: Seance on a Wet Afternoon (1964)

Phyllis Loves Classic Movies: Miranda (1948) and Mad About Men (1954)

Phyllis Loves Classic Movies: The Wrong Box (1966)

John V's Eclectic Avenue: The Man Who Haunted Himself (1970)

Taking Up Room: The Way to the Stars (1945)

The Stop Button : Local Hero (1983)

Smoke in the Library: Get Carter (1971)

Moon in Gemini: Shallow Grave (1994)

Liberal England: Last Resort (2000)

Paula's Cinema Club: Pride and Prejudice (2005)

Nitrateglow: Corridor of Mirrors (1948)

Critica Retro: An Ideal Husband (1947)

Below are graphics you can use for the blogathon or you can always make your own!