Ena Hartman R.I.P.

Ena Hartman, who was a regular on the TV series Dan August and appeared in the movie Terminal Island, died on April 16 2025 at the age of 93.

Ena Hartman was born Gerthaline Henry on April 1 1932 in Moscow, Arkansas. She was raised by her grandparents until she was 13, when she moved to Buffalo, New York to live with her mother. She dropped out of high school and opened a restaurant. She earned enough money from the restaurant to move to New York City. where she took up modelling and studied acting with Josh Shelley and Lloyd Richards.

Ena Hartman became the first Black actress to receive a talent contract from NBC. She made her television debut in the Bonanza episode "Enter Thomas Bowers." She guest starred on the shows Profiles in Courage, The Farmer's Daughter, The Jean Arthur Show, Tarzan, Dragnet 1967, Adam-12 (the very first episode), The Named of the Game, It Takes a Thief, The Outsider, and Ironside. She appeared in the TV movie Fame is the Name of the Game, which served as the pilot for the TV series The Name of the Game, and Prescription Murder, the TV movie that marked the first appearance of Peter Falk as Columbo. She was one of the stars of the TV series Dan August. She made her film debut in an uncredited role in The New Interns (1964). She appeared in the movies Our Man Flint (1966), Games (1967), and Airport (1970).

In the Seventies she continued to appear on Dan August. She guest starred on Police Story. She appeared in the movie Terminal Island (1973).  She retired from acting in the mid-Seventies.

Earlier in her career Ena Hartman had been chosen by Dorothy Dandridge to play her in a biopic that would have co-starred Sidney Poitier. Unfortunately, Mr. Poitier decided not to do the film and it was never made. She was one of the actresses in the running for the part of Lt. Uhura on Star Trek, a role which ultimately went to Nichelle Nichols. She was also in the running for the role of Sister Irene in the Elvis Presley movie Change of Habit (1969), the part going to Babara McNair in the end. 

Many of Ena Hartman's roles during her career tended to be small, but she made an impression nonetheless. In Our Man Flint she played the WAC who assists Cramden (Lee Cobb), the former boss of superspy Derek Flint (James Coburn). In the Bonanza episode "Enter Thomas Bowers," she played Caroline, the daughter of Jed (Ken Renard), a citizen of Virginia City who befriends opera singer Thomas Bowers (William Marshall). On Dan August she played the no-nonsense, plain-spoken police dispatcher Katy Grant. She was the star of the movie Terminal Island, in which she played Carmen, a  woman sentenced to life imprisonment on the island of the title, where convicted murders are sentenced following the abolition of the death penalty. Ena Hartman was a talented actress who gave solid performances regardless of the size of a given role. She was also a pioneer as a Black actress, paving the way for other women of colour.

Valerie Mahaffey Passes On

Valerie Mahaffey, who won an Emmy Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for the recurring role of Eve on Northern Exposure, died on May 30 2026 at the age of 71. The cause was cancer.

 Valerie Mahaffey was born on June 16 1953 in Sumatra, Indonesia. Her father worked in the petroleum industry. She spent much of her childhood in different parts of the world before her family settled in Austin, Texas when she was 16. She graduated from Austin, Texas and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Texas in 1975. 

Valerie Mahaffey made her debut on Broadway in Rex in 1976. She went onto appear on Broadway in Dracula and Fearless Frank. She made her television debut in 1977 in the TV movie Tell Me My Name. She had a regular role on the daytime soap opera The Doctors from 1979 to 1980. She was nominated for the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for the show. 

In the Eighties Valerie Mahaffey appeared in the mini-series Fresno. She guest starred on the shows Tales of the Unexpected, American Playhouse, Newhart, Jack and Mike, Murphy's Law, Father Dowling Mysteries, and Quantum Leap. She played District Attorney Barbara August in two Perry Mason TV movies. She appeared on Broadway in Scenes and Revelations, Play Memory, and The Loves of Anatol.

It was in 1991 that Valerie Mahaffey first played Eve on Northern Exposure. She went onto to appear as the character in four more episodes. She was also a regular on the sitcoms The Powers That Be and Women of the House. She guest starred on the shows Cheers, The Young Riders,Baby Talk, Seinfeld, Dream On, L,A. Law, Wings, The Client, Caroline in the City, George & Leo, ER, Ally McBeal, and Love & Money. She appeared in the movies Senior Trip (1995), Jungle 2 Jungle (1997), and Dinner at Fred's.

In the Naughts Valerie Mahffey had a recurring role on Desperate Housewives. She had a recurring role on The United States of Tara. She guest starred on the shows That's My Bush!; Night Visions; Judging Amy; The West Wing; Law & Order: Special Victims Unit; Frasier; Good Morning, Miami; Without a Trace; Out of Practice; Crumbs; CSI: Crime Scene Investigation; Raines; Private Practice; Boston Legal; Better with You; Hannah Montana; and Raising Hope. She appeared in the movies Par 6 (2002), Seabiscuit (2003), My First Wedding (2006), A Previous Engagement (2008), and Summer Eleven (2010).

In the Teens she continued to appear on Desperate Housewives. She had a recurring role on the medical drama Monday Mornings, the comedy drama Devious Maids, the sitcom Young Sheldon, the comedy drama Dead to Me and the crime drama Big Sky. She guest starred on the shows The Exes, Glee, Grey's Anatomy, Kirstie, Franklin & Bash, Hart of Dixie, Workaholics, Impastor, The Mindy Project, and The Man in the High Castle. She appeared in the movies Jack and Jill (2011), If I Were You (2012), Crazy Eyes (2012), Sully (2016), No Pay, Nudity (2016), The Witch Files (2018), and French Exit (2020).

In the 2020s she continued to appear on Young Sheldon, Dead to Me, and Big Sky. She guest starred on the show Echo 3. She appeared in the movie The Eighth Day (2025). 

Valerie Mahaffey was an enormously talented actress who played a wide variety of roles. She had a particular gift for playing characters who were neurotic or even psychotic. I have to think that she will always be best remembered as Eve, the hypochondriac wife of Adam (Adam Arkin). She rightfully deserved her Emmy win for the role. She will also be well-remembered as Alma Hodge, the scheming ex-wife of Orson (Kyle MacLachlan). On Devious Maids she played another ex-wife, Olivia Rice, who had been married to Michael Stappord (Brett Cullen). Olivia was mentally unbalanced and had severe anger issues. Among her later roles was American expatriate Madame Reynard in the movie French Exit. In contrast to many of her TV characters, Madame Reynard was upbeat and quirky. Valerie Mahaffey had a talent for bring to life a wide array of characters and making some left-of-centre characters seem true to life.

Godspeed Jonathan Joss

Jonathan Joss, who provided the voice of John Redcorn on the animated series King of the Hill and played the recurring role of Chief Ken Hotate on Parks and Recreation, was shot and killed by a neighbour on June 12025. He was 59 years old. 

Jonathan Joss was born Jonathan Joss Gonzales on December 22 1965 in San Antonio, Texas. He was of Comanche and White Mountain Apache descent. He graduated from McCollum High School in San Antonio in 1984. He attended Southwest Texas State University (now  Texas State University–San Marcos) for a time  and then San Antonio College for a while. He graduated from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio with a degree in theatre and speech. 

Jonathan Joss made his television debut in the TV movie The Substitute Wife in 1994. It was in 1998 that he was cast in the role of John Redcorn on King of the Hill. He replaced John Redcorn's original voice, Victor Aaron, who died in a car accident in September 1996. Jonathan Joss remained the voice of John Redcorn until King of the Hill ended its run in 2009. He voiced John Redcorn in four episodes of the upcoming revival of the show. In the Nineties Jonathan Joss also guest starred on the shows Walker, Texas Ranger and The Wild Thornberrys. He appeared in the mini-series Dead Man's Walk. He appeared in the movies 8 Seconds (1994),  Texas (1994), Almost Heroes (1998), and Impala (1999).

In the Naughts Jonathan Joss continued to voice John Redcorn on King of the Hill. He guest starred on the shows Charmed, ER, Justice League Unlimited, In Plain Sight, and Friday Night Lights.He appeared in the mini-series Into the West and Comanche Moon. He appeared in the movies Christmas in the Clouds (2001), Johnson Family Vacation (2004), and True Grit (2010). 

It was in 2011 that Jonathan Joss began playing the recurring role of Chief Ken Hotate, leader of Pawnee's local Wamapoke tribe. He guest starred on the shows The League, Manhattan Love Story, The Messengers, Ray Donovan, and Chartered. He appeared in the movie The Magnificent Seven (2016).  In the Teens he appeared in the movies Grow Up (2021) and The Forever Purge (2021). He guest starred on Tulsa King. He reprised his role as John Redcorn in four episodes of the revival King of the Hill.

Jonathan Joss also provided voices for several video games, including Santa Fe Mysteries: The Elk Moon Murder, Santa Fe Mysteries: Sacred Ground, King of the Hill, Red Dead Redemption, and others. 

Jonathan Joss was a pioneering Native American actor. Along with various characters on Northern Exposure, John Redcorn was one of the earliest Native American characters who was both well-developed and complex. He broke with the often stereotypical representations of Native Americans on television that were often less than complimentary. Jonathan Joss bore much of the responsibility for the development of John Redcorn as a three-dimensional character, having played him since the second season of King of the Hill.

Ken Hotate on Parks & Recreation was another character that broke with television's usual portrayals of Native Americans. Ken was an astute, sharp dressed businessman with a keep sense of humour. He was both respectful of Pawnee and respected by them. At no point was Ken or his tribe ever made the butt of a joke on Parks and Recreation, although he sometimes had fun at the expense residents of Pawnee. Arguably John Redcorn on King of the Hill and Ken Hotate on Parks & Rec helped pave the way for more and better Native American representation on television. Quite simply, it was Jonathan Joss's work that helped lead to such shows as Rutherford Falls and Reservoir Dogs.

The 21st Anniversary of A Shroud of Thoughts

A Shroud of Thoughts was a human being, it would be old enough to drink. It was 21 years ago on this date, June 4 2004, that I launched this blog. A Shroud of Thoughts shares its anniversary with Mrs. Miniver, which premiered in New York City on June 4 1942, and Jackie Gleason's first TV show, Cavalcade of Stars, which debuted on the Dumont Television Network on June 4 1949. Of course, a lot has changed since A Shroud of Thoughts first began. Smart phones were still in their early days and were relatively rare. Social media was also in its infancy as well, Friendster a little over a year before A Shroud of Thoughts and MySpace only ten months before. As to streaming, it just plain didn't exist as we know it. .It wouldn't be until 2006 that Amazon would introduce Amazon Unbox (which would evolve into today's Prime Video).  

My own life has changed a good deal since I launched A Shroud of Thoughts. At the time I began this blog I had one job, which I quit after taking another job. I had that job many years before our office closed down and I was laid off. My best friend Brian died in 2011. I met my dearest Vanessa Marquez through  TCMParty, the collective live tweet of movies airing on Turner Classic Movies. Sadly, she died tragically in 2018. Of course, since I launched this blog I have published a few books and even been on Turner Classic Movies.

Compared to last year's 20th anniversary of A Shroud of Thoughts, I am way ahead this year. Last year on June 4 I had a fever and what I am convinced was a second bout of Covid-19. My old computer would start gong out later that month, forcing me to use our old laptop. The old laptop finally bit the dust in February of this year. I got a new laptop as soon as I could. In November of last year I published another book, A Merry Little Christmas: Essays on.Christmas in Film & Television. 

For the past 21 years A Shroud of Thoughts as been a large part of my life, and I have to think that its posts will be around long after I am gone (or at least until Google deletes it). In many ways it has become my life's work.  I want to thank anyone and everyone who has ever read this blog over the years. as well as my fellow bloggers who have supported me in this endeavour.

Each year on A Shroud of Thoughts' anniversary I list what I think are the best posts of the past year. Without further ado, here they are. 

"Stop Showing Police Bodycam Videos on the Evening News" July 25 2024

"American Family: A Pioneering Mexican American Drama" August 27, 2024

"Preserving the Legacy of Vanessa Marquez" August 30 2024 

"Filmation's DC Comics Superhero Cartoons of the Sixties" September 6 2024

"The 50th Anniversary of The Rockford Files" September 12 2024

The Fiftieth Anniversary of Kolchak: The Night Stalker" September 13 2024 

"The 60th Anniversary of The Munsters" September 24 2024

"The 80th Anniversary of Laura" (1944) October 11 2024 

"'Catspaw,' The Star Trek Halloween Episode" October 28 2024 

"Pushover (1954)" November 22 2024

"A Nightmare on Elm Street Turns 40" December 7 2024 

'The Thin Man Turns 90" December 18 2024 

"The 70th Anniversary of The Bob Cummings Show" January 8 2025 

"Movin' On Up: the 50th Anniversary of The Jeffersons" January 18 2025 

"Jack Lemmon's Centennial" February 8 2025

"The 40th Anniversary of Moonlighting" March 3 2025 

"The Rocketeer (1991)" May 2 2025

The Late Great Loretta Swit

Loretta Swit, best known for playing Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan on  the classic television show M*A*S*H, died on May 30 2025 at the age of 87. 

Loretta Swit was born Loretta Szwed on November 4 1937 in Passaic, New Jersey. She attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. She acted in repertory and made her off-Broadway debut in An Enemy of the People. On Broadway she was an understudy for the role of Ellen Gordon in Any Wednesday and she toured with the play in 1967. She also toured with Mame in the role of Agnes Gooch. She moved to Los Angeles in 1969. She made her television debut in a guest appearance on Hawaii Five-O that same year. In 1970 she guest starred on Mission: Impossible, Mannix, and Gunsmoke.

It was in 1972 that Loretta Swit was cast in the role of Major Margaret Houlihan, nicknamed "Hot Lips"in the early seasons of the show, on M*A*S*H. She was nominated ten times for Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series and won twice. In the Seventies she guest starred on the shows Cade's County; The Bold Ones: The New Doctors; Bonanza; Young Dr. Kildare; Love, American Style; Petrocelli; Good Heavens; The Love Boat; Supertrain; and The Muppet Show. She made her film debut in 1972 in Stand up and Be Counted. She appeared in the films Deadhead Miles (1973), Policewomen (1974), Freebie and the Bean (1974), and Race with the Devil (1975). She appeared on Broadway in Same Time, Next Year.

In the Eighties Loretta Swit continued to appear on M*A*S*H until it ended its run after eleven seasons. She guest starred on The Love Boat and ABC Afternoon Specials.. She played Mary Beth Lacey in the the TV movie Cagney & Lacey, but could not play the role when it became a TV series because she was still appearing on M*A*S*H*. she also appeared in such TV movies as The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and Dreams of Gold: The Mel Fisher Story. She appeared on Broadway in The Mystery of Edwin Drood. She appeared in the films S.O.B. (1981), Beer (1985), and Whoops Apocalypse (1986). 

In the Nineties Loretta Swit guest starred on Batman: The Animated Series; Murder, She Wrote; Burke's Law; and Diagnosis Murder. She appeared in the mini-series The Big Battalions. She appeared in the movies Forest Warrior (1996) and Beach Movie (1998). Her last appearance was in the movie Play the Flute (2019). 

Loretta Swit will always be best remembered as Major Margaret Houlihan and with good reason. Not only is M*A*S*H one of the greatest and most popular television shows of all time, but Margaret was one of its best characters. What is more, it was Loreta Swit who was largely responsible for the development of Major Houlihan as a character. In The Hollywood Reporter, Alan Alda said, "She worked hard in showing the writing staff how they could turn the character from a one joke sexist stereotype into a real person — with real feelings and ambitions."  If M*A*S*H is a success, it is largely because of Loretta Swit.

Of course, Loretta Swit played more roles than Margaret Houlihan. In the movie S.O.B. she played venomous Hollywood gossip columnist Polly Reed. In one of her earliest roles, the Mannix episode "Only One Death to a Customer," she played a gangster's moll who operates a fashion boutique. In the TV movie adaptation of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, she played Grace Bradley, the mother who winds up directing the pageant after the original director is injured. Loretta Swit was a an enormously talented actor who could create a variety of  fully realized characters She leaves behind a number of memorable performances.

The Gallery of Madame Liu-Tsong

The Gallery of Madame Liu-Tsong is a largely forgotten show from the early days of American broadcast television. Its run was only brief. It only ran for thirteen episodes. Worst yet, there are no known episodes of the show. Regardless, The Gallery of Madame Liu-Tsong is remarkable because it starred the legendary Anna May Wong, making it the first American television show to have an East Asian American lead. 

The Gallery of Madame Liu-Tsong centred on the Liu-Tsong of the title, the owner of a chain of Chinese art gallery who often finds herself solving mysteries on the side. The episodes had such titles as "The Egyptian Idol," "The Man with a Thousand Eyes," and "The House of Quiet Dignity." 

The origins of The Gallery of Madame Liu-Tsong go back to Anna May Wong's trip to China in 1936. Miss Wong recorded her trip in articles that she wrote for such publications as The Los Angeles Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, The New York Herald Tribune, and Photoplay. Sh also filmed much of her trip in a travelogue called My China Film. The trip would lead Anna May Wong to consider the production of a play that dealt with modern China. She would play a Chinese travel guide who would educate audiences on China and the West. Nothing ever came of the idea, although the tour guide would evolve into gallery Liu-Tsong. As to the name "Liu-Tsong," Anna May Wong's birth name was "Wong Liu Tsong." 

The Gallery of Madame Liu-Tsong debuted on August 27 1951 on the DuMont Television Network. It ran until November 21 1951. According to Not Your China Doll: The Wild and Shimmering Life of Anna May Wong by Katie Gee Salisbury, the show was plagued by "bad writing and meagre sets." To make matters worse, it aired against two high rated shows, Kraft Television Theatre on NBC (which came in at no. 23 in the Nielsen ratings for the year) and Strike It Rich on CBS (which ranked no. 25 in the Nielsens for the season). DuMont cancelled The Gallery of Madame Liu-Tsong after one season.

As mentioned early, no copies of The Gallery of Madame Liu-Tsong are known to exist. Reportedly, in the early Seventies, DuMont's library of  35mm and 16mm kinescopes were unceremoniously dumped in the East River in New York City Here it must be pointed out that The Gallery of Madame Liu-Tsong was not the only historic show to air on DuMont. The first science fiction show, Captain Video and His Video Rangers, the variety show Cavalcade of Stars (on which The Honeymooners originated and which made Jackie Gleason a star), and Rocky King Detective, one of the earliest police procedurals all aired on DuMont.

Sadly, while East Asian Americans would appear in guest appearances on shows and in supporting roles as well (Hey Boy on Have Gun--Will Ttavel and Hop Sing on Bonanza), it was not until Jack Soo starred on Valentine's Day in 1964 that there would be another show with an East Asian American lead. While The Gallery of Madame Liu-Tsong did not last long, it certainly made history. 

The Innovative James Wong Howe

Few cinematographers were as influential as James Wong Howe. Not only did he work in over 130 movies, but he made several innovations to cinematography, some of which are still widely used to this day. His impact on making movies is still being felt to this day.

James Wong Howe was born Wong Tung Jim in Taishan, Guangdong, Qing China on August 28 1999. His father, Wong Howe, migrated to the United States to work on the Northern Pacific Railway,. It was in 1904 that he sent for his family, including young Wong Tung Jim. The family settled in Pasco, Washington. It was there that a teacher called him "James Howe." Wong Tung Jim would then be known as James Wong Howe for the rest of his life. It was a Brownie camera bought at the local drug store that would spur his interest in photography.

After his father's death James Wong Howe lived for a time in Oregon with an uncle and then in the San Francisco Bay area. From there he moved to Los Angeles. He worked various odd jobs there until getting a job as part of the cleaning staff at Famous Players-Lasky. It was with the film The Little American (1917) that he became a clapper boy. It would be Cecil B. DeMille who would promote him to a camera assistant. At the same time, James Wong Howe would make extra money as a photographer taking still photographs of movie stars.

It would be still photographs of movie star Mary Miles Minter that would lead to James Wong Howe becoming a cinematographer. Miss Minter's eyes were a pale blue, which would appear washed out in photos due to the orthochromatic film of the time. James Wong Howe figured out that Mary Miles Minter's eyes could be made to look more natural if he used black velvet mounted around the camera in a frame. This lead to James Wong Howe being hired as a cinematographer for Miss Minter's film Drums of Fate (1923).

It was also during the Silent Era that James Wong Howe would use an early version of the crab dolly. It was on the film The Rough Riders (1927), directed by Victor Fleming and centred on the military unit led by Theodore Roosevelt during the Spanish American War. For those unfamiliar with crab dollies, they have four wheels and a movable arm that supports the camera. This allows for smooth, sideways movement.

James Wong Howe  also pioneered deep focus cinematography ten years before Gregg Toland used it in Citizen Kane (1941). It was as early as 1931 that Mr. Howe used wide-angle lens, deep focus on the movie Transatlantic. James Wong Howe would continue to use deep focus throughout his career, on such films as Sweet Smell of Success (1957) and Hud (1963).

James Wong Howe also pioneered the use of hand-held cameras. Although he is well-known for his use of hand-held cameras on Seconds (1966), he had used hand-held cameras as early as Air Force in 1943. He used a hand-held  Eyemo camera for some scenes in an effort to make them look more like something from a newsreel. He also used hand-held cameras on the boxing movie Body and Soul (1947), on which he also reportedly wore roller skates to capture the final, climatic bout in the movie.

James Wong Howe would also be known for his low-key lighting and his use of shadows. He utilised low-key lighting early in his career on the film Peter Pan (1924). James Wong Howe would use low-key lighting in several of his films, including The Thin Man (1934), Body and Soul (1947), The Rose Tattoo (1955), and Hud (1963). James Wong Howe's low-key lighting and use of shadows would prove influential on the look of film noir.

James Wong Howe died on July 12 1976 at the age of 76. He left behind a career filled with innovations, more than the ones mentioned here. It is fully possible that he was the most influential cinematographer of all time. Regardless, his impact is still being held to this day.

Kathleen Hughes R.I.P.

Kathleen Hughes, who appeared in such films as The Glass Web (1953) and It Came from Outer Space (1953), died on May 20 2025 at the age of 96.

Kathleen Hughes was born Elizabeth Margaret von Gerkan on November 14 1928 in Hollywood, California. Her uncle was playwright, screenwriter, novelist F. Hugh Herbert, who wrote the plays Moon is Blue and Kiss and Tell, among other works. She graduated from Fairfax High School in Los Angeles. She was a student at Los Angeles City College and appearing in Maxwell Anderson's play Night Over Taos at the Geller Theater on Wilshire Boulevard.when she was approached by a talent scout for Fox. She then signed a seven year contract with the studio.

Kathleen Hughes made her film debut in Road House (1948). In the late Forties she appeared in the movies Mother is a Freshman (1948), Mr. Belvedere Goes to College (1949), It Happens Every Spring (1949), Where the Sidewalk Ends (1950), Mister 880 (1950), and I'll Get By (1950). Miss Hughes began the Fifties appearing in 20th Century Fox's films Call Me Mister (1951) and Take Care of My Little Girl (1951) before the studio dropped her.

Kathleen Hughes appeared in I'll See You in My Dreams (1951)  at Warner Bros. and then For Men Only (1952) at Lippert Pictures before signing with Universal. She would be with that studio for three years. For the remainder of the Fifties she appeared in the movies Sally and Saint Anne (1952), It Came from Outer Space (1953), The Golden Blade (1953), Thy Neighbour's Wife (1953), The Glass Web (1953), Dawn at Socorro (1954), Cult of the Cobra (1955), Three Bad Sisters (1956), and Unwed Mother (1958). She made her television debut in 1956 in an episode of December Bride. She guest starred on the shows Telephone Time, Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Official Detective, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, The Bob Cummings Show. 77 Sunset Strip, Hotel de Paree, Tightrope, and Markham.

In the Sixties she appeared in the movies Promise Her Anything (1966) and The President's Analyst (1967). She guest starred on Dante, The Tall Man, General Electric Theatre, Bachelor Father, Perry Mason, Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C., I Dream of Jeannie, Mission: Impossible, The Ghost & Mrs. Muir, Julia, Here's Lucy, and Bracken's World.

In the Seventies Kathleen Hughes appeared in the movies The Late Liz (1971), Pete 'n' Tillie (1972), and The Take (1974). She guest starred on To Rome with Love, The Interns, The Bold Ones: The New Doctors, M*A*S*H, Barnaby Jones, Lucas Tanner, Marcus Welby M.D., Medical Center, The Blue Knight, Executive Suite, and Quincy M.E. In the Eighties she guest starred on Finder of Lost Loves. She appeared in the movie Revenge (1990). Later in her life she appeared in the film Welcome to Hollywood (1998).

Kathleen Hughes played a variety of roles throughout her career, although often her parts were not very big. She played the manipulative gold-digger Paula Rainer in The Glass Web. In It Came from Outer Space she played Jane, the girl friend of phone lineman George (Russell Johnson), who leaves an impression despite appearing briefly in the film. In the Perry Mason episode "The Case of the Double-Entry Mind," she played the none-too-nice executive secretary Lita Krail. On M*A*S*H she played Colonel Blake's wife Lorraine in the episode ""Dead Dad...Three." While she appeared only in a silent home movie, Kathleen Hughes was convincing as a suburban housewife. Often Kathleen Hughes's appearances in films and TV shows may have been brief, but she always was a delight to see.

Godspeed Mara Corday

Mara Corday, the pinup girl and actress who starred in the classic Tarantula (1955) and several Westerns, died on February 9 2025 at the age of 95.  The cause was arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Mara Corday was born Marilyn Joan Watts on January 3 1930 in Santa Monica, California. When she was young she worked as an usherette at the Mayan Theatre in Los Angeles. She was 17 years old when she was hired by the Earl Carroll Theatre on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood. She started out as a showgirl there before going on to play in sketches with the legendary Pinky Lee. She received work as a photographer's model. This led to her film debut in an uncredited role in Two Tickets to Broadway in 1951.

Marilyn Watts took her stage name "Mara Corday" from two sources. "Mara" was a nickname bestowed upon her by a bongo player when she was working at the Mayan Theatre as an usherette. She took "Corday" from the brand of perfume, which is still being made today. 

In the Fifties, Mara Corday appeared in the movies Sea Tiger (1952), Son of Ali Baba (1952), Toughest Man in Arizona (1952), The Lady Wants Mink (1953), Problem Girls (1953), Tarzan and the She-Devil (1953), Sweethearts on Parade (1953), Money from Home (1953), Yankee Pasha (1954), Playgirl (1954), Drums Across the River (1954), Francis Joins the WACs (1954), Dawn at Socorro (1954), So This is Paris (1954), Man Without a Star (1954), The Man from Bitter Ridge (1955), and Foxfire (1955).

It was in 1955 that she starred as lab assistant Stephanie Clayton in Tarantula. It would not be the last giant monster in which she appeared, as she also appeared in The Giant Claw (1957) and  The Black Scorpion (1957). For the remainder of the Fifties she appeared in the movies Raw Edge (1956), A Day of Fury (1956), Naked Gun (1956), The Quiet Gun (1957), Undersea Girl (1957), and Girls on the Loose (1958). She made her television debut i 1952 in episodes of Craig Kennedy, Criminologist. She appeared on the shows The Adventures of Kit Carson, Mr. & Mrs. North, Matinee Theatre, Combat Sergeant, The Restless Gun, Peter Gunn, Tales of Wells Fargo, The Man from Blackhawk, Adventures in Paradise, and Laramie. Throughout the Fifties Mara Corday was a popular pinup girl in men's magazines. She appeared in the October 1958 issue of Playboy as its Playmate that month.

In the Sixties Mara Corday guest starred on Surfside 6 and starred in the failed TV pilot Cabana 54. Afterwards she retired to devote herself to her family. It was after her husband (Richard Long of The Big Valley and Nanny & the Professor fame) died in 1974 from a heart attack that she returned to the screen a few more times. A long time friend of Clint Eastwood, she appeared in the Dirty Harry movies The Gauntlet (1977) and Sudden Impact (1983), as well as his films Pink Cadillac (1989) and The Rookie (1990). In 1976 she guest starred on the TV show Joe Forrester.

Mara Corday was as talented as she was beautiful. Even when a movie's premise might not be particularly believable, she was always convincing. She did a fine job playing Stephanie (nicknamed "Steve") in Tarantula. Even as ludicrous as The Giant Claw was, Mara Corday still gave a convincing performance as mathematician Sally Caldwell. In her Westerns she played everything from a shepherdess to saloon girls, and did gave good performances in all of them. Even in small roles, such as the waitress taken hostage in Sudden Impact, Mara Corday did well. She was a good on television as she was in movies, playing the wife of a wanted murderer on Wanted: Dead or Alive, a blackmailer on Peter Gunn, and a woman in the middle of a land feud in one of her episodes of The Adventures of Kit Carson. Mara Corday was always a pleasure to see on screen and she was never disappointing, even when a particular movie may not have been very good.

The Late Great Peter David

Peter David (full name Peter Allen David, which was often abbreviated PAD), the writer who best known for his work on comic books for Aquaman and The Incredible Hulk as well as original novels, movie and television novelizations, and work in television, died on May 24 2025 at the age of 68. He had suffered from various health concerns since the 2010s.

Peter David was born on September 23 1956 in Fort Meade, Maryland. He was five years old when he first developed an interest in comic books after reading issues of Casper and Wendy the Good Little Witch in a barbershop. It was the classic TV show Adventures of Superman, starring George Reeves, that got him interested in superheroes. Initially his parent did not want him tor read superhero comic books, particularly those published with Marvel which sometimes featured characters that looked like monsters (The Thing from The Fantastic Four and The Hulk), so he read them secretly. His first Marvel comic book was Fantastic Four Annual no. 3 (November 1965), which featured Reed Richards and Sue Storm's wedding. Eventually his parents relented and allowed him to read superhero comic books.

Peter David spent his childhood in Bloomfield, New Jersey, where he attended Demarest Elementary School. His family later moved to Verona, New Jersey and then to Pennsylvania. He attended New York University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism. His first published short story was "Alternate Genesis" in Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine in 1980. Meeting with little success in writing, he shifted to working in book publishing. He worked at he E.P. Dutton imprint Elsevier/Nelson and then  in sales and distribution for Playboy Paperbacks before going to work in Marvel Comics' Sales Department. He worked there for five years.

It was Jim Owsley, who had become editor of the Spider-Man stories, who purchased Peter David's first comic book story, one featuring the Web-Slinger. The story appeared in The Spectacular Spider-Man no. 103 (June 1985). Peter Owsley bought another Spider-Man story form Peter David, which, given he was still working in the sales department, resulted in charges of a conflict of interest and Peter Owsley was forced to fire Peter David from Spectacular Spider-Man. Regardless, Bob Harras later hired Peter David for The Incredible Hulk, which was then not doing well. Peter David ultimately wrote The Incredible Hulk for twelve years.
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At Marvel Peter David also wrote titles related to The Avengers, Captain America, Captain Marvel, Dreadstar, Elektra, the Fantastic Four, Justice, Sachs and Violens, She-Hulk, Wolverine, and X-Factor. He created Spider-Man 2099.  Peter David would eventually write for DC Comics as well. He wrote a Green Lantern serial for Action Comics no. 608-620 (the title had shifted to being a weekly title for short time) before writing the Aquaman miniseries, The Atlantis Chronicles. He later wrote the mini-series Aquaman: Time and Tide and volume 5 of Aquaman no. 0-46 and the Aquaman Annual vol. 1-4. At DC he also wrote the titles related to Fallen Angel,  The Phantom, Supergirl, and Young Justice. Peter David also wrote various Star Trek series at DC. At other publishers Peter David also wrote Battlestar Galactica vs. Battlestar Galactica,  Red Sonja vs. Thulsa Doom, Soulsearchers and Company, Vol. 1: On the Case, Spike: Old Times (based on the character from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel), Spike vs. Dracula, Spyboy, The Scream, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003).

In addition to comic books, Peter David also wrote several novels. His first novel, Knight Life, published in 1987,, was also the first in his "Modern Arthur" series. His other series of novels included "Photon," "Psi-Man," and "Sir Apropos of Nothing." He also wrote several movie novelizations, including The Return of Swamp Thing and The Rocketeer, among others, as well as novels based on Alien Nation, Battlestar Galactica, Dinotopia, and Fantastic Four. He also wrote several Babylon 5 and Star Trek novels (including books based on Deep Space Nine, Starfleet Academy, and The Next Generation). He also wrote several standalone, original novels.

Peter David also worked in television. He wrote episodes of Babylon 5, Space Cases, Crusade, Roswell Conspiracies:Aliens, Myths & Legends, Ben 10: Alien Force, Ben 10: Ultimate Alien, Super Power Beat Down, and Young Justice, He wrote the movies Oblivion (1994) and Oblivion 2: Backlash (1996).

Peter David is one of my favourite comic book writers of the past several decades. He was extremely inventive and he was able to breath new life into old characters, while at the same time remaining loyal to those characters. I know of many, including myself, who consider him the best writer of both Aquaman and The Hulk. He also had a gift for character dynamics, which was on display in his work on his various Aquaman titles, The Incredible Hulk, and his work on Star Trek. Indeed, while Peter David may be best known for his work on superheros, he was a fine writer of science fiction and fantasy.

Peter David was nothing if not opinionated, and he sometimes had disagreements with comic book creators, from Frank miller to Todd McFarlane. While Peter David held strong opinions, he was also known for his kindness and generosity. I know people who have met Peter David and some who even knew him as an acquaintance, All of them speak highly of Mr. David as one of the nicest people one could ever hope to meet. Peter David was a remarkable writer who brought new life to many comic book characters.

Memorial Day 2025

On this Memorial Day please remember our brave men and women in uniform who made the ultimate sacrifice. This is a poster at the Huntsville Historical Society Museum from 1944 promoting the 7th War Loan. It features many of the men and women from Randolph County then serving in World War II including General Omar Bradley.

"Tiny Bubbles" by Don Ho

Chances are good that if you are a Gen Xer or older you have heard of Don Ho. For those of you who haven't, he was a singer and musician of Native Hawaiian, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, and German. He had some success in the Sixties. His second album, Tiny Bubbles, reached no. 15 on the Billboard 200 and it remained on the chart for nearly a year. He also appeared on several television shows from the Sixties to the Nineties, including Hawaiian Eye, Batman, I Dream of Jeannie, The Brady Bunch, McCloud, Sanford and Son, Charlie's Angels, The Fall Guy, and Life Goes On. He had his own daytime variety show on ABC, The Don Ho Show, from 19776 to 1977. Don Ho was sometimes accused of performing music that was too commercialized and of pandering too much to tourists to Hawaii, but there can be no doubt that he helped popularize traditional Hawaiian music and made people more aware of Hawaii in general.

Don Ho's signature song and his biggest hit was "Tiny Bubbles." The song had originally been written by Leon Pober for Lawrence Welk, whose particular brand of easy listening music was called "champagne music." Lawerence Welk turned the song down, although he would later perform it after Don Ho had a hit with the song. It was Don Ho's producer, Sonny Burke, who chose the song for Don Ho. The song proved to be a modest success going to no. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and no. 14 on the Billboard Easy Listening chart. According to his Hollywood Reporter obituary from 2007, Don Ho often joked to his audiences that he hated the song. He performed it regularly nonetheless.

"Feed the Tree" by Belly

This evening I am not in much of a mood to make a full-fledged post. My seasonal allergies are particularly bad today. I am also grieving the loss of the mulberry tree in my backyard. My niece and her husband cleared out brush there yesterday, and they accidentally cut down my tree. It makes me sad as it always gave bumper crops of mulberries and it also provided plenty of shade. I took a cutting from one of its branches and I am hoping I can grow a new tree from that.

Anyway, I will then leave you with a song suitable to the subject, Belly's 1993 song "Feed the Tree."

Jack Soo: Pioneering Actor and Comedian

Today Jack Soo is probably best remembered as Detective Nick Yemana on the classic sitcom Barney Miller and Frankie Wing in Flower Drum Song (1961). Even so, he played many more roles throughout his career. In fact,  Jack Soo would be a pioneer among East Asian actors in that most of his roles, like Detective Yemana and Frankie Wing, broke from the stereotypes of East Asians that had persisted in American cinema and television since their beginnings.

Jack Soo was born Goro Suzuki on October 28 1917 on a ship crossing the Pacific Ocean. His parents, who lived in Oakland, California, decided that they wanted him to be born in their native Japan, but he arrived sooner than they thought. He grew up in Oakland and received a degree in English at the University of California, Berkeley. It was while he was a student at Berkeley that his entertainment career began. He played in nightclubs in the evening, like Andy Wong's Sky Room in San Francisco. He also got small parts in plays. During World War II, like other Japanese Americans, he was interned. He was sent to the Topaz War Relocation Center in Utah. To help with morale he put together shows and entertained the internees.

It was following World War II that Goro Suzuki adopted the stage name "Jack Soo" to avoid any anti-Japanese prejudice that persisted. He performed in nightclubs in Cleveland, Chicago, Akron, and other Midwestern cities. Eventually, Jack Soo played at the famed Chinese American nightclub Forbidden City in San Francisco. It was there that he was discovered by famed dancer, actor, singer, director, and choreographer Gene Kelly. Gene Kelly was directing the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Flower Drum Song and cast him in the role of Frankie Wing, the emcee at the Celestial Gardens, in the musical.

It was after Flower Drum Song had been running on Broadway for a year, that Jack Soo took over the role of Sammy Fong, the owner of the Celestial Gardens, originated by Larry Blyden. Jack Soo continued in the role of Sammy Fong on Broadway until May 1960 and then toured in the role from May 1960 to October 1961. Of course, he also reprised his role as Sammy Fong in the 1961 movie adaptation of Flower Drum Song. Sammy Fong was a sharp break from earlier Chinese American characters. He was a smooth-talking, rakish, but ultimately decent businessman 

The movie Flower Drum Song (1961) proved to be a disappointment at the box office, but it was instrumental in launching Jack Soo's film and television career. Among the roles he played following Flower Drum Song was Rockwell "Rocky" Sin on the sitcom Valentine's Day. While Rocky was the valet to publishing executive Valentine Farrow (Tony Franciosa), he was a sharp break from such earlier East Asian characters as Hey Boy and Hey Girl on Have Gun, Will Travel, and Hop Sing on Bonanza. Indeed, there was nothing stereotypical about Rocky. He was a smooth-talking, wisecracking, womanizing con man who was in many ways brighter than his employer. Valentine's Day is then historic not only for being one of the earliest shows to feature an  East Asian character who was not a stereotype but for being the first American television show since The Gallery of Madame Liu-Tsong starring Anna May Wong and the very first sitcom to feature an East Asian American in a lead role.

Unfortunately, Valentine's Day only ran for one season. Regardless, Jack Soo would still have a healthy career. He guest starred on several television shows in the Sixties, including The Jack Benny Program, The Wackiest Ship in the Army, Julia, and Hawaii Five-O. He appeared in m such movies as Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed? (1963) and The Oscar. Although known for comedic roles, Jack Soo appeared as Colonel Cai in the controversial film The Green Berets (1968). Jack Soo was known for being critical of East Asian stereotypes, although he did play a stereotype at least once. In Thoroughly Modern Millie he played one of Mrs. Meers's two Chinese henchmen. To make matters worse, he was credited as "Oriental #1." "Oriental #2" was played by another well-known Japanese American actor, Pat Morita. 

Of course, in the Sixties, it was very hard for any East Asian American actor to avoid playing at least a few stereotypes during their career. The fact that Jack Soo played so few is remarkable. The Seventies would see Jack Soo continue to play roles that broke with stereotypes, as well as a combination of comedic and dramatic roles. He appeared one last time in movies playing Mr. Yokomoto in Return from Witch Mountain (1978). He guest-starred on such dramas as The Name of the Game, Ironside, Police Story, and Police Woman. He played a doctor in the 1973 TV movie She Lives! (the same TV movie that turned Jim Croce's "Time in a Bottle" into a posthumous hit). He guest starred on the sitcoms as The Jimmy Stewart Show, The Odd Couple, M*A*S*H, and Busting Loose.

It was in 1975 that Jack Soo began playing Detective Sergeant Nick Yemana. Sgt. Yemana was good-natured and even-tempered. He was known for his deadpan sense of humour, often making humorous remarks about the sometimes bizarre goings on in the squad room. While he always saw cases through, he constantly had a pile of paperwork to complete. He was also known for making the worst coffee known to man. Along with Sgt. Fish (Abe Vigoda), Sgt. Yemana proved to be one of the most popular characters on the show, and the role brought Jack Soo a level of fame he hadn't known since the early to mid-Sixties.

Unfortunately, Jack Soo would not get to remain with Barney Miller until the end of its run. It was towards the end of the fourth season that he was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer. Due to receiving treatment for the disease, he missed the last five episodes of the season. Jack Soo returned to the show at the start of the fifth season, but the cancer had already metastasized. Worse yet, it also had spread quickly. He only completed nine episodes for the season before having to quit due to his illness. He last appeared in the episode "The Vandal" on November 9 1978. He died only two months later, on January 11 1979. He was only 61 years old. The fifth season finale of Barney Miller was a tribute to Jack Soo titled "Jack Soo: A Retrospective." At the end of the episode, the cast raised their coffee mugs in tribute to him.

While Jack Soo's career was tragically cut short, in that short time he proved to be a true pioneer with regards to East Asian American actors. He played a major role in the first mainstream Hollywood movie with a primarily East Asian cast, Flower Drum Song. He was the first East Asian to play a lead role in an American television show, Rocky Sin in Valentine's Day. Throughout his career, he played roles that defied stereotypes and he refused to play stereotypes. Indeed, Jack Soo saw his career as a means of fighting stereotypes. Certainly Rocky Sin and Sgt. Yemana were a far cry from Hey Boy on Have Gun--Will Travel or Hop Sing on Bonanza. In a career on Broadway, in film, on television that only spanned about twenty-one years, Jack Soo made a difference.

"Maybellene" by Chuck Berry

It was seventy years ago today, on May 21 1955, at Universal Recording Studios in Chicago, that Chuck Berry recorded "Maybellene." The song would become Chuck Berry's first hit, going to no. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart and peaking at no. 1 on the Billboard singles chart.

Chuck Berry adapted "Maybellene" from the song "Ida Red," which had been recorded by y Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys in 1938. It was the legendary Muddy Waters who urged Chuck Berry to take a recording of the song to Chess Records, renamed "Ida May" by Mr. Berry. Leonard Chess thought both the names "Ida Red" and "Ida May" were "too rural." The song then became "Maybellene" after Chuck Berry noticed a box of Maybelline mascara in the studio. Chuck Berry also reworked the lyrics under the direction of Leonard Chess, who wanted a song about kids, cars, and young love. Leonard Chess also wanted the song to have a bigger beat, so a bass and maraca player were added to Chuck Berry's band in the studio. As shown by history, the combination of ta big beat, hot rods, and young romance clicked with American teenagers and "Maybellene" became Chuck Berry's first success.

The Late Great George Wendt

George Wendt, best known as beer-loving accountant Norm Peterson on the classic sitcom Cheers, died today in his sleep at the age of 76. Coincidentally, today is also the 32nd anniversary of the series finale of Cheers.

George Wendt was born on October 17 1948, in Chicago. He attended Campion High School in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. He attended Notre Dame University until his junior year. As he told the Kansas City Star in 2016, "I basically quit and didn't inform the university." He worked for his father for a time before he received a Bachelor of Arts from  Rockhurst College in Kansas City, Missouri. He travelled through Europe for around two years before returning to the United States and deciding to become an actor.

In 1975, George Wendt joined Second City, the famous Chicago improvisational comedy troupe. He was with them for six years before. He made his film debut in an uncredited role in The Wedding in 1978. He appeared in bit parts in Bronco Billy (1980), My Bodyguard (1980), and Somewhere in Time (1980).

George Wendt made his television debut in an episode of Hart to Hart in 1981. He guest-starred on the shows Soap, Taxi, Alice, and M*A*S*H. He was a regular on the short-lived sitcom Making the Grade before he was cast as Norm Peterson on the sitcom Cheers. Norm easily proved to be one of the show's most popular characters, and he remained with the sitcom for all of its eleven seasons. In the Eighties, George Wendt was one of the voices in TV specials based on the comic strip Garfield. He guest-starred on the shows of M*A*S*H, The Twilight Zone, Saturday Night Live, and Day by Day. Beyond Cheers, he made appearances as Norm on St. Elsewhere. The  Tortellis, the TV special Mickey's 60th Birthday, and The Earth Day Special. He appeared in the movies Jekyll and Hyde...Together Again (1982), Airplane II: The Sequel (1982), Young Lust (1984), Dreamscape (1984), Thief of Hearts (1984), No Small Affair (1984), Fletch (1985), House  (1985), Gung Ho (1986),  Plain Clothes  (1988), Never Say Die (1988), and Masters of Menace (1990).

In the Nineties, George Wendt continued to appear on Cheers. He was the star of the short-lived The George Wendt Show, and he had a regular role on the short-lived sitcom The Naked Truth. He had a recurring role on Madigan Men.  He appeared as Norm Petersen on The Simpsons and as himself on Seinfeld, Bob, and The Larry Sanders Show. He guest-starred on the shows Tales from the Crypt, Roc, The Edge, The Building, Columbo, Spin City, Whose Line Is It Anyway, and The List. George Wendt also appeared in the TV movies Bye Bye Birdie and Alice in Wonderland. He appeared in the movies Guilty by Suspicion (1991), Forever Young (1992), Hostage for a Day (1994), The Little Rascals (1994), Man of the House (1995), Space Truckers (1996), The Lovemaster (1997), Spice World (1997), Anarchy TV (1998), Dennis the Menace Strikes Again (!998), Rupert's Land (1998), Outside Providence (1999), Garage: A Rock Saga (2000), Lakeboat (2000), The Prime Gig (2000), and Wild About Harry. He appeared on Broadway in Art.

In the Naughts, George Wendt had a recurring role on Sabrina the Teenage Witch. He was a regular on the short-lived sitcom Modern Men. He appeared as Norm on Frasier and in two episodes of Family Guy. He guest-starred on the shows Becker, Rock Me Baby, George Lopez, Masters of Horror, The Green Green Grass, Cubed, Less Than Kind, and Ghost Whisperer. He appeared in the movies Teddy Bears' Picnic (2002), My Dinner with Jimi (2003), King of the Ants (2003), Edmond (2005), Kids in America (2005), The Life Coach (2005), LA Blues (2007), Saturday Morning (2007), Clean Break (2008), Bryan Loves You (2008), Unnatural Causes (2008), Opposite Day (2009), and Santa Buddies (2009). He appeared on Broadway in Hairspray and Elf.

In the Teens, George Wendt had a recurring role on the sitcom Clipped. He appeared as himself on several episodes of the adult puppet show Let's Be Real. He was the voice of Grandpa Frank on the animated show Fancy Nancy. He guest-starred on the shows Hot in Cleveland, Harry's Law, Kickin' It, Portlandia, Kristie, Verdene and Gleneda, Franklin & Bash, Comedy Bang! Bang!, Childrens Hospital, Bill Nye Saves the World, Fresh Off the Boat, Your Pretty Face Is Going to Hell, Peyton's Places, and The Goldbergs. He appeared in the movies Sandy Wexler (2017), The Independents (2018), Grand-Daddy Day Care (2019), Bliss (2019), The Climb (2019), VFW (2019), Aliens, Clowns & Geeks (2019), and Stealing a Survivor (2020). In the Twenties, he was a regular on the series What the Elf?. He appeared in the movies Americanish (2021) and Christmas with the Campbells (2022).

In my humble opinion, Norm Petersen is one of the all-time greatest characters in the history of American television. Norm was known for his one-liners, and no one could have delivered them better than George Wendt. Norm was a clever, self-deprecating everyman, and George Wendt was perfect in the role, so much so that it is impossible to think of Norm as being played by anyone else. Of course, George Wendt played many other characters beyond Norm. In a series of sketches on Saturday Night Live, he played Chicago Bears superfan Bob Swerski. In the movie Dreamscape he played horror novelist Charlie Prince, who has the bad luck of stumbling upon the dreamscape project. In the movie Fletch he played the drug dealer Fat Sam. In the horror comedy House he played Harold Gorton, the neighbor and fan of author Roger Cobb (William Katt). In No Small Affair he played a role about as far from Norm as one could get, the lecherous rock club owner Jake. George Wendt was an incredible talent who played one of the greatest characters in television history as well as a number of great roles. Everybody will always know his name.

The Late Great Joe Don Baker

Joe Don Baker, who starred in Walking Tall (1973) and appeared in three James Bond movies, died on May 7 at the age of 89.

Joe Don Baker was born on February 12 1936 in Groesbeck, Texas. His mother died when he was 12 years old and he was subsequently raised by an aunt. He played football in high school. He attended North Texas State College in Denton on a football scholarship. It was in his senior year that he had his first acting experience, playing a small role in a play. He graduated with a business degree in 1958 and then served two years in the United States Army. After he was discharged, Joe Don Baker studied acting at The Actor's Studio. He appeared on Broadway in their productions Marathon '66 in 1963 and Blue for Mister Charlie in 1964.

In the mid-Sixties Joe Don Baker moved to Los Angeles. It was in 1965 that he made his television debut in an episode of Honey West. He made his film debut in an uncredited role in Cool Hand Luke in 1967. In the Sixties he guest starred on the shows Iron Horse, Judd for the Defense, The Felony Squad, Bonanza, The Outsider, Gunsmoke, Lancer, The Big Valley, Mod Squad, Bracken's World, The F.B.I., and The Most Dangerous Game. He appeared in the movies Guns of the Magnificent Seven (1969) and Adam at Six A.M. (1970).

In 1972 Joe Don Baker had what may be called his breakthrough role in Junior Bonner, playing the title character's younger brother, entrepreneur Curly. In 1973 he played Sheriff Buford Pusser in Walking Tall. The movie proved to be a hit and produced two sequels in which Bo Svenson played Sheriff Pusser. Durin the Seventies he also appeared in the movies Wild Rovers (1971), Welcome Home Soldier Boys (1971), The Valachi Papers (1972), Charley Varrick (1973), The Outfit (1973), Golden Needles (1974), Framed (1975), Mitchell (1975), Checkered Flag or Crash (1977), The Shadow of Chikara (1977), Speedtrap (1977), and The Pack (1977).  On television he played the lead in the short-lived show Eischied. He guest starred on the shows The High Chaparral, Mission: Impossible, Ironside, Doc Elliot, and The Streets of San Francisco.

In the Eighties Joe Don Baker played the villain Brad Whitaker in the James Bond movie The Living Daylights (1987). He appeared in the movies Wacko (1982), Joysticks (1983), The Natural (1984), Final Justice (1984), Fletch (1985), Getting Even (1986), The Killing Time (1987), Leonard Part 6 (1987), Criminal Law (1988),  and The Children (1990). On television he played Tom Dugan in four episodes of the show In the Heat of the Night. He guest starred on Screen Two.

In the Nineties Joe Don Baker played Senator Joe McCarthy in the HBO TV movie Citizen Cohn. He appeared in the mini-series George Wallace (playing Big Jim Folsom) and Too Rich: The Secret Life of Doris Duke. He played James Bond's CIA contact Jack Wade in the movies GoldenEye (1995) and Tomorrow Never Dies (1997).  He appeared in the movies Cape Fear (1991), The Distinguished Gentleman (1992), Ring of Steel (1994), Reality Bites (1994), Felony (1994), The Underneath (1995),  Panther (1995), Congo (1995),  The Grass Harp (1995), and Mars Attacks! (1996).

In the Naughts Joe Don Baker guest starred on the show The Cleaner. He appeared in the movies Vegas, City of Dreams (2001), The Commission (2003), The Dukes of Hazzard (2005), and Strange Wilderness (2008). In 2012 he appeared in the movie Mud.

I think it will be safe to say that Joe Don Baker will always be best remembered as Sheriff Pusser in Walking Tall and Jack Wade in The Living Daylights and Tomorrow Never Dies. He was impressive as Sheriff Pusser, the honest but at times brutal lawman. And as Jack Wade, the wise-cracking, down-to earth CIA contact for 007,  he was one of the best things about The Living Daylights and Tomorrow Never Dies. While he may be best remembered for these roles, Joe Don Baker played a large variety of characters throughout his career. Indeed, he played historical figures more than once, including hit man Mad Dog Coll in The Valachi Papers,  the blustering Senator Joe McCarthy in Citizen Cohn and Alabama politician Big Jim Folsom.  In Junior Bonner, Curly Bonner was a very different character from those for which Joe Don Baker was best known, a business-oriented real estate developer. Although best known for his work in film, Joe Don Baker gave good performances on television as well. He was the primary villain in the pilot for the TV show Lancer, "The High Riders," Day Pardee. On episodes of In the Heat of the Night he played Tom Dugan, who substitutes for Chief Gillespie. Joe Don Baker was extremely talented and could play many different roles.

It's Too Soon for Summer

For much of this week it has been in the upper eighties, near ninety, with high humidity. This is why I haven't made much in the way of posts this week. I am hot and miserable and I really don't feel like doing much of anything. To make matter worse, this is unusual for May, when our highs are usually in the seventies with relatively low humidity. Fortunately, next week we will have less tropical temperatures. For now I will leave you with The Who's cover of Eddie Cochran's 'Summertime Blues."

Denise Alexander Passes On

Denise Alexander, who appeared for years on the soap operas Days of Our Lives and General Hospital, and guest starred on many TV shows in the Sixties and Seventies, died on March 5 2025 at the age of 85.

Denise Alexander was born on November 11 1939 in New York City. Her father was a talent agent whose clients would include Frank Gorshin and Sal Mineo. Denise Alexander began acting on radio shows when she was only six years old. She was a regular on the show The Marriage. She also appeared on such radio shows as The Big Guy, Cavalcade of America, Dimension X. and It's Higgins Sir. She ultimately appeared on more than 2500 radio shows. She made her television debut in 1949 on Kraft Music Hall. That same year she appeared on Ford Television Theatre.

In the early Fifties she appeared on Broadway in The Children's Hour. On television in the Fifties she was a regular on Tom Corbett, Space Cadet and late in the decade on the daytime soap opera The Clear Horizon. She guest starred on the shows Armstrong Circle Theatre, The Web, The Philco Television Playhouse, Schlitz Playhouse of Stars, Mama, Kraft Television Theatre, Robert Montgomery Presents, Climax!, Father Knows Best, The Life of Riley, The Walter Winchell File, Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse, The Danny Thomas Show, The Ann Sothern Show, The DuPont Show with June Allyson, The Twilight Zone, The Loretta Young Show, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, The Blue Angels, and The Detectives. She appeared in the movies Crime in the Streets (1956) and Teenage Conflict (1960).

In the Sixties she continued as a regular on The Clear Horizon and the short-lived Ben Jerrod..  She became a regular on the daytime soap opera Days of Our Lives in 1966. She guest starred on The Detectives, The Barbara Stanwyck Show, Angel, Sea Hunt, Ben Casey, Stoney Burke, The Virginian, Combat!, General Hospital, and This is the Life. She appeared in the movie That Funny Feeling (1965).

In the Seventies Denise Alexander continued to appear on Days of Our Lives until 1973. It was in 1973 that she began her long run on General Hospital. In the Seventies she also guest starred on The ABC Afternoon Playbreak. In the Eighties she became a regular on the daytime soap opera Another World. She guest starred on the TV show Hotel. In the Nineties she became a regular on the daytime soap opera Sunset Beach. She returned to General Hospital in a recurring role. he guest starred on the soap opera Port Charles. In the Teens she was a regular on the short-lived shows The Inn and Pretty the Series.

While I am unfamiliar with Denise Alexander's work in soap operas, which admittedly made up most of her career, I know from her guest appearances on prime time shows she was a good actress. On The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, she played Ginny Metzger, a girlfriend determined to turn Dobie into a success by taking a baby sitting job. In the Combat! episode "No Time for Pity," she played the librarian of a town where German paratroopers have set up an observation post. In the Ben Casey episode "A Memory of Candy Stripes," she played a candy striper who is getting too attached to a patient. Denise Alexander was a wonderful actress who gave many good performances.

Seventy Years Ago the Muppets Made Their Television Debut

Jim Henson with Kermit, Sam, and others

Seventy years ago today, on May 9 1955, a local television show called Sam and Friends debuted on Washington, DC's NBC station WRC-TV. If it had been any of a number of other local television programs, this might not be particularly significant, but Sam and Friends was created by Jim Henson and his future wife Jane Nebel and introduced the world to what would become known as Muppets. Indeed, among the puppet characters was a lizard-like one called Kermit, who would become Kermit the Frog.

Sam and Friends was a live-action, puppet show, but like Jim Henson's future projects, it was made for adults rather than children. In fact, it aired as a lead-in to The Tonight Show on WRC-TV. The series centred on Sam (played by Jim Henson) , a human puppet with big ears and an active imagination. Sam had a number of imaginary friends who represented various parts of his psyche, including Kermit (played by Jim Henson), the beatnik Harry the Hpster (played by Jim Henson), the rock-like Yorick (played by Jim Henson), Professor Madlcliffe (played by Jim Henson), and yet others. Other puppeteers on the show beyond Jim Henson included Jane Nebel, Jerry Juhl, and Bob Payne. The puppets would take part in various sketches and lip-sync to various songs.

Sam and Friends would air in various time slots throughout its run, and at one point aired before NBC's news program at the time, The Huntley–Brinkley Report. It last aired on December 15 1961. Unfortunately, very little survives of Sam and Friends. The show was produced on a low budget and as a result it was not preserved on kinescope or videotape. Out of the clips that have survived, almost none of them feature Sam, despite the fact that he was the main character.

It was while Sam and Friends was still on the air that Jim Henson and Jane Nebel founded Muppets, Inc., which would later be named the Jim Henson Company. It was also while Sam and Friends as still on the air that the Muppets began to get national exposure. Kermit appeared on The Steve Allen Show in 1956 In 1958 the Muppets appeared on Tonight Starring Jack Paar. The Sixties, after Sam and Friends ended, would see the Muppets appear frequently on The Ed Sullivan Show. The decade would also see Rowlf as a regular on The Jimmy Dean Show and several Muppets, including Kermit, become regulars on Sesame Street.

Of course, all of it began with Sam and Friends. Indeed, in the few remaining episodes of the show one can easily see the origins of The Muppet Show, from the pop culture parodies to the use of popular music. While it may not have been seen beyond the Washington, DC area, it would certainly have a lasting impact.

"Subterranean Homesick Blues" by Bob Dylan

Sixty years ago today a clip for Bob Dylan's song "Subterranean Homesick Blues"was filmed in an alley near the Savoy Hotel in London. The clip consists of Bob Dylan flipping cue cards as the song plays, while  Allen Ginsberg and Bob Neuwirth are occasionally seen in the background. The cue cards were written by Bob Dylan, Allen Ginsberg, and Bob Neuwirth. Although the clip is often referred to as a promotional film or promotional clip, it was actually filmed as the opening of the documentary Don't Look Back, directed by D. A. Pennebaker. It covered Bob Dylan's 1965 tour of England.

Two alternate clips for "Subterranean Homesick Blues" were also filmed. One was shot in Embankment Gardens near the Savoy. In addition to Bob Dylan, Allen Ginsberg, and Bob Neuwirth, Bob Dylan's producer Tom Wilson also appeared in that clip. Another clip was shot a building that has yet to be identified. Martin Scosese included a montage of all three clips in his 2005 documentary No Direction Home.

The clip for "Subterranean Homesick Blues" from Don't Look Back was one of the earliest conceptual music films and would prove influential on music videos to come.

Without further ado, here is the promo clip for "Subterranean Homesick Blues."

How to Disable Tab Groups on Firefox

Chances are good that if you use Firefox, you now known that it has tab groups. For those of you who don't know what tab groups are, they are a browser feature that allows users to organize tabs into groups. In theory, at least this makes it easier to keep track of manage tabs. Chrome had had tab groups for about five years now, and other browsers have had them for a few years as well. As to Firefox, according to Mozilla, it was the most requested idea on Mozilla Connect.

Of course, while some people find tab groups a convenient way to organize and manage tabs, others of us don't.This can be a particularly problem for those of us who sometimes like to move tabs around, as Firefox will automatically assume that we want to create a tab group. Fortunately, Firefox has a means of disabling tab groups, unlike some other browsers (*cough* Chrome for Android *cough*).

If you are one of the many Firefox users who dislike and you want to disable them, simply type about:config in the address bar. You'll then want to click the button that reads "Accept the Risk and Continue." You'll then search for " browser.tabs.groups" and mark all of them "false."

This should disable tab groups, although some have found them re-enabled if they close and then re-open their browser. In my case this was caused by a study related to tab groups. I fixed it by simply going into setting and unchecking "Install and run studies," although you could also type about:studies in the address bar and disable any studies related to tab groups.

With regards to tab groups on Firefox, I have two recommendations for Mozilla. The first is that they should have a place in Settings (I figure "Brower Layout" might b a good place) where one can disable tab groups. This would be more obvious and thus easier than disabling tab groups in about:config would be. The second is that they should always allow users to disable tab groups and never force them upon users. Tab groups may be the most requested feature in Mozilla Central, but there are also a number of us who absolutely hate them.

The Rocketeer (1991)

(This post is part of the Adventure-a-Thon hosted by Cinematic Catharsis and Realweedgiemidget Reviews)

Today superhero films are a dime a dozen, but there was a time when they were much less common. The phenomenal success of  Batman in 1989 would spur the production of more superhero movies, but even then they were less common than they are today. One of those superhero movies produced in the wake of Batman (1989) was The Rocketeer (1991). What further set The Rocketeer (1991) apart from other movies made in the Nineties was that it was also a period piece set in the 1930s.

The Rocketeer centred on Cliff Secord (Billy Campbell), a stunt pilot who stumbles upon a prototype rocket pack developed by Howard Hughes that had been stolen by Eddie Valentine's (Paul Sorvino) gang. Unfortunately, others want the jet pack and ultimately Cliff, his girlfriend Jenny (Jennifer Connelly), and his mechanic Peevy (Alan Arkin) find themselves tangled up not only with gangsters and Howard Hughes but Nazis as well. Cliff must then use the rocket pack

The Rocketeer was based on the comic book character of the same name, created by artist Dave Stevens. The character came about when Dave Stevens was Steve and Bill Schanes of independent publisher Pacific Comics asked him to come up with a backup feature for Starslayer, the comic book series created by Mike Grell. Dave Stevens drew upon the Republic serials King of the Rocket Men (1949), Radar Men from the Moon (1952), and Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe (1953) to create The Rocketeer. Further inspiration came from pulp heroes such as Doc Savage and The Shadow. As in the movie, The Rocketeer was stunt pilot Cliff Secord, who stumbles upon an experimental jet pack.

The Rocketeer first appeared in a back-up story in Starslayer no. 2 April (1982). After Pacific Comics folded in 1984, The Rocketeer would be published by Eclipse and Comico, and still later Dark Horse and, following Dave Stevens's death,  IDW Publishing. For a feature published by independent comics publishers, The Rocketeer proved to be fairly successful.

It was this success that would lead to a film adaptation. It was in 1983 that Steve Milner, who had directed Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981) and Friday the 13th Part 3 (1982), bought the film rights to The Rocketeer. No Rocketeer movie came from Steve Milner as he strayed too far from Dave Stevens's original concept and ultimately his option on The Rocketeer expired. It was in 1985 that Dave Stevens gave writers Danny Bloom and Paul De Meo the option to do a Rocketeer movie, The two writers were much more in sync with Dave Stevens's ideas about The Rocketeer, and the three shared a love of the movie serials of old.

Initially, they meant for The Rocketeer to be a low-budget homage to movie serials of old, even shot in black-and-white. This idea was dropped not long after they asked William Dear to direct and co-write The Rocketeer. For the most part, they stayed faithful to the plot of the original comic books, although the movie would be largely set in Hollywood. One major change was in Cliff's girlfriend. In the comics her name was Betty and she was a nude model. Her appearance was clearly inspired by Bettie Page. Wishing to avoid comparisons to Bettie Page, they changed the character's name to Jenny and made her an aspiring movie actress. Another change was made as to who had designed the rocket pack. In the original comics, it was strongly hinted that the designer was Doc Savage. For copyright reasons, in the movie, the designer is Howard Hughes. One more change is that in the earliest comics, a submarine played a major role. In the movie, it would be a Zeppelin instead.

It was in 1986 that Dave Stevens, Danny Bloom, Paul De Meo, and William Dear began pitching The Rocketeer to various studios. This being before the release of Batman (1989), a time when comic book movies, were not in fashion, they were met with several rejections. Eventually, the Walt Disney Company picked up the property. Initially, the play was to release the film through Touchstone Pictures, Disney's arm for producing more adult movies than the typical Walt Disney product. It was then Disney chairman Jeffrey Katzenberg who moved The Rocketeer over to Walt Disney Pictures. According to Dave Stevens, the studio saw "hey really tried to shoehorn it into a kiddie property so they could sell toys. All they really wanted at the end of the day, was the name"

It would take some time before The Rocketeer would make it to the screen Danny Bloom and Paul De Meo submitted a seven-page treatment, although the script would be rewritten repeatedly. The studio fired the two writers on three different occasions. Because of the many delays, William Dear had to drop out as the film's prospective director. Fortunately, Joe Johnston, who was a fan of the comic books, offered to be the movie's director. He had directed the Disney film Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989). It was after Joe Johnston was signed as the director and Danny Bloom and Paul De Meo would go through a third rewrite of the screenplay that Disney finally gave The Rocketeer the go-ahead.

The Rocketeer's troubles would not end there. Casting the all-important role of Cliff Secord/The Rocketeer proved difficult. Johnny Depp was Disney's favourite for the role, but he turned it down. Vincent D'Onofrio also refused the role. Kevin Costner and Matthew Modine were both considered for the role, but they proved to be unavailable. Actors as diverse as Dennis Quaid, Kurt Russell, and Emilio Estevez all auditioned for the role. Bill Paxton apparently came very close to getting the role. Dave Stevens and Joe Johnston were both happy with actor Billy Campbell, who at the time may have been best known for playing Detective Joey Indelli on the TV show Crime Story, but Disney was wanting an A-lister. It was Joe Johnston who convinced Disney to finally cast Billy Campbell as Cliff.

Several different actresses were also considered for the role of Jenny. , Sherilyn Fenn, Kelly Preston, Diane Lane, and Elizabeth McGovern were all considered. Ultimately, Jennifer Connelly, then as now known for Labyrinth (1986), was cast in the role. Dave Stevens had wanted Lloyd Bridges to play Cliff's mechanic and friend Peevy, but he turned the role down. Nonetheless, he would be played by a legend, as Alan Arkin was cast in the role. The role of gangster Eddie Valentine had been written for Joe Pesci, but he turned down the part and it went to Paul Sorvino. The all-important role of the Errol Flynn-like movie star Neville Sinclair was offered to both Jeremy Irons and Charles Dance, who declined the role. The role would ultimately go to Timothy Dalton, fresh from his stint as James Bond.

According to Dave Stevens, for the most part, production designer Jim Bissell utilized his own reference library he had used for the comics in the designs for the movie. As shocking as it might seem now, Walt Disney Pictures wanted to change The Rocketeer's helmet from the comic books. Michael Eisner, then president of Disney, wanted something closer to a NASA astronaut's helmet. This did not set well with director Joe Johnston, who told the studio that if they changed the helmet it would no longer be The Rocketeer and he would no longer be interested in directing it. The studio backed off and tried creating their own prototype helmets, none of which were satisfactory. It was ultimately Dave Stevens and a sculptor who came up with the helmet design used for the movie, one that looked like the one from the comic books.

Filming on The Rocketeer would not always go smoothly. It ultimately went over schedule by fifty days, due to "weather and mechanical problems" according to executive producer Larry Franco. The movie would see its budget increase as time passed. Walt Disney Pictures was pleased with the dailies, and so the film's budget went from $25 million to $35 million.

The Rocketeer premiered on June 19 1991 at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. It went into wide release on June 21 1991. For the most part, it received mixed to positive reviews at the time. Perhaps the best review came from Peter Travers of Rolling Stone, who wrote, "The Rocketeer is more than one of the best films of the summer; it's the kind of movie magic that we don't see much anymore—the kind that charms us, rather than bullying us, into suspending disbelief." Unfortunately, audiences at the time were not in agreement with critics. It ultimately grossed only $46.6 million in the United States, making it a disappointment at the box office. To make matters worse, it also bombed in the United Kingdom.

The Rocketeer was released on VHS on February 5 1992. It was released on DVD on August 17 1999. It aired on the Disney Channel in 1993, and it made its broadcast network television debut on ABC in 1994. After years of being on television and home video, The Rocketeer would develop a cult following. This would eventually lead to a children's animated TV series that aired on Disney Junior from 2019 to 2020. The series followed  Cliff's great-granddaughter who became the new Rocketeer. Billy Campbell provided the voice of the father of the new Rocketeer. While the series was well-received by critics, it ultimately lasted only one season. Ever since the release of The Rocketeer in 1991, there have been calls for a sequel, and since the Teens remakes and reboots have been announced.

I grew up reading reprints of old Doc Savage and Shadow pulp novels, listening to old radio shows on cassette tape, and watching old movie serials on television. I was quite naturally a fan of Dave Stevens's The Rocketeer comic books. Because the film does such a great job of capturing the feel of the comics, I am also a huge fan of it. Of course, one does not have to be familiar with the comic books or even old movie serials to love The Rocketeer. It is quite simply a fun adventure movie. There is a wide range of excitement to be found in the movie, from both The Rocketeer and aeroplanes racing across the sky to gun battles to old-fashioned swashbuckling. In many ways The Rocketeer is not simply a superhero movie, but also a love letter to the media of the Thirties, drawing upon pulp novels, radio shows, movie serials, and swashbuckler movies.

Today The Rocketeer may be more popular than it was upon its initial release. It certainly has a loyal following. And while it failed at the box office, along with other comic strip movies released in the wake of Batman (1989), such as Dick Tracy (1990) and The Crow (1994), it would lead to the superhero boom that began in the Naughts. Indeed, it would have a direct impact on the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Joe Johnston directed Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), a movie also rooted in the media of the past. The Rocketeer may have underperformed at the box office in 1991, but it has proven to be a lasting success.

(Here I want to acknowledge the debut I owe to the coverage of The Rocketeer in Cinefantastique vol. 22 no. 1 (August 1991) and Jon B. Cooke's interview with Dave Stevens at TwoMorrows.)