From the category archives:
Classic Movies
Isaac Hayes Was Found Dead in His Home On Sunday Morning
Isaac Hayes defined cool. He was a gifted singer-songwriter, musician, record producer, arranger, composer and actor. He was found dead in his home just outside Memphis, Tennessee early Sunday morning (August 10, 2008).
Isaac Hayes’ story was one of overcoming. He was born into poverty and grew up picking cotton in Covington, Tennessee. He had to drop out of high school, but was encouraged later by his former high school teachers to get his diploma, which he earned at the age of 21.
His much beloved stint as “Chef” on the TV series “South Park” was orignially supposed to be a one-time event. However, audience reaction was so positive, “Chef” became a regular character.
The movie Shaft earned Hayes an Academy Award for Best Original Song (the first Academy Award received by an African-American in a non-acting category) and two Grammy Awards.
In 2002, Hayes was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and in 2004, he was honored with Hollywood’s RockWalk (The picture above is from this time). He was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame on June 9, 2005.
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Classic Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello Photo
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Elvis Singing Can’t Help Falling in Love in Blue Hawaii
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Getting to Know Jay Novello
You may not recognize the name Jay Novello, but I’m certain you recognize his very expressive face - from more places than you may realize.
This delightful character actor was born in Chicago, Illinois on August 22, 1904 to Italian parents - explaining why he learned to speak Italian before English. He died in 1982 from lung cancer, but we’re here to keep memories alive, and Jay Novello has provided us with some great material to draw from!
He has a very impressive filmography resume - having worked in just about every genre imaginable. He even played a Japanese spy in Adventures of Smilin’ Jack (1943). He is, however, best known for his work on television. Many people remember him as the scheming Mayor Lugato in “McHale’s Navy” (1962). Since I’ve never seen a single episode of McHale’s Navy, I’m not at all familiar with his work on the show. He did, however, appear on two series that I haven’t gone a day without since I can’t remember when: I Love Lucy and Andy Griffith.
He had several very memorable roles on I Love Lucy:
“Mario” in the epdisode titled Visitor from Italy (1956)
“Mr. Beecher” in the episode titled The Sublease (1954) - He was hilarious as the extremely nervous tenant-wannabe who Lucy tries to scare off.
Mr. Merriweather in the episode titled The Seance (1951) - As a highly strung man trying to contact “Tillie” on the other side.
He also left his mark on Andy Griffith:
Jay Novello showed more of his straight man side to the one and only Don Knotts in two classic episodes of Andy Griffith. In Guest of Honor, He played a thief who tricked Barney into thinking he was a hotel detective. He even convinced Barney that the actual hotel detective was the crook. In Otis Sues the County, he played the sleazy attorney, Neil Bentley.
You may also recognize him from Make Room for Daddy (1958), The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin (as Carlos De La Marca in 2 episodes, 1957-1958), Zorro (5 episodes, 1958), The Donna Reed Show (1960), Wagon Train (1960), The Lucy Show (1962), Perry Mason (1962), The Untouchables (Gino Romaldi, 1963), My Three Sons (Vincenzo in an episode from 1966), Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C. (2 episodes as Dr. Purdy, 1967-1969), Lassie (1968), Family Affair (3 episodes, 1969), Bonanza (2 episodes, 1965 and 1969), The Flying Nun (1969), Ironside (1971), The Mod Squad (2 episodes, 1969-1971), The Brady Bunch (as Mr. Martinelli in an episode from 1973), Kojak (1976), Chico and the Man (1976)…..
Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to learn much about Jay Novello’s personal life. His wife’s name was Paticia and they had one daughter, Yvonne. One of my favorite ways to get a handle on someone is to read their quotes, but I haven’t been able to find even one. I’m still on the hunt, though, so you might want to check this post again in a few days.
Mr. Novello may have something to say and you wouldn’t want to miss it!
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Jimmy Stewart’s 100th Birthday
One of the coolest, most lovable actors EVER, Jimmy Stewart, was born nearly 100 years ago on May 20, 1908 in Indiana, Pennsylvania. To honor him, Turner Classic Movies will be showing some of his best movies during the month of May.
The movies that’ll be shown are:
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
Anatomy of a Murder (1959)
Harvey (1950)
Rear Window (1954)
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)
I guess it’s obvious why my favorite Jimmy Stewart movie isn’t being included. It just wouldn’t be the same to watch It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) without a Christmas tree and a plate of Chritmas cookies and fudge nearby.
Click HERE for the Jimmy Stewart Profile on TCM.com.
** The video at the top of the post is an appearance Jimmy Stewart made on What’s My Line? One question, though - how could anyone NOT know Jimmy Stewart’s distinctive voice?!?!
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The Magnificent Seven !
Magnificent Seven Art Print
Casaro, Renato
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One of the greatest of the greats, The Magnificent Seven, is on AMC today (3:15PM | 2:15C ). Check your listings for the time in your area.
The Magnificent Seven Art Print
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Did you know that The Magnificent Seven was inspired by Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa’s The Seven Samurai (1954)? Is that fascinating or what? The Magnificent Seven were, of course: Yul Brynner, Charles Bronson, Steve McQueen, Horst Buchholz, Robert Vaughn, James Coburn, and Brad Dexter. What a line-up. The amazing thing is, the film was cast very quickly to beat an actor’s strike.
The Magnificent Seven Poster
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Did You Know? (Courtesy of IMDB)
Mexican censors required the peasants to wear clean clothes.
Yul Brynner was married on the set. The celebration used many set props.
James Coburn (Britt) and Robert Vaughn (Lee) were close friends for almost 50 years but this is their only film together.
Yul Brynner made sure he always appeared taller than Steve McQueen in the film. He even made a little mound of dirt and stood on it for their shots together! McQueen casually kicked at the mound every time he passed by it.
According to Eli Wallach’s autobiography, Yul Brynner had a major problem with what he considered to be Steve McQueen trying to upstage him. According to Wallach, McQueen would do things when on screen with Brynner to draw attention to his character. Examples: Shaking the shotgun shells, taking off his hat to check the sun during the hearse scene, and leaning off his horse to dip his hat in the river when the Seven cross into Mexico.
Brynner was supposedly so worried about McQueen stealing his thunder that he hired an assistant to count the number of times McQueen touched his own hat when he (Brynner) was speaking!
Priceless. I’m going to watch for that next time I watch the movie.
The Magnificent Seven Poster
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By the way, AMC’s website has a completely cool tool. You can search through the guide of movies and shows for the month, find the ones you want to watch, and sign up for e-mail reminders. They, then, will let you know when the show you want to see is coming up. If you’re like me, you’re tired of great movies passing by - this way, they’ll never get past us again!
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Mega Charlton Heston Post !
Clint Eastwood and Charlton Heston Photo Enlargement
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Sadly, one of my all-time favorite actors recently died. He did, however, get to live a long, rewarding life and make a huge impact on the entertainment world - whether he was battling apes or delivering the 10 Commandments. Of course I’m referring to the one and only, larger than life Charlton Heston. When I was really, really young….and my interest was beginning to be held by the male population, Charlton Heston (along with Clint Eastwood) were early crushes. While most girls my age were enthralled by celebrities of our own generation (Shaun Cassidy, Parker Stevenson, Mark Hamil…) - I was much more attracted to the tough guys from the past. Besides, around my house, that’s the sort of thing my dad always had on. Old movies and the Rockford Files. (I liked him, too!)
I’ve lost track of the number of times I’ve seen the Planet of the Apes movies - each and every one of them. I love this series! Campy? Sure. But I can’t get enough of the whole experience - from the UNBELIEVABLE music to the first sign of an ape… I’m glued to the screen right till the end. Each and every time.
We’ve lost a great, great actor and person. Damn dirty death!
I would like to say this (although I try to keep political and social opinions off of most of my blogs…especially my entertainment ones) - I wish people would quit harping on Charlton Heston’s views on guns/gun control. This is America, and everyone’s entitled to their own opinion. They’re free to express themselves as well as their opinions. If someone, today (with the world as it is now) doesn’t agree with Mr. Heston’s views on guns - they have to remember that he came from a different generation than the rest of us. The world when Charlton Heston was growing up - and even the one he lived in as an adult in his 30s and 40s - was vastly different from the one we face today! We have no way of knowing what his opinions would be if he were a 35 year old man in the 2008. He might have had the same opinions (which would have been his right) or he might have had complete opposite opinions (also his right).
I’d just rather concentrate on his entire life - not a tiny portion of it.
Charlton Heston Photo Enlargement
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Shop MTV is coming out with an AMAZING-sounding collection for Charlton Heston fans: The Hollywood Collection: Charlton Heston - For All Seasons.
From the website:
Expected Release Date: May 6, 2008
Order this item now and we will ship it to you as soon as it is available.
This documentary video, part of The Hollywood Collection, features the life and work of actor and political conservative Charlton Heston.
After growing up in a rural part of Michigan, Heston migrated to the urban landscape of Chicago to attend a high school for the dramatic arts. He attended Northwestern University, where his talent and passion for acting increased with his participation in school theater productions. Then he moved onto the Broadway stage and eventually to the movie soundstages in Hollywood.
Heston, known best for his epic film roles as such biblical characters as Moses in Cecil B. De Mille’s The Ten Commandments and as the title character in William Wyler’s Oscar-winning production of Ben-Hur, speaks openly in this video about his career, family, and his politics. This video also shows movie footage, including a rare 1942 student film of a young Heston. There are also interviews with family, co-workers, and friends, including Gregory Peck.
Sign me up!
More Charlton Heston Pictures, Posters and Prints:
Charlton Heston Photo
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Charlton Heston Photo Enlargement
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The Omega Man Poster
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Ben-Hur Photo
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Julius Caesar Poster
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Great Vintage Stand Ups
Charlie Chaplin Stand Up
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President John F. Kennedy Stand Up
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Charlie Chaplin, John F. Kennedy, Betty Boop and Elvis Presley - all in one post. Weird, strange, random, and unusual. Yep. My work here is done.
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Bond Bloopers
In keeping with the James Bond theme we have going on, here are some pretty funny James Bond Bloopers. My favorite is the “bouncing plane tickets” - great stuff.
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Pierce Brosnan - The Smoothest James Bond
Tomorrow Never Dies Poster
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Pierce Brosnan has lived a life that has had as much drama as a lot of movies. As fan, I hope he has found his happily ever after.
GETTING TO KNOW PIERCE BROSNAN:
* Born in Ireland in 1953, but moved to London, England at a very early age.
* When his wife of 11 years, Cassandra Harris, died in 1991, he was left with three children to care for on his own: Two from Cassandra’s first marriage and a son from their marriage. She died, in his arms, one day after their 11th anniversary. She died from ovarian cancer.
* He adopted his first wife Cassandra’s children after their father died in 1986.
* Pierce has a scar above his top lip. He was hit by a stunt man on the making of Tomorrow Never Dies.
* He has two children with his second wife, Keely Shaye Smith. They’ve been married for over 7 years.
* Pierce enjoys fishing.
* He was almost 6 feet tall by the time he was 11 years old! (That’s nearly as fascinating to me as Famke’s feet - see the Famke Janssen post for that one.)
* In addition to his salary for his James Bond movies, Brosnan received cars. Crazy cool cars! The BMW Z3 from GoldenEye, an 8-series BMW from Tomorrow Never Dies, and the Z8 from The World Is Not Enough .
* Like this blogger, Pierce Brosnan is claustrophobic. Apparently this made certain scenes in Dante’s Peak an absolute nightmare.
* After Die Another Day, he was approached by a man in Dublin who asked to shake his hand. Being one of the friendliest and most approachable actors, he shook the man’s hand. He’s said to have cracked up when the man said, “That’s the closest my hand will ever get to Halle Berry’s arse”.
* This is particularly interesting (Yes, even more interesting than Famke’s amazing feet.): On August 12, 1964, as an 11-year-old Pierce flew, for the first time, from Ireland to England. It was the very day that Ian Fleming died.
* He says that his favorite Bond movies are From Russia with Love, and For Your Eyes Only, and that his least favorite Bond movie is On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
* Is an American Citizen but keeps his Irish citizenship as well.
* According to the James Bond tailors, he has the distinction of being both the lightest and heaviest of all the James Bonds! The tailors who fitted him for his Bond films state that in his first Bond movie, Golden Eye in 1995 say that he weighed 164 pounds, making him the lightest actor to play Bond. However, in his fourth Bond movie, Die Another Day in 2002, he weighed 211 pounds, making him the heaviest actor to play Bond.
* Was originally chosen to play 007 in 1986 and was given the script to “The Living Daylights”. Although he was contracted to “Remington Steele” (1982) for seven seasons, NBC decided to cancel the show at the end of the fourth season, which meant that Brosnan was free to play James Bond in The Living Daylights the following year. However, shortly after the end of the fourth season, NBC had second thoughts about canceling Remmington Steele and subsequently approached the Bond producers directly in an attempt to strike a deal that would allow Brosnan to play both James Bond and Remington Steele the following year. NBC also offered to completely reschedule the shooting of Remmington Steele to ensure that there were no scheduling conflicts. But eventually, Albert Broccoli famously told NBC that “James Bond will not be Remmington Steele and Remington Steele will not be James Bond.” Accordingly, Brosnan would only play Bond if the show remained canceled. NBC had a 60 day deadline to revoke their decision to cancel Remmington Steele series and at 6.30pm on the 60th day of the deadline, Brosnan learned that NBC decided to make a fifth season. So, the role of the new James Bond went to Timothy Dalton. NBC went on to make only six episodes of the fifth season of Remmington Steele before finally canceling the show for good.
* He is a professional “fire eater”, having performed a fire eating act in a circus at a young age!
* Something else he has in common with this blogger is he’s an only child.
* He is a vocal supporter of same-sex marriage, gay adoption, gun control and protecting the environment.
* About his first wife, Pierce has said, “Cassie has made me the man I am, the actor I am, the father I am. She’s forever embedded in every fiber of my being.”
A few other Pierce Brosnan Quotes:
There was only one Bond for me, and it was Sean Connery. That made the role daunting.
I know most actors say otherwise, but I like sex scenes. Bond was supposed to be this great lover, but I always found the love scenes in those movies a little dull. It’s lovely to work out the fantasy of it all in celluloid and then go home to my wife.
To my eye, women get sexier around 35. They know a thing or two, and knowledge is always alluring.
Bond is an enigma. He’s smooth and bigger than life, but he’s vague as a personality. It’s a little like doing a period piece. Look, I’m thankful, the role made me an international star. I’ve been in the backwaters of Papua New Guinea and heard, “Hey, Bond.”
(On former James Bond George Lazenby) George is just an angry, old, pissed-off guy. He was never an actor, but some pissed-off Aussie who doesn’t know how to show his feminine side. I met him, and he’s got that kind of brittle edge to him.
When you look at Ian Fleming’s work, it’s there on the page. The martinis, the drugs, the cigarettes, the casino, the blood on the hands. But they never went there. Hopefully, they will go there with Daniel (Daniel Craig). They have the product, they have the man, and I’m sure they will.
(on George Lazenby) George seems to be an unhappy camper about Bond. He gets pissy and spits the dummy out. Tim (Timothy Dalton) was fantastic. He really had the balls to go out there and play it on the nose - Ian Fleming undiluted. But where were the laughs? Sean (Sean Connery) was brilliant, he played it dead on the money. And Roger (Roger Moore) really made it his own and went for the laughs. I think those two were the best.
I think Daniel (Daniel Craig) is a very fine actor. These are rocky waters, but I think he will have the last laugh. You get twisted some way or another if you throw yourself into it. There’s going to be mishaps.
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