Saturday, May 1, 2010

OCTOBER 2002 FILM WORLD OBITUARIES

DAVID CHARNAY Died Oct. 1, 2002


David Charnay was the owner and president of Four Star Productions during the 1960s. Four Star Productions was responsible for such TV series as "The Rifleman," "Wanted: Dead or Alive" and "The Big Valley." Mr. Charnay was 90 years old. Mr. Charnay served in the OSS during W.W.II. He wrote several novels also.


SAM BARKAN Died Oct. 1, 2002


Special effects man Sam Barkan died of a heart attack. Mr. Barkan was a special effects coordinator on "Driven," "The Watcher" and "Hi Fidelity" among other films. Mr. Barkan worked on 20 films and TV shows in some capacity as a special effects man. He also did the stunts on the TV movie "Evil Has a Face." IMDB credits Mr. Barkan with an acting credit in the pilot episode of "Turks."


DR. RAYMOND McNALLY Died Oct. 2, 2002


Dr. Raymond McNally turned a life long love of horror movies and European history into an avocation. Mr. McNally spent years researching the origins of the legend of Count Dracula. The Boston College professor was the first person to link Bram Stoker’s fictional character with the Romanian Vlad Tepes. His 1972 book was made into the documentary "Vem Var Dracula?" (In Search of Dracula) starring Christopher Lee. The 71 year-old McNally died of cancer.


BRUCE PALTROW Died Oct. 3, 2002


Producer/director Bruce Paltrow died in Rome of pneumonia at age 58. Mr. Paltrow was the husband of actress Blythe Danner, and the father of actress Gwyneth Paltrow and director Jake Paltrow (NYPD BLUE). Mr. Paltrow’s first big success was as the writer and producer of one of my all-time favorite made-for-TV movies, "Shirts/Skins." "Shirts/Skins" deals with six friends who play basketball once a week. The pent-up frustration and rage of these successful businessmen always causes their games to degenerate into a fight. To prove who is the best, the guys split into two teams and each agree to hide a basketball in plain sight somewhere in the city. The team, which finds the other guy’s ball first, is the winners and presumably the bigger men. The game soon resorts to a series of felonies. It is a hilarious movie about the little boys inside of grown men. Catch it is you can.


Mr. Paltrow was nominated for two Emmy awards as producer of the Ken Howard basketball TV series "The White Shadow." Mr. Paltrow also directed episodes of that series. Mr. Paltrow produced and directed episodes of the TV series "St. Elsewhere." His feature film directing credits include "A Little Sex" and his final film "Duets." Prayers of support for his family and friends.


ANDRE DELVAUX Died Oct. 4, 2002


Award-winning Belgian director Andre Delvaux died at age 76 of a heart attack at the World Arts Meeting in Spain. Mr. Delvaux was considered one of the fathers of the Belgian film community. Mr. Delvaux received three Golden Palm nominations at Cannes for his films "The Abyss" (1988), "Woman in a Twilight Garden" (1979) and "Belle" (1973). His film "Benvenuta" won the Special Jury Prize at the Montreal World Film Festival. "Appointment at Bray" won the Prix Louis Delluc in 1971. Mr. Delvaux was honored with several Lifetime and Career achievement awards.


BUDDY LESTER Died Oct. 4, 2002


86-year-old comedian Buddy Lester has died of cancer. Mr. Lester was a peripheral member of the Rat Pack. He was one of Danny Ocean’s 11 thieves in the original "Ocean’s 11." He also appeared in the Rat Pack film "Sergeants 3." He was a frequent co-star of Jerry Lewis also, appearing in "The Patsy," "The Nutty Professor," "Hardly Working," "The Big Mouth" and "Cracking Up." Mr. Lester was the bartender in the trying to make an "Alaskan Polar Bear Heater" in a hilarious scene of the original "The Nutty Professor." Mr. Lester also appeared in the underrated Peter Sellers comedy "The Party" directed by Blake Edwards. Mr. Lester was a semi-regular on one of my favorite TV series of the 70s, "Starsky and Hutch." He appeared in numerous other TV series including "Barney Miller," "Switch," "Mayberry RFD," "Petticoat Junction" and "Alias Smith and Jones." He co-starred with Christopher Lee and Sammy Davis Jr. in the made for TV movie "Poor Devil" in which he played Al Capone.


SHONY ALEX BRAUN Died Oct. 4, 2002


Shony Alex Braun survived Auschwitz and Dachau. He was a violin virtuoso who is best know for his composition "Symphony of the Holocaust." His film credits include, the indie film "’68." Mr. Braun composed the score for the film, which dealt with a conservative father dealing with his two sons, one gay, one communist, in San Francisco during 1968. The flawed but sincere film also features a cameo by rocker Neil Young. Mr. Braun also appeared in that film. Mr. Braun also is credited as the "violin advisor" in Joseph Wambaugh’s romantic murder mystery, "The Black Marble.’ There is a running gag in the movie in which aging cop Robert Foxworth forces street musician James Woods to play the violin for Foxworth and the woman he loves played by Paula Prentiss. The hapless Woods has to play at gunpoint when he refuses to play for money anymore!


MIA SLAVENSKA Died Oct. 5, 2002


Mia Slavenska was one of the world’s premiere ballerinas. The 86 year old dancer died of natural causes. Ms. Slavenska taught dancing after her retirement. She became the prima ballerina of the Met in 1954. She appeared in the films "The Great Waltz," "Ballerina" and "The Living Corpse."


MORAG HOOD Died Oct. 5, 2002


Scottish stage and film actress Morag Hood has died of Cancer. Ms. Hood played Natasha in the BBC production of "War and Peace." The TV mini series also starred Anthony Hopkins. Her last film was the soccer film "A Shot at Glory" with Robert Duvall and Michael Keaton. Other credits include "Wurthering Heights," "Frankenstein," "Jane Eyre" and "Diversion." Ms. Hood was 61 years old.


ROBERT H. CHAPMAN Died Oct. 5, 2002

Mr. Chapman played the priest who married Pam and Bobby Ewing on "Dallas." His film roles included character parts in "J.F.K.," Ron Howard's "Skyward" and "The Jesse Owens Story."


JAY R. SMITH Died Oct. 5, 2002


Jay R. Smith is the fourth cast member of "The Little Rascals" to die this year. Mr. Smith was found in the desert near Las Vegas. Mr. Smith had been stabbed multiple times. Mr. Smith appeared in 38 "Our Gang" shorts during the silent film era. He out grew the role by the time movies learned to talk. He did not continue to act after 1929. Mr. Smith had taken a homeless man into his home after the death of his wife. The police believe the homeless man is the murderer.


CHRISTOPHER SHELDON Died Oct. 5, 2002


Christopher Sheldon was the skipper of the sailing ship Albatross. In 1961, Mr. Sheldon’s ship was sunk in a freak storm that killed six people on board. The incident was the subject of Ridley Scott’s under-rated film "White Squall." Jeff Bridges portrayed Mr. Sheldon in the film. The 76 year-old sea captain died of pancreatic cancer.


PHYLLIS CALVERT Died Oct. 8, 2002


Veteran British actress Phyllis Calvert died at age 87. Ms. Calvert was very popular in England during WWII. She starred in several costume dramas with Stewart Granger and James Mason. Ms. Calvert didn’t achieve as much acclaim in America when she worked here following the war. She continued to work in British films and TV series, as well as on stage. She made over 50 films during her career, the last one being 1997’s "Mrs. Dalloway." She appeared in Richard Attenborough’s "Oh! What a Lovely War." She was nominated for a British Best Actress Academy Award in 1953 for the film "Mandy."


AILEEN WUORNOS Died Oct. 9, 2002


The state of Florida executed female serial killer Aileen Wuornos. Ms. Wuornos murdered six men while posing as a prostitute. She was an oddity as a majority of serial killers are white males. Ms. Wournos appeared in the documentary "Aileen Wuornos: The Selling of a Serial Killer." She was portrayed by Jean Smart in the TV movie "Overkill: The Aileen Wuornos Story." Ms. Wuornos denied her guilt for a long time. She recently dropped her appeals, admitted guilt and said she had made peace with God. Prayers for the families of her victims and Ms. Wuornos’ family. UPDATE: Charlize Theron won the 2004 Best Actress Oscar for her great portrayal of Ms. Wuornos in Patty Jenkins's revisionist look at the killer: "Monster."


CHARLES GUGGENHEIM Died Oct. 9, 2002


Multi-Oscar winning documentary director Charles Guggenheim died of pancreatic cancer at age 78. Mr. Guggenheim was nominated 12 times for Best Documentary both Short Subject and Feature. He won four Oscars during his career. Mr. Guggenheim documented some of the most important events of the 50s and 60s. He won Oscars for "Nine From Little Rock" about the integration of Little Rock’s Central High School in the 1950s, "RFK: Remembered," "The Johnstown Flood" and "A Time for Justice."


TERESA GRAVES Died Oct. 10, 2002


Actress Teresa Graves died in a fire at her home in Los Angeles. The 54-year-old actress is best known for her role in the 1974-75 TV series "Get Christie Love." "Get Christie Love" was one of the inspirations for Quentin Tarantino’s "Jackie Brown." Fans of "Reservoir Dogs" will remember the scene inside a car in which Chris Penn, Harvey Keitel, Steve Buscemi and Tim Roth were talking about favorite TV shows. The four actors said the "Get Christie Love" catch phrase, "You’re under arrest, sugar!" in unison. Ms. Graves also appeared in the movies "Black Eye," "That Man Bolt" and the David Niven horror spoof "Old Dracula." She also appeared on the TV series "Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In" and the short lived (1 episode) "Turn On." Ms. Graves gave up acting due to her strong religious beliefs which she felt contradicted the types of roles she had played and was being offered.


ESTHER BENSON Died Oct 11, 2002


Esther Benson was a renowned stage actress who also appeared in several made for TV films. Ms. Benson appeared in the comedy "Jailbirds" with Dyan Cannon and Phylicia Rashad. Other credits include the award winning "Little Girl Lost" with Tess Harper and Frederic Forrest, "The Man Who Broke a 1,000 Chains" with Val Kilmer. "The Man Who Broke 1,000 Chains" was a remake of the Paul Muni classic "I Am a Fugitive From a Chain Gang." Ms. Benson also appeared in the Lauren Bacall/Michael Beihn thriller "The Fan." Ms. Benson died of heart failure at age 79.


PAUL CRUMP Died Oct. 11, 2002


In 1953, Paul Crump and four other men pulled off a robbery in which a guard was killed. Mr. Crump got the death penalty. He missed 15 dates with the electric chair. Mr. Crump wrote a book called "Burn, Killer Burn." Many people, including Billy Graham took the work as a sign or rehabilitation. Mr. Crump’s sentence was commuted to 119 years in prison. He was paroled out in 1993. Director William Friedkin made his directorial debut in 1962 with the documentary film "The People vs. Paul Crump." Mr. Crump was also the subject of a song by Phil Ochs. Mr. Crump died of lung cancer in a mental hospital where he had been incarcerated for the last two years.



DENNIS PATRICK Died Oct. 12, 2002


Yet another actor has died in a house fire. Just two days after Teresa Graves perished in a fire at her home, veteran character actor Dennis Patrick also died in a fire at his home. Mr. Patrick was 84 years old. Dennis Patrick co-starred with Peter Boyle and Susan Sarandon in the 1970 cult classic "Joe." Mr. Patrick played Susan Sarandon’s father in the story of a wealthy business man who murders his daughter’s drug dealing boyfriend. Mr. Patrick played Vaughn Leland for five years on "Dallas." Mr. Patrick played two roles on the gothic-horror soap opera "Dark Shadows" during the 1960s. He also appeared in the feature film spin-off "House of Dark Shadows." Mr. Patrick appeared as a guest star on nearly 100 different TV series episodes. His TV credits include "The Twilight Zone," "The Fall Guy," "Remington Steele," "The Incredible Hulk," "All in the Family" and "Lost in Space." Some of Mr. Patrick’s other film credits include "Dear Dead Delilha," "The Missiles of October," "The Sophisticated Gents" and "Night Games."


RAY CONNIFF Died Oct. 12, 2002


Bandleader Ray Conniff died after a fall. He was 85 years old. Mr. Conniff’s orchestra recorded many movie themes for release on albums. He won a Grammy for his version of "Lara’s Theme" from "Dr. Zhivago." Mr. Conniff was the composer on the TV series "Archie Bunker’s Place."


SIDNEY PINK Died Oct. 12, 2002


Producer Sidney Pink was responsible for several gimmick films. Like William Castle, Sidney Pink was a schlock showman who saw the potential of situations and exploited them. Mr. Pink was the associate producer of the first feature length 3-D film "Bwana Devil." "Bwana Devil" was based on the same true story filmed in the Michael Douglas/Val Kilmer film "The Ghost in the Darkness." Mr. Pink produced the 50’s sci-fi film "Angry Red Planet." The movie was tinted red and pink through an optical printer to give the illusion of a Martian atmosphere. Mr. Pink moved his base of operations to Europe in the 1960s. He produced the terrible Danish creature feature "Reptilicus." Mr. Pink produced an early spaghetti western, "Finger on the Trigger." His final film was the sex/spy spoof "The Man From O.R.G.Y.." In addition to producing almost 20 films, Sidney Pink wrote the scripts for eight of his scripts and directed another six films. Mr. Pink was 86 years old.


KEENE CURTIS Died Oct. 13, 2002


TV fans knew actor Keene Curtis as the owner of the restaurant upstairs from "Cheers." Curtis also had a recurring role on the TV series "The Pretender." Mr. Curtis’s greatest critical acclaim came from his Broadway career. He won a Tony award in 1971 for "The Rothschilds." Curtis also played Daddy Warbuck in "Annie" on Broadway. Mr. Curtis’s film credits include the Orson Welles version of "MacBeth," Warren Beatty’s "Heaven Can Wait," "The Buddy System," "American Hot Wax" about rock and roll DJ Alan Freed, "The Missiles of October" and "I.Q.." Mr. Curtis did vocal work on the cartoons "Scooby Doo" and "The Smurfs." Mr. Curtis has over 50 TV guest star credits. The 79 year old actor died of complications from Alzheimer’s Disease.


STEPHEN AMBROSE Died Oct. 13, 2002


Stephen Ambrose was one of the foremost military historians in the world. Mr. Ambrose wrote over 30 books, fiction and non-fiction dealing with history. Mr. Ambrose appeared as himself in several historical documentary films. He also wrote and produced several others. Tom Hanks turned Mr. Ambrose’s best-selling novel "Band of Brothers" into a highly acclaimed HBO mini-series Mr. Ambrose served as a technical advisor on the Stephen Speilberg films "Saving Private Ryan" and "Price of Peace." Mr. Ambrose appeared in the films "Moments of Truth With Stephen Ambrose," "Shooting War," "From War to Peace" and "D-Day: The Total Story."


HORACE LEE LOGAN Died Oct. 13, 2002


Horace Lee Logan began the famous "Louisiana Hayride" which featured such up-and-coming Rock and Roll stars as Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly. Mr. Logan was the man who first said "Elvis has left the building!" Mr. Logan played the Master of Ceremonies in Roger Corman’s 1957 schlock-rock movie "Carnival Rock." Mr. Logan was 86 years old. He too, has left the
building.


AL LOHMAN Died Oct. 13, 2002


Long time radio personality Al Lohman died at age 69 of stomach and bladder cancer. Mr. Lohman was part of the comedy team, "Lohman and Barkley." Mr. Lohman’ film and TV credits include the John Landis comedy "Amazon Women on the Moon," "Spies, Lies and Naked Thighs," "Bedtimes Stories" and "Name Droppers."


NORBERT SCHULTZE Died Oct. 14, 2002


German composer/director and actor Norbert Schultze died at age 91. Mr. Schultze is best known for the song "Lili Marleen." The song about a German soldier and the two girls he left behind became popular with both Axis as well as Allied troops during WWII. Mr. Schultze composed scores for nearly 50 films. Mr. Schultze also wrote propaganda songs for the Nazis during the war. Unlike actor Emil Jannings, Mr. Schultze was a reluctant collaborator. He claimed that he was given the choice to compose music or die. The song "Lili Marleen" became the signature song for actress Marlene Deitrich. The song appeared on the soundtracks of such films as "Judgement at Nuremburg," Michael Caine's excellent WWII movie "Play Dirty" and the TV series "The Rat Patrol." Rainer Werner Fassbinder made a 1980 documentary about the famous song. Mr. Schultze wrote, directed and appeared in one film: "Max and Morris" in 1956.


DEREK BELL Died (Date Unknown)

Derek Bell was one of the members if the Irish band "The Chieftains." The Chieftains released over 40 albums of Celtic folk music. Mr. Bell’s cause and date of death this week are unknown. Mr. Bell and The Chieftains appeared in the concert film "An Irish Evening: Live at the Grand Opera House, Belfast." The concert features guest star Roger Daltry of The Who.


AILEEN RIGGIN SOULE Died Oct. 17, 2002


Ms. Soule was the oldest living American Olympic Gold Medalist. Ms. Soule won a Gold medal at age 14 in the 1920 Olympics. Ms. Soule was a diver and swimmer. She won the Gold for springboard diving. In 1924, she also competed and won a Silver and Bronze medal at the Paris Olympics. Unlike fellow Olympians Johnny Weissmuller and Buster Crabbe, Aileen Riggin Soule didn’t make the movies a career. Ms. Soule made two uncredited appearances in films during the Great Depression. She appeared as a dancing slave-girl in the 1933 film "Roman Scandals." In 1936 she appeared in the American debut film of fellow Olympian Sonja Henie "One In a Million." Ms. Soule skated in the Sonja Henie movie. Ms. Soule died in her sleep at age 96.


BEECHER RAY KIRBY Died Oct. 17, 2002


90 year old musician and comedian Beecher Kirby has died. The Grand Ole Opry star appeared in the 1944 film "Sing, Neighbor Sing."


ROMAN TAM Died Oct. 18, 2002


Kong Kong pop sensation Roman Tam died of liver cancer at age 52. Mr. Tam recorded 56 albums during a career that started in 1967. Mr. Tam sang canto-pop, Cantonese language songs popular in Hong Kong. The Chinese singer has one movie credit according to IMDB. Mr. Tam appeared in John Woo’s 1982 comedy "Ba cai Lin Ya Zhen" (Plain Jane to the Rescue). Director Woo appeared in the film also.


KAM FONG (Kam Tong Chun) Died Oct. 18, 2002


Kam Fong was a police office in Hawaii from 1946 to 1962. He retired from the force and took up the badge on TV’s "Hawaii 5-0." Mr. Fong played Detective Chin Ho Kelly for 10 of the series 12-year run. Other credits include the film "Gidget Goes Hawaiian," "Ghost of the China Sea," "Diamond Head" and "The Seven Women From Hell." Mr. Fong died of lung cancer at age 84.


FRANK ROSENBERG Died Oct. 18, 2002


Producer Frank Rosenberg died at age 88. Mr. Rosenberg produced several of my favorite films. His best know film was the Marlon Brando/Karl Malden take on Billy the Kid. "One Eyed Jacks" is an epic, flawed Western. Brando played the Kid while Karl Malden played the character based on Pat Garrett. If you have not seen "One Eyed Jacks" it is well worth seeing at least once. Rosenberg produced another film I have fond memories of. "The Reincarnation of Peter Proud" was a sexual thriller starring Michael Sarrazin and Margot Kidder. I haven’t seen it since high school, but I remember enjoying it then. Mr. Rosenberg produced nearly 20 films. He also dabbled in screenwriting. His scripts include the Charlton Heston submarine film "Gray Lady Down" and the Otto Preminger film noir thriller "Where the Sidewalk Ends." His son John is a film editor, and his son Daniel is a former actor turned lawyer.


MICHELLE PARMA Died Oct. 19, 2002


27 year old Michelle Parma was killed in a car crash in Texas. The former Dallas Cowboy cheerleader was part of the 1994 European cast of MTV’s "Road Rules." She also appeared in the 2001 "The Real World/Road Rules: Extreme Challenge." Ms. Parma also received some notoriety for the 1998 Internet hoax "Our First Time." Ms. Parma and another actor claimed to be 18 year-old virgins who were going to lose their virginity live on the Internet. The hoax was exposed by the web-hosting service.


JOHN MEREDYTH LUCAS Died Oct. 19, 2002


John Meredyth Lucas was a writer/producer/director in both film and TV. Mr. Lucas died at age 83 of leukemia. On TV, Mr. Lucas was known for his medical and sci-fi shows. Mr. Lucas wrote and produced the Vince Edwards’ TV series "Ben Casey." He was also responsible for the Chad Everett series "Medical Center." Mr. Lucas also wrote episodes of "The Fugitive," "Planet of the Apes" "Logan’s Run," "Kojak" and "The Six Million Dollar Man." Mr. Lucas directed numerous TV episodes also. He directed three episodes of the original "Star Trek," four episodes of "The Fugitive" and an episode of Rod Serling’s "Night Gallery" among others.


BERNARD FRESSON Died Oct. 20, 2002


French actor Bernard Fresson died at age 71. Mr. Fresson appeared in over 100 movies and TV series since his debut in Alan Resnais’s 1959 New-Wave classic "Hiroshima, Mon Amour." Mr. Fresson was nominated for two French Cesar Awards for Best Supporting Actor in "Garcon" (1983) and "Place Vendome" (1998). Mr. Fresson played a lead role in John Frankenheimer’s over-looked "French Connection II" opposite Gene Hackman and Fernando Rey. Fresson also appeared in Resnais excellent "La Guerre is Finie." He appeared uncredited in Luis Bunuel’s sexual/psychological thriller "Belle De Jour." Other credits include Costa Gravis’s Oscar winning "Z" and Roman Polanski’s offbeat thriller "The Tenant." One of Mr. Fresson’s final roles was in last year’s "Brotherhood of the Wolf."


GEORGE HALL Died Oct. 21, 2002


85 year old actor George Hall died of a stroke. Mr. Hall was best known as a Broadway actor. He played Indian Jones at age 93 in the TV series "The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles." Other credits include Adam Sandler’s "Big Daddy," "Mrs. Brown" with Judi Dench and "Johnny Be Good."


RICHARD HELMS Died Oct. 22, 2002


Richard Helms was a longtime CIA employee. Helms headed the spy organization for nearly 6 years. He was fired by President Richard Nixon, because (some say) he wouldn’t partake in the Watergate cover-up. Mr. Helms appeared in two TV docudramas: the 1994 mini-series "Watergate" and "Who Was Lee Harvey Oswald?" Mr. Helms was suffering from multiple melanomas. He died in his sleep at age 89.


BEULAH QUO Died Oct. 23, 2002


Asian actress and community activist Beulah Quo has died at age 79. Ms. Quo had a lengthy film and TV career that was marked by dignified roles which avoided negative stereotypes to Asian people. Ms. Quo started one of the first Asian/American Theater troops in Los Angeles California. Ms. Quo became an actress by accident. The University of Chicago educated Ms. Quo was a sociology professor when she answered an ad for a dialect coach for the 1955 film "Love is a Many Splendored Thing." She was cast in a small part and never looked back. Ms. Quo appeared in several of my personal favorites including Steve McQueen’s Oscar Nominated film "The Sand Pebbles." She also had a supporting role in Roman Polanski’s classic "Chinatown." Other credits include "MacArthur," "Brokedown Palace" and John Landis’s over-the-top comedy "Into the Night." Ms. Quo won a local Emmy for her documentary about the brilliant cinematographer James Wong Howe. Ms. Quo also produced a California community affairs TV program "Expressions East West." That show was moderated by George Takei of "Star Trek" fame.


NATHAN JURAN Died Oct. 23, 2002


Oscar winning art director and filmmaker Nathan Juran is mourned by a legion of fans. Mr. Juran is best known as a long time collaborator of special effects wizard Ray Harryhausen. Mr. Juran directed some of the best Ray Harryhausen films. His Harryhausen credits include "20 Million Miles to Earth" featuring the Venusian beast Ymir, "The 7th Voyage of Sinbad" with Kewin Matthews, a nasty Cyclops and one bad-ass, sword-wielding skeleton and the humorous H.G. Wells story "First Men IN the Moon."


Juran’s art direction background bode well for him as a b-movie director. Mr. Juran was an architect before he turned to the movies. His incredible turn-of-the-century Irish sets for John Ford’s classic "How Green Was My Valley" won the Oscar for Best Art Direction for Mr. Juran. Probably higher praise that the Oscar was the fact the John Ford himself praised Mr. Juran. John Ford was known to be very conservative with compliments. In addition to winning an Oscar for "How Green Was My Valley," Mr. Juran was nominated for another for the movie "The Razor’s Edge. Other Art Direction credits include "Charley’s Aunt" and my all time favorite boxing film, "Body and Soul" with John Garfield."


Mr. Juran directed numerous other sci-fi and horror films besides the ones for Ray Harryhausen. Duran directed "The Deadly Mantis," "Jack the Giant Killer," the original "Attack of the 50ft Woman" and "The Brain From the Planet Arous." Mr. Juran also contributed to the world of sci-fi on TV. He directed episodes of "Lost in Space," "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea," "Land of the Giants" and "The Time Tunnel." Mr. Juran is also known for directing "Hellcats of the Navy," the only film in which former president Reagan and first lady Nancy Reagan appeared together. The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films gave Mr. Juran a life achievement award in 1998. The 95-year-old Juran died of natural causes.


MARIANNE HOPPE Died Oct. 23, 2002


German actress Marianne Hoppe died at age 93. Ms. Hoppe appeared in nearly 50 films dating back to 1933. She was Mrs. Grohmann in the 1966 version of Agatha Christie’s "Ten Little Indians." Ms. Hoppe openly associated with the Nazi elite including Hitler himself, during WWII. Stupid move.


LUCILLE RYMAN CARROLL Died Oct. 23, 2002


Ms. Carroll was on of the first female studio executives. Ms. Carroll was an exec with MGM in charge of developing new talent. She worked directly with Louie B. Mayer. Ms. Carroll was responsible for hiring Marilyn Monroe, June Allyson and Janet Leigh. Ms. Carroll was the executive producer of the film "Ride in a Pink Car." Ms. Carroll was the widow of actor John Carroll. Ms. Carroll died at age 96.


ADOLPH GREEN Died Oct. 24, 2002


Adolph Green was an artistic jack of all trades. Mr. Green was a writer, composer, lyricist and actor who achieved success on stage, screen and TV. Mr. Green collaborated for most of his career with Betty Comdon. Mr. Green was nominated for two Oscars for his screenplays "Band Wagon" and "It’s Always Fair Weather." Mr. Green also wrote the screenplays for "Singing in the Rain," "Auntie Mame" and "On the Town." Mr. Green was the lyricist for four TV versions of "Peter Pan." He composed the songs for the movie "Take Me Out To the Ballgame." Mr. Green appeared in nearly 20 films, usually playing himself. He appeared in the Peter O’Toole film "My Favorite Year" about the days of live TV.


RICHARD HARRIS Died Oct. 25, 2002


Irish actor Richard Harris died in London after a long battle with Hodgkin’s Disease and lymphatic cancer. Mr. Harris was a man’s man. His movie performances enlivened many great and mediocre films. Mr. Harris was nominated for Oscars as Best Actor for "The Field" (1990) and "The Sporting Life" (1963). He won a Golden Globe as Best Actor for his performance as King Arthur in "Camelot." On the other end of the spectrum, Harris received a Razzie as Worst Actor in the Bo Derek vanity film "Tarzan the Ape Man."


Harris appeared in nearly 100 films during his career. Among his early films were "The Long and the Short and the Tall," "The Guns of Navarone" and the Marlon Brando version of "Mutiny on the Bounty." Harris starred opposite Charlton Heston in Sam Peckinpah’s studio-butchered Civil War film "Major Dundee." Hopefully the original director’s cut of this lost classic will someday be restored. (Hint, hint Ted Turner!)


Harris had a great run during the late 1960s through the early 1970s. "Camelot" made him a major star. He followed that with "Cromwell," "The Molly Maguires" opposite Sean Connery, "A Man Called Horse," "Man in the Wilderness" and "The Return of a Man Called Horse." A couple of my personal favorites came from this period of Richard Harris’s career: "Juggernaut," "The Wild Geese" and "Robin and Marian."


Harris two worst films both involved the sexy Bo Derek. 1977’s "Orca" is unwatchable. The aforementioned "Tarzan the Ape Man" benefits from Harris’s presence but has nothing else (including a nude Bo) to recommend it.


Richard Harris turned in his best film performances late in life. Clint Eastwood’s masterpiece "Unforgiven" is one of Harris’s best films. The jail house scene between Gene Hackman and Richard Harris is a classic of macho brutality. Harris’s strong performance in "The Field" garnered him a second Oscar nomination. He lost to Anthony Hopkins for "Silence of the Lambs." Harris played the lead role in the made-for-TV biblical epic "Abraham." Harris outshined his many co-stars in Ridley Scott’s "Gladiator."


Harris became known to a new generation through the film "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone." He reprised his role as Headmaster Albus Dumbledore for the upcoming "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets." One of his final roles was in this year’s "The Count of Monte Cristo."


Mr. Harris had a distinguished stage and recording career also. He had a hit with the song "MacArthur Park." He was married twice to Elizabeth Rees and actress Ann Turkle, the inventor of the tan through swim suit!. Harris has three sons. One of his sons is film director Damian Harris (The Rachel Papers, Deceived). The other two sons, Jamie and Jared are actors. Harris lived life in high gear. A notorious hard drinker, Harris was a long time friend of Richard Burton and Peter O'Toole.


PEGGY MORAN Died Oct. 25, 2002


Scream Queen Peggy Moran died of complications from injuries suffered in an August car crash. Ms. Moran was 84 years old. Although she appeared in nearly 40 films, Ms. Moran is best remembered and adored for her horror films. She starred in the 1940 film "The Mummy’s Hand." In 1941 she reteamed with "The Mummy’s Hand" costar Dick Foran in "Horror Island." Other credits include "Stage Door Canteen," "The Gold Diggers of 1938" and "Ninotchka" with Greta Garbo. She also appeared in "King of the Cowboys" with Roy Rogers. Ms. Moran retired from films in 1939 when she married director Henry Koster.


ALAN L. NINEBERG Died Oct. 25, 2002


Alan Nineberg was an Emmy Nominated sound technician. Mr. Nineberg was nominated for an Emmy for his work on the TV mini series "Shogun." Mr. Nineberg was nominated for the Golden Reel Award by the American Association of Sound Editors for Tim Burton’s "Planet of the Apes." Mr. Nineberg worked as a sound editor, dialogue editor and ADR editor on nearly 40 films. His credits include "North Dallas Forty," "Beverly Hills Cop," "Witness," "Back to the Future," "The Color Purple," "Empire of the Sun," "The Lost Boys" and "Home Alone." Mr. Nineberg was 60 years old.


CHERYL "RAINBEAUX" SMITH Died Oct. 25, 2002


I was saddened today to discover that 47 year-old B-Movie goddess Cheryl "Rainbeaux" Smith died B-movie actress Cheryl Smith died of hepatitis after years of drug abuse on October 25, 2002. Cheryl Smith was the object of lust for an entire generation of guys (and some gals). Anyone who went to the drive-in during the 1970s knew the petite blonde actress. Ms. Smith was unusual in that she was accepted into the casts of A-List films, B-Movies and the occasional X-rated movie. I challenge you to find another actor with as diverse a list of credits. Maybe Cheryl was accepted so widely because she had IT. You can’t define IT, but you know IT when you see IT!


Cheryl grew up just off the Sunset Strip during the 60s. Her nickname "Rainbeaux" was given to her because she spent so much time in the Rainbow Room, a famous rock club on the Strip. "Rainbeaux" provided beautiful colors to the 70s. Sitting in the darkened Fare 4 theater in Memphis, I fell in love with Cheryl Smith as I watched Rene Daalder’s Cult Classic "Massacre at Central High." I was pissed off as Ms. Smith and co-star Robert Carradine were crushed to death beneath a well-aimed boulder. Actually, I could have cared less that Robert Carradine’s character was squashed, but the idea that anyone would have wanted "Rainbeaux" Smith’s character out of the picture made me mad.


Ms. Smith was a wisp of a woman, but she had a huge amount of talent. Cheryl Smith was able to exude sensuality, vulnerability, strength and humor with equal finesse. Ms. Smith showed great promise. In addition to her acting skills, Ms. Smith was an accomplished musician. In the movie "DuBeateo" she contributed some of the music. She played Joan Jett's drummer in that film. She was also an artist and painter. Unfortunately, her career and life slid away from her. But that comes later. The movies are such a powerful medium. The fact that fans will stalk celebrities they don’t even know and sometimes kill them speaks volumes about the seductive power of celluloid and light. Cheryl Smith, for a brief time, held court in theaters around the world. What films!


Cheryl made her debut at age 15 in the campy "Evil Knievil." Her second feature film brought her to the attention of many. "Lemora: A Child’s Tale of Supernatural" (Lady Dracula) showcased Ms. Smith as a young church choir member who is the object of a certain lesbian vampire’s bloodlust. Cheryl followed that with "Phantom of the Paradise," Brian De Palma’s camp take on Faust and Phantom of the Opera. Cheryl began using her nickname "Rainbeaux" on her next film, "The Swinging Cheerleaders." "The Swinging Cheerleaders" was a R-rated romp through the locker rooms of some very horny California high school students. "The Swinging Cheerleaders" was the first of three cheerleader films starring Ms. Smith. The others were "The Pom Pom Girls" and "Revenge of the Cheerleaders." Cheryl also starred in the first and best of the Women in Prison films, which became popular during the 70s: Jonathan Demme’s debut film "Caged Heat." Sex played an important role in Ms. Smith’s career. She starred in the title role of the X-rated musical version of "Cinderella." Instead of a glass slipper, Smith’s Cinderella was given a snapping vagina by her gay "fairy" godfather. I remember sneaking into the movie with a couple of buddies. I think we all loved Cheryl after that film.


Cheryl Smith was also given roles in several A-List films. She appeared in the aforementioned "Phantom of the Paradise," the Phillip Marlow detective film "Farewell My Lovely" with Robert Mitchum, Joseph Wambaugh’s "The Choirboys," Jonathan Demme’s "Melvin and Howard, " the Kathleen Quinlan domestic abuse film "Independence Day" and "Drum" the big budget sequel to "Mandingo."



Cheryl Smith also held a place of honor among horror and sci-fi fans. She starred in the cult favorite "Laser Blast," "Parasite" and "Lady Dracula." Cheryl was no stranger to comedy either. She appeared in two best Cheech and Chong films: "Up in Smoke" and "Nice Dreams."


Ms. Smith appeared in two of my all time favorite B-Movies. "Vice Squad" and "Massacre at Central High." I have reviewed both films in more detail elsewhere, so I’ll not go any further into their virtues.


There is illusion, seduction and then there is reality. Countless films have dealt with the seductive call of Hollywood and the hollow underbelly that so many seem to find when they get there. "Day of the Locust," "Sunset Blvd." And David Lynch’s "Mulholland Drive" are great examples of this scenario. Cheryl Smith’s life could also be the basis for a cautionary tale. Behind the image that Ms. Smith portrayed on screen was a real human being in pain. Ms. Smith became a heroin addict during the late 1970s. She disappeared from the screen. Ms. Smith battled her addiction to heroin. Sources said that Ms. Smith had been managing her addiction with Methadone during the past five years. She did two prison terms. In prison, she put her artistic abilities to use by designing tattoos for fellow inmates. While it had been reported that Ms. Smith spent her last years a homeless person living near MacArthur Park in Los Angeles, in fact she had been living with friends who were there for her at the end. She died of complications from Hepatitis. Janis Joplin once said that on stage, she made love to 10,000 people a night, but she went home alone (and lonely). I have a brother who may join Ms. Smith soon. He chose to use drugs for nearly 30 years. His once athletic body has been decimated. No one in our family could convince him of the error of his ways. Unlike, Ms. Smith, my brother has not gotten his addiction under control. Fortunately Ms. Smith was able to get her addiction under control. Unfortunately, she was unable to do so before the seeds of fatal health consequences had been planted. Stay away from the drugs folks. The pain it eases will still be there to deal with when you sober up. Prayers for those who loved her.









ANDRE DE TOTH Died Oct. 27, 2002


For the second time this month, a director associated with the 3D-movie fad has died. Andre de Toth directed the most famous 3D movie ever produced, "House of Wax" with Vincent Price. Mr. de Toth died of an aneurysm. Director Sidney Pink, who directed the first 3D-feature film, died just 15 days before Mr. de Toth. Andre de Toth directed nearly 40 films during his long career. He also wrote several screenplays. One of my favorite Western films is "The Gunfighter" with Gregory Peck. Mr. de Toth was nominated for a Best Screenplay Oscar for "The Gunfighter." Mr. de Toth began his career in Hungary. He went to work for British producer Alexander Korda. He worked on "The Thief of Bagdad" and "The Jungle Book" for Korda. Mr. de Toth was an uncredited second unit director on David Lean’s "Lawrence of Arabia." Mr. de Toth directed one of my favorite war films also. "Play Dirty" starred Michael Caine and dealt with the war in North Africa during WWII. "Play Dirty" is a wicked little movie that is worth digging for at your local video store. Michael Caine also starred as spy Harry Palmer in the de Toth produced film "Billion Dollar Brain." "Billion Dollar Brain" was directed by gonzo director Ken Russell. Mr. de Toth directed several film noir classics. One of the overlooked films of the genre is de Toth’s "Crime Wave" with Sterling Hayden (The Godfather). I highly recommend watching that movie. Mr. de Toth was no stranger to TV. He directed episodes of "Maverick" and (the coolest TV series ever!) "77 Sunset Strip." Mr. de Toth’s final film is truly bizarre. "Terror Night" is a sub-par slasher film. I challenge you to find another film with a cast like this: Cameron Mitchell, John Ireland, Alan Hale Jr. from "Gilligan’s Island," blonde "Brat" pornstar Jamie Summers, 80s scream queen Michelle Bauer and "Grizzly Adams" himself, Dan Haggerty. The only reason to watch this film is to see Miss. Summers in the bathtub. Andre de Toth was married to film noir siren Veronica Lake for several years. In 1995, Mr. de Toth was given a "Lifetime Achievement Award" by the Los Angeles Film Critic’s Society.


MARGARET BOOTH Died Oct. 28, 2002


William McKinley was president of the United States when film editor Margaret Booth was born. Ms. Booth began as a ‘cutter" for D.W. Griffith. Director John Stahl took Miss Booth under his wing and taught her the mechanics and rhythms of filmmaking. Ms. Booth was responsible for the elevation in status of film editors within the industry. Irving Thalberg began calling ‘cutters’ film editors in large part due to the artistry of Ms. Booth. Ms. Booth worked with many of the greats in Hollywood. Ms. Booth worked on Eric Von Stroheim’s "The Merry Widow," "Susan Lennox: Her Rise and Fall" which starred Greta Garbo and Clark Gable, "The Dancing Lady," "A Yank at Oxford" and many, many others. Ms. Booth was nominated for a Best Editing Oscar for the Clark Gable/Charles Laughton version of "Mutiny on the Bounty." Ms. Booth was given a special Oscar in 1978 for her exceptional contributions to the art of film editing. In 1939 Ms. Booth became the supervising editor for MGM studios. Not one film produced by MGM during her 30 year tenure hit the theaters without her input. Producer Ray Stark hired Ms. Booth in the mid 1970s. She worked for him as supervising editor until she retired in the 1980s. Her credits with Mr. Stark include "The Way We Were," "Fat City," "The Goodbye Girl," "California Suite" and "Annie." Ms. Booth’s career spanned 70 years. The 104-year-old Ms. Booth died of a stroke.


LARRY DOBKIN Died Oct. 28, 2002


Character actor, writer, director, producer Larry Dobkin died of heart failure at age 83. Mr. Dobkin played Detective Ellery Queen on the radio. He appeared in over 60 films. Mr. Dobkin appeared in "Patton," "The Ten Commandments," "Them!,’ the original version of "D.O.A.," "The Defiant Ones," "North by Northwest," "The Sweet Smell of Success" and "Beastmaster 2." Mr. Dobkin wrote the 1976 movie "The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams." Mr. Dobkin directed numerous episodes of various TV series during the 1950s through the 80s. He was nominated for an Emmy for his 1967 performance in the ‘CBS Playhouse’ production of "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night."


GLENN MCQUEEN Died Oct. 29, 2002


Pixar animator Glenn McQueen died of Melanoma at age 41. Mr. McQueen helped create Woody from "Toy Story" and Boo from "Monsters, Inc." Mr. McQueen was also involved heavily in "A Bug’s Life" and "Toy Story 2" as a supervising animator.


MARINA BERTI Died Oct. 29, 2002


Italian actress Marina Berti died in Rome after a long illness. Ms. Berti appeared in many biblical epics and period pieces. Her credits include "Jesus of Nazareth," "Moses the Lawgiver," "Quo Vadis," "Cleopatra" and "Ben Hur." Ms. Berti appeared in Aldo Lado’s Giallo "L’ Ultimo Treno Della Notte." Ms. Berti also appeared in Mario Bava’s TV mini series "L Odissea." Ms. Berti’s final film was Costa Gravis’s "Amen."



JUAN ANTONIO BARDEM Died Oct. 30, 2002


Juan Antonio Bardem was one of Spain’s most acclaimed directors and screenwriters. Mr. Bardem was jailed by the Franco regime after the release of his 1955 film "Death of a Cyclist." Other credits include "The Player Pianos" with James Mason and Hardy Kruger, "The Mysterious Island of Captain Nemo" with Omar Shariff and "Calle Mayor" for which Mr. Bardem won a prize at Cannes. The director died of liver failure at age 80.


JASON MIZELL (JAM MASTER JAY) Died Oct. 30, 2002


Pioneer rapper and co-founder of the group Run DMC Jason Mizell was murdered by two men at his recording studio in New York. The 37 year old Mizell was the DJ for Run DMC. It is tragic that a member of Run DMC would fall victim to violence as the group preached nonviolence and unity in their music, unlike many other rappers. Run DMC almost single handedly brought hip-hop music into the mainstream of pop culture. Mr. Mizell appeared with fellow Run DMC members Joseph Simmons and Darryl McDaniels in the films "Krush Groove" and "Tougher Than Leather." Mr. Mizell leaves a wife and three children. Prayers for his family and friends. Stop the violence!


LEE KATZIN Died Oct. 30, 2002


Film and TV director Lee Katzin died of cancer at age 67. Mr. Katzin’s credits include the Steve McQueen racing film "Le Mans," the horror film "What Ever Happened to Aunt Alice?" starring Geraldine Page and Ruth Gordon, Glenn Ford’s "Heaven With a Gun" and the Barry Newman spy thriller "The Salzburg Connection." Mr. Katzin directed hundreds of TV episodes. He contributed to one of my all time favorite series "Police Story." Other TV credits include "The Rat Patrol," "The Wild, Wild West" and "Mannix."


RAF VALLONE Died Oct. 31, 2002


I can’t say how moved and surprised I was when Michael Corleone confessed his sins to Cardinal Lamberto in "The Godfather Part III." That scene was one of the most unexpected scenes I’ve ever experienced. Italian actor Raf Vallone delivered a great performance as the doomed Pontif in Francis Ford Coppola’s flawed film. Raf Vallone has died at age 86. Mr. Vallone made nearly ninety films during his 60 year career. His credits include "Bitter Rice," "Two Women" with Sophia Loren, "El Cid" with Charlton Heston, "Nevada Smith" with Steve McQueen, "The Italian Job" with Michael Caine and Noel Coward, Michael Ritchie’s "An Almost Perfect Affair" and "The Lion of the Desert" with Oliver Reed and Anthony Quinn.

SEPTEMBER 2002 FILM WORLD OBITUARIES

SHINYA HIDAKA Died Sep. 1, 2002


Shinya Hidaka wrote screenplays with revered Japanese director Kon Ichikawa. Hidaka became a frequent collaborator of Ichikawa's following the death of Ichikawa's wife Natto Wada. Ms. Wada had been her husband's writing partner for many years. Multi-award winning director Ichikawa is considered one of the four pioneers in modern Japanese cinema. Shinya Hidaka wrote six films with Mr. Ichikawa. Shinya Hidaka died of pneumonia.


TED ROSS Died Sept. 3, 2002


Highly recognizable character actor Ted Ross has died. Mr. Ross was the Cowardly Lion in the film version of "The Wiz." He also played Dudley Moore chauffeur in "Arthur." Mr. Ross appeared in one of the best TV series of the 1980s: "The Equalizer." Other film credits include Milos Forman's "Ragtime" and "The Fisher King." Mr. Ross won a Tony award as the Cowardly Lion in "Wiz" on Broadway.


ELSE PETERSEN Died Sep. 3, 2002


Danish actress Else Peterson died at age 91. She appeared in nearly 50 films. She had an uncredited role in the WWII classic "The Fighting Sullivans." Ms. Petersen’s career included such highly regarded films as Lars von Trier’s "Zentropia" and Gabriel Axel’s "Babettes Feast." Ms. Petersen appeared in a couple of the Danish "Agent 69 Jensen" sex comedies also. Talk about diversity of roles!


CLIFF GORMAN Died Sep. 5, 2002


As a teenager I loved NBC’s anthology series "Police Story." That is where I first remember seeing Cliff Gorman. Mr. Gorman had intensity, which was dangerous. He played characters that were usually smarter than those around them and frustrated because those others had more power than he. I never tired of his performances, even in bad movies. Cliff Gorman kept the audience wondering what he would do next.


Gorman starred or appeared in several of my favorite films. "Night of the Juggler" is one of the best B-Movies you’ve never seen. Mr. Gorman played a super intelligent \, psycho kidnapper who takes James Brolin’s daughter from a private school. Turns out that Brolin is poor and his kid was there on a hardship scholarship. Gorman took the wrong child. The rest of the film is a non-stop chase between the two men across New York City. If you’re lucky enough to find this at your video store, get it. Gorman’s dark intensity makes for a memorable villain.


Obviously I’m a little obsessed with death. Bob Fosse’s autobiographical film "All That Jazz" is another favorite of mine. Mr. Gorman played Dustin Hoffman’s fictional counter-part in that film. He plays the actor appearing in the fictional "Lenny" within the movie. (It isn’t as complicated as it sounds!) Again, Mr. Gorman’s dangerous persona adds just the right amount of kink to add to Fosse’s rich cinematic tapestry. I always wondered if Bob Fosse hated Dustin Hoffman after seeing "All That Jazz." Mr. Gorman won a Tony Award for his stage performance as Lenny Bruce in 1971.


Mr. Gorman first gained notice for his performance in the stage and screen versions of "The Boys in the Band." His effeminate Emory in the gay comedy was a character in extreme juxtaposition to the tough-guy roles he often played on TV cop shows. Mr. Gorman was also nominated for a Tony Award for "The Boys in the Band."Other credits include "Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai," "Rosebud," "Hoffa" and "Night and the City." Mr. Gorman died of leukemia at age 65. Trivia note: Cliff Gorman, Lenny Bruce and yours truly were all born on October 13th!


FLORENCE LESSING Died Sep. 5, 2002


Florence Lessing was a dancer on stage and screen. Her film appearances include "Moon Over Miami" and "Just For You." Ms. Lessing was also a noted dance teacher. She died at age 86 of kidney failure.


JACK KELK Died Sep. 5, 2002


Jack Kelk was a TV actor during the 1950s. He appeared in guest roles on "Leave it to Beaver" and "The Donna Reed Show." Mr. Kelk played Homer Brown on the series "The Aldrich Family" which ran during the 1949-50 TV season. He was also a regular on the TV show "Young Mr. Bobbin." According to IMDB, Mr. Kelk appeared in the following feature films" "The Pajama Game," "Somebody Up There Likes Me" with Paul Newman, "Wrongorilla" and "Born to Be Bad." Mr. Kelk was 81.


KATRIN CATLIDGE Died Sep. 7, 2002


41-year-old actress Katrin Catlidge died of pneumonia and blood poisoning. Ms. Catlidge first gained notice in Mike Leigh's film "Naked." She played David Thewles's lover in that film. Ms. Cartlidge also appeared two other Mike Leigh's films: "Career Girls" and "Topsy Turvy." Other credits include "Breaking the Waves" and the Oscar winning "No Man's Land." Ms. Catlidge played the ambitious TV news reporter in "No Man's Land." I thought Ms. Cartlidge added a nice touch with her performance as "Dark Annie Chapman" in the Hughes Brothers's Jack-the-Ripper thriller "From Hell."


MICHAEL ELPHICK Died Sep. 7, 2002


British character actor Michael Elphick died at age 55. Mr. Elphick appeared in number of great movies. His greatest popularity was achieved as a TV actor in native England, where he played private eye Ken Boon on the series "Boon." Mr. Elphick’s film credits include The Who’s "Quadrophenia," Lindsey Anderson’s "Oh Lucky Man!" and "Gorky Park." Mr. Elphick played the sadistic night porter in David Lynch’s "The Elephant Man." Elphick played real-life grave robber Edmund Burke in the Vincent Price horror film "Cry of the Banshee." There were two overlooked films in the 70s dealing with the rise and fall of a rock star which should be on anyone’s must see list: "That’ll Be the Day" and "Stardust" starred David Essex as the rock star. Mr. Elphick appeared uncredited in "Stardust." Other credits include the kinky, quirky classic "Withnail and I," the TV mini-series "Massada," "Little Dorrit" and the tough true-crime drama "The Krays." Mr. Elphick was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor award by the British film academy for his role in "Gorky Park."


ERMA FRANKLIN Died Sep. 7, 2002


Ms. Franklin was the sister of Aretha Franklin. She was nominated for a Grammy in 1967 for "Piece of My Heart." She sang backup on her sister’s hit "Respect" in which she contributed the "sock-it-to-me" refrain to push the song over the top. Ms. Franklin appeared as herself in the 1988 documentary "Aretha Franklin:The Queen of Soul."


CYRINDA FOXE-TYLER Died Sep. 8, 2002


Ms. Foxe-Tyler was the ex-wife of Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler. Ms. Foxe died of a brain tumor at age 51. Ms. Foxe was an actress best know for her role in "Andy Warhol’s Bad." Her greatest fame came as a groupie during the early 70s. She had been involved with David Bowie and David Johanson before Tyler. She married musician Keith Waa three days before she died.


KIM HUNTER Died Sep. 11, 2002


I had the pleasure of interviewing Kim Hunter at the 2001 Memphis Film Festival in August of last year. She was living proof that you shouldn’t judge someone by her size. The petite actress was a powerhouse talent. Ms. Hunter seemed a bit frail, but her mind was as sharp and she displayed a keen wit. It was a privilege to talk with her over the three days of the festival.


Ms. Hunter won the Best Actress Oscar as Marlon Brando’s wife, Stella in "A Streetcar Named Desire." Of course, Ms. Hunter was probably most adored for her performances as Dr. Zira in the first three "Planet of the Apes" films. Ms. Hunter’s Zira was a lot like the lady herself, strong, idealistic and willing to take a stand.


Ms. Hunter appeared in 65 feature films, TV movies and documentaries. She also appeared in over 40 TV series. She was nominated for daytime Emmy in 1980 for her work on "The Edge of Night." In 2000, she was nominated for a Genie (Canada’s Oscar) as Best Actress for "Here’s to Life!," which was her final feature film. In addition to her extensive work in film and TV, Ms. Hunter was a highly respected stage actress.


Ms. Hunter’s credits include Val Lewton’s "The Seventh Victim," "The Swimmer" with Burt Lancaster, "Born Innocent" with Linda Blair and Dario Argento’s "The Black Cat." The 79-year-old actress died of a heart attack at home in Greenwich Village.


JOHNNY UNITAS Died Sep. 11, 2002


I pissed my dad off twice in the winters of 1968 and 69. The first thing I said was the Richard Nixon would win the presidency. The second was that Joe Namath would lead the NY Jets to victory in the Super Bowl over the powerhouse Baltimore Colts led by Johnny Unitas. Johnny Unitas held 22 NFL records when he retired in 1973 after 17 years in the pros. Mr. Unitas was the subject of a TV documentary "Unitas" in 2000. Mr. Unitas played the head coach of the Knights in Oliver Stone’s "Any Given Sunday." Mr. Unitas also appeared as himself in a couple of movies and TV shows. His son Joe is an actor who appeared in "Bandits" and "The Princess Diaries." Mr. Unitas died of a heart attack at age 69.


LOLITA TORRES Died Sep.14, 2002


Lolita Torres was one of Argentina's most famous actresses. She starred in 17 films during what is known as the "Golden Age" of Argentinean filmmaking. Ms. Torres was also successful as a pop singer. She is also the mother of pop singer Diego Torres. Ms. Torres died of complications from a lung infection.


LAWANDA PAGE Died Sep. 14, 2002


81 year-old Lawanda Page was best known as the Aunt Esther on the hit TV series, "Sanford and Son." Esther was the nemesis of Red Foxx’s character ‘Fred Sanford.’ Many of the shows best gags came from Red Foxx thinking up new ways to call Esther ugly. Ms. Page’s catch line in the show was "watch it sucker." Like Red Foxx, Ms. Page had quite a following for her off-color stand-up comedy routines. She was a one-time partner of Rudy Ray Moore of "Dolemite" fame. Ms. Page released a number of comedy albums. In later years, Ms. Page continued to act on stage and screen. Credits include "CB4," "Friday," "Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood" and "Meteor Man." Ms. Page died of complications from diabetes.


MICHAEL GREER Died Sep. 14, 2002


Michael Greer died of lung cancer at age 64. Mr. Greer was an actor and comedian. His most famous role was as "Queenie," the prison drag queen in Sal Mineo's stage and the Harvey Hart film version's of "Fortune and Men’s Eyes" which dealt with sex in prison. Mr. Greer appeared as Don Johnson’s friend in the 60s cult film "The Magical Garden of Stanley Sweetheart." That movie was also Don Johnson’s big screen debut. Other credits include the B-Movie sex comedy "Summer School Teachers" and "The Gay Deceivers" about two guys avoiding combat in Vietnam by pretending to be gay. Mr. Greer also had bit parts in the Steve Martin comedy "The Lonely Guy" and the Bette Midler vehicle "The Rose."


BEATRICE MANLEY Died Sep. 14, 2002


Yet another teacher has died. Beatrice Manley, like Byrne Piven, Jeff Corey and Tracy Roberts was an acting teacher. Her students at CalArts included actors Ed Harris and Paul Reubens. Ms. Manley helped start the Actor’s Workshop in Los Angeles. She had a long stage career. Ms. Manley wrote two books on the craft of acting. She was also a playwright and screenwriter. He TV and film credits include the twisted and rarely seen "The Baby," "Little Mo" about athlete Maureen Connelly and the great Michael Moriarity/Robert DeNiro film "Bang the Drum Slowly." Ms. Manley was 81 years old.


JAMES MITCHELL Died Sep. 15, 2002


British born writer James Mitchell wrote over 70 spy novels during his lifetime. Edward Woodward played assassin David Callan who was employed by the British government, in the TV series "Callan" based on Mr. Mitchell’s novel. The series ran from 1969 to 1972. A film version was released in 1974. Mr. Mitchell also wrote episodes for the TV series "The Avengers," "The Troubleshooters" and "Mogul." Mr. Mitchell also created the British TV series "When the Boat Comes In." IMDB’s listing of Mr. Mitchell is full of errors. Mr. Mitchell died of cancer at age 76.


CHARLES DENTON Died Sep. 15, 2002


Charles Denton wrote one of the most famous films that will never be seen. I first heard about "The Day the Clown Cried" about 20 years ago in the book "The Golden Turkey Awards." I thought the film was a joke. Jerry Lewis (quite alive, pictured hamming it up on the set of the 1972 film) plays a clown who is used by the Nazis to lead children into the gas chambers of Auschwitz. The movie was never finished due to legal battles between Jerry Lewis and the writers of the original script, including Mr. Denton. I have always been curious to see what exists of the film, but Jerry Lewis has it locked away. This was years before "It’s a Beautiful Life." "The Day the Clown Cried" is the only credit Mr. Denton has listed on IMDB. Mr. Denton died of a heart attack.


CHARLES MOUAT Died Sep. 15, 2002


Charles Mouat was a multiple Emmy award winning sound editor. Mr. Mouat had nearly 30 TV and feature film credits. Mr. Mouat shared two Emmy awards for the TV mini-series "Roots" and "The Night That Panicked America" which dealt with Orson Welles "War of the Worlds" radio broadcast. Mr. Mouat was nominated for two other Emmy awards. His feature film credits included "A Few Good Men," "Mermaids," "Days of Heaven," "Halloween III: The Season of the Witch" and "John Carpenter’s The Thing."


JAMES GREGORY Died Sep. 16, 2001


James Gregory portrayed the McCarthy-like Senator John Iselin in the classic thriller "The Manchurian Candidate." Mr. Gregory has died at age 90. TV viewers in the 70s knew him as the usually wrong Inspector Luger on the comedy show "Barney Miller." To sci-fi fans he was the evil ape general Ursus in "Beneath the Planet of the Apes." Mr. Gregory appeared in over 50 films or TV series during his career. He started as a stage actor. He played the oldest son, Biff in "Death of a Salesman" on Broadway.


TONY MARTINEZ Died Sep. 16, 2002


Baby boomers will remember Tony Martinez as "Pepino," the hired hand on the TV sitcom "The Real McCoys." Martinez was a band leader who turned to acting. He was one of the first Latinos to have a major, and non-stereotypical role on a network TV show. "The Real McCoys" ran from 1957 until 1963. Mr. Martinez was also an accomplished stage actor. He portrayed Sancho Panza in "The Man of La Mancha" over 2,200 times. Mr. Martinez died at age 82 in Las Vegas, Nevada.


NORMAN LEVY Died Sep. 17, 2002


Norman Levy was the former head of 20th Century Fox. Mr. Levy was responsible for the "Porkys" movies which made Fox over a billion dollars in revenues. Mr. Levy had also worked at Columbia where he was responsible for the distribution of such films as "When a Stranger Calls," "You Light Up My Life" and "The Lords of Flatbush." Mr. Levy died of cancer.


JOAN LITTLEWOOD Died Sep. 20, 2002


British writer and theater director Joan Littlewood died at age 87. Ms. Littlewood wrote the play "Oh, What a Lovely War!" which was later turned into a motion picture. Richard Attenborough directed the film version of Ms. Littlewood’s play. Ms. Littlewood also wrote and directed the 1963 film "Sparrows Can’t Sing." She appeared as herself in the documentary "The Unforgettable Yootha Joyce." Ms. Littlewood was a co-founder of London’s Theater Workshop.


JENNIFER ALWARD Died Sep. 20, 2002


TV producer Jennifer Alward died of a heart attack at age 53. Ms. Alward was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Miniseries for "Family of Spies." Ms. Alward received the Canadian Gemini nomination for the miniseries "Choices of the Heart: The Margaret Sanger Story." Ms. Alward was a creative consultant on the Sigorney Weaver film, "Gorillas in the Mist." Ms. Alward co- produced the much maligned Rock and Roll update of "A Star is Born," "Hearts of Fire" with Bob Dylan and Fiona. Ms. Alward created the production company "Morgan Hill."


ANGELO BUONO JR. Died Sep. 21, 2002


One of the two serial killers who were known as the "Hillside Stranglers" has died in prison. Angelo Buono Jr. died in prison on Saturday. The evil bastard killed 9 women along with fellow predator Kenneth Bianchi. Dennis Farina portrayed Angelo Buono in the chilling made for TV movie "The Case of the Hillside Stranglers." Ron Gilbert played the killer in the 2001 TV movie "Supersleuth." Hopefully Buono’s death will bring some comfort to the parents and loved ones of the women he and Bianchi slaughtered.


PETER KOWALD Died Sep. 21, 2002


German bassist Peter Kowald was one of the premiere bassists in New York Free Jazz movement. He co-founded the Sound Unity festivals of improvisational music. Mr. Kowald was featured in the 1985 documentary "Rising Tones Cross" by German filmmaker Ebba John. The film focused on the Free Jazz movement and featured interviews with Mr. Kowald and others. Kowald composed the music for the film "My Heart is Mine Alone." He also appeared and performed in the film "The Complaint of an Empress." Mr. Kowald was 58 years old.


JAN DE HARTOG Died Sep. 22, 2002


Dutch novelist and play write Jan de Hartog died at his home in Houston at age 88. Mr. de Hartog is best know for the Broadway play "The Four Poster." The play was made into a film with Rex Harrison and Lili Palmer. Other works that were filmed include his novel "The Inspector" which was filmed under the title of "Lisa." "Lisa" starred Stephen Boyd, Delores Hart, Leo McKern, Donald Pleasence and a host of other British character actors. "The Spriral Road" with Burl Ives and Rock Hudson was adapted from de Hartog’s novel "Godsgeuzen." "The Little Ark" and "The Key" were also film versions of his books.


JOSEPH KANE Died Sep. 22, 2002


103-year-old Joseph Kane was the master of trivia. Mr. Kane wrote over 50 books of factual information and trivia including five editions of "Famous First Facts." Mr. Kane’s Hollywood connection started as the host of a radio version of "Famous First Facts" in the 1940s. He later worked for TV games shows, such as "The $64,000 Question," "Break the Bank" and "Double or Nothing" as a question writer.


CARMEN PHILLIPS Died Sep. 22, 2002


Carmen Phillips was a bit character actress who appeared in numerous films and TV shows. Ms. Phillips’s passion was furthering the cause of animal and actor’s rights (same thing!). Ms. Phillips had bit parts in "Easy Rider," Curtis Harrington’s thriller "Games," Alfred Hitchcock’s "Marnie" and Sam Peckinpah’s classic "Ride the High Country." Ms. Phillips appeared in the Rat Pack films "Ocean’s 11" and "Some Came Running."


TIM ROSE Died Sep. 24, 2002


Tim Rose died of complications from surgery for cancer. Mr. Rose was a highly respected folk/rock/pop musician who seemed to hook up with other musicians just before they got their big break. While Tim Rose was left behind, his music is not forgotten. Mr. Rose was part of "The Big Three" with Cass Elliot before she went on to the "Mamas and the Papas." He played with John Bonham before Bonham joined "Led Zeppelin." Mr. Rose’s best known song was "Hey Joe," later made popular by Jimi Hendrix. Mr. Rose appeared in the pseudo-documentary/environmentalist propaganda film "Love It, or Leave It" which also starred Tina Louise, Herb Alpert, Phil Ochs and Richard Nixon!


MAURICE MANSON Died Sep. 25, 2002


88-year-old stage and screen actor Maurice Manson has died. Mr. Manson appeared in numerous TV episodes, feature films and Broadway shows. His film credits include "Spirit of St, Louis," "Nickelodeon," "The Three Stooges in Orbit" and "The Creature Walks Among Us." Mr. Manson showed up frequently on the TV series "Perry Mason," "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" and "Gunsmoke."


WOODY LONG Died Sep. 28, 2002


Veteran porn actor Woody Long died of a stroke. (Don’t say it!). Ever wonder why these guys don’t use names like Stubby or Dinky?


ROBERT LIEB Died Sep. 28, 2002


Veteran character actor Robert Lieb died at age 88 from complications following surgery. Mr. Lieb had numerous TV and feature film credits. He was a regular on the TV series "Hazel" and "My Three Sons." Mr. Lieb had a recurring role on "Alf." He did guest-spots on 16 other TV series. His feature film credits include roles in the excellent TV mini-series "The Missiles of October" in which he played General Curtis LeMay. He had a bit part in one of the great political thrillers of the 1970s, Alan J. Pakula’s "The Parallax View." Mr. Lieb's last screen appearance was in 1999’s "Mystery Men."


WHITNEY BLAKE Died Sep. 28, 2002


Whitney Blake was best known as the mother on the 1960s TV series "Hazel" which starred Oscar winner Shirley Booth. Ms. Blake was the second cast member of "Hazel" to die this day. Whitney Blake was the mother of actress Meredith Baxter Birney. Ms. Blake made quest appearances on numerous TV shows, mostly Westerns during the 1950s and 60s. Ms. Blake’s film and TV movie credits include "The Betsy," "My Gun is Quick" and "Strange Homecoming." Ms. Blake was also the co-creator of the 1970s hit sitcom "One Day at a Time" starring Bonnie Franklin. Ms. Blake was 76 years-old.


MICKEY NEWBURY Died Sept. 29, 2002


Mickey Newbury was one of the most influential country and pop songwriters of the 1960s. His best known songs were "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)" which was a number one hit for Kenny Rogers and the first Edition. Mr. Newbury’s most famous song was "American Trilogy." "American Trilogy" was an arraignment of three Civil War era songs. Elvis Presley had a huge hit with it in the early 70s. Mr. Newbury’s Hollywood connection is limited to his appearance, along with his wife Susan in the 1979 comedy "Swim School."


DANIEL LENZINI Died Sep. 29, 2002


Memphis musician and actor Daniel Lenzini died of Kidney failure at age 39. Mr. Lenzini was singer and songwriter with the band "The Wild Bunch." His film credits include Milos Forman’s "The People vs. Larry Flynt" and J. Michael McCarthy’s gonzo-trashfest "The Sore Losers." "The Sore Losers" deals with hot-rod Mayans from outer space who come to Earth to kill Hippies!


ZVI KOLITZ Died Sep. 29, 2002


Zvi Kolitz wrote on of the classics of Holocaust literature, "Yosl Rakover Talks to God." Mr. Kolitz wrote and produced the first feature length film is the modern state of Israel, "Hill 24 Doesn’t Answer." "Hill 24 Doesn’t Answer" was about the Jewish war for independence. Mr. Kolitz wrote and produced many plays, the most controversial being "Deputy" which dealt with the Vatican’s silence during the Holocaust. Mr. Kolitz was 89.