tcm remembers jackie cooper

As you all know, classic movie legend, Jackie Cooper, passed away last week. This coming Friday, May 13th, Turner Classic Movies will alter their schedule to honor Jackie Cooper by featuring several films. This is the official announcement and schedule I received from TCM in my email:

"Turner Classic Movies (TCM) will remember the life and career of actor-director Jackie Cooper on Friday, May 13, beginning at 6 a.m. (ET). The special tribute will showcase nine films from Cooper’s days as one of Hollywood’s most popular child stars. Included in the lineup are O’Shaugnessy’s Boy (1935), Treasure Island (1934) and the heart-wrenching boxing classic The Champ (1931), all three co-starring Wallace Beery. The day will also feature The Devil Is a Sissy (1936), co-starring Freddie Bartholomew and Mickey Rooney, and Tough Guy (1936), with Rin Tin Tin Jr.

The following is a complete schedule of TCM’s May 13 memorial tribute to Jackie Cooper (all times Eastern):

6 a.m. – Dinky (1935), with Mary Astor and Roger Pryor.
7:15 a.m. – Divorce in the Family (1932), with Conrad Nagel, Lewis Stone and Lois Wilson.
8:45 a.m. – O’Shaughnessy’s Boy (1935), with Wallace Beery, George “Spanky” McFarland and Henry Stephenson.
10:15 a.m. – Boy of the Streets (1937), with Maureen O’Connor, Kathleen Burke and Emmett O’Connor.
11:45 a.m. – Gallant Sons (1940), with Bonita Granville, Gene Reynolds and Gail Patrick.
1:15 p.m. – Tough Guy (1936), with Joseph Calleia, Harvey Stephens and Rin Tin Tin Jr.
2:45 p.m. – The Devil Is a Sissy (1936), with Freddie Bartholomew, Mickey Rooney and Ian Hunter.
4:30 p.m. – Treasure Island (1934), with Wallace Beery, Lionel Barrymore, Otto Kruger and Lewis Stone.
6:30 p.m. – The Champ (1931), with Wallace Beery, Irene Rich and Roscoe Ates."


Cooper was one a few exceptional child stars from the classic era, of course as one of the members of "Our Gang": The Little Rascals, but he also later transitioned into television and of course is much loved and remembered by myself and others as Perry White to Christopher Reeve's Superman in the 1970s and 80s. What is really impressive to me is his service to our country during WWII and after. He served in the US Navy and remained in the reserves for many years- diligently working in the reserves training other servicemen and in public relations. In fact, other than James Stewart, he was one the higest uniform ranking hollywood stars.

TCM also posted their always exceptional short video tribute, TCM Remembers Jackie Cooper:


Also for some added memories with Jackie- doing a hilarious fake voice- here he is as the celebrity guest on one of my favorite classic game shows, What's My Line:




Now listen to me, I tell you boys and girls - whichever one of you gets it out... is going to wind up with the single most important interview since... God talked to Moses!

tcm remembers 2010 edition

Every year TCM does a usually classy job of releasing an "in memoriam" video of stars, directors, technicians, etc who have passed away during the year. Here is this years version, newly released. You can also see it at TCM.com.



(Hat tip to Laura for the heads up that TCM had released this)



Being rich is like being ten feet tall. Good for some things, bad for others.

goodbye to the king of the wild frontier

Fans and Disney-philes around the world are saddened to learn that actor Fess Parker has passed away today at the age of 85. First reports say he died of natural causes. Parker was well known to generations of Disney fans and the very first generation of Mouseketeers especially, as Davy Crockett in the episodes first serialized on the early Disneyland television series, then later blended together and released as feature films. Disney has released several DVD versions of the Davy Crockett series.

It is significant the impact the actor and the role had on a generation and in American cultural history. The very "coonskin" cap Parker wore in the series became a phenomenom with children across the United States, and helped to cement one of television history's longest running series: Disneyland He also was a figure on The Mickey Mouse Club series, as Parker appeared in some early episodes as himself and in character. Visitors around the globe are familiar with Frontierland and the Mike Fink's Keelboats which came directly from the Davy Crockett series as well. Parker had a profound influence on his young fans and if he did nothing else would still be considered a legend. In fact, Disney named him a "Disney Legend" in a ceremony in 1991.

Parker appeared in several other shows- most notably in the 1964-1970 series about another American frontier legend, Daniel Boone. The show fan on TVLand not too many years ago, and I remember watching and enjoying it very much and some seasons are available on DVD. Parker also appeared in several feature films including another popular Disney film, Old Yeller. Parker retired from acting in the 70s and invested in several Real Estate ventures and eventually opened a sprawling Doubletree Resort and a successful Winery, both in California.

Fess Parker- you will missed and you will be remembered by a generation- and introduced to growing generations of Disney fans the world over.



Now and then, for no good reason, life will haul off and knock a man flat.

that's a wrap? really?

Didn't watch last night's Oscars. Even though some of the awards seemed to be well deserved, and I was interested in how Up would do, it has just gotten too predictable, too long, and too "un-entertaining" in the last few years. This year's change in reverting to expanding the "Best Picture" category to 10 really didn't seem to do much other than to provide a way for people to think something they've actually seen would win and motivate them to watch. Somehow, I think all along voters and Academy members still had a dividing line in the minds as to what the "real nominees" were.

It's almost an exercise in folly to try and read the tea leaves in the weeks leading up to the broadcast, because it seems as if so many are arguing over who "deserves" the award and who the think will get it. The Oscars have always been about peer recognition, and I really don't have a problem with that- it never claimed to be anything else, and anyone who thinks differently is only fooling themselves. Yes, some years it is quite overbearing and overlong, and some years it is overtly and offensively political. But, after all, it is Hollywood voting on what it likes about itself most. I would argue that, in my opinion, in decades past the nominated films were more often than not, of a higher caliber and when members voted- they often voted for some truly outstanding work. Sometimes there was an "upset" or an off year. I believe, more often than not, there was some really excellent work being recognized.

Recent ceremonies seem to be more about the fashion, the infighting and the politics. In fact, millions of dollars go into what the attendees wear, and even more money goes into producing shows and magazines about the attendees and what they are wearing. So, I turn them off. That's right, rather than continue to complain, etc, I have copped to what I don't like, don't worry about it, and turn the channel and have a more relaxing evening. I just realized that a majority of the time- I just don't care and it really doesn't make a huge difference in the overall scheme of things. So why make myself endure something that I don't enjoy watching, just because I am a movie fan? No one is going to take away my "Movie Fan" membership card or anything- so I just skip it and the next check out the parts I am most concerned about.

And there are really only two things I care to watch or know. I am interested in the bottom line: just tell me who won what and be done with it- a list will do just fine thanks. Secondly, I usually like the now famous (or infamous, if you prefer) Oscar "montages". Sometimes they are of the great "100 years at the movies" variety and of course the montage that honors those entertainers who passed away in the last year or so. Most of the times these are fairly dignified affairs, but, if you saw it last night or have been hearing about it on the news, last night's montage was missing several famous people. Not only that, but it was just shoddy, in my opinion. In years past they've done a dignified and elegant sequence. Last night was anything but- a rushed, hodge podge of images that were set to a live musical performance by James Taylor. I like James Taylor- nothing against him or the song- but it just didn't work. For some reason, it didn't mesh. I enjoyed it more with the underling music that allowed more focus on the images, and a more paced sequence itself. These honorees, these performers deserved a little more consideration. A more professionally produced montage.

And this isn't just the Oscars for some reason this year- even TCM's annual "TCM Remembers" didn't really seem to be as good as years past. I think the music detracted too much from the images and the recognition of the stars. What's the disconnect? For me, in both cases, the music didn't work. We lost some famous composers- wouldn't have been a good way to honor one of them to use one of their scores as the soundtrack? It would have been much more effective and poignant, I think, to use something of Maurice Jarre's than the pop-folk guitar songs that both the Academy and TCM went with. I realize that, in the case of TCM, sad songs are often used, but some years the music overpowers the images themselves. It is a delicate balance, I suppose.

I appreciate the fact that the Academy produces these montages, but this years sequence just wasn't up to past production values and missed several notable performers. You can probably see who is missing, even if you haven't seen the news. But in the end, I guess, this is just another movie fan disappointed. In a past year that saw the passing of the likes of Kathryn Grayson, Jennifer Jones and Jody McCrea (Note: I inadvertantly said Joel originally until Tom at Motion Picture Gems reminded me that Joel passed away 20 years ago- it was Joel's son Jody that died last year. I saw Jody mentioned in the TCM clip and he looked so much like his dad, that I didn't even think twice about it. That's what getting long in the tooth as a blogger does to you.) - not to mention more "recent" stars and directors like Natasha Richardson, Patrick Swayze, Farrah Fawcett and John Hughes- I would think the bar needed to be set higher. Here is the montage sequence- judge for yourself.




And here is the TCM Remembers 2009 edition:



What do you think? Let us know your thoughts and comments in the aptly named "comments" section.



I've told you a hundred times. I don't want to win awards. Give me pictures that end with a kiss and black ink on the books.

kathryn grayson passes away...

I apologize for the derth of posts lately, but I have been working on my post for the For the Love of Film: Film Preservation Blogathon (coming up later tomorrow) and teaching - but this piece of sad news caught my eye as reported over at Laura's Miscellaneous Musing and I felt like I needed to pass it along. Please read Laura's tribute as well as this AP article.

The delightful star of many a MGM musical, Kathryn Grayson, has passed away at the age of 88. The star of several key MGM releases of the 40s and 50s including Show Boat and one of my favorites, Kiss Me Kate, costaring with the great Howard Keel. She originally wanted to be an Operatic singer, but Louis B Meyer placed her under contract with MGM, along with a host of young musical talents. Her role in the Gene Kelly/Frank Sinatra starrer Anchors Away that truly sealed her star in the MGM firmament. She worked with some of MGM's best talent at the time, in addition to Keel and Kelly she worked with Gordon MacRae, Mickey Rooney, Van Johnson and Mario Lanza. My favorite Grayson performance is her turn as Lilli Vanessi ("Kate") in Kiss Me Kate- by far, probably one of her best. She will be missed.



You'd make a perfect shrew!

the passing of roy disney

I learned last night that Roy E. Disney passed away after fighting stomach cancer. He was 79. Among the many tributes, deservedly so (and there are many around the web), perhaps one of the words I have seen most associated with him is determination. He was determined to rescue the animation department in the 1980s from oblivion, determined to protect his father and uncle's legacy, determined to preserve the history of Disney, and determined to make sure it had the right leadership.


He grew up on the Disney Burbank lot, and it seemed he was connected at the hip with the Disney studio from the beginning. He went on to earn his stripes and rightfully earn his place in the company. He worked on the True-Life Adventures series, episodes of Wonderful World of Disney and eventually took on the task of breathing new life into the animation department which seemed on shaky ground in the 1980s.

I remember going into the theater with a girlfriend to see The Little Mermaid in 1989, and even though I was an animation buff even then, I thought Disney was past its prime. I figured I could stand an hour and half of crappy animation just to make my girl happy. Then the opening ocean sequence started and I was amazed at what they had done- surely this was just the opening - the whole film couldn't possibly carry on this level of animation depth and skill and the storytelling and music would be subpar for sure. I was dead wrong. It was a modern day resurgence - and I was in the front row to witness it up on the big screen for myself. Then I saw it continue several years later when I took my then fiancé (now Mrs. Loophole herself) to one of our first movies- Aladdin. And I saw it again, when we went to see The Lion King while she was pregnant with our first born. Few companies are lucky to get a "golden age" - even fewer are lucky to get two. Thanks Roy- you will be missed.



Tributes can be found at Laura's Miscellaneous Musings, Leonard Maltin's Movie Crazy, Cartoon Brew, D23, Cinematical and of course you can probably find many, many more. Also, Nikki Finke at Deadline Hollywood has an appreciation and thoughtful article on Roy's story in revitalizing and fighting for the Disney legacy.



All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.

sad news...

Just found out this sad news via CNN: actor David Carradine was found dead in Bangkok, Thailand. The news is just breaking so there aren't many details yet, but you can go to CNN.com or Foxnews.com later for more details. He was 72.

I remember growing up and watching him on the iconic TV show Kung Fu. I even had a Kung Fu lunch box. But later I watched him and loved him in many films such as The Long Riders, Lone Wolf McQuade and Behind Enemy Lines. He was probably one of the more prolific "guest stars" on multiple television series and was of course part of a large acting family that included brothers Keith and Robert. His father was the legendary John Carradine who was in many classic films such as Stagecoach, The Grapes of Wrath and Drums Along the Mohawk.

David Carradine was perhaps more familiar to modern audiences as "Bill" in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill 1 & 2. He had a very long career, as did his father. He will be missed. You can visit the Official David Carradine website here.

When this is all over, I'm goin' to write a book; make myself more famous than I already am.

ricardo montalbán and patrick mcgoohan

Yes, we managed to fight our way through the tundra and make it back home. However, as soon as we did - we had to jump right back into real life. You know the saying about needing a vacation after the vacation. Totally true.
So things will be back on the ball here in short order...in the meantime:

I would be remiss if we did not mention the passing of a two fine actors Patrick McGoohan (AKA: Number 6, Dr. Syn and Longshanks!) and Ricardo Montalbán . I know everyone remembers him from Star Trek and Fantasy Island, but he was also in several MGM musicals, including On an Island with You and Neptune's Daughter with Esther Williams (oddly enough one of those characters was name O'Rourke) and with Shelf fave Jane Powell in Two Weeks with Love. He was also in some fine Westerns and Noir films including Across the Wide Missouri and Border Incident. And of course he was in many other films and a frequent guest star on many television shows well before Fantasy Island. Did you know he was a very good friend of Don Rickles? Rickles talks about their friendship in Rickles' Book: A Memoir which is well worth the read! You can check out some very nice tributes at Laura's Miscellaneous Musings, Thrilling Days of Yesteryear and John Nolte's (AKA Dirty Harry) post at Big Hollywood.

Stay tuned to the Shelf. We'll be back with more...



Don't touch; this is Corinthian leather.

goodbye paul...

It seems we have been losing too many of the legends lately. This has been difficult year. Word comes that Paul Newman has lost his battle with Lung cancer. This isn't a shock as he has been sick for a little while now, but it's never easy.
My first Paul Newman movie is still my favorite: The Sting. He always seemed to exude "cool" no matter what role he was in.

"You know, I got a hunch, fat man. I got a hunch it's me from here on in. One ball, corner pocket. I mean, that ever happen to you? You know, all of a sudden you feel like you can't miss? 'Cause I dreamed about this game, fat man. I dreamed about this game every night on the road. Five ball. You know, this is my table, man. I own it." - The Hustler

"Dyin'? Boy, he can have this little life any time he wants to. Do ya hear that? Are ya hearin' it? Come on. You're welcome to it, ol' timer. Let me know you're up there. Come on. Love me, hate me, kill me, anything. Just let me know it. I'm just standin' in the rain talkin' to myself. "
-Cool Hand Luke

"I have vision, and the rest of the world wears bifocals." - Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

"Glad to meet you, kid, you're a real horse's ass. Is Lonnegan after you too?
I dunno... I ain't seen anybody.
You never do, kid." - The Sting

"You know, so much of the time we're just lost. We say, 'Please, God, tell us what is right; tell us what is true.' And there is no justice: the rich win, the poor are powerless. We become tired of hearing people lie. And after a time, we become dead... a little dead. We think of ourselves as victims... and we become victims. We become... we become weak. We doubt ourselves, we doubt our beliefs. We doubt our institutions. And we doubt the law. But today you are the law. You ARE the law. Not some book... not the lawyers... not the, a marble statue... or the trappings of the court. See those are just symbols of our desire to be just. They are... they are, in fact, a prayer: a fervent and a frightened prayer. In my religion, they say, "Act as if ye had faith... and faith will be given to you." IF... if we are to have faith in justice, we need only to believe in ourselves. And ACT with justice. See, I believe there is justice in our hearts." -The Verdict

"A man of honor always pays his debts... and keeps his word." -Road to Perdition

Paul Newman-1925-2008. Rest easy Luke, rest easy.







...

goodbye anita...

I hate to follow that last post with another sad one, but we would be remiss if we did not note the passing of one of the last surviving links we had to silent cinema: Anita Page. Ms. Page, often referred to as "the last surviving star of silent film" was 98. She started out in the 192os and found herself working alongside such stars as Joan Crawford (who she disliked greatly) and the great Lon Chaney. She also starred in the first "Hollywood" musical (and the first to win an Oscar)- MGM's The Broadway Melody. She survived the transition into sound, but soon after announced her retirement in 1933. She made several small appearances in recent years, and amazingly even had a recent small cameo in a movie, Frankenstein Rising, which is to be released sometime later this year.

You can read an excellent article about her life and news of her passing here.

Also check out this great tribute from the Self-Styled Siren, and also If Charlie Parker Was a Gunslinger... and Thrilling Days of Yesteryear.
The Official Anita Page site and a recent interview with an author who knew her here.

Anita Page: 1910-2008. We are ever more and more distant from the fledging days of cinema. Hopefully, they and those who made the silents won't be forgotten.

Stay tuned to The Shelf, we've got more coming your way, including reviews of Fox's Tyrone Power Matinee Idol Collection, Fox Horror Classics Vol.2, The Charlie Chan Collection Vol. 5, more newly released TV on DVD like Star Trek Season Two, Fat Albert's Halloween Special re-release and much, much more!

Tuesday Update: More tributes to Anita Page at Laura's Miscellaneous Musings, Allure and at Seraphic Secret who has some great pixs ( & which we just added to The Shelf Community).




Those men aren't going to pay ten bucks to look at your face; this is Broadway!

another great master is gone

Like many of you, I grew up...heck, I thrived on Peanuts and Charlie Brown specials as a kid. I continue to collect Peanuts memorabilia, books and DVDs. It's an easy "get" for dad at the Loophole household to find a Peanuts gift for Father's Dad, etc. When Charles Schulz passed away, it felt like a part of my childhood died- even though it still lives everytime I read "good old Charlie Brown" and the gang. Still... even though I never met him, he was- is my childhood hero. My very first flesh and bone hero outside of my family members and Snoopy himself. So maybe, you might understand why this news strikes me very hard.

News comes that Bill Melendez has passed away. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Melendez "died Tuesday at St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica. He was 91." I don't have to recite his great impact on animation and American culture- you can read this great article about him by Jerry Beck at Cartoon Brew, who does a better job than I could hope to muster.

Bill, with producing partner Lee Mendelson, was the only guy who Charles Schulz would trust to animate his iconic characters. Over 75 Peanuts specials and animated televisions shows demonstrate the staying power and love. Bill was even the voice of Snoopy. The story goes that he filled in, so the child voice actors could have something to work off of, and it was so perfect- they just went with it. Bill also animated another of my favorite non-Peanuts Christmas specials: Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus, which is sadly not available on DVD (a crime if you ask me).

If you've watched, like so many millions of others, the iconic Peanuts Holiday specials- It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and A Charlie Brown Christmas- you've been touched by Melendez's talent and work.

I know it's a big political night. I'll have to catch up with all of that tomorrow. Right now, I need to visit with Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus, Charles Schulz and Bill Melendez and remember some simpler, yet very special times. Maybe some Great Pumpkin...

Goodbye, Bill. Thank you for everything...Tell Sparky we miss him.



Nothing but sincerity reaching out as far as the eye can see.

cyd charisse: 1921-2008

I'm sorry- there just aren't any words today...
Cyd Charisse has passed away.
She was one of my absolute favorites.


From my first time seeing her in Singin' in the Rain all through Brigadoon, Silk Stockings, and so much more- and then absolute perfection in The Band Wagon- I've had a mad crush on Cyd. She was not only so lovely, but so talented and a marvel to watch on screen.
The world is a little bit dimmer today, but we are lucky to have her performances preserved.


Please read the tributes at Laura's Miscellaneous Musings and Libertas.
I'll be back with more later. For now- I'm going to go watch The Band Wagon.



The show's a big hit, Tony... It's going to run for a long time.As far as I'm concerned, it's going to run forever.

another great one gone...

Long before Jimmy Fallon and Horatio Sanz broke each other up on SNL, Harvey Korman and Tim Conway were doing it on The Carol Burnett Show. Well- really Tim was cracking Harvey up. They were such a joy to watch and have been among my favorites, as I am sure among your favorites.

Now word comes that Harvey Korman has passed away at the age of 81 after a long illness. With so many legends and those who have contributed so much to our culture dying, it's terribly sad to see another one go. I loved Harvey on The Carol Burnett Show, and of course as Gazoo on The Flinstones, but perhaps my favorite Harvey Korman moments came in the Mel Brooks films- especially Blazing Saddles.


Very few could play the straight man so well, much less the humorous villian or charming rogue. Harvey had a special quality that in many ways reminded me of Bud Abbott. In fact had Harvey and Tim been active in the 40s and 50s, they might have been another famous comedy duo of that time and give Abbott and Costello a run for their money. It was nice to see that not too long ago, Conway and Korman were performing their two man shows again.


You can read the news of his passing here and here, and of course see imdb for more about his career. I'd like to remember him, laughing at Tim and his impossible straight face, and then fuming with comic menace.

Check out this clip of a skit of Tim and Harvey together from The Carol Burnett Show-classic stuff.



And, one of the funniest of Harvey's scenes in Blazing Saddles, where, among other things, we learn to bring enough gum for everyone:



He will be missed....




It's not Hedy, it's Hedley. Hedley Lamarr.

the last of nine legends...

Sad news this week. It seems we've lost another legend in as many weeks. Veteran animator, director and author Ollie Johnson passed away at the age of 95. He lived a full life and gave so much to others and of course to the world through his work. He was one of nine other Disney animation legends referred to as the "Nine Old Men"; including Ward Kimball, Frank Thomas, Wolfgang Reitherman, Les Clark, Eric Larson, John Lounsbery, Milt Kahn and Marc Davis.

If you've ever seen Snow White, Bambi, Pinocchio, Johnny Appleseed, Cinderella, Lady and the Tramp and countless other Disney films and shorts - you've seen his work. His long time collaborator Frank Thomas passed away a few years ago, and their work together was legendary. A great documentary film about their work, Frank and Ollie is a must see. Ollie was legendary in animation circles and animation and Disney fans around the world are in mourning.

There are some great tributes from around the web; here are some that are really worth reading:
Cartoon Brew: Jerry Beck and Amid have pulled together a cadre of articles and posts on Ollie that are "must reads."
Our good friend Laura has a wonderful post full of other links about Ollie over at Laura's Miscellaneous Musings.
Laura also including this nice article by Jim Hill over at Jim Hill Media.
Michael Barrier also remembers Ollie.
Here is the Frank and Ollie site. You can read his "Disney Legends" official bio at Disney (also the source of our picture- thanks!) and a list of his work at imdb.com.
And of course here are some of the news articles about his passing.

And here is something very special I found via Google (UPDATE: Cartoon Brew also has this posted at their site I found out later). It's a documentary from the Disney Channel (back when they showed Disney Vault, animation and stuff other than Hannah Montana) from a series called The Disney Family Album. It's the Ollie Johnson story (much of it in his own words). (You can also click the YouTube stuff and find links to other Disney Family Episodes.) Priceless stuff you should see. Here it is in three parts:
Part 1:


Part 2:


Part 3:


The best way to remember is to enjoy their work again. Thanks Ollie.




Aw, come on, kid. Start building some memories.

a legend is gone

Very sad news today. Charlton Heston has passed away at the age of 84. He passed away at his home on April 5, 2008 with his wife of 64 years (wow! imagine that in Hollywood!) Lydia, by his side. Earlier this year, it was feared that he was in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease, and that he wouldn't survive the year. Sadly our worst fears became true. Heston publicly disclosed he was suffering from Alzheimer's in 2002.One of the few real movie stars from his generation that we had still with us. He was a lion of an actor, a spokesman for the second amendment, and just a great man. Some on the left derided him for his strong religious beliefs and for being a spokesman for the NRA. but yet his strong principles for what was right and true made him a hero to millions more. Many forget that Heston was an outspoken supporter of Civil Rights and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. One of a few white actors who not only marched with Dr. King, but consistantly so, and one of the few at the March on Washington.

I could go on and on about his films, which I love, but I'm sure you have your favorites as well. We recently reviewed the new El Cid limited edition DVD, and it's an excellent introduction to the actor. Of course he would be iconic for The Ten Commandments, Planet of the Apes or Ben-Hur by themselves- but all of them make him a legend. Just one of his other films like Khartoum, The Agony and the Ecstasy, The Three Muskateers (1973), The Omega Man, Major Dundee, Will Penny, 55 Days at Peking, Julius Caesar, and A Touch of Evil would've made any other actor's career- it made his historic.

Oddly enough, one of my favorite Heston moments isn't from any of these films (though I do have countless favorite moments from them)- instead it comes from a cameo, late in his career. Yes, it was Wayne's World 2, as stupid as it sounds. I liked Wayne's World, silly and sophmoric, but full of pop culture gags. There is a scene where Wayne is racing to get to a church and stop the wedding of the girl he loves. He stops at a gas station to ask for directions to Gordon St. The gas station attendant fumbles through some lines, prompting Wayne to break the fourth wall and ask- "I know it's a small part, but can't we do better than this?" Some one from the crew escorts that actor out and brings in Charlton Heston who makes an epic acting moment out of the small part. I love this moment because it's funny, but it also speaks to the special talent of the man himself- and well- see for yourself:




You can read an excellent article about his life and career and the sad news of his death at Foxnews. Charlton Heston, 1924-2008: a great actor, a great American, and a great man, we'll miss you.

Update: There are bound to be many, many tributes on the web today and perhaps throughout the week, but here are a few from some of my favorite places on the web: Laura's Miscellaneous Musings has a nice tribute with more to come, Dirty Harry at Libertas has a great tribute plus an ongoing post of tributes from around the web, and Michelle Malkin has a nice post and clips from a Heston speech. Good Stuff.



I've played three presidents, three saints and two geniuses - and that's probably enough for any man.