Film and television director -- via blog.saint.org. Here's the New York Times obit. A major architect of the imaginations of my generation, he made some of Hammer Film Production's best -- and campiest -- horror films. On TV, he worked on some of the best British series -- "The Avengers," "The Champions," "The Saint," "Danger UXB," "Fairly Secret Army" and "The Irish R.M." See my full salute to him at Preview Reviewer.
Interesting, overlooked, and significant obituaries from around the world, as they happen, emphasizing the positive achievements of those who have died. Member, Society of Professional Obituary Writers.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
William Shakespeare aka John Stanley Cave aka Billy Shake
Australian glam rock singer -- via www.undercover.fm. It's hard to run this one -- the name, alone. He did some bad things, came down in the world, suffered addiction. When it comes down to it, he was a person. May he rest in peace.
Colette Renard
Chanteuse and actress -- via Telerama.fr. A saucy singer who originated the title role in "Irma la Douce."
Gregorio Ros
Award-winning makeup artist and designer for TV, stage and film -- via Spain Broadway World. He worked on several films with Pedro Almodovar, including "Woman on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown" and "High Heels."
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Ray Picconatto aka "Tomato Man"
Gardener gave his time and expertise to others -- via the Duluth News Tribune.
Marjorie Henshaw aka Anabel Shaw
Actress worked during film noir period in postwar cinema -- via blogspot site dedicated to her, and the San Francisco Chronicle
Monday, October 4, 2010
Dolores Wilson
A Met soprano for many years -- via the New York Times. She originated the role of Baby Doe in Moore's opera "The Ballad of Baby Doe," at the Central City Opera House in Central City, Colorado on July 7, 1956.
Norman Wisdom
Comedian, singer and comic actor -- via the BBC. Now a cult figure, he was the most profitable comic of his day, a favorite of Chaplin's as well. He played coy, clumsy characters who fell in love and sang. Oddly, he is an object of worship in Albania, where good old dictator Enver Hoxha, for some reason (perhaps his wholesome tunefulness) named him as the only Western actor whose films were shown in that country.
Philippa Foot
Philosopher specializing in questions of morals and ethics -- via The Edge of the American West. She conceived the noted "trolley problem."
Andy Albeck
Producer and studio head -- via ABC News. He greenlighted "Raging Bull," and unfrotunately "Heaven's Gate" as well. He has a bit part as a movie producer in Woody Allen's "Stardust Memories."
Harry Flavel
Eccentric and recluse -- via the Daily Astorian. He and his family's brushes with the law were documented in a New Yoker article by Calvin Trillin -- "First Family of Astoria."
Maury Allen
Sportswriter -- via the New York Times. He wrote 38 books, most on the subject of baseball.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Junko Ikeuchi
Actress -- via Tokyograph. Lovers of camp will remember her as a leading player in Japan's "Super Giant/Starman" series, which were cut up, dubbed and run on American TV in the mid-'60s as the film series "Attack from Space," "Atomic Rulers of the World," "Invaders from Space" and "Evil Brain from Outer Space." Surrealistic bliss!
Martin Ljung
Swedish comedian and actor -- via Radio Sweden's Facebook page. Here's him doing a "Viking" routine: don't know what he's saying, but he's killin' the crowd!
Friday, October 1, 2010
Stephen J. Cannell
Prolific and successful writer and producer for television -- via E! Online. He created some great series -- "The Rockford Files," "The Greatest American Hero," "Wiseguy," "The A-Team," "The Commish," Silk Stalkings" -- and about 30 others.
Mickey Freeman aka Irving Freeman
Comedian and actor -- via a paid announcement from the Friars Club in the New York Times. He'll be remembered for his role as Private Zimmerman in "You'll Never Get Rich/Sgt. Bilko/The Phil Silvers Show."
Neil Alan Smith
Dishwasher -- via the St. Petersburg Times. A rude Web comment by a reader who stated that a 48-year-old dishwasher was "better off dead" provoked this obituary; one about an ordinary guy who did his job and behaved decently toward others.
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