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Post by petrolino on Oct 5, 2017 19:54:40 GMT
Novelist and screen radical Anne Wiazemsky has passed away at the age of 70. I feel lucky to have witnessed Wiazemsky at work; she was a compulsive introvert. Here, she's remembered in 'The Guardian' : Anne Wiazemsky (1947 - 2017)
Jean-Pierre Leaud & Anne Wiazemsky
Anne Wiazemsky Rest in Peace
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Post by mikef6 on Oct 8, 2017 1:50:35 GMT
Trevor Martin, British TV and stage actor. 1930-2017.The actor Trevor Martin, the first actor to play The Doctor on stage, has died at the age of 87. Trevor Martin first appeared in Doctor Who in 1969, playing a Time Lord in the final Second Doctor story The War Games. However, he is best remembered for playing The Doctor in a stage play based on the series, Doctor Who and the Daleks in the Seven Keys to Doomsday, which ran in London's Adelphi Theatre for four weeks at the end of 1974. The play, by Terrance Dicks, was set just after the regeneration of the Third Doctor, with Martin playing an alternate version of the Fourth Doctor, who made his TV debut in the form of Tom Baker, during the run of the play. The Doctor's companions were played by Wendy Padbury and James Matthews. In 2008 the play was adapted for Audio by Big Finish with Martin once more taking the lead role. Away from Doctor Who Trevor Martin was a regular face on British Television, first appearing in the play Tomorrow Mr. Tompion! And About Time Too! in 1958. Appearances followed in Three Golden Nobles, Orlando, Jackanory, The Tragedy of King Richard II, Z Cars, Armchair Thriller, Inspector Morse, Coronation Street and The Bill. An interview with Trevor Martin is due to be released on October 16th as part of the Myth Makers series. Trevor Martin
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Post by petrolino on Oct 9, 2017 17:39:45 GMT
Legendary French screen star Jean Rochefort has passed away aged 87. Rochefort worked with some of Europe's greatest filmmakers including Luis Bunuel, Michele Lupo, Luigi Comencini, Carlo Vanzina, Henning Carlsen, Francis Girod, Bernard Borderie, Serge Bourguignon, Michel Audiard, Claude Chabrol, Philippe De Broca, Michel Deville, Alain Cavalier, Francis Veber, Bertrand Blier, Bertrand Tavernier and Alain Jessua. He enjoyed special relationships with a pair of French masters, Yves Robert and Patrice Leconte, both of whom called upon Rochefort's services for numerous pictures. He was an elegant performer blessed with effortless charisma, immaculate timing and a tremendous sense of fun; an actor who brought a touch of class to every project he boarded. He will be greatly missed. Rochefort is remembered in 'The Guardian' : Jean Rochefort (1930 - 2017)Thanks for the movies, and thanks for the laughs. Jean Rochefort & Coluche
Jean Rochefort Rest in Peace
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Post by Richard Kimble on Oct 10, 2017 22:23:27 GMT
Hollywood ReporterBob Schiller, the legendary sitcom writer known for his work on such shows as I Love Lucy and All in the Family, died Tuesday. He was 98. Schiller, who collaborated with his late writing partner, Bob Weiskopf, for nearly a half-century, died at his home in Pacific Palisades, his daughter, Sadie Novello, told The Hollywood Reporter. Best known for being the first (and only) additions to the original writing team for I Love Lucy, Schiller and Weiskopf came up with some of that series' most beloved episodes, including the one that guest-starred John Wayne and the one that featured Lucy (Lucille Ball) "grape stomping" in Italy. For All in the Family, the pair penned the two-part episode "Edith's 50th Birthday" in which Edith (Jean Stapleton) is the victim of an attempted rape. They also wrote for such popular 1950s comedies such as Make Room for Daddy, The Bob Cummings Show, My Favorite Husband, The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour, The Ann Sothern Show and Pete and Gladys. Their partnership continued through the '60s, '70s and '80s, writing and/or producing for The Lucy Show, The Red Skelton Show, The Good Guys, The Phyllis Diller Show, The Carol Burnett Show, The Flip Wilson Show, Maude and Archie Bunker's Place. The pair carpooled to the office during most of their career and played off each other perfectly — in writing and in person. When Schiller was once asked the reason for the success of their partnership, he responded, "That's easy — we've never agreed on anything!" Weiskopf's witty retort: "Yes, we have." Schiller won two Emmys (shared with Weiskopf for their work on Flip and All in the Family), and they received the Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award for lifetime achievement from the Writers Guild of America in 1988.
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Post by petrolino on Oct 12, 2017 21:56:10 GMT
Controversial political filmmaker Antonio De Macedo has died at the age of 86. I've not seen any of De Macedo's films but I know of him by reputation. He was considered a giant of Portugese cinema, directing feature-length films, short subject films, documentaries, animations and television programmes during his career. He frequently battled against censorship. De Macedo was also a highly regarded writer, penning poems, plays and novels. I hope to see some of his work some day.
Antonio De Macedo R.I.P.
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Post by petrolino on Oct 12, 2017 22:19:54 GMT
Singer Lionel Ames has died aged 94. Ames was born on March 6th, 1923 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He picked up a variety of roles in film and television between the 1950s and 1970s.
Entertainer Gianni Bonagura has died aged 91. Bonagura exhibited his memorable face in small character parts in some of Italy's most popular comedies of the day. He was also a published playwright with a long history in live theatre.
Local theatre performer Roger E. Fanter has died aged 82. Fanter was born on 3rd October, 1934 in Hamilton, Ohio, USA. Small roles in 'Adaptation.' (2002) and 'Seabiscuit' (2003) led him to a career in pictures late in life.
Elizabeth Baur has passed away aged 69. Baur acted predominantly in television but took on a character role in Richard Fleischer's disturbing crime picture 'The Boston Strangler' (1968).
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Post by neurosturgeon on Oct 13, 2017 14:03:27 GMT
Elizabeth Bauer was probably best known for her 89 episodes of "Ironsides" as Officer Fran Belding. She took over the spot as the female member of the team when Barbara Anderson left the show.
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Post by Richard Kimble on Oct 13, 2017 21:07:09 GMT
Hollywood ReporterNora Johnson, who adapted her novel The World of Henry Orient for the popular 1964 big-screen adaptation that starred Peter Sellers, has died. She was 84. Johnson died Thursday in Dallas, one of her daughters, Marion Siwek, told The Hollywood Reporter. Her father was two-time Oscar nominee Nunnally Johnson, the screenwriter, producer and director behind such Hollywood classics as The Grapes of Wrath, The Three Faces of Eve, The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit and The Dirty Dozen. The World of Henry Orient, first published in 1958 when the author was just 25, came from Johnson's infatuation with Oscar Levant, the witty concert pianist and actor. In her novel, two 13-year-old girls at a Manhattan private school develop a crush on Orient after seeing him in concert and then follow him all around the city. Sellers portrayed the philandering pianist in the George Roy Hill film, with Tippy Walker and Merrie Spaeth as the students. Angela Lansbury, Tom Bosley and Paula Prentiss also starred. Johnson and her father teamed up for the movie adaptation. In his review for The New York Times, Bosley Crowther called The World of Henry Orient "one of the most joyous and comforting movies about teenagers that we've had in a long time." Johnson's novel also served as the basis for a 1967 Broadway musical, Henry, Sweet Henry, with Don Ameche starring as Orient. (Her dad also wrote the book for that production.) Johnson published several other novels and books, including 2004's Coast to Coast: A Family Romance, about her childhood that included being shuttled between Manhattan and Hollywood. (Her mother, journalist Marion Byrnes, had left her husband when Johnson was very young and often took her to New York.) Johnson was born in Hollywood, and Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall attended her birthday parties. She graduated from Smith College in 1954. Survivors include another daughter, Paula, and a son, Justin. Nora Johnson and Nunnally Johnson
  
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Post by Stammerhead on Oct 16, 2017 14:56:53 GMT
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Post by petrolino on Oct 19, 2017 17:30:31 GMT
Umberto Lenzi has died at the age of 86. He was born on August 6th, 1931 in Massa Marittima in Tuscany, Italy. Lenzi initially studied law but became a journalist. Writing was always a major part of his life. He was a poet, novelist and prolific screenwriter who often engaged in rigorous social and political discourse. The technical aspects of filmmaking also captured his vivid imagination, skills he developed at the Experimental Center Of Cinematography. He was an accomplished editor, and like his dear friend Lucio Fulci, he earned a reputation as one of Italy's greatest technicians while working in an industry blessed with adventurous technicians; coincidentally, both men were said to be raving lunatics by many of those who worked with them, but lunatics with a great sense of humour. Lenzi was an important film pioneer who famously attached cameras to anything he could attach a camera to. Throughout his career in cinema, he constantly experimented with the marriage between sound, image and music, seeking to push back against accepted working parameters, societal indifference and narrative norms. "For the most part, those who worked in Italian exploitation filmmaking during its '70s/'80s heyday weren't huge names to anyone outside of a circle of staunch genre admirers. Sure, you had Mario Bava, Lucio Fulci and Dario Argento - bona fide auteurs whose brands rang out within larger collections of cult film fans. But Sergio(s) Martino and Corbucci, Antonio Margheriti, and Enzo Castellari were writer/directors who better exemplified the blue collar nature of the nation's cheap thrill factory. Most of the directors who maintained legitimate careers were the very definition of "workmen", jumping genres and chasing trends, just so they could manage a respectable level of employability, all while honing their craft with each jangly, moody, hyper-violent picture. However, none were as committed to upholding Italy's image as the shlock capital of the world quite like Umberto Lenzi, who minted era-specific masterworks in nearly every subclassification of the Italo-explo scene. Following a brief stint studying law before immersing himself in film at the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografica (where he shot shorts based on the writings of Pasolini), Lenzi cut his teeth working in the Greek film industry, completing one still unreleased picture (Vacanze ad Atene ['58])."
- Jacob Knight, 'Farewell Umberto Lenzi, King Of Italo-Exploitation'
"The history of Italian crime films is deeply connected to that of their nation, even since the very first examples of the genre. After the restrictions and escapist dreams of the Fascist period, the immediate post-war scenario is that of a country in ruins. Neorealism makes no discounts: bandits, pimps, black market dealers make their appearance in films which recount what was happening in the country, without sweetening the pill. That’s the case with Tombolo paradiso nero (Tombolo, 1947, Giorgio Ferroni), Manù il contrabbandiere (1947, Lucio De Caro) or Alberto Lattuada’s Il bandito (The Bandit, 1946) and Senza pietà (Without Pity, 1948), which can be all considered part of the so-called “Black Neorealism.” Even in Riso amaro (Bitter Rice, 1949, Giuseppe De Santis), where neorealist elements combine with others taken from various sources, such as popular magazines, several sequences –such as the final shootout in the butcher-shop, with quarters of veal and lifestock hanging from the ceiling, lit in an Expressionist manner– are the stuff of pure film noir."
- Roberto Curti, Off Screen
'Inspired in equal measure by Don Siegel’s sturdy individualism and Jean-Pierre Melville’s criminal existentialism, Italian ("poliziotteschi") crime flicks borrowed stylistic elements from both sides of the Atlantic to forge a unique and homegrown cinematic identity. Often accused by high-brow critics of “fascism” (spaghetti westerns had been on the contrary blamed, by the same critics, for being too simplistically leftist), the genre simply did not match the idealized image middle class intellectuals had of the proletariat. “Almost Human” (1974) by Umberto Lenzi, one of the highest peaks of the genre, depicts in mean details the violent degradation of downtown Milan, a simmering urban pot literally ready to explode. Haunted by an implacably menacing score by Ennio Morricone, the film revolves around a small-time, psychotic criminal, Giulio Bianchi, who gets in over his head when he decides to kidnap the daughter of a rich man. The film captures the ugly face of crime whose features have no room for the romanticism of outlaws. Tomas Milian’s leading performance is shocking — his character knows no ethical restraints, and expresses a ferocious determination to enjoy the wealth from which he’s been deprived.'
- Excerpt from a Statement issued by the Celluloid Liberation Front, IndieWire
'As well as the horror genre, Umberto Lenzi was also known for making spaghetti westerns, Eurospy films, war movies, and crime thrillers. While he switched cinematic categories, his movies were all easily identified as his own by a surreal and often absurd approach to filmmaking -- in the best way possible. His work became hugely influential, and his zombie picture 'Nightmare City' is said to have been one of the main influences in Robert Rodriguez’ 'Planet Terror' (2007). Although according to another director/fan, Quentin Tarantino, Lenzi apparently didn't consider his walking dead as "zombies," instead referring to them as “infected people." His other notable scary movies include 'Make Them Die Slowly', 'Eaten Alive!', 'Seven Blood Stained Orchids', and 'Eyeball'."
- George Stark, SyFy Wire
Umberto Lenzi, Carroll Baker & Jean-Louis Trintignant filming 'So Sweet, So Perverse'
'Seven Blood-Stained Orchids' - Riz Ortolani
Lenzi was a filmmaker who created wave upon wave of curios and classics in the peplum, fumetti, giallo, poliziotteschi, cannibale, spaghetti western and macaroni combat subgenres. I've been exploring his work ever since I first saw one of his movies as a teenager - I was spellbound. I knew through first-hand reports that Lenzi's health had been deteriorating for some time, and that he was becoming less mobile, but, I'm still a little shocked, and deeply saddened to hear the news of his passing. He will be greatly missed. The man is, was, and always will be, a cinema legend. Thanks for the movies, Mr Lenzi - you inspired many people through your work.
"Yes, other journalists have claimed that my movies like Paranoia, A Quiet Place To Kill and So Sweet, So Perverse have influenced American movies… maybe, but these three movies starring Carroll Baker – and Spasmo, which I made later – are intelligent exploitations of human craziness, because we have the situation of a protagonist who is not good but is not all bad… the innocent and guilty people are the same, because for me in those movies the important thing was to demonstrate that the human mind is capable of both good and evil, you understand?"
- Umberto Lenzi at the House Of Freudstein
'Spasmo (Spasmo ... Spasmo ...)' - Ennio Morricone
Umberto Lenzi Rest in Peace
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Post by petrolino on Oct 20, 2017 0:18:40 GMT
Danielle Darrieux, French actress and screen legend passed away on October 17, 2017 at her home Bois-le-Roi, France, south of Paris at the age of 100. R.I.P. Danielle Darrieux obituaryI've been reading some of tributes posted online to Danielle Darrieux, one of the great French performers. She appeared in films in 9 different decades, a remarkable achievement made even more remarkable by the fact she consistently made popular and interesting films. Here, she's remembered in 'The Guardian' : Danielle Darrieux (1917 - 2017)Thanks for the movies, Ms Darrieux. "Danielle Darrieux was the incarnation of the paradoxical actress."
- Francois Ozon
Danielle Darrieux Rest in Peace
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Post by petrolino on Oct 20, 2017 14:41:59 GMT
Actor Federico Luppi has died at the age of 81. Luppi appeared regularly on television in the 1960s before establishing a career in cinema. Cameraman Juan Jose Stagnaro's two features as director, 'The Project' (1969) and 'A Woman' (1975), brought Luppi cult status as a performer. He appeared in many films made in Argentina including Raul De La Torre's melodrama 'Chronicle Of A Lady' (1971) and Adolfo Aristarain's crime drama 'Time For Revenge' (1981). Luppi formed a strong working relationship with John Sayles who directed him in 'Men Without Guns' (1997) and became a firm favourite of Mexican fantasy filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro. He was a fine actor.
Federico Luppi R.I.P.
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Post by petrolino on Oct 20, 2017 20:31:41 GMT
It's being reported by several news outlets that character actor Brent Briscoe died this week. He was 56. He's remembered at Deadline : Brent Briscoe (1961 - 2017)R.I.P. |
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Post by petrolino on Oct 23, 2017 18:00:19 GMT
British actress Rosemary Leach has passed away at the age of 81. She was a very talented lady. Here she's remembered in 'The Guardian' : Rosemary Leach (1935 - 2017)Rosemary Leach R.I.P. |
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Post by petrolino on Oct 23, 2017 18:09:54 GMT
Cinematographer Walter Lassally has died aged 90. Lassally became a major figure in European cinema during the 1950s due to his work for Cypriot director Michael Cacoyannis. He also worked on numerous projects with English director Tony Richardson and American director James Ivory. Lassally is remembered for his contributions to cinema in 'The Washington Post' : Walter Lassally (1926 - 2017)Walter Lassally R.I.P. |
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Post by petrolino on Oct 23, 2017 18:48:17 GMT
Filmmaker Ram Mukherjee has died. His exact age is disputed. Mukherjee directed a classic of 1960s Indian cinema, 'The Leader' (1964).
Character actor Lech Ordon has died aged 88. Ordon belonged to the stock companies of two of early Polish sound cinema's grand masters, Aleksandr Ford and Jan Rybkowski. Just recently he appeared in Filip Bajon's gentle comedy of manners 'Maiden Vows' (2010).
Ugo Fangareggi has died aged 79. Fangareggi occupied striking character roles in all manner of Italian films and was particularly noted for his work in comedies. During his career he worked may times with the filmmaker Luico Fulci. He also appeared in movies directed by Antonio Pietrangeli, Federico Fellini, Mario Monicelli, Dino Risi, Ettore Scola, Nanni Loy, Roberto Mauri, Michele Lupo, Lina Wertmuller, Umberto Lenzi, Sergio Bergonzelli, Giuliano Carnimeo, Dario Argento, Tonino Valerii, Nando Cicero and Bruno Gaburro, to name a few. He had a funny, expressive face.
Actress Judith McGrath has died at the age of 70. McGrath appeared in Michael Powell's controversial picture 'Age Of Consent' (1970) at the beginning of her screen career but was best known for her work in television.
R.I.P.
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Post by Richard Kimble on Oct 24, 2017 20:55:10 GMT
Variety.comEmmy Award-winning actor Robert Guillaume, best known as the title character in the TV sitcom “Benson,” died Tuesday. He was 89. His wife Donna Brown Guillaume told the Associated Press he died at their Los Angeles home of complications of prostate cancer. Guillaume often played acerbic, dry-witted, but ultimately lovable characters like the butler Benson Du Bois, which he created on the 1977 series “Soap,” before his character was spun off in 1979. Guillaume won Emmys both for “Soap” (as supporting actor) and “Benson” (as lead actor). He was also known as the the voice of Rafiki in “The Lion King,” for which he also won a Grammy for a spoken word recording. “Benson” ran on ABC for seven years until 1986. The butler slowly evolved to become a government official, deflecting early complaints by critics like the Washington Post’s Tom Shales that his character was a “male Mammy.” The show brought Guillaume an Emmy in 1985 for lead actor in a comedy. --- After suffering through a period of unemployment during the ’70s, he was cast in an all-black revival of “Guys and Dolls” as Nathan Detroit, which debuted on Broadway in 1977 and secured him a Tony nomination. He also guested during this period on sitcoms such as “All in the Family,” “Good Times,” “Sanford and Son” and “The Jeffersons,” which led to the supporting role of Benson in “Soap.” --- Robert Peter Williams was born in St. Louis, Mo., changing his name only after he decided on a career in acting. After completing his schooling he joined the Army in 1945 and was discharged 15 months later. He took on a number of menial jobs while studying nights at St. Louis U. He originally intended to study business but became interested in singing and transferred to Washington U. to study voice and theater. His performance at the 1957 Aspen Music Festival led to an apprenticeship at the Karamu Performing Arts Theater in Cleveland, where he appeared in operas and musical comedies. After moving to New York, he made his Broadway debut in a 1960 revival of “Finian’s Rainbow” and found regular employment in the chorus of shows like “Fly, Blackbird,” “Golden Boy” and “Porgy and Bess.” In 1972 he took on the title role in the musical “Purlie” and also appeared in the revue “Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris.” He is survived by his second wife, TV producer Donna Brown Guillaume; one son (another died in 1990); and three daughters.
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Post by mikef6 on Oct 25, 2017 17:10:59 GMT
Fats Domino, architect of rock and roll, dead at 89. Appeared as himself in 1950s rock films and many TV shows. Fats Domino obit |
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Post by Richard Kimble on Oct 27, 2017 0:08:03 GMT
Hollywood ReporterJack Bannon, who portrayed the amiable assistant city editor Art Donovan on the acclaimed CBS drama Lou Grant, has died. He was 77. Bannon died Wednesday in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, according to a report in The Spokesman-Review. He had lived in the town with his wife, actress Ellen Travolta — the older sister of John Travolta — since 1995. Bannon's parents were actors. His mother, Bea Benaderet, received two Emmy nominations for her work on The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, portrayed Kate Bradley on Petticoat Junction and Green Acres and was the voice of Betty Rubble on The Flintstones. His father, Jim Bannon, played the cowboy Red Ryder in four 1940s movies. Bannon appeared as Donovan on all 114 episodes of Lou Grant, the hourlong drama from MTM Enterprises that starred Ed Asner as the city editor of the fictional Los Angeles Tribune and aired for five seasons, from 1977-82. --- Born on June 14, 1940, Bannon graduated in 1963 from UC Santa Barbara, where he studied acting. A year later, he was hired as a dialogue coach on Petticoat Junction and played several characters on the rural sitcom as well. He went on to appear on such series as Judd for the Defense, The Andy Griffith Show, Here's Lucy, The Beverly Hillbillies, Daniel Boone, Mannix, Kojak and The Rockford Files before starring on Lou Grant. Bannon later had a regular role on the 1983 ABC drama Trauma Center. The actor also showed up on the big screen in Whatever Happened to Aunt Alice? (1969), Little Big Man (1970), Death Warrant (1990) and Da Vinci's War (1993), that last one with his brother-in-law, Joey Travolta. 
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Post by petrolino on Oct 29, 2017 4:52:30 GMT
Canadian entertainer Juliette has passed away aged 91. Cinematographer Harry Stradling Jr. has died aged 92. He's remembered in 'Varierty' : Harry Stradling Jr. (1925 - 29107) |
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