Vampire Lore

     The October country has arrived.  What better night of the year is there to celebrate chills down the spine and things that go bump in the night then the fast approaching Halloween?  Dozens costumed as witches, werewolves, zombies and vampires will saunter down streets to add candy to their bags of sweet booty.  But each iconic creature has a heritage beyond the common ideas of modern writers and readers, of bizarre beliefs that people once cherished as the best way to survive supernatural encounters.

     My monster of preference has always been the vampire.  But what really are the facts behind the ancient fanged predators of the night?  Did you know that vampires might be the first and only OCD  monster as it was once believed that if one dropped a handful of pebbles the creature would take the time to count the fallen objects instead of pursuing its prey?  And don’t think you can kill a vampire with a wooden stake through the heart.  A wooden stake will just pin the vampire in its coffin, ’cause the creature is already dead!  My how the vampire’s reputation has evolved over the years, from filthy smelly undead beast whose scent was stronger then garlic to a figure of dark romance.

     I’ve written about vampires in several stories and even a novella titled Terror’s Taste in which I attempted to add to the vampire legacy with my own origin of the species dating back to Atlantis, and answer some of the mystery of the vampire’s special relationship with mirrors.  All in all though I’ve tried to remain loyal to the original personality of the vampire – a creature cursed to the night with little humanity remaining.

     At Monstermania in Baltimore I listened with great curiosity to Christopher Sarandon speaking of fashioning his vampire character for the 80’s film Fright Night.  Apparently the director wanted each actor to dwell on their character’s backstories and further flesh out who they were portraying.  Faced with playing an ancient vampire, Sarandon chose to turn his attention to bats and found that there were more fruit eating bats then vampire bats.  Hence his character was often seen munching on an apple, as a tribute to the character’s bat lineage not focused on blood.

     Have a happy Halloween, whichever monster you may embrace for it.  And I hope you’ll enjoy one of my frightening stories from Midnight Writings or Summoned Secrets available at http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/wrigler

Fright Night reunion at Monstermania with Christopher Sarandon (far left)
 

2001...Are We There Yet?

Keir Dullea & I.  September 2016

My mind’s been in – or on – 2001 of late.

I’ve seen the science fiction film many times but over the last few weeks I finally took time to read the book by Arthur C. Clarke.  It’s as sprawling and magnificent a science fiction experience as the film is but a bit less enigmatic – but only a bit.  The book, as is usually the case, fleshes out several sequences.  Interestingly in the book the monolith has multiple lessons like how to tie knots in addition to the use of deadly force with a bone.  And the ending has a more menacing, if not surprising, note to it.

In addition to the book, in September I had the pleasure of hearing at the MidAtlantic Nostalgia Convention first hand 2001 film remembrances by stars Keir Dullea and Gary Lockwood.  Interestingly, Dullea said that HAL’s voice on set was delivered by a set worker with a cockney accent light years from the iconic computer's now famous voice.  Both Dullea and Lockwood agreed that director Stanley Kubrick had a masterful photographer’s eye, especially in regards to detail.  Kubrick was also open to allowing the actors to bring ideas to the table.  Lockwood suggested the astronauts attempt to confer without HAL’s ease dropping in the space pod.  It’s a scene I can assure you was not in the book.

I’m done with 2001 for now.  It’s 2016.  But I have to wonder – where are the promised space ships?

The Many Names and Abilities of David Bowie

Today is the birthday of David Bowie - but when Bowie was born his name was David Jones.

It seems somewhat appropriate for an iconic musician who shed his apparent identity with each new album to have selected a new name to start his career.  Actually adopting a stage name is not all that uncommon, and David Jones/Bowie allegedly selected his new name thanks to the popularity of the bowie knife and a desire to not be confused with the Davy Jones who was heating up the music and television world as a Monkee.  But even with the Bowie moniker in place, David Jones became famous under yet another name…Ziggy Stardust.

It should probably be no surprise that an artist so talented at creating characters from his work would be equally adapt at fashioning concept albums.  Many of Bowie’s albums follow through a concept in form of character or world.  Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars was an exploration of the inner alien rock star – his success and corruption.  The album was influential in its visual attributes which were coined glam rock.  Bowie had toyed in the sci-fi realm earlier with the song Space Oddity at the time sci-fi was really just emerging as a vital component in everyday society from film (2001 A Space Odyssey) to the real moon landing.  Bowie’s future concept albums would draw on sci-fi elements from Diamond Dogs which gained life as an interpretation of George Orwell’s 1984 to Outside which took listeners to a dire future society where art could have dark origins and influence.  I greatly enjoy all of David Bowie’s work, but Outside is a particular favorite – although only after multiple listenings which I often find to be the case with Bowie’s innovatively rich out put.

Due to Bowie’s changing musical viewpoints, he is often referred to as a chameleon of music.  No surprise then that a character master should find his way to the theater.  Bowie portrayed John Merrick – better known as The Elephant Man – on the New York stage.  His film work has been more numerous – although still usually in a role of an outsider.  There is no surprise seeing him in The Man Who Fell To Earth as an alien seduced by Earth’s vices as he attempts to complete an mysterious mission.  Other notable roles of Bowie’s include his rapidly aging  vampyric character in The Hunger from directot Tony Scott and as cult favorite scientist Nikola Tesla in director Christopher Nolan’s enigmatic meditation on magic called The Prestige.

Of course Bowie’s contribution to film isn’t limited to acting.  He’s provided soundtracks to many notable films.  In fact his theme of Putting Out the Fire from the remake of Cat People is what first brought the David Bowie name to my attention!

A Year of Conventions

I vividly recall Star Trek conventions from my youth.  What fans started as an effort to restore a classic science fiction series to the screen and learn the show's secrets from its production crew blossomed wildly.  The current convention phenomena embraces numerous TV shows as well as comics and other pop culture trends like steampunk.  Fans get to connect and share their special tastes in activities ranging from costume contests to panels. For fans of TV and films the midatlantic U. S. is a great spot for conventions that fit every enthusiast's taste.  I've found 2015 to be a fun year of conventions and thought I'd share some memories of the ones I was fortunate enough to attend.

March has several sensational area cons.  In Virginia, The Williamsburg Film Festival is dedicated to celebrating classic cowboy/western media with celebrity guests, movie screenings and a large, collectible filled vendor's room.  I attended the convention last year where I got to meet guests like Alex Cord and Robert Fuller.  Alas, attending this year was not in the cards.  However I did go to Cherry Hill New Jersey for Monstermania which commenced on March 13th and appropriately enough spotlighted the popular Friday the 13th film franchise over the weekend.  Although I only attended Saturday, that day did feel a bit like a Friday the 13th with overcast skies and cool drizzle as I made my way through the labyrinth like parking lot surrounding the hotel.  Monstermania's main focus is horror films. For me, the best part was chatting with the always amicable William Sanderson.  He's probably best known as Larry, the good hearted backwoodsman, from the series Newhart but has numerous sci-fi/horror credits including Blade Runner, Nightmares and True Blood.

Spring officially arrived by the last weekend of March, but Maryland was in for a dusting of snow.  I travelled through the white stuff without the aid of a TARDIS for the Baltimore based Regeneration Con.  If you're a proponent of TARDIS travel, then you're probably a fan of Dr. Who.  Regeneration Con is a Whovian delight featuring actors and writers who worked on the long running British Sci-Fi series that still makes its presence known Saturday nights via BBCAmerica, currently with Peter Capaldi as the title character.  Doctor Who - an alien Time Lord - has been portrayed by 13 different actors on television and one exclusively for two cinematic offerings.  Two of the actors who had played Doctor Who were present to sign autographs and reminisce about their memories on the show during Q&As.  In addition to the interview sessions with actors and writers, the event boasted numerous panels of interest to fans of the time travelling doctor.  There promises to be more time travelling fun at Regeneration Con 2016.


 

The first con of April transported the focus from all things Whovian to Trek.  The Great Philadelphia

Clive Revill and I at The Great Philadelphia Comic Con.

Comic Con assembled three actors (Nichelle Nichols, Walter Koenig and George Takei) from the original Star Trek series to greet fans, do photo ops and sign autographs.  Other TV shows represented by guests included The Power Rangers and Buffy.  The Star Wars legacy was represented by several guests, including Clive Revill who voiced the Emporer in the original saga.  It was delightful hearing him discuss his career.  I eagerly talked to him about his work on stage in The Marat/Sade, on the silver screen in The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes and in TV shows such as Remington Steele.

  

Gates McFadden speaks at Steel City Con.

Pittsburgh's Steel City Comic Con is a cornucopia of vendors and celebrities.  April's edition featured guests Cassandra Peterson (Elvira) and Gates McFadden (Star Trek: The Next Generation).  The event had numerous panels and boasted a few classic TV  reunions.  Tom Wopat and John Schneider of The Dukes of Hazzard obviously maintained their chemistry from the series as they joked together about their time on the show and shared touching memories of cast mates.  Three's Company stars Richard Kline, Joyce DeWitt and Priscilla Barnes shared the stage to comment on favorite episodes like the one where confusion reigned when both Jack and Terri's date thought the other was a mental patient.


Amazing Con took place outside of Philadelphia and celebrated an eclectic mix of interests.  Guests  included artists and cosplayers as well as celebrities such as Bond girl Lana Wood and Parker Stevenson.  I couldn't help chatting with Stevenson about 80's TV miniseries as he appeared in the epic production of Civil War intrigue North and South.  It seems we are both fans of Masada. 

April ended with Chiller in New Jersey - certainly one of the area's largest assembly of celebrities.  I got to meet a Monkee (Michael Nesmith) and several film favorites including veteran actor Rip Torn.

My final Spring con was Awesome Con in Washington DC.  I got to hear a fascinating Q&A from both William Shatner and stars of The Lord of the Rings films - John Rhys Davies and Sean Astin.

Summer certainly had some hot fun!  The August offering of Monstermania in Cherry Hill had a great mix of guests including one of my favorite actors - Malcolm McDowell whose Q&A kept the packed audience amused and fascinated with anecdotes of his long career.  It seems McDowell met with disdain at his costar Roy Scheider's idea that the two claim they did their own flying in the film Blue Thunder.  Apparently McDowell loathes flying.  Sid Haig was extremely friendly to his long line of fans eager to get an autograph or picture taken with him.  Haig has an extensive career ranging from TV (the original Star Trek & Buck Rodgers) to films (Diamonds Are Forever).  As Haig signed a pic of him with 007 Sean Connery from Diamonds Are Forever for me, I couldn't help mentioning that I'd met Bond girl Lana Wood at a con earlier in the year.  His one line reply was great - "I threw her out a window once!"

Myself & Michael McConnohie at Retro Con.

September's two cons tugged at the heart strings of my youthful memories.  Near Philadelphia, Retro Con is a great event mostly celebrating 80's animated shows and pop culture.   There you'll likely walk past your favorite comic or Star Wars character.  In fact I especially felt nostalgic when I saw a group clad in the red costumes of the aliens from the original version of V.  V aired when I went to my first cons and those uniforms were awfully popular attire!  Retro Con's guest list included various voice actors of cartoons that I fondly discovered on TV in the afternoons or mornings of my youth, such as G.I. Joe, Mask and Robotech.  It was interesting to see the animation's real life counterparts.  Michael McConnohie was a voice for Robotech and has recently put his talent to use in reading audio adaptions of the adventures of Doc Savage.  I told him I was a fan of the character and it turns out we are both fans of the little known George Pal produced film - Doc Savage: Man of Bronze.  I've never tired since childhood of watching that film!

The Visitors surround C3PO & R2D2 at Retro Con.

Baltimore Maryland's Midatlantic Nostalgia Convention (known as MANC) is a treat for fans of early films and television shows.  This year's edition featured a trio of lethal lovelies from Hammer's horror films and a Bionic reunion with cast members from both The Six Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman.  The vendor's room with classic toys, books, movies and other historic mementos can easily transport one to an earlier era.


The scenery of scarlet and golden trees on the drive to Chiller's October edition really put me in the mood for Fall.  Police officers were on duty as usual guiding vehicles into the spacious parking lots across the street from the huge hotel that housed the convention.  Perhaps due to my selection of Sunday to attend, I was able to park closer then usual for my arrival in conjunction with the opening of the event and enjoyed a brisk walk in the autumn air.  The registration area was thankfully efficiently manned this year.  Once inside there was a large crowd milling through the vendors' rooms and the various celebrity signing areas.  Some of my favorite stars were signing at this con - like genre actress extraordinaire Sybil Danning whose credits include the original V TV series, Roger Corman's Battle Beyond the Stars, Rob Zombie's version of Halloween and The Howling 2 - Your Sister Is A Werewolf.  It was a pic from that film that I got her to autograph and she sweetly asked my preference for signature color!  Other celebrities included her Battle Beyond the Stars leading man, Richard Thomas AKA John boy of The Waltons and Chyna, the wrestler.
I really enjoyed chatting with a couple cult favorite actresses.  Brenda Strong said she and British actor David Warner had such chemistry as their characters in Twin Peaks that their time in the bizarre TV town was extended for additional episodes.  Being a season two player, she never got to work with its co-creator David Lynch but was directed by the show's other regular directors.  Misty Rowe played Maid Marion in the 70's Robin Hood TV spoof from Mel Brooks called When Things Were Rotten.  I remember the series as being hilarious - far funnier then Brooks film attempt at infusing the Robin Hood legend with comedy called Men in Tights.  "The show was ahead of its time," Rowe mused.  "It was cancelled because with so many sets it was too expensive."

Leroy and Star Trek's Walter Koenig.

I got to celebrate my birthday in Pittsburgh at Steel City Con's December edition.  I went with my friend Marie and her service dog, Leroy - who was a real star of the show!  Children were eager to pet him and he certainly charmed the celebrities so much so that he was called over by Star Trek's Walter Koenig and Paul Sorvino.  Leroy was happy to grant free photo ops! Leroy really liked William Katt, who he favored with some licks.  I've met Katt at several cons and he's always very friendly.  Katt starred in the '80's classic fantasy TV series The Greatest American Hero as well as numerous films.  Katt autographed for me a dvd cover of the movie Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend which he starred in opposite one of my favorite actors - Patrick McGoohan.  When I asked him about working with McGoohan he spoke of the actor with respect in his voice - especially at the way McGoohan departed the set regularly when free to return to be with his ailing wife.  All in all 'twas an excellent time and great end to the con year.

Believe it or not - the two Williams.  Myself and Katt at Steel City Con.

Many of these cons have more offerings then what I managed to briefly detail, such as musical offerings and costume contests.  There are themes for every taste in cons, ranging from faerie festivals to comic cons.  The common denominator is the fun. 

Open Channel D - And Happy Birthday

     Today is the 83rd birthday of Robert Vaughn. 
     Vaughn is a legendary actor of diverse talents who has brought charisma and a sense of gravity to every role.  His resume includes cult films such as Roger Corman's Teenage Caveman (in which Vaughn was the title character in a jungle that appeared rather flimsy) and Hollywood prestige pictures like The Young Philadelphians for which the acclaim the actor achieved resulted in an Oscar nomination.  Vaughn often found himself working alongside tinsel town's top talent and never failed to hold his own or outshine them.  Along with Steve McQueen and Charles Bronson, he was part of the line up of current or impending mega stars that reinterpreted Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai for American audiences in the form of The Magnificent Seven. Vaughn portrayed a cold hearted gunslinger who carried out his work without a twinge of feeling - although such actions would seem to haunt him. 
     Humble in stardom, Vaughn seemed happy to give audiences what they wanted and returned to this famous character type to play an interstellar mercenary in Roger Corman's low budget outer space adventure Battle Beyond The Stars which I recently viewed and found just as exciting as when I was a kid. Robert Vaughn also directly revisited The Magnificent Seven's recent TV version as a judge.  I met one of that show's stars, Dale Midkiff who spoke of Vaughn's appearance with respect.
     Robert Vaughn occasionally appears at conventions.  I've been lucky enough to see him twice.  Both time I've been impressed by his intelligent demeanor.  At The Dean Martin Expo in New York City he gave an intriguing Q&A in which along with tales from his career he discussed differences between British and American TV.  Vaughn could certainly be an expert on the subject. 
     Thanks to the success of James Bond in the movies, 60's television was dominated by spies.  Other British spies included Patrick McGoohan's John Drake who was a no nonsense agent, uninterested in frivolous activities or guns as he tried to keep the world safe and Patrick Macnee's John Steed who sported a bowler and was armed with an umbrella as he teamed with a series of lethal lovelies to fend off enemy agents.    
     Robert Vaughn and David MCallum shot to international stardom in the TV series The Man From U.N.C.L.E..  The show offered the weekly international adventures of U.N.C.L.E. agents Napoleon Solo (Vaughn) and Illya Kuryakin (McCallum) as they fended off evil  madmen, usually in service to the sinister organization called T.H.R.U.S.H..  The series started in black and white with rather conventional tales of espionage and daring do.  In the second season the series shifted to color - and much more colorful adventures.  Solo and Kuryakin generally approached their problem separately (but not always) and generally found a civilian embroiled in the case either to be used or rescued.
     Many other TV shows such as Murder She Wrote have been favorably graced by Robert Vaughn's appearance. 
     Recently Robert Vaughn starred as Albert on the British TV series Hustle, which followed the complex plans of a group of relatively kind hearted con men.  I couldn't help but smile as I weekly watched Vaughn star in Hustle and David McCallum star in NCIS.  I guess you can't keep a good spy down!  

Robert Vaughn & I at the Dean Martin Expo - June 2014. 

Monsters!

     Monsters have always held our attention, whether presented by a storyteller, upon the written page or upon a screen.  Homer's Odyssey featured various horrific creatures, most notably the Cyclops which had a hankering for human flesh.  Other monsters like werewolves and vampires have invaded our nightmares in various forms.   Scientists such as Mary Shelley's Frankenstein have sought to learn life's mystery by mastering science with frightening results.
     And then there are those walking horrors so popular on TV of late - zombies.
     Just because a guy gets his face covered with latex and drenched with fake blood to roam about in search of brains, he's automatically labeled a zombie enthusiast and expert.  I must admit that I approached appearing in Trailer Park of the Living Dead with a limited amount of zombie knowledge.  I had watched the classic vintage version of Night of the Living Dead but had not seen most of that film's sequels or the more modern renderings like 28 Days Later, in which I believe zombies have actually sped up quite a bit.  In fact I confess that of the usual lineup of iconic horror characters, my preference lies with those fun fanged denizens of the night - vampires!
     Both vampires and zombies have their fair share of the horror market and fans' hearts - as well as their throats or brains.  I've gotten to play a vampire briefly in Mortal and have stumbled around as a zombie in a few low budget pictures.  I thought I might indulge in a comparison in honor of the approach of Halloween - the holiday when everyone enjoys hearing of or dressing as monsters. 

1.  A Horrific Heritage - For far reaching historic and global folklore, the vampire seems far ahead.  Some point as far back as the biblical Lilith for the vampire's bloody origins.  Plus thanks to Bram Stoker and Dracula, the vampire has a far loftier literary heritage.
WINNER - VAMPIRES

2. The Confidence Factor - Gotta go with zombies on this one.  Ever heard of a zombie questioning its existence or trying to blend in with humanity?  Hell no!  They just want to eat your brains and make no excuses for it!
WINNER - ZOMBIES

3.  Masters of Movie Mayhem - Both Bela Lugosi and Christopher Lee made impressive Draculas.  There are few films as atmospheric with creepiness and chills as the silent Nosferatu.  This vampire was hideous to look at, a far cry from today's pretty boy bloodsuckers.  The zombie has also undergone quite a few cinematic makeovers, starting with White Zombie...hey here's Bela again!  But it was Night of the Living Dead that took the zombie from labouring mindlessly at home on a plantation and gave him an appetite for freshly freed organs.  Night of the Living Dead really renovated the whole zombie myth and released low budget movie makers' most graphic dreams.
DRAW

4.  Convention Fun -  I'm no stranger to horror cons, and it seems that the zombie isn't either!  I've seen tables touting the chance to have your picture taken with a zombie, the opportunity to have your zombie portrait drawn, and even been given a zombie survival packet.  I always see a few bloody zombies wandering about.  Course maybe the vampires are just blending in...
WINNER - ZOMBIES

5.  TV Terrors - While The Walking Dead is currently very popular on TV - Vampires seem a lot more active in this field.  TV vampires range from Dark Shadows in the 60's to Buffy to Tru Blood.
WINNER VAMPIRES

6.  The Better Role - This is my favorite category, where I get to plug the two films I acted oh so briefly in.  After the application of latex to my face to give me ghoulish good looks and being soaked with red liquid to prove I meant bloody business, I was ready to join the zombie horde in Trailer Park of the Living Dead.  I'm not sure that I can say that it was a meaty role, but the character certainly was fond of meat as he wandered through woods and pursued an ice cream truck more interested in its drivers then its frosty treats.  There were plenty of victims and organs available for a zombie to indulge in on the set as you get in the zen mindset of a walking monster whose only desire is to satisfy his horrible hunger to the tune of his own growl.  Of course once you're out of that mindset and character there's the cleaning up to do.  A lot.  I think I had a bright pink under my fingernails for a week after the first shoot.  But I've learned that dial's glycerine based soap are a wonder for removing fake blood, so I am wiser now.


Director Kat Lehmer & I on the set of Mortal.

For my vampire role in Mortal, there was no such makeup concerns.  In fact the sole wardrobe instructions were to wear black.  And there was no mindless roaming through the woods, I was on a quite cool set.  The vampire has long been the most talkative of monsters and I was given the challenge of a line.  I delivered it appropriately enough through the various takes.  Okay, perhaps I flubbed it once.
So how do I pick the better role?  I had a great time playing both.  Perhaps I should just wait and see which role I receive an award for.
DRAW









Well I guess my little comparison has ended in draw, meaning I may have a future in politics.







My ponderings on the nature of horror in film, horror conventions and film making are also to be found in my new book Midnight Writings available at www.lulu.com/spotlight/wrigler

Halloween Treats

As Halloween approaches there are numerous treats associated with the season - colorful leaves, parties with lavish offerings of candy, and scary tales.  The movies are a great medium for terrifying tales dating back to its inception. 

Some of the most spellbinding horror films I've ever seen are silent era offerings from the German expressionist cinema.  The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is a captivatingly filmed production utilizing bizarre angles to nightmarish effect as it ensnares its viewers in a sinister tale of a sleep walker causing havoc in a small village.  There's a twist at the end which I've read is a result of  1920's
German censorship.  In 1922  F. W. Murnau treated audiences to another frightening silent Greman classic - Noserfatu.  The film counts as the first adaption of Bram Stoker's Dracula (although the name Dracula was not used in hope of avoiding payment to the Stoker estate).  The movie is as spooky as possible with magnificent imagery that has passed into the vault of horror history.

Many horror films have followed, some adaptions of literary classics like the series of films from Roger Corman starring Vincent Price based on the work of Edgar Allen Poe.  The black and white films from Universal in the 30's introduced audiences to Bela Lugosi as Dracula and Boris Karloff as Frankenstein's monster.  In the late 50's and 60's British based horror films from Hammer Studios often teamed Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee for full color horror classics with an erotic edge.  Italian horror films intensified their imagery of horror for chilling films like the atmospherically frightening Suspiria by director Dario Argento.  In the 80's American audiences became mesmerized by films with villainous protagonists with supernatural abilities like Pinhead from the Hellraiser series & Freddy Krueger from The Nightmare on Elm Street movies.

W. P. Rigler with Malcolm McDowell of the newest Halloween.

And of course there is the movie which draws its name from the holiday - Halloween.  The original Halloween by director John Carpenter is a thrill ride of carefully orchestrated scary moments starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Donald Pleasence dealing with a seemingly supernatural madman that strikes upon Halloween.  The recent remake from director Rob Zombie starring Malcolm McDowell boasted a bigger budget, bloodier effects and an all star supporting cast.  

Halloween itself has been showcased by Hollywood in a multitude of styles, ranging from childhood's simple appreciation of it in Meet Me In Saint Louis to 1951's The Man With A Cloak starring Joseph Cotton as a historic writer trying to solve a diabolical mystery.

I couldn't help sharing my appreciation of such Halloween/horror icons as the vampire and the zombie in my new book titled Midnight Writings.  The book consists of my newest scary stories and articles concerning hauntings, horror films and more.  Do check it out at  www.lulu.com/spotlight/wrigler and order it for yourself as a Halloween treat!

The Anthony Perkins Legacy

April 4th marks the 83rd anniversary of the birth of Anthony Perkins.  While undoubtedly best known as Norman Bates, the career of Anthony Perkins is multifaceted and enduring.  Anthony continued the Perkins acting legacy as handed down from his father Osgood, whose roles were mainly in silent films before his untimely death.  Anthony Perkins set out to take Hollywood by storm from the start and did with diverse performances ranging from Friendly Persuasion (for which he received a best supporting actor Oscar nomination) to The Actress.  Perkins' early roles ranged from leading man in romantic pics like Goodbye Again to adventure outings like Green Mansions.  He was also adept at comedy, as proved by his work in Tall Story.  Tall Story cast Perkins as an honest if naïve basketball star courted by Jane Fonda.  That film also offered an early acting opportunity to Gary Lockwood, who appeared in it as a basketball player.



Anthony Perkins on the court in Tall Story.

During a sci-fi con I had the chance to meet Gary Lockwood and even share a meal with him.  It was fascinating to discuss his sci-fi work (in 2001 A Space Odyssey & Star Trek) and I couldn't help mentioning my interest in Tall Story and Anthony Perkins to him.  Upon reflection he mused that he didn't feel Anthony Perkins was properly utilized by Hollywood, which sought to manufacture him into a star.  Anthony Perkins was an ACTOR.  Perhaps this is a reason Perkins had better luck with starring roles in European films after Psycho.  It seems European cinema is more accepting of its lead actors disguising their appearance or star reputations for their parts, such as Laurence Olivier.  Hollywood wants easily prepackaged stars like John Wayne, whose mere name or image is a link to a specific film genre.  Perkins thrived in Europe and upon his return to the states became a marvelous character actor in supporting roles as witnessed in Murder on the Orient Express and Catch 22. 

At any rate I do think that Anthony Perkins' European films are just as good as his masterpiece outing as Norman Bates in Psycho.  Below are some of my favorites from Anthony Perkins' body of work.

FRIENDLY PERSUASION: Directed by William Wyler, this tale of Quaker life during the Civil War was Anthony Perkins' second film.  As the son of a successful farmer (played by Gary Cooper), Perkins had a role that allowed him to show both sensitivity and determination as he questions the moral ambiguity of participating in war.

PSYCHO: Alfred Hitchcock was determined to make a low budget black and white masterpiece in the style of the Hitchcock TV series - with an addition of sex and realistic violence.  Mutated from the story of real life serial killer Ed Gein, Psycho shocked audiences upon its release and still does.  Anthony Perkins' Norman Bates is highly sympathetic, despite his obvious nervous disposition and dark secrets.  Norman Bates was the role Perkins would become most identified with and would play three more times.

GOODBYE AGAIN: Anthony Perkins is a part of a three sided love affair.  The object of his affection is the older Ingrid Bergman, who although attracted to his youthful zest cannot bare to part from her less then sympathetic husband.  One of Perkins' first European films.


THE TRIAL: Director Orson Welles' version of the Franz Kafka novel finds Perkins as Joseph K.  Society seems out to get poor Joseph for something Joseph claims to be unaware of.  Is he guilty or not?  Depends on who you ask.  At any rate, the theme of one man lost in the mechanisms of society and the grandiose visuals of this film echo in later movies like Terry Gilliam's Brazil. 

EDGE OF SANITY: Anthony Perkins' later starring roles tended toward horror films, and in this genre effort he plays the iconic literary characters Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde with gusto.  This version of the classic Robert Louis Stephens novel incorporated heavy drug use and Jack the Ripper.


Film & TV Challenge

Myself & Malcolm McDowell.  Can you name the three films he played Mick Travis in?

I've always been a big film & TV fan, with eccentric tastes.  My favorites tend to be British and often in the genres of sci-fi or fantasy.  Have I seen such main stream faire as E.T. or Downtown Abbey?  Nope, and I don't plan to soon.  But if you're up for a discussion of German silent films or TV super hero adaptions, I'm there. 
Here's a few question off the top of my head (or the depths of my mind) to test your film/TV knowledge. There's no award for high scores, other then the knowledge that you've seen some pretty cool shows/films and have a good memory! 

1. Which actor has not played Dracula?
A. Bela Lugosi     B. Boris Karloff     C. Christopher Lee    

2. The only Hammer film featuring a wolfman starred which actor?
A. Christopher Lee     B. Peter Cushing     C. Oliver Reed    

3. Which historical figure has David Bowie not portrayed in film?
A. Andy Warhol     B. Pontious Pilate     C. Jack the Ripper     D. Tesla

4.Which film did David Bowie not contribute music to?
A. Cat People     B. A Clockwork Orange     C. Cool World     D. Lost Highway

5. Which Superman actor has not portrayed the man of steel on the silver screen?
A. Kirk Alyn     B. George Reeves     C. Christopher Reeve     D. Dean Cain

6. Malcolm McDowell portrayed Mick Travis is all the following films except...
A. if....     B. O Lucky Man!     C. A Clockwork Orange     D. Brittannia Hospital

7. Which sci-fi film did not inspire a short lived TV series?
A. Alien     B. Logan's Run     C. Planet of the Apes     D. Westworld

8. Which Marvel character appeared in films without first appearing on TV?
A. Iron Man     B. Captain America     C. Thor     D. Spiderman

9. Which film was based on a story by Philip K. Dick?
A. The Lawnmower Man     B. Total Recall     C. A Clockwork Orange

10.  What actor has portrayed both Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Who on the silver screen?
A. Christopher Lee     B. Peter Cushing     C. Oliver Reed     D. Malcolm McDowell

11.  Patrick McGoohan's character in The Prisoner is trapped in what's called...
A. The Village     B. The Prison     C. The Dark House     D. The White House



Answers: 1. B 2. C 3. C 4. B 5. D 6. C 7. A 8. A 9. B 10. B 11. A

Poe Time

January is the perfect time to share a spooky story, considering the length of its dark, chilly nights and anniversary of the birth of Edgar Allan Poe (January 19th, 1809).  Although mainly thought of by his peers as a literary critic, Poe popularized the horror tale by concentrating on psychological terror in his poetry and fiction.  The Raven is generally considered his most famous work, but the writer's dark shadow covers numerous classics including The Cask of Amontillado and The Pit and the Pendulum.

As cinema started, so did its fascination with Poe.  The Fall of the House of Usher was made into a silent film.  Universal added Poe to its black and white horror library with versions of The Pit and the Pendulum and The Black Cat - both starring Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff but bringing little of the Poe tales to the screen outside of their titles.  Poe's stories were often a mere starting point for filmmakers, as the writer's work generally delved deeply into the thoughts of his central protagonist in regards to a single, sensational occurrence.

Poe was most famously adapted to films by Roger Corman.  Vincent Price was Corman's principal factor bridging eight Poe based films, starting with The Fall of the House of Usher (1960) and continuing through The Tomb of Ligeia (1964).  Corman had a reputation for fast, inexpensive productions, but as his series of Poe films progressed successfully, more care was lavished on the movies - especially the final entry.

Elizabeth Shepherd still greets fans at a con.

"This was a Corman Epic - FIVE weeks shooting!" explains Tomb of Ligeia leading actress Elizabeth Shepherd.  "The first week was all on location at Castle Acre Priory, a beautiful ruined abbey in Norfolk, east England. Apparently both Vincent and Roger had dreamed of making a Poe film in a real ruin. So all the outside is on location - once we are inside the door of Verden's abode we are in the Studio - Shepperton Studios outside London."

 

Although unfamiliar with Corman's Poe films before being cast and mainly aware of Vincent Price's reputation for his earlier work such as 'Laura', Shepherd successfully threw herself into a role she had beaten out 200 actresses for - thanks to her ability to convey maturity despite her relatively young age.  The result was a classic.  Without doubt, one huge reason was the script. "He (Corman) had commissioned from Robert Towne a superior script for this movie, with well developed characters, a love-story with real emotional stakes, and was intent to make this last Poe film different and more substantial than the others," Shepherd said. 

 

 

 

 



A Dickens of a Carol!

My friend Deborah Tipton, Henry Winkler & I at Steel City Comic Con.

 

     Christmas has inspired numerous writers and artists.  One literary work which has had a profound influence on our traditional celebrations for the holiday is Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.  Released in 1843, the novella conjures up Christmas in the image of a cold, snowy Victorian landscape with lighted evergreen trees and seasonal carols sung to imbue humanity's sense of generosity.  It seems almost unnecessary to describe the plot detailing Ebenezer Scrooge's conversion from miser to eager philanthropist, as the tale has been adapted for radio, film, tv, sitcoms and cartoons. Surely everyone has seen some version, somewhere.
     There are several silent short versions of A Christmas Carol, but perhaps the most praised film production is the 1951 version simply called Scrooge with Alastair Simm in the title role.  His performance as the skinflint with a change of heart is greatly admired.  In 1970, following the success of the Ocsar winning movie Oliver, A Christmas Carol was transformed into a musical called Scrooge starring a delightful Albert Finney as the title character.  He changes heart and sings as he does so!
    TV has brought forth it own renditions of the classic holiday book.  One of the best is a 1984 TV film called A Christmas Carol which remains very faithful to the tale, delivering both holiday cheer and the chills of the story's darker side.  George C. Scott played Scrooge and David Warner was his clerk, Bob Cratchit.  Another later TV version retaining the novella's name and sticking close to both setting and plot starred Patrick Stewart as Scrooge and Richard E.Grant as Cratchit .
     A Christmas Carol has always been my favorite holiday tale.  As a youth I remember regularly watching and being enthralled by An American Christmas Carol from 1979 starring Henry Winkler.  The story was transferred from Victorian London to small town America during the depression with Winkler mesmerizing in a Scrooge like character a far cry from his popular Happy Days role of Fonzie.  Apparently regard for Winkler was present on set as I learned when I recently got to discuss An American Christmas Carol with Robert Sax, who was an assistant to the producer.

Sax said, "I love Henry’s performance and think it was one of his best. It showed how good he could be in a dramatic role. He was mostly known for his comedy roles at the time. Henry was a consummate professional on and off the set, even when shooting in cold outdoor locations. Most of all, he had to endure several hours of special effects makeup application on the days when he played the old Slade. All this happened before the set call, so he had to get up extra early. He accepted this demand of the role with grace and aplomb, although the makeup would become rather uncomfortable by the end of the day.

     At the start of December I got to see Henry Winkler at Steel City Comic Con, where it was obvious that his appeal has not waned as he spoke dynamically at a Q&A and met fans.

     An American Christmas Carol is a real gem, worth seeking out.  Almost all versions of Dickens classic holiday novella have special treats.  I find it fun reading a classic work like this (or Dracula) and observing what filmmakers select to use, cut out, or adapt.  It tells a lot about the film makers and the taste of the audience it is aimed for.

Comic Book Characters Soar

     A few years ago I got to meet Lou Ferrigno at a Philadelphia comic con.  That's where the above picture is from and it's the perfect place for an actor that used to play a green skinned comic character called the Hulk.  He was engaging to chat with and cool to fans.  The guy has a great story - an American dream type - of going from picked on teen to successful body builder to TV star.
     Lou Ferrigno's birthday was a few days ago - November 9th to be exact.  It seems he's 63 and still looks great.  He's left behind his days of hulking out and being green, but the Hulk's still out there in comic books and films.  People age, comic characters get rebooted. 
     Marvel Comics - the company that contains the Hulk - is more active then ever at bringing their colorful creations to the screen.  The Hulk has had his own movies and appeared within the highly profitable Avengers franchise.  In fact recently there has been news regarding a slew of new Marvel characters slated for the silver screen - including such established characters as Black Panther and Dr. Strange.  Of course recent favorites must return like Thor and Captain America.  Marvel apparently plans to have its characters cross over in films and there is apparently a release schedule set for as yet unmade films over the next five years.
     I suppose all this is splendid news for fans, but I wonder if the folks at Marvel productions aren't pushing things a bit - overloading its cash cow to the extreme.  It's happened before.  My prime interest in comic characters was my teenage years, namely the late 80's to the start of the 90's.  It was quite an invigorating time for comics.  Chris Clarmont's X-Men were the rage at Marvel while DC was launching artistic triumphants like Frank Miller's Dark Knight and Watchmen. Yes, as I grew up I watched comics mature in content from recounting the adventures of super heroes to exploring the dark psychology of masked crusaders.  Alas, as the comic book grew as an art form, so did the financial greed of its publishers.  Of course comic's success meant that each company adopted an attitude of multiple covers and crossover storylines to get readers to buy as many comic books as possible.  Eventually I experienced a burn out on trying to keep up with all that.  Apparently a lot of readers and collectors did as well and the lucrative comics industry sort of collapsed.
     Before 1990, comic book film adaptions were a rarity.  There had been black and white serials, but the only big budget color productions were the Christopher Reeve Superman films - in which there was plenty to savor there.
     Comic book characters had experienced more success and longevity on the TV screen before 1990.  DC adaptions include such fondly remembered shows as Adventures of Superman from the 1950's with George Reeves as the ultimate straight laced super hero, the 1960's camp classic Batman starring Adam West and Wonder Woman with Lynda Carter from the 1970's.  The later era also saw a number of Marvel TV adaptions - the most successful being The Incredible Hulk with Lou Ferrigno.  While these series lacked the CGI marvels of today's Marvel film adaptions, I liked the earnestness and creativity associated with them  I guess it just ages me, but I prefer these old adaptions to today's, which seem everywhere.  But then so did Marvel comic books in the 80's.  We shall see how long the film franchise thrives.   


   

MANC Approaches

     Once more Maryland's Hunt Valley Wyndham is about to play host to three days of film and entertainment inspired fun! September 18 to 20th are the dates of the 9th annual Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention.  I've been happily attending since it first started in Aberdeen, Maryland.  The con has definately grown over the years and played host to a multitude of guests, from cinematic classics to sitcom favorites!  The list of past celebrity guests includes - but is not limited to - Larry Storch, Ron Ely, Davy Jones, James Best, Ed Asner, Julie Newmar, and Lana Wood.  In fact Wood was at the first con and must have had a good time as she is returning.  And the former Bond girl will fit right in as a Bond himself, George Lazenby, is amongst this year's guest list which also includes Veronica Cartwright, Piper Laurie, Josip Elic and William Sanderson (another returning guest)!  The con is a great chance to collect autographs and have pics taken with the guests.  There's a movie room plus seminars and slide shows address a wide variety of topics from entertainment's history.  See you there!

For more info go to www.MidAtlanticNostalgiaConvention.com     

Top pic -myself and Ed Asner at 2013 MANC. 
Bottom pic - Larry Storch, myself and Josip Elic at Storch's stand up event in NYC.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Essential Sci-Fi Films

Sci-Fi is a genre that has been popular with filmmakers since the inception of the medium.  Check out Georges Melies 1902 short silent film, A Trip to the Moon, as an example.  Space travel, alien life forms, and futuristic predictions have long preoccupied the minds of filmmakers.  The following list is what I consider the most influential sci-fi films ever made and must viewing for film fans...

METROPOLIS - Acclaimed director Fritz Lang's 1927 epic view of a futuristic society/environment boasts impressive effects (for the era) and unforgettable German expressionist images (for any era).  Ingredients of the complex story include a disgruntled mad scientist and a female android that is a pawn for revolutionary ends.  The android's initial appearence was reputedly an inspiration for the look of Star War's C3PO while its scene of creation was an influence on James Whales work in the original Frankenstein.  This vision of the future must have been awesome to its original audience.  Its theme of the need for the heart to mediate between the hands (workers) and head (society's leaders)  still resonates.

THINGS TO COME – Based on a story by famed science fiction author H. G. Wells, this film was released in 1936 and the story starts at Christmas time 1940. It chronicles the occurrence of a great war, the struggle humanity undergoes to survive the aftermath and attempts to rebuild a society that can one day reach to travel to the moon. Raymond Massey stars in two roles and the film’s tone is quite somber throughout. There’s not a trace of camp or humor in this film, just a straight forward chronicle. But I have to say that the segment chronicling the walking death reminds me of a current popular TV series.

2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY - This collaboration from famed director Stanley Kubrick and visionary science fiction writer Authur C. Clarke is a cinematic hallmark.  The movie meditates on humanity's evolution as well as its place is the cosmos.  Its enigmatic approach to aliens and artificial life forms both baffled and entranced audiences.  Visual effects reached new levels in this 1968 film and space became more majestic then ever before.  Kubrick's approach of minmal acting and inclusion of classical music to enhance the journey into space is enthralling.

PLANET OF THE APES - Another 1968 science fiction film of great ambition that has remained popular is Planet of the Apes, based on a novel by Pierrre Boulle.  The movie starred Charlton Heston as an astonaut who crash lands on a world run by apes.  With Heston's experience at playing history's great characters, who better to face of for humanity against the apes?  Plus screenwriter Rod Serling adds a shocking final scene that has become iconic in the annals of cinema.  I'd consider this the best of the Ape films, however the initial four films that followed in the early 70's were pretty good.  And filmmakers won't let the franchise goes.  The original was remade by Tim Burton in 2001.  New versions of the saga have since appeared, the latest of which mere days ago under the title Rise of the Planet of the Apes.  

STAR WARS - While 2001 renewed interest in sci-fi as a mind expanding force and Planet of the Apes initiated the profitable bonanza of sci-fi film marketing, it was George Lucas' Star Wars that made the genre all the rage for sudio and viewers.  With a simple plot of good against evil and colorful characters drawn from sturdy archetypes, Star Wars' appearence in 1977 was a sensation with audiences. Two sequels quickly followed with the same cast and characters. In the 90's a trilogy appeared focusing on earlier events. 



                      FORGET THE ZOMBIE INVASION - WORRY ABOUT THE APES!

 

Myself posed with prop rifle and uniform from original Apes film that is part of a friend's collection.

 

 

Malcolm McDowell = Fantastic Films

Today, June 13th, is the birthday of actor Malcolm McDowell.  I've been a huge fan of his for years.  I first saw him in Time After Time, a film which wonderfully mixed sci-fi, humor and adventure.  McDowell played science fiction novelist H. G. Wells, whose time machine was stolen by Jack the Ripper (David Warner) in an attempt to avoid the authorities by escaping to the future.  Jack finds himself in an environment he happily calls home, while Wells in depressed by humanity's lack of progress.  Even a trip to McDonald's failed to lift the time traveller's spirits!

Malcolm McDowell also happens to star in my favorite film, O Lucky Man! which combines dark satire and whimsy in a plot about a coffee bean salesman inspired by McDowell's own youthful experience.  Alan Price, of Animals fame, provides a fantastically memorable soundtrack.  The film was directed by Lindsay Anderson.  Anderson was the director who brought McDowell to fame with the starring role of Michael Travis in the film if.....  McDowell returned to play the character twice more for Anderson in O Lucky Man! and Britannia Hospital.

The role which probably casts the greatest shadow across McDowell's career is that of Alex in A Clockwork Orange.  His appearence of a single false black eye lash and bowler hat accenting his tight white garb is iconic in the annals of cinema.  Director Stanley Kubrick's film offered abundant violence and nudity, but allowed Alex's unsavory actions an amount of appeal thanks to stylized scenes and McDowell's charisma.  It's shocked audiences and critics upon its release and still manages to do so.

Diverse is the best descripion applied to McDowell's work of the past 35 years.  He's portrayed villains with copious zeal in sci-fi pics like Star Trek Generations and Tank Girl.  He's been the lead in historic films with a tendacy toward drama like the World War I story of pilots - Aces High, as well as romps like director Richard Lester's Royal Flash.  Cat People presented McDowell as an odd indivdiual, desperate and cursed by a bizarre pedigree in an erotic reworking of the classic B&W horror film.  Along with other established actors like Peter O'Toole and Helen Mirren, he took a chance to appear in the sexually graphic Caligula.  Whether in the past or future, as hero or villain, McDowell is always fascinating to watch.

Most recently McDowell has starred on the TNT series Franklin and Bash as the eccentric head of the law firm which employs the title characters.

I've been fortunate to see Malcolm McDowell in person at several conventions.   His Q&A's concerning his career are always entertaining.           

Malcolm McDowell & David Bowie - 2 Greats!

Reality forges links in mysterious ways.

As a teenager I became a huge fan of Malcolm McDowell, first for his work in Time After Time.  McDowell played the great science fiction writer H. G. Wells, but in the film Wells did more then write science fiction - he lived it.  Wells created a time machine, but bad luck had a friend (played by David Warner) turn out to be the infamous Jack the Ripper and the killer escaped into time via the machine.

Time After Time led me to seek out other McDowell films.  I was repeatedly transfixed by his performances in such productions as A Clockwork Orange, if.., and O Lucky Man!.  The later is my favorite film, a heady mix of first rate acting and  music provided by Alan Price of The Animals.  The film has a surreal flair as it follows coffee salesman Mick Travis (McDowell) on a series of adventures throughout England of the late 60's early 70's era.  Travis encounters everything from nefarious businessmen to mad scientists but always looks for tomorrow's oppurtunities.  Interestingly, McDowell himself worked as a coffee bean salesman.  His character in this film, Mick Travis, was the central character in if.., and would return in Britannia Hospital.

Malcolm McDowell managed to introduce me to two musical greats.  It was McDowell's role as offscreen narrator that led me to view The Compleat Beatles.  His voice added a lot to the story of The Beatles start, growth and eventual breakup.  The film is well researched with ample facts and happily does not delve too deeply into gossip or unfounded scandals. 

Malcolm McDowell introduced me to David Bowie's work with Cat People.  The 1982 film was a remake of a black and white Val Lewton film from forty years earlier.  The remake had more blood and a stronger interpetation of the story's central theme of sexuality.  And it had a killer tune by Bowie. 

Cat People (putting out fire) has mysterious and passionate lyrics that somehow maintain an immortal flaire.  Bowie's voice seems to me at it fullest here, able to utilize its deep richness to convey listeners to an eerie plane of existance where the supernatural rules. I found myself recognizing that voice elsewhere, a TV movie called The Annhilator used Ashes to Ashes.  And I couldn't help myself from seeking out his work in albums and film.
 

  
    Myself and Malcolm McDowell at Horrorfind Convention in September of 2012. (Above)

It was a great pleasure to get to meet Malcolm McDowell at serval local conventions.  And recently its been a great pleasure to write for davidbowienews.com - go there to find more of my musings concerning the great David Bowie.
 

Remembering Patrick McGoohan

 

   March 19th is the anniversary of the birth of the compelling and charismatic actor, director and writer Patrick McGoohan.  Interesting he gave probably his most famous role, Number Six of The Prisoner, the same birthday.
     The Prisoner was a TV show Patrick McGoohan at least co-conceived, starred in, and wrote as well as directed various episodes of, both under his own name and pen names.  The series debuted in the 60's when the spy genre was all the rage, from Bond on the big screen to TV undertakings like The Man From U.N.C.L.E. or The Avengers.  McGoohan himself had starred as super-spy John Drake in two series, Danger Man and Secret Agent.  Allegedly, McGoohan had grown bored of the genre and wanted to do a series more cerebral and thought provoking.  The Prisoner certainly deserved the label thought provoking as well as enigmatic and bizarre, especially by standards set by 60's TV.
     The Prisoner revolved around the resignation of a spy played by McGoohan, which resulted in the character's transportation to an eigmatic village.  The village had a serene and tranquil visage, but was impossible to escape.  Populated by a sinister administration with an ever changing face of authority, McGoohan's character was always referred to as Number Six and he could never be sure who was running the village.  The show had surreal and sci-fi aspects including a balloon referred to as Rover which fetched back with uncanny ease those who attempted escape.  Issues explored in the show remain relevant today - including drug use, government influence and education vs mind control.  These themes were not so easily or ever undertaken by your average spy show, but their exploration appealed to Patrick McGoohan.  Perhaps that's why McGoohan felt such a close bond with the series that he merged himself with the role, even giving Number Six his March 19 birthday.
     Viewers could always expect the unexpected from the series.  It never settled for the simple hero-villain dynamic and many viewers were confused or disappointed by the show's 17th episode finale which failed to offer a tidy conclusion.  Yet the show was hailed by critics - one going so far as to call the series "an oasis in the vast wasteland of television."
     Patrick McGoohan will probably always best be remembered with fans as Number 6, but he had numerous roles of interest.  He played both heroes and villains.  He was memorable as both leading man and character actor.  Some other noteworthy roles include...

     Patrick McGoohan may well have first been noticed by American audiences for the lead role in Disney's 1963 version of The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh.  He portrayed Dr. Syn, a vicar by day and the masked leader of a gang of smugglers by night, who thwarted the wicked efforts of the local British officials.  The series consisted of three one hour episodes.  It was set in the British countryside and featured abundant swashbucking on McGoohan's part amid lavish sets.  And it had one catchy theme song that ended with a chilling laugh!

     Two Emmies were awarded Patrick McGoohan for his work on Columbo.  He played four different murderers, none of whom could best the determined detective in the crumpled overcoat.  McGoohan directed two of the episodes he appeared in, as well as episodes which featured Robert Vaughn and Billy Connelly.  Peter Falk (Coumbo) and McGoohan apparently had a good friendship, as McGoohan's work on the series ranged from the 70's to the dawn of the new millenium.  Falk even authored the forward for a biography about Patrick McGoohan.

     In Ice Station Zebra, Patrick McGoohan played a spy on the big screen.  At the height of the could war, McGoohan's David Jones was in a rush to ice station zebra to retreive a downed satellite with vital secret footage before the Russians could retreive it.  This film was Howard Hughes' favorite and he reportedly viewed it hundreds of times.  I had the chance to chat with actor Ron Masak, who appeared in the movie, and he confirmed the sub used to film on was authentic.   

     Perhaps McGoohan's best known recent role was in Mel Gibson's 1995 Academy Award winning Bravheart.  McGoohan played King Edward Longshanks, the nemesis of Gibson's heroic freedom fighter, Willliam Wallace.

     Patrick McGoohan died on January 13, 2009, leaving behind a plethora of great TV and film roles.


Below top -Patrick McGoohan receives treatment in The Prisoner.
Below bottom - Patrick McGoohan plays a secret agent in Ice Station Zebra with Rock Hudson.
        

Charlton Heston - An Actor for All Seasons!

     Today in 1923 actor Charlton Heston was born.  His roles tended toward that of the classical man of action in a wide variety of films.  You could most often find him in movies that looked to the past or future.  His acting resume included such historic characters as Moses, John the Baptist, El Cid, and Michelangelo. 
     Charlton Heston was the title character of the sound/color version of Ben Hur.  Heston brought humanity to a towering figure that fought through numerous challenges including an escape from a ship's rowing galley amidst an epic battle and a fierce chariot race that has taken its iconic place in film history.  It's impossible to think of any other actor in the role, but it is rumoured that the first choice to play Hur in that version was Rock Hudson.  Hudson passed and Heston got the best actor Oscar for Ben Hur.  Much of the movie's success can be placed on Heston's mighty shoulders.  The film is tied with Titanic and Return of the King for most Oscar wins.   
     For sci-fi fans, Heston entered a number of chilling futuristic scenerios.  Heston fought for man's dignity as an astronaught stranded on The Planet of the Apes in the 1968 classic version.  He was a scientist trying to survive in a city over run by the mutated survivors of war in The Omega Man based on the novel I Am Legend.  In Soylent Green, Heston was a police man who discovered a terrible secret in an overpopulated world.     
     Heston's work was primarily restricted to the cinematic big screen.  Yet later in his career Charlton Heston appeared in several TV productions including A Man for All Seasons and Treasure Island, which was directed by his son, Frazier Heston.
     Charlton Heston was no stranger to the political arena.  He was a staunch advocate of civil rights while being known for his conservative views.  However it his acting legacy that shines brightly and is ready to entertain countless new viewers via TV reruns or DVDS.      

September Conventions - Baltimore

Summer is winding to an end, and for fans of classic tv/films, Baltimore is the place to be!

September 19-21 is the Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention in Hunt Valley Maryland. I’ve attended this con annually since it started in Aberdeen, MD. Now it has grown wonderfully to fit its current locale in Maryland at the Hunt Valley Wyndham. The convention’s relaxed atmosphere allows for fun panels ranging from classic characters to radio programs and chats with the celebrities. I remember talking with William Sanderson (Larry on Newhart) about our mutual affection for Jackie Gleason in The Honeymooners. It’s been cool seeing in person these iconic faces usually viewed on the TV or silver screen – Larry Storch (Agarn on F Troop), David Hedison (Capt. Crane on Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea), Roy Thinnes (David Vincent on The Invaders), Ron Ely (Tv’s Tarzan), Davy Jones of The Monkees, legendary actress Celeste Holm. This year’s batch of celebrities prove to be equally entertaining – Ed Asner, Robert Loggia, Johnny Crawford, Elizabeth Shepherd, Margaret O’Brien and the return of one of my favorite stars – Larry Storch. A certain three stooges have even been known to show up. I love the cross section of genres and mediums. If there were one show whose cast I’d like to see finally represented at the Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention it would be a guest from the original Star Trek series. After all, that show did sort of create the con!
For more info – http://www.MidAtlanticNostalgiaConvention.com

September 27-29 is Monstermania. Monstermania has been going on in Cherry Hill New Jersey for some time, but the Baltimore incarnation (again at the Hunt Valley Wyndham) has only been running for a few years. This event will be celebrating a reunion of television’s Batman series, as well as other celebrity guests. I’m especially excited that it appears my publisher DonnaInk Publications, will have a table where you can get a copy of my vampire tale, Terror’s Taste. Of course you can always find the book at DonnaInk.org and for more info about Monstermania go to Monstermania.net.

Happy Memories!