Archive for December 5th, 2008
December 5th, 2008
Forrest J. Ackerman – literary agent, memorabilia collector, creator of the magazine FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND, friend to Ray Bradbury, owner of the legendary “Ackermansion,” originator of the term sci-fi, and, above all, one of the greatest movie fans who ever lived, has died at the ripe old age of 92.
Here’s the Associated Press obit.
You might have never heard of him, but if you’re a horror or science fiction fan, you can bet he had an impact on your life.
December 5th, 2008
Actor Paul Benedict, who was best known as Mr. Bentley on THE JEFFERSONS, also had an extensive film career, especially in movies involving Christopher Guest.
He played the desk clerk in THIS IS SPINAL TAP, and had a memorable line when, after being called a “twisted old fruit” by Ian Faith (Tony Hendra), he mutters under his breath “I’m only as God made me, sir.” He also played Roy Loomis, the man everyone thought was Guffman in Guest’s WAITING FOR GUFFMAN, and Martin Berg in A MIGHTY WIND.
On TV, Benedict guest-starred on dozens of shows, including a memorable bit on SEINFELD where he played the New Yorker editor who couldn’t explain to Elaine why a cartoon was funny. For Gen-Xers like me, though, he made his first impression as “The Mad Painter” on SESAME STREET. (See above photo)
Though Benedict often played British roles, he was actually American, having been born in New Mexico. He was found dead in his home Monday at the age of 70, and he will be missed — and not just by fans of THE JEFFERSONS.
Special thanks to Tony Garcia for suggesting this post.
December 5th, 2008
Over at Turner Classic Movie’s MOVIE MORLOCKS blog, one of the writers praises Maleficent, the villain from Disney’s SLEEPING BEAUTY. As someone whose daughter is deep in the standard Disney Princess obsession most little girls seem to go through (When does it end? When does it end?!?), I’ve sat through my share of the classic Disney cartoons, including the beautifully remastered version of SLEEPING BEAUTY that just hit DVD. And I have to agree that, as Disney villains go, Maleficent is pretty impressive.
Here’s what the writer at MOVIE MORLOCKS says:
In addition to a refined sense of torture, Maleficent has a tremendous sense of style. She’s all swirling capes, in deep purples and black, and a diabolical headpiece that I’m assuming just because it has horns doesn’t mean that she does. She’s fairly gorgeous, really, model-tall and stylish, and she knows how to enter a room, and especially how to leave one, mostly in billowing flames and plenty of flash.
Amen. Compared to those oh-so cute good fairies, Flora, Fauna and Meriweather, Maleficent is in another league entirely. In fact, she completely steals the show. The fairies are annoying, Princess Aurora (aka Sleeping Beauty) is a doormat in a way that wouldn’t be improved until BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, and the rest of the royals are typically “good” in the blandest way imaginable. But Maleficient, like the Queen in SNOW WHITE, she’s got energy, spirit and style to spare.
Too bad she’s not in the movie more. Her scenes are when SLEEPING BEAUTY really shines — especially her dragon transformation at the end. It’s an animation highlight that still looks amazing decades later.
December 5th, 2008
Over at his blog, film critic Dave Kehr gives a recap of the recent night in New York with Jerry Lewis. It sounds like Jerry was in his eager-to-please mode and didn’t dish a whole lot of dirt, prefering instead to praise his old partner, Dean Martin, and get some laughs from the audience. Personally, I wish he’d been a bit more serious and challenging, but heck, any night with Jerry is bound to be memorable. On the plus side, Kehr says he looks hale and hearty at 82.
Read the whole recap here, and be sure to check out the extensive comments, where there’s much discussion of Jerry’s legendary never-released Holocaust drama, THE DAY THE CLOWN CRIED.
Kehr’s also the one who posted that amazing Japanese poster for THE DISORDERLY ORDERLY that I couldn’t resist using here. If anyone’s looking to get me a Christmas present, an original of that would be much appreciated. While you’re at it, get it signed too, OK? Thanks!
