Hey! I thought some of you might be interested in my profile of Shep Houghton, a Hollywood extra who turns 100 today and who appeared in the margins of an extraordinary string of classics--Gold Diggers of 1935, The Wizard of Oz, Gone with the Wind, Shadow of a Doubt, The Big Sleep, Show Boat, and Spartacus. During a career that stretched from Josef von Sternberg silents to Planet of the Apes sequels, Mr. Houghton discussed fishing with Clark Gable, danced for Busby Berkeley, and was propositioned by a Munchkin.
I spoke with the extraordinary Mr. Houghton for three hours in March. I hope you enjoy!
http://lareviewofbooks.org/essay/last-great-nobodies
Matt
