MrMagoo

A DEATH IN CANAAN was fairly well received, as I recall. I think it garnered an Emmy nomination. The murder, trial, book and movie all occurred before I arrived in Litchfield County. Ms. Barthel was working for Tidyman even though she had already published the book. Such is the life of a writer. I did not know her very well either. She wrote another book about another murder in California that was also turned into a tv film, A DEATH IN CALIFORNIA. Interesting how she didn't continue the series. I'm sure there is at least one lurid murder in every state she could detail. I see where she helped Rosemary Clooney write her autobiography. She has authored a handful of other books. Any movie with Dennehy and Farrell in it couldn't be bad.

I actually only met Tidyman once. He died not too soon after I started practicing. He had a an executive assistant who often brought the dogs in. Interestingly, the EA was a local woman and aspiring writer trying to get started back in the 80's. Her name was Joan Barthel and she wrote the book "A Death in Canaan" which was based on a true story about a teenager, Peter Reilly, tried for the murder of his mother. He was initially found guilty but became a cause celebre for such notables as Arthur Miller, Richard Widmark (both of whom I met briefly at some point) and Mike Nichols who got him a new trial and an eventual acquittal. The book was turned into a TV movie of the same name starring Stephanie Powers (as the author), Brian Dennehy and Conchata Ferrell. The trial was held in Litchfield, CT. One of my other clients was the foreman of the original jury that convicted him....and boy....he did not like talking about it.

BTW, when I was a practicing veterinarian , Alfred Uhry, the Pulitzer, Tony and Oscar winning author of DRIVING MISS DAISY was a regular client. I knew him before DMD hit it big . He had cats. He lived in NYC but had a weekend home in the NW hills of CT. I remember him being very modest and soft spoken; as unpretentious as you could imagine. He's still alive at 84. Another screenwriter client was Earnest Tidyman, Oscar winner for THE FRENCH CONNECTION and the Richard Roundtree, SHAFT series. He had two little Jack Russell Terriers that had regular names for public purposes, but in our office (he insisted I put it on their records) he would refer to them as "Sex and Violence." True story.

Jessica Tandy.....TopBilled.....you're making it too easy with the pics. Next: ACT ONE (1963) THE PRODUCERS (1967) BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID (1969) WHAT'S UP DOC (1972) BEER (1985)

LEE MARVIN.......Jose Ferrer was in a couple of them. Good one! Next: TOP SARGEANT (1942) IT HAPPENED ON 5TH AVENUE (1947) RIDERS IN THE SKY (1949) DESTRY (1954) UP PERISCOPE (1959)

Excellent! Might I ask you to explain what clue or what you knew that led you to your answer. Did I give it away right away? Or did you have to dig. I've played this game just a couple times and I find the research as much fun as coming up with the answer. I learn so much. It's also good that I'm retired. 🤪

This Hollywood couple married in the 30's and divorced in the 40's. They both were European immigrants to Hollywood. They met while performing together in a Shakespeare play. He was a prolific character actor who appeared in (mostly) supporting roles in dozens of Hollywood hits, including some of the most iconic in history. He was never nominated for an Oscar, but few doubt he shouldn't have. He held his own sharing the screen with some of Hollywood's biggest stars. Like her husband, she too had well over 100 acting credits. Most followed their divorce and many were in iconic 50's to 70's tv shows. Her final film performance was in a well known film in which another iconic Hollywood actor (not her husband) made his final screen appearance. The era and topic of that film would give it all away, so it shall have to wait. She also appeared in a famous 50's noir, but only in a portrait of the mother of another character. He died 10 years before her even though she was 7 years older. Name the couple. Name the film she last appeared in and the actor who also made it his final appearance. Name the film in which she only appeared in portraiture. See what you can do.

Richard Greene and Patricia Medina....it took some digging. He was in THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES (1939) starring Basil Rathbone and Greene played Sir Henry Baskerville. That was tricky Swithin. This was the first of the Sherlock Holmes franchise. Greene went on to play Robin Hood in the 50's television show. She was in CONFIDENTIAL REPORT (1955) directed and starring Orson Welles. This film was also titled MR ARKADIN. It was mentioned in her "Variety" obituary. Her second marriage was to Joseph Cotton who appeared in the classic CITIZEN KANE with Welles. The couple divorced in 1951 and both remarried in 1960. A tricky part was that she appeared in the Welles film 13 years after he had made his epic, CITIZEN KANE with Cotton. I see what you were up to. The 3 famous fictional characters I thought of were Robin Hood, Sherlock Holmes and King Arthur. I also considered William Tell. The other tricky part was that the supporting character was in the film title. "Baskerville"! Diabolical! I need to rest up and think a little how I can present my offering. Stand by.

Touche' My late great grandparent in laws had a great Adirondack camp right near Big Moose Lake where the setting of AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY was set. They were wealthy socialites from Cleveland that summer'd in upstate NY starting in the roaring twenties. The family still holds the property. My wife and I would go canoeing in BML because it was the next lake down, so remote and no motor boats were allowed. We would paddle into the South Bay, the site of the murder of Grace Brown. We survived. Then we would have an early dinner on the veranda of a huge Adirondack lodge which was a hotel/restaurant. It was a summer ritual. I have a 1st edition copy of AAT as well. As many of you know, A PLACE IN THE SUN was based on the novel as was THE TALENTED MR RIPLEY which I was going to use as additional clues if you had let me. I thought the American Tragedy reference might be too revealing. Next time, I'll be more careful. I'm working on my next one already.

OK, I've been working on one and here goes. This couple was married for 57 years. He died on their final anniversary day. Their respective careers spanned the 20's to the 70's. Hers ended in the 50's, his, the 70's. While neither were ever nominated for Oscars, at least 3 of his were nominated for best picture. At least one of hers was too. Her most memorable role was in a 30's adaptation of one America's greatest 20th century novels. (I have a personal connection to this particular novel that I will reveal later). She appeared in one of Bette Davis' greatest movies. Another Hollywood icon (Katherine Hepburn) considered him one of Hollywood's greatly underappreciated leading men; up there with Bogart and Tracy. They appeared in at least 2 movies together. The first after which they wed. The marriage was the only one either ever had. See what you can do. I will give more hints, if necessary, tomorrow.

Robert Stack Next: SOUTH PACIFIC (1958) THE APARTMENT (1960) CAPRICE (1967) PAINT YOUR WAGON (1969) THE STING (1973)

Leo G. Carroll ......for me, remembered most for THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. tv series Next: HOLD BACK THE DAWN (1941) COMMANDOS STRIKE AT DAWN (1942) BLOOD ON THE SUN (1945) 13 GHOSTS (1960) SATURDAY THE 14TH (1981) anyone seen this movie?

As a little aside. I heard an interview with Orson Bean on a podcast hosted by the comedian, Dennis Miller, last year. Bean was also in that Broadway production of WILL SUCCESS SPOIL ROCK HUNTER. He told a story about how Matthau lamented to him that Jayne Mansfield was always upstaging him on stage Bean, more or less, conceded that Mansfield had a couple of very good reasons for upstaging everybody in the cast. Bean also took credit for introducing Mansfield to her future husband, Mickey Hargitay. Sadly, Bean died in a tragic accident not long after that interview while crossing the street to attend a theater.

Barry Fitzgerald Next: I watched A FEW GOOD MEN (again) last night. Big fan of Aaron Sorkin and the closing scenes never get old. So.............. A FEW FOOD MEN (1992) DEATH WISH (1972) THE LAST WORD (1979) THE PRINCESS BRIDE (1987) LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (1986)

I'll pass on adding a new question. For now. I will continue to play as it is challenging. Once I get it down I'll take a stab at it. I was joking about you stopping. It was fun finding the answer and I take some pride in it. When you said the actor won a supporting actor Oscar I could really narrow it down. I was wondering what you consider Matthau mostly known for. Me? I consider him best as a dramatic actor. A FACE IN THE CROWD, FAIL SAFE, PELHAM 1-2-3, LONELY ARE THE BRAVE for instance. He was great in just about everything he did, but his comedies were 2nd tier for me. As for Carol Grace, I didn't know a thing about her. Once I had a list of Best Supporting Actor winners I could eliminate many right away. But then, Wikipedia was the best way to find spouses. Since both were married before it was easy to whittle it down pretty quick. I learned some things about Jason Robards and Karl Malden along the way. Malden had one of the longest, best marriages in Hollywood history. As...aaahhh...opposed to Henry Fonda. Thanks for the challenge.

Walter Matthau and Carol Grace That was hard. Don't do that again🤪

Robby Benson Once saw him a stage production of KING OF HEARTS at the Westport Playhouse. Entertaining. Very nasal singing voice, however. Next up. Since I just watched DINER (1982) LETS GO WITH; DINER (1982) THE EYES OF LAURA MARS (1978) NETWORK (1976) TIN MEN (1987) FOR LOVE OR MONEY (1993)

Matt Damon Next: Attended Harvard not named Matt Damon

CINDERELLA MAN (2005) Next: Really big fish

I cannot figure this one out. I looked at lists of actors who have won Oscars and Tonys. I thought Henry Fonda, then Denzel Washington. I see Jason Robards, Geoffrey Rush, and Christopher Plummer. Jeremy Irons and Paul Scofield have done it. Most of them are too young or didn't appear in the genre of films you describe. I'm coming up empty. I thought Fonda...but I don't see a spouse who fits the bill.

SUMMER RENTAL 1985 (Honest...I thought of that John Candy movie first....what does that say about me?) Next: Florida

Morgan Freeman Next: Musician first who won an Oscar for acting

RAN (1985) Next: Pirates!

BLAZING SADDLES Next: Riveting courtroom scene

THE LAST PICTURE SHOW (1971) Next: Exciting car chase scene