HAPPY BIRTHDAY! II

[bansi4]

Two things for certain: Dina Merrill never had to worry about money, and I like Post cereals, espcially Sugar Crisp.

[vecchiolarry]

Hi,

 

Marjorie Merriweather Post and E.F. Hutton also had a super double deluxe apartment on Fifth Avenue and 92nd Street. It took up 2 floors and had a foyer you could hold a dance in.

Mrs. Post was married to Joseph Davies, who was the ambassador to the Soviet Union during WWII and it was Stalin who sold her all her Russian treasures. He needed money for the war.

 

Larry

[JackBurley]

Yes, they lived in the Soviet Union in the late 1930's. Their Long Island home in Brookville is now the C.W. Post College (named after her father; Dina's grandfather). Ms. Post's bedroom is now the Chancellor's office.

 

Deen Wee, Ms. Merrill's "doll house" was a thatched roof cottage where she could play. Every detail was scaled to a child's size, including the kitchen with small working oven. I believe Deen Wee is now the campus security post.

[bansi4]

Born this day December 10th:

 

Lead/co-star Kenneth Branagh is 46.

Compassionate Irish actor, Oscar nominated best actor for his role as "Henry V" (also best director nominee). In "Much Ado About Nothing", "Frankenstein", "Othello", "Hamlet", "Wild Wild West", "Rabbit Proof Fence", "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets", "The Magic Flute", etc.

Divorced from Emma Thompson. Dated Alicia Silverstone. Also won an Emmy Award.

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Co-star/support Michael Clarke Duncan is 49.

Dependable 6'5" character actor, Oscar nominated best support for his outstanding role as John Coffey in "The Green Mile". Also in "Bulworth", "Armageddon", "The Whole Nine Yards", "Planet of the Apes", "The Scorpion King", "Sin City", "The Island", "School for Scoundrels", etc.

His friend Bruce Willis pushed for him to play the part of John Coffey. Supposedly gives five dollars to anyone who recognizes him on the street and knows what his full name is.

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Lead/co-star Tommy Kirk is 65.

Former scrappy juvenile actor, discovered by Walt Disney. In "Old Yeller" good role, "The Shaggy Dog", "Swiss Family Robinson", "Babes in Toyland", "Bon Voyage!", "Son of Flubber", "The Monkey's Uncle" as Merlin Jones, "The Pajama Party" as a Martian, "Village of the Giants", etc.

Also on the 'Mickey Mouse Club' for a season.

When word got out that he was gay, he was dismissed from his Disney contract. He was signed for a part in "The Sons of Katie Elder" with John Wayne, and after getting caught with pot at a party, was fired. Eventually got into drugs.

Has since been a success in the carpet and upholstery business. Last on screen in 2001.

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Co-star/support Fionnula Flanagan is 65.

Talented Irish actress, in "Youngblood", "Some Mother's Son" good role, "Waking Ned Devine", "With or Without You", "The Others", "Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood", "Tears of the Sun", "Transamerica", etc.

Married since 1972. A stage actress, she was nominated for a Tony Award. On the cable TV series "Brotherhood".

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Co-star/support Harold Gould is 83 today.

Essential character actor, in "Harper", "Inside Daisy Clover", "The Sting" good role, "The Front Page", "Love and Death", "Silent Movie", "The Big Bus", "Gus", "Patch Adams", "Stuart Little", "Freaky Friday", etc.

Appeared oodles of times on TV, notably as the dad on "Rhoda", and as Miles on "The Golden Girls". Nominated for 5 Emmy Awards. Also on Broadway.

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Posthumous

 

Co-star/support Mako (72) 1933-2006.

Talented Japanese actor, Oscar nominated best support for "The Sand Pebbles". In "The Hawaiians", "The Killer Elite", "Testament", "Tucker the Man and His Dream", "An Unremarkable Life" w/Patricia Neal, "Pacific Heights", "Pearl Harbor", "Seven Years in Tibet", "Memories of a Geisha", etc.

Was married with 2 daughters. Also starred on Broadway (Tony Award nominee).

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Co-star/support Tommy Rettig (54) 1941-1996.

Former child actor, remembered as Jeff on TVs original "Lassie" series. In "The Jackpot" w/James Stewart, "So Big" w/Wyman, "The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T.", "River of No Return" w/MM, "The Raid", "The Egyptian", "The Cobweb", "The Last Wagon", etc.

He was divorced with 2 sons. Became a successful software developer. Mr. Rettig was also a long time advocate for the legalization of marijuana.

He supposedly died of natural causes.

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Lead/co-star Dorothy Lamour (81) 1914-1996.

Lovely, appealing actress, in "The Hurricane", "Her Jungle Love" w/Ray Milland, "Spawn of the North" w/Raft, "Johnny Apollo" w/Tyrone Power, "Chad Hanna" w/Fonda, "Road to Singapore" (followed by 6 more 'Road' films with Hope and Crosby), "Aloma of the South Seas", "A Medal for Benny", "Lulu Belle', "The Greatest Show on Earth", "Donovan's Reef", etc.

Was married with 3 sons. Her trademark was a floral print wrap-a-round sarong. Quoted: About working with Hope & Crosby: "I felt like a wonderful sandwich, a slice of white bread between two slices of ham."

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Co-star/support Una Merkel (82) 1903-1986.

Superior character actress in over 100 films (many pre-codes), Oscar nominated best support for "Summer and Smoke". In "Red-Headed Woman", "42nd. Street", "Bombshell" w/Harlow, "On Borrowed Time", "Destry Rides Again" in a saloon brawl with Dietrich, "The Bank Dick", "My Blue Heaven", "Bundle of Joy", "The Mating Game", "The Parent Trap", "Summer Magic", etc.

Divorced in 1945 after 13 years of marriage. On Broadway, she won a Tony Award.

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Co-star/support Ray Collins (75) 1889-1965.

Reliable character actor, gave strong support in "Citizen Kane", "The Magnificent Ambersons", "The Big Street", "The Human Comedy", "Leave Her to Heaven", "The Best Years of Our Lives", "Bad for Each Other", "Touch of Evil", etc.

Had a recurring role in a few 'Ma & Pa Kettle' films. On TVs "Perry Mason" as Lt. Tragg for 8 seasons.

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Co-star/support Dan Blocker (43) 1928-1972.

Big, brawny actor, remembered as Hoss Cartwright on TVs "Bonanza". In "The Young Captives", 'Come Blow Your Horn" w/Sinatra, "Lady in Cement", etc.

Was married with 4 children, which included twin girls. On numerous TV shows. Sadly, he died after surgery.

Became close friends with Robert Altman when Altman was directing episodes of the TV show "Bonanza" (1959). Altman's "Bonanza" (1959) episodes often featured the Hoss character and frequently were humorous. Altman wanted Blocker to play the Roger Wade character in his version of Raymond Chandler's "The Long Goodbye" (1973), but he died before the commencement of shooting. The movie was dedicated to Blocker.

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Lead/co-star Anne Gwynne (84) 1918-2003.

Attractive blonde actress, essentially in Universal 'B' films, including "Black Friday", "The Black cat", "Mob Town", "Ride 'Em Cowboy", "Weird Woman", "House of Frankenstein", "Fear", "The Ghost Goes Wild", "The Blazing Sun" w/Gene Autry, "Teenage Monster", etc.

Married 20 years (2 children). Also a popular pin-up girl during WWII.

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Co-star/support Moyna MacGill (75) 1895-1975.

Lovely, Irish character actress, in "Jane Eyre", "The Uninvited", "The Picture of Dorian Gray", "The Clock", "The Strange Affair of Uncle Harry", "Black Beauty", "Green Dolphin Street", "Kind Lady", "Les Miserables" (1952), "The Unsinkable Molly Brown", etc.

Married twice (4 children including Angela Lansbury). Former mother-in-law of Peter Ustinov.

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In memory of those who died this day December 10th:

Prolific writer Damon Runyon in 1946 at age 66, lovely movie star Ann Dvorak in 1979 at age 67, silent screen actress Dorothy Cumming in 1983 at age 84, attractive starlet Susan Cabot killed in 1986 at age 59, delicious femme fatale Marie Windsor in 2000 at age 80, outrageous comic Richard Pryor in 2005 at age 65, and character actress Mary Jackson in 2005 at age 95.

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Mongo

[mrsl]

Mongo, you got me again - Tommy Kirk is a freckle faced, sandy haired, dimpled cutie of about 12 years of age!

 

Geez, I'm getting older, and older, every day. I got to stop reading this thread!

 

Anne

[bansi4]

Born this day December 11th:

 

Co-star/support Teri Garr is 57.

Attractive blonde actress, Oscar nominated best support for "Tootsie". Also in "Young Frankenstein" ("Roll, roll, roll in the hay"), "The Conversation", "Oh, God!", "The Black Stallion", "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" good role, "Mr. Mom", "One from the Heart", "After Hours", "Michael", "A Simple Wish", etc.

Divorced (1 daughter Molly). Appears on TV. She is battling MS.

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Co-star/support Ron Carey is 71.

Comical actor, appeared in Mel Brooks' "Silent Movie", "High Anxiety", "History of the World: Part II", and also in "Fatso" w/Anne Bancroft (also directd), Johnny Dangerously", "Lucky Luke", etc.

He was Officer Carl Levitt on TVs "Barney Miller". Has appeared on various variety/talk shows. Last on screen in 1999.

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Co-star/support Anne Haywood is 74.

Talented brunette from England, in "The Heart of a Man", "The Chairman" w/Peck, "Midas Run", "The Fox" with lesbian theme, she was a Golden Globe nominee, "Trader Horn", "What Waits Below", etc.

Widowed in 1988 (1 son). Remarried since 1991. She was born Violet Pretty. Last on screen in 1984.

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Lead/co-star Rita Moreno is 75.

Essential, versatile Latino actress/singer/dancer, won Oscar best support for "West Side Story". On screen from the 1950s in "Singin' in the Rain", "Latin Lovers", "Jivaro", "The King and I", "Garden of Evil", "Summer and Smoke", "Carnal Knowledge", "The Ritz" (Golden Globe nominee best actress), "The Four Seasons" good movie, "Angus", "Carlo's Wake", etc.

Married since 1965 ( 1 daughter). Was the first artist to win all 4 major awards, the Oscar, the Tony, The Emmy and the Grammy. On the HBO gritty series "Oz", and TVs "9 to 5". On the PBS series "The Electric Company".

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Co-star/support Betsy Blair is 83 today.

Dependable actress, Oscar nominated best support as Clara the 'dog' in "Marty". Also in "Another Part of the Forest", "The Snake Pit", "Mystery Street" good noir, "Kind Lady" w/Ethel Barrymore, "The Halliday Brand" w/Joseph Cotten, "All Night Long", "A Delicate Balance", etc.

Divorced from Gene Kelly (1 daughter born in 1942). Married to late director Karel Reisz for 39 years. Blacklisted in the 1950s, she relocated to England.

Quoted: Recalling the Blacklist era: "To sit out the McCarthy era in a house on Rodeo Drive as Mrs. Gene Kelly is not so bad. But the atmosphere that prevailed eventually destroyed my marriage. My ideas ran against the political currents of the time. By 1957 we were divorced."

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Posthumous

 

Co-star/support Robert Ivers (68) 1934-2003.

Reliable actor, in a few films with Jerry Lewis, including "The Delicate Delinquent", "The Errend Boy", "The Patsy", also in "Short Cut to Hell" (directed by Cagney), "G.I. Blues" w/Elvis, "Cattle King", "The Young and the Brave", "Town Tamer", etc.

Was married to Marcia Henderson (2 daughters).

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Co-star/support Richard Hylton (41) 1920-1962.

Talented, promising actor, in "Lost Boundries" good role, "The Halls of Montezuma" w/Widmark, "The Pride of St. Louis", "O'Henry's Full House", "The Secret of Convict Lake" good role, etc.

Unfortunately, 20th Century-Fox seemed to lose interest in him. Also did some TV work.

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Lead/co-star Marie Windsor (80) 1919-2000.

Superior femme-fatale, with extraordinary eyes. In "Touch of Evil" w/Garfield, "Hellfire" unusual western, "Dakota Lil" title role, "Frenchie", "The Narrow Margin" exceptional role, "The Sniper", "City That Never Sleeps", "The Killing" outstanding role, "The Unholy Wife", "Japanese War Bride", "Day of the Bad Man", "Paradise Alley" good little gem, "Cahill U.S. Marshal", "Hearts of the West", "Freaky Friday", etc.

Married twice (2 sons). I received an autographed photo from her just months before she died (no charge). She was a doll.

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Lead/co-star Victor McLaglen (75) 1883-1959.

Big, burley talented star, won Oscar best actor as Gypo Nolan in "The Informer". Oscar nominated best support for "The Quiet Man". Also in "Wicked", "Klondike Annie" w/Mae West, "Under Two Flags", "The Lost Patrol", "Wee Willie Winkie" w/Shirley Temple, "Gunga Din", "South of Pago Pago" w/Jon Hall, "Whistle Stop", "The Foxes of Harrow", "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon", "Fort Apache", "Rio Grande", "Many Rivers to Cross", etc.

Was married 3 times (2 children). Also in silent films. An Englishman, he in not Irish.

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Lead/co-star Gilbert Roland (88) 1905-2000.

Essential, handsome Latino actor, in over 100 films. In "She Done Him Wrong" w/Mae West, "Our Betters", "Juarez", "The Sea Hawk", "The Other Love" w/Stanwyck, "The Furies", "The Bad and the Beautiful" (Golden Globe nominee), "Thunder Bay", "Beneath the 12-Mile Reef", "The Racers", "Underwater!", "Cheyenne Autumn" (Golden Globe nominee), "Islands in the Stream", etc.

Divorced from Constance Bennett, 2nd marriage lasted 40 years. Involved in an affair with Norma Talmadge that resulted in her divorce from Joe Schenck. However, Norma lost interest before she and Gilbert were to be married and eventually tied the knot with comedian George Jessel.

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Birthday wishes go out to boardmember Trivia Man Coffeedan today.

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In memory of those who died this day December 11th:

Popular singer Sam Cooke shot to death in 1964 at age 33, superior character actor Percy Kilbride (Pa Kettle) in 1964 at age 76, dependable actor Reed Hadley in 1974 at age 63, singer/actor Lindsay Crosby (Bing's son) committed suicide in 1989 at age 51, and actor/TV host Robert Q. Lewis in 1991 at age 70.

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Mongo

[vecchiolarry]

Hi,

 

Many Happy Returns to Marie Windsor.

Those eyes, that voice - she commanded the screen. I'm glad, Mongo, that you got a card from her; I know it will be a treasured keepsake for you...

 

Also, Happy Birthday to Coffeedan; enjoy your day....

BTW, where are you Dan??, we miss you!!

 

Larry

[xuxu3]

Larry:

Gee, I thought I was the only person in the world who appreciated Fay Bainter. I thought she was a great actress and never really got credit for being as good as she was. Like you, I was so happy TCM did a spread of her films on her birthday. More than a year ago I suggested to TCM to do something like they are now doing with these birthday celebrations. I love having "Star of the Month" but so many others, like Fay deserve that kind of recognition.

 

Thanks for being there and thanks for all the wonderful info you have provided.

 

BTW my Mom's maiden name was Del Vecchio. Interesting, isn't it.

 

Pat

[vecchiolarry]

Hi Pat,

 

Vecchio is Italian for old, which is what I am - 64, I'll be 65 on Feb. 12th.....

So I picked this name for my computer nom de plume; I'm on several other message boards with the same ID.

 

Del Vecchio means that your mother & her family comes from an old branch of an Italian family. If she came from a newer branch she would have Del Novellino attached.

Probably over the years, her family dropped their surname and just went with the Del Vecchio part. You should investigate where her routes lie and maybe you're from the aristocracy as those were the ones who used this stategy.

 

I always thought Fay Bainter was a very good and subtle actress. Her work with her face and eyes and hands and expression in "Jezebel" is great. Unfortunately, I have never seen "White Banners" but I should, I guess.

 

Larry

 

Message was edited by:

vecchiolarry

[coffeedan]

First of all, thanks to Mongo for remembering my birthday yesterday. Even though I don't post as frequently as I used to (more on that in a minute), I still lurk on the boards every day. I have been posting a fair amount in the Genre Forums, though.

 

And thank you too, Larry! It's nice to be missed. Back in January, I got a lateral promotion to night security at the hotel where I work. "Night security" is a kind of catch-all term for what I do -- I not only provide security, but work as valet, bellman, room service, and anything else that needs doing at night. I've even fixed spigots and toilets! (Learned that from my dad, who used to be a plumber.)

 

And this year has been unbelievably busy! Since around March, we've had an average of 3-4 sellout nights a week, and the workload has let up only in the last three weeks or so. (That's the main reason I had to give up trivia -- between that and my job, the workload was just too much.)

 

As a result, I'm not on the boards as much, since I used to do most of my posting at night. Adding to that, the management has blocked e-mail accounts and certain other websites on its computers, and that means I can't see some portions of the TCM website, including an occasional discussion thread. So I do a lot of my posting at home.

 

But I'm trying to free up more of my schedule and computer space so I can post here more often. Stay tuned!

 

PS: If you want to see my place of employ, I've included a link to our website in my profile. Stop in any time!

[bansi4]

Born this day December 12th:

 

Lead/co-star Jennifer Connelly is 36.

Angelic-looking actress, won Oscar best support for "A Beautiful Mind" (also won Golden Globe Award). In "Once Upon a Time in America", "Labyrinth", "The Rocketeer", "MUlholland Falls", "Requiem for a Dream", "****", "Hulk", "The House of Sand and Fog", "Dark Water", "Blood Diamond", etc.

Married to actor Paul Bettany since 2003 (1 son). Also has a son from a relationship.

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Lead/co-star Tom Wilkinson is 58.

Essential, stocky British actor, Oscar nominated best actor as the distraught dad in the drama "In the Bedroom". Also in "The Name of the Father", "Sense and Sensibility", "The Full Monty", "Shakespeare in Love", "The Patriot", "Batman Begins", "Separate Lies", "The Last Kiss", etc.

Married since 1988 (2 children). Gave an outstanding performance as a transexual in the HBO movie "Normal" (Emmy Award nominee). Also a stage actor.

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Lead/co-star Wings Hauser is 59.

Dependable, curly-haired actor, usually in psychotic roles. In "Vice Squard", "Deadly Force", "Tough Guys Don't Dance" good role, "Hostage", "Dead Man Walking", "The Killer's Edge", "Tales from the Hood", "The Insider", "The Savage Season", "Irish Eyes", etc.

Married 3 times. Was on the TV soap "The Young and the Restless". Also on stage.

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Co-star/support Connie Francis is 68.

Lovely singer/actress in a few films including "Where the Boys Are", "Follow the Boys", "Looking for Love", etc.

Married 4 times (1 son). A top recording artist, she sold millions of records. In 1974 she was raped at knifepoint at a Howard Johnson's motel, which left her mentally disturbed (has since stabilized). Her songs are heard on numerous movie soundtracks. She entertained troops in Viet Nam.

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Co-star/support Honor Blackman is 79 today.

Gorgeous British actress, remembered as Puss* Galore in the Bond film "Goldfinger". Also in "A Night to Remember" about the Titanic, "Jason and the Argonauts", "Moment to Moment" good suspense, "Fright", "Age of Innocence" (1977), "Bridget Jones Diary", "To Walk with Lions", etc.

Divorced (2 children). Was on the TV series "The Avengers". Also a stage actress.

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Posthumous

 

Co-star/support Kevin Coughlin (30) 1945-1976.

Former child actor, in "Storm Center" w/Bette Davis, "The Defiant Ones", "Happy Anniversary" w/David Niven, "Duel at Diablo", "Wild in the Streets", "Maryjane", "The Young Runaways", "The Gay Deceivers" good role, etc.

On numerous TV shows including a regular role on "Mama". Sadly, his wife witnessed his death caused by a hit-and- run driver.

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Lead/co-star Frank Sinatra (82) 1915-1998.

Exceptional actor/singer, won Oscar best support for "From Here to Eternity". Oscar nominated best actor for "The Man with the Golden Arm". Also in Me Out to the Ball Game", "On the Town" grand musical, "Pal Joey", "The Joker Is Wild", "Suddenly", "Young at Heart", "Some Came Running", "High Society", "Ocean's Eleven", "The Manchurian Candidate", "The Detective", "The First Deadly Sin", etc.

Married 4 times including to Ava Gardner (the love of his life), and to Mia Farrow. Father of 3 children. A top notch recording artist, he did it his way. Ol' blue eyes was also a member of the Rat Pack.

Quote: "You better get busy living, because dying's a pain in the as*." TCM is saluting the actor this afternoon.

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Co-star/support Karen Morley (93) 1909-2003.

Attractive, talented actress, in "Politics" w/Marie Dressler, "The Sin of Madelon Claudet", "Mata Hari", "Scarface" w/Muni (her favorite role as Poppy), "Flesh", "Dinner at Eight", "Our Daily Bread" good drama, "Black Fury", "Pride and Prejudice", etc.

Maried twice including to director Charles Vidor (1 son), and 40 years to actor Lloyd Gough. Was blacklisted in the 1950s.

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Lead/co-star Edward G. Robinson (79) 1893-1973.

Superior movie actor, in "Little Caesar" as gangster Rico Bandello, "Five Star Final", "Tiger Shark", "Kid Galahad", "Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet", "Brother Orchid", "The Sea Wolf", "Manpower" w/Dietrich, "The Woman in the Window", "Scarlet Street", "Double Indemnity", "Our Vines Have Tender Grapes", "The Stranger", "All My Sons", "Key Largo", "House of Strangers", "Vice Squard", "The Ten Commandments" (always chided about his role), "The Prize", "The Cincinatti Kid", etc.

Married twice (1 son Edward G. Jr. died in 1974). Mr. Robinson was never nominated for an Oscar, which was criminal. Was awaded an honorary Oscar months after his death which his wife accepted for him. An ardent art collector. Also a stage actor.

TCM is saluting the actor this morning.

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Co-star/support Violet Kimble Cooper (74) 1886-1961.

Reliable character actress, remembered as Basil Rathbone's evil sister in "David Copperfield". Also in "Our Betters", "The Fountain", "The Invisible Ray", "Romeo and Juliet", etc.

Was married to screenwriter Walter Ferris.

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Co-star/support Laura Hope Crews (62) 1879-1942.

Delightful character actress, remembered as the befuddled Aunt Pittypat in "Gone With the Wind". Also in "Out All Night", "Behold My Wife", "Escapade", "Camille" good role, "Angel", "The Sisters", "Idiot's Delight", "The Rains Came", "The Blue Bird", "Lady with Red Hair", "The Flame of New Orleans", "One Foot in Heaven", "The Man Who Came to Dinner", etc.

Also a Broadway star. She looked and acted older than her years.

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In memory of those who died this day December 12th:

Swashbuckler Douglas Fairbanks in 1939 at age 56, dependable character actress Helen Westley in 1942 at age 67, superior character actor Russell Simpson in 1959 at age 79, divine actress Tallulah Bankhead in 1968 at age 66, suave actor Jack Cassidy in 1976 at age 49, lovely movie star Anne Baxter in 1985 at age 62, reliable character actor Larry Gates in 1996 at age 81, handsome actor George Montgomery in 2000 at age 84, and rugged actor Brad Dexter in 2002 at age 85.

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Mongo

[bansi4]

Born this day December 13th:

 

Lead/co-star Jamie Foxx is 39.

Versatile, talented actor, won Oscar best actor as Ray Charles in "Ray", nominated best support for "Collateral". Also in "Toys", "Any Given Sunday", "Ali", "Breakin' All the Rules", "Jarhead", "Miami Vice", "Dreamgirls" (Oscar buzz), etc.

Single, he has an 11 year old daughter, who lives with her mother. Began as a stand-up comic. Star of TVs "Jamie Foxx Show", he also appeared on "In Living Color".

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Co-star/support Johnny Whitaker is 47.

Former child actor (freckled-faced redhead), remembered as Jody on the TV series "Family Affair". In "Napoleon and Samantha", "The Biscuit Eater", "Snowball Express", "Tom Sawyer" (gave Jodie Foster her first screen kiss), etc.

Last on screen in 1977. Attends Nostalgia events, and has appeared on TVs "Elimidate".

He was divorced in 1988. He went through a 12 step program to rid himself of drug dependency. He has gotten chunky.

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Lead/co-star Steve Buscemi is 49.

Unique, talented actor from Brooklyn, in "Billy Bathgate", "Reservoir Dogs", "Pulp Fiction", "Fargo" good role, "Trees Lounge", "Con Air", "Armageddon", "Ghost World" (Golden Globe nominee), "Big Fish", "The Island", "Delirious", etc.

Married since 1987 (1 son born in 1991). Appeared on HBOs "The Sopranos" (Emmy nominee).

A former fireman, he volunteered in the wake of 911, spending a week going through rubble.

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Co-star/support Darlene Cates is 59.

Extraordinary (one time 500lb) lady, gave a memorable performance as the mom in "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" (both Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio adored her).

Married since 1963 (3 children). Appeared on a few TV shows including "Picket Fences", as a wife who, while sleeping, rolled over on her husband in bed, smothering him to death.

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Lead/co-star Christopher Plummer is 77.

Essential, handsome actor, in over 100 films. In "The Sound of Music" as Capt. von Trapp, "Inside Daisy Clover" w/Natalie Wood, "Hanover Street", "Murder by Decree", "Malcolm X", "Dolores Claiborne", "The Insider", "Dracula 2000", "A Beautiful Mind", "Alexander", etc.

Married 3 times including to Tammy Grimes (parents of Amanda Plummer). On various made for TV movies including "The Thorn Birds". Won 2 Emmy Awards. A grand stage actor.

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Lead/co-star Dick Van Dyke is 81 today.

Lanky, talented performer, in "Bye Bye Birdie", "What a Way to Go", "Divorce American Style", "Mary Poppins" (Golden Globe nominee), "Fitzwilly", "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang", "The Comic", "Cold Turkey", "Dick Tracy", etc.

Divorced with 4 children. Longtime companion of Michelle Triola (Lee Marvin's ex). Star of the hit TV series "The Dick Van Dyke Show" (won 3 Emmy Awards), and "Diagnosis Murder". Won a Tony and Grammy Award. Served in the U.S. Air Force.

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Posthumous

 

Lead/co-star Mark Stevens (77) 1916-1994.

Dependable, good-looking actor, in "God is My Co-Pilot", "The Dark Corner" w/Lucille Ball, "Dancing in the Dark", "The Snake Pit", "The Street with No Name", "Oh, You Beautiful Doll", "Dancing in the Dark", "Jack Slade", "Cry Vengeance", "Fate Is the Hunter", etc.

Divorced with 2 children. Had a fling with Hedy Lamarr. AKA Stephen Richards. On the TV series "Big Town". Retired to Spain, and died there.

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Lead/co-star Larry Parks (60) 1914-1975.

Good-looking, appealing actor, Oscar nominated best actor as Al Jolson in "The Jolson Story". Also in "The Deerslayer", "Down to Earth" w/Rita Hayworth, "The Swordsman", "Jolson Sings Again", "Emergency Wedding", "Love Is Better Than Ever" w/Elizabeth Taylor, "Freud" w/Montgomery Clift, etc.

Married to Betty Garrett at the time of his death (2 sons). Godfather of Jeff Bridges.

Blacklisted in the 1950s, it destroyed his career. To the HUAC, 1951: "I would prefer, if you would allow me, not to mention other people's names. Don't present me with the choice of either being in contempt of this Committee and going to jail or forcing me to really crawl through the mud to be an informer."

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Lead/co-star Van Heflin (60) 1910-1971.

Essential, underrated actor, won Oscar best support for "Johnny Eager". Also in "H.M. Pulham Esq.", "Tennessee Johnson" as the President, "Presenting Lily Mars" w/Garland, "The Strange Love of Martha Ivers" w/Stanwyck, "Possessed" w/Crawford, "Green Dolphin Street" w/Turner, "Tap Roots", "The Three Musketeers", "Act of Violence" good role, "Madame Bovary", "The Prowler", "Shane", "Woman's World", "Battle Cry", "Patterns", "3:10 to Yuma", "Airport", etc.

Married 3 times (3 children). Emmy Award nominee. He suffered a heart attack in his swimming pool, and died 17 days later.

Quoted: "Louis B. Mayer once looked at me and said, 'You will never get the girl at the end'. So I worked on my acting."

TCM is saluting the actor all day today.

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In memory of those who died this day December 13th:

'Mexican Spitfire' Lupe Velez committed suicide in 1944 at age 36, character actor Spencer Williams (Andy of TVs 'Amos 'n Andy'), handsome actor Jon Hall committed suicide in 1979 at age 64, dependable character actress Leora Dana in 1983 at age 60, and lovely actress Heather Angel in 1986 at age 77.

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Mongo

[bansi4]

 

Should mention that Mr. Heflin loved the sea, in which his ashes were scattered.

[bansi4]

Oops.

 

Failed to complete the info on the character actor Spencer Williams. He died in 1969 at age 76.

[bansi4]

Born this day December 14th:

 

Lead/co-star Dee Wallace-Stone is 57.

Attractive blonde actress, remembered as the mom in "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial". Also in "The Stepford Wives", "The Howling", "Cujo" good role, "Critters", "Lightning in a Bottle", "Temptress", "Skeletons", "Fish Don't Blink", "The Plague", etc.

Was married to the late Christopher Stone (1 daughter). Remarried since 1998. On the TV series "Sons and Daughters".

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Lead/co-star Patty Duke is 60.

Petite bundle of talent, won Oscar best support as Helen Keller in "The Miracle Worker". Also in "The Goddess", "Billie", "Valley of the Dolls", "Me, Natalie" (Golden Globe nominee), "You'll Like My Mother" good chiller, "The Swarm", "Prelude to a Kiss", "Bigger Than the Sky", etc.

Married 4 times including to John Astin. Mother of 3 sons including Sean Astin. On TVs "The Patty Duke Show" as look-a-like cousins. Won 3 Emmy Awards for various TV movies.

Spoke at the memorial service for her beloved friend and mentor, Miss Anne Bancroft, in June 2005.

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Co-star/support Marge Redmond is 76.

Reliable character actress, in "Santuary", "The Trouble with Angels" as a nun, "The Fortune Cookie", "Banning", "Johnny Got His Gun", Hitchcock's "Family Plot", "Hear No Evil", etc.

Divorced from actor Jack Weston. Appeared on the TV series "The Flying Nun". Also a stage actress.

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Lead/co-star Elyse Knox is 89 today.

Dependable blonde actress, in mostly 'B' films. In "Lillian Russell" w/Alice Faye, "The Mummy's Tomb", "Arabian Nights", "Hit the Ice" w/Abbott & Costello, "Army Wives", "Black Gold", "Forgotten Women", "There's a Girl in My Heart", etc.

Widow of all-star football player Tom Harmon (parents of Mark Harmon). Also appeared in the 'Joe Palooka' series of films as Anne Howe.

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Posthumous

 

Lead/co-star Lee Remick (55) 1935-1991.

Lovely movie star, Oscar nominated best actress for "The Days of Wine and Roses". Also in "The Long Hot Summer", "Anatomy of a Murder" (Golden Globe nominee best actress), "Wild River", "Experiment in Terror", "Baby the Rain Must Fall", "No Way to Treat a Lady", "The Detective" w/Sinatra, "Sometimes a Great Notion", "Tribute", "The Competition", "The Omen", "The Vision", etc.

Married twice (2 children). She died of liver and kidney cancer, two months after getting her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Nominated for 7 Emmy Awards.

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Lead/co-star Dan Dailey (64) 1913-1978.

Popular song and dance man, Oscar nominated best actor for "When My Baby Smiles at Me". In "The Mortal Storm", "Ziegfeld Girl", "Lady Be Good", "Mother Wore Tights" with frequent co-star Betty Grable, "Give My Regards to Broadway", "When Willie Comes Marching Home" w/Cagney, "Meet Me at the Fair", "There's No Business Like Show Business", "It's Always Fair Weather", etc.

Married 3 times (his only child, a son, committed suicide in 1975). My dad served in the U.S. Army with him, where he would entertain the troops.

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Co-star/support Morey Amsterdam (87) 1908-1996.

Comedic character actor, in "Machine Gun Kelly", "Murder, Inc.", "Beach Party", "The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit", "Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood" with an all-star cast, etc.

Was married 56 years (2 children). Remembered as Buddy on TVs "The Dick Van Dyke Show". Known as the human joke machine, he was also an accomplished cellist.

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Co-star/support Frances Bavier (86) 1902-1989.

Reliable character actress, remembered as Aunt Bee on TVs "The Andy Griffith Show" (she won an Emmy Award). In "The Day the Earth Stood Still", "Bend of the River", "The Stooge" w/Martin & Lewis, "Man in the Attic" good chiller, "It Started with a Kiss", "Benji", etc.

Was fond of pet cats and Studebaker automobiles. At times difficult, and actually not very fond of Andy Griffith. She retired to North Carolina.

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Co-star/support Lillian Randolph (81) 1898-1980.

Delightful character actress, remembered as Annie the Bailey's housekeeper in "It's a Wonderful Life". Also in "Birth of the Blues", "The Glass Key" w/Ladd & Lake, "The Palm Beach Story", "Up in Arms" w/Danny Kaye, "Phantom Lady", "The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer", "Bend of the River", "Once Is Not Enough", "The Onion Field" strong drama, etc.

Sister of Amanda Randolph. She was Madame Queen on TVs "Amos N Andy" show.

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In memory of those who died this day December 14th:

Actor/director Gregory Ratoff in 1960 at age 63, 'Queen of the Blues' Dinah Washington in 1963 at age 39, essential movie actor William Bendix in 1964 at age 58, dependable actor/director Richard Whorf in 1966 at age 60, endearing character actress Emma Dunn in 1966 at age 91, superior character actress Verna Felton in 1966 at age 76, reliable character actor Frank Moran in 1967 at age 80, English delight Arthur Treacher in 1975 at age 81, dependable character actor Clinton Sundberg in 1987 at age 84, macho actor/stuntman Jock Mahoney in 1989 at age 70, sterling movie star Myrna Loy in 1993 at age 88, comedic character actor Stubby Kaye in 1997 at age 79, funnyman Norman Fell in 1998 at age 74, British producer Lew Grade in 1998 at age 91, and lovely movie star Jeanne Crain in 2003 at age 78.

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Mongo

[bansi4]

Born this day December 15th:

 

Lead/co-star Helen Slater is 43.

Attractive blonde actress, hoping for big break in "Supergirl", which was a flop. Also in "Ruthless People", "The Legend of Billie Jean", "The Secret of My Success", "Sticky Fingers", "Happy Together", "City Slickers", "Nowhere in Sight", etc.

Maried since 1990 (1 daughter). Appeared on TVs "Grey's Anatomy".

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Lead/Co-star Don Johnson is 57.

Blond-haired, handsome actor in "The Harrad Experiment", "A Boy and His Dog", "Melanie", "Cease Fire", "Sweet Hearts Dance", "Dead Bang", "Born Yesterday" remake, "Guilty as Sin", "Tin Cup", "Goodbye Lover", etc.

Married 'twice' to Melanie Griffith (1 daughter). Married again since 1999 (3 children). Has a son from a relationship. Star of TVs "Miami Vice" (Emmy Award nominee, won Golden Globe Award) and "Nash Bridges". Also had a few hit recordings.

Quoted: "I'm better than De Niro, I'm better than Pacino. I've got the talent, they've got the material."

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Lead/co-star Tim Conway is 73 today.

Chunky, hilarious comic actor, in "The World's Greatest Athlete", "The Shaggy D.A.", "The Apple Dumpling Gang", "Gus", "Private Eyes", "Speed 2: Cruise Control", etc.

Divorced father of 6 children. Married again with 1 adopted child. On the TV series "The Steve Allen Show", "McHale's Navy", and a hit on "The Carol Burnett Show" winning 3 Emmy Awards. Successful as the half-pint character "Dorf". Also voiced numerous TV characters.

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Posthumous

 

Co-star/support Jo Ann Marlowe (55) 1935-1991.

Cute, delightful former child actress, remembered as Crawford's youngest daughter Kay in "Mildred Pierce". Also in "Yankee Doodle Dandy", "Roughly Speaking" w/Rosalind Russell, "Night and Day", "The Strange Woman" playing Hedy Lamarr as a child, "Keeper of the Bees", "Never a Dull Moment", etc.

Sadly, her life as an adult was plaqued with difficulty and illness.

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Lead/co-star Jeff Chandler (42) 1918-1961.

Tall, rugged, virile actor from Brooklyn, Oscar nominated best support as Cochise in "Broken Arrow". Also in "Deported", "Bird of Paradise", "Red Ball Express", "Because of You" w/Loretta Young, "War Arrow", "Foxfire" w/Jane Russell, "Female on the Beach" w/Crawford, "The Spoilers", "Jeanne Eagels" w/Kim Novak, "A Stranger in My Arms" w/June Allyson, "Thunder in the Sun" w/fellow Brooklynite Susan Hayward, "Merrill's Marauders", etc.

Was divorced with 2 daughters (both have since died of cancer). He died suddenly of blood poisoning following spinal surgery. His Hollywood contempories demanded an inquest.

His one-time lover Esther Williams revealed in her 1999 autobiography, that he was obsessed with dressing in woman's clothing. The revelation annoyed many fans that she would dish such gossip.

The actor will be featured 'In the Spotlight' soon.

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In memory of those who died this day December 15th:

Big band leader Glenn Miller (killed in plane crash?) in 1944 at age 40, Latino character actor Alfonso Bedoya ('no stinkin' badges') in 1957 at age 53, superior Oscar winning actor Charles Laughton in 1962 at age 63, animation wizard Walt Disney in 1966 at age 65, Oscar nominated director Anatole Litvak ('The Snake Pit') in 1974 at age 72, and essential character actor Chill Wills in 1978 at age 75.

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Mongo

[jdb1]

mongo, the excellent Brooklynite Jeff Chandler's end was even worse than you describe it. He actually died on the operating table, having bled to death as the result of a botched herniated disc operation. The surgeon was sued for malpractice and paid up royally to Chandler's children. I think the settlement may have been a record for its time -- maybe one of our Hollywood insiders remembers it.

 

It's too gruesome, and so sad, and let it be a lesson to all of us back pain sufferers. Chandler (at home we always referred to him by his Brooklyn name, Ira) remains one of my very favorite actors, and he was always far better than the material he was given.

[bansi4]

 

Thanks for the additional info, jdb1. Mr. Chandler was also a favorite of mine.

[mrsl]

Mongo:

 

Why the question mark after Glenn Millers' name and 'plane crash'? According to the movie, that's how he died, although I don't often take a movies' word as gospel, I can't see any reason why they would fictionalize that particular point.

 

Anne

[lzcutter]

Anne,

 

I think it probably pertains to the controversy surrounding Miller's death. Was it a plane crash or was Miller's plane shot down by the Germans. There is some belief in some circles that Miller may have been spying on the Germans or British and US intelligence.

 

Was Leslie Howard on the flight as well? I know there are some who believe he was spying for the Brits as well and that was why his plane was "shot down".

[bansi4]

nne, there appears to be 3 accounts of the death of Glenn Miller:

 

I: Maj. Glenn Miller was seen boarding on a plane to Paris, where he was invited to perform for the allied troops and senior commanders of the allied armies.

Later the plane on which he was supposed to be traveling was officially reported crashed on December 15, 1944, in the waters of the English Channel.

In 1985, the British Ministry of Defence came up with explanation of Miller's disappearance, claiming that his plane could be crashed by a British bomb, which was dropped in the waters by the RAF pilots. No wreckage, or remains, or IDs were found. Glenn Miller was officially announced dead in a plane crash on December 15, 1944.

His tombstone was placed in Memorial Section H, Number 464-A on Wilson Drive in Arlington National Cemetery in April of 1992, as per Miller's daughter's request.

 

II: Mr. Arnold Smith of Southampton, PA, reported that he saw Maj. Glenn Miller's dead body in Paris. He claimed that Miller was shot by a stranger, who was arrested by GIs. Miller's body was taken by a GI ambulance to the military hospital. Mr. Smith released his account on the Big Band Broadcast on March 17, 2001, and also published the story in Philadelphia's Bucks County Courier Times on March 4, 2001.

 

III: George T. Simon in his "Glenn Miller, Sein Leben, Seine Musik" (Wien 1987) and the German paper 'Bild' in a 1997 story by journalist Udo Ulfkoutte, are having a theory that Glenn Miller died in a Paris brothel, but a plane crash was a mere cover-up.

 

Believe it or not.

[bansi4]

Born this day December 16th:

 

Lead/co-star Benjamin Bratt is 42.

Dependable, good-looking actor in "Clear and Present Danger", "Traffic", "Catwoman", etc.

Married since 2002 (2 children). Dated Julia Roberts. On the TV series "Law & Order" (Emmy Award nominee).

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Co-star/support Sam Robards is 45.

Reliable actor in "Tempest", "Fandango", American Beauty", etc.

Married twice including to Suzy Amis. Son of Lauren Ball and Jason Robards Jr. Father of 3 children. On the TV series "The West Wing". A Tony Award nominee.

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Lead/co-star Ben Cross is 59.

Commanding actor, remembered as the Jewish track runner in "Chariots of Fire", etc.

Married twice (2 children).

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Lead/co-star Liv Ullmann is 68.

Talented, serene Norwegian actress, Oscar nominated best actress for "Face to Face" and "Emigrants", etc.

Has a daughter from a relationship with director Ingmar Bergman.

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Co-star/support Joyce Bulifant is 69 today.

Capable actress in "The Happiest Millionaire", "Airplane!", etc.

Married 3 times including to James MacArthur. Was a regular on TVs "The Match Game".

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Birthday wishes go out to boardmember Allieharding today.

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Posthumous

 

Lead/co-star Noel Coward (73) 1899-1973.

Brilliant writer/actor in "In Which We Serve" (Oscar nominee), "Blithe Spirit", "Bunny Lake Is Missing", etc.

Also wrote "Private Lives" for the stage. A gay man, he was usually the life of the party.

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[bansi4]

Note: Gotta rush today, thus the birthdays are in capsule form. Excuse any typos. Be back later with the 'In Memory" segment.

 

Mongo

[vecchiolarry]

Hi Mongo,

 

Saw Liv Ullmann on TV at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremonies last week in Oslo.

She was sitting in the second row and smiling - looked good - and all dressed up.

I'm not sure if she was a presenter, as it was just a news clip, but she looked like a proper movie queen!!

 

Larry

[pandorainmay]

Liv Ullmann, last I knew, was married to a physician in the Boston area and quite active in UNESCO and literacy projects. She is spotted quite regularly at a local upscale shopping center where I've been startled to see her. She is quietly radiant in person. She seems to be genuinely shy and her privacy, (I hope), is mostly respected by the local press and public. She is probably one of those individuals whose work should be enough.

 

A lovely actress, whose work in Persona(1966) and The Emigrants (1971) alone should earn her a spot in Valhalla. We should all age so gracefully.