“Forgotten Hollywood”- Loss of Friends This Week…

October 1st, 2010

Manny P. here…

“`I’m saddened by the recent passing of talented folks from Hollywood’s Golden Age:

TONY CURTIS

TONY CURTIS

TONY CURTIS – A Hollywood legend! Tony Curtis appeared in big-budget films, and was an Academy Award-nominee for his work in The Defiant Ones. He starred in Operation Petticoat, Some Like It Hot, Spartacus, Sex and the Single Girl, The Great Race, Rosemary’s Baby, and The Boston Strangler. He cut his teeth in Winchester ’73Sweet Smell of Success, and Trapeze. His idol was Cary Grant, and co-starred with such screen luminaries as Marilyn Monroe, Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas, Jack Lemmon, James Stewart, Henry Fonda, Natalie Wood, Jerry Lewis, Lauren Bacall, Peter Falk, Mia Farrow, and Sidney Poitier. TCM plans an all-day tribute on Saturday, 10/10. Tony Curtis was 85.

EDDIE FISHER – Most notably known for his high profile marriages with Debbie Reynolds and Elizabeth Taylor. However, Fisher was the total package: singer, actor, personality. He had his own television show in the 1950’s, and starred with Taylor in Butterfield 8 in 1960.  She received an Oscar for her performance. Eddie Fisher was 82.

GLORIA STUART

GLORIA STUART

GLORIA STUART – A career spanning seven decades,  Stuart is remembered for her role as Claude Rains’ girl in The Invisible Man in 1933, and her performance as the elder Rose Dawson Calvert in the Best Picture of 1997The Titanic (her younger counterpart was played by Kate Winslet). Other movies include Gold Diggers of 1935, Roman Scandals, Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, and My Favorite Year. Gloria Stuart was 100.

ARTHUR PENN – A top-notch director of fine work on stage and screen. His critical acclaim on Broadway with Two for the Seesaw, Wait until Dark, and The Miracle Worker led to controversial assignments in Hollywood. In fact, he was reunited with Anne Bancroft and Patty Duke in telling Helen Keller’s story on screen. He also helped changed the way motion pictures were presented in 1967 when he directed the adult-themed Bonnie and Clyde. Other iconic films he directed include Little Big Man and The Missouri Breaks. Arthur Penn died just one day after his 88th birthday.

ART GILMORE – One of the fine voiceover stars of movie trailers, Gilmore promoted such  important cinema as It’s A Wonderful Life, White Christmas, Rear Window, and Vertigo. On television, Gilmore was the announcer for Red Skelton on CBS and NBC. He also lent his voice  (or appeared) on Highway Patrol, Dragnet, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and The Waltons. He got his start in radio on the Amos ‘n Andy program. Gilmore served as a National President of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists from 1961-1963; and was a co-founder of the Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters (I proudly belong to both). A Hollywood parade by the LAPD will be held in his honor on 10/4. Art Gilmore was 98.

JOE MANTELL

JOE MANTELL

JOE MANTELL – Nominated for Best Supporting Actor for the 1955 Oscarwinning picture – Marty. He also appeared in The Birds,  and Chinatown. He was memorable in several episodes of The Twilight Zone. Joe Mantell was 94.

Some of these folks may not be familiar to the average film-goer. But, they’re pioneers in their craft, and all should be remembered for the body of their work.

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Until next time>                               “never forget”