Once again, I don’t know if I should be sitting writing, or sitting shiveh!
The passing of legend Donald O’Conner has everyone in a grand mals funk
in Hollywood. Best known for “Singing in the Rain” and the “Francis, the Talking
Mule” movies, O’Conner was one of the best loves and most highly respected
figures in the history of American film. O’Conner died at his Woodland Hills,
California home after several years of increasing infirmity, of a heart attack
at the age of 78. According to his daughter, Alicia, one of his last comments
was, “I would like to thank the Academy for the Lifetime Achievement Award that
I will probably get now!”
I remember O’Conner from many parties in the 1960s. He was always upbeat and
funny, and loved telling stories about the old days. I learned much from his
advice and wisdom and will always be grateful for having the privilege of having
met such a warm, gentle soul.
Also departed is George Plimpton who died last month at his Manhattan
Penthouse of undisclosed causes, (officially that is, although it is said that
he had been battling cancer for some time,) at age 76. Plimpton, literally, did
it all. Athlete, actor, writer, and general celebrity, he walked with Kings and
Commoners alike. His laid-back style and self-deprecating humor endeared him to
several generations. He saw much tragedy in his life, including the
assassination of Robert Kennedy. Many people aren’t aware that Plimpton
was walking less than five feet ahead of Kennedy that day, and stayed with the
fallen Senator right up to the end.
Robert Palmer, called by many ‘The last Class-act in Music”, died of a
heart attack at the tender age of 54. Best known for his mega-hits “Simply
Irresistible” (which he reprised in a television commercial for Pepsi Cola,) and
“Addicted to Love”, Palmer was voted by ‘GQ Magazine as the best dressed star of
the eighties, for his elegant attire.
And finally, Fred Berry, who played the rotund “Rerun” in the sitcom
“What’s Happening” died at his Los Angeles home at the age of 52 from
complications from a stroke the actor suffered recently. The six-times marries
actor is survived by a son and two daughters. Noteworthy is the fact that unlike
most stars who become bitter and resentful when they become typecast, Berry
loved being “Rerun”, always decked out in his signature red beret and baggy
pants, and always willing to break into a dance whenever fans asked him to.
Meanwhile, in the “Now What Do We Do?” department, the State of California is in
a holding pattern, (with their breath,) to see if Governor-elect Arnold, can
walk the walk after months of talking the talk. The latest in a long line of
actors-turned-statesman, the terminator may have bitten off more than he can
chew, even with HIS teeth. But then, considering the others who vied for the
post, he may still prove to be the lesser of the many evils, (how could he lose
against Gary Coleman and Larry Flynt, after all!) and the buzz in
Tinsletown is that it’s unlikely a novice in politics can do much to clean up
the mess he’s inherited. His catchphrase, that “For California to win, politics
as usual must lose!” may take more than even he can muster!
And with the dust settling over Nicole Kidman’s casting as ‘Samantha’ in
the impending film version of the 60s sitcom “Bewitched”, Will Farrell,
(Saturday Night: Live) has signed on as harried hubby Darrin Stevens. Kidman's
sudden casting in the part a few months ago, (leaving “Legally Blonde” star
Reese Witherspoon and Alicia Silverstone, both of whom had been
offered the part wondering what happened,) reportedly had people fleeing,
including Mike Meyers and Jim Carrey who had both been offered the
role of Darrin. The problem seems to be the doubts that Kidman, who’s career so
far has been playing women of questionable virtue, will be able to play it
‘sweet and nice’ as the role of Samantha requires. Others who reportedly pulled
out were Glenn Close as Endora, and Betty White as Aunt Clara. Also
noteworthy, only one actor from the series was offered a part, (the only one
still living,) Bernard Fox, as the ever-womanizing Doctor Bombay, who has
not as yet accepted the part. But insiders say that he too is farblonzet,
like the others who don’t think the film will fly with Kidman is Samantha.
Nora Ephron has signed on as director for the project, which is scheduled to
begin filming early next year. Gut Mazel on that one, Nora!
Veteran actor Karl Malden will receive the SAG lifetime achievement award
at the tenth annual Screen Actor’s Guild awards next month. The 91-year-old
actor has won two Oscars and was nominated four times for his portrayal of Mike
Stone in the series “The Streets of San Francisco”. Mazel Tov, Karl!
And this in from the “My Gatkes are Still Farkrimpt” department,
remember a few months ago when I disparaged Dick Van Dyke and Mary
Tyler Moore for their appearance in “The Gin Game” on PBS? Well apparently,
I wasn’t the only one who was outraged by their image-shredding performances.
Rumor has it that CBS in seriously considering shelving their planned “Dick Van
Dyke Show Reunion” special, which was scheduled to begin shooting this year.
Both stars have been said to have received bagsful of letters from disgusted
fans, all reproaching them for their appearance in the PBS movie.
And in closing, I’d like to extend a gezunte Megillah “Get Well Soon” to Roy
Horn, of the Magic act “Siegfried and Roy”. Horn was critically injured when
one of the exotic tigers in the act grabbed him by the neck and schlepped
him off the stage before a packed audience. Speculation has it that the tiger,
in its first public appearance, thought Horn was playing with him, and became
too excited. “If the animal had wanted to hurt him, Roy would be dead now.” Said
a spokesperson for the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas where the Act has been
appearing for more than twenty years. Horn remains in guarded, but stable
condition at Sunrise Hospital. The show has been closed indefinitely.
That’s it for this month gang. Happy Thanksgiving, and I love you all! |