Forgotten Hollywood

Manny P. here…

“`Bernard Fox was a Welsh-born film and television actor,  best known  for bombastic roles on Bewitched and Hogan’s Heroes; and for two cinematic productions based on the most famous ocean liner mishap in history.  Fox had memorable turns in A Night to Remember in 1958, and Titanic in 1997.  He was sometimes cast when Terry Thomas was unavailable.

“`After his naval service in the Royal Navy during World War II, Bernard  began in earnest a six-decade career;  initially in movies. His big screen credits included The Longest Day, The Million Dollar Duck, Big Jake, Yellowbeard, Star!, Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo, The Mummy, and One of Our Spies is Missing.                             BERNARD FOX  —>

“`Fox prospered on the small screen, mostly in sitcoms; guest-starring in Perry Mason, The Andy Griffith Show, The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Monkees, F-Troop, McHale’s Navy, I Dream of Jeannie, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Here Comes the Brides, M*A*S*H* and Columbo. He also appeared in Munster Go Home, based on the iconic television show.

“`The venerable Bernard Fox was 89.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`The Library of Congress has released its annual addition to the National Film Registry for 2016. The 1980s and 1990s are fully represented with the inclusion of The Breakfast Club, The Princess Bride, Thelma & Louise, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, The Lion King, and Rushmore. These are worthy selections that could have been chosen decades from now. My personal interest lies in classic cinema that made this year’s class. They include:

~ STEAMBOAT BILL JR. (1928) – Buster Keaton was a masterful craftsman. This film is remembered for its breath-taking stunts and cyclone finale. After making the movie, the actor made a disastrous move to MGM which ended a productive career. His fame rests on a body of work from 1920 to 1928 when with shorts and features, he displayed seamless mastery of comic technique,  superb photoplay, editing, and intricately visual gags.

~ LOST HORIZON (1937) – Frank Capra’s big-budget, romantic fantasy delivered an emotional respite for a public that sought escape from the Great Depression, and yearned for personal utopias. Through literature and celluloid, Shangri-La became a household term. A grandiose adventure, this motion picture stands out for stunning cinematography and extravagant sets; a hallmark of  Hollywood’s Golden Age. Plus, it features the handsome Ronald Colman.

~ BALL OF FIRE (1941) – In the Howard Hawks-directed screwball comedy, Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck really shine; with able support by character actors, which included Dana Andrews, S. Z. Sakall, Henry Travers, Allen Jenkins, and Dan Duryea. It oozes with colorful period slang and boogie-woogie riffs, highlighted by an energetic performance from legendary drummer, Gene Krupa.  This production mirrored a mood of a pre-World War II citizenry. The Billy Wilder-Charles Brackett script is kind of a swing-era adaptation of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

~ BLACKBOARD JUNGLE (1955) – The landmark motion picture that coincided with the rise in popularity of Elvis Presley and rock n roll. The film titles opened to the strains of Rock Around the Clock.  It starred Glenn Ford, and made stars of Sidney Poitier and Vic Morrow. This movie had none of the subtlety of the cinema made by Marlon Brando, Montgomery Clift, and James Dean; but all of the reality and grit.

~ EAST OF EDEN (1955) – Speaking of Dean, his career exploded for 18 months before his tragic death due to a car accident. He starred in just three pictures, and his first was this brooding drama. Jo Van Fleet garnered an Oscar for her startling performance in support. It was a great year for the actress, as she also co-starred in The Rose Tattoo and I’ll Cry Tomorrow. James Dean garnered a first of two Oscar nods.

~ THE BIRDS (1963) – It’s the seventh title added to the National Film Registry from the work of director Alfred Hitchcock. This was his followup production after Psycho.  Starring Rod Taylor, Tippi Hedren, and Suzanne Pleshette, this is widely considered the last important movie made by Hitch. Despite its confusing ending, the master of suspense delivers his usual chills. His promotion in theaters for the film are now considered legendary.

~ POINT BLANK (1967) – A neo-noir crime movie directed by John Boorman, it starred Lee Marvin and  Angie Dickinson. This flick was not a box office success in 1967; but, it has since gone on to become a cult classic, eliciting praise from such critics as film historian David Thomson. A forgotten movie which helped usher in a new wave of modern drama that included Bonnie and Clyde and The Graduate.

~ FUNNY GIRL (1968) – A musical autobiography of Fannie Brice, earning its star, Barbra Streisand, an Academy Award (she tied with Katharine Hepburn). Upon receiving her statuette, Streisand famously proclaimed — Hello gorgeous! This movie was adapted from the 1964 Broadway production, and it features an infectious score and award-winning numbers, such as Second Hand Rose and People. It was Streisand’s first screen role. Omar Sharif co-starred.

“`The Library of Congress selects 25 movies for preservation, each year, for their vault in Culpeper, Virginia, because of their cultural, historic or artistic importance. This year’s picks brings a total number of films in the Registry to 700. The choices have become increasingly diverse and eclectic since the Registry was created in 1989.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here… 

“`Alan Thicke portrayed a likable dad on the popular sitcom Growing Pains, which aired from 1985 until 1992.  The show led to a number of television films. Alan was nominated for three Emmy Awards in the 1970s as a writer for Barry Manilow’s talk show, and later, for a satirical take on this genre, in the variety show America 2-Night. His son is pop singer Robin Thicke.

“`Thicke grew up in Ontario, Canada.  He became an amiable Canadian talk show host,  before making his name in the United States. Norman Lear hired him to head the writing staff of Fernwood 2-Night. Early in his career, Thicke was the composer of several tunes, including the first theme to Wheel of Fortune,  The Facts of Life, and Diff’rent Strokes. ALAN THICKE ->

“`Appearing in a number of minor films, Alan was prolific on the small screen; guest-starring in The Love Boat, Murder She Wrote, Married with Children, How I Met Your Mother, 7th Heaven, and seven episodes of The Bold and the Beautiful. In 1988, Alan hosted the Miss USA Pageant and Miss Universe Pageant, replacing in both cases, Bob Barker. The next  year, Dick Clark took over Miss USA, while John Forsythe took over Miss Universe. Thicke co-hosted Walt Disney World Very Merry Christmas Parade with Joan Lunden for seven years, when he was succeeded by Regis Philbin.

“`Thicke was a frequent pitchman for ads on Sirius, including for Optima Tax Relief. On stage, he appeared in Chicago. In 2013, Alan was inducted along Canada’s Walk of Fame. He was on the Board of Directors for the Alan Thicke Center, which specialized in the fight and research against diabetes.

“`Alan Thicke was 69.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`Months after SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment ended a breeding-orca program amid pressure from animal rights activists, company officials announced they’ll develop in Abu Dhabi a new  SeaWorld park without orcas —  the first outside the United States. The locale opens in 2022 on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island; a man-made property fast becoming a tourism and entertainment hub that is near the southeast tip of the Arabian peninsula. Willie is now free… and so is  Shamu.

“`The Abu Dhabi location will have a research, animal rescue and rehabilitation center, which will open ahead of the park, and the theme park will focus on educating visitors about ocean conservation, officials said. The two companies had been in talks since 2011 about a park in Abu Dhabi, part of the United Arab Emirates.

“`SeaWorld  decided to terminate its innovative program in March following a season of declining attendance, and pressure from activists after the release of the critically acclaimed Blackfish in 2013. The documentary chronicled the life of Tilikum, an orca that killed a trainer during an Orlando performance in 2010. The film implied killer whales become more aggressive while in captivity. Since the release of this documentary,  SeaWorld has undergone a major shakeup, and currently, is in the middle of cost-cutting efforts. The company announced the elimination of 320 jobs across its 12 parks.

“`The Abu Dhabi location will have aquariums. But, it will also use 3-D mapping and virtual-reality technologies that immerse visitors in virtual scientific expeditions and deep-sea dives. The project is to be built and operated by the Abu Dhabi-government-backed developer, and SeaWorld will license its brand and provide expertise in animal care.

“`The project is in the early stages of design, and company officials aren’t releasing details about size, costs, or types of attractions.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`This looks really fun! Visit the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Downtown Los Angeles for a White Christmas Sing-Along. There are two chances to experience this treat on December 23rd.

“`Gather your family and friends for this heartwarming holiday screening of a beloved  1954 musical with lyrics embedded on screen. You’ll enjoy singing along with Snow, Sisters, The Best Things Happen When You’re Dancing, and the all-time favorite, White Christmas. The cinematic classic film features Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Vera-Ellen, and Dean Jagger.

BING CROSBY  ROSEMARY CLOONEY  DANNY KAYE  VERA-ELLEN

“`Come early for holiday treats, seasonal cocktails, and photo booth fun. No children under 6 years of age will be admitted to this concert. Showtimes are at 3p and 8p. The Walt Disney Concert Hall is at 111 Grand Ave. in the heart of Downtown.

“`It’s sure to become an annual event.

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<—- JOAN CARROLL was a child actress, best known for her roles in Meet Me in St. Louis and The Bells of St. Mary’s. She co-starred with iconic stars, including Bing Crosby, Ethel Merman, Judy Garland, Ingrid Bergman, Peter Lorre, and Margaret O’Brien.

“`Carroll developed into a flawless songstress and tap dancer at the Fanchon and Marco Dancing School in Hollywood. Her first break  was in the 1940 flick, Primrose Path, playing Ginger Rogers’ young sister; and she earned a Critics Award. Later that year, Joan became an initial child star summoned from Hollywood to appear in a leading Broadway role — the Cole Porter musical, Panama Hattie.

“`Carroll evolved into RKO Radio Pictures resident juvenile personality. She decided to walk away from acting in 1945.

“`Joan Carroll was 84.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here… 

“`With boxing gloves in every table centerpiece, and the Rocky Theme blaring, one of Hollywood’s real legends walked into the Sunset Room at the Beverly Hills Hotel to celebrate his 100th birthday at a gathering of friends and family. Kirk Douglas —->  made a real entrance. Images from his many cinematic credits, such as Spartacus, Lust for Life, Paths of Glory, and others played on a screen behind him.

“`Flanked by Anne, his wife of 62 years, son Michael, daughter-in-law Catherine Zeta-Jones, and his grandkids, Douglas peered out over a crowd of 150 folks, including his Rabbi, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Don Rickles, and other close pals… and smiled. His physician had  promised years ago, if he lived to be 100, Kirk would get to enjoy a glass of premium vodka.

“`Charley King’s Bluebell Events oversaw the afternoon tea, where each table was designated, not by numbers, but by Kirk Douglas’ films. The birthday boy was seated at the Lonely are the Brave table, his favorite role. Michael kicked off the proceedings, saying it isn’t about age, but about what he’s accomplished. Kirk kept his remarks brief, thanking everyone for coming, and marveling at seeing most of his family in the crowd. Zeta-Jones lit twelve candles on his cake, and led the room to sing Happy Birthday with a string quartet accompaniment.

“`Rickles lightened a reverent and respectful mood, quipping to the crowd from his seat that he wanted to go home. He poked fun at Kirk Douglas’ good looks and physique. Katzenberg reflected on the generosity of the Douglas family, who are famous for their charitable giving. Steven Spielberg arrived fashionably late, and on crutches, having recently broken his foot.

“`Kirk Douglas closed the festivities by offering a toast, and downing remnants of his vodka. Here’s to a life well lived!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

“`John Glenn’s 1962 flight as our first United States astronaut to orbit the Earth made him an all-American icon, and propelled him to a long career in the United States Senate. He was an ultimate survivor of the original Mercury 7 astronauts. Political service allowed him to return to space in the shuttle Discovery at age 77 in 1998; a cosmic victory lap, and he turned it into a teachable moment about growing old. He holds the record as the oldest person in space. Glenn remains a national folk hero:  He was a combat veteran with nerves of steel; public schools, a space center, and the Columbus, Ohio airport were named after him.

“`John Herschel Glenn Jr. (above) had two major career paths that often intersected – flying and politics – and he soared in both. He was a fighter pilot in World War II and Korea, whose plane was riddled with bullets, and flew with baseball great Ted Williams during 149 combat missions. And, as a test pilot, he broke aviation records, and set the transcontinental speed record. The telegenic Marine even won $25,000 on the game show Name That Tune. That was before April 6th, 1959,  when his life changed by being chosen as one of the Mercury 7 astronauts.

“`After two suborbital flights by Alan Shepard Jr. and Gus Grissom, Glenn became the initial American to orbit the Earth.  At the age of 40, Glenn began his 4 hours, 55 minutes, and 23 seconds in space.  His ride in the cramped Friendship 7 capsule had its very scary moments, however. Sensors showed his heat shield had loosened up after three orbits. Mission Control worried he might burn up during re-entry as temps approached 3,000 degrees. Fortunately, the heat shield held. Glenn often joked that the one peer he ever envied was fellow Ohioan: Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon.

“`The mission also guided Glenn into politics.  He addressed a joint session of Congress, and dined at the White House. He became close with President John F. Kennedy, and a friend and ally of his brother, Robert. They urged him to run for office. Glenn would eventually spend 24 years in the Senate, representing Ohio longer than any senator in the state’s storied history. He became a leading expert on nuclear weaponry, and he was the most dogged advocate of non-proliferation. The senator was the leading supporter of the B-1 Bomber. As chairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee, Glenn addressed excess waste and fraud in the federal bureaucracy. He announced his retirement in 1997, 35 years to the day after his memorable orbit in space. A rare setback was his failed 1984 presidential run.

“`Shortly before he ran for the Democratic presidential nomination, a new generation of Americans was introduced to John Glenn with the cinematic  adaptation of Tom Wolfe’s book, The Right Stuff. He was portrayed as a straight arrow amid a group of rowdy astronauts. John guest-starred in a humorous episode of Frasier, a decade later, playing himself.

“`He spent his later years at the  John Glenn School of Public Affairs at Ohio State University, which houses an archive of his private papers and photos. Glenn received the Congressional Space Medal of Honor in 1978, and he was inducted into the U.S Astronaut Hall of Fame in 1990. Plus, John was happily married to his bride, Annie, for 73 years.

“`John Glenn will lie in state in Ohio’s Capitol Building before a celebration of life. The public viewing and memorial service at Ohio State’s Mershon Auditorium are planned for late next week. President Obama ordered American flags flown at half-staff until sunset on the day of his internment at federal buildings, and on military ships around the world. He will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.

“`The man with the right stuff… John Glenn was 95.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here… 

“`A musical celebrating the most decorated Tony Award-winner in history is making its Broadway debut next summer. The Manhattan Theatre Club has announced Prince of Broadway, which pays homage to the work of director-producer Harold Prince (right), will be presented at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre.

“`The production features tunes from shows that earned Harold a record  21 Tony Awards, such as Evita, The Phantom of the Opera, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Sweeney Todd, and Cabaret.  Other shows, Prince co-produced, produced, or directed on the stage, include Company, A Little Night Music,  A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Pajama Game, Damn Yankees, West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, and Follies.

“`Prince began his career as an assistant stage manager to theatrical producer and director George Abbott.  His greatest collaborator has been composer-lyricist Stephen Sondheim. In 2006, Harold Prince was awarded a special Tony for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre.

“`Prince of Broadway debuted in Japan in 2015 with Broadway veterans, including Emily Skinner, Shuler Hensley, Ramin Karimloo, and Tony Yazbeck.  This upcoming production is directed by Prince,  co-directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman, with new songs by Jason Robert Brown, and based on a book by David Thompson.

“`No cast has been revealed.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here… 

   Kirk Douglas is turning 100 on December 9th. He will be celebrating his milestone birthday this week alongside 200 of his closest friends and family at a party hosted by his son Michael and daughter-in-law Catherine Zeta Jones. And, right by his side, his 97-year-old wife Anne.

   After serving in the Navy in World War II, Kirk got his first audition in 1946, for The Strange Love Of Martha Ivers. Douglas (right) has starred in over 90 films, such as 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, The Bad and the Beautiful, and Spartacus. He worked with Rita Hayworth, Joan Crawford, Marlene Dietrich, Lana Turner, among others. Douglas also appeared in television and theater over his eight-decade career.

   He also purchased the rights to the novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest early in his career, turning it into a 1963 Broadway play. Kirk starred in the production, which ran for just five months and received mixed reviews from critics. After the play closed he tried to find a producer who was interested in making a film version of the novel, but gave up after 10 years and handed over the movie rights to his son Michael. Kirk believed he was too old for the lead role at that point, which instead, went to Jack Nicholson. The film opened in 1975 to universal praise, and it cleaned up at the Academy Awards, taking home five statuettes, including Best Actor, Best Director, and Best Picture. Kirk, a three-time Oscar nominee, received the Academy’s prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996.

   Gifts will not be necessary, Kirk revealing that he views his birthday as a chance to give back to others, rather than accept presents. For his birthday last year, the couple donated $15 million to Harry’s Haven, an Alzheimer’s treatment facility located just outside Los Angeles, and takes care of patients who previously worked in the motion picture or television industry. Thanks to that donation, the organization was able to expand, adding a two-story building that they named the Kirk Douglas Care Pavilion. He and Anne have stated that almost all of their fortune, reported to be around $80 million, will be given to charities and other organizations upon their deaths.

   The birthday festivities will feature a surprise element, and Kirk admits that he has no idea what to expect.

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   Van Williams was the actor best known for his television role as Britt Reid, and his earlier leading part in the Warner Brothers  detective series Bourbon Street Beat, and sequel, Surfside 6. Williams teamed for one season with the late Bruce Lee (right) in The Green Hornet, on ABC during the 1966–1967 season.

   Williams was discovered in 1957 by producer Mike Todd, right before he died tragically in a plane crash. Van had a busy small screen career, guest starring in The Beverly Hillbillies, The Big Valley, Nanny and the Professor, The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Streets of San Francisco, and The Rockford Files. He also made three memorable appearances with Lee on Batman, as The Green Hornet and Kato.

   Van retired from acting in 1982, and he became a longtime reserve deputy sheriff in Los Angeles County. He worked at the Malibu substation.

   Van Williams was 82.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Several names in the news are part of the passing parade:

   Al Brodax was a television cartoon producer who developed animated versions of The Beatles, culminating in the classic feature Yellow Submarine. He had been an executive producer at King Features Syndicate in the early 1960s, churning out low-budget animated fare like Snuffy Smith, Casper the Friendly Ghost, Popeye, and Barney Google

   Brodax pitched Beatles manager Brian Epstein with the idea of creating a Saturday-morning cartoon series about the Fab Four’s adventures. Although popular with Baby Boomer kids, ABC’s The Beatles was hated by the band members, who loathed the exaggerated Liverpool accents.

   After A Hard Day’s Night and Help!, the group owed United Artists one more production. The band readily agreed to a proposition: A feature-length animated feature film. The Hungarian-born producer spearheaded the project that became Yellow Submarine, based loosely on the 1966 Beatles hit, and sung by drummer Ringo Starr. Directed by George Dunning and animated by Heinz Edelmann, the psychedelic movie was an instant classic, with its animated Edwardian-styled depictions of John, Paul, George, and Ringo – along with the Blue Meanies – quickly becoming iconic of the era.

   Even The Beatles were won over.

   Al Brodax was 90.

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   Billy Chapin (right) was the child actor, best known as the heroic protagonist in The Night of the Hunter. He was personally selected by director Charles Laughton for his ability to provide a hypnotic stare for dramatic purposes. Despite the fact that the film was a critical and commercial failure, the Library of Congress selected the production in 1992 for preservation in the National Film Registry. His sister was Lauren Chapin, the former child actress who co-starred in the classic sitcom Father Knows Best.

   Chapin appeared on Broadway in 1951 in Three Wishes for Jamie, which earned him the New York Drama Critics Award as the most promising young actor of the year. The next year, he shined in a television adaptation of Paul Osborn’s play On Borrowed Time. He also starred in The Kid from Left Field and No Business Like Show Business. His many small screen credits included Leave it to Beaver and Dragnet.

   Billy Chapin, whose career effectively ended in 1959, was 72.

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<— Jerry Tucker was a former child actor who appeared in several Our Gang comedies, often as a spoiled rich kid, and co-starred opposite screen luminaries as Shirley Temple, Ginger Rogers, and Laurel and Hardy. Originally signed by Paramount Pictures, he was on loan to MGM when appearing in the Buster Keaton comedy Sidewalks of New York. Tucker was also cast in some of the biggest movies of the 1930s, including Babes in Toyland, San Francisco, Captain January, and Boys Town.

   Never enchanted with Hollywood, and in 1942, Tucker joined the Navy as part of the demolition team aboard the destroyer USS Sigsbee. He was awarded the Purple Heart after suffering a permanent leg injury when a piece of shrapnel was caught in his leg during an attack on his ship during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945.

   Tucker, whose real name was Jerry Schatz, was 91.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   A shipbuilder in China has started work on a full-scale replica of the RMS Titanic, the doomed ocean liner that hit an iceberg and sunk on its maiden voyage in 1912. Construction on the project began on Wednesday.

   Plans call for highlights of some of the Titanic’s interior features, such as a ballroom, theater, pool, and first-class cabins. Hollywood production designer and producer Curtis Schnell is working on the project, and accepted the challenge to concentrate on providing its historical accuracy. When finished, the tourist attraction will offer simulations of the infamous disaster, which killed more than 1,500 people. But, there’s no danger of hitting real icebergs. The Chinese Titanic will be permanently docked at a reservoir in Daying County, in the landlocked Sichuan province. Visitors will be able to eat on the ship, and stay overnight.

   The project is going to cost more than the original budget of $145 million, and is expected to be finished by the end of next year. The replica will be 269 meters (over 882 feet) by 28 meters (92 feet), just like the original steamship.

   The 1997 movie — James Cameron’s Titanic — was a massive hit in China. To film the motion picture, Cameron built and sank a replica of the ship; but it was 90% of the size of the original. My personal favorite related cinematic piece is the 1958 British production – A Night to Remember.

   It’s apparent this disaster still captures the imagination of a global audience.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   For my 5th time, I’ll be at this wonderful annual event. It’s a great opportunity to get some holiday shopping done with a personalized gift, and not getting knocked around at the malls. This special day takes place on Saturday, December 3rd between 12p – 4p.

   Beat the holiday rush and pick up autographed copies of the Forgotten Hollywood Book Series, and other fantastic Hollywood-related literary works. The perfect gifts for co-workers, family, and friends. And, meet some very friendly and talented authors. Just across the street from the Hollywood Bowl, the Hollywood Heritage Museum is conveniently located at 2100 N. Highland Ave.

   See you at The Barn!

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

    Grant Tinker brought an abundance of style to television with beloved shows such as The Cosby Show and Hill Street Blues to the audience as both a producer and a network boss. He was best-known as the nurturing hand at MTM Enterprises, the production company he founded in 1970, and ran for a decade. He scored with some of the most respected and best-loved programs, including Lou Grant, Rhoda, Phyllis, The Bob Newhart Show, and of course, the series that starred his business partner and then-wife, The Mary Tyler Moore Show.                     GRANT TINKER —>

   Tinker, who had come to NBC as a management trainee in 1949 with legendary founder David Sarnoff still in charge, left the company for the last time at the end of an era, as NBC, along with its parent RCA, was about to be swallowed by General Electric. He worked for this parent company on three separate occasions.

   After initially leaving NBC, he moved into advertising. At a time when ad agencies were heavily responsible for crafting programs its clients would sponsor, Tinker was a vice president at the Benton & Bowles agency, when he helped develop The Dick Van Dyke Show for Procter & Gamble. There he met, and fell for, the young actress the whole country was about to fall in love with: Mary Tyler Moore. Soon after the new CBS sitcom had begun its five-season run in fall 1961, Tinker returned to NBC, this time as Vice President of West Coast Programming.

   Tinker founded MTM and began developing its first series: a comedy to revive the flagging career of his wife. The sitcom, which premiered on CBS in 970, was a critical and popular smash for seven seasons and became the flagship series of a studio whose mewing kitten (parodying the MGM lion) came to signify some of television’s best. Along the way, MTM became an incubator for some of the small screen’s best writers and producers, many of whom — like Steven Bochco and James L. Brooks — continue to excel. Programs like WKRP in Cincinnati, The White Shadow, Remmington Steele, and St. Elsewhere became wildly popular.

   By 1981, Tinker’s stewardship of MTM had ended (as had his marriage to Moore) when he returned to NBC. Under Tinker’s regime, the network enjoyed a remarkable recovery. The Cosby Show was an overnight hit, but slow starters such as Hill Street Blues (which was from MTM), Family Ties, and Cheers were allowed to find their audience and became hits, too. Other hits included Night Court and The Golden Girls.

   In 1994, Grant wrote a book entitled Tinker in Television. That same year, he won a personal Peabody Award. Tinker was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1997.

   Grant Tinker was 90.

==================================

   This just in from TCM: A tornado touched down in Atlanta, forcing most of the staff to take shelter in the studio canteen in the basement. The good news… Everyone was safe.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   This weekend, two character actors of note have died.

   Fritz Weaver was an accomplished performer, who won a Tony for his role in Child’s Play in 1970. He also received an Emmy nod, and appeared in dozens of television programs and important cinema. In 2010, Weaver was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame.

   Turning to acting in the mid-1950s, he excelled on television, with guest starring roles in The Twilight Zone, Combat, Dr. Kildare, Rawhide, The Fugitive, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Mannix, The Big Valley, Gunsmoke, Kung Fu, Mission: Impossible, Night Gallery, Matlock, Hawaii Five-0, Wonder Woman, Magnum P.I., Murder She Wrote, Law & Order, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, The X-Files, and Frasier. Beginning in 1995,  Weaver worked primarily as a voice actor, providing narration for programs on the History Channel.      FRITZ WEAVER —>

   On the big screen, he co-starred in Fail Safe, The Day of the Dolphin, Marathon Man, Black Sunday, Creepshow, and the 1999 remake of The Thomas Crown Affair. Broadway credits include The Chalk Garden, Baker Street, Love Letters, and The Crucible.

   Fritz Weaver was 90.

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<— RON GLASS was a familiar face on television, best known for his Emmy-nominated role on Barney Miller. He was also memorable in the science fiction series, Firefly.

   Glass made his stage debut at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis  before moving to Hollywood. He made his home on television, guest-starring in Sanford and Son, All in the Family, Maude, Good Times, Hawaii Five-0, The Bob Newhart Show, Hart to Hart, Amen, The Streets of San Francisco, Murder She Wrote, Star Trek: Voyager, and Friends. Along with Barney Miller, he co-starred in Mr. Rhodes and The New Odd Couple.

   Ron Glass was 71.

Until next time>                               “never forget”

Manny P. here…

   Dinosaurs in museums tend to be of the fossilized variety, but a new exhibit in Philadelphia is bringing the creatures and their world to life. Jurassic World: The Exhibition opens at the Franklin Institute on Friday. Based on the blockbuster dinosaur movie franchise, the experience mixes the vibe of a theme park with the backstory of science, but the big attraction is the animatronic dinosaurs; some measuring over 24 feet tall.

   In his book Jurassic Park, Michael Crichton based the character Alan Grant on Jack Horner. Steven Spielberg brought Horner on as a technical adviser on all of the Jurassic Park movies — and Horner did it without a college degree and with dyslexia. Exhibit organizers worked closely with the dinosaur researcher, one of the best-known paleontologists in the world, to help get the science right. He discovered the world’s first dinosaur embryos, found they had nests, and cared for their young.

   The museum hopes to appeal to fans of science as well as fans of the movie. An educator guide offers ways to look at the exhibit through scientific eyes on topics, including ethics in science; climate change; DNA and genetics; and extinction.

   The traveling show made its world premiere in Melbourne, Australia, earlier this year, but Philadelphia’s United States debut offers some new features. The life-size dinosaurs were designed by Creature Technology Co., which created the enormous creatures for the Walking with Dinosaurs arena shows. They offer interactive exhibits. Guests can meet a towering Brachiosaurus, come face-to-face with a Velociraptor, and get up close and personal with a Tyrannosaurus Rex. A family-friendly Gentle Giants Petting Zoo provides interactions with a baby Pachyrhinosaurus and its 29-foot-long mother. Brave visitors can even stick an arm into a pile of dinosaur dung to feel its squishy, warm interior as a way to learn about identifying animals by studying their leavings.

     The exhibit is nearly double the size of the Australian version, and runs through April 23rd.

Until next time>                               “never forget”