I was watching THUNDERBIRD 6 on cable Saturday morning and came to think how many of the shows of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson I had watched when I was a child, and have still watched them on and off over the years of my adulthood, that is to say, WAY too many!!!
I loved all the programs I watched from their company, via Lord Lew Grade's ITC.
As a very small boy I watched FIREBALL XL5, then SUPERCAR, STINGRAY, and, a bit later, THUNDERBIRDS and CAPTAIN SCARLETT. When I was older still I watched UFO, with the great American actor, Ed Bishop, starring amongst those "crazy" British gals with the wildly colored hair ***smile***, and SPACE: 1999.
I really enjoyed the second batch of "1999", once Maya was added to the cast of characters. I do like Barry Morse, late of THE FUGITIVE, but I never felt that he "fit" in with SPACE: 1999. Catherine Schell, as Maya, was much more appropriate, and definitely more "futuristic" than Morse was.
I did not think very highly of some of the writing for the series, but I hung in there and kept watching, especially to see my favorite husband and wife acting team of Martin Landau and Barbara Bain.
I never got to watch such Anderson programs as JOE 90 and THE SECRET SERVICE, but I did see TERRAHAWKS, during the 1980's, and I really disliked that one, I am sad to say, the characters were not pleasant in either appearnce or personality-wise, in my opinion.
Some day I will see TWIZZLE and FOUR FEATHER FALLS, the earliest shows in the Anderson ouevre.
I also have to mention DOPPLEGANGER, also known as JOURNEY TO THE FAR SIDE OF THE SUN, with one of my other favorite television men, Roy Thinnes, formerly of THE INVADERS.
One final note, if you get a chance to see a late 1990's film, GIDEON, you can see a great cast that includes Christopher Lambert, Carroll O'Connor, Charlton Heston (in a sympathetic role), _and_ none other than Barbara Bain!!!
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Meeting TV Actors
I am including a post from a famous SUPERMAN fan, "Jim", from my Yahoo group "The Adventures Of George Reeves" here, I hope that Jim does not mind:
In a message dated 05/24/2007 12:51:27 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, "Jim" writes:
I met Claude Akins many years ago while I was publishing "The
Adventures Continue" magazine. When I asked for a snapshot
opportunity, he graciously obliged. But I was so disappointed when
the flash didn't work. Instead of dismissing it, Akins said, "Well
then, Jim, let's go outside for the photo." He was busy, yet he took
the time for me to get that photo. How different he was from some
other celebrities who said, "Sure... you can snap a photo... for 20
bucks."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When I got to meet Adam West, so this is _almost_ on topic, I had to pay $25.00, and this was back in 1987, so that seemed like a giant amount of money to me then, now it would be considered "cheap".
A person in line about fifteen heads in front of me complained bitterly to Adam about the expense, and Adam responded "Well, talk to my agent, he (she? i don't recall) can't get me these gigs unless we charge that amount and share the proceeds with the venue". Anyway, the person apologized for complaining, paid the money, and the line moved on.
I had my TV GUIDE with Adam as BATMAN on the cover for him to sign, which he did, and he told me he was only supposed to sign the printed sheets he had with him, he enjoyed seeing that someone had this old TV GUIDE ready for his autograph.
I did not tell Adam that I had lost my original copy years before, and had bought this one earlier that year, for, guess what, $25.00!!!
One point of interest is that I told Adam I was a big "Batfan" and loved his 20th CENTURY FOX series, but also that I loved him in THE DETECTIVES. I was only 30 at the time, and Adam did not believe that I was old enough to have ever seen that show, but I replied that I had seen the program on "5 ALL NIGHT", which ran on Boston's WCVB Channel 5, in the mid-1970's. 5 ALL NIGHT was the first after midnight, or 1:00 a.m., maybe, broadcast in my city, that ran from that time right through 5:00.
The station ran classic movies, THE PRISONER, MEDIC, with Richard Boone (another favorite of mine), THE ROGUES (who recalls that one? a great show about a "family" of con-artists), and other programs.
The much missed TV host of the program was "Weird Electric Uncle George", who sat in shadows, wearing a cowboy hat, and talked to the audience on camera, with his magnificent smooth as silk voice, and was really like a friend.
George Fennell, the on camera "Uncle George" got fired for playing bits of BATTLESTAR GALACTICA when it was to early to show them, that is when ABC told the affiliates to wait until August to do so, back in, I guess, 1978. I miss good old George, last I knew he was an announcer on a local "beautiful music" radio station.
Anyway, I still have that TV GUIDE with Adam's signature!!!
Holy Reminiscences!!!
:o)
In a message dated 05/24/2007 12:51:27 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, "Jim" writes:
I met Claude Akins many years ago while I was publishing "The
Adventures Continue" magazine. When I asked for a snapshot
opportunity, he graciously obliged. But I was so disappointed when
the flash didn't work. Instead of dismissing it, Akins said, "Well
then, Jim, let's go outside for the photo." He was busy, yet he took
the time for me to get that photo. How different he was from some
other celebrities who said, "Sure... you can snap a photo... for 20
bucks."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When I got to meet Adam West, so this is _almost_ on topic, I had to pay $25.00, and this was back in 1987, so that seemed like a giant amount of money to me then, now it would be considered "cheap".
A person in line about fifteen heads in front of me complained bitterly to Adam about the expense, and Adam responded "Well, talk to my agent, he (she? i don't recall) can't get me these gigs unless we charge that amount and share the proceeds with the venue". Anyway, the person apologized for complaining, paid the money, and the line moved on.
I had my TV GUIDE with Adam as BATMAN on the cover for him to sign, which he did, and he told me he was only supposed to sign the printed sheets he had with him, he enjoyed seeing that someone had this old TV GUIDE ready for his autograph.
I did not tell Adam that I had lost my original copy years before, and had bought this one earlier that year, for, guess what, $25.00!!!
One point of interest is that I told Adam I was a big "Batfan" and loved his 20th CENTURY FOX series, but also that I loved him in THE DETECTIVES. I was only 30 at the time, and Adam did not believe that I was old enough to have ever seen that show, but I replied that I had seen the program on "5 ALL NIGHT", which ran on Boston's WCVB Channel 5, in the mid-1970's. 5 ALL NIGHT was the first after midnight, or 1:00 a.m., maybe, broadcast in my city, that ran from that time right through 5:00.
The station ran classic movies, THE PRISONER, MEDIC, with Richard Boone (another favorite of mine), THE ROGUES (who recalls that one? a great show about a "family" of con-artists), and other programs.
The much missed TV host of the program was "Weird Electric Uncle George", who sat in shadows, wearing a cowboy hat, and talked to the audience on camera, with his magnificent smooth as silk voice, and was really like a friend.
George Fennell, the on camera "Uncle George" got fired for playing bits of BATTLESTAR GALACTICA when it was to early to show them, that is when ABC told the affiliates to wait until August to do so, back in, I guess, 1978. I miss good old George, last I knew he was an announcer on a local "beautiful music" radio station.
Anyway, I still have that TV GUIDE with Adam's signature!!!
Holy Reminiscences!!!
:o)
Thursday, May 17, 2007
QUIK DRAW McGRAW
One of my earliest memories is of watching this character, shown here with AUGIE DOGGIE, and his show, it was one of "the high-falutin'-est, fastest shootin'-est" programs I "ever saw"!!!
I am just editing in here, long after I made the original entry, that I was delighted to learn, recently, that the DVD set of QUIK DRAW McGRAW is coming out in the near future, along with some other much awaited Hanna-Barbera DVDs, including BIRDMAN & THE GALAXY TRIO, and others.
Thanks to DC History group at Yahoo for this illustration, from a DELL COMICS comic book cover, characters are
(C) COPYRIGHT HANNA-BARBERA PRODUCTIONS!!!
Monday, May 14, 2007
STELLA DALLAS for Mother's Day!!!
What a way to spend the evening, after Mother's Day!!!
I had not seen all of Barbara Stanwyck's movies, but had seen many, except that this was one of the big ones that I had missed, so I watched the TCM airing of STELLA DALLAS last night, following a nice afternnon with my Mum, and my better half, Susan.
I cry from movies very easily, this one _really_ got me almost blubbering.
Anne Shir;ey is so adorable, and what the Stanwyck character did for the Shirley character is unbelievable!!!
Taken out of context I do not care for her actions, and how it affects her daughter's life,but, within the framework of the story, wow, it is amazing.
A beautifully acted film that gor four Oscar noms. too bad it was not a winner, as far as AMPAS was concerned!!!
I had not seen all of Barbara Stanwyck's movies, but had seen many, except that this was one of the big ones that I had missed, so I watched the TCM airing of STELLA DALLAS last night, following a nice afternnon with my Mum, and my better half, Susan.
I cry from movies very easily, this one _really_ got me almost blubbering.
Anne Shir;ey is so adorable, and what the Stanwyck character did for the Shirley character is unbelievable!!!
Taken out of context I do not care for her actions, and how it affects her daughter's life,but, within the framework of the story, wow, it is amazing.
A beautifully acted film that gor four Oscar noms. too bad it was not a winner, as far as AMPAS was concerned!!!
Sunday, May 6, 2007
RADIO & TV CLASSICS LIVE!!!
Friday May 4th and Saturday May 5th, I went, as usual, to these live shows, at Massasoit Community College, in Brockton, MA, for their 18th annual performance.
Beverly Garland was supposed to come, but, sadly had to cancel, I'd have loved to meet the gal who starred in DECOY, and played Steve Douglas' wife at the end of MY THREE SONS' long run, but it was not to be.
Also sadly, Bob Elliot was not able to come to accept his award when he was entered into The Masachusetts Radio & Television Hall Of Fame, but Tom Goulding, son of the late Ray Goulding, was on hand, so that we did get a BOB & RAY live performance, with Tom playing his late Dad, and famed Boston radio personality, Jess Cain, played the Bob Elliot part.
Robert Horton, of WAGON TRAIN and A MAN CALLED SHENANDOAH, came for the first time this year, and he is in fine shape, and still very rugged and handsome.
Another of my childhood heroes, Rex Trailer, who hosted Saturday and Sunday morning kid shows in Boston from 1956 until 1976, came also, and played THE LONE RANGER, in a newly written show where the ranger visits DUFFY'S TAVERN.
A very fun show, as usual!!!
I will be adding a link here later on, for next year's show!!!
Beverly Garland was supposed to come, but, sadly had to cancel, I'd have loved to meet the gal who starred in DECOY, and played Steve Douglas' wife at the end of MY THREE SONS' long run, but it was not to be.
Also sadly, Bob Elliot was not able to come to accept his award when he was entered into The Masachusetts Radio & Television Hall Of Fame, but Tom Goulding, son of the late Ray Goulding, was on hand, so that we did get a BOB & RAY live performance, with Tom playing his late Dad, and famed Boston radio personality, Jess Cain, played the Bob Elliot part.
Robert Horton, of WAGON TRAIN and A MAN CALLED SHENANDOAH, came for the first time this year, and he is in fine shape, and still very rugged and handsome.
Another of my childhood heroes, Rex Trailer, who hosted Saturday and Sunday morning kid shows in Boston from 1956 until 1976, came also, and played THE LONE RANGER, in a newly written show where the ranger visits DUFFY'S TAVERN.
A very fun show, as usual!!!
I will be adding a link here later on, for next year's show!!!
Saturday, May 5, 2007
WKRP IN CINCINNATI is on DVD!!!
As you know, that is, if you have read my list of my favorite television series, this is one of them!!!
I was disappointed at the unfair treatment the series received in it's original run, when it was bounced around the schedule, and, apparently, never got a large enough audience to keep it on the airwaves.
I, however, watched it without fail when it was on, even though I was in college at the time, and should have been studying more.
The antics of Andy, Venus, Herb, Les, Jennifer, Bailey, and Mr. Carlson and his mother are among the best character-driven sitcom doings ever, and I am pleased that they are coming out on DVD.
I did purchase a boxed-set of VHS tapes years ago, but this DVD set has all of Season One, including the classic Thanksgiving show, and, I believe, from the description from the manufacturer, the episode in which Carlson's son runs away from military school, and has an interesting encounter with Venus.
The DVD set also includes the _two_ series pilots, I did not know it had two, and commentaries from some of the cast members.
I believe that WKRP is a must for any fan of good television shows!!!
I want a copy of this really badly, I hope I end up getting one.
Here is an ordering link to click on to order the DVD:
I was disappointed at the unfair treatment the series received in it's original run, when it was bounced around the schedule, and, apparently, never got a large enough audience to keep it on the airwaves.
I, however, watched it without fail when it was on, even though I was in college at the time, and should have been studying more.
The antics of Andy, Venus, Herb, Les, Jennifer, Bailey, and Mr. Carlson and his mother are among the best character-driven sitcom doings ever, and I am pleased that they are coming out on DVD.
I did purchase a boxed-set of VHS tapes years ago, but this DVD set has all of Season One, including the classic Thanksgiving show, and, I believe, from the description from the manufacturer, the episode in which Carlson's son runs away from military school, and has an interesting encounter with Venus.
The DVD set also includes the _two_ series pilots, I did not know it had two, and commentaries from some of the cast members.
I believe that WKRP is a must for any fan of good television shows!!!
I want a copy of this really badly, I hope I end up getting one.
Here is an ordering link to click on to order the DVD:
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
HEROES and BOSTON LEGAL: Insomnia got the better of me this week!!!
AWP!!!
I've been having even worse trouble than usual sleeping lately, so that beat me and I slept through *all* of HEROES on Monday, and most of BOSTON LEGAL on Tuesday!!!
:o(
I've been having even worse trouble than usual sleeping lately, so that beat me and I slept through *all* of HEROES on Monday, and most of BOSTON LEGAL on Tuesday!!!
:o(
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