RIP: George Wendt

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It was announced today that George Wendt died today.  No cause of death was given.  Mr. Wendt was 76.

George Wendt graduated from Rockhurst College in Kansas City, Missouri, with a B.A. in economics.  After seeing The Second City, Mr. Wendt became motivated to try his hand at comedy.  In 1975, he became a part of The Second City troupe.

In 1978, Mr. Wendt appeared in his first feature film.  It was an uncredited role in Robert Altman’s A Wedding.  His next role didn’t come until 1980, but that year he appeared in Bronco Billy, My Bodyguard, Avery Schreiber Live from Second City and The Gift of the Magi.  The roles just kept coming for the rest of his career.

George Wendt was best known for his role as Norm Peterson on Cheers.  Mr. Wendt appeared in all 269 episodes.  Each year from 1984 – 1989, George Wendt was nominated for a Primetime Emmy as Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his portrayal of Norm.

If the only role George Wendt ever played was Norm on Cheers, he would still be an important (and loved) part of television history.

Some of the television projects that feature George Wendt include: Avery Schreiber Live from Second City; Hart to Hart; Soap; Taxi; Alice; Making the Grade (6 episodes); Cheers (269 episodes); Cheers: Uncle Sam Malone; M*A*S*H; Likely Stories, Vol. 4; Garfield Specials; Garfield in the Rough; St. Elsewhere; The Twilight Zone; The Tortellis; Mickey’s 60th Birthday; Arena; The Magical World of Disney; Disneyland’s 35th Anniversary Special; Wings; Tales from the Crypt; Michael Jackson: Black or White; Roc; Seinfeld; Bob; The Edge; The Building; The Larry Sanders Show; The Martin Short Show; The Simpsons; Columbo: Strange Bedfellows; The George Wendt Show (8 episodes); Good Company; Spin City; The Naked Truth (13 episodes); The List; Madigan Men (4 episodes); TV Funhouse; Strange Relations; Becker; Sabrina the Teenage Witch (6 episodes); Frasier; Saturday Night Live (8 episodes); George Lopez (2 episodes); Modern Men (7 episodes); Masters of Horror; Guy Walks into a Bar; The Green Grass; Family Guy (2 episodes); Less Than Kind; Ghost Whisperer; The Stay-at-Home Dad; Hot in Cleveland; Harry’s Law; The Seven Year Hitch; Kickin’ It; Portlandia; Franklin & Bash; Clipped (10 episodes); Children’s Hospital; Fresh Off the Boat; Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell; The Goldbergs; Christmas 9 to 5 and Fancy Nancy (11 episodes).

Some of George Wendt’s feature film appearances include: A Wedding; Bronco Billy; My Bodyguard; Jekyll and Hyde… Together Again; Airplane II: The Sequel; Dreamscape; Fletch; House; Gung Ho; Forever Young; The Little Rascals; The Prime Gig; Wild About Harry; Garage: A Rock Saga; Edmond; Saturday Morning; The Independents and I Lost My Body.

It’s impossible for me to pinpoint when I first saw George Wendt, but I do know that he was a HUGE part of Cheers’ success.  Mr. Wendt was perfectly cast as Norm Peterson and his one-liners as he entered the bar each week were a highlight.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to George Wendt’s family, friends and fans.

“Jurassic World: Rebirth” – The Poster and Second Trailer is Here!

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The poster and second trailer for Jurassic World: Rebirth is here.

The worst of the worst dinosaurs were left here. Watch the final trailer for Jurassic World Rebirth and get tickets now.

A new era is born. This summer, three years after the Jurassic World trilogy concluded with each film surpassing $1 billion at the global box office, the enduring Jurassic series evolves in an ingenious new direction with Jurassic World Rebirth.

Anchored by iconic action superstar Scarlett Johansson, Emmy and SAG nominee Jonathan Bailey and two-time Oscar® winner Mahershala Ali, this action-packed new chapter sees an extraction team race to the most dangerous place on Earth, an island research facility for the original Jurassic Park, inhabited by the worst of the worst that were left behind.

Also starring acclaimed international stars Rupert Friend and Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, the film is directed by dynamic visualist Gareth Edwards (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story) from a script by original Jurassic Park screenwriter David Koepp.

Five years after the events of Jurassic World Dominion, the planet’s ecology has proven largely inhospitable to dinosaurs. Those remaining exist in isolated equatorial environments with climates resembling the one in which they once thrived. The three most colossal creatures across land, sea and air within that tropical biosphere hold, in their DNA, the key to a drug that will bring miraculous life-saving benefits to humankind.

Academy Award® nominee Johansson plays skilled covert operations expert Zora Bennett, contracted to lead a skilled team on a top-secret mission to secure the genetic material. When Zora’s operation intersects with a civilian family whose boating expedition was capsized by marauding aquatic dinos, they all find themselves stranded on a forbidden island that had once housed an undisclosed research facility for Jurassic Park. There, in a terrain populated by dinosaurs of vastly different species, they come face-to-face with a sinister, shocking discovery that has been hidden from the world for decades.

Ali is Duncan Kincaid, Zora’s most trusted team member; Critics Choice and Olivier Award winner Jonathan Bailey (Wicked, Bridgerton) plays paleontologist Dr. Henry Loomis; Emmy nominee Rupert Friend (Homeland, Obi-Wan Kenobi) appears as Big Pharma representative Martin Krebs and Manuel Garcia-Rulfo (The Lincoln Lawyer, Murder on the Orient Express) plays Reuben Delgado, the father of the shipwrecked civilian family.

The cast includes Luna Blaise (Manifest), David Iacono (The Summer I Turned Pretty) and Audrina Miranda (Lopez vs. Lopez) as Reuben’s family. The film also features, as members of Zora and Krebs’ crews, Philippine Velge (Station Eleven), Bechir Sylvain (BMF) and Ed Skrein (Deadpool).

Jurassic World Rebirth is directed by BAFTA winner Edwards from a script by Koepp (War of the Worlds), based on characters created by Michael Crichton. The film is produced by Oscar® nominee Frank Marshall and Patrick Crowley, both longtime Jurassic franchise producers and of last summer’s blockbuster, Twisters. The film is executive produced by Steven Spielberg, Denis L. Stewart and Jim Spencer.

“Don’t Touch the Loot” aka “Grisbi” (1954) directed by Jacques Becker, starring Jean Gabin / Z-View

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Don’t Touch the Loot aka Grisbi (1954)

Director:  Jacques Becker

Screenplay: Jacques Becker, Albert Simonin, Maurice Griffe; based Touchez pas au grisbi by Albert Simonin

Stars: Jean Gabin, René Dary, Dora Doll.

Tagline: From the demi-mondes of Paris…with its pimps, its pushers, its passions, from the world of “RIFIFI” and “RAZZIA”…an electrifying adventure in suspense!

The Plot…

Max has beaten the odds.  He’s a criminal who reached middle age without going to prison or worse getting killed.  What’s better is that Max and Riton, his trusted crime partner, recently pulled off a heist of gold bars worth millions.  More than enough for both Max and Riton to give up their life of crime and retire.

One night shortly after the heist, Max meets Riton at a nightclub.  Riton has brought along Josy, his latest girlfriend.  Josy’s a dancer half Riton’s age.  Later that evening Max spots Josy making out with a young man.

When Max is heading home for the night, he notices he’s being followed.  He gets the drop on the thugs and sends them running.  Max calls Riton to warn him.  Max then picks up Riton and takes him to a safe house. Riton admits that he told Josy about their latest score to impress her.  They realize that Josy has sold them out.

The next day Max meets with his uncle who will fence the gold.  When Max calls to update Riton, he learns that Riton has been kidnapped.  The thugs want the gold bars in exchange for Riton’s safe return.

Max is promised a simple trade and nobody will get hurt.  Don’t count on it.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

It’s interesting that Jacques Becker doesn’t focus on the theft of the gold bars (in fact it happens prior to the start of the film).  I like the pace of the film.  Jean Gabin is perfect as Max, the world weary criminal who is so close to living the dream.  Max reminded me a bit of Mike McClusky (Mayor of Kingstown) and Harry (Mobland) in his ability/ways to deal with situations/people.

Don’t Touch the Loot aka Grisbi (1954) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Compulsion” (1959) directed by Richard Fleischer, starring Orson Welles, Dean Stockwell, Diane Varsi and Bradford Dillman / Z-View

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Compulsion (1959)

Director:  Richard Fleischer

Screenplay: Richard Murphy; based on COMPULSION by Meyer Levin

Stars: Orson Welles, Dean Stockwell, Diane Varsi, Bradford Dillman, E.G. Marshall, Martin Milner, Richard Anderson, Robert F. Simon, Edward Binns, Robert Burton, Louise Lorimer, John Alban, Don Anderson, Terry Becker, Russ Bender and Gavin MacLeod .

Tagline: You know why we did it? Because we damn well felt like doing it!

The Plot…

Judd Steiner and Artie Straus are best friends.  It’s only natural.  They have much in common.  Both are from wealthy families.  They travel in the most elite social circles.  Both Judd and Artie have superior intellects.  Although still in their late teens, they’re law students.

Judd and Artie see everyone as less than them.  They feel because they are so intellectually superior laws don’t apply to them.  To that end, they have been committing small crimes just to prove they’re are so smart that they would never be caught.

Then they decide to commit the ultimate crime.

Murder.

They pick a young boy at random and kill him.

They’re confident that they left no clues.  And even more sure that if they did, with their superior intellect, no one could trip them up.

The best laid plans…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Compulsion is based on the real life murder trial of Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb. Leopold and Loeb kidnapped and murdered a fourteen year old boy.  They did it to prove to themselves their superior intellect would allow them to commit the perfect crime.  Their families hired Clarence Darrow to defend them.  At the time, the case was considered the trial of the century.

When the film came out, Leopold sued for invasion of privacy.  Because he had written a book about the crime himself, he didn’t prevail. (Loeb wasn’t involved in the lawsuit.  He had been killed by another prison years before.)

Orson Welles received top billing but doesn’t appear on screen until 65 minutes into the 99 minute film.

It’s hard for me to believe that Compulsion wasn’t nominated for a single Academy Award.  I could see nominations for Best Screenplay, Best Direction, Best Actor (Dean Stockwell and Bradford Dillman) and Best Supporting Actor (Orson Welles).

Alfred Hitchcock did his own loose adaption of the Leopold-Loeb murder with his film Rope.

Compulsion (1959) rates 5 of 5 stars

MUSCLE by John Davies / Z-View

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MUSCLE by John Davies

First sentence…

Saturday night at the Hive was quieter than usual.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Frankie Collins is a legitimate tough guy.  Everything he’s earned in life, including his reputation, he got because of his ability to fight.  Frankie’s older now, but his reputation holds.  Although Frankie has a business, he still works as a bouncer so folks know he hasn’t gotten soft.

Because of his reputation, there’s seldom trouble when Frankie’s at the door.  So when a young wanna-be gangster gets crossways with Frankie, tension fills the air.  The kid is cocky but no fool.  Time passes.  Bad looks turn to words.  Then the kid does something that demands a response.

Frankie is surprised when the kid publicly challenges him to a street fight.  No weapons, but anything else goes.  Of course Frankie accepts.

In a few days they will fight.  Frankie knows if the kid beats him, he’ll lose more than the fight.  The kid is younger.  Maybe stronger.  Frankie starts to have doubts.  Is he too old?  Does he still have it in him?  Frankie knows he will die before he would ever quit.  And that would soon the kid just fine.

++++

MUSCLE is a lean mean novella.  If you think you know how this one ends, think again.

Rating:

“Curse of Frankenstein” (1957) directed by Terence Fisher, starring Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee / Z-View

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Curse of Frankenstein (1957)

Director:  Terence Fisher

Screenplay: Jimmy Sangster; based on FRANKENSTEIN by Mary Shelley

Stars: Peter Cushing, Hazel Court, Christopher Lee.

Tagline: PLEASE TRY NOT TO FAINT. Not recommended for people of nervous disposition.

The Plot…

As he waits for his execution, Victor Frankenstein recounts how he ended up headed to the gallows.  Frankenstein was obsessed with bringing the dead back to life since he was a boy.  Working with Paul Krempe, another scientist,  the two achieved success with reviving a dead dog.

Krempe wanted to share their results with the world.  Frankenstein wanted to keep their success a secret and begin experimenting with reviving dead humans.  Very quickly Krempe sees that Frankenstein is obsessed.  Frankenstein robs graves, pays for body parts and even resorts to murder to get the parts he needs.

When his creature comes to life, Frankenstein is shocked to learn he cannot control it.  And the monster isn’t happy.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Curse of Frankenstein was a huge box office success.  Over the years, the film’s reputation has grown.  I’m in the minority, because the movie just doesn’t resonate with me.  I hate the creature’s design.  It reminds me of a bad attempt to monsterize Cesare the the somnambulist from 1920’s The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.  Dr. Frankenstein is totally unlikable, so who cares if he hangs?

Christopher Lee (who plays the monster) reportedly complained to Peter Cushing during the start of filming, that he had no lines.  Cushing replied, “You’re lucky. I’ve read the script.”  If this isn’t true, it should be.

As always, your mileage may vary but for me…

Curse of Frankenstein (1957) rates 2 of 5 stars

“Peacemaker”: Season 1 (2022) written by James Gunn, starring Jon Cena / Z-View

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Peacemaker: Season 1 (2022)

Created by: James Gunn;  based on characters from DC Comics

Director:  James Gunn (Eps. 1-3, 6, 8), Jody Hill (Ep. 4), Rosemary Rodriguez (Ep. 5); Brad Anderson (Ep. 7)

Teleplay by:  James Gunn

Starring:  John Cena, Danielle Brooks, Freddie Stroma, Jennifer Holland, Steve Agee, Dee Bradley Baker, Chukwudi Iwuji, Elizabeth Faith Ludlow, Crystal Mudry, Elizabeth McCarthy Meek, Lenny Jacobson, Kevin O’Grady, Natalia Safran, Darryl Scheelar, Christopher Heyerdahl, Ryan Jefferson Booth and Robert Patrick.

Tagline: They Give Peace a Bad Name

The Plot… (beware of spoilers)

Chris Smith aka Peacemaker wants to be a hero for peace.  He doesn’t care how many people he has to kill to achieve it.  Smith is recruited to join Task Force X and is given a support team to assist with his missions.

When things go sideways, it appears there is a mole on the team.  But who?  When Vigilante and Judomaster show up, things get even crazier.  And that’s before Smith’s father who is prison attempts to sell out his son and the team.  Oh, and did I mention that there’s an alien invasion brewing?

Thoughts 

Peacemaker received one 2022 Primetime Emmy nomination for  Outstanding Stunt Coordination for a Comedy Series or a Variety Program – Wayne Dalglish (stunt coordinator), Gaston Morrison (stunt coordinator)

James Gunn wrote all episodes on spec!

Each episodes features a post-credits scene.

The series takes place in Charlton County as an Easter Egg to fans.  Peacemaker was first published by Charlton Comics.

Peacemaker is a fun show… even more so for comic fans.  Bring on season 2.

RIP: Joe Don Baker

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It was announced today that Joe Don Baker died on May 7, 2025.  No cause of death was given.  Mr. Baker was 89.

Joe Don Baker was a high school standout in football and basketball.  He attended North Texas State College on a sports scholarship.  Mr. Baker graduated with a BA in Business Administration.  Joe Don Baker then served two years in the US Army.  After his enlistment, Mr. Baker moved to New York City to attend the Actors Studio.

Joe Don Baker began getting stage work as well as guest appearances on television shows.  Mr. Baker’s big break came when he played Buford Pusser in Walking Tall.  By this point, Joe Don Baker was alternating between feature films and television roles, but Walking Tall was the film that made him famous.

Some of the television projects that feature Joe Don Baker include: Honey West; Iron Horse; Judd for the Defense; The Felony Squad; Bonanza; Gunsmoke (2 episodes); The Big Valley; Mod Squad; Bracken’s World; Lancer (3 episodes); The F.B.I.; The Most Deadly Game; The High Chaparral; Mission Impossible; Welcome Home Soldier Boys; Ironside; That Certain Summer; Doc Elliott; The Streets of San Francisco; To Kill a Cop; Power; Eischied (13 episodes); Edge of Darkness (6 episodes); In the Heat of the Night (4 episodes); Citizen Cohen; The Wild West; Traps; The Siege at Ruby Ridge; George Wallace; Poodle Springs and The Cleaner.

Some of Joe Don Bakers’ feature film appearances include: Cool Hand Luke; Guns of the Magnificent Seven; Wild Rovers; Junior Bonner; The Valachi Papers; Walking Tall; Charley Varrick; The Outfit; The Natural; Fletch; The Living Daylights; Cape Fear; Reality Bites; Congo; Goldeneye; Mars Attacks!; Tomorrow Never Dies; Joe Dirt; The Commission; The Dukes of Hazzard and Mud.

It’s impossible for me to pinpoint when I first saw Joe Don Baker because he appeared in so many of the shows I watched as a kid.  I do remember how much buzz he got for starring as Buford Pusser in Walking Tall.  I always enjoyed seeing Joe Don Baker show up in a show or movie, because he made everything he was in better.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Joe Don Baker’s family, friends and fans.

“Count the Hours” (1953) directed by Don Siegel, starring Teresa Wright & Macdonald Carey / Z-View

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Count the Hours (1953)

Director:  Don Siegel

Screenplay: Doane R. Hoag, Karen DeWolf; story by Doane R. Hoag

Stars: Teresa Wright, Macdonald Carey, Dolores Moran, Adele Mara, Edgar Barrier, Ralph Dumke and Jack Elam.

Tagline: Strange things happen in the night!

The Plot…

Late one night, Fred Morgan and his live-in housekeeper are killed during a home invasion/robbery.  The next morning the bodies are discovered and the police arrive.  George and Ellen Braden are the first to be questioned.

George and Ellen Braden live in a small house on the farm and assist with the chores.  George says they didn’t hear anything.  His wife says she heard gunshots and told George.  This makes the police suspicious. The couple are brought in for more questioning.  Sixteen hours later George says he’ll sign anything to get them to let up on his wife.

George is charged with the murder of Fred Morgan and his housekeeper.  Doug Madison is assigned to serve as George’s defense counsel.  Doug starts out believing George is guilty.  Slowly as Doug digs into the case, he changes his mind.  With all the evidence pointing to guilt and George’s life on the line, the clock is ticking.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Count the Hours is a low budget thriller made in just 9 days!

John Alton, the Director of Photography, was given a budget of $4,000.00 for all of the equipment for rigging (overhead lighting, cables, brackets, piping, etc.).  Alton told the Producer that if he was given a raise of $2,000.00 to his salary, he would do it without rigging.  The lack of traditional studio lighting greatly contributes to the film’s atmosphere.

Director Don Siegel’s sixth outing as a feature film director.  His excellent direction (along with John Alton’s lighting) help make this low budget thriller a winner.

Count the Hours (1953) rates 3 of 5 stars