Film director and screenwriter -- via EFE. He began working in film in 1927, and completed his first in 1931. Focused originally on short films and documentaries, with time he began producing narrative features as well, creating an amazing body of work (62 films) that spanned many styles. He is best known in America for his 2001 "I'm Going Home." An amazingly versatile storyteller who illuminated the human.
Interesting, overlooked, and significant obituaries from around the world, as they happen, emphasizing the positive achievements of those who have died. Member, Society of Professional Obituary Writers.
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Marvin Wilson, the Tamale Man
Entrepreneur, restaurateur, and street poet; a pioneer of the food truck movement -- via the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Deathcetera: the week in death and mourning
DEATH
Learning to talk about death – from PBS NewsHour
Nursing homes opening up to talk about death, listening to the end-life plans of those who live there – via Stacey Burling at the Philadelphia Inquirer
It doesn’t end well: grisly royal deaths – from Ross McG in Metro
Want to feel more alive? Think about death all the time – via Lauren Martin in Elite Daily
‘Senior Citizen Keeps Mind Active by Contemplating Death’ – from The Onion
Learning about Jewish death rituals close up – by Lois Solomon in the Sun-Sentinel
When teens have to face terminal illness – via Jan Hoffman at the New York Times
If a prisoner dies, and there are no records, did they die? – from Lois Norder at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Investigating the Neolithic practice of “defleshing” the dead – from Erin Blakemore at the Smithsonian
MOURNING
On grieving – from Melissa Gould in the Huffington Post
Couple collects Victorian mourning memorabilia – via Andy Smith at the Providence Journal
Re-grieving: the second death of Chinua Achebe – by Chris Gayomali in Fast Company
Re-enactor performs one-person show on mourning in Victorian Era – from Kate Seckinger in the Daily Mail (U.S.)
FUNERALS
Richard III’s funeral was fit for a . . . well, you know – by Megan Gannon in livescience
Pre-pay funeral contracts opened door to massive Ponzi scheme – from Dave Lieber at the Denton Record-Chronicle
Funeral museum one of only 10 nationwide – via WDBJ
Did strays really attend funeral of woman who fed them? – from Andrew McCormack of the Daily Mail
OBITS
Thomas Koch
Comedy writer -- via legacy.com. A largely unknown talent, he started off in radio, then wrote for TV and print as well. He contributed more than 3,000 pieces to Bob and Ray; he worked extensively for MAD magzine. His best-know piece for them, "43-Man Squamish," became so popular that people actually tried to play it.
Monday, March 30, 2015
Miroslav Ondricek
Cinematographer -- via the Hollywood Reporter. Did his most significant work with Milos Forman (from "The Loves of a Blonde" in 1965 through "Valmont" in 1989) and Lindsay Anderson ("If . . . ", "O Lucky Man!"). Great work on other films such as "Silkwood," "Awakenings," and "A League of Their Own."
Rik Battaglia
Actor -- via La Repubblica. AKA Caterino Bertaglia, Rick Austin, Riccardo Battaglia, Rick Battaglia. After being discovered in a bar by Ponti, he played across from Sophia Loren in "The River Girl" in 1955. Then he moved on to peplum (sword-and-sandal) films, followed by a few Hollywood Biblical epics ("Esther and the King," "Sodom and Gomorrah"). He settled into Karl May films (May was the German equivalent of an adventure writer such as Robert Louis Stevenson or Zane Grey), and played many a villain in spaghetti Westerns.
Bill Slayback
Former MLB pitcher, musician, and songwriter -- via MLB. Co-wrote the Hank Aaron salute song "Move Over Babe" with Ernie Harwell.
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Gene Saks
Tony-winning director of stage and film; actor -- via the New York Times. AKA Jean Michael Saks. He was one of the great shapers of American wit. He will be best remembered as the primary director of late-career Neil Simon comedies, both on stage and in film -- "Brighton Beach Memoirs," "Biloxi Blues," "Broadway Bound," "Lost in Yonkers"; "Barefoot in the Park," "The Odd Couple." He also created hits such as "Mame," "Last of the Red Hot Lovers," "I Love My Wife," "Same Time, Next Year," "Enter Laughing," and "Barrymore." He was money in the bank, absolutely dependable. If he got his hands on it, you would have a good time. A pro and a role model.
For you trivia fans out there, he most memorably played Leo Herman, aka Chuckles the Chipmunk, on both Broadway and in the 1965 film version of "A Thousand Clowns."
For you trivia fans out there, he most memorably played Leo Herman, aka Chuckles the Chipmunk, on both Broadway and in the 1965 film version of "A Thousand Clowns."
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Friday, March 27, 2015
Billy Joe Shine
Lead singer for the Nightcaps -- via the Dallas Morning News. The group's most meoriable song, "Thunderbird," was pirated by ZZ Top in 1975; however, litigation was unsuccessful as Shine never copyrighted the song in the first place.
Dana Wilson
Child actor -- via the Daily Telegraph (Sydney). Best known for her work in "The Shiralee" (1957).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)