Thursday, July 25, 2013
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
My Latest HuffPost Blog:Frightway To Stardom(Pt.1)
Host,
'Mysteries From Beyond the Other Dominion'
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FROM Dr. Franklin Ruehl, Ph.D.
21
Frightway to Stardom (Part 1)
Posted:
07/22/2013 11:41 am
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Dr.Ruehl, Frightway To Stardom, James Arness, Peter Graves, Alan Alda, Gene Barry, Smash, Weird News
Alan Alda
battling a satanic pianist! James Arness combating titanic ants! Gene Barry
fighting Martian invaders!
These are just
a few of the fascinating roles many of Tinseltown's top stars once essayed
early in their careers in the horror/sci-fi genre!
Intriguingly, a
surprisingly high percentage of Hollywood luminaries started out in such
entries. These early appearances in horror and sci-fi films and television
programs, although often low-budget in nature, afforded them an excellent
opportunity to perfect their craft and display their talent, setting the stage
for later success.
Indeed, it can truly be said that this early experience represented a "Frightway to Stardom."
Indeed, it can truly be said that this early experience represented a "Frightway to Stardom."
The following
are among the many celebs who started out in the niche of horror and sci-fi:
-Alan Alda: The
only actor to appear in every single episode of TV's M.A.S.H. (1972-82)
portrayed a young journalist involved with a dying satanic pianist (Curt
Jurgens, seen as Sebastian, a magician doomed for stealing a sacred Hindu rope
trick in 1973's Vault of Horror) who conspired to possess his body in
1971's The Mephisto Waltz.
Ruehl Fact: His
dad, actor Robert Alda, whose birth name was Alphonso d'Abruzzo (Alan's actual
name, also) created the surname "Alda" from the first two letters
(AL) of his first name and the first two letters (DA) of his last name.
Fascinatingly, he battled a deranged pianist (Peter Lorre, legendary star of
numerous horror entries, such as 1935's Mad Love) in 1946's The Beast
with Five Fingers, and contended with a Satanic cult (led by Neil Hamilton,
Commissioner James Gordon on TV's Batman) in 1962's The Devil's Hand.
-James Arness: Before landing the role of Marshal Matt Dillon on TV's Gunsmoke(1955-75), he portrayed a menacing alien humanoid-vegetable in The Thing(1951), then, as a government agent, faced off against oversized ants in Them (1954).
Ruehl Fact: His
actual surname was Aurness, and he was the brother of actor Peter Graves. When
John Wayne was offered the role of Matt Dillon, he declined it, recommending
Arness instead.
At 6'7",
he is the tallest actor to date to have had a starring TV role, beating out
Clint Walker (Cheyenne) at 6'6". However, Ted Cassidy (in a
supporting role as Lurch the butler on The Addams Family) topped him at
6'9". And, Richard Kiel (Jaws in the 007 films) beat them all at
7'2".
-Gene Barry: The future star of TV's Bat Masterson (1958-60) and Burke's Law (1963-65) played a physicist trying to destroy Martian invaders in War of the Worlds (1953), and coped with what turned out to be benign aliens wishing to colonize Antarctica in The 27th Day (1957).
Ruehl Fact:
Born Eugene Klass, he chose his screen name of Gene Barry out of respect for
his idol, actor John Barrymore!
Tribute To
Peter Graves("Killers From Space"):
http://www.youtube.com/edit?video_id=cIVtgwNE8iI&ns=1
http://www.youtube.com/edit?video_id=cIVtgwNE8iI&ns=1
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
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Wednesday, July 3, 2013
My Latest HuffPost Blog:"1st Superman TV Season Was Excellent!"
GET UPDATES FROM Dr. Franklin Ruehl, Ph.D.
The Very First Season of TV's Superman Was Superb!
Posted: 06/25/2013 5:30 pm Read more Dr.Ruehl, George Reeves, Superman TV Series, George-Reeves, Superman George Reeves, Superman-Tv-Series, Weird News .
.The very first season (1952-53) of TV's Superman with George Reeves was outstanding, including intense film noir elements, such as the deaths of a couple who learned his secret ID in "The Stolen Costume"... he flew them to a mountain cabin where they fell to their deaths trying to climb down (he was definitely responsible for their demise).
And, in "The Secret of Superman," a nefarious criminal (Peter Brocco) who learned his ID was conveniently shot to death by the police.
Phyllis Coates as Lois Lane was very serious, contributing to the drama of each episode. But, she was replaced after that first season by light-hearted Noel Neill (who actually previously had portrayed Lois in two serials).
Actually, the series began as a 67-minute theatrical film, Superman and the Mole Men, then transitioned into a TV project. That film was later re-edited into an excellent two-part episode,"The Unknown People," which was the only two-parter during the run of the show.
As a cost-cutting measure, all regulars wore the same clothing for every episode so that out-of-sequence scenes could be shot without causing any sort of discontinuity(similar to the approach utilized on the original Dragnet series). As an example, all scenes taking place in Daily Planet editor Perry White's office would be filmed at the same time for future insertion in upcoming episodes. And, Clark Kent's office was readily transmogrified into Lois Lane's with a few minor alterations of wall hangings!
The first two seasons (1952-54) were shot in black-and-white, whereas seasons three through six (1954-58) were filmed in color, although aired in black-and-white as few viewers owned color TVs then. But, the producers astutely realized that in the future, they could demand a significantly higher price for those episodes in syndication. But, to counterbalance the added expense of color, only 13 new episodes were shot, with 13 reruns added, for a total of 26 per season. And, the color episodes were virtually devoid of truly villainous characters and serious scenarios, with any violence essentially eliminated (except when Superman was the target).
Contrary to rumor, the show was not cancelled. Indeed, in 1959, two additional seasons were being planned for. However, two tragedies occurred, beginning with the unexpected demise of actor John Hamilton who portrayed Perry White. He was to be replaced by Pierre Watkin, who had essayed the role in the two Superman serials. But, then, suddenly, George Reeves died in June, either by suicide or murder. While it had been speculated that he offed himself because the show was not renewed, that clearly was not the case, arguing for the possibility that he was indeed a homicide victim, such as orchestrated by the jealous husband of a girlfriend of his.
The powers that be then proposed that the series be changed to Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen, starring Jack Larson who would be interacting with previous footage of Reeves and new footage of a stunt double. However, he adamantly refused to cooperate in this venture. A pilot was then produced in 1961, The Adventures of Superboy, with Johnny Rockwell portraying a young Clark Kent, attired in a costume similar to Reeves'. But, the series was not picked up.
But, fortunately, the series has been re-aired numerous times on various cable systems and is viewable on the internet for those of us whose favorite Superman is George Reeves!
Ruehl Factoid: Three of the original cast members of the 1950s series are still living: Noel Neill is 92, Phyllis Coates is 86, and Jack Larson is 85.
Related videos:
George Superman Reeves Was Murdered!
Flub in Superman TV series
Monday, July 1, 2013
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