Hollywood Haikus Competition Entry #2

The gathered suspects

Tremble 'neath Inspector's glare

"You are murderer!"

This is an entry for the Best For Film Hollywood Haikus blogging competition. Enter now.

Happy second place finish for Inspector Chan:
http://bestforfilm.com/film-blog/hollywood-haikus-2011-competition-winners/

Hollywood Haikus Competition Entry

Ride the High Country


Respect was their due

Danger and death their payment

Enter justified

This is an entry for the Best For Film Hollywood Haikus blogging competition. Enter now.

Contest results: http://bestforfilm.com/film-blog/hollywood-haikus-2011-competition-winners/

TV Westerns and the 1959 Emmy Awards

The three top rated prime time television programs in the 1958-1959 season were Gunsmoke, Wagon Train and Have Gun - Will Travel. If you were not in the mood for a western, it was best not to turn on your t.v. because you were sure to run into a marshal or a bounty hunter or a rancher. The big three networks (remember ABC, CBS and NBC?) gave you a selection of westerns every night of the week.

Sunday: Maverick, Lawman, Colt .45
Monday: The Texan, The Restless Gun, Tales of Wells Fargo
Tuesday: Cheyenne/Sugarfoot/Bronco, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, The Rifleman, The Californians
Wednesday: Wagon Train, Bat Masterson
Thursday: Zorro, The Rough Riders, Yancy Derringer, Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre, Jefferson Drum
Friday: The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin, Tombstone Territory, Buckskin, Man Without a Gun, Rawhide
Saturday: Wanted: Dead or Alive, Have Gun - Will Travel, Gunsmoke, Cimarron City
Syndicated: Death Valley Days

The Emmy Awards have always had a fluid nature to deal with trends and at their 11th awards ceremony, for the first and only time in its history, they presented an award for Best Western Series. The award is particularly gratifying for fans of a genre that is generally dismissed when award time rolls around. Let's have a look at the five nominees.

Gunsmoke (1955-1975) was the senior member of the pack in the fourth of its 20 season run. Created by Norman Macdonnell and John Meston as a radio program in 1952, the first "adult" western brought to life stories of lawman Marshal Matt Dillon played by James Arness bringing law and order to the wild cow town of Dodge City.

Matt agonized over the job that had to be done and found solace with his "family". Saloon gal/later owner Kitty Russell was played by the vibrant Amanda Blake.

Curmudgeonly, yet caring "Doc" Adams was played by movie veteran Milburn Stone. Dennis Weaver scored a big hit with fans as Chester Goode. Chester was a sort of unofficial deputy who fretted about his friend Mister Dillon. He was easy with gossip and just as quick to help whenever trouble arose. In Dodge City there was trouble around every corner.

The fourth season found Matt suspended from duty on charges of murder in Matt for Murder, Matt as a whodunnit buster in The Patsy, and Matt opposing a crooked judge in Letter of the Law. We learned more about Kitty's background in Kitty's Rebellion and lived through the unthinkable in Doc Quits.

Our second nominee, Have Gun - Will Travel (1957-1963), was in its second season at Emmy time. If you are going to write about a Knight of the Plain, well how about a genuine Paladin. Sam Rolfe's so named gun (and brains) for hire was a brilliant and tough man played by a talented and charismatic actor. In a television universe of affable, good looking cowboys, Richard Boone stood alone. Not the most handsome of men, he carried himself like God's gift and, by golly, didn't the guest star ladies all go for him! Where there were dozens of earnest cowpokes willing to lend a stranger a helping hand, Paladin could make you feel like a skunk for hiring him.

The second season found our hero dealing with Comanches, Apaches, drought, angry mobs, shady mine claims, woman's suffrage, feuds, hidden treasure and Oscar Wilde. Nothing was beyond his capabilities. The series also made the transition to radio in 1958 and lasted until 1960 starring John Dehner.

Maverick creator Roy Huggins came up with this winning formula by turning the standard western on its ear. His earlier creation, Cheyenne, featured the loner who travels from town to town and finds himself calming troubled waters.

The Maverick brothers Bret and Bart, the perfectly teamed James Garner and Jack Kelly, were a couple of gamblers who were anything but loners, with their own humorous code and a way with the ladies. Of course, sometimes the ladies got the better of the lads, but it caused them no soul searching. The second season saw such classic episodes as Shady Deal at Sunny Acres wherein every good looking con artist whoever crossed paths with the Mavericks got together to help Bret out of a jam, and the priceless Gunsmoke spoof written by Marion Hargrove (See Here, Private Hargrove), Gun-Shy.

THE RIFLEMAN

Developed by Sam Peckinpah and in its debut season, The Rifleman (1958-1963) told the story of rancher Lucas McCain, widowed father to son Mark, trying to raise his son with strong values of right and wrong. Rancher McCain just happened to be an extraordinarily fine shot with his Winchester and, unfortunately, trouble seemed drawn to their town of North Fork often putting Lucas and/or Mark in harm's way.

Chuck Connors, co-star the same year in William Wyler's The Big Country, starred as Lucas and young Johnny Crawford, nominated for a supporting actor Emmy (losing to Gunsmoke's Dennis Weaver), played Mark.

Lucas was intent on raising Mark to be strong and sure, yet tolerant and open-minded. He was ably assisted by a family of townsfolk including former alcoholic lawman Micah Torrence played by veteran Paul Fix and shopkeeper Hattie Denton played by Hope Summers.

Wagon Train (1957-1965) was another rating topper in its second season. Ward Bond (featured player in every movie ever made!) found stardom as Major Seth Adams, the wagon master. The gruff Major Adams inspired confidence in viewers and in the people he led from Missouri to California. Along those treacherous trails, we learned the stories of the guest stars.

Handsome actor/singer Robert Horton was trail scout Flint McCullough, an introspective man who could handle the romance and the action that kept the show and those wagons moving.

Stuntmen turned actors, Frank McGrath played put upon cook Charlie Wooster and Terry Wilson played scout and second-in-command Bill Hawks. These two actors were the constant through the program's years on the air.

The second season featured such episodes and guest stars as Lou Costello's final screen appearance in The Tobias Jones Story, Jane Wyman in The Dr. Willoughby Story, Rhonda Fleming in The Jennifer Churchill Story, Sessue Hayakawa in The Sakee Ito Story, Anne Baxter in The Kitty Angel Story and Bette Davis in The Ella Lindstrom Story.

The May 6th, 1959 ceremony saw the only Emmy awarded for Best Western Series going to Maverick, the show that was created to spoof the standard western. Who knew that blue-ribbon panels had an appreciation for irony?

Thanks to DVDs, specialty channels, and the internet, many classic television westerns are available for audiences today. They not only provide a nostalgic treat for some but are a welcome alternative to over-the-top crime dramas, souped-up game shows, and trashy celeb fests that currently populate the airwaves.

Sadly, season DVD sets of the magnificent Maverick are still a far-off dream.*

* That far-off dream came true in May 2012 with the release of Maverick: The Complete First Season on DVD.  Now we just have to wait for the rest of the series!

Favourite movies: The Kidnappers (1953)

A movie can become a family heirloom or treasure whose oft-quoted lines become part of how you communicate. 1953s The Kidnappers sometimes known as The Little Kidnappers is such a movie. My late father, when pouring a glass of milk, would say he was "tapping the goat". That might seem an odd thing to say to someone who hasn't seen The Kidnappers, but to us, it would be odd if he didn't say it.

Neil Paterson adapted the screenplay from his own short story Scotch Settlement. The film was shot in England by director, later producer, Philip Leacock. Highly thought of at the time of its release, The Kidnappers young stars Jon Whiteley and Vincent Winter were each awarded Honorary (juvenile) Oscars. The film was nominated for the Grand Prize of the Festival at Cannes. BAFTA nominations included Best British Actor for Duncan Macrae, Best British Film and Best Film From Any Source.

Vincent Winter, Jon Whiteley
Honorary Oscar Winners

Set in Nova Scotia at the turn of the 20th century, the story of The Kidnappers concerns two orphaned brothers from western Canada sent to live with their grandparents in Nova Scotia. Harry (Jon Whiteley), the eldest brother is serious and thoughtful. Newly five Davy (Vincent Winter) is lively and curious. The granddaddy, Jim MacKenzie (Duncan Macrae), is not a mean man, but one who has found in his way in life through discipline and hard work. He has never learned the art of relating to the young.

MacKenzie's hardbound ways drove his son away who married and settled at the far end of the country. Prior to their mother's death from illness, young Harry and Davy's father was killed in the Boer War. Jim MacKenzie's bitterness at his son's death is heightened by a land dispute with Dutch neighbours, the Hoofts. His daughter Kirsty's (Adrienne Corri) affection for the widowed Dr. Bloem (Theodore Bikel) doesn't have a chance under her father's harsh family rule.

Vincent Winter, Jon Whiteley, Jean Anderson
Duncan Macrae, Adrienne Corri

The lonely youngsters ask their granddaddy for a dog and the old man dismisses the idea. It is simply not practical and to illustrate his position he explains to the boys that "you can't eat a dog". Fearsome as Jim MacKenzie seemed to the boys before, this pronouncement turns him into an ogre.

The neighbouring Hooft children are many and when playing, the youngest is inadvertently left alone. A sense of duty toward the abandoned tyke and joy at having something to love turn Harry and Davy into little kidnappers.

Davy: "Are we going to keep it forever?"
Harry: "I don't know... We'll keep it for a year or two anyways, until it's got a mind of its own - and then, if it wants to hit the trail, there won't be no stopping it."

Anthony Michael Heathcoat as Baby Girl Hooft
Vincent Winter

The last act of the movie concerns the impact of the loss, the search for the baby, and the discovery of the perpetrators. Lessons are learned and lives are changed.

The Kidnappers is a unique story, charmingly told with affection for human nature and an unassuming wit. A true treasure from the trove of classic films.

"That's a major award" - A Christmas Story (1983)

Many thanks to Jacqueline Lynch of Another Old Movie Blog for bestowing upon me the honour of the Stylish Blogger Award. In promoting the fine blogs in the world of the internet it is now my privilege to forward the award to seven stylish bloggers and reveal seven random facts regarding yours truly.

My first thought is "Do I know seven stylish bloggers?" and the answer is a resounding "Do I know seven stylish bloggers!"

scathingly-brilliant.blogspot.com
You'll enjoy checking out the world of Kate Gabrielle.

warren-william.com
Cliff knows all about the handsome, talented movie star.

frankensteinia.blogspot.com
Pierre Fournier is aliive!

misstraceynolan.blogspot.com
Tracey knows all and isn't above sharing.

bingfan03.blogspot.com
The Bing Crosby Media Archive
What D. Lobosco doesn't know about Bing isn't worth knowing.

juneandart.blogspot.com
June & Art
Lee Price allows us to share personalities and history.

fangshih-yutriviawingshaolintemple.blogspot.com
Fang Shih-yu and the "Trivia Wing" of the Shaolin Temple!
What's not to love about a site with an explanation point?

Me: 7 random things

Birth rank: First born.
Of Four Daughters (1938).

Politics: Moderate.
I took an online test.

Religion: Fordian. The Quiet Man (1952) is required viewing on high holidays.

Boyfriend: Archie Goodwin.
It's okay. My husband is aware.

Health: Cancer survivor.
Don't die of embarrassment, ask your doctor about a colonoscopy.

Inner me: Julie London

Outer me: Shirley Booth

Harry's Back in Town

Harry Warren
December 24, 1893 - September 22, 1981

Harry's Back in Town was a music revue featuring the songs of the popular composer that was the first production of COMUS Music Theatre of Canada in 1976. The title is a take-off on the song Lulu's Back in Town written by Harry Warren and Al Dubin for 1935s Broadway Gondolier where it was sung by Dick Powell and The Mills Brothers. Of course, the truth is that Harry Warren didn't have to come back - he never went away. People love the hundreds of songs written by Harry Warren even though they don't know it. I was one of those people.

The Lawrence Welk Show was popular in my family and one evening Lawrence announced that the program would be a tribute to his good friend, Harry Warren. "Who the Devil is Harry Warren?" asked my Dad. My sisters and I shrugged our shoulders and the show began. As each performer started another familiar song we looked at each other and laughed. "So that's Harry Warren!"

Welk wasn't the first television host to pay tribute to Harry's popularity. Perry Como, Nat "King" Cole and Eddie Fisher did as well. Nat's program was special in that his theme song - "In the evening let me come and sing to you" - was set to the melody of Harry's Shadow Waltz from Gold Diggers of 1933.

Harry was born Salvatore Anthony Guaragna in Brooklyn in 1893. His father changed the family name to Warren. Harry was a self-taught musician picking up his father's accordion. He left school at 16 to join a carnival and in his early 20s was working at Vitagraph Studios providing mood music, playing bits, assistant directing, props, anything that needed doing. He also played piano background at movie theatres and performed in cafes. It was during a stint in the Navy in 1918 that he began composing and in 1922 had his first hit song Rose of the Rio Grande. Puccinni was a strong musical influence and Broadway his desired goal.

Harry's songs were featured in Broadway Revues such as Billy Rose's Sweet and Low in 1930 and Ed Wynn's The Laugh Parade in 1931. The Brothers Warner, those pioneering talking picture producers who had purchased Harry's old Vitagraph stomping grounds in 1925, offered him a contract in 1932. Harry Warren didn't merely provide the movies with songs, he provided the world with standards - the soundtrack of the 20th century.

Ruby Keeler, Warner Baxter
42nd Street

Directed by Busby Berkeley, who worked on the Billy Rose Revue mentioned early, the backstage musical 42nd Street, based on Bradford Ropes novel, is boisterous, fast-moving fun. Songs by Harry and lyricist Al Dubin include the title tune, You're Getting to Be a Habit With Me and Shuffle Off to Buffalo. Warren and Dubin have a bit in the picture as a couple of songwriters who get chewed out by the director. They are too cute!

Just a few of the other gems given to us by Harry Warren during his time at Warner Brothers include September in the Rain introduced by that likable tenor James Melton in the 1937 feature Melody for Two. We're in the Money, Shadow Waltz, and Remember My Forgotten Man in Gold Diggers of 1933. I Only Have Eyes for You was introduced by Dick Powell in 1934's Dames.

Harry Warren was nominated for the Best Song Oscar 11 times with 5 different lyricists and won 3 of the coveted statues. Harry's first Academy Award nomination and win came for Lullaby of Broadway with Al Dubin from Gold Diggers of 1935.

Thanks to Carl Stallings and Milt Franklyn you probably grew up hearing Harry's songs in the background of your favourite Looney Tunes.

By 1940 Harry was working with Mack Gordon at 20th Century Fox where it so happened that Glenn Miller and his Orchestra were featured in a couple of movies. What a dream pairing of composer and artist! Sun Valley Serenade featured the world's first gold record Chatanooga Choo Choo, the lovely ballad I Know Why (and So Do You) and the peppy It Happened in Sun Valley. Orchestra Wives gave us Serenade in Blue, I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo, and the timeless At Last.

Ray Eberle, Lynn Bari (dubbed by Pat Friday) introduce At Last
Orchestra Wives

Alice Faye
The Gang's All Here

Also at 20th Century Fox was the lovely Alice Faye who would bring us two of Harry and Mack's most cherished ballads which were particularly poignant while the world was at war. No Love, No Nothin' from The Gang's All Here and the Academy Award-winning You'll Never Know from Hello Frisco, Hello. Sammy Kaye and His Orchestra with vocalist Joan Merrill introduced There Will Never Be Another You in 1942s Sonja Henie flick Iceland.

Harry's late 40s sojourn at MGM would bring him another Oscar for a song written with Johnny Mercer for 1946s The Harvey Girls, the unforgettable On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe. Back in 1939, Harry and Johnny's Jeepers Creepers was nominated for a picture called Going Places. Their sprightly number lost to Ralph Rainger and Le Robin's Thanks for the Memory from The Big Broadcast of 1938, as well it or any other tune should.

The 50s saw Harry Warren's last three Oscar nominations, Zing a Little Zong (Leo Robin) performed by Jane Wyman and Bing Crosby in 1952s Just for You. Dean Martin's great hit That's Amore (Jack Brooks) from 1953s The Caddy and the theme to 1957s An Affair to Remember (Harold Adamson, Leo McCarey) which was a popular hit for Vic Damone. Harry composed the theme for the television show The Legend of Wyatt Earp. The show's star Hugh O'Brian with the Ken Darby Chorus sang the theme.

In 1955 Harry founded Four Jays Music Publishing whose business was carried on by his daughter Julia Riva.

Speaking of "amore" and "affairs to remember" Harry Warren's marriage to Josephine Wensler in 1917 lasted until his passing.

Harry Warren was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1971. In 1980 the great Broadway success of the stage adaption of the movie 42nd Street brought Harry Warren's phenomenal career full circle.

When you find yourself humming a tune, wistfully or joyfully, chances are it was a tune given to us by Harry Warren.

Three from Ian Keith

Ian Keith
February 27, 1899 - March 26, 1960

There are some actors that you can't keep your eyes off of, and Boston born Keith is one of them. He began his acting career early and by 1921 was a featured player on Broadway. He would appear 18 times on the New York stage in drawing room comedies, dramas, adventures and Shakespeare. He was appearing in the Tony Award nominated The Andersonville Trial at the time of his death.

" Dr. Bates "
The Andersonville Trial
Henry Miller's Theatre, 1960

Ian Keith had over 100 screen credits to his name from the silent film era to the Golden Age of live television drama. Despite his good looks and talent, although he was a busy actor, Ian Keith never became a star. I have read that a proclivity toward the bottle and a fondness for the ladies held back his career interests. Although this seems like SOP for the Hollywoodites, perhaps a rumoured dalliance with Mrs. Raoul Walsh while filming that director's The Big Trail was less than judicious.

Three of Ian Keith's wives were actresses, silent star Fern Andra, Ethel Clayton and the imposingly talented Blanche Yurka. He was married to his fourth wife Hildegarde Pabst at the time of his passing.

Ian Keith's versatility and natural charisma is a pleasure to behold in many pictures. The parts may be small, but the talent is large. If I were a collector of actor trading cards, I would trade three of anybody to get an Ian Keith. 

" Pete Krumbein "
Ian Keith, Tyrone Power
Nightmare Alley

My favourite of Ian Keith's portrayals is the broken Pete in Edmund Goulding's 1947 classic Nightmare Alley. Pete played the psychic con with wife Joan Blondell and it drove him to the depths of despair and degradation. Pete is a warning to ambitious Stanton Carlisle played by Tyrone Power. Pete is absolutely and terrifyingly heartbreaking.

" Vitamin Flintheart "
Dick Tracy vs. Cueball and Dick Tracy's Dilemma

Straight out of the comic strip unto the big screen it's that world renowned ACTOR, dupe of villains and stalwart companion of the law, Vitamin Flintheart. Ian Keith appeared in two Dick Tracy movies playing the hammy master of loquaciousness with great over-the-top Barrymore-esque elan. My favourite of the two is John Rawlins' 1947 masterpiece (and, no, I don't use the word lightly) Dick Tracy's Dilemma. A must-see.

" Shevket Ben Ali "
Ian Keith, Mary Astor, William Boyd
Two Arabian Knights

Lewis Milestone's 1927 Oscar winner Two Arabian Knights can be rightfully called a "romp". The adventures of two soldiers played by William Boyd and Louis Wolheim had me chuckling from beginning to end. Romance, in the form of Miss Astor, makes its presence felt and the necessary obstacle is provided by the villain played by Ian Keith. He's one of those cold, selfish, fearless yet philosophical types. I imagine him a cousin of Rupert of Hentzau.

Yes, indeed. If there is a fellow on screen that you can't tear your eyes from, that fellow is Ian Keith.