Actor Dennis Cole has passed away at age 69. He guest-starred on countless hit TV series since he made his mark as one of the stars of the 60s crime show Felony Squad. He also co-starred with Rod Taylor in the short-lived 1970s series Bearcats. Cole, who was once married to Charlie's Angel star Jaclyn Smith, refused to appear in any show involving violence following the 1991 murder of his son in a home invasion.  For more click here

Director Paul Wendkos has died at age 84 from cancer. He directed the original Gidget film in 1959, as well as two sequels. The WWII veteran also directed The Mephisto Waltz, Battle of the Coral Sea, Attack on the Iron Coast, Hell Boats and Guns of the Magnificent Seven, the final entry in the long-running Western series.  For more click here

Actor Edward Woodward has passed away at age 79. The acclaimed star of stage and screen had appeared in many high-profile films including Breaker Morant, The Final Option, Young Winston and - more recently- the hit British comedy Hot Fuzz. He also starred in the popular British TV series Callan. However, Woodward will always be associated with the classic cult horror film The Wicker Man in which he plays a police inspector whose search for a missing girl leads him to interact with a bizarre society that mingles sex, murder and the occult. The film's long and pained history has been the subject of books and documentaries, but suffice it to say that it became a far bigger hit in the years after its initial release. Woodward co-starred in it with Sir Christopher Lee. In the 1980s, Woodward became a popular household name in America through his Emmy-nominated role as The Equalizer on TV. For more click here

On September 30, producer Robert S. Baker passed away at age 92. Baker had a long history of feature film production credits, mostly on B movies in his early years. However, he was a major force in British television in the 1960s. It was Baker who managed to bring both

The Saint and The Persuaders to the air. He became Roger Moore's producing partner and the two made the 1969 adventure film Crossplot together. He also served as executive producer on the short-lived, but excellent British series The Baron.

In an E mail to Cinema Retro, legendary Hammer horror writer and director Jimmy Sangster wrote:

"I first met Bob Baker when he and his partner , Monty Berman,asked me to write  Blood of the Vampire. Later I went on to write four or five other scripts for them.  He was an extremely good producer and director, and, from a writer's point of view, extremely easy to work with. He was also a charming man. He and Monty ran a very efficient company which  only stopped making movies when they set up Roger Moore's The Saint.  He will be sadly missed."

Character actor Carl Ballantine ahas died at age 92. He was one of the comedy industry's favorite second bananas and was also acclaimed for his stand-up act in which he played a bumbling magician. Ballantine, who received a lifetime achievement award on behalf of the magic industry in 2007, continued to perform until last year. His film credits include The Shakiest Gun in the West, Speedway and Mr. Saturday Night. He was also known for his role as the con-man Gruber on the McHale's Navy TV series. For more click here

Lou Jacobi, the avuncular and popular character actor, has died at age 95. He was noted for his triple threat work in film, on stage and in TV. Jacobi played a key role in both the Broadway production of The Diary of Anne Frank as well as the 1959 screen version. Other major film credits include Avalon, Arthur, My Favorite Year and - very memorably- Woody Allen's 1972 comedy Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex. In one segment, Jacobi was cast as a straight-as-an-arrow family man whose penchant for cross-dressing leads to a disastrous social situation. For more click here

Character actress Collin Wilcox-Paxton passed away last week in North Carolina. She was best known for playing the white woman who accused an innocent black man (played by Brock Peters) of rape in the film classic To Kill a Mockingbird. Ms. Wilcox-Paxton also appeared in many TV series as a guest star as well as feature films such as Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, Jaws 2 and Catch-22. When diagnosed with brain cancer, the actress arranged and attended her own memorial service rather than be remembered at a traditional funeral. For more click here

Soupy Sales, the icon of 1950s and 1960s children's American TV programs, has died at age 83. Sales' trademark brand of comedy involved hitting his guests in the face with pies. Many of the most prominent names in show business willingly appeared on his show for the honor of being "creamed". Among them: Frank Sinatra and Shirley MacLaine. Sales remained a popular figure through the decades and was a regular presence at comedy events in the New York area. He also had several hit comedy novelty records. For more click here

Vic Mizzy, the talented composer who created the legendary theme songs for the TV series The Addams Family, Green Acres, Petticoat Junction and Mr. Ed has died at age 93. Mizzy also composed themes for feature films including most of Don Knotts' hits from the 1960s including The Ghost and Mr. Chicken and The Reluctant Astronaut. For more click here

Writer Stuart Kaminsky has died at age 75. He was multi-talented, teaching seminars on film history and authoring both successful mystery novels and non-fiction biographies of Hollywood legends. Kaminsky wrote the first appreciation of director Don Siegel as well as an early paperback biography of Clint Eastwood. Additonally, he was hired by Sergio Leone to provide dialogue for Once Upon a Time in America. For more click here 

Producer and former MGM chief Daniel Melnick died Tuesday at age 77. His credits are as diversified as they are impressive. Among the films and TV series he oversaw, produced or developed: Get Smart, Network, Straw Dogs, All That Jazz, That's Entertainment, Midnight Express, The Goodbye Girl, The Sunshine Boys, Kramer Vs. Kramer, Footloose and Altered States. For more click here

By Lee Pfeiffer

Popular crooner Al Martino has passed away at age 82. No cause of death has yet been released. Although primarily known for singing love songs, Martino gained immortality on the screen as The Godfather's  Johnny Fontaine, the down-in-the-dumps singer whose career is revived when Don Corleone makes a film producer an offer he can't refuse to give Johnny the starring role in a war movie. The character was said to have been based on Frank Sinatra, whose career followed a similar trajectory and was revived with his Oscar winning performance in a war movie - From Here to Eternity. The similarities resulted in Sinatra having to contend with an untrue urban legend - that he got the part in the film by having gangsters cut off the head of a race horse belonging to a Columbia Pictures mogul. In fact, that part was pure fiction invented by the novelist Mario Puzo. Nevertheless, when casting for the part of Fontaine was taking place, Sinatra exerted pressure on several would-be contenders not to take the role.  Martino, who had a hit with the title theme from The Godfather, revived the role of Johnny Fontaine in The Godfather Part III. For more click here

Actor and stuntman Dick Durock has passed away at age 72. Durock was primarily known for playing the title role in the Swamp Thing feature films and TV series. For details about his life and career, click here 

Henry Gibson, who delivered witty and sarcastic poems on Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In, has died from cancer at age 73. Gibson had a long career after the show, appearing in such films as The Long Goodbye, Nashville and - more recently- Wedding Crashers. He also had a recurring role on the hit TV series Boston Legal. For more click here 

Patrick Swayze has finally lost his long, brave battle against cancer. The star of Dirty Dancing and Ghost passed away peacefully at age 57, in the presence of his family. Until recently, Swayze managed to act in the action TV series The Beast. For more click here

A valued alumni of TV's Golden Age of Comedy has passed away. Writer Larry Gelbart was part of Sid Caesar's legendary circle of writers in the 1950s. He also wrote the book for the hit play A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and co-wrote the blockbuster comedy film Tootsie. His greatest achievement was adapting Robert Altman's 1970 film M*A*S*H into a hit comedy TV series that ran for years. Most attempts to bring hit movies to the small screen fail, but Gelbart found the right blend of sarcasm and poignancy to make the show a hit with both audiences and critics. Upon hearing of his death, Woody Allen called Gelbart "the best comedy writer I ever knew and one of the best guys." For more on his life and career click here. 

Army Archerd, whose name is synonymous with Hollywood gossip reporting, has died at age 87 from a form of cancer relating to asbestos exposure he endured during his service in the Navy during WWII. Archerd began covering Hollywood in 1945 and had been with Variety since 1953. His columns reflected a time before gossip got to the ugly state it is in today. Archerd generally wrote friendly pieces about celebrities, though he sometimes broke big news such as the fact that Rock Hudson was suffering from AIDS. Archerd respected his subjects and they held him in esteem as well. For full details on his life and career click here

By Lee Pfeiffer

Just a month after the death of Walter Cronkite, CBS News mourned the passing of another of its key figures: Don Hewitt has died at age 86. Hewitt joined the network in the early days of TV, back in 1948. He produced the ground-breaking first televised presidential debate between Richard M. Nixon and John F. Kennedy. The debate was a watershed moment in political history. Those who heard the debate on the radio felt Nixon had won, but the TV audience was enthralled with Kennedy's dashing appearance and good looks, which contrasted with Nixon's bland appearance. Since then, politics has been as much about grooming as it has been about political positions. Hewitt introduced the format of a weekly news magazine with "60 Minutes" in 1968. He produced the show through 2003, when he was rather unceremoniously shoved out by CBS, which wanted a more youth-oriented aspect to the show. Yet "60 Minutes" remains Hewitt's personal triumph, as the show routinely dominates the ratings on Sunday nights. For more click here

By Lee Pfeiffer

Budd Schulberg, the Oscar-winning screenwriter of On the Waterfront, has died at age 95. The prolific Schulberg came from a show business family - his father was head of production for Paramount. However, he was never enamored of the industry and his sensational novel What Makes Sammy Run? exposed the seamier side of the business. Schulberg also exposed corruption on the New York docks in the 1954 film On the Waterfront (although the movie was shot entirely in Hoboken, New Jersey). Many felt the character of punch-drunk ex-boxer Terry Malloy (played by Marlon Brando) was an alter-ego for Schulberg himself. This was due to the fact that the character is presented as a hero for informing on his friends in the interest of the greater public good. Schulberg was dogged throughout his life by the fact that both he and the film's director Elia Kazan were friendly witnesses during  the McCarthy hearings. Both named names and implicated fellow writers and filmmakers as being Communist sympathizers.

Although Schulberg never equaled the success of Waterfront, he did win acclaim for the novel The Harder They Fall, which blew the lid off crime infiltration in the world of boxing. The book was made into a film in 1956. It was to be Humphrey Bogart's final role.Schulberg also wrote A Face in the Crowd, which was directed by Kazan. The film traces the rags-to-riches career of a country singer who becomes increasingly monstrous as fame goes to his head Although not a commercial success at the time, the movie is regarded today as a classic - due in no small part to a ferocious, star-making performance by Andy Griffith.For more click here

Director John Hughes, whose films Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Home Alone, The Breakfast Club and Planes, Trains and Automobiles made him a hero of the Brat Pack generation, has died suddenly at age 59. Hughes was stricken by a heart attack in Manhattan, where he was visiting family members. Hughes' meteoric rise was followed by his virtual withdrawal from the film industry. He was rarely interviewed and seemed to relish his self-imposed retirement, as it allowed him to spend more time with his family. For more click here

By Lee Pfeiffer

Harry Alan Towers, the legendary British producer of low-budget, high-profit B movies, has died at age 88. Towers had a long career and had remained active in the film business. He was working on his autobiography when he died. Towers was a master at selling low-budget movies with one major star in order to broaden international appeal. He worked many times with Sir Christopher Lee, and their collaborative efforts included the highly popular Fu Manchu films of the 1960s. Towers also dabbled in B spy movies and horror films with kinky sexual angles. In the 1990s, he also brought Michael Caine back to the role of Harry Palmer in a series of made-for-cable TV movies. He is survived by his wife, actress Maria Rohm.

(Cinema Retro writer John Exshaw covers the making of the Fu Manchu films in Cinema Retro issue #15, coming this fall. The story includes exclusive comments from Sir Christopher Lee).

Actor Harry Towb, a familiar face to all British TV viewers, has died from cancer at age 83. Towb appeared on the long-running TV series EastEnders, and over the decades made guest appearances on such popular British shows as Z Cars, The Saint, Doctor Who, The Bill, The Champions and The Avengers. Feature film credits include All Night Long, The Blue Max and Prudence and the Pill. For more click here

Gordon Waller of Peter and Gordon, one of the top bands of the 1960s British rock groups, died from cardiovascular disease over the weekend. He was 64 years old. In the 1960s, he and Peter Asher were among the most prominent of the British Invasion groups to take America by storm. With their gentle style of warbling love songs, the duo made an immediate hit. Several of their top songs, including their signature tune A World Without Love, had been written for them by Paul McCartney. The duo broke up in 1968 but the parting was amicable and Peter and Gordon were in the midst of their latest reunion concert tour when Waller passed away. For vintage video click here

By Lee Pfeiffer

Walter Cronkite, the most beloved newsman in the history of America TV broadcasting, has died after a long illness. He was 92. Cronkite hosted The CBS Evening News for many years - much to the frustration of rival networks NBC and ABC, who could never make a dent in his sky-high ratings. He was known as "The Most Trusted Man in America" during an era that preceded 24 hour cable news cycles. For decades, Americans pulled their dinner trays near the TV set to listen to Cronkite's half-hour reporting on the day's events, always ending the broadcast with his signature line "And that's the way it is." Cronkite covered the seminal events of his time including, most famously, the assassination of President Kennedy. It was he who first reported the president's death, barely containing his tears. Cronkite was also had a fervent interest in the U.S. space program and became almost giddy reporting on America's triumphs in the space race against the Soviet Union. He was an integral part of CBS' covering of the moon landing - an event that happened almost 40 years previous to the day of his death. 

Cronkite came of age in the news business when it was still considered untoward for an anchorman to inform the audience of his personal feelings. Cronkite broke that practice in 1968 after making a fact-finding trip to Vietnam to cover the war. Upon his return, he informed his audience of his opinion that America was in an quagmire and that the war could not be won on the battlefield. So powerful was Cronkite's broadcast that President Johnson said of it, "If I've lost Walter Cronkite, I've lost middle America." Ironically, Cronkite was forced out of the anchorman spot and into retirement at age 65 by CBS, which wanted the more youthful Dan Rather to take over from him. Cronkite was deeply hurt by this decision, but as a good trooper, wished Rather well and went gracefully into retirement, though he would occasionally contribute to news specials over the years.For more on Cronkite's remarkable career, click here.

The name Mollie Sugden may not be familiar to many readers, but for anyone who watched the BBC during the years 1973-1985, she was a household name. Sugden played the role of Mrs. Slocombe, the pushy underwear saleswoman in a department store on the long-running British TV classic Are You Being Served? Sugden has died at age 86, leaving legions of her fans with fond memories. For more on her life and career click here

Actor Harve Presnell, a star of major Broadway hits like The Unsinkable Molly Brown, has died at age 75. Presnell also sang the famous song They Call the Wind Maria in the film version of Paint Your Wagon. His films include Fargo, The Glory Guys and Flags of Our Fathers. For more click here

Veteran actor Karl Malden, who won the Supporting Actor Oscar for A Streetcar Named Desire, has passed away at age 97. One of the industry's most beloved and revered actors, Malden boasted a resume of prestigious films not equalled by many others. Among his acclaimed films: Patton, Nevada Smith, One Eyed Jacks, The Cincinatti Kid and On the Waterfront. He also starred in the long-running hit TV series The Streets of San Fracisco. He also served as President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Cinema Retro mourns the passing of this great talent. For more click here

By Lee Pfeiffer

Billy Mays, the seemingly omnipresent pitchman seen all over American TV, has died at age 50. The stocky Mays had parlayed his "spiel" of in-your-face promotions for household cleansers and other products into a virtual trademark. Clad in his familiar blue shirt and tan trousers, the stocky, bearded Mays would wake viewers out of their stupors by literally shouting about the quality of his products. In a recent profile on a major TV show, it became clear that Mays had legions of fans who would mob him for autograph and flatter him by reciting his ads verbatim. For others, his bombastic approach caused them to frantically search for the mute button on their remote control. By all accounts, however, Mays was a likable man who relished his unusual status as a celebrity pitchman. Even those who didn't like his TV persona had to confess admiration for the way he built himself into a one-man industry. He had also just premiered his cable TV show Pitchmen in which he evaluated prospective new products for late night TV marketing. Mays was on a flight that had a rough landing in Tampa yesterday, though it isn't confirmed that incident might have had anything to do with his death.

Mays is the latest celebrity to die in a week that has already seen the passing of Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson.

For more click here

By Lee Pfeiffer

NBC News has confirmed that Michael Jackson has died from cardiac arrest. NBC says the death was verified by Jackson's family. The 50 year old pop legend had been rushed to the hospital earlier today in a coma after suffering a heart attack. Jackson had been planning a series of comeback concerts to begin in July 2010, after having been postponed for a year.  It is a cruel irony that Jackson died within hours of Farrah Fawcett, who also became a superstar during the 1970s. Jackson's career spanned from being the youngest and most charismatic of The Jackson Five and later became perhaps the most popular singer of his generation. His landmark 1982 album Thriller, produced by Quincy Jones, spawned many chart-topping hits. It became the top selling record of all time with sales of over 100 million units. Before long, Jackson became a superstar whose fame and fan base extended worldwide. He also popularized the music video and MTV with his Thriller mini-movie that boasted top flight special effects and was directed by John Landis. The video also featured a classic voice over from Hollywood legend Vincent Price.  

Jackson's storybook lifestyle was short-lived, however. He began to exhibit increasingly eccentric behavior, much of it propagated by himself. Although his fan base remained extremely loyal, he became a punch line on virtually every comedy show. Jackson never commented on his sexuality, though it was widely believed he was gay. He had two short-lived marriages, the first to Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis Presley. The second marriage was one apparently of convenience, but did result in his wife bearing three children. This, too, resulted in  controversy as Jackson's critics claimed he was too childlike himself to raise children properly. Scandal followed scandal with Jackson's penchant for inviting little boys to spend the night with him at his opulent Neverland Ranch resulting in his being charged with child molestation. He beat the rap, but the case severely damaged his reputation. His lavish spending habits went unchecked and he was the support system for a seemingly endless stream of family members and hangers-on. Despite being one of the wealthiest performers in history, he failed to pay creditors and had lost much of his empire. It remains unclear what assets he left behind because his personal affairs were so convoluted. Jackson had been actively involved in planning a series of comeback concerts that were estimated to have a potential gross of $500 million. However, some experts say that even that phenomenal sum might not be enough to equal the debts he had amassed. Despite his eccentricities and a strict upbringing that deprived him of a normal childhood, Jackson's legacy will be as one of the greatest entertainers in American history. His death will certainly become one of those tragic moments that will cause everyone to remember where they were when they heard the news.

Update: MSNBC News reports that it may be weeks before a final coroner's report officially designates the cause of death.

Actress Farrah Fawcett has lost her long battle with cancer and has passed away at age 62. Earlier reports indicate she had been given Last Rites. She had been hospitalized for the last two weeks. Sadly, she never was able to fulfill her desire to finally marry her long-time beau Ryan O'Neal, who was at her bedside when the end came. More details to follow. 

By Lee Pfeiffer

Ed McMahon, who transformed himself from being a second banana to Johnny Carson to becoming one of the most beloved American TV personalities of all time, has passed away at age 86. McMahon actually teamed with Carson on the game show Who Do You Trust? but the pair became TV legends when they took over NBC's The Tonight Show from Jack Paar in 1962. The industry would never be the same. The Carson/McMahon team became "Must See TV" for the majority of American audiences and at one time was said to represent 30% of NBC's annual profits. So great was their audience share that no other network ever came close to toppling their reign. ABC and CBS threw everything but the kitchen sink into the coveted 11:30 time slot, but Johnny and Ed steamrolled over everyone from Joey Bishop to Dick Cavett. 

McMahon was the perfect foil for the likeable but opaque Carson, a man who audiences felt comfortable "inviting" into their bedrooms every night but who scrupulously avoided the spotlight in between shows. McMahon never sought to be top dog and was quite content to stay with Carson throughout their reign between the years of 1962 and 1992. When Carson decided to retire, Ed chose to do so too, realizing that staying on with Jay Leno would have changed the dynamic for the public in a way they probably wouldn't have accepted. McMahon had a unique ability to make Carson look funny even when a joke bombed, which was rare. On such occasions, Carson would be greeted by silence at the punch-line, only to have Ed's bellicose laugh, deriving from his friend's distress, fill the room. The result would be that the audience would inevitably go hysterical. McMahon was more than just a decoration on the set, however, where he maintained his seat on the couch off to the right of Carson. He was witty, urbane and made the most of his penchant for drinking. (When John Wayne dropped by the set, Carson introduced them as "The High and the Mighty").  He could take a joke, but was also able to dish out spontaneous one-liiners that could bring down the house.

Actor Del Monroe, who starred opposite Richard Basehart and David Hedison in the hit 1960s TV series Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, has died from leukemia, according to the National Enquirer. Monroe, who appeared in many other classic TV shows, lived to see a resurgence of interest in the show and was stunned by the enthusiastic reception accorded to him at fan conventions. Monroe had also appeared in the 1961 feature film that the series was based on. For more click here

THIS STORY HAS BEEN UPATED

Actor David Carradine, a prominent member of Carradine family of noted actors, has been found dead in a Thailand hotel. His body was found by a hotel maid. The 72 year-old actor was originally thought to have committed suicide, but Bangkok police have now revised that theory and are hinting that his death may have been due to a bizarre accident. There were no signs that Carradine was suffering from suicidal tendencies. He was in Thailand to begin filming a new movie, but had not showed up for a cast and crew social event. Carradine, the son of legendary actor John Carradine, had gained fame from his 1970s TV series Kung Fu. He also made many feature films and gained the most recognition for his portrayal of folk singer Woody Guthrie in Bound for Glory. More recently, Carradine became a favorite among younger audiences because of his titular role in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill films. For more click here

A precious aspect of a historic tragedy passed into the ages with the death of Milvina Dean on Sunday. Ms. Dean, aged 97, was the last survivor of The Titanic sinking, though she was only an infant and had to rely on stories from her mother to inform her of her place in history. Ms. Dean said that she was virtually unknown until the wreck of the ship was found in 1985. Since then, she had been in demand at historic seminars and Titanic events. She escaped with her 2 year old brother, thanks to her mother's efforts. However, her 29 year old father perished in the disaster. Ms. Dean never saw the blockbuster 1997 film Titanic because it would have reminded her of her father's tragic fate. Ironically, when she ran into financial problems in the last days of her life, the stars of that film - Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet- helped promote a fund which enabled her to pay some of her medical expenses. For more click here

Producer and film executive Mort Abrahams has died at age 93. Abrahams' impressive resume includes producing the hit TV series Route 66 as well as numerous episodes of The Man From U.N.C.L.E. His big screen credits include Planet of the Apes, Battle for the Planet of the Apes, The Chairman, Doctor Doolittle and The American Film Theatre feature films. 

Cinema Retro reader Rory Monteith has provided the following exclusive statement which he obtained from Mr. Abrahams' daughter-in-law:

"Mort Abrahams, the retired TV and movie producer, who produced the
original "Planet of the Apes," (and, I think, two of the others) passed
away in his Studio City home on May 28, 2009. I know this because I am
his daughter-in-law, and his widow just telephoned me. He died early
this morning, with his daughter and his wife at his bedside. He had
been ill for some time, and his death was not unexpected.

As well--and more importantly, from my point of view--as being an
accomplished producer and later a mentor to younger talent when he was
at the American Film Institute, Mort was a warm, gentle, loving man. He
was patient and giving with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He would play countless card games with them, sometimes putting on
funny accents. He had an endless supply of amazing anecdotes about life
in the business. His wife, his daughter, and his son (my late husband)
had all heard these stories, but my daughter and I were always
enthralled. Above all, he had a sweetness to him, a vulnerability, that
was to me his defining trait. I shall miss him so much!

Mr. Abrahams' body is to be cremated, and there will be no public
memorial service, as per his wishes. He is survived by his wife and
daughter, son- and daughter-in-law, two grandchildren, and two
great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son just over a
year ago."

Mickey Carroll, one of the beloved actors who played a Munchkin in The Wizard of Oz, has passed away at age 89. Carroll played multliple parts in the 1939 classic, for which he was paid $125 a week. He later bypassed a movie career in favor of radio performances and used his celebrity to raise funds for charity. He also ran a cemetery monument business until 1996. In 2007, Carroll - along with other surviving Munchkin actors- finally got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. For more click here

By Lee Pfeiffer

Dom DeLuise, the beloved comic actor of TV and feature films, has died at age 75. No details about cause of death have yet been released. DeLuise was a familiar face to moviegoers, generally playing second banana in many classic comedies. He was a favorite of Mel Brooks, who gave him prominent roles in Blazing Saddles, The Twelve Chairs, The History of the World: Part 1and Robin Hood: Men in Tights. DeLuise was also a close friend and co-star of Burt Reynolds. The two made both Cannonball Run films together and memorably starred in the dark comedy about death, The End in which DeLuise gave a hilarious performance as an escaped mental patient. In a rare starring role, DeLuise got to display both his comedic and dramatic skills in Fatso, a touching film directed by Anne Bancroft that centered on a man's lifelong battle with obesity. He also had a dramatic supporting role in Sidney Lumet's 1964 doomsday classic Fail Safe. DeLuise appeared in countless TV series over the decades, generally as a guest star. He was planning to reunite with Burt Reynolds for voice-over work on a new film. His three sons all followed him into the acting profession.  For a video compilation of DeLuise's best film roles click here

Yet another major name in the entertainment industry has passed away this week. Beatrice Arthur, the superb comic actress who starred in Maude and The Golden Girls has died from cancer. She was 86. Arthur was already a well-known name on stage by the time she was cast as Maude in the 1970s. Arthur had won the supporting actress Tony for her performance in the 1966 production of Mame. The character of the razor-sharp-witted Maude was introduced as a foil for Carroll O'Connor's Archie Bunker in All in the Family before being spun off to her own highly successful series. In the 1980s, Arthur repeated that success as a trio of aging but humorous women living together in The Golden Girls. For more on her life, click here

KEN ANNAKIN

(1914-2009)

By Lee Pfeiffer

The film world lost another legend this week with the passing of director/writer Ken Annakin, who died at age 94. For those of us at Cinema Retro, the loss is personal. In addition to directing some of our favorite films, Ken was an avid supporter of the magazine. The seemingly indestructible British filmmaker led a full and active life and was engaged in trying to get new projects off the ground until he fell ill in February.

Annakin began his career as a director in 1946 and found his talents to be constantly in demand. His career took off a decade later when he was hired by Walt Disney to direct The Story of Robin Hood in 1952. He quickly became one of Disney's favorite and most dependable directors. Annakin would do numerous other films for Disney, the most successful being the adventure classic Swiss Family Robinson. Annakin would direct many other high-profile films over the years. He was one of several directors hired for Darryl F. Zanuck's epic D-Day film The Longest Day. Annakin primarily handled the British military sequences, but also contributed to other key scenes. His success on that film led to his involvement with two other epic films of the 1960s: Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines and Battle of the Bulge. Annakin scored an Oscar nomination for his screenplay of the former, but his experience on Bulge was far different. The production ran into funding difficulties that required him to go far beyond his expected duties in order to ensure successful completion of the film. Perhaps the greatest compliment to extend to Annakin is that there was no "typical Ken Annakin picture". He delved into many different genres, including the South African High Noon- like adventure The Hellions, the period war film The Long Duel, the delightful caper comedy The Biggest Bundle of Them All and the sentimental film Paper Tiger for producer Euan Lloyd.

Ken Annakin personified the British gentleman and came of age in an era in which film directors would wear suits and ties on the set. He was a wonderful story-teller with a great sense of humor, attributes I got to enjoy first-hand several years ago when Dave Worrall and I visited him in his Los Angeles home. Ken loved the concept of Cinema Retro and afforded us an entire day in which to interview him for future issues. He shared priceless memories of working with Walt Disney, Darryl F. Zanuck and other giants of the industry. He was hard at work on more film projects, though he wasn't delusional about his chances of success in an industry obsessed with youth. "These will probably never be made, but I can't help myself", he said in relation to finding an outlet for his creative ideas. Dave and I were greatly honored by Ken's enthusiastic reaction to our recent book

The Great War Movies which we authored for 20th Century Fox. Ken sent word that the extensive section on the making of The Longest Day brought back a lot of fond memories.

He authored a well-received autobiography (So You Wanna Be a Director...) which recounted his remarkable career. He even figures as a footnote in the Star Wars saga, as it's said that George Lucas' decision to name the character Anakin Skywalker was a nod of respect to Ken. He is survived by Pauline, his wife of 50 years, and his daughter Deborah, an executive at Paramount.

The only unpleasant aspect of running Cinema Retro is having to report on the loss of so many revered figures in the film industry. This time, the loss is personal, as we're not likely to see another Ken Annakin anytime soon. The man may be gone, but we can take comfort from the fact that generations of future movie goers will still be entertained by his work.

The legendary Jack Cardiff is dead at age 94. He began his career as an actor in silent films, but later established himself as one of the industry's greatest cinematographers, with films such as The Red Shoes and The African Queen to his credit. Cardiff was a man of many talents, and dabbled in directing as well. Among his feature films were The Long Ships, Sons and Lovers, Young Cassidy and The Liquidator. Cardiff also wrote, directed and shot the popular 1960s cult film Girl on a Motorcycle (aka Naked Under Leather) starring Marianne Faithfull as a sexually promiscuous free spirit. Ironically, that film is the cover story of the latest issue of Cinema Retro, now out in England and due to ship in North America in early May. Cardiff was awarded an OBE by Queen Elizabeth in 2000. For more on his life and career click here.  

By Lee Pfeiffer

Peter Rogers' name probably isn't well known outside of the UK, but within the British film industry, he was a legend. Rogers has passed away at age 95. His body of work was largely defined by the laugh-charged Carry On series of films that pushed the envelope in terms of sexual content in the 1950s and 1960s. The series generally boasted a host of talented British comic actors all involved with bedroom antics featuring well endowed actresses. The series was always innocent fun and attracted mainstream audiences who wouldn't have dreamed of attending a real X rated film. Rogers had a productive working relationship with his wife Betty Box, who passed away in 1999. Betty was one of the industry's first successful female producers, having overseen production of the Doctor series of film farces. Rogers started in the film industry after WWII and worked on numerous B movies including writing and producing the cult thriller Timelock which offered Sean Connery one of his first minor roles. He introduced the Carry On films in the 1950s but the series hit its zenith in the 1960s when relaxed censorship rules allowed him to make the movies a bit more daring. The series' success was so steeped in British humor that it never generated much of an audience outside of the UK. In his native England, however, the films were enormous successes and Rogers became a revered figure. He opened an office at Pinewood Studios in the 1950s and remained active there until his death. He was still trying to launch a return of the Carry On series when he passed away. For more click here

By Lee Pfeiffer

News has just come in that Marilyn Chambers, an iconic presence in adult films of the 1970s and 1980s, has been found dead. She was 56 years old. No cause of death was released, but an autopsy will be performed. Chambers was a fresh young face in the modeling world, having posed as the Ivory Snow Girl prior to her entrance into the world of pornography. Her first starring role in Behind the Green Door gave her the stardom that eluded her in the legit entertainment world. Chambers parlayed this fame and made herself into a virtual one-woman industry. In the 1980s, she top-lined her own series of videos, starring in erotic short stories. Despite her "girl-next-door" good looks, Chambers also starred in some films with an S&M slant and routinely performed in lesbian scenes. She attempted to make a career in mainstream films and did star in David Cronenberg's thriller Rabid. However, her audience didn't follow her into legit ventures and in recent years, Chambers would appear at autograph shows and capitalize on her fame as a porn legend. Chambers is the second famous porn star to die in the last week. Gay movie icon Jack Wrangler passed away just days ago. 

By Lee Pfeiffer

Most porn stars fade into obscurity and their passing rarely makes the mainstream news. However, the death of Jack Wrangler from cancer at age 62 is an exception. For some, Wrangler was perhaps the first iconic star of gay movies of the 1970s. Even us straight guy horny teenagers had heard of him. With his rugged Marlboro Man looks, Wrangler (real name John Stillman) became an immediate sensation in the era in which porn was seen in squalid movie houses. What sets his story apart, however, is his offbeat personal life. Wrangler fell in love with big band singer Margaret Whiting, who was 22 years his senior. The odd couple ended up marrying, despite Wrangler's insistence that he remained gay. It was the ultimate Hollywood "marriage of convenience", with the refreshing caveat that Wrangler wasn't trying to hide his sexuality. In fact, he always insisted that he never felt ashamed of anything he had done onscreen or off and made no apologies for his career in X rated movies. He wrote an autobiography and was the subject of a recent documentary. Through his relationship with Whiting, Wrangler quit the porn business and concentrated on musical productions. He even launched several shows in tribute of songwriter Johnny Mercer. Margaret Whiting survives him. For more on his life click here. To see Wrangler letting it all hang out, continue reading. (We don't want to offend any of our more sensitive readers!)

By Lee Pfeiffer

Actress Betsy Blair has died of cancer in London. She was 85. Blair arrived in Hollywood as the teen-aged wife of up-and-coming Gene Kelly. They remained married until 1957. Blair initially seemed to be on a promising career of her own, scoring a Supporting Actress Oscar nomination opposite Ernest Borgnine in Marty. However, her passion for left-wing political causes put her out of favor in an industry that was dominated by pressure from the likes of Senator McCarthy. Blair soon found her career had come to a standstill in the United States. She relocated to Europe, where things improved for her, but she did make a temporary digression to study speech therapy. She later married the acclaimed director Karel Reisz. Blair acted periodically on TV and in films in recent years, but turned down a major role in the movie The Hours to care for the dying Reisz. For more click here

Monte Hale, the popular singing cowboy star of many 1940s B westerns, has died at age 89. Hale was one of the founders of the Autry Museum of Western Heritage in Los Angeles, named after his friend and colleague Gene Autry. Hale also appeared in big budget studio films like Giant and The Chase. For more click here

By Lee Pfeiffer

One of the few remaining symbols of the golden age of film scores has passed away. Maurice Jarre has died at his California home. He was 84. Jarre was a three-time Oscar winner for his scores for director David Lean's films Doctor Zhivago, Lawrence of Arabia and A Passage to India. Indeed, the scores for Zhivago and Lawrence are among the most recognizable film compositions in history. Jarre won acclaim for his other great scores including Grand Prix, The Train, The Longest Day, Villa Rides, 5 Card Stud, The Damned, The Man Who Would Be King and Witness. He also composed the score for Lean's ill-fated epic love story Ryan's Daughter. Although the film was not a success, Jarre reaped acclaim for his work. In 1966, he composed his first score for a western for director Richard Brooks' The Professionals and emerged with one of the most exciting film compositions of 60s cinema. In February, Jarre- who was also an accomplished conductor in the theater - accepted a lifetime achievement award at The Berlin Film Festival. 

Click here to read review of the Maurice Jarre DVD of David Lean scores

Actor Ron Silver has died at age 62 following a prolonged battle with cancer. Silver had won acclaim in films, on stage and in TV series. He won the Tony for his performance on Broadway in David Mamet's Speed-the-Plough and on the big screen, he was acclaimed for his role as lawyer Alan Dershowitz in Reversal of Fortune. He also had a recurring role in the TV series The West Wing. Silver had partnered with liberal actors such as Alec Baldwin and Susan Sarandon to form The Creative Coalition. However, in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, his political philosophies swung to the right. He became a political activist in support of President Bush's policies, which made him a somewhat unique voice in the entertainment industry, though TV host Geraldo Rivera and Dennis Miller followed a similar tract. Silver maintained that his political conversion cost him jobs in an industry dominated by liberals and complained his once-hot acting career began to run cold. Still, he continued to put his energies into political activism and hosted his own radio program on satellite radio. His other films include Enemies: A Love Story, Silkwood, Mr. Saturday Night and Ali. For more click here

Alan W. Livingston has passed away at age 91. Never heard of him? Neither had we - but any baby boomer owes him a great debt for a multifaceted career that played a vital role in how popular culture was defined in the last half of the twentieth century. Check out this list of credentials, as published in The Hollywood Reporter:

"Alan W. Livingston, who created the character of Bozo the Clown and signed the Beatles to a contract at Capitol Records during a long and multifaceted show business career, died Friday in Los Angeles. He was 91.

Livingston, who was married to actresses Betty Hutton and Nancy Olson, also produced NBC's "Bonanza"; wrote the 1951 pop hit "I Tawt I Taw a Puddy Tat" for Mel Blanc's Tweety Pie; signed and paired Frank Sinatra with bandleader Nelson Riddle during a low point in Sinatra's career; and served as president of the entertainment group at 20th Century Fox." For the full article click here

Sydney Chaplin, the son of legendary comic genius Charles Chaplin, has died at age 82. Chaplin was an accomplished actor, but he never earned fame and fortune in his own right, perhaps because of the long shadow cast by his father's legend. Sydney Chaplin hit the peak of his career with his Tony Award as Best Actor for the 1957 Broadway hit The Bells Are Ringing. He also starred opposite Barbra Streisand in the stage version of Funny Girl. However, when both plays were brought to the screen, Chaplin was replaced by Dean Martin and Omar Sharif, respectively, because of their box-office appeal. Sydney appeared in two of his father's films: the bittersweet 1952 drama Limelight and Charles Chaplin's ill-fated late career directorial effort, the 1967 comedy A Countess From Hong Kong. It was on the latter that Marlon Brando observed what he termed Charles' tendency to routinely ridicule and berate his son in front of the cast and crew. It led to Brando terming the elder Chaplin as one of the cruelest people he ever worked with. While Sydney never reached top stardom as an actor, he was a popular restauranteur as owner of Chaplin's, which drew the rich and famous on a nightly basis. For more click here