A prop phaser rifle designed for one of two original pilot episodes for the original 'Star Trek' TV series has been sold at auction for an astronomical $231,000. The rifle was designed by Rueben Clamer for producer Gene Roddenberry and was wielded by William Shatner in a pilot episode for NBC. A previous pilot episode had been filmed with Jeffrey Hunter in the lead role, but the episode was rejected by NBC brass. Still, the network saw promise in Gene Roddenberry's creation and authorized a second pilot episode. The rests, as they say, is history. Click here for more about the gun, as well as film clips.  

Kubrick's research materials on Napoleon formed the basis of a high end coffee table book released several years ago.

Steven Spielberg has announced that he is working with the family of Stanley Kubrick to develop the late director's long-planned screen biography of Napoleon. Kubrick envisioned the project, for which he wrote a script in 1961 and devoted countless hours to researching, as a big screen epic. However, studios became wary of the production costs and the film was aborted before it went into production. Spielberg will utilize Kubrick's own research as the basis for the project, which is being developed as a major TV miniseries. For more click here

Bill Cosby and Robert Culp in I Spy.

Arriving earlier this year without any fanfare on many American cable systems, Cozi TV is a new network that presents a wealth of diverse retro TV series that have not been given much exposure in recent years. These include Lassie, Marcus Welby, M.D., Magnum P.I., The Bionic Woman, The Six Million Dollar Man, The Virginian, the creaky old Sherlock Holmes series starring Ronald Howard, The Lone Ranger, Wells Fargo, McMillan and Wife, Bancek, I Spy, The Adventures of Robin Hood, The Roy Rogers Show, Alias Smith and Jones, Hopalong Cassidy and The Bold Ones. Best of all, the number of commercials are limited and the episodes we've seen appear to be presented uncut in their original running time. The network also presents a diverse range of feature films including such retro gems as the Airport movies, Arabesque, Sweet Charity, Coogan's Bluff and Two Mules for Sister Sara. Check your cable listings, as you may have the network but not even realize it. Cozi TV appears on cable systems owned by NBC. Click here for their web site, which is inadequate because the section dedicated to the series they carry lists only a fraction of them. To see a more complete list, scroll through the TV schedule bar.

President Bill Clinton's appearance provided evidence of the Golden Globes' increasing clout in the film industry.

Jodie Foster: mesmerizing but often incomprehensible.

By Lee Pfeiffer

The Golden Globe Awards are generally criticized for being incomprehensible for most viewers in that they are selected by a relatively tiny group of people known as the Hollywood Foreign Press. There have been jokes on the telecasts themselves that the awards can generally be "purchased" if a studio or nominee invites the right people to the right kind of parties. Despite the criticism, in recent years everyone agrees on this: the Golden Globes telecast is generally a lot of fun and never as dull as the Oscars often are. Unlike Oscar, the Globes cover television as well as motion pictures. Last night's award ceremony was breezy, fast-moving and actually funny, thanks to some good lines delivered by hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. There were some dud jokes, of course, and the usual presenters/winners who pretentiously drop obscenities to prove how hip they are but there was also the novelty of seeing a former President- Bill Clinton- make a surprise appearance to introduce a clip from Lincoln. The main value of the event was to prove that the Globes now serve as more than a forerunner for Oscar winners. They have their own identity, as evidenced by the fact that some of the most deserving artists were nominated for Globes but were snubbed by Oscar. Additionally, while Oscar sometimes trims their honorary awards down to ludicrously short time slots (Jerry Lewis received shabby treatment in this regard a few years ago), the Globes blissfully ignore the stop watch. This was evidenced by the lifetime achievement award given to Jodie Foster, who has spent her entire life in the film business. Looking wonderful at age 50, the accomplished actress and director gave a mesmerizing but often incomprehensible speech in which she joked about "coming out" as a lesbian (she is), explained her obsession for privacy and seemed to imply she was retiring from some aspect of show business, but no one could figure out exactly what she was referring to. Among the surprises was the fact that no one film emerged as a dominating factor, thus ensuring a good deal of suspense across all categories.

Click here for more coverage and a complete list of winners.

HBO's forthcoming telepic Behind the Candleabra will deal with the controversial relationship between two gay men in a straightforward manner. The film is based on the memoirs of Scott Thorson, the young man who shared the aging Liberace's life and bed in the twilight of the legendary entertainer's career. The film has caused a lot of buzz because the two men depicted will be played by Michael Douglas and Matt Damon, two actors who feel that their reputations as straight romantic leads will ensure that their careers aren't jeopardized. In the past, straight actors who were courageous enough to play gay men in a sympathetic manner often saw their efforts eviscerated by critics and their box office power called into question.  Douglas concedes he wouldn't have been courageous enough to take on such a role when he was Damon's age. Director Steven Soderbergh and his actors promise that, despite the over-the-top elements that characterized every part of Liberace's life and career, his story will be handled in a dramatic and dignified manner. Click here for more.

It seems to be open season on revered director Alfred Hitchcock. The feature film Hitchcock starring Anthony Hopkins was taken to task by some critics for artistic license in its depiction of the director's behavior during the making of Psycho, with some saying it exaggerates his eccentricities and the negative aspects of his personality. Now the BBC drama The Girl starring Toby Jones and Sienna Miller is also being criticized for presenting a one-sided depiction of the making of Hitchcock's The Birds and Marnie. The unflattering portrayal of Hitchcock as a virtual sexual predator is based solely on the accusations of both films' female lead, 'Tippi' Hedren, a Hitchcock discovery who has long maintained that her rejection of his advances led to retaliatory actions that saw her career derailed almost as soon as it began.  The BBC broadcast of the movie has led to legendary leading ladies Eva Marie Saint, Doris Day and Kim Novak speaking out in defense of Hitchcock and claiming he treated them with respect. Click here for more

Despite being a hit in the ratings with a test pilot aired on Halloween, NBC has officially backed out of producing future episodes of Mockingbird Lane, the reboot of the beloved 1960s sitcom The Munsters. For more click here

By Eddy Friedfeld

When asked why most of Sid Caesar’s writers were young and Jewish, the late’ great Larry Gelbart replied, “Because most of our parents were old and Jewish.”

The answer to why there were so many Jews in Broadway musicals may not be as glibly succinct, but in Broadway Musicals:  A Jewish Legacy, which debuts on PBS on January 1 at 9:30 p.m., the answers are insightful and amazingly entertaining.

Written, produced and directed by Emmy-Award Winner Michael Kantor (Broadway- The American Musical and Make ‘Em Laugh- The Funny Business of America), the 90 minute documentary tries to answer the question of why  the Broadway musical proven to be such fertile territory for Jewish artists of all kind, featuring icons from Broadway’s golden age, including Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, the Gershwins, Arthur Laurents, Jerome Robbins, Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim to “Broadway babies” such as Stephen Schwartz, Marc Shaiman and Andrew Lippa represent a sampling of the Jewish talents who continue to leave their mark on musical theater.

 The show begins with David Hyde Pearce in a hysterical and joyful scene-chewing rendition of his Spamalot song,  You Won’t Succeed on Broadway:  “You may have the finest sets, Fill the stage with penthouse pets, you may have the loveliest costumes and best shoes, you may dance and you may sing, but I'm sorry Arthur King you'll hear no cheers, just lots and lots of boos “boo,” you may have butch men by the score, whom the audience adore…  But I tell you, you are dead if you don't have any Jews.”   “It wouldn’t be so funny if it weren’t true,” Spamalot creator, the great Eric Idle, added.

 Kantor focuses on this central question left largely unaddressed in his Emmy-winning Broadway:  The American Musical, combining interviews with performance footage, including many of the rousing anthems and timeless ballads America has loved for a century.

“The primary force behind the musicals are the guys who write the songs” Kantor said.  “Broadway, The American Musical was principally a historical and cultural treatment, dealing with The Great Depression and the advent of Rock and Roll.  The new documentary complements the earlier one.  “It’s really an American story and our narrative tells how Jewish stories were part of an acculturation/assimilation process. My daughter was bat mitzvahed this year and I can hear the melodies of the prayers differently.”

In the 1920s, nearly one in four New York residents was Jewish.  The film charts how Jewish immigrants and children of immigrants in the melting pot of old New York helped shape the vision of America through musical theater.  While shows like Porgy and Bess, Show Boat and Oklahoma are fictions, they represent the artist’s vision of how do we take what we know from Jewish culture and tradition and make it into America?

 The film succeeds in its attention to detail and how it captures the warmth and emotion of the great artists:  Leonard Bernstein and Adolph Green met as kids at summer camp, worked together on the camp musicals and became lifelong friends.   In 1893, a five year old Irving Berlin, arrived at Ellis Island.  His earliest memory as a child growing up in Russia was of a pogrom, a vigilante attack on his Jewish village.  And he remembers hiding in a ditch with his brothers and sisters and parents, watching Russian Cossacks burn down their village.  Then he comes to America, gets off the boat, looks around him, sees all these Americans and he says, we stood there in our Jew clothes.  He realized how different he was from everybody else.   That feeling of being different, combined with a deep gratitude of being an American, resulted in the composition of classic tunes, including the definitive American Christmas song.

There was also apprehension about the appeal of Fiddler on the Roof beyond Jewish audiences.   To the producers’ surprise and pleasure, the show was a worldwide hit that transcended culture and race.  “The opening number “Tradition” was common to every culture so the show was as common to Japanese family life as it was to Jewish family life,” Hal Prince recalled.  “And it went all over the world and every single place it went it became their family story despite the idiosyncrasies of what was Jewish about it.  Playwright Joseph Stein said: "There are universal themes: It’s a story about parents and children, a story about struggling in a strange world, conflict of cultures, immigrants."

The film also points out that the music of Porgy and Bess was rooted in Hebrew prayers and then charts the journey of the music into the brilliants hands of Miles Davis as he re-crafts the liturgical themes roots into his own classic jazz riffs.

 “I’ve always worshiped talent and the magic talented people can make in people’s lives and make a difference,” said Cabaret star Joel Grey, who narrated the documentary, and who is one of only eight actors to have won both a Tony and an Oscar for having portrayed the same role on stage and screen.

“I remember the day I went to [composer] John Kander’s house and he told me about the role.  When I first heard the song Vilkomen, I remember thinking to myself- “Oh my God- this is going to be my song.  The MC in Cabaret is one of the most villainous characters of all time in that he seemed like he was going to be fun.  You laughed with him and liked him and he ended up sticking the knife in.”

“James Cagney (who spoke fluent Yiddish) was both an actor and song and dance man,” Grey said when asked about his own favorite performers and composers.  “Marvin Hamlisch was my friend and one of the funniest human beings in history.  He was the modern day Irving Berlin, with a brilliant sense of timing but also with a sense of the outrageous.”

Beginning his theater career at age nine, Grey is part of an entertainment dynasty. Grey’s father was Spike Jones band member Mickey Katz, whose solo hits included “Duvid Crockett” and “She’ll be Coming Around the Catskills,” and is father of Dirty Dancing star Jennifer Grey.

“It’s thrilling the way we as Jews made ourselves useful and found a place for ourselves after running for so long.  Part of my Yiddishkeit [Jewish identity] comes directly from my Dad who turned popular music into Jewish experiences, as a way of adapting and owning the Jewish experience of American Jews.”

Jimmy Fallon had some high-powered assistance in his recreation of the classic Abbott and Costello comedy routine "Who's on First": Jerry Seinfeld and Billy Crystal joined in the fun. The black and white sketch pays homage to the timeless routine, but despite the talent involved, it only proves no one can do it better than A&C themselves. Click here to view

Lohan displays two good reasons for tuning into "Liz and Dick", but the prime motivation might be to hear the unintentionally funny dialogue.

The first review is in and things aren't looking good for Lindsay Lohan's "comeback" Lifetime TV movie, Liz and Dick which traces the love lives of you-know-who. In the Hollywood Reporter review, it is described as "half train wreck, half SNL skit" and one of those perfectly awful movies that merit watching because of the unintentional laughs. Hey, maybe we will watch it after all, especially since there is this immortal line of dialogue spoken by Burton to Taylor: "I will love you even if you get as fat as a hippo." 

NBC will air the pilot episode of Mockingbird Lane on October 26. The show is a reboot of the 60s sitcom The Munsters. Most of these ventures are ill-advised. We'll have to reserve judgment on this one, but just take a look at the characters-- we routinely see far stranger looking people on the New York subway system every day. Herman looks like a Wall Street stock broker and the character of Grandpa, played by Eddie Izzard, resembles Truman Capote at one of his famous dinner parties. Is this really how these characters will look throughout the series? Herman Munster with no bolts from his head? For more click here

Pete Emslie is one of the best contemporary cartoonists around and his blog, The Cartoon Cave, is a must-read. Emslie has recently published what we will term "a guest editorial" because it captures many of Cinema Retro's criticisms of the current state of television. Unlike Emslie, we still find enough nuggets out there (some admittedly guilty pleasures) to justify keeping the old cable TV subscription. However, we can well understand why he just canceled his. Emslie concentrates on the sad state of the endless, indistinguishable crime shows that are on the air. The plots tend to be more and more over-the-top and the cast members are virtually cloned from the same mold. There is the token nod to someone over the age of 35 (Mark Harmon and David McCallum in NCIS, for example) but for the most part, crime shows always feature drop-dead gorgeous people holding pistols with two hands while shouting, "Freeze, you mother!" Every other situation has juvenile sexual innuendos and we rarely even get any cool theme songs because the average TV drama is a one hour block of commercials occasionally interrupted by content. Contrast this, as Emslie does, to the great old crime shows of old. Hawaii 5-0 (the real one, that is), didn't have Jack Lord and Kam Fong competing to get some comely new female detective in the sack. Instead, we got compelling characters, good acting and people looked like they really belonged in a police station. Imagine trying to launch a series with Peter Falk as Columbo today? A middle-aged, frumpy, cigar chomping man in the lead role? Fuggetaboutit!  If they remake the series (and they eventually will), Columbo will be a Brad Pitt clone who eschews cigars for Twizzlers (more politically correct) and who uses his eccentricities to woo female suspects into confessing. In any event, click here to read Pete Emslie's take on all this (which includes a sly criticism of the fact that even all the cluttered, unimaginatively designed DVD boxed sets for these shows seem Xeroxed.) - Lee Pfeiffer

With Vince Vaughn producing a new TV series inspired by The Brady Bunch, CNN takes a look at the original cast members and catches up with what they're doing lately. Click here for more

The A&E cable TV network has confirmed it is going into production on a prequel series based upon Alfred Hitchcock's classic 1960 thriller Psycho. Titled Bates Motel, the show will explore the creepy relationship between Norman Bates and his dominating mother. A&E issued this statement:

“We are proud to be partnering with Carlton Cuse and Kerry Ehrin on their thrilling reinvention of one of the most compelling characters in cinematic history,” A&E Network president Bob DeBitetto and EVP of programming David McKillop said in a statement announcing the news. “It’s a provocative project from two of the best storytellers in the business, and we’re looking forward to getting started.”

This is not the first time the Psycho saga has been explored in the medium of television. There have been TV movies throughout the years including one that is ironically titled Bates Motel. 

For Gary Giblin's extensive tribute to the Hitchcock original and analysis of the sequels, see Cinema Retro #18 in our back issue section or click here to order direct from eBay.  

Acclaimed Danish character actor Mads Mikkelsen has been signed to play the notorious cannibal Hannibal Lecter on a new NBC crime series. The character was the centerpiece of author Thomas Harris' bestseller The Silence of the Lambs, which was adapted into an Oscar-winning movie. Anthony Hopkins immortalized the character of Lecter in the original film and sequels, though Brian Cox played the part first in the 1986 film Manhunter. Curiously, the Lifetime TV network is simultaneously developing the show Clarice, based on the young female FBI agent portrayed by Jodie Foster in The Silence of the Lambs. For more click here

Lindsay Lohan's arduous road to a comeback may hinge on her performance as Elizabeth Taylor in the forthcoming Lifetime bio pic Liz & Dick, with True Blood star Grant Bowler co-starring as Richard Burton. For more click here

Carson and McMahon: close but never too close.

By Lee Pfeiffer

He was the King of the Night. Between 1962 and 1992, Johnny Carson ruled supreme as host of The Tonight Show. His humor and appeal cut across all boundaries of age, ethnicity and politics because Carson was an equal opportunity satirist. His comedy was gentle by today's standards, but always on the mark. His unique ability to turn even a bad joke into a big laugh was inimitable. The American Masters TV series recently aired the most in-depth portrait of this man ever undertaken. He was genial on TV, but standoffish behind the scenes. Few really got to know him, including his string of wives. He was opaque and hated to discuss himself. In a rare interview from the 1980s on 60 Minutes, Carson opened up a bit, admitting he could not handle alcohol and was a bad drunk. He was a distant father to his sons and had many friendly acquaintances but few close friends. Even his legendary sidekicks Ed McMahon and Doc Severinsen couldn't get beneath his surface. Yet, Carson endured and thrived, outlasting high profile talents who had planned to make him irrelevant. He negotiated from NBC the most lucrative contracts in the history of television. When he did leave the network, it was by his own choosing and at the top of his game. The messy race to replacement permanently ruined the friendships between Jay Leno and David Letterman, and still had its tentacles into the fate of Conan O'Brien in more recent years. This much is true: I still miss Carson. There was something soothing about knowing that, no matter had bad your day was, this man was going to make you laugh. He also thrived in a time of legends, so you tuned in to see drop bys from some unexpected guests as Dean Martin, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and John Wayne.  In the early days of his reign on The Tonight Show, TV hadn't devolved into a cultural cesspool. Carson educated even as he entertained. One minute he would be matching insults with Don Rickles and the next he would be interviewing a scientist or professor. He elevated the medium at every opportunity. Click here for a tribute to the late TV icon on the 20th anniversary of his retirement, along with vintage highlights from his programs. 

Cinema Retro has received the following press release: 

The leading ‘Best British TV’ streaming service Acorn TV is now streaming full seasons of several popular British mystery and drama series, along with two critically acclaimed Canadian series. This week Acorn TV also has a special Memorial Day Weekend Midsomer Marathon with the first 22 episodes of its best-selling series,MIDSOMER MURDERS, and the U.S. debut of John Nettles final episodes.

Acorn TV is currently streaming a full season of Helen Mirren in PRIME SUSPECT; the final seasons of the universally acclaimed Canadian dramedy SLINGS & ARROWSand Derek Jacobi’s mystery series CADFAEL; the U.S. debut of the newest season of MURDOCH MYSTERIES; Lynda La Plante’s TRIAL & RETRIBUTION; John Mortimer’s UNDER THE HAMMER; the final episodes of WWII drama WISH ME LUCK; Richard Griffiths (Harry Potter) in PIE IN THE SKY; and John Nettles final episodes with MIDSOMER MURDERS, SET 20.

For only $25 a year, Acorn TV streams full seasons of critically acclaimed, new and classic British series. Each of the 10 seasons stay up for five weeks, with two new series added each week and two removed. For press access to the 70+ hours of weekly programming, please email me.

Midsomer Murders

Acorn TV is accessible on Roku, the top streaming player, as well as computers, iPhones, iPads, Apple TV and Google TV. Launched in July 2011, Acorn TV is the first streaming service that curates the best of British television for American audiences. Read the recent Roku press release here.

Series streaming now include:

Midsomer Murders, Set 20

The U.S. debut of fan favorite John Nettles’ final episodes in Midsomer Murders, Set 20. For more than a decade, DCI Tom Barnaby (John Nettles, Bergerac) has policed the murderous county of Midsomer, winning legions of fans—including the queen of England herself. In these four new, contemporary stand-alone mysteries, Barnaby investigates his final cases before leaving the denizens of Midsomer in the capable hands of his cousin, DCI John Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon, Life of Riley). New episodes ofMidsomer Murders are still in production starring Neil Dudgeon. (Set 20 on Blu-ray/DVD July 3, 2012)

Murdoch Mysteries, Season 4

The hit Canadian drama combines the period appeal of Sherlock Holmes with the forensic fascination of CSI. Based on the characters from award-winning author Maureen Jennings’ Detective Murdoch novels, the acclaimed Canadian series has garnered 25 Gemini® nominations to its credit, including Best Writing and Best Dramatic Series. Set in Victorian-era Toronto, this smart, compelling series follows Yannick Bisson (Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye) as Detective William Murdoch as he pushes the boundaries of criminal science to solve the city’s most baffling murders.

Prime Suspect, Series 3 and 4

Oscar® winner Helen Mirren is Detective Jane Tennison, "one of the great character creations of our time" (Washington Post), in a series that won more than 20 major international awards and raised the bar for police dramas. Tenacious, driven, and deeply flawed, Tennison rises through the ranks of Britain’s Metropolitan Police, solving horrific crimes while battling office sexism and her own demons.

Slings & Arrows, Season 3

This universally acclaimed Canadian series follows the outrageous fortunes of a dysfunctional Shakespearean theatre troupe as it struggles with artistic egos and conspiratorial board members. The series stars Paul Gross, Don McKellar, Martha Burns, Sarah Polley and Mark McKinney. Struggling with the unfamiliar burdens of success, the New Burbage Theatre Festival mounts two ambitious productions: King Lear, Shakespeare’s epic tragedy, and East Hastings, a debut musical about a heroin-addicted hooker with a heart of gold. Emotionally fragile artistic director Geoffrey Tennant (Paul Gross, Due South) coaxes legendary actor Charles Kingman out of semi-retirement to play Lear. But with plenty of personal baggage, Kingman doesn’t so much play the part as live it. Meanwhile, the festival’s resident bean-counter (Mark McKinney,Saturday Night Live, Kids in the Hall) joins forces with the musical’s flamboyant director (Don McKellar) to create the unlikeliest hit in theatre history.

Pie in the Sky, Series 2

DI Henry Crabbe divides his time between catching criminals and cooking. He retired from the force to open his dream restaurant, but his boss is determined to keep him on the payroll. Richard Griffiths (Harry Potter) stars in a lighthearted British mystery series seen on public television in the 1990s.

Under the Hammer

Written by beloved author John Mortimer (Rumpole of the Bailey) and starring Richard Wilson (One Foot in the Grave), Jan Francis (Just Good Friends), and Michael Siberry (The Grand), this tightly-plotted series intrigues with secrets and seduction, seen through the lens of a London auction house. Broadcast on ITV in 1994. Top-notch guest stars include John Gielgud (Arthur), Emily Mortimer (Shutter Island, Match Point, 30 Rock), Rosemary Harris (Spider-Man), Hermione Norris (Cold Feet), and Ian Carmichael (The Lord Peter Wimsey Mysteries).

Cadfael, Series 4

Sir Derek Jacobi is Brother Cadfael, a 12th-century Benedictine monk (and former Crusader) who uses his worldly knowledge and keen intuition to solve crimes. Based on the bestselling novels by Ellis Peters, and seen on PBS Mystery!, Acorn TV is streaming the final three episodes.

Wish Me Luck, Series 3

The final episodes of the WWII drama series featuring brave women risking their lives as secret agents in occupied France. Based on real-life stories, filmed on location, this suspenseful series features strong female characters, tension-filled plots, and historical authenticity.

Trial & Retribution, Set 2

Like Law & Order, this long-running British detective series follows cases from crime to courts. Brusque detective Michael Walker (David Hayman, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas) collars London’s killers and viewers are left to decide if justice was served. With Kate Buffery and created by Lynda La Plante (Prime Suspect).

Coming soon are seasons of Upstairs, Downstairs, Agatha Christie’s Poirot, The Forsyte Saga, and The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes.

The press releases on Acorn TV’s launch and expansion are posted at www.acornmedia.com. Acorn TV site: acornonline.com/TV

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“Acorn Media - chief curators of the best Brit TV” - Time

Join Acorn Media on Facebook and Twitter

Acorn Media/Athena DVD Release Calendar

May 29: Murdoch Mysteries, Season 4 (DVD and Blu-ray) and Monroe, Series 1 starring James Nesbitt

June 5: Doc Martin, Series 5; New Tricks, Season 7; and Washington: Behind Closed Doors (Home Video Debut) starring Jason Robards

June 19: Marcus du Sautoy’s The Code, This is Civilization, and Lynda La Plante’s Trial & Retribution, Set 5

June 26: Judi Dench in Love in a Cold Climate, The Best of Foyle’s War, and Agatha Christie’s Poirot, Series 5

About Acorn: Headquartered in suburban Washington, D.C., Acorn Media U.S. releases the best of British television on DVD/Blu-ray. 2011 releases featured Upstairs, Downstairs: 40^th Anniversary, Case Histories, and Brideshead Revisited: 30^th Anniversary. 2012 releases include a bonus packed 35^th anniversary edition of I, Claudius; the Blu-ray debuts for the original Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and the first six series of Agatha Christie’s Poirot; the U.S. debuts of Lynda La Plante’s Above Suspicion and Monroe starring James Nesbitt; Judi Dench in Love in a Cold Climate; The Best of Foyle’s War; The Story of Costume Drama; Damian Lewis in The Forsyte Saga; and more episodes from Midsomer Murders, Murdoch Mysteries, Doc Martin, George Gently, Garrow’s Law, New Tricks, and NBC’s Who Do You Think You Are?. Select series are available for streaming at Acorn TV, http://acornonline.com/TV

If your mother used to chastise you for wasting your time watching Lost in Space instead of Learn to Draw with John Gnagy, you can take satisfaction in the fact that it turns out there was some educational value to the shows you were enthralled with. The web site Cable TV Providers takes a brief look at how some classic series ended up predicting real-life scientific achievements. Click here to view

The Naked Gun films were hits: the TV series they were based on, Police Squad, was a flop, lasting only six episodes.

CBS This Morning devotes a segment to analyzing beloved TV series that have been made into feature films. Among those discussed: The Three Stooges (the link acknowledges these were actually theatrical shorts but soared in popularity due to TV airings), Sex and the City, The Naked Gun and The Brady Bunch. The critics also mention Batman, thus showing their ignorance of the fact that the Batman feature films of recent years have not been based on the 1960s TV series, but on a much longer legacy that extends back to serials in the 1940s. Curiously, there isn't even a mention of the hugely successful Mission: Impossible movies.  Click here to view

Would you want to wreck this man's new Mercedes???

Long time Clint Eastwood-watchers thought it was rather strange that the normally private actor and filmmaker consented to a reality TV show that will highlight his wife Dana's attempts to popularize a boy band she discovered. The intrusive look into the Eastwood's personal life has many show biz types scratching their heads about why Eastwood would agree to make some fleeting appearances on the program. The show was being filmed when Clint loaned his new Mercedes to the boy band- and they directly drove it into the front of a grocery store. Eastwood was said to be incensed, but we'll have to see how much of this makes the final cut. According to the Daily Star, Eastwood doesn't appear to be having the time of his life on the project and the crew is becoming intimidated by him. As for the band members, they should tread cautiously. Clint doesn't take kindly to messing with his vehicles, as anyone who saw Gran Torino can attest. For more click here

Herman, we hardly knew ye...

NBC is going back to the future and reviving The Munsters as a new TV series, though it will be titled Mockingbird Lane. We have bad vibes about this project, but at least the initial concept drawings are impressive. Click here to view

I guess when you're the King of the World, you can pretty much indulge in any past time you want. In the case of director James Cameron, he must have a thing for fighting robots because he's teaming with producer Mark Burnett to bringing a series titled Robogeddon to the Discovery Channel. Little is known about the project, which Discovery hasn't officially confirmed, but news reports say that the premise will involve robots that battle to the death. Well, I guess it beats sitting around the back yard shooting squirrels with a B-B gun. - Lee Pfeiffer 

For more click here 

Fox's plans to adapt the late author Jacqueline Susann's blockbuster novel Valley of the Dolls into a TV series has resulted in Susann's estate suing the studio, claiming violation of copyright. Susann's expose of the sleazy side of Hollywood has sold over 30 million copies to date. It was adapted by Fox into a critically-scorned but highly successful 1967 motion picture. That film also boasted a hugely successful title song by Dionne Warwick. The Susann estate claims that Fox has no rights to pursue a TV series based on the novel and points out that the estate had already exercised those rights previously by authorizing a 65 episode syndicated TV series. For more click here 

The reality show featuring Clint Eastwood and his family will be titled Mrs. Eastwood and Company. It will debut on the E! network on May 20. The show's focus will be Eastwood's wife Dina and their daughters. The program will cover Dina's career as manager of the South African vocal group Overtone. The normally publicity-shy Eastwood claims he's enthused about the program which will look at life inside his household over ten episodes. The Oscar winning director will only make occasional appearances in the program. For more click here

Glam is back: Jennifer Lopez and Cameron Diaz looking radiant.

By Lee Pfeiffer

Some random thoughts on this evening's Academy Awards ceremony: not about the films themselves, but the ceremony.

• It's good to have Billy Crystal back, even though the "work" done on his face made him a bit unrecognizable. If he wasn't quite as sharp this year, his presence was a vast improvement over most hosts in the Crystal-less era. He had the usual amusing opening sequences in which he engaged in elaborate, expensive spoofs of films and nominated actors and topped it off with another clever song that took aim at both. Crystal actually got a bit better as the evening wore on and had some very amusing barbs.
• The show's pace was quite good. Things never got boring and they actually managed to end on time.
• Acceptance speeches were short, gracious and classy with the exception of one moron who was part of the winning documentary team. He used his few minutes of fame to utter an obscenity that had to be bleeped out.
• Glamor was back in style. For the most part, the men eschewed that fad of wearing a faux tuxedo that included a straight tie. Instead, the classic tux look was back and you can see why it remains timeless.The women seem to have, refreshingly, given up on Cher's old habit of trying to make the news by wearing an outrageous gown. More traditional styles were in vogue. Most glamorous: Jennifer Lopez in a jaw-dropping number that let it all hang out. Angelina Jolie tried to go glam, but she looked a bit too goth-- like Morticia Adams in a sexy dress.
  
• The Cirque du Soleil extravaganza tribute to the movies was magnificent on all levels- and incorporating classic film scenes was a true inspiration.
  
• The sad state of music in the film business was demonstrated by the fact that there were only two nominees for Best Song and neither of them were deemed worthy of being performed.
  
• Composer Ludovic Bource showed real class on his way to the podium to collect his Oscar for The Artist: he stopped in his tracks to pay personal homage to fellow nominee John Williams.
• The annual tribute to departed actors and filmmakers was extremely well done, thanks to a beautiful choir rendition of Louis Armstrong's What a Wonderful World. As usual, the sheer number of great talents who were lost in the last twelve months was truly sobering.
  
• It was great to see the Academy finally honor Christopher Plummer with an Oscar. He's a true actor's actor and a lingering reminder of the style and grace that once represented the film industry.
  
• Tom Cruise hasn't aged a day in twenty years.
  
• Will Ferrel and Zach Galifianakis were funny; Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow weren't.
  
• The cash-strapped Hollywood & Highland Center was a perfect venue for the ceremonies. It was magnificently decorated to represent an old time movie palace.
  
• The idea of including funky musicians leading to the commercial breaks was an inspiration. Similarly, it was nice to have those mini-interviews with celebs recounting what movies inspired them when they were young. It was funny to hear Adam Sandler recall seeing Diamonds Are Forever at age 5 and being impressed by Sean Connery's chest hair.
  
• It was great to see Michael Douglas looking and sounding fit after his long battle with throat cancer.
  
• Nice to see Woody Allen still doesn't show up to accept his Oscars. He's about the only one who doesn't appear rude by not doing so because, well, he's Woody Allen.
  
• In all, one of the best produced Oscar shows in recent memories. Click here for full coverage, clips and list of winners.
  

Gerry and Sylvia Anderson's 1970 cult sci-fi series Space: 1999 will be revived and "reimagined" for television as Space: 2099. The original series starred Martin Landau and his wife Barbara Bain. For more click here

For review of the Blu-ray release of the original series click here

Does Eastwood have GOP election hopes in his sites or is the controversy much ado about nothing?

By Lee Pfeiffer

A powerful, slickly-produced Chrysler Super Bowl ad that ran during half time is stirring political controversy from unlikely sources: the Republican party, which usually embrace's the ad's star, Clint Eastwood. The two minute-spot has a gravelly voiced Eastwood walking out of the shadows to extoll the fact that the American auto industry is in the midst of making an enormously successful comeback. That might sound like something all Americans would be happy about, but in an election year, pundits on both sides see subliminal messages everywhere. GOP supporters don't deny the TV spot was highly effective, but they have a gripe with Eastwood's assurance that the auto industry's comeback was only at half-time"  and the best was yet to come. Republican critics say the term half-time is a coded endorsement for a second term for President Obama. Others mock that assessment, pointing out that the "half-time" reference pertained to the fact that the spot ran during the game's half-time slot and that Eastwood has never indicated he was supporting Obama's re-election. 

Republicans generally criticized President Obama's decision to make massive loans to the failing American auto industry. The presumed GOP presidential nominee, Mitt Romney, called for the government to let the free market take its course, even if it meant the complete bankruptcy of the car industry. Romney has been modifying those remarks in the wake of the industry's success, implying that the plan proved to be successful because Obama adopted certain financial policies that Romney had long endorsed. However, GOP advisers had been concerned from the moment Romney stated his position, pointing out his words could come back to haunt him because, while Americans would detest another bailout of banks, they would probably empathize with loans to the auto industry that would save the jobs of hundreds of thousands of workers.

Some Democratic pundits are saying that the ad is completely apolitical and that GOP critics are overly-sensitive. They point out that, while Eastwood has traditionally stayed clear of commenting on national politics, the few comments he has made in the past make it clear he favored Republicans and conservatives. In fact, it was recently revealed that the first President Bush considered asking Eastwood to run with him as Vice-President in 1988. In 2008, he made a rare endorsement for a presidential candidate, backing John McCain, thus making him an unlikely supporter of Obama's campaign for re-election. That hasn't stopped high profile GOP advisers like Karl Rove from complaining that, while he is a fan of Eastwood's, the super star is willingly being used as a political tool by Democratic operatives, a notion that Eastwood dismisses. In a statement, Eastwood said he is not endorsing anyone at this time in the presidential race and that the ad was non-political. He said, "I am certainly not politically affiliated with Mr. Obama. It was meant to be a message about, just about job growth and the spirit of America. I think all politicians will agree with it. I thought the spirit was OK."

Is the Eastwood spot a subliminal Obama endorsement or is it truly an apolitical, patriotic statement? Click here to view and make up your own mind?

For more on the fall-out click here

It isn't often you see extensive interviews with the legendary actor Max Von Sydow. Click here to watch the great actor discuss his long career with journalist Charlie Rose.

By Lee Pfeiffer

Look, I'm not one of these high-brow guys who knock all of the programming on cable TV. About the only shows I ever have time to watch are guilty pleasures like Hoarders and Storage Wars plus various National Geographic programs that center on helpless humans being devoured by wild animals. Most of the time I'm working on my computer, so the only programs that run consistently are political shows that don't require me to sit in front of a screen. In fact, with all the heated debates on these programs, they provide plenty of wild animal-like behavior in and of themselves. What I do find really offensive is when a cable network decides to use a legendary movie as the basis of a low-grade TV concept. For example, A&E has just announced that it is developing a series titled Bates Motel that will explore the early years of Psycho's legendary cinematic killer Norman Bates, as well as his Oedipus-like relationship with his mother. Is this really what classic movie lovers have been clamoring for? Obviously not.  How many people even remember that there was a TV movie sequel to Psycho back in 1987? So this new project is a rip-off of a rip-off.  However, A&E is gambling that there are plenty of undiscriminating viewers out there who probably never even saw the original film and will think this concept is a hoot. Murder and implied incest? Irresistable! And now Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece can be improved upon with the inclusion of numerous dumb-ass commercials, color cinematography and answers to the mysteries surrounding Bates' background that were so annoyingly mysterious that they might have inspired you to use your own imagination. Click here for the lurid details.

(Cheap plug: For Cinema Retro's in-depth tribute to the original Psycho, see issue #18)

Ray Liotta, Robert DeNiro, Paul Sorvino and Joe Pesci in Goodfellas.

By Lee Pfeiffer

There was a time when AMC, originally known as American Movie Classics, lived up to its name. The network rivaled Turner Classic Movies in terms of reverent showings of great movies, all complete and uncut. Then the zombies and Wall Streeters took over management of the network and decided to trash tradition. Suddenly, lousy movies were interspersed with the classics, films were edited for content and to allow an abundance of commercials to be crammed in and the network didn't even respect the movies enough to allow for the end credits to run. Instead, they were shown in a microscopic window at warp speed while inane "coming up next" promos filled the screen. The outcry was tremendous among classic movie lovers, but there's a big brainless public in America that will watch movies under these conditions. The AMC brass knew their target audience and the station's popularity and profits soared. They did do something right, however, in terms of developing original content, which resulted in the acclaimed series Mad Men and Breaking Bad). AMC may have another promising concept: creating a series from Nicholas Pileggi's non-fiction mob book Wise Guy which was the basis for Martin Scorsese's 1990 film Goodfellas, a genuine American masterpiece. Pileggi is involved with the project, as is the film's producer Irwin Winkler. They might make a great series out of this, which is ironic, because you would never be able to see Goodfellas presented respectfully on the same network. For more click here

Hollywood bad girl Lindsay Lohan is using the period in between arrests to recharge her career. With new roles having dried up considerably, Lohan is attempting to make a splash with 'homages' to legendary actresses. Last February, she received $1 million from Playboy  to recreate erotic poses originally featuring Marilyn Monroe. Now Lohan is in talks to star in a biopic of Elizabeth Taylor. The worse news is that it won't even be for the big screen. The project is for the Lifetime cable TV network, which means that the 'tribute' to La Liz will be compromised by a small budget and endless commercials for Viagra. For more click here

With the smash hit British TV show Hustle ending after 8 remarkable seasons, the cast and crew take time to reflect on the experience. They all agree: veteran co-star Robert Vaughn gets more fan mail than anyone and the former Man From U.N.C.L.E. is not shy about expressing his mutual admiration for them. Click here to read

Memories of legendary bombs like "Norbit" must be vague to Eddie Murphy. By backing out of hosting the Oscars, his chances of making a big comeback might be endangered.

Eddie Murphy has told A.M.P.A.S. that he is backing out of hosting next year's Oscar awards ceremony. Although he issued a graciously-worded statement, Murphy's decision was actually a response to the Academy pressuring director Brett Ratner to resign from next year's ceremonies. Ratner, who directed Murphy in the recently-released Tower Heist flick, came under fire after issuing an anti-gay slur as well as crude sexual comments regarding his love life with former flame, actress Olivia Munn. Murphy's decision is based on his support of Ratner, who he considers to be a personal friend. The Oscar gig was to be a central part of Murphy's grand plans to stage a comeback. He might regret the decision: the heavily-hyped Tower Heist opened to lightweight grosses at the boxoffice. Click here for more

At an age at which most actors are comfortably retired, former Man From U.N.C.L.E. Robert Vaughn's career is going great guns. He not only stars in the hit UK TV series Hustle (now in its eighth year), but he has just joined the cast of Britain's long-running series Coronation Street. Vaughn is particularly popular in England and the love affair is mutual, as the Emmy-winning actor told Cinema Retro recently, he finds working in the UK to be very enjoyable. In fact, Vaughn lived there for a period of years in the early 1970s. For more click here

The Guardian of London provides a subjective list of six great spy series - with some cool clips to watch. Among them: Danger Man (aka Secret Agent), The Man From U.N.C.L.E. and Mission: Impossible. Click here to view

The UK cable TV network The Horror Channel has obtained the rights to Hammer film classics and will showcase them every Saturday night in October. Film historian Kim Newman will introduce each film. Check here for details

It's almost impossible to imagine 60 Minutes without the broadcast-ending segments by commentator Andy Rooney, who has been contributing to the show since 1978. The crotchety newsman's slice-of-life observations about politics and trivial aspects of daily living have been provocative and amusing and have made the 92 year-old journalist an American icon. Rooney has been with CBS for 60 consecutive years but he says this Sunday's broadcast of 60 Minutes will mark his final regular commentary segment. However, he will remain an occasional contributor and predicts only death will separate him from the network he loves so much.For more click here

By Lee Pfeiffer

Retro movie lovers may remember way back to the 70s and 80s when Gary Busey was a respected actor. He was even nominated for an Oscar for The Buddy Holly Story. Since then, he's been primarily defined by his quirky personal life. Busey was among those who protested California laws that mandate wearing a helmet when riding a motorcycle. Ironically, in 1988 Busey was involved in a motorcycle accident and suffered brain injuries that might have been prevented had he been wearing a helmet. Now Busey is down to scrap heap level work: appearing on the TV program Wife Swap in which D-list "celebrities" switch households and live with each other's wife. It gets better: Busey is "swapping" with the wife of disgraced clergyman Ted Haggard. Haggard is yet another "family values" hypocritical holy man who railed against homosexuals and gay rights- until it turned out he had been seeing a male prostitute. (Admittedly these types of scandals usually involve homophobe elected officials who are secretly engaging in gay sex.) In saner times, that would have been the last we'd have heard from Haggard but in today's world bad behavior reaps big financial rewards so Haggard now has another career as a reality TV star. Maybe the wives of Busey and Haggard can find an appropriate niche for themselves on The Biggest Loser. For more click here

The comeback kid?

Reclusive Hollywood bad boy Eddie Murphy is going mainstream and has agreed to be the solo host of next year's Oscar awards ceremony. The Academy has suffered the slings and arrows of critics who have bemoaned virtually every telecast in the post-Billy Crystal era. Murphy. whose temperament and ego have won him few friends in the industry, might be looking for a comeback. He walked out of the Oscar ceremonies when he failed to win the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for Dreamgirls in 2007.  There is no doubt in our minds he can be brilliant- the question remains whether he still has the same pizazz he once enjoyed as a box-office king. Click here for more- Lee Pfeiffer

By Lee Pfeiffer

It was no secret that 85 year old Jerry Lewis had planned to limit his participation in the annual Muscular Dystrophy Telethon. He said as much last year, but promised to stay on as MDA chairman and also make an appearance to sing You'll Never Walk Alone on this year's show. That signature finale on every MDA telethon over the last 50 years is always a very moving moment, with Lewis often getting choked up during the song. However, last month Lewis announced he had basically severed ties with the MDA- an organization he had raised over $1 billion for. Reasons for the parting of ways are the subject of speculation. MSNBC commentator Lawrence O'Donnell, host of the political show The Last Word, had a scathing segment on his program last month in which he said that Lewis had been unceremoniously dumped by the MDA. Lewis has not issued any comment on the matter, simply saying he is "retired". However, Lewis is not retired- he's making a new movie. Thus, there appears to be hard feelings regarding his departure from MDA activities. Did he jump or was he pushed? Despite Lewis' absence, this year's Labor Day Telethon earned a record $61 million- an incredible feat during a recession -especially since the telethon was streamed to only six hours this year. Nevertheless, as O'Donnell pointed out, the shear sentiment of seeing Lewis' last telethon appearance could have made those numbers even bigger. For baby boomers, his MDA telethon remains a part of their lives. The ratings would have been sky high and his graceful departure from the show would easily have become one of the great moments in TV history. For more click here

Allen in the first film he directed, Take the Money and Run (1969)

After years of negotiating, producers of a new four-hour TV documentary about Woody Allen managed to land the shy Woodman's cooperation. The show will be the most intensive look at his life and career and will premiere in November as an American Masters presentation. Meanwhile, Allen's Midnight in Paris continues to perform well at the boxoffice and is his top-grossing film ever.

Hef managed to drag himself away from his other distractions to record narration for the premiere episode of The Playboy Club.

Hugh Hefner has agreed to provide narration for the premiere episode of NBC's forthcoming TV series The Playboy Club. The retro-based series will follow the lives of people associated with a 60s-era Playboy Club with heavy emphasis (unsurprisingly) on the character's sex lives. TV Guide reports that original concept was to have Hef provide narration for every episode, but that idea has been dropped. Hefner will be portrayed as a character on the show, though it's unclear how integral he will be to the plots. Click here for more

Happy Days cast members Marion Ross, Anson Williams, Donny Most and Erin Moran are pressing forward with their allegations that CBS has conspired to deprive them of royalties on merchandise sold relating to the popular show that ran in the 1970s. CBS admits it has been guilty of "oversights" in payment of the royalties relating to the series, which originally aired on ABC. However, the network says the lawsuit for $10 million is much ado about nothing and is seeking to have it dismissed. Click here for more.

Rod Serling's 1970s anthology TV series Night Gallery was dismissed at the time as Twilight Zone-Lite. However, there were some excellent episodes and 43 of them can be viewed for free on the Hulu web site. Click here for episode selection.

Noted film critic David Thomson of The New Republic sets his sites on the small screen with an insightful essay about why Peter Falk as Columbo represents the kind of high quality mystery show that wouldn't stand a prayer of being put on the air today in TV's dumbed-down, politically correct environment. In fact it's impossible to imagine a leading character being allowed to chomp on a cigar without protests that the show was actively endorsing cancer.   Click here to read

Historians seem to have missed this large-scale battle in which General George Washington led a fleet of Dodge Challengers against British forces.

By Lee Pfeiffer

Americans are suckers for anything that invokes the spirit of patriotism. Politicians learned this decades ago. Just stand in front of a big American flag and you can spout any kind of outrageous lie or advocacy for programs that range from promoting bigotry to outright lunacy. If anyone dares to question your motives or your facts, they can be denounced as unpatriotic. Madison Avenue got on the bandwagon in the 1980s and incorporated patriotic themes to sell everything from soft drinks to cars. Advertising Weekly has compiled ten notorious TV spots from over the decades that blended marketing products with patriotic themes. Some are well-crafted and are moving enough to distract audiences from the fact that  they are being shamelessly manipulated. These often involve the plight of U.S. servicemen and women who have become de facto pitchmen for every sort of product through these "tributes" to their courage. In another ad, the images of civil rights icons are utilized to market trucks.  My personal favorite is a big budget commercial in which George Washington leads a battalion of Dodge Challengers against British forces-- with our first president driving the lead car! Believe it or not, this is not done tongue-in-cheek. The sickest exploitation is featured in a Budweiser beer ad in which the famous Clydesdale horses travel to New York City to pay their respects to the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. If Sen. Joe McCarthy had worked for an advertising agency, he couldn't have come up with a better way to exploit patriotism. I can foresee the day when Dwight D. Eisenhower will be invoked as a pitchman. The dialogue will go something like this:

 "My fellow Americans, this is your former President, Dwight D. Eisenhower. You know, when I was the commander of Allied forces in Europe, I was up all night planning the D-Day invasion. Now you can be up all night, too, with some help from Viagra!"

Click here to watch 'em and weep. 

In a recent video editorial, CNN anchor Anderson Cooper took on rude movie-goers, defending the management of the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Austin Texas for ejecting a young woman who thought it was appropriate to text during during a screening. Alamo Drafthouse cinemas attract dedicated movie lovers so there was widespread approval when the woman was escorted out of the theater. Cooper earned kudos from viewers who are fed up with paying big bucks to see movies, only to discover the theater is packed with imbeciles who have howling kids with them, talk on cell phones, text and carry on conversations while everyone else is trying to pay attention to the film. Cooper aired the idiotic woman's equally idiotic defense, which is unintentionally hilarious. Thanks, Mr. Cooper, for standing up for the rights of all movie fans in publicly humiliating the dolts who ruin so many cinematic experiences. Cooper's video should go viral on all movie web sites. Click here to view. - Lee Pfeiffer

Cinema Retro has received the following press release from PBS:

Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple
Based on the works of Agatha Christie
On MASTERPIECE Mystery!
Sundays June 19 - July 10, 2011 at 9pm on PBS

David Suchet returns as the stylish and quirky Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot, the iconic character made famous by Agatha Christie. In three brand new mysteries, Poirot finds himself investigating crimes, murders, and international cover-ups with the help of the police and some old friends.

Sunday, June 19, 2011 at 9pm ET — "Three Act Tragedy"
Sunday, June 26, 2011 at 9pm ET — "The Clocks"
Sunday, July 3, 2011 at 9pm ET — "Hallowe'en Party"

A new episode of the beloved "Agatha Christie's Miss Marple" series airs on Sunday, July 10, with Julia McKenzie (Cranford) in the role of the spinster sleuth. In "The Pale Horse," Miss Marple investigates the murder of a friend and stumbles upon some spooky findings.