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| DOROTHY MALONE AND JOHN IRELAND IN A SCENE FROM THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS |
A new benefit for our readers. I've recently become acquainted with The Movie and Music Network, a website that offers streaming movies and music. The good folks at MMN asked me to take a look around at the site, which offers all kinds of classic movies, foreign flicks, silent films, and more. Best of all for us classic TV fans, there's a network devoted to our genre as well, with some very worthwhile shows for you to check out.
And now here's the good news. A month’s subscription of unlimited streaming is ordinarily $5.99, but the Network has graciously offered my readers half-off of your first month. To take advantage, just email Sonia at sonia@movieandmusicnetwork.com with the promo code “MITCHELL” to take advantage of this offer.
I'll be checking in from time to time with news on programs you might want to investigate, and why. And speaking of which...
Happy Birthday Dorothy Malone & John Ireland! Today's the 90th birthday of Dorothy Malone, and the 101st birthday of John Ireland. Malone is, of course, known to classic TV fans for Peyton Place, and classic movie fans with a sharp eye and memory will remember her from her brief but memorable appearance in The Big Sleep. In both of those roles, as well as so many through her career, she had a presence and appearance that caused you to turn your head and look - and remember. Quite by accident, I read that she lives right here in Dallas, and with a little research - sure enough, she's right here in the phone book. As a matter of fact, we've driven past where she lives without even knowing it! It has been suggested that I should call her up and ask for an interview, but bold as I may be, I don't think I've got the guts to do it out of the blue. Question of the day: am I a coward?
John Ireland's career was mostly in the movies, but he was no stranger to television either, with a raft of guest roles in series such as Bonanza, Thriller and Riverboat, and starred for two years in the British series The Cheaters. (I wonder if Cult TV Blog knows about this?. He also played a pivotal, Oscar-nominated role in the great political movie All the King's Men. (I wrote about the Pulitzer Prize-winning book here.)
As luck would have it, you can catch both of these stars in Movie and Music Network's movie of the day, The Fast and the Furious. No, not the franchise of films that seem to be in the theaters all the time, but the original, filmed in 1955. It's a terrific noir thriller, and it's directed by Roger Corman - I mean, how much better can it get? Not surprisingly, it's not nearly as frenetic as the remake (which, in fact, it only vaguely resembles), and seeing as how it's noir, you know that Malone's character is not as simple as first appears. This movie also has a twist at the end that, I think, is somewhat surprising for the usually fatalistic noir genre - but why listen to me when you can check it out for yourself here. And please do so - I don't think you'll be disappointed once you've visited MMN.
Calling Mike Dolan. Mary Jo Schwartzhoff writes, "Hi, I have a question. I'm trying to figure out about what time I was born by what TV shows my sister remembers being on. Do you have the TV line up for Chicago for September 20, 1964?" This sounds like a call for you, Michael. Can you provide us with the information?
Remembering Apollo 1. January 27 was the anniversary of the 1967 flash fire that claimed the lives of the three astronauts scheduled to fly the first manned Apollo mission - Gus Grissom, Ed White and Roger Chaffee.* My friend Marc Ryan sends along this clip from NBC of his father Bill anchoring a special report on the disaster. He also writes, "You'll notice a funny edit after about 90 seconds. He is ad-libbing the rest of the way." I remember when this happened; I was only six at the time, but for a kid who'd watched as many space launches as he could, it was - as I said to Marc - a hell of a shock.
*And January 28 was the anniversary of the Challenger explosion. A somber week for the American space program.
And finally... If you're out there Jeff Alexander, some time back you asked me for some information, and I've been woefully, woefully slow in getting it to you. And when I did send it, the email bounced back. If you see this and still need the information, send me your new email address, and I'll get it to you!
That's it for today - see you tomorrow!
