Notable Passings

...TV writer John McGreevey, whose work on THE WALTONS included some of the show's finest episodes, passed away last November.

McGreevey's passing was announced in an excellent tribute at The Classic TV History Blog.

McGreevey wrote at least 20 WALTONS scripts, which included the show's very first episode, "The Foundling"; "The Easter Story," the famous episode which found Olivia crippled by polio; and "The Children's Carol," about British children evacuated from England due to WWII.

McGreevey wrote for many other series, including MY THREE SONS, WAGON TRAIN, HAZEL, and FAMILY AFFAIR.

My husband and I had the opportunity to talk to Mr. McGreevey at a WALTONS tribute a number of years ago and he was a delightful gentleman who was happy to share insights about TV in general and his career in specific. I'm sorry to learn he's no longer with us.

...Jazz pianist George Shearing died on Valentine's Day. He was 91.

By coincidence, I'd just put the CD NAT KING COLE SINGS/GEORGE SHEARING PLAYS in my car last weekend. It's a marvelous album including "Fly Me to the Moon" and "Let There Be Love." Very highly recommended.

Shearing's career is all the more remarkable as he was born blind. An inspiring man whose work will live on thanks to the recordings of his music.

Update: A nice tribute was posted today by Scott Johnson at Power Line.

...Walter Seltzer, an MGM publicity man who became a producer with a decade-long association with Charlton Heston, has died at the age of 96.

The Seltzer-Heston collaboration resulted in seven films, including WILL PENNY (1968) and SKYJACKED (1972).

Seltzer's brother Frank was also a film producer, with credits including 711 OCEAN DRIVE (1950).