Around the Blogosphere This Week

Miscellaneous bits of news and fun stuff from around the internet...

...Here's an interesting-looking book which is now in my Kindle Fire thanks to a friend's recommendation: WHEN BOOKS WENT TO WAR: THE STORIES THAT HELPED US WIN WORLD WAR II by Molly Guptill Manning. The book's main focus appears to be the wild success of paperback books as a means of entertaining the troops.

...At Hollywood Comet Jessica pays tribute to one of my favorite character actors, John Ridgely.

...Turner Classic Movies has announced that it will spend three consecutive Octobers focusing on gender inequality in the film industry.

...Coming from the Warner Archive in July: LAWMAN - Season 1, Fred MacMurray, Dorothy McGuire, and Howard Keel in CALLAWAY WENT THATAWAY (1953), a bunch of Wallace Beery movies, and a 12-film set of Dick Foran Westerns. You can bet I'll be getting LAWMAN!

...Anthony Geary has retired from his role as Luke Spencer on GENERAL HOSPITAL after a run of 37 years. Some favorite former cast members, including Finola Hughes, Kristina Wagner, and Genie Francis, came to the studio to celebrate his final day. I certainly enjoyed that cast "back in the day" and have fond memories of the show although I haven't watched it for over two decades.

...Colin recently posted on the wonderful Universal Western DAWN AT SOCORRO (1953), starring Rory Calhoun, at Riding the High Country.

...I also liked the post D.O.A.: A Love Story at Sister Celluloid.

...Toby's got lots of Western DVD and Blu-ray news over at 50 Westerns From the 50s: ROBBERS' ROOST (1955), RUN OF THE ARROW (1957), FORT MASSACRE (1958), and THE GUNFIGHT AT DODGE CITY (1959).

...Plans are already underway for the March 2016 High Chaparral Reunion in Tucson. In addition to HIGH CHAPARRAL cast members, Roberta Shore of THE VIRGINIAN and Robert Fuller of LARAMIE and WAGON TRAIN (not to mention EMERGENCY!) are expected to attend.

...Amazon has introduced a "Treasure Truck" which quickly delivers sale items to certain neighborhoods...In other Amazon news, last week it announced the Amazon Echo is now available for purchase without an invitation. A recent review is here. I've enjoyed mine, which I mostly use as a voice-activated timer and music player; Amazon regularly adds new features. For instance, I can ask it if the Dodgers are playing and what the score is.

...Notable Passings: One-time child actor George "Foghorn" Winslow has died at 69. He was memorable in several films of the '50s including ROOM FOR ONE MORE (1952), MONKEY BUSINESS (1952), GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES (1953), and MISTER SCOUTMASTER (1953). Will McKinley remembers the actor and his role in ROOM FOR ONE MORE at Cinematically Insane. Condolences may be left online here.

...More Notable Passings: Another child actor, Anthony Sydes, has passed away at 74. Sydes was one of the little boys tamed by Mr. Belvedere in SITTING PRETTY (1948), a Gilbreth son in CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN (1950) and BELLES ON THEIR TOES (1952), and Thelma Ritter's son Peter in MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET (1947). He went on to serve two decades in the army...Producer Harry Sherman has passed on at 87. He produced GET SMART and well-regarded TV-movies such as ELEANOR AND FRANKLIN (1976) and THE GATHERING (1977)...The Duke of Fife, who led quite an interesting life, recounted by the Daily Telegraph, has died at 85.

...Finally, Dick Van Patten, who had a long career on both stage and screen, has died at 86. Van Patten's stage work included the original Broadway cast of Thornton Wilder's THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH in 1942 and replacing David Wayne as Ensign Pulver in the original run of MISTER ROBERTS. He was in the early TV series MAMA (pictured here), which began in 1949, and was best-known as the father on EIGHT IS ENOUGH which began in 1977. Van Patten is part of an acting family which includes sons Nels, Vincent, and James, daughter-in-law Eileen Davidson, sister Joyce, and niece Talia Balsam.

Have a great week!