David Hess (1942 - 2011)

Switching on my PC this morning, I was shocked to read about the death of David Hess.

Hess started his career as a singer, songwriter in the late 50's and was first discovered by Perry Como (Hess' was he first artist to record 'All Shook Up' and subsequently led to him writing a few hits for Elvis Presley, Pat Boone and Andy Williams)

In 1972, his (then) brother-in-law (Martin Kove) persuaded the Hess to give acting a stab (and 'stab' it, he did) as 'Krug Stillo' in Wes Cravens groundbreaking classic The Last House On The Left. Hess also wrote and performed the haunting (sometimes jaunty) soundtrack, that still divides audiences today (personally, I think it's awesome) The Last House On The Left set a new benchmark in movie violence, and although Hess had many roles in different genres, he was best associated (not to mention 'best served') in horror movies. Hitch-Hike (alongside Franco Nero) followed in 1977, and Hess delivered the goods again. But in 1980, his role as 'Alex' in Rugerro Deodato's savage House On The Edge Of The Park, finally cemented Hess as 'The Baddest Bad-Guy In Cinema' (a movie that still suffers 13 minutes of censorship in the UK)

Hess continued to act in bit parts here and then, usually playing bad guys in U.S TV shows, and this steady revenue, enabled him to continue his passion for music. In 2009, he bounced back to the horror spotlight with SMASH CUT, a gory (low budget) tale of a fil-makers descent into madness. IMDB had Hess linked to a Deodato directed update of House On The Edge Of The Park for a 2012 release....But sadly (like Joe Spinell in Maniac 2, before him) the project is just another 'What If' for horror fans. Hess leaves behind a legion of mourning fans (myself included) and a legacy of great movies (and likewise songs)

Rest In Peace David Hess, keep on rocking

Peter Falk (1927-2011)

Genuinely saddened at last nights news of Peter Falk's passing. Not that he made many Straight-To-DVD movies in his illustrious career (although Walter Hill's underrated UNDISPUTED was granted such treatment in the UK)

Born in 1927, Falk lost an eye (to cancer) at three years old. Not the best start to any young life (let alone, someone who would go onto achieve the worldwide accolade and fame that Falk did) But (as Sammy Davis Jr, before him) true talent shines through any disability.

Falk made a name for hmself on stage, before slowly working his way up the hollywood ladder. He clocked up some memorable supporting performances in movies like Murder Inc, Pretty Boy Floyd, It's A Mad Mad Mad Mad World, Castle Keep and Anzio. In 1968 he signed up for a NBC MYSTERY MOVIE called Prescription Murder, playing a rumpled detective named Columbo. Although not a huge hit with audiences, the character of Columbo was recommissioned 3 years later (with another one-off episode, Ransom For A Dead Man) leading (later that year) to a seven episode season....the rest as they say is history, and the character made Falk instantly recognizable around the world.

And the movie roles didn't stop there. Now a huge 'name' actor, Falk starred in many classic movies (during his 32 tenure as Lt Columbo) including, Husbands, A Woman Under The Influence, Murder By Death, Mikey And Nicky, The Cheap Detective, The In-Laws, The California Dolls, Wings of Desire, The Princess Bride and (David Mamet's enjoyable) Lakeboat.

Although he'll be forever associated (and rightfully so) with Columbo, Pater Falk not only leaves a eclectic back-catalogue of movies, he also leaves millions of fans mourning at the passing of one the few greats. R.I.P Peter Falk


Got the full set of Columbo DVD's...time for a complete re-watch, methinks?

Leslie Nielsen 1926-2010

I get a text message this morning (from my brother Colin) at 6:15 am!!! (like yeah, I'm awake and downing 'raw eggs' before my morning run!) , with a cryptic remark stating "Rest In Peace Leslie"..........No surname, nothing (My brother can be annoying like that!)
At first i thought...Leslie Phillips (no offence to Mr Phillips, or his family....but the guy is 123 year old!) So i checked the morning news on TV................Ziltch, nothing, Nada (if it's not Snow reports or X-Factor results, it's not deemed important in the UK) So out of bed in got, booted the hamster wheel in my PC, and kick started the 'interweb'....wish i hadn't now!
News that legendary funnyman Leslie Nielsen has passed away, is another sad loss (in a year that's seen some great icons leave us)
Nielson, already clocked up a 100+ appearances in various TV shows and radio plays, before landing the role of Commander J.J. Adams in the 1956 sci-fi classic Forbidden Planet.
His roles in other classic genre movies/Tv shows followed (The Poseidon Adventure, Day Of The Animals, Columbo) before hitting the jackpot with AIRPLANE (in 1980) in which he took 'deadpan' to a new level (whilst still having the occasional 'straight' role in Prom Night, Creepshow and Nuts, to name a few) before having his own bonafide Box-Office hit with THE NAKED GUN in 1988.
He continued with many more 'comedy' roles (and a couple more successful 'Naked Gun' sequels) as well as numerous other spoofs (I laughed out loud throughout SPY HARD) and he continued working pretty much non-stop (with future projects still unreleased for next year)
Nielson died from complications with pneumonia, and by all accounts was praised by everyone he ever worked with, as a "kind, warm and genuinely funny man"

He will be sadly missed (like you needed to be told that)

(Gotta crack open the DAY OF THE ANIMALS dvd tonight.....R.I.P. Mr Nielson)

Tony Curtis (1925 - 2010)

It's with a sad heart, that i dedicate this post to the passing of Tony Curtis.
Curtis, star of many a blockbuster (although never as huge as he should of been) After many a classic supporting role, Curtis came to his 'own' in 1969's THE BOSTON STRANGLER, just as his 'Hollywood' star was fading. But had such a huge (likable) personality, that helped him secure work, long after his 'matinee' roles had dried up. And on top of his sterling work in (classics) SOME LIKE IT HOT, SPARTACUS, THE VIKINGS, THE DEFIANT ONES, TRAPEZE and THE PERSUADERS....he brought his (always professional) presence to many a small screen effort (CENTRE OF THE WEB, PRIME TARGET, BRITTLE GLORY and THE IMMORTALS to name a few)


On top of all this, he was a devastatingly handsome 'Mans' man (and i say that with my feeble hetrosexuality intact) the likes of which Clooney and Pitt could never hold the tiniest candle to. The world gets less and less 'fun' with the passing of genuine 'stars' like this guy.

R.I.P Bernard Schwartz

R.I.P. Dennis Hopper

Sad news indeed, but after a long term of illness....Dennis Hopper has succumbed to the perils of Prostate Cancer.
Don't really know what to say (Hell, we all know everyone has to die) it just knocks the shit out of you more, when it's someone so enigmatic (and likable) as Hopper was.
Hopper started his career as a jobbing extra and bagged many a supporting role in some (major) movies (Rebel Without A Cause, Giant, Cool Hand Luke, Gunfight At The OK Corral) before coming into his own with Easy Rider.
Hopper, now an established star, directed and starred in some great movies, The Last Movie, Mad Dog Morgan, Tracks, Out Of The Blue, Apocalypse Now, Rumble Fish, Blue Velvet, Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, Colors, The Hot Spot, Paris Trout, Waterworld (And on a more recent DTV level) Nails, Top Of The World, Ticker, Unspeakable, The Keeper and Land Of The Dead (Sorry guys.....never cared too much for Speed)

It's Hard to come up with a fitting tribute for such a unique actor....all i can say is this:
Many actors would have to punish themselves mentaly and physically, to achieve the effortless persona, that Hopper brought to the screen. He never had to act it...he lived it.


(Just watched NAILS tonight as a tribute, and had to explain to my nephew....why i chose such an obscure 1992 movie over the likes of (more classic fare, like) Blue Velvet, Apocalypse Now........I simply wanted to watch a fun movie with Hopper as the main star....plus i'm a unrepentant John Flynn junkie) Sure Blue Velvet wipes the floor with Nails (as does Out Of The Blue) but i couldn't bear seeing Dennis Hopper die onscreen (not tonight, at least) The news of his actual passing, has left me sad enough.

R.I.P Dennis....miss you already