Many action stars tried their hand at a Die Hard copycat. Sylvester Stallone had Die Hard-on-a-mountain with his action movie Cliffhanger. Wesley Snipes had Die Hard-on-a-plane with the movie Passenger 57. Steven Seagal had both Die Hard-on-a-boat with Under Siege and Die Hard-on-a-train with Under Siege 2: Dark Territory. Martial arts star Jean-Claude Van Damme would get his own copycat film in the form of Die Hard-at-a-hockey-game with the 1995 film Sudden Death. You can now take the violent hockey action home with an all-new 4K transfer with the ultra HD Blu-ray from Kino, according to the announcement on Blu-ray.com.
Van Damme’s fare with this sports-themed film has its share of fans but is more notoriously known for the amusingly wild sequences that utilize its hockey setting, which include Van Damme fighting a terrorist who is disguised as a mascot for the Pittsburgh Penguins, as well as...
Van Damme’s fare with this sports-themed film has its share of fans but is more notoriously known for the amusingly wild sequences that utilize its hockey setting, which include Van Damme fighting a terrorist who is disguised as a mascot for the Pittsburgh Penguins, as well as...
- 6/5/2024
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
The premise of the 1977 sitcom "Three's Company" -- adapted from the 1973 British series "Man About the House" -- would likely never fly in 2024. Roommates Janet (Joyce DeWitt) and Chrissy (Suzanne Somers) require a third roommate to pay rent in their expensive Santa Monica apartment. They stumble across Jack Tripper (John Ritter), an aspiring culinary student whom they get along with. It so happens, though, that the building's landlord, Mr. Roper (Normal Fell), is ultra-conservative and refuses to let unmarried men and women share his apartments. To get around this contrived contingency, Janet and Chrissy tell Mr. Roper that Jack is gay. This satisfies the landlord but opens Jack up to homophobic jibes.
Fell eventually left the series and was replaced by the high-strung Mr. Furley, played by Don Knotts. Mr. Furley, it seems, required the charade to continue. Somers also left the show in its last two seasons and was...
Fell eventually left the series and was replaced by the high-strung Mr. Furley, played by Don Knotts. Mr. Furley, it seems, required the charade to continue. Somers also left the show in its last two seasons and was...
- 3/16/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Has any entertainment scripted project ever featured more Oscar winners? Tour our special Valentine’s Day photo gallery to see which 33 Academy Awards champs made appearances on the very popular Aaron Spelling show “The Love Boat.”
For one full decade of 1977 to 1987, ABC could count on its comedy/drama series “The Love Boat” to bring in millions of audience members on Saturday nights. The show would have multiple story arcs (often three for a one-hour episode) with five to 10 celebrity guest stars each time. Some arcs were playing out for laughs, others for romance and the remainder could take on tough issues. The show airs daily on the Decades network and on Sunday afternoons for Me-tv. You can also stream every episode on Paramount+.
Regular cast members would either take command of some segments or be in the backseat on others. The charming actors throughout the decade were Gavin MacLeod...
For one full decade of 1977 to 1987, ABC could count on its comedy/drama series “The Love Boat” to bring in millions of audience members on Saturday nights. The show would have multiple story arcs (often three for a one-hour episode) with five to 10 celebrity guest stars each time. Some arcs were playing out for laughs, others for romance and the remainder could take on tough issues. The show airs daily on the Decades network and on Sunday afternoons for Me-tv. You can also stream every episode on Paramount+.
Regular cast members would either take command of some segments or be in the backseat on others. The charming actors throughout the decade were Gavin MacLeod...
- 2/13/2024
- by Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
Three’s Company star Suzanne Somers made no secret of her dreams for a new version of the classic sitcom that made her a TV icon. The actor, who died on Oct. 15 at age 76, had floated an idea for a new show that would incorporate a hologram version of her late co-star John Ritter and also gave the thumbs up to the idea of Jennifer Aniston playing the Chrissy Snow character. But despite the talk, there are no plans (that we know of) to make a Three’s Company reboot a reality.
Suzanne Somers suggested a ‘Three’s Company’ reboot with a hologram of John Ritter Joyce DeWitt, John Ritter, and Suzanne Somers in ‘Three’s Company’ | ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
Three’s Company starred Somers and Joyce DeWitt as a pair of roommates who invite a single man named Jack (Ritter) to move into their apartment. But the pair’s conservative landlords,...
Suzanne Somers suggested a ‘Three’s Company’ reboot with a hologram of John Ritter Joyce DeWitt, John Ritter, and Suzanne Somers in ‘Three’s Company’ | ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
Three’s Company starred Somers and Joyce DeWitt as a pair of roommates who invite a single man named Jack (Ritter) to move into their apartment. But the pair’s conservative landlords,...
- 10/22/2023
- by Megan Elliott
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Suzanne Somers’ death on Oct. 15 ensures a Three’s Company reboot would be impossible. It would have been unlikely before the starlet’s death, but Somers wasn’t against the idea. Now, though, there is just a single member of the original main cast that is still alive. That makes us immeasurably sad.
Joyce DeWitt is the only remaining original ‘Three’s Company’ cast member still living
Joyce DeWitt, who played Janet Wood on Three’s Company, is the last living original cast member. DeWitt appeared in 171 episodes of the iconic series, working with both Ritter and Somers as a main cast member from the pilot onward.
Richard Kline with Priscilla Barnes, Joyce DeWitt and John Ritter | ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
While DeWitt is the only original main cast member still alive, several other actors who appeared in the series are doing well. Both Jenilee Harrison...
Joyce DeWitt is the only remaining original ‘Three’s Company’ cast member still living
Joyce DeWitt, who played Janet Wood on Three’s Company, is the last living original cast member. DeWitt appeared in 171 episodes of the iconic series, working with both Ritter and Somers as a main cast member from the pilot onward.
Richard Kline with Priscilla Barnes, Joyce DeWitt and John Ritter | ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
While DeWitt is the only original main cast member still alive, several other actors who appeared in the series are doing well. Both Jenilee Harrison...
- 10/15/2023
- by Andrea Francese
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Last month, actor Tom Sizemore passed away from a brain aneurysm at the age of just 61. To pay tribute to him, The Arrow in the Head Show hosts John “The Arrow” Fallon and Lance are looking back at a horror film Sizemore starred in back in 1997, The Relic (watch it Here). To find out what they had to say about The Relic, check out the video embedded above.
Directed by Peter Hyams from a screenplay that came from the combined forces of Amy Holden Jones, John Raffo, Rick Jaffa, and Amanda Silver, The Relic was based on a novel by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. The film has the following synopsis: Come in – if you dare. The opening-night gala for a new exhibit at Chicago’s natural history museum is under way. But be advised: something terrifying wants to make sure no one ever leaves.
Sizemore is joined in the cast by Penelope Ann Miller,...
Directed by Peter Hyams from a screenplay that came from the combined forces of Amy Holden Jones, John Raffo, Rick Jaffa, and Amanda Silver, The Relic was based on a novel by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. The film has the following synopsis: Come in – if you dare. The opening-night gala for a new exhibit at Chicago’s natural history museum is under way. But be advised: something terrifying wants to make sure no one ever leaves.
Sizemore is joined in the cast by Penelope Ann Miller,...
- 4/8/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Almost every horror fan enjoys a good creature feature, but sometimes it can be hard to find one that plays it mostly straight without descending into complete self-parody. Peter Hyams’ The Relic is just that kind of monster movie, presenting an air of sophistication that distracts you from its roots in outright schlock.
It was one of the few times that Hyams—who has many thriller, sci-fi, and action films in his credits—jumped into the horror pool. Previously, he ventured into supernatural territory with the 1992 fantasy comedy Stay Tuned, which saw John Ritter and Pam Dawber running through a satellite dish system powered by Hell. It wasn’t exactly what many would call horror, but still, check it out if you haven’t—there’s some good dark comedy jokes that would make readers of this site cackle.
The Relic—based on the novel Relic by Douglas Preston and...
It was one of the few times that Hyams—who has many thriller, sci-fi, and action films in his credits—jumped into the horror pool. Previously, he ventured into supernatural territory with the 1992 fantasy comedy Stay Tuned, which saw John Ritter and Pam Dawber running through a satellite dish system powered by Hell. It wasn’t exactly what many would call horror, but still, check it out if you haven’t—there’s some good dark comedy jokes that would make readers of this site cackle.
The Relic—based on the novel Relic by Douglas Preston and...
- 8/3/2022
- by Alan Dorich
- DailyDead
Has any entertainment scripted project ever featured more Oscar winners? Can you name all of them? Tour our special Valentine’s Day photo gallery to see which 32 Academy Awards champs made appearances sailing on the very popular Aaron Spelling show “The Love Boat.”
For one full decade of 1977 to 1987, ABC could count on its comedy/drama series “The Love Boat” to bring in millions of audience members on Saturday nights. The show would have multiple story arcs (often three for a one-hour episode) with five to 10 celebrity guest stars each time. Some arcs were playing out for laughs, others for romance and the remainder could take on tough issues. The show airs daily on the Decades network and on Sunday afternoons for Me-tv. You can also stream every episode on Paramount+.
SEE25 most passionate TV couples ever, ranked
Regular cast members would either take command of some segments or be in the backseat on others.
For one full decade of 1977 to 1987, ABC could count on its comedy/drama series “The Love Boat” to bring in millions of audience members on Saturday nights. The show would have multiple story arcs (often three for a one-hour episode) with five to 10 celebrity guest stars each time. Some arcs were playing out for laughs, others for romance and the remainder could take on tough issues. The show airs daily on the Decades network and on Sunday afternoons for Me-tv. You can also stream every episode on Paramount+.
SEE25 most passionate TV couples ever, ranked
Regular cast members would either take command of some segments or be in the backseat on others.
- 2/13/2022
- by Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
Has any entertainment scripted project ever featured more Oscar winners? Tour our special Valentine’s Day photo gallery to see which 32 Academy Awards champs made appearances on the very popular Aaron Spelling show “The Love Boat.”
For one full decade of 1977 to 1987, ABC could count on its comedy/drama series “The Love Boat” to bring in millions of audience members on Saturday nights. The show would have multiple story arcs (often three for a one-hour episode) with five to 10 celebrity guest stars each time. Some arcs were playing out for laughs, others for romance and the remainder could take on tough issues.
SEE25 most passionate TV couples ever, ranked
Regular cast members would either take command of some segments or be in the backseat on others. The charming actors throughout the decade were Gavin MacLeod (Captain Merrill Stubing), Bernie Kopell (Dr. Adam Bricker), Lauren Tewes (Cruise Director Julie McCoy), Ted Lange...
For one full decade of 1977 to 1987, ABC could count on its comedy/drama series “The Love Boat” to bring in millions of audience members on Saturday nights. The show would have multiple story arcs (often three for a one-hour episode) with five to 10 celebrity guest stars each time. Some arcs were playing out for laughs, others for romance and the remainder could take on tough issues.
SEE25 most passionate TV couples ever, ranked
Regular cast members would either take command of some segments or be in the backseat on others. The charming actors throughout the decade were Gavin MacLeod (Captain Merrill Stubing), Bernie Kopell (Dr. Adam Bricker), Lauren Tewes (Cruise Director Julie McCoy), Ted Lange...
- 2/14/2021
- by Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
1986: Another World's "Marissa" made her way to Bay City.
1991: Santa Barbara's Dash and Katrina grew closer.
1998: All My Children's Junior was locked in a cage.
2009: One Life to Live's Fish didn't remember his night with Stacy."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1967: On Another World, Liz (Audra Lindley) was happy to hear that Bill (Joseph Gallison) suspected Madge of Danny's murder.
1967: Australian Broadcasting Corporation soap Bellbird premiered. It remained on the air until December 1977.
1968: On Dark Shadows, Julia (Grayson Hall) protected...
1991: Santa Barbara's Dash and Katrina grew closer.
1998: All My Children's Junior was locked in a cage.
2009: One Life to Live's Fish didn't remember his night with Stacy."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1967: On Another World, Liz (Audra Lindley) was happy to hear that Bill (Joseph Gallison) suspected Madge of Danny's murder.
1967: Australian Broadcasting Corporation soap Bellbird premiered. It remained on the air until December 1977.
1968: On Dark Shadows, Julia (Grayson Hall) protected...
- 8/31/2019
- by Unknown
- We Love Soaps
1975: Mary and Jack shared their first kiss on Ryan's Hope.
1979: The identity of Edge of Night's "Tobias" was revealed.
1979: Guiding Light's Alan bonded with hope on a deserted island.
1995: One Life to Live's Max told hospitalized Luna to hold on."The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1967: On Another World, Pat Randolph (Beverly Penberthy) introduced Rachel Davis (Robin Strasser) to her Aunt Liz Matthews (Audra Lindley).
1975: On Ryan's Hope, Mary Ryan (Kate Mulgrew) declined when Bob Reid (Earl Hindman) asked her out, but accepted an invitation from Jack Fenelli (Michael Levin) to join him for coffee.
1979: The identity of Edge of Night's "Tobias" was revealed.
1979: Guiding Light's Alan bonded with hope on a deserted island.
1995: One Life to Live's Max told hospitalized Luna to hold on."The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1967: On Another World, Pat Randolph (Beverly Penberthy) introduced Rachel Davis (Robin Strasser) to her Aunt Liz Matthews (Audra Lindley).
1975: On Ryan's Hope, Mary Ryan (Kate Mulgrew) declined when Bob Reid (Earl Hindman) asked her out, but accepted an invitation from Jack Fenelli (Michael Levin) to join him for coffee.
- 8/26/2019
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1979:The Edge of Night's Louise attacked Paige.
1980: Gh's Luke & Laura spent the night in Wyndham's.
1987: Bold and Beautiful's Thorne considered a career move.
1993: Oltl's Nora made closing arguments in Todd's case."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1928: Real Folks from Thompkins Corner, one of the earliest documented radio serials, premiered on NBC.
1968: On Another World, Liz Matthews (Audra Lindley) cried to Bill and Missy that they would have been happier if she had died of her heart attack.
1968: On Dark Shadows,...
1980: Gh's Luke & Laura spent the night in Wyndham's.
1987: Bold and Beautiful's Thorne considered a career move.
1993: Oltl's Nora made closing arguments in Todd's case."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1928: Real Folks from Thompkins Corner, one of the earliest documented radio serials, premiered on NBC.
1968: On Another World, Liz Matthews (Audra Lindley) cried to Bill and Missy that they would have been happier if she had died of her heart attack.
1968: On Dark Shadows,...
- 8/6/2019
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1984: All My Children's Erica was curious about Adam's first wife.
1990: General Hospital's Frisco planned a surprise for Felicia.
1994: Days of our Lives' Alice found Tom dead in their bedroom.
2003: The Young and the Restless' Jill tried to stop a wedding."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1963: James Pritchett made his first appearance on NBC soap opera The Doctors. He played a corporation president running away and having a broken back that brought me to the hospital. Pritchett returned to The Doctors on July 9, 1963, as Dr.
1990: General Hospital's Frisco planned a surprise for Felicia.
1994: Days of our Lives' Alice found Tom dead in their bedroom.
2003: The Young and the Restless' Jill tried to stop a wedding."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1963: James Pritchett made his first appearance on NBC soap opera The Doctors. He played a corporation president running away and having a broken back that brought me to the hospital. Pritchett returned to The Doctors on July 9, 1963, as Dr.
- 6/20/2019
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1980: Days of our Lives' Marlena was devastated when her son died.
1986: Santa Barbara's Eden faced off with a shark.
1989: As the World Turns' Lily tried to leave Montega.
2004: Days' Marlena was overjoyed to find Abe alive."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1941: NBC Radio soap opera Buck Private and His Girl premiered. The series ran for three months.
1948: On radio soap Claudia, Claudia was late for her train.
1964: On Another World, tempers flared between Liz (Audra Lindley) and Janet (Liza Chapman).
1971: On The Doctors,...
1986: Santa Barbara's Eden faced off with a shark.
1989: As the World Turns' Lily tried to leave Montega.
2004: Days' Marlena was overjoyed to find Abe alive."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1941: NBC Radio soap opera Buck Private and His Girl premiered. The series ran for three months.
1948: On radio soap Claudia, Claudia was late for her train.
1964: On Another World, tempers flared between Liz (Audra Lindley) and Janet (Liza Chapman).
1971: On The Doctors,...
- 5/27/2019
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1983: Gh's Robert & Holly made love.
1984: Dynasty's Fallon crashed her car.
1985: Days' Marlena met the new chief of police.
2006: Atwt's Luke Snyder came out to his parents."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1969: On Another World, Liz Matthews (Audra Lindley) left Bay City. Lindley, who took over the role as Liz on Another World's second episode, was leaving the show after 5 years. She returned on June 20th for one final appearance. Lindley would go on to star as Mrs. Roper in the hit ABC sitcom Three's Company.
1984: Dynasty's Fallon crashed her car.
1985: Days' Marlena met the new chief of police.
2006: Atwt's Luke Snyder came out to his parents."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1969: On Another World, Liz Matthews (Audra Lindley) left Bay City. Lindley, who took over the role as Liz on Another World's second episode, was leaving the show after 5 years. She returned on June 20th for one final appearance. Lindley would go on to star as Mrs. Roper in the hit ABC sitcom Three's Company.
- 5/14/2019
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
The small screen is always an interesting place for sequels to land; much less money usually means a smaller vision, but excitingly it can also provide a different one. I’m a big sucker for “what if?” scenarios and Revenge of the Stepford Wives (1980) builds off the downbeat tone of the 1975 theatrical film The Stepford Wives to arrive at a place of satisfying resolution. Yes, you can take that title literally.
Originally airing Sunday, October 12th as part of NBC’s The Big Event, Revenge duked it out with The ABC Sunday Night Movie while CBS was kissing all the grits with their impenetrable lineup of Alice/The Jeffersons/Trapper John, M.D. That’s all well and good if you were in the mood for snarky comedy and lifesaving surgeons, but if you wanted to see suppressed women get their comeuppance, NBC was where you wanted to lay your bonnet that night.
Originally airing Sunday, October 12th as part of NBC’s The Big Event, Revenge duked it out with The ABC Sunday Night Movie while CBS was kissing all the grits with their impenetrable lineup of Alice/The Jeffersons/Trapper John, M.D. That’s all well and good if you were in the mood for snarky comedy and lifesaving surgeons, but if you wanted to see suppressed women get their comeuppance, NBC was where you wanted to lay your bonnet that night.
- 4/21/2019
- by Scott Drebit
- DailyDead
Has any entertainment scripted project ever featured more Oscar winners? Tour our photo gallery above to see which 32 Academy Awards champs made appearances on the very popular Aaron Spelling show “The Love Boat.” Can you guess all 32 of these awards champs?
For one full decade of 1977 to 1987, ABC could count on its comedy/drama series “The Love Boat” to bring in millions of audience members on Saturday nights. The show would have multiple story arcs (often three for a one-hour episode) with five to 10 celebrity guest stars each time. Some arcs were playing out for laughs, others for romance and the remainder could take on tough issues.
Seetv Hall of Fame: Top 50 best choices who should be inducted next
Regular cast members would either take command of some segments or be in the backseat on others. The charming actors throughout the decade were Gavin MacLeod (Captain Merrill Stubing), Bernie Kopell (Dr.
For one full decade of 1977 to 1987, ABC could count on its comedy/drama series “The Love Boat” to bring in millions of audience members on Saturday nights. The show would have multiple story arcs (often three for a one-hour episode) with five to 10 celebrity guest stars each time. Some arcs were playing out for laughs, others for romance and the remainder could take on tough issues.
Seetv Hall of Fame: Top 50 best choices who should be inducted next
Regular cast members would either take command of some segments or be in the backseat on others. The charming actors throughout the decade were Gavin MacLeod (Captain Merrill Stubing), Bernie Kopell (Dr.
- 4/2/2019
- by Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
1976: Pat wanted to stop seeing Faith on Ryan's Hope.
1981: Guiding Light's Jennifer made a courtroom confession.
1986: Santa Barbara's Mason was shocked his father was well.
1995: General Hospital's Monica met 11-year-old Emily."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1936: Radio soap opera Dan Harding's Wife premiered. It ran until on NBC Radio until February 10, 1939. Isabel Randolph starred as Rhoda Harding.
1958: On The Edge of Night, Roy Benson called Fitzsimmons to tell him trouble was brewing.
1967: On Another World, Liz (Audra Lindley) encouraged...
1981: Guiding Light's Jennifer made a courtroom confession.
1986: Santa Barbara's Mason was shocked his father was well.
1995: General Hospital's Monica met 11-year-old Emily."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1936: Radio soap opera Dan Harding's Wife premiered. It ran until on NBC Radio until February 10, 1939. Isabel Randolph starred as Rhoda Harding.
1958: On The Edge of Night, Roy Benson called Fitzsimmons to tell him trouble was brewing.
1967: On Another World, Liz (Audra Lindley) encouraged...
- 1/20/2019
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1972: Emmerdale Farm premiered.
1985: Atwt's Holden introduced himself as the new stable boy.
1985: Theo died on Days of our Lives.
1992: Days of our Lives' Isabella died."The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1939: Irna Phillips' The Right to Happiness, a spinoff of popular radio soap opera The Guiding Light, premiered on the NBC Blue Network. The show initially focused on the character Rose Kransky from Guiding Light but eventually Carolyn Allen (played first by Eloise Kummer and then Claudia Morgan) took center stage. Carolyn remained the central character of the program until the series...
1985: Atwt's Holden introduced himself as the new stable boy.
1985: Theo died on Days of our Lives.
1992: Days of our Lives' Isabella died."The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1939: Irna Phillips' The Right to Happiness, a spinoff of popular radio soap opera The Guiding Light, premiered on the NBC Blue Network. The show initially focused on the character Rose Kransky from Guiding Light but eventually Carolyn Allen (played first by Eloise Kummer and then Claudia Morgan) took center stage. Carolyn remained the central character of the program until the series...
- 10/17/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1976: Days of our Lives' Doug and Julie were finally married.
1985: John Sanderford joined Ryan's Hope as Frank Ryan.
1990: Dutch soap Goede Tijden Slechte Tijden premiered.
2003: Kelly Monaco debuted as Sam McCall on General Hospital."The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1968: On Another World, seething with anger after a fight with his mother, Liz (Audra Lindley), Bill Matthews (Joseph Gallison) crashed his car.
1976: On Days of our Lives, Doug Williams (Bill Hayes) and Julie Olson (Susan Seaforth Hayes) were married.
Below are Doug and Julie's vows:
Bill and Susan Seaforth Hayes as Doug...
1985: John Sanderford joined Ryan's Hope as Frank Ryan.
1990: Dutch soap Goede Tijden Slechte Tijden premiered.
2003: Kelly Monaco debuted as Sam McCall on General Hospital."The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1968: On Another World, seething with anger after a fight with his mother, Liz (Audra Lindley), Bill Matthews (Joseph Gallison) crashed his car.
1976: On Days of our Lives, Doug Williams (Bill Hayes) and Julie Olson (Susan Seaforth Hayes) were married.
Below are Doug and Julie's vows:
Bill and Susan Seaforth Hayes as Doug...
- 10/3/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1979: The Edge of Night's Trent arrived in Monticello.
1985: Santa Barbara's Augusta crashed into Brick and Janice.
1990: Knots Landing's Danny wanted to hurt Gary.
2001: MTV aired the final episode of Spyder Games."The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1948: On radio soap opera Claudia, Claudia (Patricia Ryan) and David (Richad Kollmar) Naughton spent an evening at home.
1952: The first commercial Uhf television station in the world, Kptv, began broadcasting in Portland, Oregon on channel 27.
1968: On Another World, Bill Matthews declared to his mother, Liz (Audra Lindley): "As far as I'm concerned, I have no mother.
1985: Santa Barbara's Augusta crashed into Brick and Janice.
1990: Knots Landing's Danny wanted to hurt Gary.
2001: MTV aired the final episode of Spyder Games."The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1948: On radio soap opera Claudia, Claudia (Patricia Ryan) and David (Richad Kollmar) Naughton spent an evening at home.
1952: The first commercial Uhf television station in the world, Kptv, began broadcasting in Portland, Oregon on channel 27.
1968: On Another World, Bill Matthews declared to his mother, Liz (Audra Lindley): "As far as I'm concerned, I have no mother.
- 9/20/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1969: Where the Heart Is premiered. 1983: Paul's fiancée
died on The Young and the Restless. 1986: Ilene Kristen
returned to Ryan's Hope as Delia. 2009: General
Hospital's Edward passed out at the wheel of his car as it
approached the carnival."The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this day in...
1966: Star Trek premiered on NBC. Among the many memorable guest stars in the series that also starred on daytime soaps were Kathryn Hays, Michael Forest, Marj Dusay, Michael Zaslow, Glenn Corbett, Gary Pillar and Mary Linda Rapelye.
1967: On Another World, Walter Curtin (Val Dufour) raked Liz Matthews (Audra Lindley...
died on The Young and the Restless. 1986: Ilene Kristen
returned to Ryan's Hope as Delia. 2009: General
Hospital's Edward passed out at the wheel of his car as it
approached the carnival."The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this day in...
1966: Star Trek premiered on NBC. Among the many memorable guest stars in the series that also starred on daytime soaps were Kathryn Hays, Michael Forest, Marj Dusay, Michael Zaslow, Glenn Corbett, Gary Pillar and Mary Linda Rapelye.
1967: On Another World, Walter Curtin (Val Dufour) raked Liz Matthews (Audra Lindley...
- 9/8/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1986: Another World's "Marissa" made her way to Bay City.
1991: Santa Barbara's Dash and Katrina grew closer.
1998: All My Children's Junior was locked in a cage.
2009: One Life to Live's Fish didn't remember his night with Stacy."The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1967: On Another World, Liz (Audra Lindley) was happy to hear that Bill (Joseph Gallison) suspected Madge of Danny's murder.
1967: Australian Broadcasting Corporation soap Bellbird premiered. It remained on the air until December 1977.
1968: On Dark Shadows, Julia (Grayson Hall) protected Tom Jennings (Don Briscoe) from a gun-toting Barnabas (Jonathan Frid). After Tom vanished,...
1991: Santa Barbara's Dash and Katrina grew closer.
1998: All My Children's Junior was locked in a cage.
2009: One Life to Live's Fish didn't remember his night with Stacy."The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1967: On Another World, Liz (Audra Lindley) was happy to hear that Bill (Joseph Gallison) suspected Madge of Danny's murder.
1967: Australian Broadcasting Corporation soap Bellbird premiered. It remained on the air until December 1977.
1968: On Dark Shadows, Julia (Grayson Hall) protected Tom Jennings (Don Briscoe) from a gun-toting Barnabas (Jonathan Frid). After Tom vanished,...
- 8/28/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1975: Mary and Jack shared their first kiss on Ryan's Hope.
1979: The identity of Edge of Night's "Tobias" was revealed.
1979: Guiding Light's Alan bonded with hope on a deserted island.
1995: One Life to Live's Max told hospitalized Luna to hold on."The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1967: On Another World, Pat Randolph (Beverly Penberthy) introduced Rachel Davis (Robin Strasser) to her Aunt Liz Matthews (Audra Lindley).
1975: On Ryan's Hope, Mary Ryan (Kate Mulgrew) declined when Bob Reid (Earl Hindman) asked her out, but accepted an invitation from Jack Fenelli (Michael Levin) to join him for coffee.
1979: The identity of Edge of Night's "Tobias" was revealed.
1979: Guiding Light's Alan bonded with hope on a deserted island.
1995: One Life to Live's Max told hospitalized Luna to hold on."The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1967: On Another World, Pat Randolph (Beverly Penberthy) introduced Rachel Davis (Robin Strasser) to her Aunt Liz Matthews (Audra Lindley).
1975: On Ryan's Hope, Mary Ryan (Kate Mulgrew) declined when Bob Reid (Earl Hindman) asked her out, but accepted an invitation from Jack Fenelli (Michael Levin) to join him for coffee.
- 8/21/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1979:The Edge of Night's Louise attacked Paige.
1980: Gh's Luke & Laura spent the night in Wyndham's.
1987: Bold and Beautiful's Thorne considered a career move.
1993: Oltl's Nora made closing arguments in Todd's case."The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1928: Real Folks from Thompkins Corner, one of the earliest documented radio serials, premiered on NBC.
1968: On Another World, Liz Matthews (Audra Lindley) cried to Bill and Missy that they would have been happier if she had died of her heart attack.
1968: On Dark Shadows, Victoria (Alexandra Moltke) recognized Adam (Robert Rodan), who took...
1980: Gh's Luke & Laura spent the night in Wyndham's.
1987: Bold and Beautiful's Thorne considered a career move.
1993: Oltl's Nora made closing arguments in Todd's case."The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1928: Real Folks from Thompkins Corner, one of the earliest documented radio serials, premiered on NBC.
1968: On Another World, Liz Matthews (Audra Lindley) cried to Bill and Missy that they would have been happier if she had died of her heart attack.
1968: On Dark Shadows, Victoria (Alexandra Moltke) recognized Adam (Robert Rodan), who took...
- 8/6/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1984: All My Children's Erica was curious about Adam's first wife.
1990: General Hospital's Frisco planned a surprise for Felicia.
1994: Days of our Lives' Alice found Tom dead in their bedroom.
2003: The Young and the Restless' Jill tried to stop a wedding."All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."
― Anne Brontë in "Agnes Grey"
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1963: James Pritchett made his first appearance on NBC soap opera The Doctors. He played a corporation...
1990: General Hospital's Frisco planned a surprise for Felicia.
1994: Days of our Lives' Alice found Tom dead in their bedroom.
2003: The Young and the Restless' Jill tried to stop a wedding."All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."
― Anne Brontë in "Agnes Grey"
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1963: James Pritchett made his first appearance on NBC soap opera The Doctors. He played a corporation...
- 6/20/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
Becoming a part of the popular conversation in the mid-1970s was the phrase "Jiggle Television," which was designed by NBC to be an insult to ABC's programming of the time. Instead, it became a short-hand, if you will, to describe shows like Lynda Carter's Wonder Woman, the ladies of Charlie's Angels, and, of course, Three's Company. The latter focuses on Chrissy Snow (Suzanne Somers), Janet Wood (Joyce DeWitt), and Jack Tripper (John Ritter), living together platonically and pretending that Jack is gay to keep their landlords, the Ropers (Norman Fell and Audra Lindley), at bay. The show would turn out to be a combination of slapstick humor and sexual innuendo usually arising from misunderstanding — and it was a huge hit. "If you look back to '70s sitcoms," explains Chris Mann, author of 1998's Come and Knock on Our Door: A Hers and Hers and His Guide...
- 6/18/2018
- by Ed Gross
- Closer Weekly
1980: Days of our Lives' Marlena was devastated when her son died.
1986: Santa Barbara's Eden faced off with a shark.
1989: As the World Turns' Lily tried to leave Montega.
2004: Days' Marlena was overjoyed to find Abe alive."All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."
― Anne Brontë in "Agnes Grey"
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1941: NBC Radio soap opera Buck Private and His Girl premiered. The series ran for three months.
1948: On radio soap Claudia,...
1986: Santa Barbara's Eden faced off with a shark.
1989: As the World Turns' Lily tried to leave Montega.
2004: Days' Marlena was overjoyed to find Abe alive."All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."
― Anne Brontë in "Agnes Grey"
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1941: NBC Radio soap opera Buck Private and His Girl premiered. The series ran for three months.
1948: On radio soap Claudia,...
- 5/30/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1983: Gh's Robert & Holly made love.
1984: Dynasty's Fallon crashed her car.
1985: Days' Marlena met the new chief of police.
2006: Atwt's Luke Snyder came out to his parents."All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."
― Anne Brontë in "Agnes Grey"
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1969: On Another World, Liz Matthews (Audra Lindley) left Bay City. Lindley, who took over the role as Liz on Another World's second episode, was leaving the show after 5 years. She...
1984: Dynasty's Fallon crashed her car.
1985: Days' Marlena met the new chief of police.
2006: Atwt's Luke Snyder came out to his parents."All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."
― Anne Brontë in "Agnes Grey"
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1969: On Another World, Liz Matthews (Audra Lindley) left Bay City. Lindley, who took over the role as Liz on Another World's second episode, was leaving the show after 5 years. She...
- 5/10/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
Milos Forman, who died on April 14 at the age of 86, has left behind some of the most sharply observed portraits of human behavior in cinema.
When I think of Forman’s work, my mind doesn’t necessarily go first to his two Oscar-winning juggernauts — “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” (1975) or “Amadeus” (1984) — or the Czech films that garnered him worldwide acclaim in the 1960s, such as “Loves of a Blonde” (1965) or “The Firemen’s Ball” (1967). Rather, I think of the opening scene from his lesser-known comedy, “Taking Off” (1971): a series of static shots of young women, one after the other, performing songs for an off-screen producer.
Most of the women are earnest and serious; some seem awkward or shy, dressed in contemporary hippy-ish clothes; their hair is often long and frizzy. Some of these audition singers include Carly Simon, Kathy Bates (credited as Bobo Bates) and a blink-and-you’ll-miss-her Jessica Harper. What is remarkable about these relatively straightforward snippets is that Forman isn’t nudging the audience for what to make of these young people, or their songs. He’s not telling the audience how to react; he’s simply presenting these young people as they are.
Also Read: Milos Forman, 'Amadeus' and 'Cuckoo's Nest' Director, Dies at 86
The first 5-10 minutes of this film paints a picture of these flower children of the Woodstock era that feels authentic, admiring and compassionate. And kind. It’s a quality in Forman’s cinema I can see throughout his career.
Forman sprang forth from the extraordinary group of filmmakers known as the Czech New Wave, most of whom were trained at the Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (including Věra Chytilová, Jaromil Jireš, Ján Kadár, Jan Němec and Ivan Passer), and, like his cinematic compatriots, Forman’s early films are often political in nature, portraying figures of authority as inept and corrupt. In “The Firemen’s Ball,” the volunteer fire department in a small town decides to organize a ball in honor of their recently retired chairman.
Also Read: Milos Forman Hailed as 'Champion of Artists' Rights' by Directors Guild of America
At the event, the firefighters’ committee decide to host a beauty contest and proceed to procure some of the unsuspecting young women to pose for them. The women appear hesitant, guarded, and a few are even somewhat amused by the ramshackle way they are being put on display by these old men. (Most of the actors were local to the area of Vrchlabí, where it was filmed.) The spunkiest of the young women seems to have an awareness of how ridiculous and sexist this is. She laughs and then runs off halfway through her walk for the judges, triggering a mass exodus by the other contestants, and the scene ends in comedic chaos.
Clearly, the characters who buck the system, like the young woman in “The Firemen’s Ball,” are what hold director’s greatest interest. Forman is fixed on the idea of the outsider as being the true hero of his work: Jack Nicholson’s R.P. McMurphy, Treat Williams’ George Berger, Howard E. Rollins’ Coalhouse Walker Jr., Tom Hulce’s Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Woody Harrelson’s Larry Flynt and Jim Carrey’s Andy Kaufman are all individuals that won’t fit into society’s prescribed mold for them.
Also Read: Milos Forman Remembered by Larry Flynt, Judd Apatow and More: 'Genius of Cinematography'
Forman’s rebels, though clearly stemming from his Czech roots, found fertile ground in America. His two most critically and financially successful films, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” (adapted by Lawrence Hauben and Bo Goldman from Ken Kesey’s novel) and “Amadeus” (Peter Shaffer adapting his own stage play), both impeccably produced by Saul Zaentz, together garnered 13 Oscars total, including two for Forman for directing.
At his best, Forman’s greatest work (I would include the woefully underrated musical adaptation of “Hair”) shows both compassion for his characters and wry humor in the predicaments in which these characters find themselves. His work with actors is exemplary, and his filmography is flooded with memorable performances and ensemble work: from Nicholson and Louise Fletcher in “Cuckoo’s Nest” to Rollins, Elizabeth McGovern and James Cagney in “Ragtime” (1981), F. Murray Abraham and Hulce in “Amadeus,” Harrelson and Courtney Love in “The People vs. Larry Flynt” (1996), and back to Hana Brejchová in “Loves of a Blonde” and Lynn Carlin, Buck Henry, Georgia Engel and Audra Lindley in “Taking Off,” to name a few.
Cinematically, I’m just so impressed with the way he and his cinematographers captured these actors’ faces and performances. This is filmmaking that is not trying to impress you with flashy editing and swirling cameras (though the camerawork in the opening “Aquarius” number in “Hair,” accompanied by Twyla Tharp’s wonderful choreography, is a wonderful exception), it’s focused on its characters and story.
Possibly because of his lack of flash and cutting-edge technique, there is a danger that Forman’s work may not be immediately appreciated by younger filmmakers — though in this current era where young people are rising up to stand for their beliefs to their schools, their City Halls, and the world at large, Forman’s filmography is ripe for rediscovery by a new generation of rebels.
Read original story Milos Forman Remembered: A Rebel in His Time, and for the Future At TheWrap...
When I think of Forman’s work, my mind doesn’t necessarily go first to his two Oscar-winning juggernauts — “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” (1975) or “Amadeus” (1984) — or the Czech films that garnered him worldwide acclaim in the 1960s, such as “Loves of a Blonde” (1965) or “The Firemen’s Ball” (1967). Rather, I think of the opening scene from his lesser-known comedy, “Taking Off” (1971): a series of static shots of young women, one after the other, performing songs for an off-screen producer.
Most of the women are earnest and serious; some seem awkward or shy, dressed in contemporary hippy-ish clothes; their hair is often long and frizzy. Some of these audition singers include Carly Simon, Kathy Bates (credited as Bobo Bates) and a blink-and-you’ll-miss-her Jessica Harper. What is remarkable about these relatively straightforward snippets is that Forman isn’t nudging the audience for what to make of these young people, or their songs. He’s not telling the audience how to react; he’s simply presenting these young people as they are.
Also Read: Milos Forman, 'Amadeus' and 'Cuckoo's Nest' Director, Dies at 86
The first 5-10 minutes of this film paints a picture of these flower children of the Woodstock era that feels authentic, admiring and compassionate. And kind. It’s a quality in Forman’s cinema I can see throughout his career.
Forman sprang forth from the extraordinary group of filmmakers known as the Czech New Wave, most of whom were trained at the Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (including Věra Chytilová, Jaromil Jireš, Ján Kadár, Jan Němec and Ivan Passer), and, like his cinematic compatriots, Forman’s early films are often political in nature, portraying figures of authority as inept and corrupt. In “The Firemen’s Ball,” the volunteer fire department in a small town decides to organize a ball in honor of their recently retired chairman.
Also Read: Milos Forman Hailed as 'Champion of Artists' Rights' by Directors Guild of America
At the event, the firefighters’ committee decide to host a beauty contest and proceed to procure some of the unsuspecting young women to pose for them. The women appear hesitant, guarded, and a few are even somewhat amused by the ramshackle way they are being put on display by these old men. (Most of the actors were local to the area of Vrchlabí, where it was filmed.) The spunkiest of the young women seems to have an awareness of how ridiculous and sexist this is. She laughs and then runs off halfway through her walk for the judges, triggering a mass exodus by the other contestants, and the scene ends in comedic chaos.
Clearly, the characters who buck the system, like the young woman in “The Firemen’s Ball,” are what hold director’s greatest interest. Forman is fixed on the idea of the outsider as being the true hero of his work: Jack Nicholson’s R.P. McMurphy, Treat Williams’ George Berger, Howard E. Rollins’ Coalhouse Walker Jr., Tom Hulce’s Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Woody Harrelson’s Larry Flynt and Jim Carrey’s Andy Kaufman are all individuals that won’t fit into society’s prescribed mold for them.
Also Read: Milos Forman Remembered by Larry Flynt, Judd Apatow and More: 'Genius of Cinematography'
Forman’s rebels, though clearly stemming from his Czech roots, found fertile ground in America. His two most critically and financially successful films, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” (adapted by Lawrence Hauben and Bo Goldman from Ken Kesey’s novel) and “Amadeus” (Peter Shaffer adapting his own stage play), both impeccably produced by Saul Zaentz, together garnered 13 Oscars total, including two for Forman for directing.
At his best, Forman’s greatest work (I would include the woefully underrated musical adaptation of “Hair”) shows both compassion for his characters and wry humor in the predicaments in which these characters find themselves. His work with actors is exemplary, and his filmography is flooded with memorable performances and ensemble work: from Nicholson and Louise Fletcher in “Cuckoo’s Nest” to Rollins, Elizabeth McGovern and James Cagney in “Ragtime” (1981), F. Murray Abraham and Hulce in “Amadeus,” Harrelson and Courtney Love in “The People vs. Larry Flynt” (1996), and back to Hana Brejchová in “Loves of a Blonde” and Lynn Carlin, Buck Henry, Georgia Engel and Audra Lindley in “Taking Off,” to name a few.
Cinematically, I’m just so impressed with the way he and his cinematographers captured these actors’ faces and performances. This is filmmaking that is not trying to impress you with flashy editing and swirling cameras (though the camerawork in the opening “Aquarius” number in “Hair,” accompanied by Twyla Tharp’s wonderful choreography, is a wonderful exception), it’s focused on its characters and story.
Possibly because of his lack of flash and cutting-edge technique, there is a danger that Forman’s work may not be immediately appreciated by younger filmmakers — though in this current era where young people are rising up to stand for their beliefs to their schools, their City Halls, and the world at large, Forman’s filmography is ripe for rediscovery by a new generation of rebels.
Read original story Milos Forman Remembered: A Rebel in His Time, and for the Future At TheWrap...
- 4/16/2018
- by Matt Severson
- The Wrap
1976: Pat wanted to stop seeing Faith on Ryan's Hope.
1981: Guiding Light's Jennifer made a courtroom confession.
1986: Santa Barbara's Mason was shocked his father was well.
1995: General Hospital's Monica met 11-year-old Emily."Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results."
― Machiavelli
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1936: Radio soap opera Dan Harding's Wife premiered. It ran until on NBC Radio until February 10, 1939. Isabel Randolph starred as Rhoda Harding.
1981: Guiding Light's Jennifer made a courtroom confession.
1986: Santa Barbara's Mason was shocked his father was well.
1995: General Hospital's Monica met 11-year-old Emily."Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results."
― Machiavelli
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1936: Radio soap opera Dan Harding's Wife premiered. It ran until on NBC Radio until February 10, 1939. Isabel Randolph starred as Rhoda Harding.
- 1/20/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
By 1985 Hollywood had still only dabbled in movies about the ‘shame that cannot speak its name,’ and in every case the verdict for the transgressors was regret and misery, if not death. Donna Deitch’s brilliant drama achieves exactly what she wanted, to do make a movie about a lesbian relationship that doesn’t end in a tragedy.
Desert Hearts
Blu-ray
The Criterion Collection 902
1985 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 96 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date November 14, 2017 / 39.95
Starring: Helen Shaver, Patricia Charbonneau, Audra Lindley, Andra Akers, Gwen Welles, Dean Butler, James Staley, Katie La Bourdette, Alex McArthur, Tyler Tyhurst, Denise Crosby, Antony Ponzini, Brenda Beck, Jeffrey Tambor.
Cinematography: Robert Elswit
Film Editor: Robert Estrin
Production Design: Jeannine Oppewall
Written by Natalie Cooper from the novel by Jane Rule
Produced and Directed by Donna Deitch
Desert Hearts is a fine movie that’s also one of the first features ever about a lesbian romance,...
Desert Hearts
Blu-ray
The Criterion Collection 902
1985 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 96 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date November 14, 2017 / 39.95
Starring: Helen Shaver, Patricia Charbonneau, Audra Lindley, Andra Akers, Gwen Welles, Dean Butler, James Staley, Katie La Bourdette, Alex McArthur, Tyler Tyhurst, Denise Crosby, Antony Ponzini, Brenda Beck, Jeffrey Tambor.
Cinematography: Robert Elswit
Film Editor: Robert Estrin
Production Design: Jeannine Oppewall
Written by Natalie Cooper from the novel by Jane Rule
Produced and Directed by Donna Deitch
Desert Hearts is a fine movie that’s also one of the first features ever about a lesbian romance,...
- 11/7/2017
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Previous | Image 1 of 6 | NextREUNION: Priscilla Barnes, Joyce DeWitt, Richard Kline and Jenilee Harrison of ‘Three’s Company.’
Chicago – The first invitation to “c’mon knock on our door…” happened 40 years ago Today as “Three’s Company” premiered on ABC-tv on March 15th, 1977. The misadventures of three roommates – two girls and a guy – featured John Ritter as Jack Tripper, Joyce DeWitt as Janet Wood and Suzanne Somers as Chrissy Snow. Joining them was wacky best friend Richard Kline as Larry Dallas, and when Suzanne Somers left the show after Season 5, her role in the threesome was taken by Jenilee Harrison as Cindy Snow and then Priscilla Barnes as Terri Alden. DeWitt, Kline, Harrison and Barnes reunited last September at “The Hollywood Show,” and photographer Joe Arce captured their reunion Exclusively for HollywoodChicago.com.
“Three’s Company” was a silly-but-popular show, and escalated the careers of John Ritter and Suzanne Somers initially,...
Chicago – The first invitation to “c’mon knock on our door…” happened 40 years ago Today as “Three’s Company” premiered on ABC-tv on March 15th, 1977. The misadventures of three roommates – two girls and a guy – featured John Ritter as Jack Tripper, Joyce DeWitt as Janet Wood and Suzanne Somers as Chrissy Snow. Joining them was wacky best friend Richard Kline as Larry Dallas, and when Suzanne Somers left the show after Season 5, her role in the threesome was taken by Jenilee Harrison as Cindy Snow and then Priscilla Barnes as Terri Alden. DeWitt, Kline, Harrison and Barnes reunited last September at “The Hollywood Show,” and photographer Joe Arce captured their reunion Exclusively for HollywoodChicago.com.
“Three’s Company” was a silly-but-popular show, and escalated the careers of John Ritter and Suzanne Somers initially,...
- 3/15/2017
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
The 2017 Sundance Film Festival may already have announced their premieres, Spotlights, Competition and Next lineup, among other films and installations, but there’s four more features joining the festival.
Sundance Institute has added two Documentary Premieres and two archive From The Film Collection movies to next year’s lineup. The two documentaries are “Bending the Arc” and “Long Strange Trip,” with the archive films being “Desert Hearts” and “Reservoir Dogs,” which premiered at Sundance in 1986 and 1992, respectively. The 25th anniversary screening of Quentin Tarantino’s classic will be followed by an extended Q&A with Tarantino and producer Lawrence Bender.
Read More: Sundance 2017: The Lineup So Far
The archive films are selections from the the Sundance Institute Collection at UCLA, a joint venture between UCLA Film & Television Archive and Sundance Institute, established in 1997. With these additions, the festival will present 118 feature-length films, which represent 32 countries and 37 first-time filmmakers. For...
Sundance Institute has added two Documentary Premieres and two archive From The Film Collection movies to next year’s lineup. The two documentaries are “Bending the Arc” and “Long Strange Trip,” with the archive films being “Desert Hearts” and “Reservoir Dogs,” which premiered at Sundance in 1986 and 1992, respectively. The 25th anniversary screening of Quentin Tarantino’s classic will be followed by an extended Q&A with Tarantino and producer Lawrence Bender.
Read More: Sundance 2017: The Lineup So Far
The archive films are selections from the the Sundance Institute Collection at UCLA, a joint venture between UCLA Film & Television Archive and Sundance Institute, established in 1997. With these additions, the festival will present 118 feature-length films, which represent 32 countries and 37 first-time filmmakers. For...
- 12/14/2016
- by Liz Calvario
- Indiewire
Festival brass on Wednesday added two Documentary Premieres as well as a pair of favourites from the vaults – Desert Hearts and Reservoir Dogs.
Documentary Premieres are Haitian activism story Bending The Arc from Kief Davidson and Pedro Kos, and Long Strange Trip, about The Grateful Dead, from Happy Valley and The Tillman Story director Amir Bar-Lev.
Desert Hearts and Reservoir Dogs premiered at Sundance in 1986 and 1992, respectively. Quentin Tarantino and Reservoir Dogs producer Lawrence Bender will participate in a post-screening Q&A.
The archive films are selections from the Sundance Institute Collection at UCLA, a joint venture between UCLA Film & Television Archive and Sundance Institute established in 1997 that has grown to more than 4,000 holdings representing close to 2,300 titles.
The four additions boost the 2017 roster to 118 feature films representing 32 countries and 37 first-time filmmakers, including 20 in competition.
Entries were selected from 13,782 submissions including 4,068 features and 8,985 shorts. Of the feature submissions, 2,005 were from the Us and 2,063 were international. One hundred...
Documentary Premieres are Haitian activism story Bending The Arc from Kief Davidson and Pedro Kos, and Long Strange Trip, about The Grateful Dead, from Happy Valley and The Tillman Story director Amir Bar-Lev.
Desert Hearts and Reservoir Dogs premiered at Sundance in 1986 and 1992, respectively. Quentin Tarantino and Reservoir Dogs producer Lawrence Bender will participate in a post-screening Q&A.
The archive films are selections from the Sundance Institute Collection at UCLA, a joint venture between UCLA Film & Television Archive and Sundance Institute established in 1997 that has grown to more than 4,000 holdings representing close to 2,300 titles.
The four additions boost the 2017 roster to 118 feature films representing 32 countries and 37 first-time filmmakers, including 20 in competition.
Entries were selected from 13,782 submissions including 4,068 features and 8,985 shorts. Of the feature submissions, 2,005 were from the Us and 2,063 were international. One hundred...
- 12/14/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
A serious question: Do these themed parties ever end peacefully on The Real Housewives of Orange County? First we had the 1980s, and now Shannon Beador's 1970s-themed party is one for the disaster record books. First, let's commend the commitment to the theme. Everybody was wearing so much polyester. Second, a moment of appreciation for Mrs. Roper. Sure, Kelly Dodd kept hurling that name at Shannon as an insult, but as Shannon said, "I wanted to look like Mrs. Roper tonight, that was my goal!" "What's wrong with looking like Mrs. Roper? Is that an insult or a compliment?" Tamra Judge wandered. Mrs. Roper is a style icon. Audra Lindley played the caftan-loving landlord on...
- 7/26/2016
- E! Online
New Line Cinema is in negotiations to acquire the rights to classic sitcom Three's Company and has hired screenwriters Abby Kohn and Marc Silverstein (He's Just Not That Into You) to author the script for a film adaptation. Robert Cort (Cocktail, Runaway Bride) will produce the project, which will be set in the 1970s, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Three's Company, which aired from 1977 to 1984 on ABC, focused on an unlikely trio of Santa Monica roommates: two single women and a man pretending to be gay in order to circumvent the era's narrower housing norms.
Three's Company, which aired from 1977 to 1984 on ABC, focused on an unlikely trio of Santa Monica roommates: two single women and a man pretending to be gay in order to circumvent the era's narrower housing norms.
- 4/20/2016
- Rollingstone.com
‘Collection Completed’ is every animal lover’s worst nightmare. I mean, the episode is about a man, whom fed up with his wife’s doting over animals decides to taxidermy them as a hobby to fulfill his formative golden years. But, mainly it’s foreshadowing the cruler tone that “Crypt” would take in the years to come. And as vicious as it is, taxidermy fits the forte of this show like a nice pair of shoes. Mary Lambert’s direction does admirable work, the opening credits are spooky and quite effective, even if it’s selling you the wrong thing. The rest of the episode plays out in sun-bleached light, almost bristling clarity. And in a bit of gruesome irony, Lambert would make “Pet Semetary,” another film with quite the twisted plot revolving around animals.
It’s an unbalanced episode in terms of tone, one minute it’s got off-kilter...
It’s an unbalanced episode in terms of tone, one minute it’s got off-kilter...
- 2/23/2013
- by Nathan Smith
- Nerdly
Motion Picture Purgatory took a couple of weeks off, but Trembles is back today with a blast from the past entitled When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder? from the late 1970's featuring revival preacher turned actor Marjoe Gortner. I remember it well; it's a real shame no one has ever released it on DVD so others can experience it.
In the film directed by Milton Katselas, Gortner plays a drug dealer whose car breaks down in a small U.S. town. In turn the townspeople become victim to his unique brand of physical and mental torture. It's based on a play by Mark Medoff (who also wrote the script) and co-stars Candy Clark, Lee Grant, Hal Linden, Peter Firth, Pat Hingle, Audra Lindley, and Anne Ramsey.
Born Dead (To Rights)!
Discuss Motion Picture Purgatory in the comments section below!
In the film directed by Milton Katselas, Gortner plays a drug dealer whose car breaks down in a small U.S. town. In turn the townspeople become victim to his unique brand of physical and mental torture. It's based on a play by Mark Medoff (who also wrote the script) and co-stars Candy Clark, Lee Grant, Hal Linden, Peter Firth, Pat Hingle, Audra Lindley, and Anne Ramsey.
Born Dead (To Rights)!
Discuss Motion Picture Purgatory in the comments section below!
- 12/8/2011
- by The Woman In Black
- DreadCentral.com
It’s Thursday, so it’s time for another Dream Cast, in which we take a classic movie or TV show -- perferrably something with Xer appeal that we can either trash or have fun with -- and recast a hypothetical (or sometimes not so hypothetical) remake with actors working today. This week: Three’s Company, the 1977-84 ABC sitcom about a straight man who pretends to be gay so he can share a Santa Monica apartment with two straight women. (If you have a suggestion for a classic TV show or movie we could play Dream Cast with, feel free to email me.) I remember being a small, stupid, uncritical child and loving this show. I’m not sure whether I understood, at the time, much of what passed for humor here. Did I know what it meant when people said a man was gay, or why mistaken sexual...
- 6/19/2009
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
We lost a large number of TV show veterans in January 2009 but, thankfully, far fewer left us in February.
The talented TV-related folks that left us in February include James Whitmore, One Life to Live's Phil Carey (All in the Family, Little House on the Prairie, The Bionic Woman, and Gunsmoke), Blossom Dearie (The Today Show and Schoolhouse Rock!), and Ed Cotter (Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, Dear John, and Family Matters).
James Whitmore, 87, died on February 6th at his Malibu, CA home. The actor was diagnosed with lung cancer in November 2008. Whitmore had a long list of movie and Broadway credits but also guested on TV shows like The Practice, The White Shadow, Gunsmoke, The Big Valley, and most recently, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. He was married several times, including to Audra Lindley (Three's Company). Whitmore was also the grandfather of recent Survivor contestant, Matty Whitmore.
Phil Carey, 83, passed away...
The talented TV-related folks that left us in February include James Whitmore, One Life to Live's Phil Carey (All in the Family, Little House on the Prairie, The Bionic Woman, and Gunsmoke), Blossom Dearie (The Today Show and Schoolhouse Rock!), and Ed Cotter (Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, Dear John, and Family Matters).
James Whitmore, 87, died on February 6th at his Malibu, CA home. The actor was diagnosed with lung cancer in November 2008. Whitmore had a long list of movie and Broadway credits but also guested on TV shows like The Practice, The White Shadow, Gunsmoke, The Big Valley, and most recently, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. He was married several times, including to Audra Lindley (Three's Company). Whitmore was also the grandfather of recent Survivor contestant, Matty Whitmore.
Phil Carey, 83, passed away...
- 3/2/2009
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
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