MickDaVinci

Mick, my boy:

Who said," I can't make a landing, and I can't get up to God."
I asked you last time who said,"Enter stage left a small man with a huge erection."

The titty twister challenge I gave you many emails ago was get from Tuesday Weld to Glenn Buttkus. I know, it's too easy. I was wonderful seeing you in person here at the BRC, albeit briefly. You will have to give me an update on how the rehearsals for GYPSY are going. What part are you playing? Are you using your phenomonal prowess for memorization for all the lines and blocking, or are you using visual aids?

Well Bremerton, the Hollywood of Hood Canal. No, I really didn't know that Howard Duff was born there. Is he still alive? No, I answered my own question. He died in 1990 at 77 years old of a heart attack. He was one of the few stars that got to use his real name. Howard Green Duff. He was the voice of Sam Spade on the radio. I liked him in his later years on TV, and in Robert Altman pictures. He divorced Lupe' in 1984, and never remarried. They had been married since 1951. I don't know if he was an alcoholic as well. She died of a stroke in 1995, out living him in her spite and rage for 5 years. The Jock Mahoney Bremerton connection still amazes me. With you residing in the area, it is only a matter of time before the mighty Mick gets credit for living in Bremerwood as well. I guess back in the 1930's, Ida Lupino did have to compete with Bette Davis; never won any roles from her I don't think. She was awful good in HIGH SIERRA and ROAD HOUSE. She had a lot of balls in the late 50's pushing for females to be directors, using her clout and charms. We will never forget THE HITCHHIKER (1953). She was like the AD on ON DANGEROUS GROUND the year before, having an affair with Robert Ryan as well. She also was a writer. She directed several dozen projects, but after 1953, they were all television episodes; no features for her. The powers that be said hell no.

Now as to Khigh Dhiegh as Wo Fat on HAWAII FIVE-O from 1975-1980. Could the nefarious brain washing character have been Four Finger Wu in the mini-series NOBLE HOUSE (1988), or possibly Colonel Chan on FANTASY ISLAND (1979), of Khan on his own limited TV series KHAN in 1975, or maybe General Wo on MISSION IMPOSSIBLE (1969-1970)? No, of course not, it was that nefarious dastard General Yen Lo in that classic film, John Frankenheimer's THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE (1962), telling Laurence Harvey to plug his own men at that "women's tea party" scene. Khigh (Ki)'s real name was actually Kenneth Dickerson. He was of Anglo-Egyptian-Sudenese ancestry. He became a Taoist though, and opened up a Taoist Sanctuary in North Hollywood.

I really don't know which detective genre tv series ran the longest. It would have to be one of them like MANNIX, HAWAII FIVE-O, KOJAK. Which show was it, big boy? On RICHARD DIAMOND, David Janssen's lovely secretary, that we only saw the legs of, and heard that sexy voice was --Mary Tyler Moore. That is classic trivia; something one does not forget; at least so far.

As to BOSTON BLACKIE (1951-1953) @ 58 episodes, the lead was played by the suave Kent Taylor; he of the pencil-thin moustache. He died in 1987, at 80 years old. Frank Orth was his co-star, playing Inspector Faraday. Some of the guest stars included Lee Van Cleef (3 episodes), Allen Jenkins, Thayer David, Tom Tyler, and Earle Hodgins. Taylor's real name was Louis William Weiss. He appeared in 143 film projects from 1931. His first dozen of so films, he was listed as "uncredited". He was Lt. Bill Bannister in GANG BUSTERS (1942), Bob Dalton in THE DALTONS RIDE AGAIN (1945), After BOSTON BLACKIE concluded in 1953, he did have another TV series. It was called THE ROUGH RIDERS (1958-59). Taylor played Capt. Jim Flagg. It co-starred Jan Merlin, and Peter Whitney. Ironically, I discovered, this was the series you had asked about, with the two yanks, and one rebel, riding together in the West. Remember, I did not know it, and I guessed THE OUTCASTS TV series from the 60's. On ROUGH RIDERS, as the three heroes rode down the trail at the end of each episode, the narrator would say,"Someday these men would ride together up San Juan Hill." Taylor, in his later years ended up doing horror drive-in films, like BRAIN OF BLOOD (1972). His final film was called, I SPIT ON YOUR CORPSE in 1974.

As long as we are doing a little Boston Blackie trivia, what was the character's real name? Who played him in the movies from 1941-1949? How many movies were in the Blackie series? Who played Boston Blackie on the radio show in 1944? As to the series, or the movie, CRIMEFIGHTERS, I can not come up with anything. I could not even find it on the IMDb at all; even tried Crime Fighters or Crimefighter. So either you are remembering it slightly wrong, or you are pulling my chain, sir.

NAKED CITY, what a show that was; lots of gunfights and tough guys. The original film was written by Mark Hellinger, and he narrated THE NAKED CITY (1948). It was directed by Jules Dassin. It starred Barry Fitzgerald, and our pal, Howard Duff. Don Taylor was a detective in it too. A young Stanley Kubrick hung out on the set as a photographer for LOOK magazine. I assume you are mostly referring with you inquiry to NAKED CITY, the TV series (1958-1963). Asking for three actors that played detectives is a tough one. The main characters were always the older detective, and his younger sidekick. Do you remember the 58-59 first year of the series, running 39 30-minute episodes. It starred John McIntire as the older detective, and a young James Franciscus. Both of them did not like the living in NYC for the shooting, and they bailed after one season. What famous boxer did a role in the series that first year ? In 1960 they came back with the new 60 minutes episide format, running three seasons and 99 episodes with it. It starred Horace McMahon as Lt. Michael "Mike" Parker, and Paul Burke as Detective Adam Flint. One of the regular characters was a Patrolman played by Harry Bellaver. But he was not a detective. And Mr. Smarty, you did ask for a third actor that played a detective, making me having to search like a bastard to come up with Sorrell Booke, and Joseph Campanella who both played detectives on some episodes. Jack Klugman did several episodes. So did Nehemiah Persoff, and even Peter Falk. Maybe one of these actors is your elusive (3rd) detective? Guest stars included Dustin Hoffman, David Janssen, Carroll O'Conner, Eli Wallach, Walter Matthau, Lawrence Tierney, Robert Duvall (who did a lot of TV roles in late 50's and early 60's. Remember him on COMBAT ?), Martin Balsam, Martin Sheen, George Maharis, Alex Cord, and Jack Warden. They have the series out on DVD.

The fantastic George C. Scott, who guest-starred on NAKED CITY as well, only had one TV series, EAST SIDE/WEST SIDE; 26 one hour episodes from 1963-1964. CBS was brave to put on such controversial stuff. Those were the years of the first staggering steps of the Civil Rights Movement. Scott played social worker Neil Brock. His office manager was played by Elizabeth Wilson. Who played Jane Foster, his secretary? If one searches hard, there are a few of the episodes broadcast on Cable. I think I taped (6) of them. I heart that TRIO channel has remastered all 26 episodes. I will have to look that up. Like NAKED CITY before it, the series shot on location in New York City. Co-incidently, I just dropped wife, Melva, at Sea-Tac at 5am this morning to fly to NYC, to have some "fun" with her older sister, Connie. They will get some fine food, and take in a couple Broadway shows. Melva's middle sister, June, was supposed to join her, but he died of cancer last Spring, so Melva is determined to go and have fun in her memory.

Dan Blocker was a very busy actor throughout the late 50's, and westerns were his specialty. I think you are asking about his reoccuring role as Tiny Carl Budinger (1958-60) on CIMARRON CITY, the TV series. This was one of the first of the adult westerns, a kind of pre-cursor to THE VIRGINIAN, and THE BIG VALLEY. The lead was George Montgomery as the mayor, with John Smith and Audrey Totter as co-stars. Jason Robards did several of them, and of course Dan Blocker played Tiny a lot. One of the episodes had Nick Adams playing Billy the Kid. Blocker was a Western TV series veteran by the time he got to BONANZA in late 1959. That series ran from 1959-1972, 13 seasons and 377 episodes. I think I taped about 140 of them at one point. Blocker died of a heart attack in 1972, which might have been the main reason the show got finally cancelled. Blocker had also appeared in CHEYENNE (1957), SGT. PRESTON OF THE YUKON (1957), SHERIFF OF COCHISE (1957), TALES OF WELLS FARGO (1957), COLT.45 (1957), WAGON TRAIN (1958), SUGARFOOT (1958), RICHARD DIAMOND, P.I. (1958), HAVE GUN, WILL TRAVEL (1958) (Which ran opposite of CIMARRON CITY, and probably killed it), GUNSMOKE, (1957-58), ZORRO (1958), MAVERICK (1958), THE RIFLEMAN (1958), THE RESTLESS GUN ( 5 episodes in 1957-58), THE REBEL (1959), and then he landed BONANZA, and Hoss rode into television history and heaven.

Now as to Pernell Roberts abrupt departure from BONANZA, it was a real shocker to his fans, and fans of the show. He appeared in 164 episodes from 1959-1965. He had started out as an actor/singer, and had done some off-Broadway work. It was reported that he just did not like the writing and the direction on BONANZA, and simply opted not to renew his contract after the conclusion of the 64-65 season. Many thought, or hoped, he might return, that Adam Cartwright would be the prodigal son ;but he went on to do a ton of other TV guest spots, and was able to do road shows of ZORBA, and CAMELOT. What TV series did he star in later, which was a spin-off of a popular TV series, which was a spin-off of a popular movie?

John Cassavetes was leader of that pack. His wife, the most accomplished of the three wives you asked about, was of course the still beautiful Gena Rowlands. Cassavetes, Falk, and Gazzara only appeared in one film together, HUSBANDS (1970). Ben Gazzara did appear in (5) films with and for Cassavetes. Gazzara was married three times. Perhaps you are referring to his second wife, Janice Rule (1961-78). Peter Falk was married to a nobody named Alice Mayo from 1960-1976. Perhaps you are asking about his present wife, Shera Danese, an actress who has done a lot of work on TV, including six episodes of COLUMBO.

Now as to "What TV show did Ben Gazzara star in?" really has me scratching my head. He has been the lead character on three TV series. I wonder which one you had in mind?. First we have the excellent ARREST AND TRIAL (1963), where he played Det. Sgt. Nick Anderson. This show was a big gamble, running 90 minutes, they showed 30 episodes of it. The first half of the show dealt with the crime and the apprehension of the crooks, then the second half dealt with the trial and prosecution. Sound familiar? You bet, the format was stolen completely by LAW AND ORDER, and they have made a 15 years, 4 series TV empire out of it. ARREST AND TRIAL also had Chuck Conners, and Michael Constantine in it. Gazzara's second series would have been RUN FOR YOUR LIFE (1965-1968), about the dying lawyer with one year to live, that stretched it out several years. The third series was PURSUIT (1972), with Gazzara playing spy hunter Steven Graves, with E.G. Marshall and Martin Sheen as regulars.

Alright, and now the titanic titty twister, to get from Charles Laughton to Ted Danson. Man, are mean to me. Let's see.
Charles Laughton was in ADVISE AND CONSENT (1962) with Burgess Meredith.
Burgess Meredith was in GRUMPY OLD MEN (1993) with Jack Lemmon.
Jack Lemmon was in DAD (1989) with Ted Danson.

And for you, sir, if you find it difficult to get from Tuesday Weld to Glenn Buttkus, then try to get from Tony Shalhoub to Humphrey Bogart. That was the last challenge I gave you several emails ago.

Thank you for resurrecting the MICK & BUTT SHOW. It is worthy of long life.

Big Hugs from Glenn: the man with not enough time on his hands, but always finds some for you.

Mick wrote:

The Mick and Butt show is back Jack, for one and all. Same format new info! Fill me in on the last connect the actors, the one that had you in it along with the email of the previous shows because I somehow deleted them. Okay, did you know that your old drinking buddy, Loopy, Ida Lupino, who was cosidered the poor mans Betty Davis, whose husband, Howard Duff was born right here in beautiful Bremerton in 1913 and I believe I told you that Jock Mahoney died in a car crash in Bremerton in the 1980's. I keep finding out tidbits on the history of this area from different sources but it is hard to find indiginous white natives of this area who were actually born and raised here. Even at the seniors rec center most are transplants and the military graveyard of retirement no brainers.

What very similar character did oriental actor, Khigh Dhiegh, who played the nefarious brain washing intelligence head as Wo Fat on Hawaii five O also portray in a very famous movie? What was the longest running detective genre show on TV. Who was that secretary with the sexy voice and gorgeous legs for David Jansens, Richard Diamond? What actor played Boston Blacky on TV? What actor was the lead in Crimefighters? Name me three actors who were detectives in Naked City on TV which was retitled Nude Metropolis by Mad magazine. Remember there are 8 million stories at Blind Rehab, The Glenn Butkus Story has been one of them. What TV show did George C. Scott star in? What was the reason that Adam, Pernell Roberts, left Bonanza? What western did Hoss, Dan Blocker co star in before Bonanza? What TV show did Ben Gazarra star in? In the late 60's Ben Gazarra, John Cassavetes and Peter Falk had there own triumverate "Rat Pack" as fellow actors and good friends. All three were married to very good actresses. Who were they and match them up.

Connect Charles Laughton with Ted Danson!

Regards: The most versatile mind in the history of mankind, MickDaVinci!