Mickodeanius

Mickster:

What were Butch & Sundance's real names; I'm one of them was named Longbow or something. Joanna Pettit was originally slated to play Etta Place, but dropped out because she was pregnant. Katherine Ross did not get along with George Roy Hill at all. I guess he was too macho for her delicate sensibilities. Some interesting trivia on BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID (1969). Starting first with the casting. Dustin Hoffman was first considered to play Butch. What a different film it would have been. Believe it or not, Jack Lemmon was considered to play Sundance, but he turned it down to finish editing on THE ODD COUPLE (1968). After Newman came on board, several other actors read for the part of Sundance. The first was Steve McQueen. Now that might have worked. Although he insisted the title be changed to THE SUNDANCE KID AND BUTCH CASSIDY. McQueen was a real ego prick that way. Remember the poster for THE TOWERING INFERNO, McQueen had to have top billing over Newman. He dropped out of the Western when they didn't offer him enough cash to do it. Next on the A list was Marlon Brando for Sundance. I don't know why that fell through. Then they approached Warren Beatty to do Sundance; another interesting tease of casting possibility. I wonder how much Newman had to fight to get Redford, a bit of an unknown, the part? The producers approached Bob Dylan to sing Bacharach's TEARDROPS song, but he refused. I hate that song. It reduced the whole film to silliness. I liked the humor in the film, but all of Bacharach's music pissed me off. It never jelled with the action. George Roy Hill wanted those comic aspects to show up front. I think he made a mistake. Apparently no one else hated Bacharach's score like I did. Odd that.

Newman did all his own bicycle riding, except the backwards trip into the fence. That was done by cinematographer Conrad L. Hall. Butch and Sundance did jump off a real cliff in Colorado, six feet into a mattress and net. Then they did a matching shot in front of a matte painting on the Century Ranch in Malibu, where two stunt men jumped off a construction crane into a huge air bag. The Bolivian scenes were all shot in Mexico. Most of the cast came down with Moctezuma's Revenge; everyone except Newman, Redford, and Ross, who all drank only beer and soda pop. And you'll like this, remember in the final scenes before the great gun battle, Butch and Sundance were recognized because a kid from the village recognized the brand on the rump of a gray mule that they had stolen. This was a specific homage to THE TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE, where a kid from the village recognized exactly the same brand on a gray mule's rump, that sunk Alfonso Bedoya and his boys after they had killed Bogart as Fred C. Dobbs. Small world, right?

Great work on stumping me with the quotes from NORTH BY NORTHWEST, which I mistakenly thought was from BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S, and the one from PAPILLION that I thought was from ON THE WATERFRONT. As soon as you told me though, I remembered those scenes clearly. And yes, kudos to me for nailing Jim Backus as husband on I MARRIED JOAN with Joan Davis, right?

I loved researching SEA HUNT. Sad to hear Lloyd Bridges preferred balsa wood air tanks for comfort. Kudo on remembering Leonard Nimoy as Indio. That was a scratch way in the back or the Mickster brain pan. More kudos for remembering Martha Raye as the spokesperson for POLIDENT. Research on her was fun too. Thanks for the tip of the Mickster cap on my Cicely Tyson correction. She was definitely a major character on EAST SIDE/WEST SIDE.

Sam Jaffe, called Shalom "Sam" Jaffe had been a great theatre actor in the 20's. In his lifetime, he appeared in 21 Broadway plays. I loved him as the criminal mastermind Doc Riedenschneider in ASPHALT JUNGLE (1950), snarling at Sterling Hayden a lot. His wife's name was Bettye Ackerman. On BEN CASEY (1961-66), she played Dr. Maggie Graham. She had 48 film appearances, mostly TV roles. Kept working until 1994. BEN CASEY, like COMBAT, was in B&W for 5 seasons, and only during its final season did it broadast in color. The Greek orderly was the fabulous Nick Dennis, who had been working in films since the early 50's, in epics like STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (1951), TEN TALL MEN (1951), and EAST OF EDEN (1955). I always mixed him up with Nick Cravat, who was with Burt Lancaster, in THE CRIMSON PIRATE (1952). BEN CASEY had great supporting actors like Franchot Tone, and guest stars like Jack Klugman, Jack Warden, Alfred Ryder, Luther Adler, Strother Martin, Carroll O'Conner, Cecil Kellaway, Joan Hackett, John Anderson, James Best, Leslie Nielsen, Robert Loggia, Sheree North, Beau Bridges, Gary Crosby, Dane Clark, Sally Kellerman, Ellen Burstyn, Ned Glass, Robert Culp, Peter Falk, and Lee Grant.

The three TV series that Don Adams did after GET SMART (Not counting the "new" series verson of GET SMART, or the movie THE NUDE BOMB, playing Max) were THE PARTNERS (1971), DON ADAMS SCREEN TEST (1975), and CHECK IT OUT in 1985. And remember he was the voice of INSPECTOR GADGET, and Matthew Broderick played him in the live action film. The actor Mel Brooks originally pitched Maxewell Smart to was Tom Poston.

Jesus, on the youngest DI, I never checked out Hugh O'Brien, nor Gene Barry. That is hot trivia, sir. Glad to help you with Sam #2. Ross Martin was a very colorful guy too. I had forgotten him in EXPERIMENT IN TERROR. Thanks for jogging my brain pan on that one. More great trivia on his friendship with Robert Conrad; who went to the Chuck Norris Acting College to refine his technique. On THE HIGH AND THE MIGHTY (1954), great recall on the most of the cast. I think you only left out Robert Newton. now Laraine Day was married three times. I am certain you are referring to her 2nd husband, Leo Durocher. Do you remember her as a regular, Nurse Lamont on DR. KILDARE ? She was a practical joker, and she liked to mess with the Duke. She once bought 100 keys, and put tags on them "If lost, please return to John Wayne, RKO Studios." For almost a year he was receiving those keys. He got pretty steamed up about it, but never found it was her who did it. With actor David Brian, who they say hated working with Joan Crawford in FLAMINGO ROAD (1949), & THE DAMNED DON'T CRY (1950). I think his major TV series was playing Paul Garrett on MR.DISTRICT ATTORNEY (1954-55). Is that the one you refer to? He also was a regular though on CROSSROADS (1956-57) playing Reverend Richard Farrell.

Great work on the titty twister, sir.
Matt Damon in SAVING PRIVATE RYAN with Harve Presnell.
Presnell in PAINT YOUR WAGON with Lee Marvin.
Marvin in THE COMANCHEROS with the Duke.
Duke in THE SHOOTIST with Lauren Bacall.
Or you could have done,
Duke in BLOOD ALLEY with Lauren Bacall.

I would have tred somewhat a different path.
Matt Damon in THE BROTHERS GRIMM with Heath Ledger.
Ledger in A KNIGHT'S TALE with Paul Bettany.
Bettany in DOGVILLE with Lauren Bacall.

Before I endeavor to solve your latest titty challenge, let's look at your offsides email that you sent cold before I resent my long one back to you. All about disaster movies. Yes, the AIRPORT series made a ton of cash, and spawned 3-4 sequels, cashing in on the popularity of a soap opera in the air from THE HIGH AND THE MIGHTY, and Jimmy Stewart in NO HIGHWAY IN THE SKY, with Glynis Johns. I would disagree that THE SWIMMER was a piece of junk. It was very existential, reflecting the 60's and 70's aptly, and giving Lancaster a last gasp at his macho roles. It is a very "deep" film. Go watch it again, sir. THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE was extremely well made. Gene Hackman was wonderful in it, and the rest of the cast. I was pleased that faggy Roddy McDowall was bumped off early. Remember how good THE LAST VOYAGE was in 1960 with Robert Stack? Bad disaster films, yes, that would include EARTHQUAKE, THE FOOD OF THE GODS, THE DAY THE EARTH ENDED, DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS, CRACK IN THE EARTH. Actually I kind of liked VOLCANO, good special effects and good performances from Tommy Lee Jones and Anne Heche (before she went down on broads, or before we knew it). Wasn't David Hasslehoff in AVALANCHE? I kind of liked Bruce Willis in ARMAGEDDON, and how about Sean Connery in METEOR? or Robert Duvall and Morgan Freeman in DEEP IMPACT?

I believe,"In like Flynn," always referred to the way Errol Flynn made out with the ladies, and the little boys if one believes rumors. I do not recognize that quote about the weak link in the chain. Ditto on the smart and nice quote. Neither one of us is too good at remembering quotes. Maybe we should just identify them for the edification of the other; like:
"What are you doing giving absolution to that Mick pimp? He passed her around like a piece of Christmas candy!" Robert Duvall to Robert De Niro in TRUE CONFESSIONS (1981).

Now when it comes to titty twisters, you gave me in the "Disaster" email the challenge to get from John Mills to Meg Ryan. Then this week you came up with Richard Egan to Howard de Silva. So I'll try to solve the first one, and save the latter for later, right?
John Mills was in BRIGHT YOUNG THINGS (2005) with Stockard Channing.
Stockard Channing was in FIRST WIVES CLUB (1996) with Diane Keaton.
Diane Keaton was in HANGING UP (2000) with Meg Ryan.

And your titty assignment, sir, will be to get from Victor McLaglen to Peter Sellers.

I think we are back on track now fine squire and aspiring thespian, so three cheers for the MICK & BUTT SHOW, and long may it grace the cyberwaves.

Glenn IV, based on a play by Sir Francis Bacon, and I remembering saying,
"Where honor should be, in me, there is just a void."

Mick wrote:
Re: I only helped Butch & Sundance in Bolivia after they finally dumped that bitch Etta Place!

Historians think that the Federales had Butch & Sundance surrounded and Sundance was really shot up bad but Butch was still able to move albeit wounded very badly and he put a bullet in Sundances brain pan and than shot himself because they knew what was waiting for them and there time had run out. Nobody knows what happened to Etta and to this day she remains a total mystery as to her wherabouts after it was generally considered she made her way back to the states.

I missed all your quotes and I remember Castle Keep and the Misfits very well and I never saw Sleeeper. How does a girl like you get to be a girl like you? was said by Cary Grant to Eve Marie Saint in North by Northwest. Theres one difference beween us, me they can kill, you they own! was said by Steve McQueen to Dustin Hoffman in Papillion. Kudos on Mike Nelsons boat the Argonaut, a show which my mother used to call gurgle gurgle from all of Mikes bubbles. I believe Indio was played by a guy who looked like a halfbreed and I think that had to be a young Leonard Nimoy.

Yea "The Big Mouth" Martha did the Poly Grip or Polident commercial with the sublimimal message that if the dentures stay in her cavernous cavity they will stay in yours. I bow to the venerable sage on Cicely Tyson but I did see her on about every episode along with Elizabeth Wilson who I always got confused with the real life wife of Sam Jaffe, remember Dr. Zorba on Ben Casey. That was another great show and she played a doctor too, what was her real name? Who played the little muscular Greek orderly on the show? You have me by the long and short hairs on the follow up Don Adams questions.

Wyatt Earp, Wyatt Earp, brave courageous and bold.
Long may he live and long may he glory and long may his story be told!
Yes the youngest D.I. was Hugh O'brien and the Duke was the one who heard about him and opened the show biz door for him. Hugh said he was always indebted to Duke and made sure he was in Dukes last movie The Shootist. Kudos on Sam*2 and Ross Martin. Do you remember Ross playing the bad guy in Experiment in Terror with Glenn Ford and Lee Remick with Ross's gravely voice over the telephone? I heard Ross in an interview saying what great friends he and Robert Conrad had become doing WILD Wild West but they were complete opposites. He liked opera, ballet and the theater especially Shakespeare and Bob only liked sports so they cut a deal to give them more to talk about away from the set. One night a week they would go to Bobs favorite, usually, a wrestling or boxing match or some other sporting event and The next time it would be theatre, opera or ballet and it worked out great for both of them and they stayed great friends up to Ross's untimely death.

The High and the Mighty had Clair Trevor, Larraine Day; Who was her last husband,? Phil Harris, and two Duke stock players, Paul Fix and John Qualen, along with Sidney Blackmer and the gal who played the stewardess who I never saw in anything big again, Julie Bishop. David Brian was there too and what tv show did he star in?

Okay, Matt Damon was in Saving Private Ryan with Harve Presnell;
Harve was in Paint Your Wagon with Lee Marvin,
Lee was in Comancheros with Duke,
Duke was in The Shootist with Lauren Bacall.

Regards: The author of the Mickavellian Theory of absolute trivia will enlighten absolutely!
----- Original Message -----
From: Glenn Buttkus
To: Mick
Sent: Friday, March 02, 2007 9:21 AM
Subject: Re: the bombastic bremerton bum who may have robbed banks in Bolivia.
Mickodeanius:
Let's get you squared away on my quotes first.
"Enter stage left, a small man with a huge erection," was Peter Falk in CASTLE KEEP.
"I can't make a landing, and I can't get up to God," was Eli Wallach in THE MISFITS.
"I'm not the heroic type. I was beaten up by Quakers," was Woody Allen in SLEEPER.

As to your quotes,"How does a girl like you bet to be a girl like you,"...man, that rings several bells, but like you; no sound emerges. It might be George Peppard to Audrey Hepburn as Holly Go Lightly in BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S. "There's one difference between us; me they can kill, you they own." Again, a great quote. Was it Marlon Brando to brother Rod Steiger in ON THE WATERFRONT? I think you stumped me, big boy.

Congrats on playing both stage managers in GYPSY. Friday night, April 20, as it turns out is a bit tough for me. That is my second straight day of my IVIG treatments in April. But if Melva and I can't make it that magical night, we might slink over Saturday night, or for the Sunday matinee. By the way, Sir Bigbrain, where the hell is it playing? What is the name of the theatre, and what is the address? That could be helpful.

Yes, Joan Davis as Joan Stevens on I MARRIED JOAN, 1952-1955. Her husband was the fabulous Jim Backus playing Judge Bradley Stevens. I didn't like the show much. I was too hung up on LUCY, I guess. It did run for 98 30-minute episides. Joan's real name was Madonna Josephine Davis. She was a very popular comedienne on the radio too, as I recall. She appeared in 47 films from 1935. Her series was the last professional work she did. She died at 54 of a heart attack in Palm Springs.

As to SEA HUNT, with the hunk Lloyd Bridges as diver Mike Nelson. The show ran for 4 seasons from 1958-1961. Bridges bailed after the fourth season because the producers wanted more cops and robbers plots, and he wanted to deal with more environmental issues. He did complete 155 episodes though. You made me dig hard to find the name of his damned boat. It was THE ARGONAUT, and they say it is still afloat in CA. I read where Bridges complained of the weight of the metal scuba tanks when he shot the above water scenes, so soon they gave him balsa wood tanks painted silver. He actually did very little of the underwater scenes. They were done mostly by stuntman John McLaughlin. By the way what famous actor played Indio on the show? Beau and Jeff Bridges both appeared on 2 episodes as kids. Guest stars included Larry Hagman, Whit Bissell, John Marley, John Lupton, Robert Conrad, and Ross Martin. Do you remember Ross Martin as the #2 Apache warrior in GERONIMO, with Chuck Conners?

Martha Raye, aka Margaret Teresa Yvonne Reed was born backstage in Butte, Montana to parents who were vaudeville performers. She and her brother Bud had a act at one point. She had very poor health in her senior years; respiratory problems;probably was a smoker. She died at 78 years old in LA. She was a double amputee at that point, having lost both legs to poor circulation. She had a real fear of flying. The only way she could manage it was to get shitface drunk, and this caused her to great quite a stir on the flights. Several airlines refused to serve her. She was married 7 times. The first husband was Bud Westmore of the famous make-up artist family (1935). Her fifth husband was Ed Begley (1954-56). They had a nasty divorce. Following that and the cancelation of her variety show, she attempted suicide. She was an honorary Lt. Colonel in the Green Berets, and an actual RN. They called her "Colonel Maggie". She really did a lot of work with the troops, making Bob Hope look like a piker. It is said that she had very little education, and often her scripts had to be read to her. Her daughter's name was Melodye. They had a falling out because the daughter had her father's body cremated against Martha's wishes. And Sir Mick, what famous commercial did she do, representing this company in their commercials for 10 years?

Say sir, I hate it when you get confused, but here goes --Cicely Tyson played Jane Foster on EAST SIDE/WEST SIDE, and she was the "secretary", not another social worker. She seemed to accompany George C. Scott on all his home visits and travels, so maybe your mind played tricks on you. It was like that trick question you threw at me regarding the mysterious third detective on NAKED CITY, big boy. Elizabeth Wilson was the office manager on the show. I am pretty sure I am correct on this matter.

Now that you mention it, I do remember the sexy Barbara Feldon on that Wildroot commercial, or whatever it was. As to Don Adams, yes he was in combat as a marine on Guadalcanal. He was the only survivor of his whole platoon, and he contracted malaria so bad he nearly died. He was hospitalized for over a year. After that he became a D.I. His real name was Donald James Yarmy, but he tired of going last at auditons. His first wife was Adelaide Adams, so he took her last name. Two stories of his first big break in 1948. One source said he won on Ted Mack's Original Amateur Hour, but most sources agree it was in 1948, but it was on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts. He was boyhood friends with Bill Dana. They wrote comic material together for years. Adams guest starred on THE BILL DANA SHOW. GET SMART (1965) was originally conceived by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry as a bigtime James Bond spoof. What actor was pitched the Maxwell Smart part before Adams? Adams was a big deal, if you recall in the late 60's. Many of Smart's quotes became part of the American slang --like "Would you believe?", and "Sorry about that, Chief," and "Missed it by THAT much." Adams became good friends with Hugh Hefner. They used to "play cards" once a week. I wonder if there were hot and cold running babes there? My old pal James Caan used to hang out at the Playboy Mansion in LA a lot. Don Adams went on to do three more TV series. Can you name one or more of them? What cartoon character did he do the voice of? Later when they made a live action movie of the character, who played him?

Another actor who played cards a lot with Hugh Hefner was Robert Culp. You stumped me completely with the youngest D.I. in WWII question. I checked out John Smith, Robert Horton, Robert Fuller, Rory Calhoun, and Nick Adams (who joined the Coast Guard in 1952 to stay out of the draft for Korea). I don't think it was Steve McQueen, because he was thrown out of the Marines, and was too young for WWII. John Payne was already a film star in the 40's. Was it Dale Robertson? He was in the tank corps in WWII. It wasn't Guy Madison, cuz he was in the Coast Guard in the 40's. John Russell was a marine, and fought at Guadacanal. I wonder if he knew Don Adams? George Montgomery was already in the movies in WWII. It wasn't Audie Murphy, because he was in the Army. It wasn't Richard Boone, cuz he was in the U.S. Navy during WWII. James Arness was wounded at Anzio in WWII, in the Army. It wasn't Dennis Weaver, who died the same day as Don Knotts. You really got me by the short hairs, son, who the hell was it?

On RICHARD DIAMOND, Sam #2 was played by "famous" actress, Roxanne Brooks, but I love your Juiet Prowse pick too. Yes, I do recall, thanks to you, the blowing of the smoke from his gun. The convertible he drove was a "Ford". Ross Martin was called Artemus Gordon on WILD WILD WEST. His real name was Martin Rosenblatt. He developed a heart condition in his 50's and died of his 4th heart attack at 60 years old in 1981, after playing tennis. Remember him on MR. LUCKY in 1959? He was warrior Mangus in GERONIMO (1962). I loved him as Baron Rolfe von Stuppe in Blake Edward's THE GREAT RACE (1960).

THE HIGH AND THE MIGHTY (1954), directed by William A. Wellman. Yes, Regis Toomey did play Tim Garfield in that film, and he delivered the last line of the movie, at John Wayne playing Dan Roman. Toomey said memorably," So long, so long --you ancient pelican."
This film, so long out of circulation while the Duke's kids sat on it, is now out in flawless remastered DVD. It was the first big soap opera in the air, long before the AIRPORT series. Besides Robert Stack, who else do you remember in it?
You are so very right, sir, about TV being the springboard for vast talent, and oh how we have watched it blossom. Steve McQueen, Robert Culp, James Coburn, Robert Vaughn, Lee Marvin, and Charles Bronson. Later Kurt Russell and Ron Howard. Saturday Night Live has whelped a dozen or so stars. I even remember Brad Pitt on early TV roles. Somehow, they just have that certain something.

Great work on my "difficult" titty twister.
Winona Ryder was in BEETLEJUICE with Alec Baldwin.
Alec Baldwin was in THE GETAWAY with Richard Farnsworth.
Farnsworth was in TOM HORN with Slim Pickins.
Pickins was in IN HARM'S WAY with the Duke.
John Wayne was in THE ALAMO with Chill Wills.
Wow, you wore me out, sir! I would have done:
Winona Ryder was in DRACULA (1992) with Gary Oldman.
Gary Oldman was in TRUE ROMANCE (1993) with Dennis Hopper.
Dennis Hopper was in GIANT (1956) with Chill Wills.

There you go again, getting me from Lois Nettleton to Joan Blondell.
Lois Nettleton was in episode One of MAN AGAINST CRIME (1953), in her film debut, and she was on both NAKED CITY, and EAST SIDE/WEST SIDE too. Of her 117 film appearances it was tough to find the link, but let's see:
Lois Nettleton was in COME FLY WITH ME (1963) with Karl Malden.
Karl Malden was in THE CINCINATTI KID (1965) with Joan Blondell.

Your assignment, sir, is to get from Lauren Bacall to Matt Damon.

And that, sir, is all the news that is fit to print!

Lord Glynstoke: Lord of the Lies.

Mick wrote:

I've racked my resurrected retentive recall and still I'm coming up blank on who said those lines you gave me. Who uttered, how does a girl like you get to be a girl like you? Who said; There's one difference between us, me they can kill, you they own.

Gypsy opens Friday night April 20th. Show times are 7:30 Fri & Sat and 2:00 Sun matinee. I play both stage managers, Mr Weber and Georgie with two other small one line parts. My roomate Rick plays Uncle Jocko and two other parts and my lines aren't that long so memorizing won't be tough.

You mentioned Joan Davis, do yoou remember her tv show and what profession did her husband have played by who? What was the name of Lloyd Bridges aka Mike Nelson boat on Sea Hunt? I remember Rocky as a regular on The Martha Raye Show and how he could screw up the English language. Those two together would never win the best looking couple of the year award but were a great match. She called herself the "Big Mouth" and was a great lady and well trained nurse. She gave of her own free time and money for several humanitarian causes and spent a long time in Vietnam as a volunteer nurse and they all loved her there. I don't know the details but she became estranged to her daughter and I read it was an ugly property setlement after her death not leaving her daughter with anything.

The other regular social worker with George C. Scott was Cicely Tyson, a great actress, and the commercial that Barbra Feldon did was for some mens hair tonic where she sexily lounged on a tiger skin rug and said " I want a word with all you tigers, You know who you are! It made me an instant tiger.

Don Adams had been a D.I. in the Marine Corps and what actor who starred in movies and his own western tv series was the youngest D.I. in Marine Corps history serving at the end of WWII?As for Richard Diamonds Sam# 2, I think it was Juliet Prowse, great legs, but the car escapes me. Do you remember him blowing in the smokey barrel of his handgun and walking away at the beginning of the show? You mentioned Ross Martin and Regis Toomey on that show. What was Ross's name on Wild Wild West and what did Regis call Duke in the closing scene of The High and the Mighty? I still enjoy watching the early work of actors and actresses and seeing the behind the scene names of people that have made a mark in the industry with all their juices flowing and they haven't been prostituted by success yet. What a springboard the tv we watched growing up was and you could tell even then who had that special something.Okay; Wynona was in Beetlejuice with Alec Baldwin, Alec was in the Getaway with Richard Farnsworth, Richard was with Slim Pickens in Tom Horn, Slim was in In Harms Way with Duke, Duke was in the Alamo with Chill.Your titty twister my fine feathered friend is to get from Lois Nettleton to Joan Blondell.To Glenn Horn: is it true that you said, "I've never seen so many pasty faces" as your last words before the hangman did his dirty deed?

Regards: M_uchI_nsightC_ognitiveK_nowledge