Search found 56 matches

by Brian McFadden
February 29th, 2016, 5:50 pm
Forum: The People of Film
Topic: George Kennedy RIP
Replies: 0
Views: 21517

George Kennedy RIP

So sad to learn of George Kennedy's passing. He was a wonderful man and a great actor. I'm sure some were surprised when, later in his career, he proved every bit as adept at comedy as drama. I had the pleasure of interviewing him many years ago. He was friendly, down to earth, and had a great sense...
by Brian McFadden
February 29th, 2016, 5:50 pm
Forum: Movies and Features on TCM
Topic: Gone With or Without fanfare
Replies: 2721
Views: 787311

George Kennedy RIP

So sad to learn of George Kennedy's passing. He was a wonderful man and a great actor. I'm sure some were surprised when, later in his career, he proved every bit as adept at comedy as drama. I had the pleasure of interviewing him many years ago. He was friendly, down to earth, and had a great sense...
by Brian McFadden
February 27th, 2016, 1:42 pm
Forum: Sci-fi and Horror
Topic: The Return of Dracula
Replies: 66
Views: 103829

Re: The Return of Dracula

Return of the Vampire was on a cable station last week. I hadn't seen it in years and - as is the case whenever our memories are better than reality - I was a bit disappointed with it overall. But Bela did a fine job. I agree with "Western Guy" that Universal should have used him when it ...
by Brian McFadden
September 13th, 2015, 1:59 pm
Forum: Movies and Features on TCM
Topic: Gone With or Without fanfare
Replies: 2721
Views: 787311

Re: Gone With or Without fanfare

Dick Moore was such a wonderful person. Like most of us, I grew up watching his old movies and I was pleasantly surprised when I met him. I was interviewing him in connection with the release of his autobiography and I came to realize what a thoughtful, serious man he was and how sincere he was abou...
by Brian McFadden
March 3rd, 2015, 3:56 pm
Forum: Film Noir and Crime
Topic: Republic Mysteries Book
Replies: 0
Views: 21523

Republic Mysteries Book

Just a brief note to let you know that "Republic Mysteries, The Serial Studio's Whodunits" is out. As I mentioned when I was a guest author here with my previous Republic book last year, I saved some of the borderline mystery/horrors for this one, like Anthony Mann's Strangers in the Night...
by Brian McFadden
February 15th, 2015, 6:40 pm
Forum: Sci-fi and Horror
Topic: This week on SVENGOOLIE...
Replies: 1110
Views: 334369

Re: This week on SVENGOOLIE...

I loved all of the old Universal B's and Weird Woman was perhaps the best of the Inner Sanctum series. It was the first film version of Fritz Leiber's "Conjure Wife." Having said that, however, I have to admit that the second film version may be even better. The 1962 US/British co-producti...
by Brian McFadden
February 10th, 2015, 11:24 pm
Forum: Sci-fi and Horror
Topic: Val Lewton Horror Flicks
Replies: 43
Views: 43985

Re: Val Lewton Horror Flicks

I couldn't agree with you more about Thimig...what an actress! Republic credits her as "Helen" for Strangers in the Night...a really great, scary film. But RKO uses her real name, Helene, in Lewton's Isle of the Dead. Here's a shot of Helene with Boris in Isle:
Brian
by Brian McFadden
February 10th, 2015, 6:38 pm
Forum: Sci-fi and Horror
Topic: Val Lewton Horror Flicks
Replies: 43
Views: 43985

Re: Val Lewton Horror Flicks

I'm afraid my picks are based on the actresses who scared me most when I was watching these films on TV as a Kid! Elizabeth Russell was a Lewton favorite and she appeared in Cat People , The Curse of the Cat People , The Seventh Victim and Bedlam . Helene Thimig, meanwhile, appeared with Boris Karlo...
by Brian McFadden
January 14th, 2015, 10:20 am
Forum: Action and Adventure
Topic: Richard Todd: Action and Adventure Star
Replies: 34
Views: 39083

Re: Richard Todd: Action and Adventure Star

Richard Todd was fantastic. He was what his colleagues liked to call "a jobbing actor." He was one of those talented stars who felt it was an actor's job to act and you kept on doing it as long as you were physically able. I first saw him when I was a little kid in Disney's Robin Hood movi...
by Brian McFadden
October 26th, 2014, 6:33 pm
Forum: Archived Guest Stars
Topic: Scott O'Brien Q & A on George Brent
Replies: 46
Views: 83487

Re: Scott O'Brien to Visit on 10/25 & 10/26

Dear Scott,

Thanks so much for being with us and for the info on the fox fire and the Nat Levine film. I'm sorry to say I never did interview Sylvia Sidney, but I certainly look forward to your book.

Again, many thanks...

Brian
by Brian McFadden
October 26th, 2014, 12:08 pm
Forum: Archived Guest Stars
Topic: Scott O'Brien Q & A on George Brent
Replies: 46
Views: 83487

Re: Early George Brent films

Hi Scott, The research you do on your books is amazing...a real treat for film fans such as myself. Among George Brent's missing Fox films is Charlie Chan Carries On . There's lots of speculation about a fire that destroyed many early thirties Fox films, but no one seems to know when...did Brent's m...
by Brian McFadden
August 2nd, 2014, 3:25 pm
Forum: Sci-fi and Horror
Topic: This week on SVENGOOLIE...
Replies: 1110
Views: 334369

Re: This week on SVENGOOLIE...

There's no getting around the fact that Lon was badly miscast, but Universal thought this was a good vehicle to cash in on the name. Putting aside the fact that he's probably the most "chunky" vampire in all of filmdom, the movie has a lot of things going for it. The swampy setting is quit...
by Brian McFadden
August 2nd, 2014, 2:24 pm
Forum: Film Noir and Crime
Topic: ELLERY QUEEN, DETECTIVE
Replies: 6
Views: 13754

Re: ELLERY QUEEN, DETECTIVE

Margaret Lindsay is so underrated and it's so good to see her mentioned. I grew up with the Ellery Queens, which ran on TV when I was a kid. If you can, try and catch her in Tragedy at Midnight . It's a nifty murder mystery with John Howard as a mystery-solving radio sleuth and Margaret as his quick...
by Brian McFadden
June 13th, 2014, 2:59 pm
Forum: Film Noir and Crime
Topic: See Jayne Act: The Burglar (1957)
Replies: 44
Views: 38038

Re: See Jayne Act: The Burglar (1957)

This is a great little gem that takes you right back in time, and Miss Goddess is so right about the visuals. Check out the opening credits showing the Philly railroad tracks. Or Jane walking up to the mansion where the spiritualist is living. While it was released in 1957, I believe the movie was s...
by Brian McFadden
June 10th, 2014, 11:40 am
Forum: Movies and Features on TCM
Topic: Gone With or Without fanfare
Replies: 2721
Views: 787311

Re: Gone With or Without fanfare

So sorry to hear about Martha Hyer and many thanks to Moira for posting the link to that great article with the fabulous pictures. "House of 1,000 Dolls" was an unfortunate low point in the careers of both Martha and Vincent Price. I don't believe either one knew what a poor film they were...