: Long time filmmaker who won the Best Director Oscar for the film "Marty," Mann died from pneumonia at the age of 87. Though he continued to make feature films, most of his success was in television, where he directed such projects as "David Copperfield," "Jane Eyre," "All Quiet on the Western Front" and "The Last Days of Patton."NOW I CAN CONCENTRATE ON WORLD PEACE
I am SO sorry to hear that my buddy Barry Bonds has just been indicted on federal charges of purgery and obstruction of justice. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy. Recently Bonds said that if the Hall of Fame displays his 755th Home Run ball with the asterix on it he would boycott the hall, including his own induction. Don't see that happening anytime soon. To quote the late, great Jackie Gleason: HOW SWEET IT IS!
GOLDEN GLOBE TIME
Steven Spielberg will receive this year's Cecil B. DeMille award at the 65th Golden Globes ceremonies. Rumer Willis, daughter of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, is this year's honoray Miss Golden Globe, an honor bestowed each year on the daughter of Hollywood royalty. A few years ago, Miss Golden Globe was Dakota Johnson, daughter of Don Johnson and Melanie Griffin. Griffin, daughter of Tippi Hedren, was Miss Golden Globe in 1976. The much-maligned MR. Golden Globe position lasted only two years.
SHOULD I GET IN LINE NOW?
Talk about plenty of warning, the local radio station is playing ads letting me know that I can get tickets Saturday to go see Celine Dion in concert...ON NOVEMBER 15, 2008! Sorry, but I don't even make plans two weeks out let alone a whole year!
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO...? CHAPTER 33: SEAN CONNERY
WHERE YOU MIGHT KNOW HIM FROM: He's frickin' James Bond!
AWARDS: 1988 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for "The Untouchables."
1988 BAFTA Award for Best Actor for "The Name of the Rose."
1991 BAFTA Award nomination for Best Actor for "The Hunt for Red October."
1990 BAFTA Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade."
1988 BAFTA Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for "The Untouchables."
It wasn't until I learned that Sean Connery turned down the chance to return as Dr. Henry Jones in the next Indiana Jones film that I realized he hadn't been on screen for some time. In fact, except for lending his voice to an animated short and the recent James Bond video game, Connery has been absent from the big screen since 2003's "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen." Even then, he was limiting his work load, having appeared in only four other films since his last huge hit, "The Rock," in 1996.
A one time finalist in the Mr. Universe contest (he placed third), Connery will always be identified with his portrayal of Ian Flemming's agent 007. Though only in his early 30's when he began the role, Connery wore a toupee' in "Dr. No" and the other films as he began losing his hair shortly after his 21st birthday.
After quitting the role twice, Connery found it hard to convince producers he could play anyone but Bond. However, work in such offbeat films as "Zardoz" and "The Next Man," as well as mainstream features like "The Man Who Would Be King" and "Outland" helped him build a new audience. In 1983 he reprised the role of Bond in the "Thunderball" remake "Never Say Never Again," this time having fun with the role. Appearances in films like "Time Bandits" and "Highlander" earned him high marks and in 1987 he appeared as beat cop Jimmy Malone in Brian DePalma's "The Untouchables," winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. He further endeared himself to fanboys when he played Indiana Jones dad, Henry, in "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade." As a favor to his "Untouchables" co-star, Kevin Costner, he made a cameo appearance as King Richard in "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves." Ironically he had played a much older Robin opposite Audrey Hepburn in "Robin and Marion." James Robinson, the producer of "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves," was a frequent visitor to my theatre in Baltimore (his hometown). He told me that he had given Connery a personal check for $100,000 to secure his services. Connery then donated the money to charity.
Several years ago a writer noted that Sean Connery was "the man women wanted and men wanted to be." I can't think of a better way to end this then with those words.
Well, that's all for now. Have a great week. See ya!
"Mike's Rant" is ©2007 by Michael A. Smith. Webpage design and all graphics herein are creations of Nolan B. Canova. All contents of Nolan's Pop Culture Review are ©2007 by Nolan B. Canova.
