Sorry, haven't filled in the gaps, but I promise I will.
In the meantime, adding this:
Daniel MELNICK (producer, head of production)
From Variety:
MGM, Columbia chief Daniel Melnick dies Industry veteran led TV and film productions By VARIETY STAFFDaniel Melnick, a producer and studio chief who was widely respected as a bold risk taker, died Tuesday in Los Angeles. He was 77 and had recently undergone surgery for lung cancer. Known for his biting wit and keen intelligence, Melnick came out of the television business and built a strong reputation as a film innovator. While studio chief at MGM, he presided over such hits as "Network," "The Goodbye Girl" and "The Sunshine Boys," and he served as exec producer of "That's Entertainment," one of the major hits of the Lion's later era.
A compendium of MGM hits of the past, "That's Entertainment" was crafted by Jack Haley Jr. and Melnick in an atmosphere of secrecy. Jim Aubrey, president of MGM, was oblivious of the project as was Leo's owner, Kirk Kerkorian.
Moving on to Columbia, Melnick fostered such notable pics as "Kramer vs. Kramer," "California Suite" and "Midnight Express," among others.
"He was an extraordinary producer who was never afraid to take risks," said former Paramount Pictures chief Sherry Lansing. "Not only was he a good friend, but he always brought a perspective and rich sense of humor to everything he was involved in."
Melnick graduated from NYU and began his career in entertainment when he was 20, becoming the youngest staff producer at CBS in 1954. During his time there, Melnick and partner David Susskind co-exec produced the TV series "East Side/West Side" and "N.Y.P.D." He and Susskind won Emmys for their production of "Death of a Salesman" and "Ages of Man."
After leaving CBS, Melnick became VP of programming at ABC. He then became a partner for eight years at Talent Associates, where he developed numerous film, TV and stage productions, including the long-running Don Adams laffer "Get Smart" and "Straw Dogs."
In 1972, Melnick joined MGM. He became head of production in 1974. Over the next three years, Melnick was responsible for a run of hits at the studio.
Melnick later formed and headed IndieProd, which produced pics such as "Blue Streak," and "L.A. Story." He also served as exec producer on "All That Jazz," "Altered States" and "Footloose."
Melnick is survived by a son, Peter, a theatrical composer.
This Canadian actor will forever be known for his iconic portrayal of Dr. No in the first James Bond film. But his career spanned over seven decades on stage (in the original cast of Golden Boy), film and television.
He never established himself as a major film presence, but his appearance in quite a few high profile character roles for directors like Elia Kazan, William Wyler, Lewis Milestone, John Huston, Sidney Lumet showed how he was in demand throughout his career.
His films included Detective Story, Viva Zapata, The Prodigal, The Garment Jungle, The Unforgiven, Bye Bye Braverman and The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz.
Originally posted by seanflynn: Joseph WISEMAN - Actor
This Canadian actor will forever be known for his iconic portrayal of Dr. No in the first James Bond film. But his career spanned over seven decades on stage (in the original cast of Golden Boy), film and television.
He never established himself as a major film presence, but his appearance in quite a few high profile character roles for directors like Elia Kazan, William Wyler, Lewis Milestone, John Huston, Sidney Lumet showed how he was in demand throughout his career.
His films included Detective Story, Viva Zapata, The Prodigal, The Garment Jungle, The Unforgiven, Bye Bye Braverman and The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz.
Wiseman was 91.
Loved him on "Crime Story" (the TV show) as Manny Wisebord. Check it out if you haven't seen it.
FYC District 9 and Sharlto Copley The Hurt Locker and Jeremy Renner and Kathryn Bigelow Watchmen This Is It Christoph Waltz in Inglourious Basterds Paul Rudd in I Love You, Man
Prominent in theatre TV and in character roles in movie, this Canadian actor enjoyed a half-century career before retiring in the 1990s. He was 95.
Among his film roles - Carol Reed's British A Kid for Two Farthings, recreating his Broadway role as a neighbor in Diary of Anne Frank, Irma la Douce, Little Murders, Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex, Next Stop Greenwich Village, Roseland, Arthur, My Favorite Year, Avalon and I.Q.
You might not recognize his name, but you'd like recognize his face. He was very memorable and stood out in whatever role he played.
Edward Woodward was best known in the US for his lead role in the fine 1980s TV series The Equalizer, but his film career, though like so many British actors is a scattershot affair, includes his lead role co-starring with Christopher Lee in the original The Wicker Man and also Breaker Morant.
Other films included Young Winston, King David and Mr. Johnson.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: seanflynn,
Originally posted by seanflynn: Edward Woodward was best known in the US for his lead role in the fine 1980s TV series The Equalizer, but his film career, though like so many British actors is a scattershot affair, includes his lead role co-starring with Christopher Lee in the original The Wicker Man.
Other films included Young Winston, King David and Mr. Johnson.
Besides "The Wicker Man" I think his best known film role would have been the lead in "Breaker Morant".
Posts: 27163 | Location: Phoenix, AZ | Registered: February 02, 2003
Prolific film and TV director Paul Wendkos, who directed nearly 80 theatrical and made for TV movies from the late 1950s to 1999, died Sunday.
Coming as did so many directors in the 50s out of TV, he made an early mark with several low-budget genre films that were fresh and distinctive - The Burglar, The Case Against Brooklyn, Tarawa Beachhead. Their quality and success led Columbia to assign him to the original Gidget with Sandra Dee and Cliff Robertson - the original beach movie, a major hit.
Its success allowed him to make more serious dramas, particularly Angel Baby with George Hamilton, but their relative commercial failure forced him back to more Gidget films, and he never really regained his early footing, although his work in westerns and in particular The Mephisto Waltz remained interesting.
But most of the rest of the career saw him as one of the surest hands at high-end TV dramas, particularly genre films (rather than high-end social issue films, which were more awards-friendly).
Among these were The Family Rico, Honor Thy Father, The Underground Man, The Legend of Lizzie Borden, the remake of The Bad Seed and many, many others.
Originally posted by seanflynn: Edward Woodward was best known in the US for his lead role in the fine 1980s TV series The Equalizer, but his film career, though like so many British actors is a scattershot affair, includes his lead role co-starring with Christopher Lee in the original The Wicker Man.
Other films included Young Winston, King David and Mr. Johnson.
Besides "The Wicker Man" I think his best known film role would have been the lead in "Breaker Morant".
Yes, Breaker Morant. He was amazing. He also turned down an opportunity to play James Bond.
Posts: 13912 | Location: canada | Registered: December 22, 2005
