Bright Eyes

Request: John Lavachielli

Going down a bit of a rabbit hole googling Brian Lane Green (ex-Alan Brand). Does anyone remember him being a good actor? He's a Tony nominee, who lost to Jason Alexander, and was also on AW and AMC. Seeing pictures of him, he was quite good looking, could obvously sing, and he came out as gay in 2003. I think it was said by Sheri Anderson or someone that the DAYS PTB had planned to have a gay supercouple in the 80s, and people speculated he was going to be one half of the couple, but of course, the network axed that idea from coming to fruition. Just one of those curious untapped potential type things.

Another GH alum that passed away in June but was only announced today ... Joan Benedict, ‘Candid Camera’ Actress and Widow of Rod Steiger, Dies at 96

The first Tiny Desk concert!

Fascinating! Thanks for sharing.

How did Astrid get assigned the role? Where did her name come from?

That twitter user is wrong to state she was the first Sandy Horton. Even if you don't count the first Sandy (Astrid Warner) who only played her for a few episodes, Heather North (R.I.P.) played Sandy for a good 5 years or so. Hopefully, one day we'll get to see more of her.

It's funny, the only thing I've seen Eva Marie Saint in is the random episode of The Brighter Day that was/is online, but kudos to her for making 100! The currently oldest living Oscar nominee! Father of the Bride (1950) - Not too much to say about this one. I grew up with the Steve Martin version, which was a more outright comedy so it was interesting to compare the two. The energy in this one is a lot more subdued. Spencer Tracy is perfectly cast, though I wish Joan Bennett had gotten a little more to do. And just because of the huge star I know her to be, it's strange to see Elizabeth Taylor in such a secondary role. Still, I lap up any Billie Burke I can get, and it was cool to see a young Russ Tamblyn. All in all, it was a perfectly good picture, but nothing outstanding.

One of the best matches of all time!

I'm definitely watching Bill Hayes/Doug's last scene. The best male actor/character the show ever had, by far.

Without Chloe around, why?

That's really sweet of you. I can watch films all day long if given the chance, so to know at least one person doesn't think I'm just blathering on is comforting.

Avalon (1990) - Has there ever been a more melancholic film than this one? The cast was superb. I loved Joan Plowright, Armin Mueller-Stahl, and little Elijah Wood. This movie isn't melodramatic, hysterical, or gritty, but even in it's simple grounding of reality, you watch every moment glued to the screen. There's not even some major emotional release, but the characters are so rich and familiar it doesn't matter. Some of the point of view being through Elijah Wood's child character, Michael, was especially effective for me during the big family scenes because I knew exactly how he felt. I've lived (not literally in the same house mind you) with that big family, but as time passed as it does in the film, I connected even more to Grandfather Sam who subtlely experiences his big loving family slowly dissipate. It was a bit jarring when Elijah Wood's character is aged, but I think that was part of the point because like Sam, who now is fading away himself, living a life he doesn't recognize, grown up Michael feels unrecognizable to us. Again, just a beautiful film that anyone that has lived any sort of life can connect with.

Robert Towne, Oscar winning writer for Chinatown, also nominated for The Last Detail and Shampoo, passes away at 89. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/robert-towne-dead-chinatown-shampoo-1235937929/

She's not on any guarantee because she's recurring now.

James Kirkwood Sr. was a piece of work; he took her virginity and then made her get abortion when she got pregnant because it would have been out of wedlock, then he blackmailed her to stay with and marry him. Then when she had an affair and wanted a divorce, he threatened to kill her, the man she had an affair with, their child, and himself. Request: Luca Calvani

Yeah, the only sources are pretty weak. They both (Wiki and her IMDb bio) only mention she "was on soaps" in passing. Thanks for checking though.

Genuinely surprised at that news. Oliver Farnworth was great on both Corrie and Hollyoaks, so he's a welcome addition.

Request: Lila Lee - Her IMDb and Wiki state she was in soap operas, but doesn't mention any by name. I don't know if you'll find anything, but if you do I'd be curious to see.

If anyone knows who Austin Wolf is, he's finally had his day of reckoning having been arrested for child porn.

The great Martin Mull has passed away. Personally, I loved him best from Roseanne and Clue. May he rest peacefully. https://variety.com/2024/film/news/martin-mull-dead-clue-arrested-development-1236057168/

This show will do anything but tell an actual story.

Something of Value (1957) - This awfully generic title has no business being put upon this striking, horrifying film about the Natives of Kenya fighting back against their colonizers. The movie doesn't waste time showing you the ugliness of racism, having to concede that Britain bought the land "fair and square." Sidney Poitier is overwhelmingly soul crushing in his performance, and Rock Hudson is a strong, beautiful lead. It's the film's heavy emotional stakes that keep you invested, especially the relationship between Hudson and Poitier's characters. The horrors of war are not shied away from, but shown even more brutally when in a more suburban setting. There's a raid scene where Wendy Hiller's character comes down the stairs bloodied that revolts you, but none more than the ending which makes you want to throw up, exasperated.

A one-hit wonder, but the song's chorus is one of those I randomly remember every now and again and it instantly takes me back to a certain, more innocent time being 11 years old when it came out. Shifty Shellshock, Crazy Town Frontman and ‘Butterfly’ Singer, Dies at 49