Patrick Swayze Died Today

Terrible news. Fox News just reported that actor Patrick Swayze lost his fight with pancreatic cancer today at the age of 57.

Swayze arrived on the scene in a big way in 1983, with a starring role in Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Outsiders.” Distinguishing yourself among the likes of Tom Cruise, Ralph Macchio, Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez and Matt Dillon in that film was no small feat. And while all would go on to enjoy very successful careers, none would star in “Road House” and “Red Dawn.”

My definition of a great actor is one who convinces in the role; one who doesn’t take you out of the story with all the tics and technique. By that standard Swayze never disappointed. A trained dancer, his physical abilities sold the action, his sincerity brought heart to the romance and a complete lack of pretension made him accessible — made him something that is all but extinct today: a real-live movie star.

Time is what creates the classic film, not critics or box office, and time has made clear that Swayze made a mark on cinema few might have expected twenty years ago. “Road House,” “Point Break,” “Dirty Dancing” and “Ghost” live endlessly on cable television and DVD players everywhere.  They are a immortal part of our culture and … they are Patrick Swayze movies.  (more…)

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Tags: "Black Dog", "Dirty Dancing", "Grandview U.S.A.", "Next of Kin", "Point Break"
Posted Sep 14th 2009 at 6:21 pm in Entertainment, News | 225050143 Commentshttp://bighollywood.breitbart.com/jjmnolte/2009/09/14/patrick-swayze-died-today/Patrick+Swayze+Died+Today2009-09-15+01%3A21%3A02John+Nolte

Larry Gelbart: An Appreciation

It was a little over 30 years ago that I first laid eyes on the remarkable Larry Gelbart.  The occasion was our high school’s 50th anniversary.  I had been selected to host the celebration in the auditorium.  It was also my duty to talk about what Fairfax High had been like when I was there during the 1950s.  It was Larry’s job to report on the 1940s.  As I recall, producer Mike Frankovich handled the 30s and singer Martha Tilton recalled the 1920s. Although I got to introduce Gelbart to the audience, we didn’t actually meet.

Several months later, in a weekly column I was then writing for the L.A. Times, I took exception to the constant trashing of TV.  For all its obvious faults, I pointed out that over the years TV, not Broadway, books or the movies, was the place to find the best comedy in America.  I went on to mention ten or twelve of the anonymous men most responsible for writing the funniest lines.  Naturally, Larry Gelbart was one of the names on my list. (more…)

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Tags: "Rough Cut", Larry Gelbart, MASH, mensch, obituary
Posted Sep 12th 2009 at 1:58 pm in Entertainment, Featured Story, News | 22377029 Commentshttp://bighollywood.breitbart.com/bprelutsky/2009/09/12/larry-gelbart-mensch/Larry+Gelbart%3A+An+Appreciation2009-09-12+20%3A58%3A06Burt+Prelutsky

Yesterday the World Lost a Great Man

OBITUARY                           August 27, 2009                     Ned Rice

The whole world suffered a terrible loss yesterday with the passing from cancer of a great American icon who overcame unspeakable family tragedies and his own alcoholism to become a legendary advocate for justice.  Born to privilege in a large and wealthy Irish Catholic family, he attended elite prep schools, served in the military, and after a family member’s murder devoted the rest of his life to social causes and fighting injustice wherever he found it.  This larger-than-life character’s quick wit and compelling speaking style made him a friend to all who knew him – even those of different political beliefs-and helped advance the many causes he believed in so passionately.

May you rest in peace, Dominick Dunne.   

OTHER DEATHS YESTERDAY:  Ted Kennedy           

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Tags: 2009, August 27, Catholic, Dominick Dunne, obituary
Posted Aug 27th 2009 at 10:57 am in Entertainment, Political Humor, Politics | 212534160 Commentshttp://bighollywood.breitbart.com/nrice/2009/08/27/yesterday-the-world-lost-a-great-man/Yesterday+the+World+Lost+a+Great+Man2009-08-27+17%3A57%3A53Ned+Rice

The Frank Capra of Gen X Has Died

Iconic filmmaker John Hughes is dead of a heart attack at 59.

Anyone who came of age in the 80s and early 90s can’t help but remember the John Hughes era thanks to the many, many hours of warm, hilarious and unforgettable memories that sprung from the great man’s Midwestern mind.

John Hughes: 1950-2009

As producer, writer and director, Hughes created timeless stories that teenagers and parents alike will continue to discover a hundred years from now. Rich in universal theme, populated with lovable, relatable outcasts, and told by a creative genius who understood us and never talked down to us, John Hughes enjoyed nearly two decades of Hollywood success before retiring to private life in Chicago sometime in the 90s.

Long before today, we were missing John Hughes. (more…)

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Tags: Andrew Breitbart, chicago, Christmas Vacation, Deat at 59. Some Kind of Wonderful, John Hughes
Posted Aug 6th 2009 at 3:35 pm in Classic Hollywood, Featured Story, News | 20131874 Commentshttp://bighollywood.breitbart.com/bighollywood/2009/08/06/john-hughes-has-died/The+Frank+Capra+of+Gen+X+Has+Died2009-08-06+22%3A35%3A37Big+Hollywood