sixties

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STARLET HALL OF SHAME

A few blogs ago I bashed Hanoi Jane and added her to my list of 60s starlets I-love-to-hate. I had an inquiry about the other 3 actresses mentioned and why I personally dislike them so here is my all-in-fun personal “bitchy” opinions:

Diane Baker – To me, she is one of the blandest most boring actresses from the decade to reach leading lady status. No range whatsoever. Despite this she is sooo full of herself that she teaches acting classes. When one of her 60s contemporaries heard this, she remarked incredulously, “What credentials does she think she has to teach? They might as well have hired a hamster.”

Jill St. John – Of all the actresses I have interviewed that worked with her all but one said she was unkind to them on the set and described her as a witch and that is one of the nicer terms used.

Stefanie Powers – Beautiful? Yes. Deserving of her stardom? No. She never had a memorable movie role and in my opinion gives the same performance in everything she does.

On the positive side, starlets of their ilk that I love-to-love include Carol Lynley, Pamela Tiffin, Anjanette Comer, Tina Louise, Joanna Pettet, Nancy Kwan, Stella Stevens, Julie Newmar, Marianna Hill, Raquel Welch, and Ann-Margret.

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THE MORNING AFTER

That’s right last night me and about 50 other lucky folks got the pleasure to see The Poseidon Adventure on the big screen in an ass-kicking mint print. The movie looked phenominal and still holds up to this day. The new Poseidon will of course outdo the original in the special effects department (though I still get goose bumps in the scenes where the SS Poseidon turns over-Hold on Linda!) but from the trailers I’ve seen none of the characters seem to be as memorable as in the original. Ernest Borgnine and Stella Stevens are simply terrific as the battling but loving Mike and Linda Rogo; Shelley Winters was well-deserving of her Oscar nomination as the fat Jewish lady, Belle; and Carol Lynley gives the film’s most poignant performance as the terrified and helpless pop singer, Nonnie. Gene Hackman as the group’s blustery leader Rev. Scott and Roddy McDowall as the injured steward Acres (never noticed his cute butt before, but I digress) also are effective.

It was a dream come true for me to finally see The Poseidon Adventure in a movie theatre. I have to thank my boyfriend Ern (despite his wisecracks about my Carol Lynley as Nonnie) who not only told me about the screening, he trekked with me out to Brooklyn to see it.

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MORE DVD NEWS

In June Fox is releasing special editions DVDs of Valley of the Dolls (1967) and Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970) both camp classics and chock full of 60s starlets. Though both these films run constantly on the Fox Movie Channel in a letterbox format the DVDs will feature some great extras most notably the failed auditions of starlets who vied for the roles and came very close to snagging a part: Laura Devon and Lara Lindsay in Valley and Claudia Jennings and Anne Randall in Beyond the Valley. Plus audtion tapes from Barbara Parkins she took the blue pills, Sharon Tate she took the red pills, and Judy Garland she took any pill in sight.

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OFF STARLET TOPIC

About two Saturday’s ago, a 20 year old NYU student named Broderick
John Hehman was killed when fleeing from a pack of young thugs who
allegedly assaulted and tried to rob him. Being a New Yorker you become jaded from these senseless deaths but this one has haunted me to this day.

Mr. Hehman (who loved NYC and wrote his musings about it on a web site called WiredNewYork.com) had just emerged from the subway at 125th St. and was walking to his friend’s place when allegedly a group of 5 punks jumped him and tried to steal his cell phone. He broke free and while trying to circle back to the subway station (probably to get help) was surrounded by the group. He darted into the street to escape and was hit by a car. He died a few days later. I felt so badly reading this because it hits so close to home. A few times during my 15 years living in NYC I found myself crossing streets, changing subway cars, making detours to escape rowdy kids due to their dress or looks or skin color. Afterwards I felt guilty and silly about it and want to think they were just out for fun, which I am sure most were. Unfortunately for Mr. Hehman he ran into a pack who were out to do harm.

The amazing thing about this case are all the teachers and friends who have written to the judge praising the alleged culprits as “good kids.” I do not know what these people have been smoking but in my book “good kids” don’t jump innocent people, pummel them, and try to steal their cellphone. There is only one good kid in this mess and his name was Broderick John Hehman. I hope the judge does not forget that