February Star OF The Month-Charles Durning

 

CHARLES DURNING

BIRTH: February 28, 1923

DEATH: December 24, 2012

AGED: 89 years

DIED FROM: Natural Causes

NICKNAME: Charlie

MARRIED: Twice

CHILDREN: 3 children

FAMOUS FRIENDS: Burt Reynolds

OSCAR WINS: none

OSCAR NOMINATIONS: Twice- The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas-1983 and To Be Or Not To Be-1984

TALENT: Ballroom dancing. His adeptness in acting

KNOWN FOR: his bravery and valour in WW2. His Privacy, his genial and helpful nature towards everyone.

This man was one prolific actor who appeared in many films, TV series and Broadway winning a Tony, Golden Glove and nominated for an Emmy 9 times, no small feat for an actor kicked out of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts for having no talent. Thankfully, he forged ahead, not listening to the so-called experts, and became one of the most respected and well-liked actors and men of his craft. He could play drama and comedy with equal aplomb making laugh every time he was on “Everybody Loves Raymond” as the priest who must deal with the Ramone family.

This actor came from a family of 10 children but, sadly, 5 of his sisters died from Scarlett Fever or Small Pox 3 in the span of 2 weeks. Honestly, I don’t know how his mom dealt with such loss, nor his dad. His dad died when he was 13 leaving his mom to run the family. Durning was always a fighter but with twinkle toes because he taught ballroom dancing at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in New York City! Yes, he was a professional ballroom dancer who caught the acting bug and got his break in Burlesque. From there, he worked he was to Broadway, onto TV and films. To say he was busy would be an understatement and he loved it. After his first marriage failed, he met up with his high-school sweetheart, marrying her and enjoying this second act. Sadly, they did separate in 2010 but remained married until he died.

War Hero!!! He never gave up and his bravery and luck got him through some of the most hellish experiences during World War 2. He was in the D Day invasion and was the only one from his unit to survive the landing on Omaha Beach. He was shot in the hip and leg( several times) where he convalesced for 6 months learning how to walk again. He pleaded, several times, to be released so he could join his unit in Belgium, but was told “No!” He left anyway and joined his unit in Belgium and fought in the Battle of the Bulge where he had hand to hand combat with a German soldier who stabbed him 8 times with his bayonet. Durning still found the strength to find a rock and kill the soldier with the rock.  Shortly after this, he was captured by German Waffen SS. 90 U. S. Soldiers were marched by the German SS to Malmedy where they were grouped in a field only to be machine gunned down! The Malmedy Massacre is an infamous moment with only 3 survivors, Charles Durning was one of them. Durning mentioned he fell on to the bodies of his comrades faking death. I could not find more information how he survived the rest but, he did recuperating from all his wounds in a hospital until 1946. He took Ballroom dancing to strengthen his his and leg from the injuries he sustained. He did suffer from PTSD for years and  rarely spoke about his experiences. Later in life, he worked on behalf of the Legion promoting the valour of the soldiers in all wars. 

He received the Silver Star, The Bronze Star, 3 Purple Hearts, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle-Eastern Campaign Medal with Arrowhead Device, 2 Bronze Service Stars and World War 2 Victory Medal. He also received the Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Bade with Rifle Bar, Honourable Service Lapel Pin and, from the French, The Legion of Honour but, in 2008.

FILMS

1. Tootsie-1982

2. The Muppet Movie-1979

3. The Sting-1973

4. Queen of the Starduxt Ballroom-1975

5. North Dallas Forty-1979

6. True Confessions-1981

7. Dog Day Afternoon-1975

8. Tough Guys-1986

9. The Hindenburg-1975

10. Sharky’s Machine-1981

11. O Brother, Where Art Thou-2000

12. Dick Tracy-1990

Many TV Shows as a guest star including one from NCIS as a war veteran which I must see now.

1. Evening Shade with Burt Reynolds-1990-1994

2. Family Guy-199-Present

3. Everybody Loves Raymond-1998-2002

4. Rescue Me-2004-2011

Nuremberg

 

It was World Holocaust Day this past Tuesday which coincides with the liberation of Auschwitz Concentration Camp by the Red Army( The Soviets). No words can express the horrors that had occurred to the millions of Jewish people as well as the the Romani (Gypsys), homosexuals, the mentally and visually handicapped and, like my Grandfather, Germans who opposed the vile regime. Despite morons who claim this never happened, it did and we should never, ever forget and we should visit one memorial, camp or museum that showcases these horrors. I am going to discuss 3 films that are all about the Nuremberg Trials that took place between 1946 to 1949.

1. JUDGEMENT AT NUREMBERG-1961

This, to me, is THE film about the Nuremberg trials that stars a ton of famous stars from Spencer Tracy as a presiding judge, Marlene Dietrich as a General’s widow, Maximillian Schell as the defense attorney, Richard Widmark as the prosecuting attorney, Montgomery Clift and Judy Garland as witnesses, Burt Lancaster as a defendant and other actors including William Shatner as an assistant to the judge. We follow the judge who must oversee this latest trial( there were 12) and wants to understand how the German people could follow such ruthless and disgusting thugs that ended up ruling and ruining a country. Burt rarely talks in this film, except near the end and you remember him. Judy Garland is in this film for a few minutes but she gives a stellar performance and one that lasts with you. It is one of the first films to show actual footage of the holocaust victims. This is a film to be studied and applauded.

2. NUREMBERG-2000

This is a docudrama, in a 2 part TV movie, produced mainly by Canadian TV, that stars Alec Baldwin as the main prosecutor with Brian Cox as Herman Goering along with Christopher Plummer and Max Von Sydow as a judge and lawyer. It is a film I watched back in 2000 but would love to revisit because it sticks to the real facts of the case. It’s a shame that so many people find history boring because by reading and watching  films like this may prevent something like this to happen again…and it can happen again. Alec Baldwin is excellent as the prosecuting attorney and Brian Cox is brilliant as the evil F@#” Goering.

3. NUREMBERG-2025

My hubby and I just watched this film this past weekend and I just don’t understand why it is not up for ny Academy Awards. Russell Crowe, who is really that fat, plays Goering bringing nuances to this person that is hard to do because he brought some, should I even say it, humanity to someone who is a psychotic, narcissist murderer. Just when you feel, like the psychiatrist portrayed by Rami Malek, that Goering has human qualities, you see his evil and how well he could manipulate anyone he comes across. I had no idea that a psychiatrist played an integral part in this famous trial and how this psychiatrist found that these psychos are/were normal joes who turned into monsters and that it can happen to anyone. I believe this film, with its not too subtle message considering the Thugs in the Oval Office right now, has been purposefully rebuffed from any awards show by the executroids because they have been bought/ cajoled by the regime in the U. S. Right now. Sadly, I can see it here, in Canada, my country which I will always defend. I love this movie and Richard E. Grant is superb as the British lawyer who saves the day. 

Have you seen any of these films? What do you think?

Which Song Won The Oscar- 1979

 

1979 is an interesting year for movies. You have the Muppets, politics and Sally Field ditching her flying nun and Smokey characters  portraying a tough gal asking for a union. The music is pretty damn good so I chose 1979 for your guesses on which song won the Oscar, which was nominated  and which got nadda plus I'm joining Monday Music Moves Me.

1. IT GOES LIKE IT GOES SUNG BY JENNIFER WARNES

This is from the film, "Norma Rae" which stars Sally Field as a woman who works in a plant and realizes the workers are getting the shaft. This song wasvwritten by David Shire with lyrics by Norman Gimbel. 

2. THE ROSE SUNG BY BETTE MIDLER

This is a famous song written by Amanda McBroom, sung with amazing depth by the great Bette Midler for the film, The Rose."

3. THE RAINBOW CONNECTION SUNG BY KERMIT THE FROG

This great song was written by Paul Williams and David Ascher for the film  "The Muppet Movie." The voice is by Jim Hensen as Kermit the Frog and is another famous song we all love. 

So which song won the Oscar, which was nominated and which one came up with nuttin' honey?

January Happenings

 

I was thinking, always dangerous, what events happened in January and, quite a bit to be honest. I decided to think of movies that correlate with the event in January and here we go…

1. ZULU-1964

This stars a young Michael Caine as an arrogant British officer, stationed in Africa, who must defend their stronghold against the Zulus  who have decided to squish the British into dust. Much to the Zulu’s disbelief, the small band of soldiers give all they have to defend their small area winning the Zulus’ respect. I could have seen this film many times but just never felt the pull to see this. I’m glad I finally did because it is so well done. The acting, cinematography, direction is all superlative and the writing is sure to grab you and build the tension between the 2 armies.

2. A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS-1966

Good ole Henry the 8th is married but without a male heir. He notices the young and very attractive Anne Boleyn and soon his loins are wanting every inch of her…he was a pig after all. The problem? He’s already married and the church doesn’t like to see divorce, so Hank Baby is in a pickle. He asks his good friend, Sir Thomas More to side with him so he can be all horned toad with poor Anne but Thomas will not hear of it. Thomas believes in his convictions and will not budge ending with imprisonment and his head. Henry and Anne end up marrying in January but to what, end does it mean? Paul Schofield won an Oscar as Sir Thomas More, deservedly so, and Richard Burton plays the dashing king ( before the King’s excesses won out creating a Bloated jerk with syphilis).

3. THE TAKING OF PELHAM, ONE , TWO, THREE-1974

The first subway was in London in January in the late 1800s, but this takes place on a grubby NYC subway where 3 men take over this one subway and request money or else a person will die each hour..I think it’s an hour. The tension is strong with superlative acting by Robert Shaw as head of the gang and Walter Matthau as the head of the traffic. It’s so interesting how each person has to make their small parts carry and it does. It is so worth seeing without young hunks and barbies acting as if they are normal human beings. It's intelligently written and grips you from beginning to end.

Any films you can think of where the event took place in January?

January Is Not Over Yet

 

Over at Curious As A Cathy, The Monday Music Moves Me is all about January. You can go by new beginnings, the history of this month, the wolf moon or just tht it is the double F…F%&@Ing Freezing. I do love the glitter of the snow like diamond dust and, when you walk, it feels like one is walking on powdered sugar. I so enjoy it, for now, ask me in March and you will get a different answer…lol. Here are the songs I have chosen..

1. SONG FOR A WINTER’S NIGHT SUNG BY GORDON LIGHTFOOT-1967

I love Gordon Lightfoot who is a Canadian icon and this song, about love, lost love, seems to suit this month since people are already bemoaning what a long winter we are having. Get ready, because we still have February and the dreaded March which has a bag of mixed weather tricks.

2. HAZY SHADE OF WINTER SUNG BY SIMON AND GARFUNKEL-1966

I love Simon and Garfunkel even if they can’t stand one another, they just harmonize so beautifully together. This is another great song that Paul Simon wrote.

3. WHITE WINTER HYMNAL SUNG BY FLEET FOXES-2008

I never heard of this improv folk band from the States until recently ( another blogger posted it on their site and I forgot who…I am so very sorry but thank you for introducing them to me) and I love the way they sound. I will hear more when I get the chance.

Bonus…

JUNE IN JANUARY SUNG BY JULIE LONDON-1956

I do love Julie London who sings like velvet all steamed up and ready to mingle. This was written by Ralph Rainger and Leo Robin. It’s from her album, “Calendar Girls.” 

What songs make you think of January?

Who Should Have Won The Oscar

 

The year of the movies was 1990 when Dances With Wolves was the big winner ( I am going by the year the films came out, not the year of the Oscars). Despite people hating this film, I still like it very much( except when the dastardly S.O.B.‘S  kill the wolf...I can't see that scene..hurts too much). I am one of a few who just can't stand Goodfellas. I hate Ray Liotta's laugh and the whole film just makes me want to take a shower. It's repellent to me. I know, I’m one of the few. One film that didn't get much love at all was Edward Scissorhands and it should have been up for more Oscars including Best Original Screenplay.

1. EDWARD SCISSORHANDS

Edward Scissorhands should have one Best Original Screenplay because it is such an original fairy tale using the Frankenstein thinking but in a completely unique way. Dianne Wiest, who should have been up for Best Supporting Actress, is an Avon lady who decides to drive way up to this dilapidated castle where she meets a Dr. Caligari type “ monster” with scissors for hands. He is gentle but lonely so she decides to bring him home to live with her and her family, which includes her teen daughter, played by Winona Ryder. All the neighbours are curious about this scarred up young man including the local nympho who lets Edward cut her hair. He becomes the next best thing creating amazing hairdos along with great artistic pieces from neighbourhood bushes. The only one who can’t stand him is the girl’s boyfriend.  The art direction is superb and seeing Vincent Price in a sympathetic role as his “dad” just is the cherry on the top. It should have been up for Best Picture and Best Score, even though I like Dances with Wolves score a Smidget better, but it’s all apples and oranges. Johnny Depp met Winona n the set and they became an item to the degree that he had her name tattooed on his arm. Of course, it didn’t work out so he changed his tattoo which now says Wino Forever.

2. GHOST

This film won Best Original Screenplay and…it shouldn’t have even though I love the movie. I think most of us have seen this film about a loving husband and wife when their lives are destroyed when he is murdered in a mugging. Of course, she is devastated but her dead husband is unsure why he is still roaming the streets. He happens onto a place where, it is claimed, this chick can talk to the dead. He wanders in and starts to laugh at the tactics that are being done to fleece the widows only to find out this gal hears him! Whoopi Goldberg was brilliant as the criminal who can hear the dead, for real. He enlists her help to talk to his wife, who does not believe her…at first. The story takes a dark turn when he finds out he was deliberately murdered for knowing too much and he has placed his wife in harm’s way. It is a sweet love story even though Demi Moore’s character could have been played by just about anyone. It’s a great story but it’s not as original as as Edward S. I always hope that Patrick Swayze is watching over his beloved wife and dancing with her when she is dancing. ( He could really dance and they met while dancing). 

3. ALICE

There was a time that just about every year, Woody Allen was nominated in the Best Original Screenplay category before he had an affair with his step-daughter, the adopted daughter of Mia Farrow and Andre Previn, bringing an end to their marriage and creating  a very vicious and public break-up. I mean, he didn’t do himself any favours when he left Mia for this girl whom he had known since she was, I think, 12 yrs old…maybe younger. This film stars Mia in a boring marriage who longs for some excitement and finds it via her dreams etc.. Woody Allen is brilliant in writing and creating complex characters who all may need a therapist, he should know since he has been going to one for decades. 

Avalon, Green Card and Metropolitan were the other films up for this award. I’ve seen Green Card and not quite sure it should have been here. It’s nice but no match to the others. 

What about you, do you agree with me, agree with The Academy or would you choose another?

Friendship

 

I believe today is the day of friendship and my friend, Loretta and I, have been friends for over 40 years…crazy! The 80s do not seem to be 40 years ago, but it is…I find that wild.  I’m posting 3 songs about friendship and these are songs that came into my head right away. I’m joining Monday Music Moves Me which is freebie week. 

1. FRIENDSHIP SUNG BY LUCILLE BALL AND VIVIAN VANCE-1953

Loretta loves, I mean, Loves, Lucille Ball and who doesn’t?! This song, written by Cole Porter, was used in this episode to great effect when Lucy and Ethel sing this song together with great affection. This changes when, they show up at the benefit wearing the same dress. Jealousy ensues and mayhem takes the form of each gal slowly destroying the other gals’ gown.

2. THE WAY OLD FRIENDS DO SUNG BY ABBA-1979

I played this song for my friend who thought it was a bit sombre, aka, for funerals….she is wrong, of course, because I always think of Loretta and myself when I hear this song. I think it’s one of the most beautiful from this quartet.

3. WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS SUNG BY JOE COCKER-1969

This is just iconic as is Joe Cocker’s style when singing. This is a great song that I love listening to and never tired of. I believe John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote this song for their band, you know…the Beatles. 

What songs can you think of or, at least, what song makes you think of your best friend?