"My name is Lewis...Lewis Dixon."

Another of my favorite actors has passed away.  Bradford Dillman, a handsome actor who could portray a good guy or a villain.  I remember him in two films, Francis of Assisi and Escape from the Planet of the Apes.

He was not a major Hollywood star, but he was a fan favorite to anyone who saw his films.  

He brought to the screen such a genuine feeling of joy and innocence to the role of St. Francis.  He co-starred with Dolores Hart, who is now a professed religious.    The movie was not the best Hollywood biopic about a saint, but it did influence me in finding out more about him as a child.  Dillman's performance was devout and wonderful.

In Escape from the Planet of the Apes he portrayed animal psychologist Lewis Dixon who befriends the apes from the future, Cornelius and Zira.  Kind and sensitive and exactly how a person who devotes a life to the study of animals was his portrayal; much like St. Francis.  He made a great pairing with Natalie Trundy as the human counterparts of the the apes.

He did portray white collar villains in other films and TV, but I shall always remember Bradford Dillman as a kind-hearted, wonderful human being.  Rest in peace and thank you for entertaining all of us!

So Long

It is hard to believe that one of the funniest men in the entertainment world has died at the age of 63.  Robin Williams made us laugh and even cry.  His films ranged from hysterical to thought provoking to mysterious.  I will remember him as the alien Mork on the sit-com Mork and Mindy.  His Holocaust dramatic film Jakob the Liar showed how this funny man could handle serious subject matters.  And his wonderful Patch Adams showed a nobleness and humor in the medical profession.

He leaves us a wonderful entertainment legacy.  Thank you Robin Williams for the laughter; our world will miss you!

Gone Too Soon

I was introduced to Whitney Houston by a third grader back in the 1980s.  She wanted me to play a song, but it was a time when lyrics were starting to be daring and bold and a bit racy.  So, I said no.  She pleaded that it was clean and her voice was great.  Still, I declined.

Eventually, I did listen to her first album and was enthralled and discovered a new favorite singer.  Her music was even a welcome addition in the aerobics classes I attended.  

As time progressed, this young singer also demonstrated the desire to act in motion pictures.  The Bodyguard, The Preacher's Wife and a remake of Rodgers and Hammersteins's Cinderella...films that the some critics did not favor.

Again, in time, she eventually married Bobby Brown.  And in my opinion, that marriage was the start of her downward spiral.  I firmly believe she did not imbibe in alcohol or drugs.  She became an addict.  She had her ups and downs; her comebacks.  She had a daughter.

Forward to 2012, February 12th.  I am cooking dinner and around 7:45 in the evening.  The radio is on and Carel, the talk show host, is talking about a celebrity who apparently has died.  I had no idea who it was until Carel mentioned her name.  For a few minutes I was flabbergasted.  Gone was that voice.  Gone was that actress.  48 years of age.  I could only imagine what the cause was.

She will be missed and remembered for her music...not her addictions.  Everyone has demons in their closets, but everyone is remembered for something nice.  She will be remember for her voice.  And for beautiful smile.  RIP Whitney.  You will always be loved!!

What Can I Say About You Dear Brother?

On Friday July 8th, 2011 I lost my brother Roger quite unexpectedly.  My brother Roger is the 2nd eldest, after Sergio.  I have a sister, Veronica and then there is me.  My siblings have another mother, but that's another story.  I don't consider them "half" siblings- they are my siblings.  Our childhoods were so radically different- I did not grow up with them.  I'd see them on weekends or as life pushed on, at weddings or family functions.
Roger grew up in the 60s and enjoyed the music of the times.  He even played guitar in a rock and roll group, Lucky and the Charmers.  He was a Viet Nam veteran.  His tour of duty there was tremendous and affected him, as many of our vets.  It was something where he saw death and injuries on a a daily basis.  In 1969 we lost our father, Cesar.  That affected my brother as well.
He married a wonderful woman, Gloria, and together created a beautiful family...my adoring niece Julissa, my silly and funny niece Christina, and my three nephews: Ulysses, Andrew and Lorenzo.  Lorenzo just graduated high school.  These kids have grown to love and somewhat know me.  All this because of Roger and Gloria.
I don't want to go into detail about what led to his death.  Roger was a hard worker and wanted nothing but the best for his family.  He loved his brother Sergio and sister Veronica and me.  Really, words cannot describe this man.  He was deeply spiritual- learning from all the major faiths, from life, and from the people he would meet.  He spoke his mind and would defend his point of view.  Lectures were a dear part of his life.  As I see it, he wanted everyone to lead a good life as best as they could.
He loved to read and amassed a collection of books on practically any subject.  He loved his homeland, Nicaragua and was even planning to retire and live there.  Some dreams cannot come true, but he embodied the spirit of Nicaragua through his conversations and love of music.
My brother may be gone, but I can see him vividly in Gloria, Julie, Christina, Ulysses, Andrew and Lorenzo.  God bless my sister-in-law and nieces and nephews.  I will miss you, brother, and though we saw each other few times a year, you will live in my heart and memories.

"I accept the nomination..."

And again the nation mourns another icon...this time it is not Hollywood but the political world.  Today Geraldine Ferraro passed away at the tender age of 75.  She was the Democratic party's first woman candidate for Vice President, to run with Walter Mondale.  Of course, the Republican opponents won by a major landslide (Ronald Reagan and the first Bush).

This nomination opened the door for such women as Hillary and even Ms. Palin.  Other nations have had women presidents and prime ministers, but our nation is afraid to let leadership be guided by a woman.  Her story will definitely make a great Hollywood biopic.  She was not born with a silver spoon, worked hard to get where she got.

May she rest in peace.

Elizabeth Taylor

And yet another Hollywood icon, superstar...legend enters immortality.  This morning at 6 AM the news mentioned the passing of Elizabeth Taylor.  Perhaps one of the most beautiful faces to ever grace the screen, she died at the age of 79.

My first full length film of hers was CLEOPATRA, a film I saw at the old Stonestown Theatre.  On TV I saw one of her films, Doctor Faustus, in which she co-starred with her then husband, Richard Burton.

She was an amazing actress, but more important, a great role model in social causes.  She donated and supported AIDS related foundations.  

Her life was often ridiculed, scandalized, talked about.  I don't think she ever uttered anything bad about the people who surrounded her, especially in Hollywood.  

I know that she had a familiar face and it will be missed, not only by Hollywood, but her many adoring fans.

She was adept in all forms of drama, but she made the world laugh in an episode with Lucille Ball and the infamous diamond given to her by Richard Burton.

Rest in peace, dear one.

Love You Jodi

I've lost two friend that I have never met physically...last year it was Heinz Bunger and today I was informed that Jodi Turner Crivello passed away last night.  Like Heinz, it was a heart attack.

I met Jodi on Face Book.  I was playing a game about Broadway songs and she just made comments, chatted and we hit it off immediately.  She was involved in theatre as an actress and stage manager.  One of her greatest joys was portraying Miss Hannigan in Annie and having one of her daughters as one of the orphans.  Her knowledge of theatre was fantastic and she had friends touring in national companies as either actors or in a backstage craft.  

Her other loves were her Pekes.  She recounted the story that her great grandmother had worked in Buckingham Palace as a maid and one Christmas Queen Victoria gave the staff Pekingese dogs.  So, the dogs you see in the picture come from a royal lineage!

Of course, her husband and children were important as well.  Jodi never had an unkind thing to say, unless it was about Glenn Beck or Sean Hannity.  Her political views were very liberal.  The world needs more people like Jodi!

So, rest in peace my dear friend.  I always referred to her as my twin sister...it's just that our parents were separated at birth!  Life can be so unkind taking away those we hold dear, but they remain alive in our hearts and memories.

Blanche Devereaux Gone But Not Forgotten

Another of our "golden girls" is gone to heaven.  Rhue McClannhan went to her heavenly reward last week.  Not having internet access right now makes posting difficult.
I remember seeing her in the 70s on Maude with Bea Arthur; she portrayed her best friend.  Later in the late 80s, The Golden Girls introduced the world to her irreverant, yet fun "woman of the world" Blanche Devereaux.  Her behaviour proved that women over 50 can be active in many ways...wink wink!
Later, she portrayed a hilarious Reverend Mother Regina in Nunsense and Nunsense II: The Second Coming.  She could sing, dance and speak with a great Irish brogue.  And her portrayal of a teacher in Starship Troopers made us aware that there was life after a teleseries.
It's amazing how the stars of television become a part of our lives; I think moreso than movie stars.  They are "intimately" with us making us laugh, cry, argue on a weekly or daily basis.  And they never grow old.  They are alive in our hearts and cure us of our blues.  Thank you Rhue for giving joy, laughter and "a good time."

Another TV Icon...Gone

Popular televison luminary, John Forsythe, passed away at the age of 92.  He's best know for two roles he created- the voice of "Charley" on Charlie's Angels and as the patriarch on the popular drama Dynasty as "Blake Carrington."  He had a melifluous voice and was handsome.  As a child, I remember him on Bachelor Father.  Hopefully his legacy will live on as young people discover/re-discover his performances.  RIP, John Forsythe.

Rest In Peace Dear Heinz

It's funny how people come into our lives and  friendships develop.  Who would of told me back in 2006 that whilst in a chatroom on AOL I would meet and become a friend with this incredible gentleman?  Penpalships are not supposed to last long, but we wrote each other faithfully on a weekly basis.  Heinz Bunger, born after WWII in Germany; immigrated to the United States where he worked at the Copley Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts.
In his emails I learned how thirsted for knowledge of the WWII years, as growing up in Germany, children were discouraged to ask about those years.
While working in Boston, he would meet luminaries from the world of politics, sports and entertainment.
Upon retiring he moved to Florida.  As I said, we met in an AOL chatroom and became good friends.
He was thrilled to learn that in the summer of 2006 I was beginning to learn German, his native language.  He'd write to encourage and not give up.  Let me tall you- German is not an easy language.  But Heinz helped me with my attempting and mangling of his language.
He loved amusement parks; had season tickets to Busch Gardens in Florida and loved to ride the roller coasters.
Sadly, his life came to an end due to a heart attack.  He was taking care of a roommate who is dying- he's actually in hospice care and morphine.  The last email from him mentioned friends we meet and how we develop what becomes love...not the mushy, sexual, etc. type...but love between friends.  I got the feeling that he worried about living alone; he's at rest now.  Last year he had complications with the prostate.  I never met him physically nor even chatted on the phone- just chats online.  But he became a wonderful friend and I will miss his emails lots.  Oh, his favorite character was the Hallmark "Maxine."
Rest in peace, meine freund.

¡Adios Tia Teresa!

En mayo de 1969 fallecío mi papá Cesar Pérez.  En su funeral llegue a saber que tenía otras tias más que mi tia Moncha y Chela.  Llegue a conocer a mi tia Teresa, la cumiche de la familia Pérez.  Durante el novenario conocí a su hija, Linda, mi prima. ¿ Qué puedo decír de esta señora que casi conocí.?  Era muy amable y amigable conmigo en las pocas ocasiones que nos vimos.  Es tarde de retroceder el tiempo...pero nunca tarde en re-establecer la amistad familiar con mi prima y su famila simpática.  En varias maneras ella me recuerda a mi mamita Olimpia y tia Luisa- mujeres sencillas, llenas de vida y con un graduado en vida.  Esta entrada en el blog es dedicada a mi bella prima Linda.

In May 1969 my father Cesar Perez died.  At his funeral I learned that I had other aunts besides my Aunt Moncha and Chela.  I got to meet my Aunt Teresa, the baby of the Perez family.  During the novena I met her daughter, my cousin Linda.  What can I say about this lady that I hardly knew?  She was very amiable and friendly with me at the few family affairs where we saw each other.  It is too late to turn back time, but never too late to re-establish the family frienship with my cousin Linda and her beautiful family.  After hearing the various eulogies at her Rosary, she reminded me of my own mom, Olimpia, and Aunt Luisa.  Women who loved unconditionally and shared their love with their family.  Linda, the way our cousins talked abour your Mamita, well, I can see she raised you in the same way.  Your demeanor and smile definitely are your Mamita's!  Again, I wish I could have been more a part of your lives, especially hers.  Know that you are thought of and loved and in prayers; not just mine but those of my students- 26 of them!!

Today you asked if I wrote something down, well I did and I would like to share this with the world!  God bless you and your family.  Hugs to them all!

People come into our lives...we meet them and sometimes we lose contact with them.
But, we remember them because of what they said and did in our lives.
Some people just talk; 
Thanks to those people who come into our lives and do something worthwhile
A piece of them is with us...in the words from LES MISERABLES
TO LOVE ANOTHER PERSON IS TO SEE THE FACE OF GOD
I believe Tia Teresa saw God on a daily basis

For the Big Fisherman

Yet another Hollywood icon has passed away.  Jean Simmons.  My introduction to her was the traditional Easter Sunday showing of The Robe back in the 60s on the ABC TV network.  She played "Diana" - Richard Burton's love interest in the film.  Looking back, Miss Simmons definitely defined grace, class, and beauty.  Truly something that is lacking somewhat in Hollywood today.  Of course, after The Robe, I saw her in many other notable films...Black Narcissus, Guys and Dolls, Spartacus, and even an episode of Star Trek- The Next Generation.  She also play the Collins family matriarch in the 1991 remake of Dark Shadows.  Little by little we are losing those men and women who made films we now calls "classics."  If you are not familiar with Jean Simmons, and love the movies, take time to check out her films.  Thank you Miss Simmons.

You Are Now in Heaven and On Earth

The world has lost another great actress, Jennifer Jones.  My introduction to her was in the film The Song of Bernadette.  She was in her late teens when she auditioned and got the part of the young peasant French girl who had visions of the Mary.  She was a quintessential example of innocence in that film.  Of course, in later years she'd play a variety of roles- truly a versatile actress.  I am going to have to check more of her films.  Her role in The Towering Inferno with Fred Astaire was the last film I saw her in at the old Alexandria Theatre in SF.  She was truly a class act.  I don't think we'll see the likes of her again.  She was an original.  A lady.  Rest in peace, Jennifer.   And now you can actually see her and converse with her.

The Charity of Christ Crucified Urges Us On

Her name was Sister Louise Camous, D.C. She was my principal. Last Friday evening, around 9:45 she passed away after a long, turbulent and painful ordeal with cancer. She was my principal for the school year 2008-2009 and she was starting her mission this year, but her body and superiors decided she should take a medical leave. She was not doing well and was on oxygen. The last time I saw her was on Saturday the 10th of October. She looked exhausted, but was pleased to see me and another co-worker from the school.

She was a tough cookie to work for. A professional at all times, strict, a sense of humor, and a deep spiritual devotion to God and her religious community. We became friends, much to the "bad mouthing" of my close co-workers. It hurt a lot to see people close to me referring to me as a kiss ass. Everyone would be quiet when I entered the room, thinking I'd snitch. That's not me and Sister Louise knew what was going on. My co-workers will never understand why she and I became friends. I like to talk to people; be friendly. And I do sign a piece of paper called a contract and must do everything I sign on for. Loyalty can get you into trouble, but who cares! My mother always said if I signed something, to keep my name clean. But, as usual, I digress.

Sister Louise believed in me, I suppose. I started using computers in the classroom, with my notorious WebWednesdays, wherein the kids would do webquests or research. As long as everything in the curriculum was covered, my classes could do work on the computers. She loved the use of technology in the classroom. She wanted her teachers to grow professionally and beyond the textbooks. After all, we are in the 21st century!

One more thing. She accepted a distant relative, who is in my class now. Apparently another school did not like her test scores, and Sister Louise said that we did not operate like that. We give a child the chance to do his or her best; that's why we're here- to help children who are struggling, not like other schools who want the creme de la creme. The day she accepted her, I saw the spirit of Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac in person.

I will miss her somewhat sarcastic jokes; her knowledge of science fiction movies and her lesson plan checks. I only worked with her for a year, but I made a friend, among many in her community. She is at peace now, and I am sure a new guardian angel for my school.

If you've ever seen The Trouble With Angels towards the end, when Sister Ligouri passes away and Rev. Mother reacts- well, that's how I feel at this moment.

Rest In Peace, Sister Louise!

Three More

Three more notable celebrities have entered immortality. Ellie Greenwhich, composer and lyricist from the 60s; penned some of the most beloved anthems of that time such as Chapel of Love, River Deep Mountain High. The Broadway musical Leader of the Pack used her songs to tell her story.

Dominick Dunne, author of crime dramas; he was also the father of actor/director Griffin Dunne and the late Dominique Dunne. She portrayed the eldest daughter in the first Poltergeist film.

Senator Edward M. Kennedy. The last of the Kennedys who spent a lifetime in service to our nation in the Senate. Who can forget his eulogy for this brother Robert- showing composure. The Kennedy family is the closest thing our nation has to a royal family.

Three incredible people from different walks of life. They remain with us in their songs, stories and political victories and defeats. May their lives inspire us to reach our full potential know that even though we are not celebrities, we do make a difference to those who love and surround us.

One last note...my sincere condolences to the family of my blog pal, Yellow Rose, on the loss of her mother, Mrs. Cardwell. I didn't know her personally, but my blog pal would recount stories of this mother, wife and amazing human being. Rest in peace, Mrs. Cardwell, Ellie, Dominick and Ted.

And that's the way it is

Walter Cronkite passed away today at the age of 92.  He was an excellent journalist.  Growing up in the 60s he was a visible feature as he reported the news.  Oh, the history he saw and reported.  He actually shed tears but remained professionally composed when he was reporting the assassination of John F. Kennedy.  I guess he could be considered "America's grandfather" as he knew how to maintain calm in a stressful situation.  His voice was articulate; if anyone would record the history of civilization, his would have been the voice to choose.  Future broadcasting students should study his news reports and listen to his delivery.  He was and will always be a living textbook in the area of broadcast journalism.

Avert Your Gaze, Mr. Lucas!

These last two weeks have been full of celebrity obituaries, the majority of them overshadowed by the death of Michael Jackson.  Today I learn of the passing of Mollie Sugden, better known to American audiences as "Mrs. Betty Slocombe" on the hilarious British comedy, Are You Being Served?  Mrs. Slocombe was a flamboyant clerk in the women's deaprtment of the fictional Grace Brothers department store.  She had different colored hair in almost every episode; could be graceful and eloquent and could make a sailor blush...at the same time!  Mollie Sugden captured this character to a tee.  Oh...and the double entendres.  The first time I heard her say "Mr. Ackbar, can you look through the keyhole of my apartment and check if my pussy is resting" I just about died from laughing.  In future episodes we learn the name of the infamous pussy, Tiddles.  This show was an ensemble comedy show, yet each character was funny, even the supporting cast.  I think you hardly see this in American comedies, where the supporting actors are funnier than the leads.  She was in her 80s and now joins her other co-workers in the great department store in the sky...Wendy Richards (Miss Brahms) and John Inman (Mr. Humphries).  The show is a staple on the various PBS stations in the United States or you can get the episodes on DVD or the silly movie version.  I know this show has a major following and we all mourn the passing of this beloved, great comedienne.  Lucille Ball would be proud of her!!!

If You Believe...

Who would have thought...a few hours ago remembering Farrah Fawcett.  And now, the King of Pop is gone, as well.  Age 50.  The world will mourn his passing.   Thank you for sharing your talents with us.  Rest in peace.  No matter what tribulations you went through, it  just reminded us that you were just as human as the rest of us.  Thank you for the music!

Charlie's Angel

And yet another American icon has become an angel.  Farrah Fawcett-Majors, as she was once known, was a scintillating sex-symbol of the 70s.  When the TV series Charlie's Angels made its debut in the 70s, three young women would capture the imagination of not only young teens in search of pin-ups, but a nation who wanted to see what perils these young investigators would get caught in.  And who were these gorgeous women?  Kate Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, and Jaclyn Smith.  The only angel I was familiar with was Kate Jackson, as she was a character on the Gothic soap opera Dark Shadows.  Farrah and Jaclyn were relatively new to me.  But of the three, Farrah Fawcett would become the most recognized.  My cousin Rudy had posters of her all over his room and of course his t-shirt with her face emblazoned on it.  Her poster was as popular as my growing up pin-up idol, Raquel Welch, in her dinosaur-pic costume.  And Farrah would attempt the silver screen.  She played a somewhat "ditsy" attendant at the New You Shop in the science fiction film Logan's Run and helps Logan and Jessica in their dilemma.  Her tour-de-force performance, was in The Burning Bed in which she portrays a very abused wife.  Paul LeMat is the abusing husband, and he gets his just desserts.  She deservedly earned an Emmy nomination for this performance.  This made-for-TV film showed us she could act well in situations many women could relate to.  I wish I could say I was a big fan of hers, but I did like the work she did.  Learning of her illness was sad, and then reading of her passing...well, she is now at peace.  

Heeeeeeeeere's Johnny!

Yet again another American icon has gone to his heavenly reward, Ed McMahon.  A lot of us grew up watching him as Johnny Carson's sidekick.  Their banter was at times, pardon the pun, heavenly hilarious.  He was a man of many talents- actor, TV show host, contest spokesman.  He had a particularly, in my opinion, gravely voice...a certain timbre to it that made it recognizable.  I cannot write more about this man, as I did not follow him faithfully, but I had to write a brief entry about a man who did play an important part in American entertainment.  He will be missed.  If you ever watch re-runs of Alf watch for the episode when Alf dreams he is Johnny Carson's replacement for a night, and how Ed and Alf interact is priceless.