Journalist, critic, writer, and editor -- via the New York Times. An excellent newspaper man, I am particularly fond of his comprehensive two-volume biography of Eugene O'Neill, penned with his wife Barbara. (Louis Sheaffer's "O'Neill: Son and Artist" is the other great work on the life of the playwright.)
Interesting, overlooked, and significant obituaries from around the world, as they happen, emphasizing the positive achievements of those who have died. Member, Society of Professional Obituary Writers.
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Monday, May 19, 2014
Clarence "Cubie" Burke Jr.
Lead singer for the Five Stairsteps -- via NewsOne. As the "First Family of Soul," their big hit was "O-o-h Child."
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Gordon Willis
Oscar-winning cinematographer -- via Deadline. One of the 10 greatest directors of photography of all time, he was known as "The Prince of Darkness" for his dense, high-contrast textures. A beautiful artist -- here are but a few of his triumphs:
The Godfather
The Godfather II
Annie Hall
Manhattan
All the President's Men
Klute
Little Murders
Stardust Memories
The Purple Rose of Cairo
I saw the first screening of "Manhattan," the day it came out, in Manhattan. The opening sequence captures perfectly my first memories of the city, and still encapsulates everything I love about the greatest city in the world. Thanks, Gordon.
It is absolutely ridiculous that he never won an Oscar straight-out for his work. He was given the Honorary Award by the Governors of the Academy for his lifetime body of work in 2009. He's still way ahead of his time.
The Godfather
The Godfather II
Annie Hall
Manhattan
All the President's Men
Klute
Little Murders
Stardust Memories
The Purple Rose of Cairo
I saw the first screening of "Manhattan," the day it came out, in Manhattan. The opening sequence captures perfectly my first memories of the city, and still encapsulates everything I love about the greatest city in the world. Thanks, Gordon.
It is absolutely ridiculous that he never won an Oscar straight-out for his work. He was given the Honorary Award by the Governors of the Academy for his lifetime body of work in 2009. He's still way ahead of his time.
Hugh Martin
Composer, lyricist, arranger, and pianist --via the New York Times. Best know for his trio of hits for the film "Meet Me in St. Louis": "The Trolley Song," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," and "The Boy Next Door."
William Worthy
Journalist -- via the New York Times. Immortalized by Phil Ochs in "The Ballad of William Worthy," he persisted in going to places the U.S. State Department deemed he shouldn't go, to report on issues the U.S. government didn't want him to cover. So they revoked his passport. He went anyway.
Friday, May 16, 2014
Larry Ray Lubenow
Journalist who asked one question that changed history -- via WDAZ. Larry Ray Lubenow was a 21-year-old reporter at the Grand Forks, ND, Herald when Louis Armstrong came to town for a show on Sept. 17, 1957. His editor ordered him not to ask him about politics (this was two weeks after the Little Rock Nine, young black students, were barred from entering Little Rock Central High School). Lubenow ignored his editor's orders and asked Armstrong about the situation. Pops responded with a profanity-laced tirade against the United States government for not standing up to segregationist acts. The story blew up and circled the world. The racist outcry against Armstrong was massive; the wave of support was even stronger. Seven days later, 1,200 U.S. troops escorted the students into the school, breaking the back of segregation. It is held that Armstrong's widely read comments forced President Eisenhower's hand in the matter.
Here's the complete story, from the New York Times. If Lubenow hadn't asked his forbidden question, none of this might have happened. P.S. He got fired.
Louis Armstrong - Little Rock Nine from Andrew Cannizzaro on Vimeo.
Here's the complete story, from the New York Times. If Lubenow hadn't asked his forbidden question, none of this might have happened. P.S. He got fired.
Louis Armstrong - Little Rock Nine from Andrew Cannizzaro on Vimeo.
William Coughlin
Editor who led Pulitzer-winning expose of cover-up of contaminated drinking water -- via the New York Times.
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Selim Sesler
Clarinetist -- via Hurriyet Daily News. A remarkable player who fused Romani (gypsy) and Turkish sound.
READER: This week's stories on death, dying, and end-of-life issues
Here's another installment of my periodical accumulation of interesting Obit Patrol-oriented stories:
From Emma Courtland at the L.A. Weekly, a portrait of Caitlin Doughty, who hopes to become "the Millenial's Mortician"
From Matt Sedensky at AP, a feature story on a hospice nurse who faced the death of a loved one
From "The Wanderer in Zambia," a story of mourning and different cultures
From Sian Cain in the Guardian, young-adult fiction and death
From Tracy Rose in Liberty Voice: Constant arguing can kill you
From Andrea Oschetti for CNN, mourning for the fallen Sherpas of Nepal
From Before It's News, "Mortician Occupation Becoming Popular in China"
From Steve Fouch of the Christian Medical Fellowship: The need to talk openly about the end of life
From Messy Nessy Chic: The Paris Morgue -- from 1864 to 1907, it was "the first free theater for the people"
From Emma Courtland at the L.A. Weekly, a portrait of Caitlin Doughty, who hopes to become "the Millenial's Mortician"
From Matt Sedensky at AP, a feature story on a hospice nurse who faced the death of a loved one
From "The Wanderer in Zambia," a story of mourning and different cultures
From Sian Cain in the Guardian, young-adult fiction and death
From Tracy Rose in Liberty Voice: Constant arguing can kill you
From Andrea Oschetti for CNN, mourning for the fallen Sherpas of Nepal
From Before It's News, "Mortician Occupation Becoming Popular in China"
From Steve Fouch of the Christian Medical Fellowship: The need to talk openly about the end of life
From Messy Nessy Chic: The Paris Morgue -- from 1864 to 1907, it was "the first free theater for the people"
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