Movie Day.....

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From Milkman to Legend: The Triumphant Rise of Sean Connery - Born into modest beginnings in Edinburgh, Scotland, Sir Thomas Sean Connery rose to international fame as a defining figure in cinematic history. His portrayal of James Bond not only set a high bar for the franchise but also marked the inception of a style icon. Connery's career expanded beyond the spy series, showcasing his versatility across various genres. His journey from the rough streets of Edinburgh to the glamorous Hollywood hills is a testament to his enduring talent and appeal.
On August 25, 1930, Thomas Connery was welcomed into the world at the Royal Maternity Hospital, Edinburgh. Raised in a tenement at 176 Fountainbridge, the environment was far from luxurious. His mother, a cleaning woman, and his father, a factory worker and lorry driver, provided a humble, working-class upbringing.
From an early age, Connery was acquainted with hardship, yet his charisma and physical presence were evident. His teenage years were marked by a rapid growth spurt and various jobs, including a stint as a milkman, which gave him profound familiarity with Edinburgh's streets. His first significant challenge came at 16, when he joined the Royal Navy, only to be discharged three years later due to a duodenal ulcer.
After his military service, Connery's life took various turns from driving lorries to modeling at the Edinburgh College of Art. His handsome features and imposing physique caught the eye of the art community, but it was his venture into bodybuilding that inadvertently steered him towards acting. His participation in the 1953 Mr. Universe contest opened the door to his first acting opportunities.
By the late 1950s, Connery had begun securing roles in films and television, but it was his part in the London stage production of "South Pacific" that truly marked the beginning of his acting career. It was here that he began to hone his craft seriously, embracing the nuances of performance that would later define his career.
In 1962, Connery was cast as James Bond in "Dr. No," a role he was initially reluctant to accept due to the commitment it required. The film's success was explosive, and Connery's portrayal of the suave secret agent was pivotal in the character's pop culture status. Over the next two decades, he reprised his role in six more Bond films, including "From Russia with Love" (1963), "Goldfinger" (1964), and "Thunderball" (1965).
Connery's Bond was charismatic and steely, qualities that made the films box office hits and established him as a cinematic icon. Despite his association with Bond, Connery sought to diversify his roles to avoid typecasting, leading to collaborations with directors like Alfred Hitchcock in "Marnie" (1964) and Sidney Lumet in "The Hill" (1965).
As we delve deeper into the later stages of Connery's career, we find him not only continuing to challenge himself but also redefining his cinematic legacy with each role. In "The Man Who Would Be King" (1975), Connery starred alongside Michael Caine, delivering a performance that blended adventure with a poignant exploration of friendship and imperialism. Moving into the 1980s, his role in "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" (1989) saw him playing the charming yet eccentric father to Harrison Ford’s titular character, adding a delightful dynamic to the beloved franchise.
In 1996, Connery took on the role of a seasoned FBI agent in "The Rock," where his character's sharp wit and depth added layers to this high-octane action film. Finally, his portrayal of a reclusive writer in "Finding Forrester" (2000) showcased his ability to convey profound wisdom and vulnerability, proving that his acting prowess could command the screen in both action-packed and introspective narratives. 
Throughout his career, Connery earned an Academy Award, three Golden Globes, and a BAFTA among other accolades. His performance in "The Untouchables" (1987) won him an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2000 for his contributions to the arts and received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1999 for his impact on American culture.
Connery's personal life was as dynamic as his on-screen persona. Married to actress Diane Cilento from 1962 to 1973, they had a son, Jason Connery. Later, Connery married Micheline Roquebrune in 1975, a union that lasted until his death. His relationships and personal experiences often mirrored the complexity of the characters he played.
Sean Connery was more than just an actor, he was a symbol of style, resilience, and finesse. His death on October 31, 2020, marked the end of an era, but his legacy endures through his films and the countless memories he has left with fans around the world. His contributions went beyond cinema, touching on political and cultural realms, making him a true renaissance man.
Reflecting on Sean Connery's life, one is reminded of the sheer possibility of transformation. From a milkman to a celebrated Hollywood legend, his story inspires many to aspire beyond their apparent limits. How often do we limit ourselves by our beginnings, and how frequently could we reach the stars if only we dared to try? Connery's life story encourages us to dream big, work hard, and maybe, just maybe, leave a mark as enduring as his.

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David Charles Prowse, MBE (1935-2020), an English bodybuilder, weightlifter, and character actor in British film and television. He gained worldwide recognition for his portrayal of Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy, with James Earl Jones providing the character's voice. In 2015, he was featured in a documentary titled "I Am Your Father," focusing on his iconic role. Before becoming Vader, Prowse was known in British culture as the first Green Cross Code man, appearing in road safety advertisements targeted at children.

#starwars #behindthescenes #darthvader #davidprowse

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Francis Benjamin Johnson was born in Foreacre, Oklahoma on June 13, 1918. Born of Irish, Osage and Cherokee Indigenous ancestry, and the son of ranchers Ollie Susan and Ben Johnson, Jr. Oklahoma-born Ben Johnson was a true cowboy and horse wrangler that first made his way into Hollywood via providing horses to Howard Hughes for THE OUTLAW (1943). He realized he could make more money by stunt-doubling for many big stars of the 1930s and 1940s including: James Stewart, Randolph Scott, John Wayne, and Gary Cooper.

But it was John Ford that gave him his big break into acting. On the set of FORT APACHE (1948) while stunt doubling for Henry Fonda, an accidental moment forever changed Johnson’s career. While shooting, horses tethered to a wagon with three men inside suddenly stampeded. Johnson happened to be off-camera, awaiting in saddle upon his horse when he saw this, and he bolted into action. He chased the runaway wagon and saved those inside. Johnson’s quick thinking impressed John Ford and the director rewarded him. While Ben was grateful to get more stunt work, Jake Ford had a bigger offer in mind. Ford presented a contract to him- a 7 year acting contract for $5,000/week. Without finishing reading, he signed immediately.

Soon, no longer uncredited roles or only stunt work, Ben Johnson began speaking roles in films like THREE GODFATHERS (1948), SHE WORE A YELLOW RIBBON (1949), and WAGON MASTER (1950). Even Ford’s Argosy production company partnership with Merian C Cooper, with what Jack thought was just ‘a silly monkey movie,’ gave him a leading role early on in MIGHTY JOE YOUNG (1949).

There was a period of strain in the Johnson/Ford relationship when Ford didn’t cast him for over a decade, due to a verbal argument on the set of RIO GRANDE (1949) plus rumors of an unsatisfactory salary concern from THE SUN SHINES BRIGHT (1953). Ultimately, they remained friends and Johnson was cast in Ford’s CHEYENNE AUTUMN (1964).

Johnson took a slight detour from acting in 1953. True to his background, he returned to roping. Competing in the RCA (Rodeo Cowboys Association), he became the Team Roping World Champion. In 1979, he was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame: “I’ve won a rodeo world championship, and I’m prouder of that than anything else I’ve ever done.”

He continued his acting across film and television, working with the top actors and directors in Hollywood. But many audiences may know the plain-spoken actor more for the most award-winning role of his career- one that he almost didn’t take. Initially, Johnson turned down the “Sam the Lion” role in Peter Bogdanovich’s THE LAST PICTURE SHOW (1971). He was uncomfortable by what he thought was a “dirty” script with too much foul language. Bogdanovich appealed to John Ford to help persuade him. With the director’s approval, Johnson accepted the role on the condition he could re-write it himself; and removed the ‘offensive’ wording. Ben Johnson went on to be nominated and win many awards for this performance, including winning the BAFTA, the Golden Globe, and the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

Ben Johnson was an actor in over a hundred films- constantly working across every decade, from 1939 until his death from a heart attack, at age 77 years old in 1996. Ben’s death occurred while he was visiting his mother “Ollie” at the retirement community where they each lived.

Ben outlived his wife Carol of 52 years, by 2 years. Interestingly, his mom, “Ollie” outlived him. She died in 2000, at the age of 101 years old. He had been successful enough in his career to work continuously to the end. And he lived long enough to be honored with several accolades of his lifetime of work, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. To this day, he also has an amateur championship rodeo, a statue, and a museum in his namesake. Ben Johnson is buried at the Pawhuska City Cemetery in Pawhuska, Oklahoma.

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Wesley Snipes is reportedly being eyed to return as Blade for multiple films in Marvel's Multiverse Saga. 

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TREMORS was released on this day in 1990.

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35 minutes ago, RETIREDFAN1 said:

These gators having a field day during this cat 5 hurricane in Florida......lol....good movie.....

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34 minutes ago, RETIREDFAN1 said:

5 stars.....this is a really good movie......one of my coaching buddies grew up with them....we all went to visit Fritz while we were at Coaching School a couple of years before he died.....

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Has an actor ever gotten cast by accident?

In No Country for Old Men, there was a big casting mistake, and it ended up changing the whole movie. As the Coen brothers stated in Esquire years later:

“Our movie version of Cormac McCarthy's No Country for Old Men had Tommy Lee Jones in place -- no mistake there -- as a crusty west-Texas sheriff on the trail of a bad man to be played by four-time-Goya-winning Spanish sex symbol Javier Bardem. And to round out the cast we hired -- we thought -- rugged everyman Jim Brolin as Llewelyn Moss, the aging Vietnam vet caught in the middle.

Well, there were some red faces on the set the first day of shooting when Jim Brolin's son Josh showed up to play the part. Crossed wires, misunderstanding -- who knows what kind of snafu -- had resulted in our casting office offering the part to an actor who was patently thirty years too young. Talk about a boo-boo. In retrospect, this explained William Morris agent Michael Cooper's surprise on hearing we wanted his client for the coveted role. Too late now, though -- the contracts were all signed.

Well, that's show business. You roll with the punches. You make it work. How could Josh Brolin plausibly be a Vietnam vet? Simple: set the story in 1980 instead of the present day. A quick huddle with production designer Jess Gonchor and, bingo, we're a period picture. An offer goes out to Shia LaBeouf to replace Tommy Lee Jones as Brolin's (now young) counterpart. Shia passes, okay, we stick with Tommy Lee, and we make the best of a big age difference. You make it work.

Turns out the Brolin kid is not bad. Still, Jim Brolin. It could have been great.”

At the time, Josh Brolin’s career was kind of going nowhere and he wasn’t sure he wanted to keep acting. What a difference one casting error can make.

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42 minutes ago, RETIREDFAN1 said:

You do NOT want to swim here.....  

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8 hours ago, RETIREDFAN1 said:

Susan Backlinie, the stuntperson and actress who became the shark’s first victim in Steven Spielberg’s Jaws, has died. She was 77.

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6 minutes ago, RETIREDFAN1 said:

"For a country that doesn't allow it's citizens to keep arms, there sure are a lotta people getting shot."......