In Memoriam: Van Johnson

Beloved movie star Van Johnson died Friday in New York at the age of 92. Millions of moviegoers will remember his likeable all-American personality from a career that spanned six decades. Although he played a lot of dramatic roles, as pictured in the screen shot above from The Last Time I Saw Paris, he was also a superb singer and dancer. The clip below is from one of my favorite I Love Lucy episodes; in real life Lucille Ball and Van Johnson were old friends, having known each other on Broadway before they made it big in Hollywood.

A side observation: I always wondered if he might be gay. (I once briefly dated a former actor who looked a lot like Johnson.) It appears that he was, though like Rock Hudson, a convenient marriage was arranged for him by studio brass anxious to preserve the heterosexual image of one of their big-box-office stars. Pity.

Well, let's remember this greatly talented guy at the height of his fame. Here he is with Lucy, who was no slouch at dancing herself, from the episode "The Dancing Star," 1955:

In Memoriam: Rocky

FIDELISSIMUS

Requiescat in Pacem

I was not a dog person until I met Rocky, who outlived two masters and was my most faithful, most loving companion in grief, in darkness, in sunlight, and in joy. I may not have done much with my life, but this much I can say: I took care of our little dog. As promised. Gone a year today; I will miss him every day I live.

For all who mourn a very special friend:

The Rainbow Bridge

"Go Rest High on That Mountain": Madelyn Payne Dunham, 1922-2008

From the Texas prairie, my deepest sympathies to Barack Obama and his sister on the loss of their grandmother, Madelyn Payne Dunham, affectionately called "Toot," who loved them, raised them, and went as far down the road of life as she could with them. How ironic, how tragic for her to die on the eve of the election, at the beginning of what will surely be the next and grandest stage of her grandson's life - and perhaps of the life of the nation.

Somehow I am reminded of Dr. King's speech the day before he died so tragically in Memphis:

Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.

"Toot" is up on that mountain now looking down on her boy. Blessings on them both.

On a personal note, she was born the same year as my own mother, now long since gone to her rest. In memory of all those we love but see no longer, I offer a song by Vince Gill:

Rest in Peace: Paul Newman

Legendary movie star hunk Paul Newman has died, leaving behind many wonderful memories of a life well lived, on screen and off.

In addition to supporting many charities and philanthropic organizations in the course of his film career that spanned more than half a century, Newman and wife Joanne Woodward were early supporters of gay rights. In 1971, the couple sent a donation to the fledgling Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance in Washington, D.C.

Some years later, Newman was quoted as saying, "I'm a supporter of gay rights. And not a closet supporter either. From the time I was a kid, I have never been able to understand attacks upon the gay community. There are so many qualities that make up a human being... by the time I get through with all the things that I really admire about people, what they do with their private parts is probably so low on the list that it is irrelevant."

In the video clip above of an early screen test, Newman and another legendary actor, James Dean, share a bit of campy humor: "Kiss me." "Can't here."

My condolences to Ms. Woodward and all who loved him.