We’re sad to report that Rod Taylor has passed away at the age of 84.
Variety revealed the somber news that Rod Taylor died from a heart attack yesterday in Los Angeles. Horror and science fiction fans remember Taylor from his lead role as Mitch Brenner in Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds, his turn as author H. George Wells in The Time Machine (based on the novel of the same name), his portrayal of Lieutenant Colonel Clegg Forbes in the “And When the Sky Was Opened” episode of The Twilight Zone, and his co-starring credit in 1956’s World Without End. In 2007, Taylor played “Doc” in the Sci Fi Channel’s Kaw, another film about deadly birds.
Taylor also led an all-star cast in Young Cassidy, had key roles in the Doris Day films Do Not Disturb and The Glass Bottom Boat, and played Winston Churchill in Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds...
Variety revealed the somber news that Rod Taylor died from a heart attack yesterday in Los Angeles. Horror and science fiction fans remember Taylor from his lead role as Mitch Brenner in Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds, his turn as author H. George Wells in The Time Machine (based on the novel of the same name), his portrayal of Lieutenant Colonel Clegg Forbes in the “And When the Sky Was Opened” episode of The Twilight Zone, and his co-starring credit in 1956’s World Without End. In 2007, Taylor played “Doc” in the Sci Fi Channel’s Kaw, another film about deadly birds.
Taylor also led an all-star cast in Young Cassidy, had key roles in the Doris Day films Do Not Disturb and The Glass Bottom Boat, and played Winston Churchill in Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds...
- 1/9/2015
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
People.com is reporting that actor Rod Taylor died Wednesday at the age of 84 of natural causes.
His daughter Felicia Taylor, a former CNN correspondent, confirmed the news Thursday.
“My dad loved his work. Being an actor was his passion – calling it an honorable art and something he couldn’t live without,” she said in a statement.
“He once said, ‘I am a poor student sitting at the feet of giants, yearning for their wisdom and begging for lessons that might one day make me a complete artist,” she continued, “ ‘so that if all goes well, I may one day sit beside them.”
Born on Jan 11, 1930 in Sydney, Australia, Rod Taylor is best remembered for his starring roles in Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds (1963) and George Pal’s The Time Machine (1960). He also provided the voice of Pongo in Disney’s 101 Dalmatians (1961). Taylor also starred in TV’s “The Twilight Zone...
His daughter Felicia Taylor, a former CNN correspondent, confirmed the news Thursday.
“My dad loved his work. Being an actor was his passion – calling it an honorable art and something he couldn’t live without,” she said in a statement.
“He once said, ‘I am a poor student sitting at the feet of giants, yearning for their wisdom and begging for lessons that might one day make me a complete artist,” she continued, “ ‘so that if all goes well, I may one day sit beside them.”
Born on Jan 11, 1930 in Sydney, Australia, Rod Taylor is best remembered for his starring roles in Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds (1963) and George Pal’s The Time Machine (1960). He also provided the voice of Pongo in Disney’s 101 Dalmatians (1961). Taylor also starred in TV’s “The Twilight Zone...
- 1/9/2015
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Chris Murray proposes an ingenious plan to help fund local screen productions with the naughty dollar.
It has recently come to light that the Hungarian government has some innovative ideas for supporting their local film industry. By introducing three different taxes, our European friends plan to channel funds into local productions and ailing art house cinemas.
The first tax would apply to local porn websites; another, a three per cent tax on multiplex tickets, to funnel into art house exhibition; and finally a general 20 per cent tax break on foreign productions.
According to Variety, the latter has so far generated a Us$98 million injection into the local economy via the miniseries World Without End, The Borgias and feature film 47 Ronin starring Keanu Reeves. This is on top of income from Brad Pitt’s Us$125m budgeted zombie flick World War Z which is currently shooting in the Hungarian capital, Budapest.
It has recently come to light that the Hungarian government has some innovative ideas for supporting their local film industry. By introducing three different taxes, our European friends plan to channel funds into local productions and ailing art house cinemas.
The first tax would apply to local porn websites; another, a three per cent tax on multiplex tickets, to funnel into art house exhibition; and finally a general 20 per cent tax break on foreign productions.
According to Variety, the latter has so far generated a Us$98 million injection into the local economy via the miniseries World Without End, The Borgias and feature film 47 Ronin starring Keanu Reeves. This is on top of income from Brad Pitt’s Us$125m budgeted zombie flick World War Z which is currently shooting in the Hungarian capital, Budapest.
- 11/22/2011
- by Brooke Hemphill
- Encore Magazine
Filed under: TV News
The new miniseries 'World Without End,' sequel to 'Pillars of the Earth,' is beefing up its cast.
Signing on to the project are 'Sex and the City' star Cynthia Nixon, along with Oscar nominees Miranda Richardson ('Rubicon') and Peter Firth ('Mi-5'), according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The eight-hour drama will begin shooting soon on location in Hungary, Slovakia and Austria.
In other TV news ...
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The new miniseries 'World Without End,' sequel to 'Pillars of the Earth,' is beefing up its cast.
Signing on to the project are 'Sex and the City' star Cynthia Nixon, along with Oscar nominees Miranda Richardson ('Rubicon') and Peter Firth ('Mi-5'), according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The eight-hour drama will begin shooting soon on location in Hungary, Slovakia and Austria.
In other TV news ...
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- 6/29/2011
- by Jean Bentley
- Aol TV.
Andy Bell may have left Popstar to Operastar this week, but he left impressed with Joe McElderry, calling him brave to come out so young. He says he left the cute young singer his number if he ever needed anything.
And here we see firefighters free a kitten from a pipe. But how do we know kitteh wasn't trying to blow up the water plant as part of some evil plan?
Cynthia Nixon is among the cast for the miniseries World Without End, the sequel to Pillars of the Earth. Honestly, I remember parts of the book, mostly the plague, but something nags at me that there was a gay angle somewhere.
The New York Times, basking in marriage equality, asks Where is Mr. Obama?
The Supreme Court struck down a law that restricted the sale of violent video games to children, claiming it was protected speech and there was...
And here we see firefighters free a kitten from a pipe. But how do we know kitteh wasn't trying to blow up the water plant as part of some evil plan?
Cynthia Nixon is among the cast for the miniseries World Without End, the sequel to Pillars of the Earth. Honestly, I remember parts of the book, mostly the plague, but something nags at me that there was a gay angle somewhere.
The New York Times, basking in marriage equality, asks Where is Mr. Obama?
The Supreme Court struck down a law that restricted the sale of violent video games to children, claiming it was protected speech and there was...
- 6/28/2011
- by Ed Kennedy
- The Backlot
Could Tony Soprano be the next Michael Scott?
That’s perhaps what the folks over at NBC were hoping when they recently met with The Office fan James Gandolfini. Alas, Variety hears that unfortuantely (or not?) the former HBO mob boss just wasn’t interested in joining Dunder Mifflin’s ranks on a full-time basis. Of course, James Spader is now the front-runner to come aboard the sitcom in the wake of Steve Carell’s exit.
Ready for more of today’s TV dish? Well…
• One Life to Live fan fave Erin Torpey is returning to Llanview before the ABC sudser signs off in January.
That’s perhaps what the folks over at NBC were hoping when they recently met with The Office fan James Gandolfini. Alas, Variety hears that unfortuantely (or not?) the former HBO mob boss just wasn’t interested in joining Dunder Mifflin’s ranks on a full-time basis. Of course, James Spader is now the front-runner to come aboard the sitcom in the wake of Steve Carell’s exit.
Ready for more of today’s TV dish? Well…
• One Life to Live fan fave Erin Torpey is returning to Llanview before the ABC sudser signs off in January.
- 6/27/2011
- by Megan Masters
- TVLine.com
Madison Gate Records has announced a soundtrack release for the action horror thriller Priest. The album includes Christopher Young’s original score from the film. The score was recorded with 83 piece orchestra and a 32 member choir. The album will be released tomorrow, May 10 and is available to order as an on demand CD-r on Amazon. To download the score, visit Amazon or iTunes. Also check out audio clips from all tracks on the album below. Priest is the first collaboration between Young and director Scott Charles Stewart and stars Paul Bettany, Cam Gigandet, Maggie Q, Karl Urban, Lily Collins, Stephen Moyer and Christopher Plummer. The 3D film will be released on May 13, 2011. For more information on the project, visit the official movie webpage.
Here’s the soundtrack track list:
1. Priest (3:26)
2. Eclipsed Heart (3:34)
3. I Have Sinned (5:07)
4. Blood Framed Hell (3:52)
5. Sacrosanct Delirium (7:44)
6. Never One for Love (2:38)
7. Faith,...
Here’s the soundtrack track list:
1. Priest (3:26)
2. Eclipsed Heart (3:34)
3. I Have Sinned (5:07)
4. Blood Framed Hell (3:52)
5. Sacrosanct Delirium (7:44)
6. Never One for Love (2:38)
7. Faith,...
- 5/10/2011
- by filmmusicreporter
- Film Music Reporter
HBO, Tandem & Scott Free Team for Cinemax Crime Series The Sector, about Genetically Enhanced Humans
HBO, Tandem Communications and Scott Free Productions are developing an action-crime series to run on Cinemax. The one-hour series is "in the vein of Blade Runner/District 9" and "tracks the commander of a paramilitary unit who pursues a dangerous new race of genetically-enhanced humans." Criminal Minds's Simon Mirren will serve as exec-producer and showrunner for the project, from writer-creators Aaron Benay and Matthew Benay. Tandem is also behind Ken Follett's Pillars of the Earth series, which also has a follow up series in the works with Scott Free, based on Follett's World Without End.
- 4/1/2011
- Thompson on Hollywood
Interviewed by Jessie Lilley
And just what is a “Renaissance Man” anyway? No, I’m not referring to the Voyager episode and I’m also not talking about the Penny Marshall film. In this context, the term Renaissance Man is defined as a person who excels at many different endeavors: the guy can do a lot of stuff and he does it all quite well. Such a one is the subject of this interview.
Larry Blamire first came across my radar when he and I were both living in Hollywood. I was at a private screening in the home of a friend of mine and he rolled a film called The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra. I was transfixed. What a delightful way to spend some time; laughing yourself silly. I immediately found a way to contact this man as I wanted to know what makes him tick.
It’s now years later and,...
And just what is a “Renaissance Man” anyway? No, I’m not referring to the Voyager episode and I’m also not talking about the Penny Marshall film. In this context, the term Renaissance Man is defined as a person who excels at many different endeavors: the guy can do a lot of stuff and he does it all quite well. Such a one is the subject of this interview.
Larry Blamire first came across my radar when he and I were both living in Hollywood. I was at a private screening in the home of a friend of mine and he rolled a film called The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra. I was transfixed. What a delightful way to spend some time; laughing yourself silly. I immediately found a way to contact this man as I wanted to know what makes him tick.
It’s now years later and,...
- 3/23/2011
- by Jessie
- FamousMonsters of Filmland
Medieval drama brought to the screen by Ridley and Tony Scott set to feed TV viewers' hunger for historical epics
When the Emmy-award-winning television series Rome went out on BBC2, the public appetite for togas, sandals and bloody sword fights staged on the small screen became clear. High-production values combined with historical detail and romantic intrigue proved winning ingredients. Can Ridley Scott now perform the same trick with Ken Follett's bestselling novel The Pillars of the Earth, about the Middle Ages?
An eight-part mini-series to be broadcast on Channel 4 next week is to attempt to convert the success of Follett's 1989 hit, set in 12th-century England, into television gold. The TV saga, made for £25m by Scott and his brother Tony in collaboration with a German production company, stars a crowd of British actors, bedecked in sackcloth and gold belts. Rufus Sewell, Matthew Macfadyen, Ian McShane, Sarah Parish and...
When the Emmy-award-winning television series Rome went out on BBC2, the public appetite for togas, sandals and bloody sword fights staged on the small screen became clear. High-production values combined with historical detail and romantic intrigue proved winning ingredients. Can Ridley Scott now perform the same trick with Ken Follett's bestselling novel The Pillars of the Earth, about the Middle Ages?
An eight-part mini-series to be broadcast on Channel 4 next week is to attempt to convert the success of Follett's 1989 hit, set in 12th-century England, into television gold. The TV saga, made for £25m by Scott and his brother Tony in collaboration with a German production company, stars a crowd of British actors, bedecked in sackcloth and gold belts. Rufus Sewell, Matthew Macfadyen, Ian McShane, Sarah Parish and...
- 10/9/2010
- by Vanessa Thorpe
- The Guardian - Film News
More Mipcom news
Cannes -- The international drama market used to be as American as apple pie. This year, however, Europe is serving up a hearty portion of big-budget, English-language, talent-heavy fare that's bringing a new flavor to the global small-screen plate.
Financed by a rainbow coalition of international investors and often with top-tier U.S. cast and showrunners to sweeten their international appeal, such fare is squarely aimed at eating up primetime terrestrial and cable slots in multiple Euro markets.
Take "Borgia." As Mipcom kicked off Monday, production began the same day on the 15th century drama from Lagardere's Atlantique Prods. and U.S. cabler Starz and financed by France's Canal Plus and Germany's Eos.
The 12-hour series inevitably will be pitted against a similarly themed project being produced and aired stateside by Showtime ("The Borgias") and licensed here by sister company CBS Studios International.
Whereas a decade ago...
Cannes -- The international drama market used to be as American as apple pie. This year, however, Europe is serving up a hearty portion of big-budget, English-language, talent-heavy fare that's bringing a new flavor to the global small-screen plate.
Financed by a rainbow coalition of international investors and often with top-tier U.S. cast and showrunners to sweeten their international appeal, such fare is squarely aimed at eating up primetime terrestrial and cable slots in multiple Euro markets.
Take "Borgia." As Mipcom kicked off Monday, production began the same day on the 15th century drama from Lagardere's Atlantique Prods. and U.S. cabler Starz and financed by France's Canal Plus and Germany's Eos.
The 12-hour series inevitably will be pitted against a similarly themed project being produced and aired stateside by Showtime ("The Borgias") and licensed here by sister company CBS Studios International.
Whereas a decade ago...
- 10/5/2010
- by By Rebecca Leffler and Mimi Turner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
"The Event"
When Sean Walker begins investigating the mysterious disappearance of his fiance, he stumbles upon a conspiracy that begins with his shadowy father-in-law and extends all the way to the White House. Directed/exec produced by Jeffery Reiner ("Friday Night Lights"), "The Event" features a host of small-screen veterans, including Jason Ritter ("Parenthood"), Laura Innes ("ER"), Scott Patterson ("Gilmore Girls") and Blair Underwood ("Dirty Sexy Money").
NBC Universal International Television Distribution
"Camelot"
Currently shooting at Ireland's Ardmore Studios, this romantic adventure presents a historically authentic retelling of the classic King Arthur legend. When King Uther is poisoned by his own daughter, his legitimate but publicly unknown son, Arthur, must succeed the king and return greatness to the Castle Camelot. Led by "New Moon's" Jamie Campbell Bower as King Arthur, this Irish-Canadian co-production also stars Joseph Fiennes ("Shakespeare in Love") as Merlin, Eva Green ("Casino Royale") as Morgan, Claire Forlani...
When Sean Walker begins investigating the mysterious disappearance of his fiance, he stumbles upon a conspiracy that begins with his shadowy father-in-law and extends all the way to the White House. Directed/exec produced by Jeffery Reiner ("Friday Night Lights"), "The Event" features a host of small-screen veterans, including Jason Ritter ("Parenthood"), Laura Innes ("ER"), Scott Patterson ("Gilmore Girls") and Blair Underwood ("Dirty Sexy Money").
NBC Universal International Television Distribution
"Camelot"
Currently shooting at Ireland's Ardmore Studios, this romantic adventure presents a historically authentic retelling of the classic King Arthur legend. When King Uther is poisoned by his own daughter, his legitimate but publicly unknown son, Arthur, must succeed the king and return greatness to the Castle Camelot. Led by "New Moon's" Jamie Campbell Bower as King Arthur, this Irish-Canadian co-production also stars Joseph Fiennes ("Shakespeare in Love") as Merlin, Eva Green ("Casino Royale") as Morgan, Claire Forlani...
- 9/28/2010
- by By Rebecca Leffler
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Berlin -- Channel 4 has picked up U.K. broadcast rights to the 8-hour miniseries "The Pillars of the Earth," the adaptation of Ken Follett's epic bestseller, from Germany's Tandem Communication.
The U.K. was one of the few major territories still unsold for "Pillars," which has already been picked up by pay player Starz Entertainment in the U.S., Pro7 in Germany, CBC in Canada and Hungary's TV2 among others.
Starz will premiere the series this summer. Channel 4 is set to follow later in the year.
"Pillars" is a story of the struggle of good vs. evil set against the backdrop of the building of a cathedral in 12th century England. Directed by Sergio Mimica-Gezzan ("Heroes"), the $40 million mini features Ian McShane, Matthew Macfadyen, Rufus Sewell, Eddie Redmayne, Hayley Atwell and Donald Sutherland among its huge cast.
"I might be prejudiced, but finding the right network for 'Pillars' in the U.
The U.K. was one of the few major territories still unsold for "Pillars," which has already been picked up by pay player Starz Entertainment in the U.S., Pro7 in Germany, CBC in Canada and Hungary's TV2 among others.
Starz will premiere the series this summer. Channel 4 is set to follow later in the year.
"Pillars" is a story of the struggle of good vs. evil set against the backdrop of the building of a cathedral in 12th century England. Directed by Sergio Mimica-Gezzan ("Heroes"), the $40 million mini features Ian McShane, Matthew Macfadyen, Rufus Sewell, Eddie Redmayne, Hayley Atwell and Donald Sutherland among its huge cast.
"I might be prejudiced, but finding the right network for 'Pillars' in the U.
- 6/10/2010
- by By Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Cannes -- The big deals were missing, the parties low-key and you could always find a free table at the Carlton Hotel. "Quiet" and "cautious" were the words most used to describe the global television market as Cannes confab MIPTV wrapped up Thursday. But after the system shock of the recession, which battered broadcasters from London to Laos, there were signs this MIP that the international TV biz is bouncing back.
"Last year it was dead, there was no real business. This time we are actually closing deals. It's nice to see people singing paper again," said Robert Kennedy, evp of non-fiction programming at Fireworks International, whose hot sellers include doc-series "Wildlife Rescue" and the new CW reality show "Fly Girls."
Attendance was flat on 2009, a Miptv many considered the worst in a decade. Just 11,500 made the Mip trip this year. But some 4,000 buyers from 106 countries were among them, a slight uptick.
"Last year it was dead, there was no real business. This time we are actually closing deals. It's nice to see people singing paper again," said Robert Kennedy, evp of non-fiction programming at Fireworks International, whose hot sellers include doc-series "Wildlife Rescue" and the new CW reality show "Fly Girls."
Attendance was flat on 2009, a Miptv many considered the worst in a decade. Just 11,500 made the Mip trip this year. But some 4,000 buyers from 106 countries were among them, a slight uptick.
- 4/15/2010
- by By Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Cannes -- Starz is teaming with Ben Silverman's production and distribution outfit Electus to co-develop and co-finance two new series for the U.S. pay player: the medieval period drama "William the Conqueror" and a modern-day action thriller, "Peace Keeping."
Starz chairman and CEO Chris Albrecht announced the two new projects during his Miptv keynote speech Monday, saying they exemplified the kind of internationally-packaged productions Starz would be pursuing in the future.
"William the Conqueror" focuses on the famous French ruler who, in 1066, led the last successful invasion of the British Isles. Pierre Morel, the French-born director of "Taken" (2008) and "From Paris With Love," will take the creative lead on the project and will likely direct the pilot as well as overseeing development of the entire series. Albrecht said "William" would look at the period "just before and just after" the 1066 invasion.
"Peace Keepers" is set at the United...
Starz chairman and CEO Chris Albrecht announced the two new projects during his Miptv keynote speech Monday, saying they exemplified the kind of internationally-packaged productions Starz would be pursuing in the future.
"William the Conqueror" focuses on the famous French ruler who, in 1066, led the last successful invasion of the British Isles. Pierre Morel, the French-born director of "Taken" (2008) and "From Paris With Love," will take the creative lead on the project and will likely direct the pilot as well as overseeing development of the entire series. Albrecht said "William" would look at the period "just before and just after" the 1066 invasion.
"Peace Keepers" is set at the United...
- 4/12/2010
- by By Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Chicago – Turner Classic Movies continues their collection of some of their greatest films in four-movie sets, three of which were recently released and distributed by Warner Brothers Home Video under the label “Turner Classic Movies: Greatest Classic Films Collection” with sub-labels of “Romance,” “Marx Brothers,” and “Sci-Fi Classics”.
Blu-Ray Rating: 4.0/5.0
The gigantic partnership that has released dozens of classic films in themed groups continues a series that serves to satisfy both serious film buffs and casual fans who may just be starting to build a library of classic films.
The latest three installments in the “Greatest Classic Films Collections” features a set timed well to Valentine’s Day and two collections of classics that never grow old.
TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection: Romance was released by Warner Brothers Home Video on February 2nd, 2010.
Photo credit: Warner Brothers
The “Romance” edition of the “TCM Greatest Classic Films Collections” features timeless stars like Natalie Wood,...
Blu-Ray Rating: 4.0/5.0
The gigantic partnership that has released dozens of classic films in themed groups continues a series that serves to satisfy both serious film buffs and casual fans who may just be starting to build a library of classic films.
The latest three installments in the “Greatest Classic Films Collections” features a set timed well to Valentine’s Day and two collections of classics that never grow old.
TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection: Romance was released by Warner Brothers Home Video on February 2nd, 2010.
Photo credit: Warner Brothers
The “Romance” edition of the “TCM Greatest Classic Films Collections” features timeless stars like Natalie Wood,...
- 2/17/2010
- by BrianTT
- HollywoodChicago.com
The weekend’s here. You’ve just been paid, and it’s burning a hole in your pocket. What’s a pop culture geek to do? In hopes of steering you in the right direction to blow some of that hard-earned cash, it’s time for the Fred Weekend Shopping Guide - your spotlight on the things you didn’t even know you wanted…
(Please support Fred by using the links below to make any impulse purchases - it helps to keep us going…)
Cut down in its prime by a network that didn’t understand the greatness it was letting slip away (Hello, BBC!), The Peter Serafinowicz Show (Channel 4, Not Rated, Region 2 DVD-£19.99 Srp) was fully appreciated by its dedicated fans (I’m one of them) and has since become an internet viral phenomenon as its sketches have been globally disseminated. In fact, it was via Twitter that...
(Please support Fred by using the links below to make any impulse purchases - it helps to keep us going…)
Cut down in its prime by a network that didn’t understand the greatness it was letting slip away (Hello, BBC!), The Peter Serafinowicz Show (Channel 4, Not Rated, Region 2 DVD-£19.99 Srp) was fully appreciated by its dedicated fans (I’m one of them) and has since become an internet viral phenomenon as its sketches have been globally disseminated. In fact, it was via Twitter that...
- 2/7/2010
- by UncaScroogeMcD
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