Peter Falk...Memories of a kind-hearted actor! Oh, just one more thing!

I, along with many others in the industry, was saddened by the news that well-respected actor - Peter Falk - passed to spirit over the weekend.

Mr. Falk was best-known for his delightful characterization of "Detective Columbo" which he fleshed out with distinctive style on the long-running highly-rated drama series.

However, Falk was also blessed with a remarkable multi-faceted career which spanned several decades.

In one of his early television appearances (a just-blossoming medium) Falk drew rave notices (and snapped up his 1st Emmy Award) for an off-beat portrayal of a truck driver on the ever-popular "Dick Powell Show".

The compassionate actor, born in New York City in 1927, was quite adept on the boards also.

On the heels of being cast as a bartender in "The Iceman Cometh" - talent scouts took notice - and there was no looking back for the humble thespian.

Shortly thereafter - two plum roles in the medium of film landed him Oscar nominations for Best Supporting Actor - "Murder, Inc." and "A Pocketful of Miracles" respectively.

But, "Columbo" was the character that made the reluctant star a household name around the country.

While the weekly mystery series was in production, I was cast in a cameo role for one episode which featured a plot line that focused on the fascinating realm of the paranormal and a charlatan who used smoke-and-mirrors to commit a murder.

On the set one day, I half-turned, and found myself face-to-face with the rumpled "persona" of Detective Columbo.

I tell 'ya, that was quite a memorable experience, for a fledgling actor to experience.

Mr. Falk possessed a magnetic "aura" which spoke volumes.

Falk fondly relayed his feelings about the Columbo character recently in a heartfelt interview.

"I love him. He's eccentric, oblivious to the impression he makes on people. His obsessiveness is hidden by his graciousness. He has a sly sense of humor, is by nature polite and totally devoid of pretension."

The last two years of his life, Falk suffered from Alzheimer's disease and dementia, which triggered a couple of legal skirmishes in the courts with family members in the inner circle.

In 2009, the court granted a request by his wife to maintain control of his personal care and professional affairs.

According to public records, Mr. Falk was 83 years old when he left this mortal coil.

When God created Falk, he broke the mould.

The talented performer will be missed!

Peace Perfect Peace.

http://www.thetattler.biz

Scandals...of the Privileged Few! A Novel by Julian Ayrs! Chapter 8!

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Scandals...of the Privileged Few! A novel by Julian Ayrs! Serialized on The Tattler!

COMING SOON!

"Scandals of the Privileged Few" is a novel by Julian Ayrs set in the picturesque climbs of San Francisco!

Julian's latest literary work (to be serialized each week at "The Tattler" on the web) features a juicy plot sure to captivate the most intelligent discriminating fans of fiction.

Undoubtedly, avid readers will be titillated by the delicious cast of curious characters as their - sometimes tawdry, but always entertaining - stories unfold each week!

Robert Steele

A brash young attorney in his mid-thirties, with a flair for fashion (he despises dreaded umbrellas, though), Robert climbs (and beds) his way to the top of the conniving back-stabbing legal profession on the treacherous West Coast without looking back (or having any regrets).

Danny Bloomer

A self-styled bisexual with a passion (and weakness) for blonds in faded blue jeans.

Unfortunately, the talented auteur is always a scant heartbeat from the memory of a former lover (who departed from this mortal coil too soon) which may be his undoing.

Melony Vanderbilt Kidd ("Butch")

Even by her own standards, "Butch" is a "walking cliche", alright!

Strong-willed and defiant - the privileged kid from the right side of the tracks - is an endearing "misfit" with a special knack for weaseling her way into the private incestuous lives of the high-and-mighty.

Next to her skillfully penned "Memoires", Andy Warhol was a slouch in the literary department!

Candace Whitney

A classy dame who gravitates to fame and fortune like moth to flame.

Ms. Whitney is the ultimate social butterfly (with bags of loot to boot) adept at flitting about the tony environs of the elite uppercrust - with no door unopened or key unlocked - if she had her druthers.

But, a mysterious past lurks on the horizon, sure to knock her flat on her pretty ass if she's not more forgiving or discreet in the future.

Brad Butler II

This dreamy blue-eyed surfer dude pines for Mr. Right. 

And, he has all the prerequisites to lure the bait, you betcha!

But, will his naivete be his downfall - ultimately - in the sleazy down-and-out cut-throat underbelly of debauched Tinsel Town?

The Contessa

The Royal is rumored to own the Villa at 88 Stone Canyon Trail on Cypress Ridge. 

But, the tongues really wagged one fateful evening recently, when it is was revealed that the elusive beauty was once the lesbian lipstick lover of sultry screen siren Greta Garbo!

Stay posted for Chapter One!

www.thetattler.biz

Ghost Writer...Polanski's mediocre thriller! Ewan McGregor steals film...

Polanski's much-anticipated  "Ghost Writer" is hardly a taut thriller - and - no wonder!

After all, the beleaugered film director (currently under house arrest in Switzerland) has drawn out the plotline for this dicey potboiler so sparsely (pedestrian-style) over a two-hour stretch that it lacks any tension to sustain any suspense save for a nano-second or two.

When those precious moments strike out and touch the audienc - the edge-of-your seat peaks are usually triggered by the remarkable efforts of one lone soul - Ewan McGregor (and not because of any magic wand or dazzling wizardy dredged up by the once-celebrated director who is now in a decline in respect to his creative and once-insightful vision).

Judging by the "look" and "feel" of  "Ghost Writer" - it's evident that Polanski took a stab at a project he half-expected to drum up phenomenal commercial success in order to pad his bank account.

To pay off his victim in the rape case, perhaps?

While the big-budget feature appeals to the eye with - breathtaking cinematography, stunning backdrops, and set-ups that seduce even the most sophisticated folks - beneath the slick manipulative surface Polanski's latest whodunit falls flat (is empty).

Part of the reason is due to the fact there is nothing original here.

Basically, "Ghost" is a tale about moles and CIA agents and a whole gang of ne'er-do-wells we've seen on the wide screen ad nauseam in recent years at a time when terrorism and national security have prompted writers and studio heads to fathom up yarns to mirror the truth because of the shock (oh my gosh, not in America) value.

Mind you, quality spy films generally sell tickets, provided they're deliciously well-crafted.

Here, Polanski's directing is safe, almost laughable.

The term "hack" is applicable.

The old dawg has drifted far from the maverick days from whence virile powers once sprang - and subsequently carved a niche for the French auteur - in Hollywood's golden filmmaking circles.

Ewan McGregor (bare a** and all) saved the day in many respects for a multitude of innocent  fans who obviously stumbled into the theatre clueless after having been deceitfully lured in by virtue of an enticing film promotion that tricked 'em.

McGregor is worth the price of admission alone.

As to the rest of the cast - well - same old same old.

Once the word gets out about this disappointing political espionage clunker, I expect attendance will drop off dramatically.

P.T. Barnum said it best:

"There's a sucker born every minute."

http://www.thetattler.biz

Jody Foster..intriguing mystery. Playful pretty photo sneaks into my blog realm unnoticed!

This past week a couple of controversial posts drove the traffic sky-high at the naughty "Tattler".

So much so, that the server went down and I couldn't even access my own blog!

Needless to say, some snafus reared their ugly head as well.

For example, a couple of separate posts merged into one, on occasion the google blogspot log-in page didn't load properly (so it was off-kilter and screwed up!) and data just went zip into thin air.

Consequently, I spent a part of the afternoon going thru the blog to get a handle on glitches.

Curiously, when I stumbled across an older review of Jody Foster's last thriller - "The Brave One" - I was inclined to click it open and check for broken links, double-check for typos, that sort-of-thing.

Well, I received quite a jolt when the mesmerizing publicity still of Ms. Foster (above) popped up on the screen!

You see, originally, I featured the studio publicity shot used to advertise the film which captured Jody in a decidely butcher stance with a menacing revolver in hand. (below)

Imagine what a surprise it was to encounter the one gracing the top of the blog page staring me in the face in its stead.

Gosh, have the High Priests of the Internet band waves been playing fast 'n loose - engaging in a little Tom-foolery - with the specific intent of wrecking havoc with my memory?

More astounding, I am forced to consider the very real possibility that Ms. Foster played a hand in the intriguing mystery.

After all, with a few well-placed connections in the biz (at the studio where the source code could be tinkered with) it is highly conceivable that Ms. Foster could have pulled off the clever stunt.

If that's the case, Jody - you blew me away!


Stumbling across your sexy little bod stretched out over the bed like that (whilst you gazed so intently into the camera lens with that come-hither-look beckoning (me?) was a captivating moment that caused my heart to skip a beat, to say the least.

I expect you were at Gay Pride today, too, incognito?

Do tell.

I'll keep it on the down low, promise!