Movie Junkie

They say things happen in 3's..... LOS ANGELES, Feb. 27, 2006 (AP) Dennis Weaver, the diffident deputy Chester Goode in the TV classic western "Gunsmoke" and the canny New Mexico deputy solving New York City crime in "McCloud," has died. The actor was 81. Weaver died of complications from cancer Friday at his home in Ridgway, in southwestern Colorado, his publicist, Julian Myers, announced Monday. "He was a wonderful man and a fine actor and we will all miss him," Burt Reynolds, who played alongside Weaver in "Gunsmoke," said Monday. Weaver was a struggling actor in Hollywood in 1955, earning $60 a week delivering flowers when he was offered $300 a week for a role in a new CBS television series, "Gunsmoke." After nine years as Chester, who he played with a stiff-legged gait, he was earning $9,000 a week. When Weaver first auditioned for the series, he found the character of Chester "inane." He wrote in his 2001 autobiography, "All the World's a Stage," that he said to himself: "With all my Actors Studio training, I'll correct this character by using my own experiences and drawing from myself." The result was a well-rounded character that appealed to audiences, especially with his drawling, "Mis-ter Dil-lon." At the end of seven hit seasons, Weaver sought other horizons. He announced his departure, but the failures of pilots for his own series caused him to return to "Gunsmoke" on a limited basis for two more years. The role brought him an Emmy in the 1958-59 season. In 1966, Weaver starred with a 600-pound black bear in "Gentle Ben," about a family that adopts a bear as a pet. The series was well-received, but after two seasons, CBS decided it needed more adult entertainment and canceled it. Next came the character Sam McCloud, which Weaver called "the most satisfying role of my career." The "McCloud" series, 1970-1977, put the no-nonsense lawman from Taos, N.M., onto the crime-ridden streets of New York City. His wild-west tactics, such as riding his horse through Manhattan traffic, drove local policemen crazy, but he always solved the case. Weaver appeared in several movies, including "Touch of Evil," "Ten Wanted Men," "Gentle Giant," "Seven Angry Men," "Dragnet," "Way ... Way Out" and "The Bridges at Toko-Ri." Weaver also was an activist for protecting the environment and combating world hunger. He served as president of Love Is Feeding Everyone (LIFE), which fed 150,000 needy people a week in Los Angeles County. He founded the Institute of Ecolonomics, which sought solutions to economic and environmental problems. He spoke at the United Nations and Congress, as well as to college students and school children about fighting pollution and starvation. "Earthship" was the most visible of Weaver's crusades. He and his wife, Gerry, built a solar-powered Colorado home out of recycled tires and cans. The thick walls helped keep the inside temperature even year around. "When the garbage man comes," Jay Leno once quipped, "how does he know where the garbage begins and the house ends?" Weaver responded: "If we get into the mind-set of saving rather than wasting and utilizing other materials, we can save the Earth." The tall, slender actor came by his Midwestern twang naturally. He was born June 4, 1924, in Joplin, Mo., where he excelled in high-school drama and athletics. After Navy service in World War II, he enrolled at the University of Oklahoma and nearly qualified for the Olympic decathlon. He studied at the Actors Studio in New York and appeared in "A Streetcar Named Desire" opposite Shelley Winters and toured in "Come Back, Little Sheba" with Shirley Booth. Universal Studio signed Weaver to a contract in 1952 but found little work for him. He freelanced in features and television until he landed "Gunsmoke." Weaver appeared in dozens of TV movies, the most notable being the 1971 "Duel." It was a bravura performance for both fledgling director Steven Spielberg and Weaver, who played a driver menaced by a large truck that followed him down a mountain road. The film was released in theaters in 1983, after Spielberg had directed some box-office smashes. Weaver's other TV series include "Kentucky Jones," "Emerald Point N.A.S.," "Stone" and "Buck James." From 1973 to 1975, he served as president of the Screen Actors Guild. Most recently, Weaver starred last year in ABC Family's "Wildfire" as the eccentric owner of a thoroughbred racing ranch. Weaver is survived by his wife; sons Rick, Robby and Rusty; and three grandchildren.

Thanks. I just need to "Rant" once in a while. This whole thing in Iraq really pisses me off. Especially since I have a son who is of draft age if they decide to start the draft again. This administration cares not one iota about our young men dying for naught. All it cares about is getting their greedy hands on more money through the blood of our young men. In fact the head BASTARD, King george, doen't even care about any of the people in this country, other than his f'n cronies. The only reason he wants that damn Middle-East company to run those ports is because he is making millions of dollars from it. KING GEORGE....KISS MY ASS!

If big-chested women work at Hooters, Where do one-legged women work? Your going to love this. Scroll down for the answer.

I say bomb that whole area. What Bush should have done right after 9/11 was to drop a few well placed bombs and totally obliterate Afghanistan. Right after that we should have announced that the other Arab countries would have 24 hours to remove the terrorists from within their boarders, and let those other countries know that if we felt that any terrorists remained within any of their boarders, that country would suffer the same fate as Afghanistan. I CANNOT FEEL SORRY FOR ANY OF THOSE BASTARDS OVER THERE. IF THAT IS NOT THE PC WAY TO BE THEN SO-BE-IT! This war that we are in is not being fought in the correct manner! GO IN, GET THE JOB DONE USING ANY MEANS NEEDED, AND THEN GET THE HELL OUT AND LET IT BURN!!!!!!

I knew that Paul Winchell did the voice of Dastardly and I think I remember reading about Hans Conreid, I didn't know about the others. In fact until you mentioned it I had no idea who did the voice of Mr. Slate. Thanks for the information.

WOW! Are you ever bringing back memories. I have every episode of the Honeymooners, including the "Lost Episodes" Including The Love Letter, the lost episode that wasn't recovered until 2004 and reran for the first time in 40 years on TV Land? That is the only one I don't have. In fact until you mentioned it I couldn't remember the name of the episode. I'm going to find out if it is for sale anywhere.

No argument there db Modern day dukes of hazzard I just liked trying to pick out scenes in the show where I'd been and recognized. I do the same now with CSI-Miami Add me to the list of people that never got into Miami Vice, or The Dukes of Hazzard.

Thanks. I picked up the 3 spindles today.

Wasn't that Horace Greely?

Which one is Corny... or What?

Crazy, isn't it?

The answer to the riddle I posted is envelope #1

Could it be... ...a splinter?

A wealthy wise old woman feared that her daughter was lazy and as a result rather stupid. When the old woman died, her will stipulated that her assets were to be liquidated and a check was to be written for the full amount. The check was to be placed in one of three envelopes. The other two envelopes would contain a blank piece of paper. If the daughter could determine from the writing on the envelope which envelope contained the check, she would inherit her mother's fortune. Otherwise, the fortune would go to the old woman's favorite charity for animals. The daughter was not allowed to touch the envelopes. Her decision had to be made based on the writing on the envelopes. The daughter was told that only one envelope had a true statement and that the other two statements were false. The envelopes had the following writing: 1. This envelope does not have the check 2. This envelope has the check 3. The second envelope does not have the check Which envelope should the daughter pick?

Did your ad show the 20 disc DL spindle for $30.00 or $39.99?

I think you misunderstood me, or I didn't explain it correctly. You said in your first post that they had a 20 pack of Verbatim DL discs for $30.00. When I call one of the stores the told me that the 20 pack of DL's were $39.99, not $30.00. Their web site shows the same $39.99 price. I ordered 3 spindles.

Great prices. I think I'll call my local store to see if the sale is here as well. Thanks Polopony. Just called. I was told that the spindle of DVD+R DL discs is $39.95. That's still a good price. I think I'll be buying some.

Read the full story here.

Shamus, Ill drink to that.

Gone

@Kev No PM received. I just received it.

I thought a leeter was someone like a King or a President. You know, like in the old sci-fi movies, when the aliens came to earth they said "Take me to your leeter.".

A Very Big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you Blu.

WOW! Are you ever bringing back memories. I have every episode of the Honeymooners, including the "Lost Episodes" The dancers were known as The June Taylor Dancers.

@Spinner Sorry if I gave away your cover.