Last week, the superb actor, Rip Torn passed away, at the age of 88.
Mr. Torn lived an extraordinary life, overcoming the insidious blacklisting/(Torn said he was greylisted–note the spelling, I can envision Torn in his great television role as “Artie” on “The Larry Sanders Show,” making the distinction amidst the “heaviness”), that permeated Hollywood and this country.
His performances in film include good roles and excellent performances in “The Cincinnati Kid” and the Tennessee Williams penned “Sweet Bird of Youth.”
Torn was married three times, each time to an actress (Ann Wedgeworth, Geraldine Page and Amy Wright, who was with him and married to him when he died. He helped his cousin, the great actress Sissy Spacek start her career.
I cited Torn as “Artie” on ‘The Larry Sanders Show” which starred the late Garry Shandling. He was “Zeb” in two “Men in Black” movies.
Go make some noise in a better place, Mr. Torn and as Will Smith, with him and a star in 2 “Men in Black,” movies, “communicated”— “rip” RIP!”
Rip Torn, pictured above.
Novak Djokovic won a truly great, 5 set match vs another great player, Roger Federer, to capture the Wimbledon Men’s tennis crown.
It is the second straight Wimbledon title for Djokovic, and fifth overall.
Djokovic won all three odd numbered sets, the fifth and final one in an unprecedented, fifth set tiebreaker.
Roger Federer (20), and Rafael Nadal, who lost in a very exciting semi-final match to Federer on Friday past, with 18, are the only two players in tennis history with more major titles than Djokovic, who now has 16.
Novak Djokovic, pictured above.
Simona Halep eased past Serena Williams in straight sets (2) to win her first Wimbledon women’s tennis crown.
It is Ms. Halep’s second major title. She won the French Open title last year.
If Williams, certainly among the greats in women’s tennis history, who had the road “paved” for her in this tournament, (so many top players were ousted and though an 11th seed, Williams was a huge favorite in all her matches until the final and even then, was a 2 to 1 favorite) had prevailed, the hype would have been overwhelming.
I will not go the other way and highly criticize this failure, as I try to keep some perspective, even in the face of the “out of whack,” publicity afforded Williams, Tiger Woods, LeBron James and others.
A nice big picture of Simona Halep, as I concentrate on Halep won and NOT Williams lost.
MLB.com “informed,” that last night’s starting pitching match up between the Cincinnati Reds’ Sonny Gray and the Colorado Rockies’ Jon Gray was the first between non related, same spelling/last names that also were colors, since 1933.
Neither pitcher was involved in the decision. Each pitched very well in a game won by the Rockies (3-2), which had a projected total runs total of 12, in hitting friendly Coors Field in Colorado.
A nice photo image of the two Grays pitching.
Below more on the rare pitching match up from Stats by Stats
This is the first match up of starting pitchers with the last name “Gray” in MLB history.
The last time two pitchers squared off with the same color as a last name was Jumbo Brown (New York Yankees) vs. Lloyd Brown (Boston Red Sox) on July 26, 1933 (based on same spelling of last name).
Fifty years after her death, Judy Garland is still remembered as a legendary performer. It is so much fun to see her on television!
I loved her as a youngster in ” The Wizard of Oz,” and as an emerging adult in “Meet Me in St. Louis.”
Among other great feats, she also shined in a heavy dramatic role in “Judgment at Nuremberg.” Of course, many remember her as the ultimate torch singer.
Such a talented person!
Enjoy this appearance, by Judy on “What’s My Line.” Click below to view it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jy7LsQXpi7k
At the All-Star break, five teams have nice divisional race leads while one race is mathematically wide open.
The L.A. Dodgers are up by 13 and a half games and almost certainly will win a seventh consecutive N.L. West “one eighth” crown.
In the American League, the Houston Astros, New York Yankees and Minnesota Twins have respective 7 and a half, six and a half and five and a half game division leads.
Atlanta (Braves) lead the N.L. east by 6 games while the Central in that league is wide open.
After the meaningless, deflated All-Star Game, baseball resumes, in need of a spark, which I believe it will get in its tournament and perhaps sooner in some playoff races.
The Braves are bidding for a second consecutive N.L. East “one eighth” crown.
Gilbert O’Sullivan delivered a terrific show, at a great venue (City Winery 155 Varick Street in New York City) last night.
Time moved in beautiful pace, as Gilbert O’Sullivan’s music and storytelling brought me a great gift. It was one of travelling back, forward, accepting loss and looking onward and upward, all in one show. The performance was Mr. O’Sullivan’s first in New York since the 1970’s.
He both looked and sounded great, citing the life and passing of such greats as Jim Croce, Fats Domino and Dave Bartholomew. O’Sullivan talking of songs other than big hits and how he performs them, and most of all, clicked with the enthusiastic audience, performing his great music.
Tonight at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia, there is the second and final United States based Gilbert O’ Sullivan show this year. Let’s hope and after last night’s great show, I think, he will be back.
We associate with the music, time marches inexorably on, I knew I would be moved.
The extent, however, was astoundingly positive. Mr. O’Sullivan’s timing, song sequence, dedications, and heartfelt words all combined to have me “back in that car,” checking on colleges and less “alone.” Gilbert’s seminal song “Alone Again” (Naturally) played on.
Not only did Gilbert O’Sullivan lead that not so easy “trip,” with his composure and beautiful songs (big hits such as “Clair,” “Get Down” others included “What’s in a Kiss?” a beauty, for example), he did so “Naturally!”
It was a fantastic show!
Gilbert O’Sullivan | Official Website
City Winery | New York City | Live Shows, Dining & Winemaking
Gilbert O’Sullivan, pictured above.
“Fringe Deaths,” an original play by Rider McDowell, playing at St. Luke’s Theater (308 West 46th Street) through July 14th, is an excellent play, which I feel gives great insight into the lives and deaths of 4 celebrated figures, three performers and the man who shot Lee H. Oswald and all that entails.
Thus you know one is Jack Ruby and the other three who all met “fringe” deaths, if you will, are George Reeves, Barbara Payton and Carl “Alfalfa” Switzer.
The performance includes music, insight and at least two dramatic scenes as to what happened, in the case of all four people.
I add that I am both most familiar with and have not only relative, but intrinsic admiration, for George Reeves and this “Clark Kent” wink is for you.
Additionally, I send one out to the eight performers, some in multiple roles that made “Fringe Deaths” so enjoyable and insightful.
They are Tiffan Borelli, who played Barbara Payton, Neil Vincent Smith as George Reeves, Scott Zimmerman as Jack Ruby and others while Alec Hynes was Carl “Alfalfa” Switzer and also in other roles.
Jenny Strassburg, Sandy York, Sean-Michael Wilkinson and Jerry Shulman are also members of an excellent cast
Please click below for more information, including that regarding purchasing tickets.
Fringe Deaths Off-Broadway Tickets – telecharge.com
George Reeves in “The Sainted Sisters,” pictured above.
“A ground ball to third, Robinson to Powell and the Orioles win!”
That was the succinct, great call of Jim McIntyre on national radio (NBC) as the Baltimore Orioles clinched the 1970 World Series in 5 games vs the Cincinnati Reds.
The year before in a Thursday afternoon road game 5, at New York, the O’s were eliminated by the New York Mets.
A year later, in a Thursday afternoon home game, the Orioles gained redemption winning (9-3) in #5, with Mike Cuellar hurling a complete game.
Day World Series and complete games, where have you gone?!!
Click below to view the Orioles clinching the ’70 World Series. Curt Gowdy is the broadcaster.
Andy B Sports 