in memoriam
Ach ... this one hurts, folks.
While he certainly hasn't been part of any major production in some time, Richard Chamberlain was the kind of talent that was all over the big and small screen in the days of my youth. Actually, I can remember quite a few of his TV appearances -- major miniseries from the 1970's and early 1980's -- and even a few of his guest stops. He was the epitome of the big star for that bygone era, knowing just how to handle himself in just about anything that came along, be it Drama, Action, and maybe even a bit of tongue-in-cheek comedy.
No, no, and no: he wasn't exactly what one might call a big genre star. Indeed, some of what he did falls squarely into the realms of the Fantastic -- with a bit of stretching on my part, which I'm apt to do for some of my favorites. Let me give you a rundown from my glance over at IMDB.com this afternoon.
Because I've always loved The Three Musketeers (the book and many adaptations), I'll give it the proper shout here. The 1973 incarnation from director Richard Lester is, arguably, one of the most celebrated; and Chamberlain definitely did the character of Aramis well. He returned for the sequel in 1974 -- The Four Musketeers: Milady's Revenge -- and that was all I really have to say about that.
In 1974, he ventured into the successful world of the big budget theatrical disaster series of films -- many of which were really finding their place in filmdom -- with a solid role aboard Irwin Allen's The Towering Inferno.
In 1977, his first authentic Fantasy gig came a'knocking; and the actor headlined The Last Wave for acclaimed director Peter Weir. Honestly, I can't say much about this -- I believe I watched this on pay cable back in the day, but I don't recall the specifics -- and yet I do know that it was the kind of thing that racked up some awards mentions during that obligatory season.
In 1978, he teamed up again with writer/director Irwin Allen for a big part in the storyteller's Ecological Horror thriller The Swarm for Warner Bros. I'm not certain if this was the first motion picture to cast those dreaded killer bees as the central villain -- there were a few from this time frame that had insects turning on mankind -- but I can say it isn't exactly fondly remembered. A bit of a stinker, from what I've read.
The success of the Indiana Jones films -- chiefly Raiders Of The Lost Ark (1981) and Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom (1984) -- had major studios looking into what like-minded fare they could pony up for a chance at box office fortune and glory. So in 1985 the Cannon Group resurrected the character of Allan Quatermain for the silver screen -- from the H. Rider Haggard books -- and King Solomon's Mines gave Chamberlain the chance to play a somewhat suave action hero for audiences. While these were cheesier than the Raiders features, there was still enough box office to go around, and the sequel -- Allan Quatermain And The Lost City Of Gold -- was greenlit, though it performed poorly.
Alas, none of us lasts forever; and word reached the World Wide Web today of the much-praised actor's passing. As I've tried to be clear, you young folks likely haven't heard much of his name; but rest assured he was quite a sensation for your parents and grandparents in entertainment's past.
Our warmest prayers are extended to the family, friends, and fans of Richard Chamberlain.
May he rest in peace ...
-- EZ
While he certainly hasn't been part of any major production in some time, Richard Chamberlain was the kind of talent that was all over the big and small screen in the days of my youth. Actually, I can remember quite a few of his TV appearances -- major miniseries from the 1970's and early 1980's -- and even a few of his guest stops. He was the epitome of the big star for that bygone era, knowing just how to handle himself in just about anything that came along, be it Drama, Action, and maybe even a bit of tongue-in-cheek comedy.
No, no, and no: he wasn't exactly what one might call a big genre star. Indeed, some of what he did falls squarely into the realms of the Fantastic -- with a bit of stretching on my part, which I'm apt to do for some of my favorites. Let me give you a rundown from my glance over at IMDB.com this afternoon.
Because I've always loved The Three Musketeers (the book and many adaptations), I'll give it the proper shout here. The 1973 incarnation from director Richard Lester is, arguably, one of the most celebrated; and Chamberlain definitely did the character of Aramis well. He returned for the sequel in 1974 -- The Four Musketeers: Milady's Revenge -- and that was all I really have to say about that.
In 1974, he ventured into the successful world of the big budget theatrical disaster series of films -- many of which were really finding their place in filmdom -- with a solid role aboard Irwin Allen's The Towering Inferno.
In 1977, his first authentic Fantasy gig came a'knocking; and the actor headlined The Last Wave for acclaimed director Peter Weir. Honestly, I can't say much about this -- I believe I watched this on pay cable back in the day, but I don't recall the specifics -- and yet I do know that it was the kind of thing that racked up some awards mentions during that obligatory season.
In 1978, he teamed up again with writer/director Irwin Allen for a big part in the storyteller's Ecological Horror thriller The Swarm for Warner Bros. I'm not certain if this was the first motion picture to cast those dreaded killer bees as the central villain -- there were a few from this time frame that had insects turning on mankind -- but I can say it isn't exactly fondly remembered. A bit of a stinker, from what I've read.
The success of the Indiana Jones films -- chiefly Raiders Of The Lost Ark (1981) and Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom (1984) -- had major studios looking into what like-minded fare they could pony up for a chance at box office fortune and glory. So in 1985 the Cannon Group resurrected the character of Allan Quatermain for the silver screen -- from the H. Rider Haggard books -- and King Solomon's Mines gave Chamberlain the chance to play a somewhat suave action hero for audiences. While these were cheesier than the Raiders features, there was still enough box office to go around, and the sequel -- Allan Quatermain And The Lost City Of Gold -- was greenlit, though it performed poorly.
Alas, none of us lasts forever; and word reached the World Wide Web today of the much-praised actor's passing. As I've tried to be clear, you young folks likely haven't heard much of his name; but rest assured he was quite a sensation for your parents and grandparents in entertainment's past.
Our warmest prayers are extended to the family, friends, and fans of Richard Chamberlain.
May he rest in peace ...
-- EZ
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