Shroud

On Corman a bit more, his Poe films made mostly with Vincent Price are highly-regarded; he was in the war as well, I understand - not too many veterans of it left in the States, now - I imagine Gordon is a veteran as well. Been discussing some 1970's sci-fi TV; Filmation Studios did a great deal of that both animated and the live-action series in the '70's. starting with the early Superman animated series in the late 1960's, and continuing on into the 1980's until the company ceased operations in 1989. Some of their better efforts included Star Trek:the Animated Series, The Secrets of Isis(live), Shamam!(live), Ark II(live) and later Space Academy and Jason of Star Command( both live action). Curiously enough, the two commanders of Academy were James Doohan and Jonathan harris who were both best-known for other sci-fi series set in space. Unfortunately, given recent developments, Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids or variations there-of was another effort from the studio back when everyone thought Cosby a much different type fo fellow. The three men who were most cosely associated with Filmation Studios (whose limited animation style save lots of money but was quite annoying at times0 are Norm Prescott(1927 - 2005), Lou Scheimer(1928 - 2013), and director Hal Sutherland(1929- 2014).. Scheimer's daughter Erika performed voices for some of her father's programs sometimes credited as "Erika Lane," but was a capable voice actress, luckily.

No, Corman still seems to in good health unless something has happened recently which is being kept quiet, but is getting the years on his shoulders, guys. Given that I messed-up a bit on Meriweather, here's an extra five to make 20 total 16 Bert I. Gordon (94) director THE AMAZING COLOSSAL MAN (1957), many more "B"'s" 17 Lee Majors (76/77), The Six Million Dollar Man.. 18 Roy Thinnes, (79)m The Invaders, 19990's revival of Dark Shadows, numerous TV films. 19 Martin Landau (85), Mission:Impossible( sometimes strayed into sci-fi), Space: 1999, Ed Wood. 20 Robert Vaghn, (83), The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Battle Beyond the Stars (1980). Maybe shouldn't have included McCallum and Vaughn both from U.N.C.L.E., but anyway, Vaghn is still active as well, although shows his age more than McCallum. Majors has a dob of 1939 now in many sources, doesn't seem to be ageing well. Gordon is infamous enough for his films to possibly garner an obit in the UK and is at a ripe old age now.

Hi, I REALLY...! Yeah, I had meant to include somebody else rather than repeat Lee (shows what happens when the eye gets tired, eh?); say replace her duplication with perhaps Barbara Rush? I think B R is mentioned on other lists as well, so one thing I was trying to do was hit upon some people perhaps not mentioned as often here. Rush is known for her numerous credits in this area such as It Came from Outer Space(1953) on to 1970''s fare like Moon of the Wolf (1972).This last-named isn't such a bad made-for-TV horror film with the unfortunate exception of rather poor make-up for the werewolf towards the conclusion (kept off-screen until the final act). Co-stars David Janssen and Bradford Dillman, so the ID of the creature shouldn't be hard to guess early on simply from the cast. The Munsters Today was a revival of the 1960's series If I recall its title correctly) from( probably) the late 1980's/early 1990's. Pat Priest no doubt would stand a much - better chance of a UK obit simply from the number of appearances as Marilyn she made. It's curious btw how both this show, and The Addams Family debuted the same year. Perhaps some industrial spying going on? Then again, the 1960's were still the years of the great "monster craze" in the States which began in the late Fifties, so perhaps simply a coincidence. Christina Ricci sure made for a wonderfully ghoulish Wednesday in the Raul Julia/Angelica Huston big-screen films, did she not? Nice to see her continue to take off-beat roles most actresses shy away from.

There was a short-lived 2001 TV series based on a pair o 1990's-eraf made-for-TV films produced by Roger Corman about an outrageously sexy superheroine called The Black Scorpion some may recall, if for no other reason than the alluring costume( such as it was). Darcy Walker/Black Scorpion was a police detective in a fictionalized Los Angeles called Angel City, US ,who became the heroine due to the corruption in the city after her father's murder. She did face actual supervillains like Breathtaker (Adam West interestingly enough) and Clockwise (Frank Gorshin also another Adam West connection) among others like Mindbender and Slapshot. She drove the "Scorpionmobile" , a dangerous computerized vehicle with various weapons; Walker changed to the Black Scorpion via a ring which allowed her to transform any clothing into her scanty costume. The series wasn't meant to be taken terribly seriously, although it's odd that it did not last longer. The title role was first played by Joan Severance, then afterwards by Michelle Lintel.

Below is my "Top 15" of sci-fi/horror film people well-known enough to receive obits in both the US and UK with possibly one or two exceptions. Julie (Julia) Adams (90) The Creature from the Back Lagoon (1954). Richard Anderson (90), Forbidden Planet, The Six Million Dollar Man, etc. Robert Colbert (85) The Time Tunnel. Mara Corday (86), Tarantuala (1955), The Black Scorpion (1957). Roger Corman (90), director. David Frankham (90), Return of the Fly, Star Trek. Peter Hansen (94) When Worlds Collide (1951). (Al) David Hedison (90) The Fly(1958), Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. Tippie Hedren (86) The Birds (1963). Lee Meriweather (80) The 4-D Man (1959), Batman (1966), etc. David McCallum (82), The Man from U.N.C.L.E., The Outer Limits, etc. Lee Meriweather (80?), The 4-D Man (1959), Batman (1966), The Time Tunnel. Beverly Owen (79); the original Marilyn Munster on The Munsters. William Phipps (94), Five(1951), The War of the Worlds (1953). Barbara Shelley (84), numerous Hammer films. I considered a few others, but these seem enough for one or two successes during the year. Hedren is still active although showing her age rather badly. McCallum is also active, but into his 80's, people - anyone recall his short-lived 1975 US TV series of The Invisible Man? Owen might get an obit in the UK due to the continuing popularity of The Munsters and its various remakes, etc., over the years.Hansen is perhaps a little iffy, but is well-known enough for his "soaps" work to possibly make the Uk obituaries. The rest should have no problem gaining considerable media attention.

Getting back to superheroes a moment, Captain America did have a war-time serial=film made entitled Captain America (1944) starring Dick Purcell, Lionel Atwill and Adrian Booth(Lorna Gray) which wasn't that bad, but was not at all faithful to the original character. Marvel reportedly neglected to include a clause that Republic stick relatively-closely to the comic by way of explanation. It was successful although Atwill was a villain who wore no outfit. Others were planned, but actor Purcell, who was somewhat overweight, died suddenly while the serial was still playing-off weekly in the theaters. Some of the serial films were later edited down into feature "films" of much shorter length for television, and sometimes released to theaters under different titles! Keep in mind, though, all of them were meant to be seen one installment at a time much like weekly TV episodes. Taking 12 or 14 chapters in a single dose is not an easy thing in most cases.

Ah, thanks, I REALLLY..I was thinking Peter somebody was Stepehen Strange here. Marvel is still attempting to bring a new version of the character to the big screen, but seems to be having problems with that one. Maybe they'll get it in next couple of years. Michael Ansara did a good deal of voice work, sometimes un-credited as-noted. He was married to Barbara Eden for some years as many here probably know, a troubled marriage, it seems. Their only son died some years ago of a drug-related cause, something which really harmed Ms Eden as can be imagined. Unfortunately, when one sees pictures of Eden that haven't been altered by computer, or when she is minus LOTS of make-up today, every one of her 85 years shows all too plainly, possibly as a result of too many trips to the face-surgeon. She did claim to have had no work done for a number of years, I recall. I do feel bad fro her all-around as she has been a favorite of mine for a good many years. The recently-deceased Wayne Rogers took over as "Anthony Nelson" for one of the 1980's attempts to revive Jeannie when arry hagman's ego was out-of-control due to his huge success as "J R" Ewing at the time. Ms Eden has continued to do Jeannie into recent years all the same.

Does anybody here recall a series called M.A.N.T.I.S.? It dealt with a scientist who made a suit of flexible armor for himself after being crippled in an accident, and quickly became a superhero in the Iron Man-mould. Like with with most such series, at least until recent years, it only ran one or two years, but was of fairly-strong quality - from the 1990's, I believe, although I haven't double-checked. On Gail Gadot, I should make it clear I haven't anything against her, people. I would like to see Wonder Woman revived successfully, although the original plans were for a modern film to more or less be a sequel to the Lynda Carter series (who was one of the two, three most beautiful women in the world at the time), plans dropped some time ago, unfortunately. I realize the Carter series is rather cheesy at times by modern-standards; younger fans should note, though, that they simply didn't have the technology to do these characters then in their full glory, although this one came quite close at times. Plans were considered for both the Human Torch and Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner (who really needs to show up sometime in the Avengers films) series as well around the late 1970's, but dropped due to the same challenge of effectively portraying them with what TV had available at the time. While I'm being nostalgic, anybody recall a 1978 made-for-TV Pilot film Dr Strange? I don't recall the star's name off-hand, but old Sir John Mills was the Ancient One, and Jessica Walter was his nemesis as Morgana La Faye. Has been awhile since I saw it, but for the time, the quality was good, but it was aired opposite strong rating programs of the period, so it didn't go to series. I imagine the effects needed would often have been ineffective to do the character rightly. Recommended all the same obscure though it is.

I have a list of science fiction writers who may pass in 2016, mostly US, but some good chances of a couple of successes. Brian Aldiss James (E) Gunn Jerry E. Pournelle Bran Lumley David A. Kyle Harlan Ellison Robert Silverberg Norman Spinrad Peter Straub Stephen King I included Pournelle and Spinrad because they have both been fighting cancer for several years now; Spinrad lives in France, also. Kyle isn't terribly well-known outside of the dwindling handful of old-time sci-fi fans(although he has appeared in a couple of documentaries, I believe) even in the US now given he is from the World War Two generation, but he is of importance in getting the genre published in hardback on a regular basis by U.S. publishers outside of "manstream" authors. 97 in February. King is included because of the lingering effects of his near-fatal incident when struck be a van on a Maine roadside some years ago, which the man just survived. Ellison has had well-documented heart-disease issues as has been noted in diverse places on the DeathList. The others are well-known and getting considerable age onto their shoulders now, although I realize Lumley is more properly a horror writer. There are perhaps a couple'others in the US but obscure men not likely to receive obituaries outside the States, and not a great deal of coverage in the US, at that. ​

Not everybody follows "things Star wars" with every breath, I really neeed..., you know! Just thought I would mention this - after those 3 "middle" films, one could hardly be blamed for that, I think, too. Still, give him credit for the current one to judge from reports I have heard by those who have seen it; so, maybe he did try to produce a good-quality product this time around. The man can do great stuff, i admit, although he has attitude problems, I'm afraid. Then again, most who are THAT wealthy do, I suppose.

Perhaps, I really Need.... a better term for Wingreen would have been some "belated" news of his passing, or the like. Anyway, among VERY old literary types in U.S. sci-fi circles, David Kyle is still hanging in there to the best of my knowledge @ 97, possibly the oldest livng sf writer in the world since Fred Pohl died in 2013. Editor as well given that he founded the specialty press Gnome Press in the 1950's(or possible Fantasy Press? Gnome,I think, though) which helped bring sf in the States to the attention of "mainstream" publishers and ran into the 1960's itself. Nobody gives this any thought today, but for many years in 20th century, very little science fiction appeared from the large publishing houses save rare items by people like George R. Stewart, Philip Wylie, and the like save Bradbury and the first few to break out of the pulp magazines. There was Wells, and Verne, etc, long before, but u see my point. I think William L. Hamling is hanging in there @ 95 behind Kyle, who edited Amazing, Fantastic Adventures, Imagination and so forth until making his fortune in the "skin" magazine/book field during which time he ran afoul of the Nixon regime with serious consequences for what would be considered laughable "Obscene" charges today. In any event, Hamling never really liked sci-fi much despite being a good editing hand at it, and has refused contact with the field for a good many years, now.

One more comment about Ellison from myself here; I do recall from an ancient interview(i.e. probably about 1979, so ancient fits i imagine for most others here) that H.E. remarked somebody had shot-out the windshield of his car - I believe him. What puzzles me, though, is why additional efforts weren't made given his personality. At 82, now, what would be the point

Yes,afraid so here, anyway, perhaps ironically. It was about 5 days after his demise bef0re word showed up on may US sites, let alone "official" notices for Wingreen. I would say he received as much comment for the 3 Zone episodes as most anything else he did, really.

Hi, Shipman. Glad to see a few others (at least) recall this series! That 1990 - 1991 version of The Flash deserved amuch-longer run than what it received - was much closer in tone to the original "modern" Flash Barry Allen, and the comic despite the toning-down of the supervillains who did appear there-on. I think the network (CBS, wasn't it?) was probably unsure of just what direction to take with that one, hence the numerous street thugs" and mobsters which proved inferior opponents for him. I do recall he had to face a clone of himself as well as some time travel in a later episode. Would've been great show even with the lesser-effects of that period had it been given a few seasons. The current Flash is also a Barry Allen, but this one bears hardly any relation to the classic version, and is too young as well to realistically be working in that pisiton ( i would think - maybe my own age is simply showing again?). The Wally West Flash from Justice League Unlimited may still be the Flash many are most familair with given how long that animated series and spin-off films has run - some related films continue to appear. Played a bit too much for a clown to myliking, but each to their own, on, I guess! * Did Gotham Girls show up as an extra on your dvd set btw? The complete series is included with most Birds... dvds sold here., something I should have mentioned before.

Never have followed Martin's career all that closely, people, although I do recall his early stories in 1970's era sci-fi magazines, which means I am most likely older than a good many here myself! (although hopefully not quite that far along just yet. I believe he was involved along with Ellison in the so-so 1980's version of The Twilight Zone ehich did manage more good episodes than that more recent version from when 2000 or so? W/O Serling's influence, these revivals are pale ghosts for sureof the original

Wish there was a bit more interest here on this thread! Anyhow, thought I would mention another rather obscure TV series Birds of Prey (2002-2003) which deserves to be better known, and was one of the few efforts at a comics-based project post-2000 which failed. This series concerned the title-team, the former Batgirl Barbara Gordon(played by Dinah Meyer) who had been paralyzed by being shot in the spine by the Joker, and was now known as Oracle. Operating from a base in a clock-tower called the Watch Tower, oracle directed the daughter of Batman and Catwoman, Helen Kyle-Wayne/the Huntress(portrayed by Ashley Scott, who is so good at playing rather "bad girls" generally) on various missions, along with the help of Alfred, of course, (the late Ian Abercrombie). They were soon joined by a young run-away Dinah Lance(Rachel Skarsten) who possessed some telepathic powers (which were never fully explored) and who turned out to be the daughter of the first Black Canary. Dinah never officially took the name, but could be considered Black Canary 2. Unfortunately, the doctor for Helena Kyle (who hated her father blaming him for her mother's death) was Harleen Quinzel, a much-deadlier version of Harley Quinn than is generally portrayed which led, in time, to unfortunate event as could be expected. Meyer did use a type of "exo-skeleton" which allowed her limited walking ability twice on the show's short run (14 episodes) to don the identity of Batgirl again. This series was set on "Earth 2" in the DC Comics universe, a parallel Earth which was largely identical to our own save that Batman and Catwoman finally got together, which caused Selena Kyle reform once their daughter came along, but which, in-turn, led to her being killed by former underworld associates. Thus the bad feelings between Helena and her father who in this "reality" had went into exile over guilt about Catwoman's death - he was only seen (as was CW) in cameo appearances. There were signs at the end matters would improve been Helena and Bruce Wayne, though. This wasn't a bad series, and Ashley Scott was very good as "bad girl" super- heroine Huntress who did tend to leave a number of bodies behind her despite instructions from Gordon Versions of the team are still used in the comics, and perhaps a revival wouldn't be a bad idea given the increased popularity of superheroes today. I believe Meyer was only the second person to portray Batgirl after the late Yvonne Craig, to-date, possibly as far as live-action goes.

Although his passing went largely unnoticed, one of the people from The Twilight Zone as well as the original Outer Limits passed on Christmas Day, 2015 acc ording to several reliable sources, Jason Wingreen (95). Wingreen appeared three time son TZ, and three time of Outer limits as well oddly enough in a career which accumulated nearly 200 credits all-total. He was the original voice of Bobba Fett until Lucas saw fit to replace him with someone else for the "special editions" he released of the films in the 2000's for reasons never explained. I suppose when you're George Lucas, you don't have to have a good reason for what you do. Anyway, Wingreen was best-known for co-starring as Harry Snowden on All in the Family and its continuation series for several more years. He appeared on various other sci-fi programs like of course, Star Trek and others from the 1960's, '70's and 80's. Given what happened with George Clayton Johnson, I wanted to wait until i was confident this news was accurate before posting it.

I noted where US actor Wayne Rogers died 31/12/2015 @ 82. Rogers was "Trapper John" for the first 3 seasons of M*A*S*H until the writer favoring Alan Alaa's "Hawkeye" Pierce over him led him to leave the series. The late Pernell Roberts (Bonanza) played the same character on the series TRAPPER JOHN roughly 1979 to 1985. For the record, actor David Canary died @ 77 in November, 2015, leaving no surviving adult cast members from Bonanza (1959 - 1973). After Dan "Hoss" Blocker died, that one went straight down the tube.

Oh,, thanks for clearing up matters, Charon! I am kind of new at this myself, keep in mind.

Point well-made, Vinegar; Loretta Lynn keeps staggering along, although it will surprise me if she lasts terribly longer given the # of health problems accumulating for the old gal. same with Willie Nelson who's rumoured to be well into COPD, possibly some heart issues also as they often go together, it seems. Dolly Parton, a bit more difficult a call; she's never really been very large woman despite her well-known - enhancements, shall we say? - which gave an impression of her being larger a person than she actually is.

On Batman:the Animated Series (1992-1995), then again as the Batman/Superman Adventures, and other variations of the title, Batgirl was played first by Melissa Gilbert who did not prove popular n the role. She was replaced by Tara Strong(aka Tara Charendoff) as Barbara Gordn/Batgirl who was seen more often after Robin became Nigh-Wing as in the comics. Strong has continued to be the usual voice for the character in animated productions. Several of the cast members from this Batman series are gone now, Lloyd Bochner(1924 - 2005) was was Gotham Mayor Hill, Bob Hastings, of course (1925 - 2014)( Commissioner Gordon) who also appeared on the 1960's live-action series insmall parts, and Ephraim Zimbalist Jr (1918 - 2014) Alfred Pennyworth here, and on Justice League Unlimited, etc. Some actors who did villains were Michael Ansara(Dr Fries/Mister Freeze, Aron Kincaid(1940-2011) Killer Kroc, Roddy McDowal, of course, the Mad Hatter (carried-over from the 1960'series),and Henri Polic (Professor Crane/the Scarecrow). A lesser-known series about 5 to 7minutes in length from roughly the same period was Gotham Girls originally a webcast program. This featured two seasons of stories, the first featured Batgirl against usually chasing Catwoman, Harley Quinn and Posion Ivy with a couple of appearances by the sorceress Zatanna. Zatanna wasn't used often, though, as she was too strong for many credible threats to be pitted against her. The second season was a sequel of sorts to the direct-to-video film Batman and Mr Freeze: Sub-Zero which had Batgirl forced to team-up with her three main female foes against the police in a complicated tale involving a mystery-villain connected to Mr. Freeze. A well-done little series, especially this 2nd season. Batman didn't appear at all in Girls interestingly enough.

In discussing Batgirl, I note that the second actress to do the voice for Barbara Gordon/Batgirl in the 1970s, Melindy Britt, is still alive, and active, I believe, as an on-and-off-screen actress. For the record, Diane Pershing whose career dates to the late 1970's/early 1980's as Isis in some short-lived efforts to continue the character in animated form is also still with us. Pershing is probably best-known as villain Poison Ivy on the animated New Adventures of Batman since the 1990's, along with the 1979-1982 Flash Gordon and much other voice work.

Any Kolchak:the Night Stalker fans here by chance? The original series ran for one slightly-shortened season 1974 - 1975 after two highly-rated TV films both scripted by Richard Matheson, The Night Stalker (1972) and The Night Strangler (1973). Strangler was unavailable for a # of years in its unedited form which includes a sequence with Al "Granpa Munster' Lewis in the real-life Seattle underground (although the real version is somewhat smaller). Chris Carter has mentioned that this was a direct influence on The X-Files (due to return for a short run in February,'16 with a chance at continuing if the ratings are good). Unfortunately, everyone save Jack Grinnage ("Ron Updyke") is gone now from the cast of he TV series. A short-lived sequel/remake appeared in the mid-2000's entitled The Night Stalker which starred Stuart Townsend as a nephew of the Karl Klchak darren McGavin played, along with Gabrielle Union as a reluctant partner - which made it seem a bit too much like The X-Files, in turn.

Unsure who Charon was smarting-off to - hope it wasn't myself. Anyhow, John Llewelyn Moxey is a good candidate to depart fairly soon (91); some body was complaining about movie directors. Moxeywas most acrtive in TV, but has some film credits, I think. Directed original Night Stalker TV film, + a lot of US & UK TV series. Somebody probably has already mentioned her, Barbara Steele(79) is maybe List-worthy.

I have mentioned the original live action The Flash before here which ran one season 1990 to 1991 and starred John Wesley Shipp as Barry Allen/Flash, along with Amanda Peet(or is it Peel??Anyway married to Corbin Bernsen, I think, for some time) as his scientists-helper and semi love-interest. The series was of strong quality with scripts by Howard Chaykin and others who know their stuff, but was never highly-rated. He faced a mix of regular street criminals and gangsters and some usually watered-down super villains from his own rogue's gallery like Captain Cold and the Mirror Master. His best opponent probably was The Trickster played to perfection by Mark Hamil, and who was in an outrageous costume. The character is a little too similar in some respects to the Joker, which, curiously enough, Hamil has usually been the voice of since the 1990's Batman animated TV series and films. Night Shade, an African-American hero from the 1950's who appeared two or three times was a nifty creation original to the series, I believe, who may have been added to the comics afterwards.