In Memoriam...Significant Losses from '06 According to The James

Just wanted to recognize a few people who headed off into the great beyond. We will all miss their creativity and talent, but I'd say that each and every one of them have left behind work or legacies that will be enjoyed by millions for years to come. Each and every one of these people (listed in no order of importance) meant something to me at one time or another, and it's the least I can do to recognize that here and now.

1. Robert Altman: This list had to start with one of the true greatest American Maverick Directors that ever worked in the film industry. Where do I start with this legend? His body of work reveals a list of varying genres, eras, and themes...it also varies according to genuine hits (MASH, Nashville, Gosford Park), and misses (Popeye). It's obvious that his actors will miss him, since every one of them look back fondly on their experiences working with him in the collaborative atmosphere that he created on his film sets. In a business where film is mostly commercial at a certain level of significance and exposure, Altman endeavored to keep his integrity complete, and always proceeded with his films in an independent and creative direction. I think he would have rather failed with a film that was pure in its creativity and intent, rather than succeeded after hacking it out with whatever ending or shots tested well. I'll miss his use of dialogue, the way he let the actors portrayals tell the story rather than the plot dictate the portrayals, and especially the genuine feeling of expectation I had whenever watching an Altman film. I mean, you just never really knew where he would take you with the story...like life, his films seemed sentient and evolving with mysterious purpose while you tagged along for the ride.

2. James Brown: The Godfather of Soul has knelt, taken his cape, and been escorted offstage for the final time. I think I first discovered James Brown through Eddie Murphy doing imitations of him on Saturday Night Live, and then in The Blues Brothers flick, and finally seeing him in Rocky IV. Everyone will go on and on about his contributions, and his influence is felt whenever you see today's hottest performers (Prince, MJ, Justin Timberlake, Lenny Kravitz, etc...). I will miss him like I miss the original artwork of a great painting or comic, since it just shines brighter and with more luster than any of the imitations that come after it.


3. Martin Nodell: Many of you might not be familiar with this man, but in fact he was the creator of the Green Lantern. Way back in 1940, Mr. Nodell became inspired by the Wagnerian Ring saga, and created the Golden Age Alan Scott version of the Green Lantern. Illustrating the first few adventures himself, under the pseudonym Mart Dellon, Mr. Nodell began to create one of the most iconic characters of the DC Universe. In the '60's, Julius Schwartz reinvented Nodell's creation with the Hal Jordan version, taking on more of a sci-fi, pulpy direction and adding to the character's evolving mythology. Many Green Lanterns have followed, but all of them are born from the original creation of this gifted artist. Going to a few conventions a year, I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Nodell a few times, and I'm glad I had the chance to talk, if only briefly, with a creator of his significance. I for one wish that DC would have had the grace to acknowledge Mr. Nodell's accomplishment in Green Lantern comics with a byline that read "GL created by Martin Nodell," in the same way that they give Bob Kane credit for Batman in every Bat comic. Perhaps they will now, after all...it seems our humanity always surfaces after it could do anyone any good.

4. Jack Palance: First time I ever saw Jack Palance act, it was in that version of Dracula he did that was on late-night television when I was a kid. Scared the hell outta me. Next time I saw Jack Palance act was in a low-budged sci-fi cult film called Hawk the Slayer, and he was the villain. Again...scared the hell outta me. Like everyone else, I fell in love with him in City Slickers, and cheered him on as he made the most of his return to the limelight doing 1-arm pushups all the way. Playing "Curly," he taught me one of the great truths of life: "You know what the secret to life is...this. One thing, and nothing else means shit." The only difficulty I have ever had has been figuring out what that one thing is for me. Then in a college film class when we were dissecting messianic archetypes, we watched Shane, and there was Palance again...intimidating, leering, and stealing his scenes as the gunfighter. He was a force of nature on film, and was likewise in life. I remain a fan of his work and legacy that, like my friend Zablo's favorite film icon Rocky, "it ain't over till you hear the bell."

5. Don Knotts: Yes, I watched The Andy Griffith show re-runs when I was a kid, and before I could appreciate the genius of Griffith's dry humor, or many of the other characters on the show...Don Knotts was funny to any kid at any age. Barney-Five is a legendary character, brought to life by the genius physical and character acting skills of an incredible performer. I also loved Mr. Knotts' films, especially The Incredible Mr. Limpet (which I hope they never remake), No Time For Sergeants, and the few films he did with Tim Conway at Disney, like The Apple Dumpling Gang, etc... While I loved Norman Fell's Mr. Roper on Three's Company, I also thoroughly enjoyed Knott's Mr. Furley, even as the show itself became tired. A winner of several Emmy awards, Mr. Knotts' work on television and film will remain a landmark in the minds of multigenerational audiences, and a standard of excellence that all performers can aspire to as an ultimate goal.

6. Dave Cockrum: Who can forget the amazing reboot of Stan Lee's X-Men with Giant Size X-Men Number 1? It was one of the most important modern age comics ever, and one I swindled a guy for back in the early 90's. (I swapped a Web of Spiderman #1 and $20 for his copy) It brought Wolverine, Nightcrawler and Colossus into the X-Men, and they remain my favorite X characters. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Cockrum at a couple of conventions, and even managed to get a Nightcrawler sketch from him. I can't tell you the hours I spent growing up reading X-Men, and enjoying stories based on characters that he helped create. I hope the world sees a new crop of amazing artistic talents spring up...because it seems like all the greats are leaving.

7. Peter Boyle: I don't know which movie of his extensive career it was where I first saw him...The Dream Team, Johnny Dangerously, Taxi Driver...but it was Young Frankenstein that made Peter Boyle a legend to me. Besides the fact that the movie is as close to comedic perfection as you can get and is one of the great Mel Brooks/Gene Wilder collaborations from the 70's, it marked my introduction to an actor capable of enormous range in performance. His creature did everything in that film...drama, subtle comedy, physical slapstick, erotic intrigue, and even musical numbers. I only wish Peter Boyle had a few more "great" roles to add to his already impressive resume. In his later years, he worked in television...doing a memorable stint on NYPD Blue and then taking a long-term gig on Everybody Loves Raymond as "Frank Barone."

That's it for last year. Many more moved on, but this list was about ones who meant something significant to me. Until next time...The James is out.