25 Oct 2019
Motion Pictures, Recording Permalink

Cornel Wilde

October 25, 2019

Cornelius Louis Wilde was an American actor and film director.

Wilde was born in 1912 in Prievidza, Hungary. His Hungarian Jewish parents, according to some sources, were Béla Weisz and Renée Vojtech. Other sources give his parents’ names as Louis Bela Wilde and Renée Mary Vid, and indicate Wilde was named for his grandfather, Cornel Louis Wilde. A talented linguist and an astute mimic, he had an ear for languages which became apparent later in his acting career. Wilde attended the City College of New York as a pre-med student, completing the four-year course in three years and winning a scholarship to the Physicians and Surgeons College at Columbia University. He qualified for the United States fencing team prior to the 1936 Summer Olympic Games, but quit the team just prior to the games in order to take a role in the theater.

Wilde was hired as a fencing teacher by Laurence Olivier for his 1940 Broadway production of Romeo and Juliet and was given the role of Tybalt in the production. His performance in this role netted him a Hollywood film contract.

He had several small film roles until he played the role of Frédéric Chopin in 1945’s A Song to Remember, for which he was nominated for an Academy Award as Best Actor. In 1945 he also starred in A Thousand and One Nights with Evelyn Keyes. He spent the rest of the decade appearing in romantic and swashbuckling films, but he also appeared in some significant films noir, opposite Gene Tierney in Leave Her to Heaven, Road House and Shockproof, the latter film also starring his then wife Patricia Knight.

25 Oct 2019
Recording, Television Permalink

Count Basie

October 25, 2019

William "Count" Basie was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. Basie led his jazz orchestra almost continuously for nearly 50 years. Many notable musicians came to prominence under his direction, including tenor saxophonists Lester Young and Herschel Evans, trumpeters Buck Clayton and Harry "Sweets" Edison and singers Jimmy Rushing and Joe Williams. Basie's theme songs were "One O'Clock Jump" and "April In Paris".

William James Basie was born to Harvey Lee Basie, and Lillian Ann Childs, who lived on Mechanic Street in Red Bank, New Jersey. His father worked as a coachman and caretaker for a wealthy judge. After automobiles replaced horses, his father became a groundskeeper and handyman for several families in the area. His mother, a piano player who gave Basie his first piano lessons, took in laundry and baked cakes for sale and paid 25 cents a lesson for piano instruction for him.

Basie was not much of a scholar and instead dreamed of a traveling life, inspired by the carnivals which came to town. He only got as far as junior high school. He would hang out at the Palace Theater in Red Bank and did occasional chores for the management, which got him free admission to the shows. He also learned to operate the spotlights for the vaudeville shows. One day, when the pianist failed to arrive by show time, Basie took his place. Playing by ear, he quickly learned to improvise music appropriate to silent movies.

Though a natural at the piano, Basie preferred drums. However, the obvious talents of another young Red Bank area drummer, Sonny Greer, discouraged Basie and he switched to piano exclusively by age 15. They played together in venues until Greer set out on his professional career. By then Basie was playing with pick-up groups for dances, resorts, and amateur shows, including Harry Richardson's "Kings of Syncopation". When not playing a gig, he hung out at the local pool hall with other musicians where he picked up on upcoming play dates and gossip. He got some jobs in Asbury Park, New Jersey, playing at the Hongkong Inn, until a better player took his place.

25 Oct 2019
Motion Pictures Permalink

Creighton Hale

October 25, 2019

Creighton Hale was an Irish-born American movie actor who worked in the silent film era.

While starring in Charles Frohman’s Broadway production of Indian Summer, Hale was spotted by a representative of the Pathe Film Company. His first movie was The Exploits of Elaine in 1914.

Since he rise to stardom, Hale starred in hit films such as Way Down East, Orphans of the Storm, and The Cat and the Canary.

In 1923, he starred in an early pornographic “stag” film On the Beach. In the film, three nude women agree to have sex with him, but only through a hole in the fence.

25 Oct 2019
Television Permalink

Cristina Saralegui

October 25, 2019

Cristina Saralegui or simply Cristina is a Cuban American journalist, actress and talk show host, well-known for hosting the Spanish-language eponymous show, Cristina.

Following the Cuban Revolution, Saralegui fled with her family to Miami in 1960 at the age of 12. Saralegui and her family lived on Key Biscayne, where she also attended school.

After graduating from Academy of the Assumption in 1966, Saralegui was a student at the University of Miami. In 1973 she began an internship at the magazine Vanidades, where she taught herself to write Spanish, as she had nearly all of her formal schooling in the United States and only functioned in Spanish at the oral level. Saralegui eventually worked her way up to editor of the Spanish version of Cosmopolitan magazine in 1979. She led Spanish Cosmopolitan through most of the 1980s.

In 1989, Saralegui decided to transfer her journalism success to television, launching a Miami-based Spanish-language talk show, El Show de Cristina to Univisión.

25 Oct 2019
Radio, Recording Permalink

Crosby, Stills & Nash

October 25, 2019

Crosby, Stills & Nash is a folk rock supergroup made up of David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash, also known as Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young when joined by occasional fourth member Neil Young. They are noted for their intricate vocal harmonies, often tumultuous interpersonal relationships, political activism, and lasting influence on music and culture. All four members of CSNY have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, though Young's multiple inductions were for work not involving the group.

Initially formed by the trio of David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash, the genesis of the group lies in two 1960s rock bands, The Byrds and The Hollies, and the demise of a third, Buffalo Springfield. Friction existed between David Crosby and his bandmates in the Byrds, and he was dismissed from the Byrds in the autumn of 1967.

By early 1968, Buffalo Springfield had also disintegrated over personal issues, and after aiding in putting together the band?s final album, Stephen Stills found himself unemployed by the summer. He and Crosby began meeting informally and jamming, the results of one encounter in Florida on Crosby?s schooner being the song ?Wooden Ships,? composed in collaboration with another guest, Paul Kantner of Jefferson Airplane.

Graham Nash had been introduced to Crosby when the Byrds had toured the UK in 1966, and when the Hollies ventured to California in 1968, Nash resumed his acquaintance with Crosby. At a party in July 1968 at Cass Elliot's house, Nash asked Stills and Crosby to repeat their performance of a new song by Stills, ?You Don't Have To Cry,? with Nash improvising a second harmony part. The vocals gelled, and the three realized that they had a unique vocal chemistry.

25 Oct 2019
Motion Pictures, Recording Permalink

Crystal Gayle

October 25, 2019

Songbird Crystal Gayle was honored with the 2,390th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Leron Gubler, President and CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce presided over the ceremony. Guests included Tanya Tucker, Wink Martindale, Kate Linder, Jennifer Elise Cox, George Chakiris, and Crystal's sister, recording artist Peggy Sue Wright.

1515 Vine Street on October 2, 2009.

BIOGRAPHY

Crystal Gayle was born Brenda Gail Webb in Paintsville, Kentucky on January 9, 1951. When she was four years old her family moved to Wabash, Indiana. Inspired by sister Loretta Lynn's career, she decided to learn to play the guitar and she sang in her brothers' country bands. Crystal encapsulates everything the dazzling qualities of her name imply — although that name came to her in quite an unusual fashion. "Crystal" was suggested by Brenda Gail Webb's older sister, Loretta Lynn. Knowing there was already a 'Brenda Lee' currently successful in the music industry, Loretta selected the name 'Crystal' for her younger sibling when she began recording.

Country, folk, pop, rock 'n roll, Broadway show tunes, gospel…all found an equal place in her heart when growing up as the youngest of eight children. As her beloved sister Loretta so aptly put it, Crystal, too, was a "coal miner's daughter" before she was a platinum- selling singer and a world-class entertainer.

While still in school, she signed her first recording contract. Her debut single, "I've Cried the Blue Right Out of My Eyes," was written by Loretta and reached the Top 25 on the national country music charts. Three more singles were released over the next three years, all making an impact with radio and listeners.

Her first album project began a roll-out of smash singles to come. "Wrong Road Again," (her first of many hit singles with producer Allen Reynolds) became her debut Top 10 record. "I'll Get Over You" became her first #1 single. By her fourth album, "We Must Believe in Magic," Crystal Gayle became the first female artist in country music history to achieve platinum album sales. Driving the engine of the album was the song that was to become her enduring career signature song: "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue."

"Brown Eyes" opened the world's eyes to Crystal Gayle. She became a familiar name in households, grand and small, from Louisville to Leningrad. The glamour and the mystique of the Crystal Gayle phenomena made her an instantly "in-demand" artist. From symphony halls to Carnegie Hall, from the best-kept stages in Las Vegas to the prestige of the London Palladium, one word — "Crystal" — crossed musical genres and oceans.

In the late '70s, Crystal was the star of her own one hour prime-time specials on CBS television — specials that earned the praise of audiences and critics alike. Crystal's CBS specials were followed by an equally groundbreaking HBO concert special viewed by millions. The ensuing years saw Crystal host a Christmas special from Sweden, and a variety special taped in Finland. Chic, hip and cool, with a romantic mane of hair, Crystal's television specials and myriad guest-appearances on specials and talk shows solidified her stardom. She appeared in Bob Hope's historic NBC-TV Special "On the Road to China." She was seen hosting the "American Music Awards" and the "Academy Of Country Music Awards." She swept through tours — and repeat tours — of the U.S. Japan, England, Canada, Ireland, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Finland, Holland, Australia and the Far East.

Her hit list of platinum and gold was to be matched only by her awards and accolades. CMA's "Female Vocalist of the Year," for two consecutive years, she became a Grammy Award Winner for "Best Female Vocal Performance," thanks to her beloved "Brown Eyes" – a song that she has never grown tired of singing. Crystal swept the Academy Of Country Music Awards for three of their "Top Female Vocalist" statuettes. As her music and her career path widened to mainstream audiences, so did her accolades. She is the recipient of three "American Music Awards," voted by the nation as America's "Favorite Female Artist."

Crystal's most recent projects, "Crystal Gayle Sings The Heart & Soul of Hoagy Carmichael" and "All My Tomorrows," allow Crystal to explore collections of American standards. Songs such as "Stardust," "Skylark," "Cry Me a River," "Sentimental Journey," "It Had to Be You" and "Smile" reach the heights their songwriters' must have dreamed of when piped through the beautiful chords of Crystal Gayle.

Generous with her time and talents, Crystal has become involved with many charities. She garnered the initial "Celebration of Light Award" in recognition of her humanitarian efforts. Crystal recorded the official theme song for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and served thrice as co-host for the Arthritis telethon. Fittingly, the "Celebration of Light Award" was Waterford Crystal.

25 Oct 2019
Motion Pictures Permalink

Cuba Gooding, Jr.

October 25, 2019

Cuba M. Gooding, Jr. is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his Academy Award-winning portrayal of Rod Tidwell in Cameron Crowe’s 1996 film Jerry Maguire, and his critically acclaimed performance as Tré Styles in John Singleton’s 1991 film Boyz n the Hood.

Cuba Gooding, the son of Shirley, a singer with the Sweethearts, and Cuba Gooding, Sr., a lead vocalist of soul group The Main Ingredient. He has two brothers, musician Tommy Gooding and fellow actor Omar Gooding, and sister, April Gooding. His family moved to Los Angeles after Gooding, Sr.’s music group had a hit single with “Everybody Plays the Fool” in 1972; the elder Gooding abandoned his family two years later. During his appearance on The Howard Stern Show, Gooding revealed that after his father had left, his family lived in hotels throughout Los Angeles. Gooding was raised by his mother and attended four different high schools: North Hollywood High School, Tustin High School, Apple Valley High School, and John F. Kennedy High School in Granada Hills in Los Angeles. He served as class president in three of them. He became a born-again Christian at age 13.

His first job as a professional entertainer was as a breakdancer performing with singer Lionel Richie at the closing ceremonies of the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. After high school, Gooding studied Japanese martial arts for three years, before turning his focus toward acting. Early on, he landed guest starring roles on shows like Hill Street Blues and MacGyver. His first major role was in the John Singleton’s box office surprise and critical hit Boyz n the Hood. He followed this success with roles in major films like A Few Good Men, Lightning Jack, Outbreak, Men of Honor, Rat Race, and The Fighting Temptations in which he co-starred alongside Beyoncé Knowles who portrays his girlfriend, and later wife in the film. That particular film also marked his first in a musical film.

In 1996, he was cast as an arrogant football player on the brink of a career-ending injury in Cameron Crowe’s Jerry Maguire. The film was a success and earned him an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. His “Show Me The Money” line in the film became a nationwide catchphrase. In 1997, he had a notable supporting role in As Good As It Gets. The next several years, his films were inconsistently successful. He has also appeared in a series of films which were not as critically or commercially successful, such as Boat Trip, Norbit, and Daddy Day Camp, all of which had received extremely negative reviews and, with the exception of Norbit, all of which performed poorly at the box office. Gooding also starred in a film titled “a Murder of Crows” which he co-produced with his long time friend and business partner Derek Broes. The film was Gooding’s first attempt at producing.

25 Oct 2019
Motion Pictures, Radio, Television Permalink

Conrad Nagel

October 25, 2019

Conrad Nagel was an American screen actor and matinee idol of the silent film era and beyond. He was also a well-known television actor and radio performer.

Born in Keokuk, Iowa, into an upper-middle-class family, he was the son of a musician father, Frank, and a mother, Frances, who was a locally praised singer. Nagel?s mother died early in his life, and he always attributed his artistic inclination to growing up in a family environment that encouraged self-expression. His father, Frank, became dean of the music conservatory at Highland Park College and when Nagel was three, the family moved to Des Moines.

After graduating from Highland Park College at Des Moines, Iowa, Nagel left for California to pursue a career in the relatively new medium of motion pictures where he garnered instant attention from the Hollywood studio executives. With his frame, blue eyes, and wavy blond hair; the young, Midwestern Nagel was seen by studio executives as a potentially wholesome matinee idol whose unpretentious all-American charm would surely appeal to the nation’s nascent film-goers.

Nagel was immediately cast in film roles that cemented his unspoiled lover image. His first film was the 1918 retelling of the Louisa May Alcott classic, Little Women, which quickly captured the public?s attention and set Nagel on a path to silent film stardom. His breakout role came in the 1920 film, The Fighting Chance, opposite Swedish starlet Anna Q. Nilsson.

25 Oct 2019
Motion Pictures, Recording Permalink

Constance Bennett

October 25, 2019

Constance Campbell Bennett was an American actress.

She was born in New York City, the daughter of actor Richard Bennett and actress Adrienne Morrison, whose father was the stage actor Lewis Morrison. Her younger sisters were actress/dancer Barbara Bennett and actress Joan Bennett.

She started off with a spell in a convent but decided to go into the family business. Independent, cultured, ironic and outspoken, Constance, the first Bennett sister to enter motion pictures, appeared in New York-produced silent movies before a meeting with Samuel Goldwyn led to her Hollywood debut in Cytherea. She abandoned a burgeoning career in silents for marriage to Philip Plant in 1925; She resumed her film career after divorce, with the advent of talking pictures, and with her delicate blonde features and glamorous fashion style, quickly became a popular film star.

25 Oct 2019
Motion Pictures, Radio Permalink

Constance Binney

October 25, 2019

Constance Binney was an American stage and film actress and dancer.

Born in New York City, Constance Binney was educated at Westover School, a private college preparatory boarding school for girls in Middlebury, Connecticut and in Paris, France. She made her Broadway theatre debut in 1917 and the following year appeared with her actress sister, Faire Binney, in the Maurice Tourneur silent film, Sporting Life based on the play by Cecil Raleigh and Seymour Hicks. In 1919, she starred opposite John Barrymore in The Test of Honor.

Although Constance Binney left the film business in 1923, her contribution to the industry was recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6301 Hollywood Blvd.

Constance Binney last performed on Broadway in 1924. She appeared on stage in London and in 1941 married the British war hero, Leonard Cheshire. However, this marriage was short-lived.