KPBS Film Club reviews IL DIVO, WHATEVER WORKS, PUBLIC ENEMIES, THE HURT LOCKER and PONTYPOON
July 9th, 2009 by Scott Marks
Toni Servillo in “Il Divo”
Wendy, I’m home!
After a viscous virus that lasted fifteen day and spanned three Staples stores my computer is finally clean. Real clean. Like my conscience. Nice to be back.
So much has happened in the past two weeks, but nothing was more shocking than the passing of an architect of entertainment, an international icon who redefined an art form, and an industry giant. Of course, I refer to Kaiser of Copycats, the late, great Fred Travalena. The impressionist was dubbed “The Man of a Thousand Faces” for his uncanny ability to ape not only celebrity voices, but their anthroposcopy as well.
Mr. T died three days after Farrah Fawcett and already there is talk of a “Good Sports” curse. Mr. Travalena starred opposite Ms. Fawcett in the series premiere. In addition, the 1991 sitcom starred William Katt whose career died ages ago. There is also a Michael Jackson connection. Travalena appeared as Jacko on the 1992 MTV Music Video Awards. I have yet to unearth a link to Gale Storm or Billy Mays.
The impersonator will always have a warm spot in my heart for a blinding display of in-joke absurdity. Jim Nabors as played by Fred Travalena as played by Dave Thomas on SCTV’s “The Merv Griffith Show” was the first thing that came to mind when news hit of the entertainer’s passing. Fred Travalena was 61.
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While Michael Jackson was being interred I was in mid-turd watching “Adam,” a Lifetime disease-of-the-week movie erroneously being released in theaters. I only caught swatches of the funeral and if there is humor to be found in tragedy, take a look at the ghoulish getup Corey Feldman wore.
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This month’s Film Club aired on June 30. I am proud to say that business for “Il Divo” rose dramatically after Beth and I gave it an audiogenic bj. Sadly, the show aired on a Tuesday and Landmark’s bookings are put to bed on Mondays. The film only lasted one week at the Ken.
Kudos to Beth for unearthing “Pontypoon,” a Canadian zombie film (without any onscreen zombies) currently playing On Demand.
Fred Travalena on “Merv”
Tags: corey feldman, Farrah Fawcett, Film Reviews, fred travalena, fred travalena dead, fred travalena dies, KPBS Film Club, Michael Jackson, movie reviews IL DIVO, PONTYPOON, PUBLIC ENEMIES, THE HURT LOCKER, Video, WHATEVER WORKSFiled Under Rants