OBITUARY

Gidget, former Taco Bell dog, dies at 15

It seems that every time we turn around, another beloved celebrity is passing away. Today, it is with heavy heart that we report yet another celebrity death. Rest in peace Gidget, the Chihuahua who starred in a series of Taco Bell commercials and made famous the phrase “¡Yo quiero Taco Bell!”

Gidget died of a stroke Tuesday at the ripe old age of 15, People Pets reports. She’d lived in comfortable semiretirement since the heyday of the Taco Bell advertising campaign, occasionally making cameo appearances (hawking insurance alongside the GEICO gecko in a 2002 commercial and playing the mother of Reese Witherspoon’s Chihuahua, Bruiser, in the sequel to “Legally Blonde”). 

In the grand tradition of celebrities such as Marlene Dietrich who went before her, Gidget played against type in the Taco Bell ads, portraying a male dog voiced by Argentine American actor Carlos Alazraqui.  A few years later, Alazraqui landed the role for which he’s best known: Deputy James Garcia on Comedy Central’s “Reno 911.” But others associated with the ad campaign weren’t so lucky. Earlier this year, the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled that the creators of the Chihuahua character hadn’t been properly compensated for their work, and Taco Bell was ordered to pay $42 million.

Gidget’s trainer, Sue Chipperton, described the diminutive dog as a consummate professional on the set in an interview earlier this year with People Pets. But, she said, Gidget had been the victim of typecasting, which limited her career choices (or, rather, Chipperton’s choices on her behalf). Although her career waned in recent years, Gidget (and her catchphrase) remained a well-known pop-culture footnote of the 1990s.  “She made so many people happy,” Chipperton told People Pets. 

As Horatio put it so memorably, “Now cracks a noble heart.” Good night, sweet prince(ss).  We’ll miss you and your unerring ability to make us crave fast food.

– Lindsay Barnett

Los Angeles Times

Photo: Associated Press

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HOLLYWOOD NEWS

Is Hollywood big enough for two wax museums?

Some locals and observers worry that business will melt away for the aging Hollywood Wax Museum with the opening of a Madame Tussauds. But representatives of both play down any rivalry.

By Hugo Martin

Los Angeles Times

July 22, 2009

 A wax war is heating up on Hollywood Boulevard.

For 44 years, the Hollywood Wax Museum has been Tinseltown’s only wax attraction featuring celebrities, a monopoly that has kept it open through wars, recessions and riots.

But that all is changing with the opening of Madame Tussauds, Hollywood Boulevard’s newest multimillion-dollar attraction, next to the historic Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.

The 40,000-square-foot building officially opens to the public Aug. 1, but visitors can get early admission starting today. Inside, they’ll see 115 wax figures, including representations of President Obama, Samuel L. Jackson and Marilyn Monroe.

Click here to continue reading

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OBITUARY

‘Tarzan’ actress Brenda Joyce dies

Starred as Jane in five movies in the series

By Mike Barnes

Hollywood Reporter

July 17, 2009

SCREENINGS

The Films of Kenneth Anger

cinespia cemetery screenings season 09

sunday, july 19th

The Films of Kenneth Anger

directed by kenneth anger

gates at 7:30 pm, film at 9:00 PM
hollywood forever cemetery
6000 santa monica boulevard at gower
$10 donation tickets available at gate.

KENNETH ANGER IN PERSON!!

Beautiful, erotic, phantasmagoric, the films of Kenneth Anger are a national treasure. Mick Jagger, Anita Pallenberg, Marianne Faithfull, Anton Lavey, and a parade of other 60s luminaries collaborate on this collection of short films. They range from rich mystcal imagery and visual essays of psychedelic color to insider documentary footage of bikers and a glittering love letter to early black and white film. Join us below (and above) the stars for this special screening with one of our most legendary filmmakers.

DJ Nobody and Carlos Nino spin before and after the screening.

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100th BIRTHDAY

Harriet Nelson

AMERICAN SINGER AND ACTRESS

• BORN: July 18, 1909, Des Moines, Iowa
• DIED: October 2, 1994, Laguna Beach, California
• CAUSE OF DEATH: Congestive heart failure
• BURIAL: Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills, Hollywood, California

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OBITUARY

Robert Cushman dies at 62; photograph curator for film industry’s library

Robert Cushman and Allison Francis at her recent wedding in January

(Courtesy Michael and Allison Francis)

The director of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science’s Margaret Herrick Library says he had ‘an encyclopedic knowledge of movies that could not be matched.’

By Susan King

Los Angeles Times

July 17, 2009

Robert Cushman, photograph curator for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science’s Margaret Herrick Library in Beverly Hills, has died. He was 62.

Click here to continue reading the Los Angeles Times obituary for Robert Cushman

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OBITUARY

Walter Cronkite dies at 92; longtime CBS anchorman

The anchor of the ‘CBS Evening News’ was considered the most trusted public figure in America during his tenure.

By Valerie J. Nelson

Los Angeles Times

July 17, 2009

Walter Cronkite, the former CBS news anchor whose steady baritone informed, reassured and guided the nation during the tumultuous 1960s and 1970s, died today, CBS News announced. He was 92.

Click here to continue reading the Los Angeles Times obituary for Walter Cronkite

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SCREENINGS

The Bride of Frankenstein

cinespia cemetery screenings season 09

saturday, july 18th

bride of frankenstein

directed by james whale (1935, 75 mins.)

gates at 7:30 pm, film at 9:00 pm
hollywood forever cemetery
6000 santa monica boulevard at gower
no reservation necessary.
$10 donation tickets available at gate. parking $5.
as a courtesy to other movie-goers: no tall chairs.

Sparkling wit, monster pathos and mad science, Bride has it all. Directed with an easy playfulness, it is suprisingly sharp, sophisticated and funny, and truly one of the great horror films of all time. Starring Boris Karloff in his most famous role as Frankenstein, the film is as compelling now as when it was first made. Elsa Lanchester is brilliant as the bride of frankenstein, the best monster of all time!

DJ dave orlando (dubclub, punky reaggae party and dr. who) spins before and after the screening.

FUN FACT: William Hurlbut, the screenwriter of The Bride of Frankenstein, is interred in a crypt  in one of the mausoleums behind where the film is being screened.

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1930 CENSUS

Ken Maynard

(1895-1973)

Film actor

Ken in Tombstone Canyon (1932)

Afton Arms Apartments 

6141 Afton Place

Hollywood, Los Angeles County, California

 Rent, $30

Radio

Census taken on April 3, 1930

HOUSEHOLD RESIDENTS*

1. Ken Maynard (head), 32 / Texas / Actor / Motion pictures.
2. Mary Maynard (wife), 30 / Indiana / None.

NOTE: This is a private residence. Please DO NOT disturb the occupants.

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* Information includes relationship to head of household, age / place of birth (year of arrival in this country, if applicable) / occupation / industry.

The preceeding text is taken from my book, Celebrities in the 1930 Census (McFarland & Co., Inc., 2008). This directory provides an extensive listing of household information collected for over 2,265 famous or notorious individuals who were alive during the 1930 United States Census. Please note: The above photographs do not appear in the book.

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FUNERAL/MEMORIAL

Gale Storm memorial service set

A memorial service for actress Gale Storm, star of the 1950s situation comedies “My Little Margie” and “The Gale Storm Show: Oh! Susanna,” will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at South Shores Church, 32712 Crown Valley Parkway, Monarch Beach in Dana Point. Storm died June 27 at age 87.

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