Monthly Archives: September 2011

Pic of the Day: “East of Eden” (1955) revisited

Posted by Marisa on

Since today is the anniversary of the death of James Dean in 1955, I thought it fitting that our pic for today be another shot from East of Eden (1955). This one isn’t a candid from the set like the last one, but is actually from the film.

Ray Dennis Steckler once said, “[Tim] and James Dean used to pal around a lot… He said James Dean wasn’t from this planet anyway and just got called back early!” Tim recalled accompanying Dean on one of his notorious “Sunday drives” through the Salinas Valley in his little racing car. Upon their return, Tim declared, “I’m never getting in a car with him again.” And thank God he didn’t.

Pic of the Day: “Fear of High Places”

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Our pic for today (click for the embiggening) is from one of two of Tim’s appearances on the unusual television series The Name of the Game. This one is from the premiere episode, “Fear of High Places.” It was first broadcast on September 20, 1968, and was directed by William A. Graham, who also directed Tim in Waterhole #3 (1967) and Change of Habit (1969). Tim has no dialogue as mysterious bad guy Jules Forel, who sports an empty cigarette holder, an overly hip pair of shades, and an unusual facial hair configuration.

The Name of the Game

The other episode of this series that he appeared in, “Aquarius Descending,” has been utterly impossible for me to dig up. If and when it ever turns up, you’ll be the first to know!

Video of the Week: “The World’s Greatest Sinner”

Posted by Marisa on

It’s time for the Video of the Week! The World’s Greatest Sinner (1962) is Tim’s grindhouse magnum opus. He wrote it, produced it, financed it, directed it, starred in it, promoted it, stood outside the theater greeting patrons, sold tickets and popcorn, ushered folks to their seats. The absolute last word in truly independent filmmaking!

Future cult favorite Ray Dennis Steckler shot the film, and young Frank Zappa wrote the music. Would we love to see a nice big fat Criterion release of this film? Heck yes we would! But for now, please buy your copy from Tim’s son Romeo at Absolute Films (I know it says VHS, but you will get a DVD). In fact, please buy everything you can possibly afford from this site – all proceeds go to funding future Carey projects, such as finally getting Tweet’s Ladies of Pasadena released. DO IT NOW!

Pic of the Day: “The City is Dark” (aka “Crime Wave”)

Posted by Marisa on

Today’s pic is another of my eBay finds. Crime Wave (1954) was originally known as The City is Dark (a much better title, I think), and there is still some ephemera from this film out there that is available under that title.

aka Crime Wave

From left to right, we have Charles Bronson, Tim, Ted de Corsia, Jim Hayward, and Gene Nelson. Directed by the great André De Toth, it’s one of the best film noirs ever – don’t you dare miss it.

Pics of the Day: The Wall of Timothy, updated

Posted by Marisa on

I finally got the Wall of Timothy rearranged and updated!

Sept. 2011 #1

Sept. 2011 #2

Sept. 2011 #3

A word about the ladybugs. For some reason, I’ve been associating them with Tim for quite a while now. It made me happy when I discovered recently that he mentions them in his play The Insect Trainer. I found this ladybug banner/decoration on the ground behind my car the other day. I like to think it’s Tim saying “Hi!”

Sept. 2011 #4

Sept. 2011 #5

And you guys, this isn’t everything. I have so many lobby cards that I’m going to have to swap them out every few weeks or so. There are also big posters from Bayou and The Wild One that I just don’t have room for. Slowly but surely, Tim is taking over our house… I’m OK with that!

Pic of the Day: “Ransom For a Dead Man”

Posted by Marisa on

Happy Friday, and happy first day of Fall! There’s a chill in the air – why not stop by Barney’s Beanery and get a nice hot bowl of chili from our pal Bert? Our pic today is from the first episode of Columbo in which Tim portrays genial counterman Bert, “Ransom for a Dead Man.” This was actually Columbo‘s pilot episode, first broadcast on March 1, 1971.

Columbo

Tim made a total of three appearances on Columbo. It’s nice to see him with fellow Cassavetes alum Peter Falk.

Pic of the Day: “Minnie and Moskowitz”

Posted by Marisa on

Our pic for this Thursday is from John Cassavetes’ Minnie and Moskowitz (1971). I previously posted the video of Tim’s entire appearance in the film here, so please check it out again.

Minnie and Moskowitz

Morgan Morgan is one of those men on the fringes of society that you wouldn’t look at twice if you passed him on the street. In fact, you might even cross the street to avoid him. He’s fat and his clothes are worn, dirty and ill-fitting. His skin is sallow and splotchy and he sweats a lot. His hair is a mess. He hasn’t shaved. His teeth are yellow and crooked. He probably smells bad. There’s a gleam in his red-rimmed eyes that wavers between sullen and manic.  “Everyday people, that’s what’s wrong with this world. We oughta get rid of ‘em,“ he snarls. But doesn’t he realize that he is “everyday people”? As I mentioned previously, it’s just one of the greatest depictions of raw humanity ever put on screen.