| July 28 |
1901 -- The vagabond lover, singer/bandleader Hubert Prior (Rudy) Vallee, is born in Island Pond, Vermont. He hosted the first-ever big variety show on radio, 'The Fleischmann's Yeast Hour,' which brought to the American public such class acts as Jack Benny and Kate Smith. And even radio had spin-offs; both 'We the People' and 'The Aldrich Family' were created first as sketches on Rudy's show. Rudy co-wrote his longtime theme 'Vagabond Lover,' which was also the title of his 1929 film debut. His film career as a whole was less-then legendary, however, and most television watchers today remember him either for his three visits to 'Batman' as Lord Marmadue Ffogg, and for his macabre appearance in 'Night Gallery' as disgraced surgeon Francis Deeking, who has an unwitting traveller stop by his mansion in the segment entitled 'Marmalade Wine.' Rudy died of cancer in North Hollywood on July 3, 1986, reportedly while watching the Statue of Liberty Centennial celebration on television. He was 85 years old. 1911 -- She was never a star, but oh how she strengthened every project she was ever in! (If you read that clause to the strains of 'Oklahoma!' it can be quite entertaining . . . ). Actress Ann Doran, who, according to imdb.com appeared in more than 500 movies and had roles in over 1,000 television shows, it born today in Amarillo, Texas. Some of her roles were significant (James Dean's mother in 'Rebel Without a Cause'); some barely noticeable ('Audience Member' in 'I Love Lucy') and others, Oh! a moral compass (try 'Oklahoma!' again, but I don't think it will help this one) as housekeeper to blind private detective 'Longstreet.' Ann's last performance was an episode of 'Hunter' that aired in November of 1988. She died less than two years later of complications from a stroke. She was 89 years old. Reportedly, she bequeathed in her will $400,000 to the Motion Picture Country House, the movie industry's retirement home. 1933 -- The first singing telegram was sent to Rudy Vallee (see above) on his 32nd birthday. 1939 -- Judy Garland recorded 'Over the Rainbow' with the Victor Young Orchestra. 1957 -- Jerry Lee Lewis makes his television debut on the 'Steve Allen Show.' 1973 -- It's one year to the day from their first date, and Lee Majors and Farrah Fawcett celebrate by getting married. They were divorced on February 16, 1982. 1985 -- 'The Incredible Shrinking Man,' Grant Williams, dies of toxic poisoning at the age of 54. 2000 -- Kathie Lee Gifford makes her final appearance as co-host 'Live with Regis and Kathie Lee.' 2004 -- Jackson Beck (above), who introduced Superman on both radio and television, dies after a series of strokes. According to imdb.com, Jackson, who worked well into his '80s, also voiced 'Ceasar, Jr.' for more than 20 years on 'Little Ceasar's' commercials and also voiced Popeye's nemesis Bluto in more than 300 cartoons. At the time of his death, Jackson Beck was 92 years old. |
| Although he had a notorious reputation for being difficult to get along with, Rudy Vallee was married four times. However, two of the marriages lasted less than a year. |
| 'The Incredible Shrinking Man' (1957) was based on the novel by brilliant sci-fi author Richard Matheson. |
| On radio, Jackson Beck portrayed both Philo Vance and O. Henry's 'The Cisco Kid. |