THE RIDDLER IS DEAD,
LONG LIVE THE RIDDLER
Frank Gorshin, 'TV Batman' Riddler, Dies at 72: The PP Guru was dismayed to hear about Frank Gorshin, who passed away from complications due to emphysema and pneumonia - no doubt through the intravenous injection of 20 plus cancer sticks a day- just a few days ago in Burbank.
The PP Guru euphorically remembers those silver age innocent days when nothing else mattered to a three year old than tuning into ABC's Batman tv series twice a week back in 1966 or 1968 and be affixated to Gorshin's guest turns as the Riddler.
Ever since, the Riddler has been one of the PP Guru's favorite bat baddies. Gorshin's mirthful and hypertensioned performance has always been cemented in nostalgia overindulgence and the PP Guru has got his magic wand fingers crossed for the day when 20th Century Fox will come to some rational compromise to release these campy gems on to DVD (You can find the original 1966 theatrical film on DVD with optional commentary provided by the bat team of Adam West & Burt Ward who just gush over Gorshin's talents). Gorshin was also a emmy winner for his guest star appearance on the PP Guru's favorite all time Star Trek episode, "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield".
"Commissioner Bele" in the ST:TOS episode: "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield"
Even though Gorshin was immensely a talented impressionist both on screen and in sell outs throughout Las Vegas (where the PP Guru is headed next Memorial Day weekend for some much needed R & R) the PP Guru has got to come clean and tell you guys - this guy smoked like a goddamn chimney.
The PP Guru remembers a encounter a few years back at Bruce Schwartz's Comic Book and Science Fiction Show that's usually holding court at the Shrine Auditorium every month or so in downtown Los Angeles where Gorshin was seated behind a table signing autographs. Frank had a steady flow of fans coming over to greet him, not a line going around the block mind you, but he wasn't doing too shabby. The PP Guru non-chalantly noticed while he was standing in line to get free movie passes (IPPGRC- the first Matrix movie) that everytime that Frank hurried along to sign his name, Frank would dart underneath the table and snap back quickly as if he didn't want people to notice something. As the PP Guru got nearer to recieve his pass- he got closer to Frank's table as well and noticed that on a empty chair besides him - he had three lit Winston cigarettes dangling on the edge of the chair and had to keep pausing to take a puff and blow the smoke off the balcony behind him.
So in conclusion, the PP Guru is not really surprised that Frank shifted off our regular plane of existence due to excessive cigarette smoking.
What did surprise the PP Guru was Frank wasn't that old of a guy - only 72.
What really freaks the PP Guru out is that Frank's soul departs at the same weekend that that awful show, that awful animated abortion called THE BATMAN is premiering the very first episode featuring their design of the Riddler this Saturday morning at 9:30 AM Pacific and 10:30 Eastern (voiced by Robert Englund). Coincidentally, a upcoming unaired episode features Gorshin's voice as Dr. Hugo Strange on that show.
Poorly timed PR on the Kids WB's Part so sayeth the PP Guru.
On a happier Cartoon Network note, the Cartoon Network resumes with first run second season episodes of the more excellent and satisifying Justice League Unlimited tomorrow night at 9:00 PM. Tape it if you have to go out on a date, get plastered or get laid.
~ Coat
Sparky adds:
In 1953, three years after Al Jolson had started the ball rolling, a young Frank Gorshin served in the Special Services, where he helped entertain troups engaged in the Korean War. After that initiation by fire, he became well known as an actor with a wide range, including uncanny impressions of popular stars.
Hear part of his routine (In REALPlayer) - I always found his take on Kirk Douglas fascinating as a young child - amazed at how talented a mimic he was. Ah well. Remember - SMOKING IS BAD AS WELL AS “TEH STUPID!!”
LONG LIVE THE RIDDLER
Frank Gorshin, 'TV Batman' Riddler, Dies at 72: The PP Guru was dismayed to hear about Frank Gorshin, who passed away from complications due to emphysema and pneumonia - no doubt through the intravenous injection of 20 plus cancer sticks a day- just a few days ago in Burbank.
The PP Guru euphorically remembers those silver age innocent days when nothing else mattered to a three year old than tuning into ABC's Batman tv series twice a week back in 1966 or 1968 and be affixated to Gorshin's guest turns as the Riddler.
Ever since, the Riddler has been one of the PP Guru's favorite bat baddies. Gorshin's mirthful and hypertensioned performance has always been cemented in nostalgia overindulgence and the PP Guru has got his magic wand fingers crossed for the day when 20th Century Fox will come to some rational compromise to release these campy gems on to DVD (You can find the original 1966 theatrical film on DVD with optional commentary provided by the bat team of Adam West & Burt Ward who just gush over Gorshin's talents). Gorshin was also a emmy winner for his guest star appearance on the PP Guru's favorite all time Star Trek episode, "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield".
"Commissioner Bele" in the ST:TOS episode: "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield"
Even though Gorshin was immensely a talented impressionist both on screen and in sell outs throughout Las Vegas (where the PP Guru is headed next Memorial Day weekend for some much needed R & R) the PP Guru has got to come clean and tell you guys - this guy smoked like a goddamn chimney.
The PP Guru remembers a encounter a few years back at Bruce Schwartz's Comic Book and Science Fiction Show that's usually holding court at the Shrine Auditorium every month or so in downtown Los Angeles where Gorshin was seated behind a table signing autographs. Frank had a steady flow of fans coming over to greet him, not a line going around the block mind you, but he wasn't doing too shabby. The PP Guru non-chalantly noticed while he was standing in line to get free movie passes (IPPGRC- the first Matrix movie) that everytime that Frank hurried along to sign his name, Frank would dart underneath the table and snap back quickly as if he didn't want people to notice something. As the PP Guru got nearer to recieve his pass- he got closer to Frank's table as well and noticed that on a empty chair besides him - he had three lit Winston cigarettes dangling on the edge of the chair and had to keep pausing to take a puff and blow the smoke off the balcony behind him.
So in conclusion, the PP Guru is not really surprised that Frank shifted off our regular plane of existence due to excessive cigarette smoking.
What did surprise the PP Guru was Frank wasn't that old of a guy - only 72.
What really freaks the PP Guru out is that Frank's soul departs at the same weekend that that awful show, that awful animated abortion called THE BATMAN is premiering the very first episode featuring their design of the Riddler this Saturday morning at 9:30 AM Pacific and 10:30 Eastern (voiced by Robert Englund). Coincidentally, a upcoming unaired episode features Gorshin's voice as Dr. Hugo Strange on that show.
Poorly timed PR on the Kids WB's Part so sayeth the PP Guru.
On a happier Cartoon Network note, the Cartoon Network resumes with first run second season episodes of the more excellent and satisifying Justice League Unlimited tomorrow night at 9:00 PM. Tape it if you have to go out on a date, get plastered or get laid.
~ Coat
Sparky adds:
In 1953, three years after Al Jolson had started the ball rolling, a young Frank Gorshin served in the Special Services, where he helped entertain troups engaged in the Korean War. After that initiation by fire, he became well known as an actor with a wide range, including uncanny impressions of popular stars.
Hear part of his routine (In REALPlayer) - I always found his take on Kirk Douglas fascinating as a young child - amazed at how talented a mimic he was. Ah well. Remember - SMOKING IS BAD AS WELL AS “TEH STUPID!!”
posted by Coat @ 4:34 PM
2 Comments:
At 8:07 AM ,
Coat said...
Matthew Coatney writes (the PP Guru's little brother):
"I'm sad to hear about Frank dying. I have another
friend at work that actually met Frank Gorshin up at Aspen Colorado at a
ski resort. He said Frank actually sat and talked with him for awhile
there. Come to think of it Dan smokes like a chimney as well. Maybe they
were having a smoke break together. I remember when I was in Vegas with you
last year and saw Boomer outside the door having a smoke. Those actors must
leed stressful lives. Hope boomer doesn't kick the bucket.
Later."
At 8:46 AM ,
ZenPupDog said...
Perhaps you should do a PSA about how SMOKING is stupid.
Focus on Demi Moore and Catherine Zeta Douglas as smoking mothers who couldn't drop their disgusting habit for their kids - born and unborn.
DIM - ZPD
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