Rita Moreno: Película-Musical Leyenda (Movie-Musical Legend)

She has performed on Broadway, Television, Film…and even at one of our nation’s presidential inaugurations. She has worked with the likes of Gene Kelly, Natalie Wood, Yul Brynner, George Chakiris, Leslie Nielsen and has appeared under the direction of Michael Curtiz, Robert Wise, Jerome Robbins, Stanley Donen, and Walter Lang. Rosita Dolores Alverio—whom we know better today as Rita Moreno—has had a career in the entertainment industry that has lasted for more than 70 years.

A native of Puerto Rico, Moreno was born on December 11th, 1931. She relocated with her mother to New York in 1936, at the age of 5. There she took up dancing lessons, and made her Broadway debut at the age of 13 in a show called Skydrift. Her performance in the show grabbed the attention of Hollywood talent scouts.

    Moreno made her film debut at the age of 19 in a dramatic film called So Young So Bad (1950). Two years after that, Gene Kelly cast her as Zelda Zanders in Singin’ in the Rain (1952), a film in which Kelly both acted opposite and directed Moreno (along with Stanley Donen). Not long after “Singin’ in the Rain,” production began on the film adaptation of Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s The King and I (1956). When the film’s producers were casting for the role of Tuptim the slave in the film, Moreno went only for a test, but impressed the producers so much, that she wound up being cast in the part. Moreno said in a later interview, that France Nuyen was in consideration for the role, but didn’t get it because she wasn’t under contract to 20th Century Fox. (Interestingly, Nuyen wound up getting cast as Liat in the film of Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s South Pacific (1958)). The same year as “The King and I,” Moreno starred in the movie-musical, The Vagabond King (1956) starring opposite Kathryn Grayson and Leslie Nielsen, and under the direction of Michael Curtiz (the Oscar-winning director of Casablanca (1942) and White Christmas (1956)). 

In 1961 was cast as Anita in West Side Story (1961)—Jerome Robbins’s and Robert Wise’s film adaptation of Leonard Bernstein’s and Stephen Sondheim’s musical based on “Romeo and Juliet.” Chita Rivera had originated the role on Broadway. (Moreno was also in consideration for the role of Rosie DeLeon in Bye Bye Birdie (1963), a role that Chita Rivera had also originated on Broadway, but Janet Leigh was cast instead.) Moreno’s performance as Anita won her the Oscar and Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress. (“West Side Story,” won a total of ten Oscars and three Golden Globes, including Best Picture of 1961 and Best Supporting Actor, George Chakiris, who played Moreno’s love interest, Bernardo).

Nine years after “West Side Story,” in 1970, Moreno returned to Broadway in a musical called Gantry, based on the 1927 book Elmer Gantry and the 1960 film Elmer Gantry. The show closed after one performance, but despite that, Moreno wounded up being cast in the play, The Ritz, in 1975, which won her the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress.        

For Disney/ABC Television, Moreno had bit parts in the series Zorro (1957-1959), The Golden Girls (1985-1992), and Grey’s Anatomy (2005-present). She also did additional voices for the Disney Channel Series Bonkers (1993-1994) and Raw Toonage (1992-1993), which was produced by Disney though it aired on CBS. She played Abuela in the Disney Channel Series Special Agent Oso (2009-2012) and made an Emmy-winning appearance as herself in an episode of The Muppet Show (1976-1981) as well as the television specials The Muppets Go Hollywood (1979) and Best Ever Muppet Moments (2006). She also appeared as herself in the Walt Disney World 4th of July Spectacular special which aired on television in 1988.

Moreno performed at former President Bill Clinton’s first inauguration in 1993. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by former President George W. Bush in 2004.

Moreno is one of 13 performers in the entertainment industry to have won an Oscar, Golden Globe, Emmy, and Tony. Otherwise known as the EGOT Club, joining the likes of Mel Brooks, Richard Rodgers, and Audrey Hepburn. Moreno also won a Grammy Award in 1972 in the category of Best Album for Children for The Electric Company Album (1972), which was based on the television show in which she was a regular, The Electric Company (1971-1977).   

Milt Kahl: King of Prince Charmings

Many movies created by Walt Disney Studios are based on “princess stories,” and while not always central to the story, the princess was often accompanied by a prince. “Prince Charming,” as it was often called, became an important part of the success of Disney films, and those characters are exactly what one of Walt Disney’s “Nine Old Men,” Milt Kahl, was known for. Like every animator at Disney, he achieved great versatility as an “animator/actor,” at the studio, animating heroes, sidekicks, and even some classic Disney villains throughout his time at Disney. But he was most famous for his work on the princes.

Milt Kahl grew up in San Francisco, California. He took up drawing as a kid but was unfortunately unable to receive training for it having to drop out of high school at the age of 16 to help provide for his family. He continued drawing through his teens, and after seeing the classic Disney short, The Three Little Pigs (1933), Kahl knew what he wanted to do for the rest of his life, and was officially employed by Disney the following year in 1934. Milt’s first assignment was animating Mickey Mouse in the short Mickey’s Circus (1936).

It’s been said that an animator’s most difficult assignment is animating human characters, simply because they have to be drawn as they are photographed; more like normal, natural humans-while animal characters don’t. Kahl was admired for this king of work, however, and Disney took advantage of it. Kahl’s first chance to animate a prince was Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), along with drawing the forest animals and the dwarfs dancing. He also animated Prince Charming as well as the King, the Grand Duke, and the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella (1950), and Prince Philip, King Hubert, King Stefan, Samson, Goons, and Forrest Animals in Sleeping Beauty (1959).

In addition to his “Prince” assignments, Kahl animated Pinocchio, along with some scenes of Jiminy Cricket and Gepetto in Pinocchio (1940). In between “Snow White,” and “Pinocchio,” Kahl both animated and provided the voice of Ferdinand the Bull in a short that the Disney Studios produced called Ferdinand the Bull (1938). (Walt Disney himself provided the voice of Ferdinand’smother in the short. The short won the Oscar for Best Short Subject, Cartoons.) Kahl also animated Bambi, Flower, and Thumper as adults in Bambi (1942), Alice, the Dodo Bird, and the Flamingos in Alice in Wonderland (1951), Peter Pan and the entire Darling family in Peter Pan (1953), Lady, Tramp, Trusty, and Beaver in Lady and the Tramp (1955). Prior to animating Shere Khan and Medusa, Milt Kahl was the main animator for Roger, Anita, and some scenes with Pongo in 101 Dalmatians (1961), O’Malley the Alley Cat in The Aristocats (1970), Robin Hood, the Sheriff of Nottingham, Little John, and Allan-a-Dale (the rooster) in Robin Hood (1973), and Tigger in The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977).     

Throughout his time at Disney, Kahl wanted to animate the villain characters, but dis not get his first villain assignment until The Jungle Book (1967) as the supervising animator for Shere Khan. His second villain assignment wound up being his very last assignment for the studio, when he was named the supervising animator for Madame Medusa in The Rescuers (1977). Kahl based his animation for the character off of his ex-wife, Phyllis Bounds Detiege, who ironically was the niece of Walt Disney’s wife, Lillian Bounds Disney. (Kahl never particularly liked her!). In “Rescuers,” Kahl also animated Mr. Snoops, Penny, Brutus and Nero, and a few scenes with Bernard and Miss Bianca.

Milt Kahl also mentored Brad Bird, 2-time Oscar-winning writer/director of Disney/Pixar’s The Incredibles (2004) and Ratatouille (2007).

Milton “Milt” Erwin Kahl was a true virtuoso at the Walt Disney Studios. His handiwork was foundational to many Disney successes, from animating Mickey Mouse, to forest animals, to princes, and villains. A true master of the art form throughout his career. Kahl’s name may not be known to many Disney fans, but his work is loved by young and old. 

Debbie and Carrie: Mother-Daughter Magic

On December 27th, 2016, Carrie Frances Fisher, best known throughout the world as Princess Leia Organa in the Star Wars film franchise (1977-present), died of a heart attack. A very unfortunate 24 hours later, her mother, legendary movie star Debbie Reynolds, died of a stroke. They were close in death and in life. Likely best friends in their later years, their relationship was rocky at times, but their careers had much in common.

Both Reynolds and Fisher were 20 years old when they made the signature films of their careers: Reynolds in Singin’ in the Rain (1952) and Fisher in Star Wars Episode 4: A New Hope (1977). Each of those films went on the be highly regarded in the history of film-“Singin’ in the Rain,” as the ultimate blockbuster movie-musical and “Star Wars,” as a culture-defining phenomenon. Both Reynolds and Fisher made films for the Walt Disney Studios as well: 

Reynolds portrayed Agatha “Aggie” Cromwell in the “Halloweentown,” movie series for the Disney Channel (Halloweentown (1998), Halloweentown 2: Kalabar’s Revenge (2001), Halloweentown High (2004), and Return to Halloweentown (2006)). Reynolds provided the voices of Kim Possible’s grandmother, Nana Possible in the Disney Channel Series, Kim Possible (2002-2007), Great-Great-Grandmommers Whimsical in the Disney XD series, The 7D (2014-present), and Madame in the direct-to-video film Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989). Reynolds also lent her voice to an episode of the Disney XD series, Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil (2010-present). She also starred in one episode of ABC's The Golden Girls (1985-1992).

Fisher reprised her trademark role as Princess Leia Organa for Disney/Lucasfilm ltd.’s Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015) and Star Wars Episode VIII (2017). In both films she got to act opposite her daughter, Billie Lourd, who portrayed Lieutenant Connix. Archival footage of her saying the word “hope” and a CGI image of herself were used to portray Leia in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016). Fisher also played Franny Jessup in a telefilm called Sunday Drive (1986) that aired on the program, The Wonderful World of Disney (1954-present) on the ABC Network. Fisher was also a little-known, but much sought-after “script doctor,” and made uncredited rewrites for the screenplay of the Touchstone Pictures film Sister Act (1992).

Both mother and daughter were also accomplished authors. Reynolds published Debbie: My Life in 1988 and Unsinkable: A Memoir in 2012. Fisher published Postcards from the Edge in 1987, which inspired the film of the same name with Meryl Streep and Shirley MacLaine in 1990, (and for which she which Fisher wrote the screenplay). Just recently, Fisher published The Princess Diarist.

As a team, Reynolds and Fisher both also lent their voices to the “Tales of a Third Grade Nothing,” episode of Family Guy (2008). 

While both Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher had their own, unique career paths, together, they maintained a close relationship until the very end. Their work in films, television, and publishing never ceased to entertain and their legacy will continue to live on for many years to come.

Bob Newhart: What’s-s s-so f-f-funny?

When we think of the term “sit-com legends,” there are many names that come to our minds: Dick Van Dyke, Andy Griffith, Betty White, Lucille Ball, Don Knotts, and many others. Another name that could be included in that list would be Bob Newhart. Having begun his career as a stand-up comedian, Newhart brought laughter into the world with his deadpan humor combined with his slight stammer, transitioning into being the star of successful television shows and movies.

Bob Newhart first had his own television sit-com, The Bob Newhart Show (1972-1978). The show earned him a Golden Globe nomination in its first season for his performance as Dr. Robert “Bob” Hartley. Next, Newhart starred in the sit-com Newhart (1982-1990), which earned him four Golden Globe Nominations and three Emmy Nominations for his performance as Dick Loudon. Tom Poston, who co-starred with Newhart in five episodes of “The Bob Newhart Show,” was promoted to a regular on “Newhart.” (Poston would also later marry Suzanne Pleshette, who played Emily Hartley, Bob’s wife, on “The Bob Newhart Show.” Pleshette also did one episode of “Newhart.”)   

When the Walt Disney Studios cast the voice talents for The Rescuers (1977) they originally thought of Walter Matthau as the voice of Bernard the mouse. But when Matthau, for unknown reasons, didn’t go through with it, Disney signed Bob Newhart instead. (Ironically, Newhart starred with Walter Matthau in the movie Little Miss Marker (1990)). Newhart reprised his role as Bernard the mouse for the theatrical sequel, The Rescuers Down Under (1990). He, along with Eva Gabor and Bernard Fox, were the only members of the voice cast from the first film who reprised their roles for the sequel. Gabor voiced Miss Bianca the mouse and Fox voiced the Chairman of the Rescue Aid Society. In “Down Under,” Fox also voiced the mouse doctor who operates on Wilbur the Albatross when he is injured. 

In both the “Rescuers,” movies Bernard acknowledges that he hates to fly, which is true in real life of Bob Newhart. 

  With his stammer and deadpan sense of humor, Bob Newhart has created a legacy of laughter unlike any other performer before him-characters without much charisma or charm, yet lovable nonetheless. His six decades in show business, were built on playing characters that look as though they have no emotions whatsoever on screen-yet somehow he always made us laugh.

In addition to his roles on television and in the “Rescuers,” series, Bob Newhart has also had bit roles in comedy films. He portrayed Tom Halliwell in In & Out (1997), Sid Post in Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde (2003), Papa Elf in Elf (2003), and Lou Sherman in Horrible Bosses (2011). He has also had a recurring role as Professor Arthur “Proton” Jeffries on The Big Bang Theory (2007-present), which won him an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series. It was his first Emmy, but no doubt well-deserved body of work. 

Dick Van Dyke: The Clown Who Would Be King

Broadway, Television, Film, Radio: all mediums completely mastered by Dick Van Dyke. From when he first burst onto television as Rob Petrie in The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961-1966) to starring as Burt the Chimney Sweep in Mary Poppins (1964) to showing off his dramatic side as Dr. Mark Sloan in Diagnosis Murder (1993-2001), his 61-year career in show business, cemented him as one of the most versatile, talented performers of all time.

Van Dyke made his Broadway debut in 1959 in a show called The Girls Against the Boys. During his run in the show, he heard they were holding auditions for a musical on Broadway entitled Bye Bye Birdie. The musical was to tell a story parodying the real-life drafting of Elvis Presley. At the time, Van Dyke had had no experience with dancing whatsoever, but he decided to go to auditions anyway in the hopes that he could get a small part in the show.

As soon he sang his audition song, he performed an impromptu soft-shoe dance move due to nervousness at the audition. As fate would have it, Gower Champion, who was to be the director/choreographer of the show, watched him perform both. As soon as Van Dyke was done, Champion came up to Van Dyke to tell him that he had the lead role of Albert F. Peterson in the musical of “Bye Bye Birdie.” Overwhelmed with astonishment, Van Dyke told Champion that he couldn’t dance at all. Champion replied “We’ll teach you.” “Bye Bye Birdie,” went on to win four Tony Awards, including Best Featured Actor in a Musical for Van Dyke.

In the midst of the first season of “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” Dick got asked to reprise his role as Albert F. Peterson for the film version of Bye Bye Birdie (1963). (Van Dyke’s co-star in “Birdie,” Paul Lynde, who portrayed Harry McAfee on Broadway, also reprised his role for the film) Although the film was a success, Van Dyke was displeased with the final cut of the film. He was disappointed that the film’s producer, Fred Kohlmar, cast Janet Leigh in the role of Rose DeLeon (Albert’s writing partner/girlfriend), instead of Chita Rivera who had originated the role on Broadway. And along with Leigh, and the rest of the adult cast members of “Birdie,” Van Dyke was all also disappointed in the final cut of the film, convinced that the director George Sidney had focused too much on Ann-Margret and not any of the rest of them throughout the film’s production.

On a more positive note, it was around this time that Walt Disney asked Dick Van Dyke if he were at all interested in taking the role of Bert the Chimney Sweep in his most ambitious movie-musical at the time, “Mary Poppins.” Van Dyke jumped at the chance. Disney gave him the part without even auditioning him. During the production of “Poppins,” Dick Van Dyke also found out about the greedy character of Mr. Dawes Sr. who was to be in the bank scene in the film and rob Michael Banks of his tuppence. Van Dyke asked Disney if he could play that role as well. Disney was skeptical about hiring him for that role on the spot, so he asked Van Dyke to audition for the part. When dressed in full costume and makeup for the audition, Van Dyke improvised a “stepping-down” routine of an old man trying to step off a curb without hurting himself, cracking up many of the crew members of “Poppins.” When Disney saw the test, he not only agreed to let Van Dyke have the role of Mr. Dawes Sr., but he told the crew to build a six-inch riser on the Bank set to accommodate the maneuver.

While “Poppins,” remains Van Dyke’s most popular film for the Walt Disney Studios, Van Dyke also made Lt. Robinson Crusoe, U.S.N. (1966) and Never a Dull Moment (1968) for Disney as well. The same year as “Dull Moment,” Van Dyke also made Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968) for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, which reunited him with many of the same creative team behind “Poppins,” including the composer/lyricist team of Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, the choreographing team of Marc Breaux and Dee Dee Wood, and the orchestration conducting of Irwin Kostal. He also starred in the Touchstone film Dick Tracy (1990). In both “Crusoe,” and “Tracy,” Van Dyke was reunited with Arthur Malet who portrayed Mr. Dawes Jr. in “Poppins.” Malet also performed in an episode of “The Dick Van Dyke Show.”  

For ABC television, Van Dyke also appeared in episodes of The Golden Girls (1985-1992) and The Middle (2009-present), opposite brother Jerry Van Dyke. For the Disney Junior channel Dick Van Dyke lend his voice to an episode of the series Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (2006-present) as the pirate Captain Goof Beard, grandfather of Goofy. Van Dyke both narrated and appeared in the Disney documentary, Walt: The Man Behind the Myth (2001) and made a cameo in the Disney film Alexander and Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (2014). He is currently attached to play an unspecified role in Mary Poppins Returns (2018).