Silly Thinking

ST Premiere!


ST 4 Play.
A unique program of four revolving series.
Today a special edition of ST Home Theatre, or as we like to call it: STHT.



With the passing of three screen personalities in the last week we thought you might like to take a look at some of their most interesting films.


Janet Leigh.

A true movie star who was almost buried at MGM in the late forties with insipid Technicolor roles in, mostly, forgettable films, but moved on and proved she had a wide range.

“Little Women” (1949) one of her best roles at MGM in a mediocre remake of Louise May Alcott’s much filmed story.

“Houdini” (1953) frothy biopic of the master magician is heightened with well researched magic tricks done by star Tony Curtis and a good performance from his future bride.

“Touch Of Evil” (1958) Orson Welles film noir classic is a triumph of shadowy darkness and Leigh’s nightmare in a border town motel leads one to believe you don’t go to a motel with Janet Leigh.

“Psycho” (1960) Alfred Hitchcock’s all time classic proves you never go to a motel with Janet Leigh.

“The Manchurian Candidate” (1962) Leigh is fascinating as the mysterious lady on the train that Frank Sinatra finds solace from. Her first of back to back roles as “Rosie”

“Bye Bye Birdie” (1963) Leigh’s second “Rosie” in a row proves all that MGM training did not go to waste. Janet sings and dances and holds her own with Dick Van Dyke in this frothy Broadway musical treat.

“Night Of The Lepus” (1972) Hilarious monster movie with giant blood thirsty bunnies and Stuart Whitman and Janet Leigh as “the young couple from the college” who are both pushing 60.

”Halloween: H20” (2001) Janet Leigh and her daughter Jamie Lee Curtis (both “queens of scream”) finally appear together in this sequel in the Michael Myers hockey masked killer series. A lot of fun for film buff’s with encoded messages about Leigh’s infamous roles: Janet Leigh drives the same car she had in “Psycho”, and many other little hints.


Rodney Dangerfield.

Rodney defied the odds by becoming a smash stand up comic in his 50’s and a movie star in his 60’s.

“Caddyshack” (1980) truly funny cartoon of a movie showcases Bill Murray, and is one of Chevy Chase’s better efforts (not saying much) but Dangefield became a movie star after this. No wonder, every scene he’s in is hilarious.

“Back To School” (1986) Rodney co wrote this funny comedy about a millionaire who goes to college. Indifferent direction from Allen Meter can’t stop Rodney from shining.

“JFK” (1990) From Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau to Kevin Bacon and Rodney Dangefield Oliver Stone cast this movie with almost everybody against type. Dangerfield’s only dramatic role is very effective.


Christopher Reeve.

Screen and real life hero Christopher Reeve seemed to live a life of purpose, as if “Superman” was just a way to know him so later we would all listen and learn when his paralyzing accident showed true courage and spirit.

“Superman” (1978) plucked from obscurity to play the man of steel, Christopher Reeve held his own in an all star cast of stalwarts like Marlon Brando and Glenn Ford.

“Somewhere In Time” (1980) gloppy time travel fantasy romance was a bomb upon release but is now a cult classic.

“The Bostonians” (1984) Chris Reeve was not content with pop bubble gum and kept trying new and different roles. The stayed young man in this Merchant Ivory production shows his real range.

“Street Smarts’ (1987) Reeve starred as an underhanded reporter and let Morgan Freeman shine in a supporting role that got him wide exposure and Academy Award nomination.

“Superman IV” (1987) cheap Superman movie where Reeve produced to help convey a message of environmental responsibility.

“Rear Window” (1996, TV) After his accident Reeve went on to direct projects and to star in this uneven remake of the Hitchcock classic. he won a Screen Actors Guild Award for his performance, and you have to admire his courage for not letting anything stop him.

Watch for a special presentation of “Superman” tomorrow, right here at ST!