Thursday, February 06, 2020

Andy 60's: RIP Kirk Douglas: Still My Toughest Screen Hero

Image result for kirk douglas sings 3 songs on screen
I remember as a youth getting all excited when a Kirk Douglas movie advertisement appeared on the pages of the local newspaper. The show would usually be screened at the Capitol Cinema in town.

 Whether it's 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, Lust For Life, Gunfight at the OK Corral, The Vikings or Spartacus, I would rush to the cinema to watch the movie.  

 This legend passed away at 103 years young on 5 February, 2020. When I was still a teenager in the 1950's, he was already a cult hero on the Silver Screen. 
Watch this scene from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea where he sang this old sailor's song. YouTube from Giorgi Baqradze.

 He will always be remembered as the tough guy at the top of the list with stars like John Wayne, Burt Lancaster and Cary Cooper. But what makes this tribute was one song he performed on screen that I can always remember. When I checked YouTube I found the scene from 20,000 Leagues where he rendered a cute number called, A Whale of a Tale, accompanied by The Mellowmen.
Movie: 'The Man Without A Star': Kirk Douglas sings: 'And The Moon Grew Brighter and Brighter'.

 It didn't look like it was lip-synced nor were the guitar fingering faked. Anyway he was entertaining, dominated the scene and stole the show. That's Kirk Douglas - always. 

 Condolences to his family.

 You're still my lau-hee-loh (old hero).

 R.I.P Mr Kirk Douglas. 
The 'Spartacus' trailer that drew crowds all over to watch Kirk Douglas in the starring role. From YouTube: Movieclips Classic Trailer Thank you. 
He had also appeared with Doris Day who performed, 'With A Song In My Heart' and 'The Very Thought of You' in 'The Young Man With A Horn' (above).
Image result for kirk douglas vinyl cover a whale of a tale
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11 comments:

  1. RICHARD RAJOO6.2.20

    Can we ever forget SPARTACUS?
    With his unique dimpled chin,
    OMG! It's just pleasant memory.

    ReplyDelete
  2. ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. ©6.2.20

    Ohhh!
    No, we can't Richard
    Not ever forget Spartacus.
    I love your open house informative comment.
    Thank you very much.

    ReplyDelete
  3. CEDRIC COLLARS (writes from AUSTRALIA)6.2.20

    True Kirk Douglas like Robert Mitchum are the last of the old boys of the action and wild west movies. Michael his son has now stepped in and carrying the family legacy.

    RIP Kirk, your acting days are over and the Oscar is truly yours.

    ReplyDelete
  4. ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. ©6.2.20

    Thanks Cedric.
    Last of the Mohicans at 103.
    I love the song.
    It's entertaining and fun.
    We wish the best for his son Michael Douglas too.
    Watched him for the first time, 'The Street of San Francisco.'
    And in 'Liberace' not too long ago...

    ReplyDelete
  5. STEPHEN HAN7.2.20

    Kirk Douglas was one of the favourites of many movie fans.
    I like to see him portrayed as a toughie cause he had the look and a strong body.

    His partnership with Burt Lancaster in "Gunfight At OK Coral" was a delight to watch.
    He acted best in “Spartacus" and was not only a tough looking actor but also a tough man in life to live till 103.

    RIP Kirk.

    ReplyDelete
  6. ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. ©7.2.20

    Thanks Stephen.
    His on-screen presence was absolute.
    A tough guy hero indeed.
    But he could sing too.
    Watch the video and his song.

    ReplyDelete
  7. FREDA HANUM7.2.20

    So amazing Kirk Douglas had reached the age 103 before he passed on, yes he is a very tough guy and a real hero, I watched this movie Spartacus during school concession organized by my school, so exciting. RIP Kirk Douglas, we lost another legendary hero, sad...

    ReplyDelete
  8. ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. ©7.2.20

    Yes Freda. I remember those years when we had school concession tickets to watch a movie. Today we watch them at home.
    The world has changed since Kirk Douglas' time.
    Thanks for info.

    ReplyDelete
  9. FL9.2.20

    The actor, Kirk Douglas, is a familiar name to many older generations, those in Pioneer Gen or earlier as well as the Merdeka Gen. Kirk's Spartacus and Western movies were very popular in our generations. In the heyday, cinemas were always crowded, and were also meeting places for youngsters. I like those huge boards showing colorful posters of latest movies at cinemas and street corners. No more now.

    ReplyDelete
  10. ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. ©9.2.20

    "In the heyday, cinemas were crowded, and meeting places for youngsters; huge boards showing posters of movies at street corners are no more now."

    Hi FL, you have a remarkable vision, especially of the past.
    Thanks again for your past referrals of Singapore, this time about its cinema days and Kirk Douglas.

    Truly grateful for your regular comments and information.

    Also thanking the others for their remembering Kirk Douglas.

    ReplyDelete
  11. facebook chats11.2.20

    Thanks to:

    Maria Lima (Massachusetts, USA)
    Anne Du Preez (East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa)

    For reading the post.

    And good friend:
    Victor Ho (Singapore)

    For your support always.

    ReplyDelete