Dino Andrade

It’s July 4th and we all know what that means IT’S GREG HOUSER’S BIRTHDAY… also America’s… SO LET’S GIVE IT UP FOR “INDEPENDENCE GREG”!!! BONUS: we know what Greg looks like with Bill Pullman’s hair. https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ6hIzkjDqQ/?utm_medium=tumblr

It’s time. Let the Annual 4th of July weekend rewatch begin! https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ47oCRjS6_/?utm_medium=tumblr

I just heard about the passing of Philece Sampler. I spent the first 6 years of my career as an actor before transitioning to independent filmmaking. The whole time I pursued filmmaking my first wife, the late Mary Kay Bergman, was always encouraging me to return to acting because she knew I was happiest as an actor. After the shock of Mary Kay’s death in 1999 it took several years before I was somewhat functional again and as Mary Kay had wanted I chose to return to acting. In 2002 I got my first tiny gig. Afterwards, I found myself just wandering down Ventura blvd when I ran into Philece. I had no idea who she was but she recognized me as being Mary Kay’s widower, and I must have told her that I was trying to follow Mary Kay’s wishes for me to act again because Philece gave me a lot of encouragement. It was all such a blur but when I read of Philece’s passing this forgotten memory floated to the surface. In all honesty my head was such a mess back then that I don’t remember exactly what Philece said, but I know it was loving and sweet. I don’t remember the nature of her encouragement but I know it came from the heart. I don’t remember much from that dark time, but I remember this moment with her. I wish Philece that we had stayed in touch. I wish I could have gotten to know you. I wish I could have introduced you to Connor. I wish before your time was done I could have said “thank you.” Rest In Peace Philece https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ2keWujY2N/?utm_medium=tumblr

It’s Sunday and today’s Classic for Connor is Mel Brook’s gleefully silly love letter to a bygone era of cinematic comedy, 1976’s “Silent Movie”, starring Brooks, Dom DeLuise, Marty Feldman, Bernadette Peters, Sid Caesar and Harold Gould. With the enormous success of “Blazing Saddles” and “Young Frankenstein” (my favorite BTW I watch YF every October) only Mel Brooks could have had the sheer nerve to convince 20th Century Fox that it was a good idea to make a silent film in the 1970’s. Brooks pulled it off rather spectacularly, backing it with plenty of star-power with cameos by then superstars Burt Reynolds, Liza Minnelli, James Caan, Paul Newman and Anne Bancroft (a formula “The Muppet Movie” would copy with equal success 3 years later). And those were just the superstars as this delightfully ridiculous flick is peppered with more familiar faces throughout. Having seen a LOT of silent films Connor had no problem with the all-visual narrative, title cards etc… and he was so tickled by the onscreen Mack Sennett-style slapstick antics that I thought he was going to pull something from laughing so hard. https://www.instagram.com/p/CQopexcDcTa/?utm_medium=tumblr

It’s Sunday AND Father’s Day therefore today’s Classic for Connor is one of my all-time favorite allegorical fantasy tales, 1989’s “Field of Dreams”. The film stars Kevin Costner, Amy Madigan, James Earl Jones, Burt Lancaster and Ray Liotta as Shoeless Joe Jackson. The very human desire for a second chance is the central theme of this film. With all roads leading to a mythical ballpark where a game steeped in the mythology of second chances and redemption is played, practically every character in this Capra-esque fairytale contemplates, desires or outright seeks a second chance for one reason or another. This I deeply understand. And no reason spoke to me more than the central character’s pain and regret over the lost opportunity to repair a broken bond with his father. Sadly, this is my story as well, as my own father lead a very troubled life and died before we could mend the bonds broken by those troubles. So on this, and every Father’s Day, this lyrically beautiful fantasy concoction serves as a reminder to not let the trials and tribulations of life keep me from being the best father I can be, and to never take for granted the moments we are given to bond with our children. Whether it is curling up on the couch on a Sunday morning to watch a movie, or the simple ritual of playing a game of catch. Happy Father’s Day https://www.instagram.com/p/CQWzCNjDo7u/?utm_medium=tumblr

ATTENTION PLEASE!!! Due to circumstances beyond our control there will be no “Classic for Connor” today. We repeat… there will be NO “Classic for Connor” today as Connor and Dino are out doing stuff. DO NOT PANIC! We have every reason to believe that another “Classic for Connor” will resume next Sunday. Until then, remain calm, there is no cause for alarm. Emergency Classic Movie channels and streaming services are standing by ready to help. Together, we can get through this. https://www.instagram.com/p/CQEgxy7jzxU/?utm_medium=tumblr

What a great Last Day of School (Yes, Connor still had two days of school left after his graduation - it was a Covid thing). After an early dismissal we went out with no idea what we were going to do and wound up having a ball. Italian for lunch, followed by a VR arcade where we worked together to solve puzzles on the moon, fight dinosaurs etc… then came dessert. To cap it all off we came home to find Connor’s newest SAG/AFTRA card waiting for him in the mail. This was one of those perfect days for us and none of it was planned. We needed a day like this. A day to enjoy each other’s company not just as father and son, but as friends. Life is good. https://www.instagram.com/p/CQAFh8XjGmk/?utm_medium=tumblr

So, look who Graduated from elementary school today. And Connor proudly did so with the true grace and dignity as befits the Andrade name… at least my little corner of it. https://www.instagram.com/p/CP60CF0ja10/?utm_medium=tumblr

It’s Sunday and the weekend of my first wife Voice Actress Mary Kay Bergman’s birthday. So, it is in her memory and honor that today’s Classic for Connor is the Touchstone/Amblin 1992 comedy “Noises Off”, directed by Peter Bogdanovich, adapted by Marty Kaplan from the play by Michael Frayan. The film stars Carol Burnett, Michael Caine, Christopher Reeve, Julie Hagerty, John Ritter, Marilu Henner, Mark Linn-Baker, Nicollette Sheridan and Denholm Elliot in his final performance. I chose this film for two reasons: 1st) the film’s ensemble cast is headed by Carol Burnett who was Mary Kay’s idol and thus “Noises Off” was one of her all-time favorite films. 2nd) The first play I ever took Connor to was the farcical comedy “The Play that Goes Wrong”. Since then Connor and I both have become great fans of the play’s creators “The Mischief Theater Company” and have devoured their various filmed productions including “Peter Pan Goes Wrong”, “A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong” and their current TV series “The Goes Wrong Show” (we can’t wait for session two!). However, once I mentioned to Connor that the concept of a play going hilariously wrong while in mid-performance was actually done first in “Noises Off” he demanded we watch it. So we did and Connor laughed a LOT. Happy Birthday my Mary Kay. Wherever you are may Connor’s laughter bring you a smile. https://www.instagram.com/p/CPyr4lRj7La/?utm_medium=tumblr

Continued from previous post: A list of movie favorites MUST begin with “Noises Off”, starring Carol Burnett. A few others would include: “The Bride of Frankenstein”, “Mary Poppins”, “The Exorcist”, “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory”, “Diva”, “The Three Lives of Thomasina”, “Postcards from the Edge”, “Aliens”, “Wizard of Oz”, “Annie Hall”, “Man of a Thousand Faces”, “Roman Holiday”, “The Little Shop of Horrors” (the musical), the original “Star Wars” Trilogy, “Meet me in St. Louis”, “Terminator 2”, “The Searchers”, “The Joy Luck Club”, “Our Man Flint”, anything with Jerry Lewis (especially, “Cinderfella”), and EVERY Disney animated classic. Mary Kay started training in voice over at the suggestion of a friend who saw her perform karaoke in hilarious character voices. Dawes Butler was one of her greatest teachers. Her first VO performance was in a radio commercial for a security company. Posthumously, her final released VO performances were: theatrically, the yodeling for Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl in “Toy Story 2”, and on home video, Daphne Blake in “Scooby-Doo and the Alien Invaders”. Mary Kay was also a Disneyland fanatic. Outside a VO booth, She loved Disneyland Paris and WDW Florida, but the original park in Anaheim was always closest to her heart - with her all-time favorite attraction being “The Pirates of the Caribbean”. I still feel her presence there every time I visit. I could go on, and on. Sadly, Mary Kay’s short life was not an easy one as she secretly battled ever-worsening manic-depression and severe anxiety. Ultimately, I believe that what Mary Kay really wanted to accomplish most in life was to follow in the footsteps of Carol Burnett in the bringing of laughter and joy. As I am certain that this is exactly what Burnett did for her. Bringing laughter and joy to a troubled little girl in Hollywood who so desperately needed it. So, on this day, my Mary Kay, I give you a birthday gift of remembrance. I do so with this post in the hope that both the Mary Kay I came to know, love and cherish - and indeed the laughter and joy you brought to this world - will never be forgotten. Happy Birthday my Mary Kay. Forever in my heart. https://www.instagram.com/p/CPv8iNVjL-t/?utm_medium=tumblr

Today is the birthday of my late Wife, voice actress Mary Kay Bergman. I wrote this tribute in 2019 to mark the 20th anniversary of her passing. It bears repeating. It is a sobering thought that many who follow me on social media were either not yet born or are just too young to remember her. The following is with this in mind: Before relocating to Hollywood, where Mary Kay was born, her parents were nightclub entertainers from Brooklyn New York - which may be why she was such a big Dodger fan. As a child growing up in Hollywood off Gower Street, Mary Kay made a habit of hopping the back wall of the Forever Hollywood Cemetery to sneak onto the Paramount Studio lot. Every St. Patty’s Day Mary Kay made an awesome corn beef and cabbage. She also adored what she hilariously called “stinky-feet cheese”. And her love of all things chocolate was so great that she’s the only human being I ever knew who ate Nestle’s Quick powder out of a bowl with a spoon – and I loved her for it. Her music collection included Karen Carpenter, Abba, Heart, Stevie Nicks, Elton John, Carley Simon, Billy Joel, Paul Simon, Fleetwood Mac, and lots of Weird Al Yankovic. Mary Kay was also a very sensitive and gentle soul who would often find herself lost in a book. With tastes that ranged from “The Exorcist” to “The Accidental Tourist”, she never met a book store she didn’t like, and there was no such thing as “owning too many books”. A few of her favorite TV shows included, “Star Trek”, “Bewitched”, “Deep Space Nine”, “I love Lucy”, “Johnny Quest”, “The Simpsons”, “Moonlighting”, “Wonder Woman”, “The Muppet Show”, “The Flintstones”, “Frasier”, “The Outer Limits”, and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”. But her all-time favorite show by far was “The Carol Burnett Show” as Carol was her life-long idol. In fact, after graduating from Hollywood High, Mary Kay chose the UCLA program for the dramatic arts because that’s what Carol Burnett did. Continued Next Post https://www.instagram.com/p/CPv8Vm5jol3/?utm_medium=tumblr

Today is an extra Classic for Connor, Darryl F. Zanuck’s 1962 chronicle of the D-Day Invasion for the liberation of Europe, “The Longest Day.” With this being Memorial Day and next Sunday the 77th anniversary of D-Day, I chose this film as Connor and I have several generations of veterans in our family including family who fought on D-Day. This groundbreaking three-hour epic was so enormous in scale that it was shot with 3 separate units under 3 different directors: Andrew Marton (American troop sequences), Bernard Wicki (German troop sequences), and Ken Annakin (British & French troop sequences… and YES, George Lucas got the name from this guy). Just as mind-boggling was the cast which included many actors who actually served in combat during WWII including: Eddie Albert, Rod Steiger, Henry Fonda, Richard Todd (pictured top row), Kenneth More, and Leo Genn. The film also features Robert Mitchum, John Wayne, Red Buttons, Roddy McDowell, George Segal, Sal Mineo, Richard Burton, Peter Lawford, Sean Connery, Stuart Whitman, Jeffrey Hunter, Richard Dawson, Irina Demick, Bernard Fox, Don Adams, Paul Anka, Yves Barsacq… and so, SOOO many more. I first saw “The Longest Day” when I was Connor’s age with my veteran father who used it to help educate me on this chapter of world history as well as the history of our family. I tried to do the same for Connor. To all whom we commemorate today for making the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our country and to those who fought for the liberation of Europe on D-Day, Connor and I honor and thank you. https://www.instagram.com/p/CPjF3Qxjk94/?utm_medium=tumblr

It’s Sunday and today’s Classic for Connor is the 1961 sci-fi action flick “Mysterious Island” based (sorta) on Jules Verne’s 1874 novel of the same name and is Verne’s sequel to his “20’000 Leagues Under the Sea”…. which was last week’s Sunday Classic for Connor (see what I did there). The film stars Michael Craig, Joan Greenwood, Dan Jackson, Beth Rogan and the wonderful Herbert Lom as Captain Nemo. But the two real stars of the movie are 1st Bernard Hermmann’s score - truly one of his most dramatic if not his most delightfully bombastic. A score that would become familiar to Disneyland fans as it would be reused in the primeval world diorama section of the Disneyland Railroad ride experience. 2nd and best of all… the giant stop-motion creatures (giant bees, crabs, sea monsters etc…) added to spice up Verne’s tale that were brilliantly animated by the legendary Ray Harryhausen. As sequels go it’s no “20’000 Leagues” but it was always a favorite from my childhood and showing it to Connor was like revisiting an old friend. And yeah, Connor thought it was a hoot. https://www.instagram.com/p/CPggAatjAuw/?utm_medium=tumblr

Insomnia Thoughts #237: “In Space No One Can Hear You Squeal”. Despite the fact that the Walt Disney Company holds the rights to both the Muppets and the 20th Century Fox library I think it well and truly sucks that we still will probably never see “Alien vs. Muppets”. Though I admit it wouldn’t be a fair fight... the Alien doesn’t stand a chance. I think the melatonin is finally kicking in. https://www.instagram.com/p/CPU5criDEP3/?utm_medium=tumblr

Father and son out on the porch highlighting scripts. Life is good. https://www.instagram.com/p/CPRmRKOj7_Q/?utm_medium=tumblr

When I was Connor’s age my favorite toy was the Erector Set (Meccano for you Brits). Introducing Connor to it turned out to be just the best way to spend the rest of a lazy Sunday with the little booger. https://www.instagram.com/p/CPPLJchjuOx/?utm_medium=tumblr