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As mentioned in the last posting, we now have a Panasonic DVD recorder. The VCR it’s replacing will be used for video transfers to the computer. My first DVD test recording was made with no thought whatsoever, other than it happened to start moments after I had the unit set up. But, as it turns out, it’s a movie that might be worth a mention here.
Man Without a Star is a 1955 Western starring Kirk Douglas. It hasn’t been released on DVD, and I guess I can see why, as it’s fairly typical for its time. It was directed, however, by noteworthy director King Vidor, whose career dates back to the Silent era. The movie features gorgeous Jeanne Crain in her prime.
Also appearing was William Campbell, who seemed to be making an effort to appear straight. He later played the flamboyant and incredibly annoying character Trelane in the Star Trek episode “The Squire of Gothos.” Am I getting nerdy enough for you? But wait, there’s more! Campbell’s wife in the 50’s was Judith Campbell, who became a girlfriend of Frank Sinatra. She later claimed to have been JFK’s mistress at the same time she was seeing mobster Sam Giancana.
I got a big laugh out of seeing that even in the 1950’s cowboys were still singing and yodeling! I don’t know who dubbed Kirk Douglas’ singing in “Man Without a Star,” but it’s bad enough that maybe it was Douglas himself. Frankie (“Rawhide!”) Laine sang the overwrought title song.