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1-50 of 52
- Actor
- Additional Crew
- Soundtrack
One of Hollywood's more high-flying dancers on film, dimpled, robust, fair-haired Marc Platt provided fancy footwork to a handful of "Golden Era" musicals but truly impressed in one vigorous 1950s classic.
Born to a musical family on December 2, 1913 in Pasadena, California as Marcel Emile Gaston LePlat, he was the only child of a French-born concert violinist and a soprano singer. After years on the road, the family finally settled in Seattle, Washington. Following his father's death, his mother found a job at the Mary Ann Wells' dancing school while young Marc earned his keep running errands at the dance school. He eventually became a dance student at the school and trained with Wells for eight years who saw great potential in Marc.
It was Wells who arranged an audition for Marc with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo when the touring company arrived in Seattle. The artistic director Léonide Massine accepted him at $150 a week and changed his name to Marc Platoff in order to maintain the deception that the company was Russian. A highlight was his dancing as the Spirit of Creation in Massine's legendary piece "Seventh Symphony". Platt also choreographed during his time there, one piece being Ghost Town (1939), which was set to music by Richard Rodgers. While there he met and married (in 1942) dancer Eleanor Marra. They had one son before divorcing in 1947. Ted Le Plat, born in 1944, became a musician as well as a daytime soap and prime-time TV actor.
Anxious to try New York, Marc left the ballet company in 1942 and moved to the Big Apple where he changed his marquee name to the more Americanized "Marc Platt" and pursued musical parts. Following minor roles in the short run musicals "The Lady Comes Across" (January, 1942) with Joe E. Lewis, Mischa Auer and Gower Champion and "Beat the Band" (October-December, 1942) starring Joan Caulfield, Marc and Kathryn Sergava found themselves cast in a landmark musical, the Rodgers and Hammerstein rural classic "Oklahoma!" Choreographer Agnes de Mille showcased them in the ground-breaking extended dream sequence roles of (Dream) Curly and (Dream) Laurey. Platt stayed with the show for a year but finally left after Columbia Pictures signed him to a film contract.
Aside from a couple of short musical films, he made his movie feature debut with a featured role as Tommy in Tonight and Every Night (1945) starring Rita Hayworth. From there he appeared in the Sid Caesar vehicle Tars and Spars (1946) and back with Rita Hayworth in Down to Earth (1947). Columbia tried Marc out as a leading man in one of their second-string musicals When a Girl's Beautiful (1947) opposite Adele Jergens and Patricia Barry but did not make a great impression. Featured again in the non-musical adventure The Swordsman (1948) starring Ellen Drew and Larry Parks and the Italian drama Addio Mimí! (1949) based on Puccini's "La Boheme," Marc's film career dissipated.
After appearing on occasional TV variety shows such as "The Ed Sullivan Show" and "The Colgate Comedy Hour" and following a single return to Broadway in the musical "Maggie" (1953, Platt returned to film again after a five-year absence but when he finally did, he made a superb impression as one of Howard Keel's uncouth but vigorously agile woodsman brothers (Daniel) in MGM's Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954). The film still stands as one of the most impressive dancing pieces of the "Golden Age" of musicals. He followed this with a minor dancing role (it was James Mitchell who played Dream Curly here) in the film version of Oklahoma! (1955).
When the musical film lost favor in the late 1950's, Marc finished off the decade focusing on straight dramatic roles on TV with roles in such rugged series as "Sky King," "Wyatt Earp" and "Dante". By the 1960s Marc had taken off his dance shoes and turned director of the ballet company at New York's Radio City Music Hall. He and his second wife, Jean Goodall, whom he married back in 1951 and had two children (Donna, Michael), also ran a dance studio of their own. Following this they left New York and moved to Fort Myers, Florida where they set up a new dance school.
Marc moved to Northern California to be near family following his wife's death in 1994 and occasionally appeared at the Marin Dance Theatre in San Rafael. One of his last performances was a non-dancing part in "Sophie and the Enchanted Toyshop" at age 89. In 2000, Marc was presented with the Nijinsky Award at the Ballets Russe's Reunion. He appeared in the 2005 documentary Ballets Russes (2005). Platt died at the age of 100 at a hospice in San Rafael from complications of pneumonia. He was survived by his three children.- James Dougherty was born on 12 April 1921 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He was married to Rita Lambert, Patricia Scoman and Marilyn Monroe. He died on 15 August 2005 in San Rafael, California, USA.
- Actor
- Transportation Department
- Camera and Electrical Department
Ben Sanchez was born on 19 May 1930. He was an actor, known for Dongalo Massacre (1988), Maj. Napoleon Velasco: Kumander Kalbo (1993) and Adan Ronquillo: Tubong Cavite... laking Tondo (1993). He died on 28 March 2002 in San Rafael Public Cemetery San Rafael, Bulacan Province, Central Luzon, Philippines.- Lisa Britt was born on 7 November 1955 in San Francisco, California, USA. She was an actress, known for Sudden Impact (1983) and The Haunting Passion (1983). She died on 27 July 1999 in San Rafael, California, USA.
- Actor
- Additional Crew
James Cranna was born on 6 August 1943 in Portland, Oregon, USA. He was an actor, known for Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), THX 1138 (1971) and American Graffiti (1973). He died on 4 May 2017 in San Rafael, California, USA.- Composer
- Actor
- Soundtrack
Robert Hunter was born on 23 June 1941 in San Luis Obispo, California, USA. He was a composer and actor, known for The Box (2009), Great Expectations (1998) and Wild (2014). He was married to Maureen Hunter. He died on 23 September 2019 in San Rafael, California, USA.- Bill Rafferty was born on 17 June 1944 in Queens, New York, USA. He was an actor, known for Mad City (1997), Nash Bridges (1996) and Texas (1980). He was married to Regina Miletic. He died on 11 August 2012 in San Rafael, California, USA.
- Cinematographer
- Camera and Electrical Department
- Actor
Ira H. Morgan was born on 2 April 1889 in Fort Ross, California, USA. He was a cinematographer and actor, known for Modern Times (1936), Lost in the Stratosphere (1934) and Congo Bill (1948). He was married to Rena Carlton. He died on 10 April 1959 in San Rafael, California, USA.- Writer
- Actor
- Director
Terence McKenna was born on 16 November 1946 in Paonia, Colorado, USA. He was a writer and actor, known for Manual de Evasão (1994), Time is Speeding Up (2019) and Strange Attractor (2003). He died on 3 April 2000 in San Rafael, California, USA.- Regina Waldon was born on 7 February 1908 in Van Nuys, California, USA. She was an actress, known for The Fog (1980), Electric Dreams (1984) and Time After Time (1979). She died on 17 November 2001 in San Rafael, California, USA.
- Mary Russell was born on 22 April 1912 in Oskaloosa, Iowa, USA. She was an actress, known for Riders of the Whistling Skull (1937), Murder in Greenwich Village (1937) and Squadron of Honor (1938). She was married to Paul Ames. She died on 22 August 2005 in San Rafael, California, USA.
- Bill Jelliffe was born on 11 January 1939 in Colorado, USA. He was an actor, known for Sleeping with the Enemy (1991), The Enforcer (1976) and Serial (1980). He died on 3 July 2005 in San Rafael, California, USA.
- Actress
- Writer
- Art Department
Gloria Clokey was born on 11 February 1926 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. She was an actress and writer, known for Gumby: The Movie (1995), Gumby Adventures (1988) and The Gumby Show (1956). She was married to Art Clokey. She died on 19 August 1998 in San Rafael, California, USA.- Alexandra Sorina was born on 17 September 1899 in Baranowicze, Poland, Russian Empire [now Baranovichi, Belarus]. She was an actress, known for The Hands of Orlac (1924), Rasputin, Demon with Women (1932) and Die malayische Dschonke (1924). She died on 31 May 1973 in San Rafael, California, USA.
- Cecille Evans was born on 7 May 1902 in Oxford, Kansas, USA. She was an actress, known for The Goose Hangs High (1925), Worldly Goods (1924) and Whispering Wires (1926). She was married to William P. Graham. She died on 11 November 1960 in San Rafael, California, USA.
- Writer
- Producer
- Director
Jack Pollexfen began his professional life in the newspaper business, working his way up from copyboy at the "Los Angeles Express" to reporter on several other dailies. During this period he also found time to write and produce three plays that he once said could be classified as "off-Broadway--a LONG way off!" He found himself in the movie business when MGM offered him a contract to turn one of his magazine articles into a screenplay. Four years in the Air Force writing training films and manuals during World War II interrupted his movie career, which then got back on track with a series of screenplays for adventure pictures like Treasure of Monte Cristo (1949) and The Desert Hawk (1950). A short time later Pollexfen's producing career got started, in collaboration with co-writer Aubrey Wisberg, and they turned out a string of low-budget sci-fi films in the 1950s.- Walter Kissinger was born on 24 June 1924 in Fürth, Germany. He was married to Eugenie Van Drooge. He died on 3 May 2021 in San Rafael, California, USA.
- Mary O'Brien was born on 30 June 1923 in Los Angeles, California, USA. She was an actress, known for Moonlight and Cactus (1944). She died on 6 January 2007 in San Rafael, California, USA.
- Rachel English was born on 2 February 1939 in London, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Mission: Impossible (1966), The Hard Ride (1971) and Love, Swedish Style (1972). She died on 27 December 2016 in San Rafael, California, USA.
- Actress
In addition to her brief acting career in Smile (United Artists 1975) , Dana Couey was a Native American singer and Christian musician. She debuted as a teenager, singing in the choir and soloing during events held at Cook Junior High Middle School (Santa Rosa, California). Dana went on to join the guitar group at Resurrection Parrish (Santa Rosa California) and with the help of Fr. Larry Carolan began working on her guitar skills; during this time, she met singer/songwriter Michael John Poirier (Peartree Productions) and sang back-up vocals/guitar on several of his well-loved, Christian genre recordings. Dana started her own music company "Dana Couey Music Productions" and began recording her music in 1989, releasing her first of many albums, "De Colores." Dana loved giving her time and musical talents to the North Bay and Marin Cursillo movements, eventually starting a "Fourth Day Gospel Choir" with people whom she loved as family. Dana was an avid certified PADI diver and enjoyed Grand Cayman, Indonesia, and Hawaiian Islands excursions. More than anything, Dana loved God, family, and her Yorkie Terriers.- Ernie had a son, Gene Sullivan who played football just like him. Baseball too. He never knew him, but his son, Gene Sullivan recently found out Ernie was his father. Gene was Evel Knievl's body guard. A heavyweight boxing champ. He is the longest touring motorcycle jumper in the world as seen in many Evel Knievel documentaries.
- Sterling Greene was born on 18 May 1960 in San Francisco, California, USA. He was an actor, known for Blind Love (2006), Duel of Legends and The Red Machine (2009). He died on 23 February 2011 in San Rafael, California, USA.
- Ray Hirsch was born on 6 February 1921 in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. He was an actor, known for Her First Romance (1940) and Mad Youth (1939). He died on 29 August 2015 in San Rafael, California, USA.
- Douglas Cowan was born on 12 August 1921 in Saddle River, New Jersey, USA. He was an actor, known for Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo (1944) and Twice Blessed (1945). He died on 24 October 1982 in San Rafael, California, USA.
- Joan Winters was born on 24 September 1918 in Brentford, Middlesex, England, UK. She was married to Guy Fielding and John Venables. She died on 1 January 2001 in San Rafael, California, USA.
- Douglas Laurence was born on 16 December 1918 in Totowa, Pennsylvania, USA. He was a producer and actor, known for Live a Little, Love a Little (1968), Speedway (1968) and Stay Away, Joe (1968). He was married to Frances Laurence. He died on 2 October 2012 in San Rafael, California, USA.
- Producer
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
- Director
Chuck Liotta was born in 1929 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA. He was a producer and assistant director, known for On Our Own (1977), Electra Woman and Dyna Girl (1976) and The Krofft Supershow (1976). He was married to Patricia Ruth Dolan and Janis Kane Hertwig. He died on 13 November 2022 in San Rafael, California, USA.- Writer
- Script and Continuity Department
- Producer
Paul A. Magistretti was a writer and producer, known for Baretta (1975), MacGyver (1985) and Simon & Simon (1981). Paul A. died on 20 February 2019 in San Rafael, California, USA.- Casting Department
- Casting Director
Ann Brebner was born on 15 August 1923 in New Zealand. She was a casting director, known for The Right Stuff (1983), Smooth Talk (1985) and Massive Retaliation (1984). She was married to John Brebner. She died on 13 January 2017 in San Rafael, California, USA.- Producer
- Sound Department
- Additional Crew
Chris Strachwitz was born on 1 July 1931 in Berlin, Germany. He was a producer, known for I Went to the Dance (1989), Del mero corazón (1979) and Chulas Fronteras (1976). He died on 5 May 2023 in San Rafael, California, USA.- Additional Crew
George H. Niederauer was born in 1937. George H. is known for Independent Lens (1999). George H. died on 2 May 2017 in San Rafael, California, USA.- Additional Crew
James Todt was born on 26 November 1923 in San Rafael, California, USA. James is known for The Storm Rider (1957). James was married to Judith. James died on 14 February 2011 in San Rafael, California, USA.- Barbara Bartelme was born on 3 November 1948 in Seattle, Washington, USA. She was an actress, known for The Cat Ate the Parakeet (1972). She was married to Frank Carbone. She died on 3 June 2018 in San Rafael, California, USA.
- Camera and Electrical Department
- Cinematographer
Al Taffet, Cinematographer & Camera Operator of Three Academy Award Winning Films
Al Taffet worked as a camera operator and cinematographer on classic Hollywood films with legendary directors and actors. Some of his credits include "Fail-Safe" (starring Henry Fonda and Walter Matthau), "Long Day's Journey Into Night" (starring Katherine Hepburn and Jason Robards) and "The Last of the Mobil Hot Shots" (starring James Coburn) with Director Sidney Lumet, "The World Of Henry Orient" (starring Peter Sellers) with Director George Roy Hill, "Tell Me That You Love Me Junie Moon" (starring Liza Minnelli) with Director Otto Preminger , "The Way We Were" (starring Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford) with Director Sydney Pollack "I Never Sang for My Father" (starring Gene Hackman) and "Summer Wishes Winter Dreams (starring Joanne Woodward) with Director Gilbert Cates.
As Cinematographer Al Taffet won multiple awards including a Clio for commercials and an Emmy Award for Cinematography for the short film Methadone: Escape From Heroin.- Fred Ross was an agitator and educator that inspired people of all races to overcome despair and fear. Ross was a pioneer for racial and economic justice. He organized "Dust Bowl" refugees that John Steinbeck wrote about.
In the 1950's, he inspired both Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta. He leaves a long legacy of advocacy. - Additional Crew
Philip S. Egan was born on 13 December 1920 in Oak Park, Illinois, USA. Philip S. is known for Tucker: The Man and His Dream (1988). Philip S. died on 26 December 2008 in San Rafael, California, USA.- Transportation Department
Tony Accurso is known for James and the Giant Peach (1996). Tony was married to Esther. Tony died on 10 January 2015 in San Rafael, California, USA.- Ann Curtis was born on 6 March 1926 in San Francisco, California, USA. She died on 26 June 2012 in San Rafael, California, USA.
- Director
- Producer
- Additional Crew
George E. Middleton was born on 10 August 1882 in San Francisco, California, USA. George E. was a director and producer, known for Just Squaw (1919), Nix on Dames (1929) and The Woman Who Dared (1916). George E. was married to Beatriz Michelena. George E. died on 25 August 1969 in San Rafael, California, USA.- Mary Aquinas was born on 17 June 1931 in San Diego, California, USA. She died on 27 February 2006 in San Rafael, California, USA.
- Martin Delaney died on 23 January 2009 in San Rafael, California, USA.
- Pandit Chitresh Das was born in 1944 in Kolkata, India. He was married to Celine Schein. He died on 4 January 2015 in San Rafael, California, USA.
- Actress
Esther Mamet was born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. She was an actress, known for Swing (2003), Nutcracker (2001) and Oakville (2013). She died on 2 November 2012 in San Rafael, California, USA.- Russ Westover was born on 3 August 1886 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He was a writer, known for Tillie the Toiler (1941) and Tillie the Toiler (1927). He died on 5 March 1966 in San Rafael, California, USA.
- Script and Continuity Department
Winfrid K. Thackrey was born in 1899 in Bismarck, North Dakota, USA. Winfrid K. is known for Tarzan's Hidden Jungle (1955). Winfrid K. died on 1 October 2002 in San Rafael, California, USA.- Jacland Marmur was born on 14 February 1901 in Sosnowiec, Poland, Russian Empire [now Sosnowiec, Slaskie, Poland]. Jacland was a writer, known for Return from the Sea (1954), Schlitz Playhouse (1951) and Fireside Theatre (1949). Jacland died on 8 May 1970 in San Rafael, California, USA.
- Bob Reynolds was born on 30 March 1914 in Norris, Oklahoma, USA. He died on 8 February 1994 in San Rafael, California, USA.
- Martha Links was born on 5 September 1917 in Oakland, California, USA. Martha was a writer, known for Shirley Temple's Storybook (1958) and Archie's TV Funnies (1971). Martha was married to Alexander Arguello. Martha died on 6 January 2008 in San Rafael, California, USA.
- Andrew Geer was born on 6 April 1905 in Minnesota, USA. He was a writer, known for The Sea Chase (1955) and The Wild Blue Yonder (1951). He died on 22 December 1957 in San Rafael, California, USA.
- Soundtrack
Yvette Rugel was born on 15 October 1896 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. She was married to Johnny Dooley. She died on 20 September 1975 in San Rafael, California, USA.