I would be remiss if I didn't make note of a few passings over the last few days.
Actor Richard Dysart, best remembered by certain generations for his work in the 80's series, L. A. Law, passed away a week ago, as did humorist Stan Freberg. This week, we lost singer Percy Sledge ("When a Man Loves a Woman"), and comics legend Herb Trimpe, most closely associated during the 70's with The Incredible Hulk. Trimpe had been a regular at comics conventions here in the home district. Tony Isabella offers his personal recollections over at his bloggy thing.
It would be too easy to put up a clip of Sledge and his signature hit. Instead, we'll leave you with one of Stan Freberg's classics. "St. George and the Dragonet", a parody of Dragnet, featuring voice-over legends Daws Butler & June Foray, was recorded on Capitol in 1953. I don't know when this claymation video was released. One YouTube commentator suggested it might've been some early Art Clokey work, well before Gumby or Davey & Goliath.
Freberg got permission from Jack Webb to use the familiar theme song, "Danger Ahead", composed by Walter Schumann. Turned out Webb was a fan of Freberg's work. Freberg also influenced the man who for all intents & purposes would be the heir to his throne, "Weird" Al Yankovic.
Here's "St. George & the Dragonet":
Rest in peace, one and all.
This is hilarious! Who could have thought to merge the classic story of St. George and The Dragon and merge it with Dragnet and 50s sensibilities!
ReplyDeleteThis, kiddies is what Genius really is!
Freberg always had a great sense of humor - I used to wonder what it might have been like to have had him as a dinner guest!
RIP one and all.
Amen to that, yo.
ReplyDelete