George Reeves Death 67th Anniversary

Above, the home in Benedict Canyon where George Reeves died. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today is the 67th anniversary of the death of the original television Superman, George Reeves in his bedroom in Benedict Canyon. 

Fans of the 1950s Adventures of Superman are familiar with the different theories of Reeves's death. The theories are suicide, murder and accident. Those theories were presented in the feature film, Hollywoodland (2006). I'll leave it to the viewer on which one to believe.

Above, Hollywoodland screenwriter Paul Bernbaum and yours truly in 2014.

Hollywoodland is a fictionalized account of the last days of George Reeves and the aftermath of his death. It was written by Paul Bernbaum and stars Ben Affleck as George Reeves. It is a film worth viewing. 

Above, George Reeves as Superman.

Justin Root posted two videos on the "Mysterious Life & Death of Superman George Reeves." Root goes through Reeves's life and death in detail. Both parts are presented below.

June 16, 1959: 66 Years Ago

Today in history from Yellow Advertiser:

1959: TV’s Superman George Reeves dies from a gunshot to the head aged 45. The coroner rules it as suicide but mystery remains over the complete absence of fingerprints on the gun or gunpowder residue on the body. Theories include a mafia hit or murder by Reeves’ fiancee.

This has to be one of Hollywood's most perplexing mysteries. Was Reeves's death really a suicide? An accident? Ot murder? 

Above, George Reeves's home in Benedict Canyon in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was 66 years ago today that Reeves died from a gunshot wound to the head in his Benedict Canyon home. Books and a movie (Hollywoodland in 2006) have covered the story. 

Fan Brad Shey puts it this way:

June 16, 2025, the 66th anniversary of George Reeves' untimely passing. A day to remember not how he died, but to celebrate his life. Super hero, role model and father figure, his wink and smile created a bond with his fans. His legacy continues to create memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.

 

Above, George Reeves with his rifle collection about 72 hours before his death. 

George Reeves's Death: 64th Anniversary

Above, George Reeves with his rifle collection in a photo shoot three days before his death.

Today marks 64 years since Adventures of Superman star George Reeves (allegedly) took his life during the wee hours in his Benedict Canyon home on June 16, 1959. 

His death is still being debated today. It was the subject of a 2006 movie, Hollywoodland, that covered the three theories of his death: suicide, murder and accident.

Above, George Reeves's Benedict Canyon home. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It would have been interesting if Reeves had lived and gone on to making convention appearances. He would have been a huge draw, many believe.

62nd Anniversary of George Reeves Death

Above, the George Reeves Benedict Canyon home in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today marks 62 years since the alleged suicide of Adventures of Superman star George Reeves.

Reeves was found with a gunshot wound to his head in the bedroom of his Benedict Canyon home on June 16, 1959.

Above, George Reeves about 72 hours before his death.

There have been many questions raised over Reeves's death with theories of a hit man or an accident. The were covered in the movie, Hollywoodland (2006).

Still, despite the theories, Reeves is one of the few stars of television's golden age who is still fondly remembered for his work.

Revisiting "Hollywoodland"

Above, Hollywoodland screenwriter Paul Bernbaum and yours truly
 at the bar at the Beverly Garland Hotel in North Hollywood in 2014.

Last night, I decided to revisit the 2006 movie, Hollywoodland, a fictionalized account of the death of Adventures of Superman star George Reeves on June 16, 1959 in Benedict Canyon.

I haven't watched the movie since before I moved out of California to New Mexico. 

Above, the George Reeves home in Benedict Canyon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Some in Superman/George Reeves fandom don't like the movie, but it has grown in favor (at least to me) over the years. It was written by Paul Bernbaum and directed by Allen Coulter. It stars Adrien Brody as (fictional) detective Louis Simo, Ben Affleck as Reeves, Robin Tunney as Leonore Lemmon, Bob Hoskins as Eddie Mannix and Diane Lane as Toni Mannix.

Above, the Hollywoodland poster.

It covers quite nicely the three "theories" of the death of George Reeves: hit man, accident (by Leonore Lemmon) and suicide. 

One of the locations used for Hollywoodland was Chips Restaurant in Hawthorne, California. I used to dine there on occasion when I lived in Hawthorne. 

Above, George Reeves and his rifle collection during a
photo shoot that took place about 72 hours before his death.

Hollywoodland as a movie holds up quite well. It did a great job in recreating the Hollywood of the 1950s. The approach was subtle, rather than going overboard as some movies do when trying to recreate a bygone era.

If one is interested in murder mysteries, Hollywood history or George Reeves, Hollywoodland is worth a look. It is still available on DVD.

George Reeves: 59th Anniversary of His Passing

Above, George Reeves during a photo shoot about 72 hours before his death.

Today marks 59 years since Adventures of Superman star George Reeves took his life in his Benedict Canyon bedroom.

Over the years, there has been much speculation over the circumstances over Reeves's death on June 16, 1959. There have been several books about Reeves with varying conclusions. A movie, Hollywoodland, was a fictional account of his death.

Above, George Reeves's former home in Benedict Canyon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Had he lived, Reeves would have been a huge draw at comic book and science-fiction conventions. 

Closing Date

Above, an aerial view of the house and land.

Going through a bunch of materials that the realtor sent to me yesterday, it looks like the closing date of the sale of my new abode will be January 31, 2018.

That gives me much to work with when contracting with a moving company and for shipping the Mustang to New Mexico. Naturally, everything is contingent upon the results of the home inspection that will take place this coming Monday.

It also gives me plenty of time to go through everything and dump what is no longer needed, wanted or necessary.

It has been 19 years since I last moved and the move will come three months shy of 20 years. At least staying put in one place for a long time helped to keep my rent lower in comparison to newer renters. But, since I will be buying the house outright, I won't have to deal with rents and drawing it out of my accounts on a monthly basis. Plus, owning a home and property is a good investment. Probably one of the best lines about land came from the movie Hollywoodland when George Reeves said to Eddie Mannix, "You know what they say about land, they aren't making any more of it!"

Since I'll have two acres to play with and given the fact that I'll be living in a horsey area, I could get a couple of horses. But as I said to Asya the other night about it, "I could get a horse or two. But I don't know a thing about them. Maybe I'll settle for an elephant." I told her there's plenty of wall space for her painting.

Famous L.A. Restaurants and Bars As Filming Locations

Above, Los Angeles City Hall. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Los Angeles City Hall has appeared in a number of movies and television shows over the years. It doubled as the Daily Planet Building in the 1950s in the Adventures of Superman. Other buildings and landmarks in Los Angeles have also appeared in movies and television shows.

According to L.A. Weekly's website, restaurants and bars in Los Angeles were also used in many movies and television shows. They have posted an article with 70 photographs on different filming locations featuring restaurants and bars in Los Angeles.

Right off the bat, I see that Miss Donuts in Reseda, Frank's Coffee Shop in Burbank, the Dresden Restaurant in Los Feliz and the Prince (when it was the Windsor) Restaurant in mid-Wilshire were all used as filming locations and I have been to each of them at one time or another. Most recently, a 1950s style coffee shop in Hawthorne, Chips, was used in Hollywoodland.

According to L.A. Weekly:

In a city with thousands of restaurants and bars, it can be a daunting task for film or television production to find the perfect location for an eating or drinking scene. Does the film take place in modern day or 1950s Los Angeles? Does the script call for an Italian restaurant or a coffee shop, a dive bar or a lounge? Can the screenplay be adjusted in order to better suit the story and fit the budget?  

While for most business comes first, appearing as a location in a film or TV show no doubt has its merits and, in more cases than not, brings additional customers through the door. Here are some of L.A.'s most memorable movie restaurants and bars. 

To see the gallery of locations, go here.

Thanks to Mike Triggs for the article information.

20 Years Since Passing of Art Weissman

Above, Art Weissman and George Reeves in 1957.

Today marks 20 years since the passing of Art Weissman, friend and personal manager of George Reeves.

Jim Nolt posted the following:

December 6, 1994: Art Weissman, George Reeves' friend and personal manager, passed away in El Toro, California.

It is interesting to see an actual photo of Weissman as Jeffrey DeMunn, the actor who played Weissman in the movie Hollywoodland (2006), looks nothing like Weissman.

Above, Diane Lane as Toni Mannix and Jeffrey DeMunn as Art Weissman in Hollywoodland.

Bob Hoskins Dies At 71

Above, Bob Hoskins as Eddie Mannix in Hollywoodland. Photo: Focus Features.

Some sad news this morning.

Actor Bob Hoskins, who starred in Who Framed Roger Rabbit? and portrayed MGM Executive Eddie Mannix in Hollywoodland, has died.

According to Fox News:

British actor Bob Hoskins, whose varied career ranged from noir drama "Mona Lisa" to animated fantasy "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" has died aged 71. 

A family statement released Wednesday by agent Clair Dobbs said Hoskins died in a hospital after a bout of pneumonia. 

A versatile character actor capable of menace, quiet poignancy and Cockney charm, London-raised Hoskins appeared in some of the most acclaimed British films of the past few decades, including gangster classic "The Long Good Friday."

I thought he did a great job in his portrayal of Eddie Mannix in Hollywoodland. One would never guess that he was British as he hid his accent so well.

To read more, go here.

Ben Affleck To Face Superman As Batman

Above, Ben Affleck as George Reeves in "Hollywoodland."

First, he was Daredevil.  Then he became George Reeves/Superman.  Now he's going to be Batman.

Fox News is reporting:

Ben Affleck will don Batman's cape and cowl. 

Warner Bros. announced Thursday that the 41-year-old actor-director will star as a new incarnation of the Dark Knight in a film bringing Batman and Superman together. 

The studio said Affleck will star opposite 30-year-old Henry Cavill, who will reprise his role as Superman from "Man of Steel."

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2013/08/22/ben-affleck-will-play-batman-in-new-movie/?fb_action_ids=10151673342822772&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582#ixzz2ckwUX4Vb