Put on your dunce thinking cap.
Time to test your talent for tabulating titillating tidbits
with my brain-busting trivia questions!
TRIVIA QUESTIONS:
He was one of my favorite actors.
Can you name him?
Can you name him?
Can you name the movie?
Can you name the two hit TV series
for which he is best known?
(SCROLL DOWN)
ANSWERS::
DENNIS WEAVER
was one of my favorite actors.
was one of my favorite actors.
Dennis starred in Duel, a road thriller that
marked Steven Spielberg's full-length film debut.
If the trailer grabbed you, why not make yourself a batch
of popcorn and watch the entire movie? (I'll wait.)
Duel first aired as a TV movie on November 13, 1971. I decided it would
be fun to play one of the records that was popular around that time.
Sly and the Family Stone, one of the hottest recording acts
of the period, were on their way to the top of the charts
with their latest single "Family Affair."
be fun to play one of the records that was popular around that time.
Sly and the Family Stone, one of the hottest recording acts
of the period, were on their way to the top of the charts
with their latest single "Family Affair."
"Family Affair" - Sly and the Family Stone
(Nov./Dec. 1971, highest chart pos.
#1 Hot 100/#1 R&B)
#1 Hot 100/#1 R&B)
As you might recall, Dennis Weaver played the gimpy sidekick Chester
opposite James Arness as Marshal Matt Dillon in Gunsmoke,
the hit Western TV series of the 50s, 60s and 70s.
Gunsmoke started it's incredible 20 year run on September 10, 1955.
That week the merry Mr. Chuck Berry was ridin' high with "Maybelline."
"Maybelline" - Chuck Berry
(Sept./Oct. 1955, highest chart pos.
#5 Hot 100/#1 R&B)
#5 Hot 100/#1 R&B)
In the 70s Dennis Weaver starred as Deputy Marshal Sam McCloud
of New Mexico, on loan to the NYPD as a special investigator.
The pilot of McCloud aired February 17, 1970, on NBC. That same week
Motown's Temptations were climbing the chart with "Psychedelic Shack."
"Psychedelic Shack" - The Temptations
(Feb./Mar. 1970, highest chart pos.
#7 Hot 100/#2 R&B)
#7 Hot 100/#2 R&B)
Thanks for the memories,
DENNIS WEAVER.
DENNIS WEAVER.
You spent much of your life working to
protect the environment and animals.
You were part of the solution.
From all indications you were
a heck of a nice guy and,
son of a gun...
you were a fine actor, too.
Have a Shady day!
I remember all those shows well! Didn't realize McCloud was that old. Where the heck does time go, anyway?
ReplyDeleteHi, Alex!
DeleteYou went and did it again, good buddy. You are the early bird for the 417th time in a row! :) Thanks for taking a look at this salute to one of my favorite actors, Dennis Weaver.
I'm happy to know you remember Spielberg's film Duel along with Gunsmoke and McCloud. I have seen Duel several times, was a semi regular viewer of Gunsmoke and never missed an episode of McCloud. McCloud had a good long run on NBC, from 1970 to 1977, and I also enjoyed the other shows in the network's rotating wheel series NBC Mystery Movie.
Thanks again for dropping in on a weekend, good buddy Alex!
I couldn't remember right off who starred, but I did recognize the poster for Duel. (I'm terrible with naming actors) And once you mentioned it, I did remember his role in Gunsmoke. I never watched McCloud, so I'd forgotten about that.
ReplyDeleteSome good music picks. I especially enjoyed reminiscing a bit to Family Affair. :)
Hi, Kelly!
DeleteHow are you doing this weekend, dear friend? Thanks a lot for taking a peek at the post on your Saturday!
If you've ever encountered road rage, or if you simply enjoy tense, suspenseful films, and if you haven't already seen it, I urge you to give Duel a try. You can watch it free on YouTube. Dennis Weaver is natural and believable in every one of his acting performances. I loved him as the limping sidekick Chester on Gunsmoke and as Sam McCloud, a lawman from the southwest who shows the city slickers of the NYPD that he knows a thing or two about catching outlaws.
I'm delighted that you remember "Family Affair" by Sly and the Family Stone, a single that was climbing the chart when Duel was released.
Thanks again for coming to visit, dear friend Kelly. I appreciate it. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
This is a very nice memoir of Dennis Weaver, Shady! I LOVED him! I don't believe I saw "Duel", but I will have to rent it from the library if they have it. I'm sorry but I can't sit at my computer that long to watch it, lol! I didn't watch Gunsmoke much at all, but I remember everyone always talking about Weaver as Chester. He was very well liked even then. Who knew he would later evolve into the handsome McCloud! I did watch that show frequently, every week if I could. He was so smooth and always got his man, didn't he! Loved watching ride his horse through the streets of New York.
ReplyDeleteI have to tell you, Shady, it took me a few moments to remember The Temps "Psychedelic Shack". I think it didn't have an impact on me in 1970, but, after hearing it today-I really like the song. Sometimes, you can get a better vibe from a song when you see the video and how it is presented on stage!
I always thought Sly and The Family Stone were so cool! I didn't see them in concert, but enjoyed their contributions and talents. My favorite hit of theirs is "Dance to The Music." Very colorful group.
We certainly miss Chuck Berry, don't we? He gave it his all for years and years. Maybelline was really one of his greatest hits. It's funny how that song came out in 1955, but all age groups know and love it today! He is one of the greatest contributors to Rock and Roll, Blues and Country music!
Thank you Shady, for this fun post! Dennis Weaver was one of my favorites also!
Take care, dear friend, and have a wonderful weekend! ♫
Hi, Suzanne!
DeleteHow are you today, dear friend? Thank you very much for making time for a visit as I salute one of my favorite actors, Dennis Weaver!
I'm so sorry you still can't sit at a computer very long without ending up in pain. That's a bummer, Suzanne! Just remember that Duel is free on YouTube. You could play it full screen on your TV or computer monitor and watch it as you do household chores or exercises the doctor might have prescribed. No need to remain seated the whole time.
I'm surprised you didn't watch Gunsmoke in your neck of the woods. My uncle loved Westerns and faithfully watched Gunsmoke, The Lone Ranger, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Wagon Train, Rawhide, Have Gun - Will Travel, Wild Bill Hickok, Sugarfoot, Bronco, Cheyenne and all the others, including Hec Ramsey (starring Richard Boone), another Western series that aired in rotation, along with McCloud, on the NBC Mystery Movie. I'm happy to know you are familiar with the latter. I worked at an NBC station and voiced promos for McCloud and the other network programs we carried. Yessum, it was quite a spectacle to see McCloud chasing criminals through the streets of NYC on his horse and lassoing them!
That video of the Temptations performing their hit "Psychedelic Shack" is a YouTube hybrid that contains footage from the group's network special that year. Around that time Motown groups were no longer singing as many love songs. The trend was toward protest songs and songs that hinted at drug induced experiences including another Temps hit "Cloud Nine." I preferred old school sweet soul music. The massive success of Sly and the Family Stone and their psychedelic soul song "Dance To The Music" was a major factor that led to the late 60s shift in the Motown Sound that I just mentioned.
I love Johnny Rivers' version of "Maybelline" recorded live at the Whisky. if you aren't familiar with it you can find it on YouTube. Yessum, Chuck berry inspired many other artists of the 50s and many more in the decades since. He is missed.
Thank you again for making time to visit and for your wonderful comment, dear friend Suzanne. I hope you have a restful weekend and feel better hour by hour. I'm thinking about you. Take care and I'll see you soon!
I'm pretty sure Duel was originally a made-for-TV movie. The Sugarland Express was Steven Spielberg's first THEATRICAL movie, and that came out in 1974. So where did that movie poster come from? Two possibilities. Either it was shown in theaters in a foreign country (which is common for US TV movies), or after Spielberg became famous for other things, it was re-released (technically debuted) in American theaters. Whatever happened, it's a very good film.
ReplyDeleteLove the Jack Davis-drawn TV Guide cover.
Hi, Kirk!
DeleteThanks for coming over on a Saturday, good buddy!
I'm happy to know you are familiar with Duel. Thanks for pointing out that I should have noted it was originally a TV movie. As Wiki explains, Duel was: << an ABC Movie of the Week installment. It was eventually released to cinemas in Europe and Australia; it had a limited cinema release to some venues in the United States, and it was widely praised in the UK. >> I do not know the origin of the movie poster. Your guess is as good as mine. All I know is there's a lot of action going on within the frame, like the comic book art you are fond of showing.
Did you watch McCloud. Kirk? It seems you would have been the right age to appreciate it in during its original run from 1970 to '77.
Thanks again for joining the fun as I pay tribute to one of my favorite actors, Dennis Weaver. Enjoy the rest of your weekend, good buddy Kirk!
Hi again. Kirk!
DeleteI changed the wording of the Duel segment to indicate that it was first released as a TV movie. Thanks for helping me get it right.
Happy Sunday to you, good buddy!
I don't know if it was meant as a rhetorical question or not, but, yes, I did watch McCloud, mainly because my parents did. If I remember correctly it was part of the Sunday night NBC Mystery Movie, in which three "movies" (actually, 90 minute TV shows) alternated with each other on a weekly basis. The other two "movies" were McMillan and Wife and Colombo. I was (and still am) a big fan of the latter and would have watched whether my parents were home Sunday night or not.
DeleteI also remember Dennis Weaver as the father on Gentle Ben. As for Gunsmoke, I grew up during the hour-long Festus era, but I do recall seeing one or two episodes of an old half-hour western titled Marshall Dillon. Of course, that's actually Gunsmoke, but the name was changed when it went into syndication because new episodes were still being produced and, I don't know, viewers might have found two Gunsmokes on the air distressing (the same precaution was taken when Robert Young, Family Doctor went into syndication while Marcus Welby M.D. was still on the air, but they didn't fool ME!) And, yes, I did see Weaver play Chester.
All in all I thought Weaver was a pretty good actor, even underrated.
Hi again, Kirk!
DeleteMy question was not rhetorical. I actually am curious to know which friends (if any) share my experiences. Like you I faithfully watched McMillan And Wife and Columbo along with McCloud. I also watched Marcus Welby. However, I did not watch Gentle Ben, although I remember the series.
Thanks again for the follow-up, good buddy Kirk. I hope you had a great weekend and I wish you a wonderful week ahead!
Dunce cap and cap of honour … different cultures different views, friend Shady … c.
ReplyDeleteHi, cat!
DeleteThank you very much for popping in on the weekend, dear friend. I'm delighted to see you!
Are you saying you are not familiar with Dennis Weaver, his film, his two TV shows or the three hit records I posted? Given the cultural difference, it doesn't surprise me. However I hope you found something to like during your visit today, even if it is only host Shady. :)
Thanks again for coming by, dear friend cat, and enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Hi Shady,
ReplyDeleteI thought Dennis Weaver looked familiar, I remember seeing him on Gunsmoke, but never knew who the actor was! I used to watch Gunsmoke with my dad, but the Rifleman is our favourite. I like Chuck Connors. :)
Family Affair is one of my favourite Sly and the Family Stone songs. Sometimes if I mentioned the phrase "Family Affair," dad will burst out singing the song. LOL. You chose a great selection tonight, dear friend.
I hope that you have a great rest of the weekend.
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteThanks for coming over, dear friend. I'm happy to see you!
Your dad introduced you to good music and good TV shows. I'm glad you and he watched Gunsmoke together and that you remember Dennis Weaver's role as Chester. I watched The Rifleman every week and also gave Chuck's follow-up series a try. It was called Branded. Johnny Crawford tried his luck at becoming a pop singer and released a few moderately successful records. Clearly you and your dad have rapport. Thanks for telling me that he burst into song when you mentioned "Family Affair." I hadn't heard that song for decades until it showed up on YouTube recently in nicely remastered form.
Thanks again for joining the fun. Have a great Sunday and wonderful week ahead, dear friend JM!
We were watching the Giants movie last night, I forget the whole title, but it starred Johnny Crawford, Toni Basil, and Beau Bridges. It was a total B movie, but fun to watch. I remember seeing Branded a few times, but don't really see it on TV much.
DeleteI hope that you have a great Sunday evening, dear friend!
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteWOW - so cool - you watched Village of the Giants last night? I ran a post about that movie a little more than three years ago on SDMM. Do you remember? You left a comment on it!
https://shadydell.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-bigger-badder-exploitation-on.html
I love movies like that one. Along with the actors you mentioned, the film includes Tommy Kirk, Ron Howard, Joy Harmon, and Mickey Rooney's son Tim, with music by Freddy "Boom Boom" Cannon and The Beau Brummels!
Thanks again for dropping by, dear friend JM, and have a fab week!
Oh my goodness, a blast from the past!
DeleteA heavy heart tonight, Mimi isn't doing well.
Have a good evening, dear friend.
Oh my, Jessica Marie! I am very sorry that you have a heavy heart at this hour. Please keep me posted about Mimi. Try to remain calm and have a good week, dear friend JM.
DeleteIt's a family affair caught me off guard, friend Shady … and now that you mentioned it, yes, I do remember … when my soul mate Sue and I decided to make up a secret language in order to communicate safely because too much family affair/drama was going on … We talked to each other like this: Ichhichlefich habhablefab Dichhichlefich liebhieblefieb which simply means I Love You. Our families did not appreciate our secret language. Anyway, says this Alberta cat and her cat Theo … smiles … Love, cat.
ReplyDeleteI do not watch movies any more cuz of the language, but I do remember watching Nell says this Alberta cat and her cat Theo.
DeleteHi again, dear cat!
DeleteThank you for taking time to expand on your earlier comment so that I can better understand what you meant. It's fascinating to learn about the secret language you and Sue created to safely communicate with each other. Based on the stories you share, I think your life story would make a great book and/or movie, dear friend.
Mrs. Shady and I saw the Jodie Foster - Liam Neeson film Nell when it was first released in theaters around Christmas 1994. We enjoyed it. When you state that you do not watch movies any more because of the "language," may I assume that you mean the vulgar language used in many of today's films, and that you are not referring to the "language barrier," your ability to understand the language?
Thank you again for the return visit, dear friend cat. Have a wonderful week. See you soon!
I understand and speak this countries language very well thank you, friend Shady … as I work on psych … my patients "learned" me a thing or two about language … you better believe it. At first I went home crying, but now I just say: "Is there anything else you wanna tell me?" … Anyway, love makes the world go round says this cat and her cat Theo.
DeleteHi, cat! Hi, Theo!
DeleteThank you very much for returning to provide further clarification, dear friend! Are you saying that you administer psych consults in your line of work? That must be challenging and I applaud you. I'm happy to know you have learned to cope with that type of patient.
I agree that love makes the world go round and that's why I am sending
LUBBINS LUBBINS LUBBINS
up your way! :)
Tom,
ReplyDeleteI remember Dennis Weaver from the 70s TV series 'McCloud' but I don't think I recall him playing as Chester in 'Gunsmoke', though. He sure was young in the clip you shared. I was too young to know of the movie 'Duel' that he starred in but that's really interesting that Steven Spielberg directed it. I think barely recall his passing in 2006 and was reminded from Wikipedia that it was from cancer. He was a year younger than my late FIL.
All of your mewsic features are new-to-me tracks which I very much enjoyed listening to. Thanks for the furtastic post share. Have a great week, my friend!
Hi, Cathy!
DeleteHow are you today, dear friend? Thanks so much for coming over to view my tribute to Dennis Weaver!
I'm happy to know you have some memories of this fine actor from watching his series McCloud. Duel is a tense, suspenseful film. I think we can all relate to road rage incidents and the innate apprehension of big rig trucks on the highway. Yessum, Dennis left us too soon. Even at age 81, I think he had many good roles left in him.
I'm delighted to know I introduced you to new songs by Sly Stone, Chuck and the Temps and that you enjoyed them.
Thanks again for swinging over for a visit, dear friend Cathy, and have a terrific week ahead!
Tom,
DeleteThe thought of an angry truck driver targeting a person sends shivers down my spine. In the day when this film was mad you didn't hear about road rage but today you'll read about an incident frequently and if you're on the highway you see a lot tailgating, cut-offs, hand gestures, swearing, ... which is due to people's impatient and hostile attitudes. I really hate being on the road because of all the crazies out there and it's going to get a lot worse. Thanks for visiting today and voting in my newest round of BoTB. Have a good day, my friend!
Hi, Cathy!
DeleteThank you for returning to chat, dear friend!
Yessum, it seems like courtesy on the highways and byways is becoming extinct. Too many people are driving under the influence of anger. You never know when a simple lane change is going to piss off the wrong person. Ironically, in my experience, truckers are the best mannered and most careful drivers on the road.
Thanks again for your visit and comment, dear friend Cathy, and enjoy the rest of your week!
Oh my goodness Gunsmoke!! I watched it every night with my grandpa and then not too long ago on the western tv channel with Dad. Before his transplant and while he was recuperating from surgery, dad got into watching nothing but westerns. I think I've seen every episode a time or two!
ReplyDeleteI also remember watching McCloud with my parents when I was a kid. Dennis Weaver was good. I loved him in the old TV show Gentle Ben.
Great songs to go along with the times!! Have a great week Shady
Hi, Holliwood N. Vine!
DeleteThank you for coming by, dear friend! I am pleased to have you here to see my tribute to Dennis Weaver and listen to songs that were popular when Weaver's movie and TV series were introduced.
I'm thrilled that you remember Gunsmoke and watched it with your grandpa and your dad. Did you know that James Arness played the role of "The Carrot Man" in the 1951 sci-fi horror flick The Thing From Another World?
I am also delighted to know that you watched the McCloud series. As I told Kirk, I did not watch Gentle Ben. I read that Dennis Weaver also starred in the movie Gentle Giant from which the TV series was created. Gentle Giant/Gentle Ben producer Ivan Tors also created the Flipper movie and TV series and the film Clarence, the Cross-Eyed Lion which led to the TV series Daktari. As you recall, I ran a post on the latter two a few months ago.
I'm so pleased that you could drop by, dear friend Holli. Thank you again and enjoy the rest of your week!
Oh how I love your fond remembrance of Dennis Weaver who was excellent in Duel. Duel is very scary and that trucker is sinister to say the least. He was too good in Gunsmoke and he actually didn’t like the limitations of his character which is why he left. I love him as McLeod and, guess what? My mom loved him and had a huge crush on him. We watched an interview with him just a few years before she died and we were amazed at his home and how he used everything recycled from hay to tires. He was an amazing person and very humble
ReplyDeleteHi, Birgit!
DeleteThank you very much for viewing this post, dear friend! Forgive me for being late to reply to it. I keep forgetting that your MO is to post two comments at once. :)
I'm glad you provided testimony in support of my conclusion that Dennis Weaver was a talented actor, a humble man and an environmentally responsible citizen. Thanks for offering that piece of trivia that he left Gunsmoke because his character was so limited. I'm thrilled to know that your mother loved Dennis and even had a crush on him. Mrs. Shady feels the same way about Sam Elliott.
This is a great comment, dear friend BB, and I thank you again for making time to post it!