In Memoriam: William Blake Crump (AKA Blake Edwards), 1922-2010

[thatcrazycajun]

The man who painted the Panther pink, taught the world to count to 10 and exposed Hollywood's S.O.B. (Standard Operational Bullshit) for all the world to see has left us. Legendary director, screenwriter and producer Blake Edwards has died at 88 (!!) of pneumonia—the same illness that took another irreplaceable entertainment genius, Jim Henson, from us two decades ago—in a Santa Monica, CA hospital. His wife of 41 years, singer-actress Julie Andrews, and their children were at his side; details here.

Thanks to filkertom for passing along the sad news. Though he made or helped make a boatload of fine films, for me, Edwards' high-water mark was Victor/Victoria (the original film, not the later Broadway musical). Why, you ask? I'm glad you asked that: for its daring (for the time, anyhow) subject matter and hilariously absurd premise; its superb dialogue ("There's nothing more inconvenient than an old queen with a head cold!"); stellar performances by a perfect cast including Julie, James Garner, Alex Karras, Lesley Ann Warren, John Rhys-Davies and the late, lamented Robert Preston (in what turned out to be one of his final—and best—roles); its terrific music, with songs by Edwards' longtime friend and favorite composer, the great Henry Mancini, and lyricist Leslie Bricusse (especially the show-stopping "Le Jazz Hot"); and its treatment of homosexuality and gender issues in a humane, mature (mostly; it was a comedy, after all) and non-critical fashion that was then rare in US mainstream cinema.

But even if he hadn't made that film, Edwards would still deserve remembrance for his many others, most especially the Pink Panther series that punched Peter Sellers' ticket to global stardom (including my personal favorite, The Pink Panther Strikes Again for its homage to the 007 films). Heartfelt sympathies to Julie, the rest of his family, friends, colleagues and fans in this most difficult hour. Au revoir, monsieur; dormez bien et merci beaucoup.

Comments

[osewalrus.livejournal.com]

I hadn't heard before seeing this. I remember those films. I actually thought SOB was the funniest and cleverest. I did like the Pink Panther films (at least the earlier ones).

[maugorn.livejournal.com]

And let's not forget "Peter Gunn", where Edwards could pack more film noir detective story into 1/2 an hour than many could do in two, accompanied by Mancini in top form on the soundtrack.

[thatcrazycajun.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Maugster - I'd forgotten Edwards also produced a TV show. He and Hank were one of entertainment's great pairings of filmmaker and composer, up there with Hitchcock/Herrmann, Leone/Morricone or Spielberg/Williams.

[lemmozine.livejournal.com]

I'd heard, on the news last night. Never knew about the Crump name. Reminded me of an old song I used to sing, that I learned from a recording by Frank Stokes and Dan Sane recording as The Beale Street Sheiks, called "Mr. Crump Don't Like It." Never thought to do an internet search before, and now I see the song was written by W.C. Handy.

Ack! Pneumonia. I've had it. It's one of the worst things that ever happened to me, although it did give me time to watch all the vids of Firefly/Serenity. I don't imagine it's a pleasant way to go.

I have a one-sheet from one of the pink panther flicks. I'll remember which one next time I see it.

[dan-ad-nauseam.livejournal.com]

Obviously, a different Crump - in this case, Memphis' old political boss.