He's looks great!
Borgnine was my favorite as a kid, mainly from the original Poseidon Adventure.
I remember laughing a few years back, when on the way to work, I was listening to the K-Earth 101 morning show. I've forgotten the DJ, but he was joking about a Saddam Hussein biopic, and he asked who'd play the Iraqi dictator - and he said Ernest Borgnine!
I love it.
These Twittering folks love him.
See also, E! Online, "ER Fades Into That Good Night," and the Los Angeles Times, "'ER': The room itself was the real star":
Those holiday episodes notwithstanding ("a very special 'ER' "), the show may now be the darkest, bleakest program on broadcast television and the one with the most sophisticated take on life.
Dr.D,
ReplyDeleteThe Poseidon Adventure was a great movie. The first really of the disaster movies. But I must say that my generation remembers Ernest Borgnine for two things.
First the sadistic "Fatso" who tormented Frank Sinatra (Maggio)in "From Here to Eternity" and then as LT. CMDR. Quentin McHale in McHale's Navy.
But most importantly he is a decorated Navy veteran of WWII. He is a great American hero.
Thanks for the post.
He also played a supporting role in The Dirty Dozen ... as the staff officer who, during the wargames, figured out the ruse the Dozen was pulling off on the pompous Col. Breen (IIRC)... and was smiling the whole time.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking of doing a mindless ER post. Or not.
ReplyDeleteErnest Borgnine - as a girl I watched and loathed McHale's Navy. We watched it because we had three channels. But I loved him in ER. He was in at least one other recent episode. ER writers had their valleys and peaks. But they aced Borgnine's character. I loved looking at his face last night.
Don't forget the great Ice Station Zebra. It's the notable exception to my self-imposed ban on submarine movies. Also starring the great Patrick McGoohan of Prisoner fame.
"Willard" tore Ol' Ernie up...."Marty" was perhaps his best work...and what was the western with William Holden? "The Wild Bunch" from 1969...Ernie at 90 or so can still act with the best of em'
ReplyDeleteI've forgotten about "From Here to Eternity," LOT! A great movie and a great man. Yay! Ernest Borgnine!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rich! Ain't he great!
ReplyDeleteGo for the mindless Borgnine post, Pundette. We need to have a little silly blogging fun now and then!
ReplyDelete"Ernie at 90 or so can still act with the best of em'."
ReplyDeleteHe was good, Pat. I'm so happy to see him.
Thanks for commenting!
Please, let's not forget Ernie's Oscar winning role as the Bronx butcher, Marty Piletti in "Marty" in 1955. The movie and performance still stand-up to the best Hollywood has today. Actually better given the movies Hollywood makes today.
ReplyDeleteThanks Indigo!
ReplyDeleteErnest Borgnine is a true national treasure, and we are fast running out of those.
ReplyDeleteSadly, I missed him in ER, as I don't watch regular TV anymore outside of 24, but he has always brought a great deal to every role I have seen him play, and that includes his role as Cabbie in Escape from New York.
(Dave now takes cover, awaiting the incoming arrows)
Pundette, I am truly sorry that you didn't like McHale's Navy, because that, along with Hogan's Heroes, were two of my favorite shows growing up.
Ernest Borgnine is a truly Great American.
-Dave