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Rest In Peace Henry Gibson
Hey, guys. Quint here. Actor Henry Gibson died Monday at the age of 73 after a brief battle with cancer.
Like many of you out there, I’m sure, Mr. Gibson shaped my love of movies. As a child I obsessively watched the animated CHARLOTTE’S WEB. His voicework in that movie tugs at my heartstrings even now. But that’s not the image I have Mr. Gibson. In fact, it wasn’t until I looked up his credits for this obituary that I found out he in fact voiced Wilbur in the film.
No, I probably remember him most from THE ‘BURBS where he played the mysterious is-he-or-isn’t-he-a-killer neighbor to Tom Hanks and Carrie Fisher. Dr. Klopek kinda freaked me out a little bit, I’m not ashamed to say. The way Gibson played him was note perfect… kind and gentle… innocent, but with something lurking underneath.
Gibson was a big part of my childhood actually, those two movies aside. In my pre-teen years I found and fell in love with two John Landis movies he appeared in. The first, and most well-known, is THE BLUES BROTHERS where Gibson gave us all a reason to hate Illinois Nazis. The second being KENTUCKY FRIED MOVIE where his segment, a commercial for United Appeal For The Dead, was a stand-out in a movie filled with hilarious scenes.
It seems he was a favorite of directors, appearing in more than one film from John Landis, Joe Dante and Robert Altman. For Altman Gibson was featured in THE LONG GOODBYE, a Philip Marlowe story starring Elliot Gould, NASHVILLE, A PERFECT COUPLE and HEALTH.
For Dante, Gibson cameod in GREMLINS 2 and played a larger role in INNERSPACE as Martin Short’s boss.
Of Gibson’s more recent work, I particularly liked his scene with William H. Macy in Paul Thomas Anderson’s MAGNOLIA and his dryly funny Father O’Neil in THE WEDDING CRASHERS.
Gibson also has an impressive list of TV credits, including everything from Laugh-In to The Dick Van Dyke Show to Eerie, Indiana to The Beverly Hillbillies to The Love Boat to Tales From The Crypt.
I’m going to miss Gibson’s ability to straddle the thin line between funny and creepy. The man’s talent was his ability to shift into any kind of character. His Haven Hamilton in NASHVILLE is miles from his Dr. Klopek character which is a different sort of villain than his comical Illinois Nazi. He could do over-the-top and straight man humor, which isn’t as common as one might think. He could also handle drama with equal ease.
My thoughts are with Mr. Gibson’s friends, family and fans.
-Quint
quint@aintitcool.com
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Another loss this week. :(
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his bonkers Judge in Boston Legal! Damn, I'm gonna miss that guy...
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THE 'BURBS was (and still is) a huge part of my childhood. Just watched it in tribute to the man. As funny as ever. R.I.P.
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Let's also not forget his disney channel flick luck o the irish... rest in peace.
Celebrities die in 3's.... Gibson is #2... I wonder who's next? -
He freaked me out in the burbs.
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Sep 17, 2009 3:48:26 AM CDT
"Gruppenführer, get that license plate number...we're gonna kill
by iblis_mage
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I think that one, and The 'Burbs would be my favorites of his appearances.
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"Gruppenführer, get that license plate number...we're gonna kill that sonofabitch."
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He really nailed the clueless paranoia of the chief neo-nazi in THE BLUES BROTHERS.
RIP -
i remember you from innerspace,burbs and blues brothers.you were great.thank you for your work.
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WHERES THE OBIT HAIRY????
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It's weird how many people mostly know him from that movie, considering that it seems to be not that popular.
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Hands down, my favorite judge on Boston Legal.
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Sep 17, 2009 4:10:54 AM CDT
BUT NOW, I WANT, MY SKULLS, OR PERHAPS I SHOULD TAKE YOURS?
by carlthormark1978
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"My brother, the Doctor". I love The Burbs. And I used to watch Laugh In as a kid, which was how I first knowingly became familiar with Gibson. I enjoyed Charlotte's Web a great deal, but never knew he did voice work for it until all these years later. Very talented actor and comedian.
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Such a great actor. Blues Brothers and The Burbs are two of my all time faves. Any future Joe Dante movies will not be the same without him. At least Dick (it's a kentucky harvester!) Miller is still around.
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In what alternate universe is The 'Burbs not popular?
"It sure was...damp today" -
Sep 17, 2009 4:19:30 AM CDT
fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
by thepilgrim
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Sep 17, 2009 4:19:45 AM CDT
uuuuuuuuuuuuccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccckkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
by thepilgrim
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Yeah, he was brilliant on Boston Legal. Also tremendous as the bastard country star in Nashville. Shit this getting to be an awful year for losing talented people...
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damnit I was a fan. he should have seen the triple digits. Rest in peace Mr. G
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I don't know how well it did when I came out, but I'm pretty sure most of the critics panned it (what the fuck were they thinking???). The power trio Hanks, Dern and Ducommun, MILF-ish Carrie Fisher, Leone/Morricone homage, and one of the best Goldsmith scores ever. THIS MOVIE IS A FUCKING MASTERPIECE.
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I just asked the same question to myself. I heard over the years from so many people that they didn't know or like The 'burbs, just to find today thousands of people quoting that movie.
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RIP Mr. Gibson. I'll watch The 'Burbs tonight in your honour.
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Rest in peace, sir. You were a very gifted and entertaining man. This year bites.
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one of Dante's best films,and one of the best black comedies ever.from what i have read,it was a lackluster when it came out,but as it goes with such movies,with the coming of the years it became a cult classic.
Tom Hanks should return in comedies,he is very good at it. -
The scene in Magnolia always make me smile. R.I.P. Henry.
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For most actors, I can quickly think of some real cash-in trash they phoned in, but even the low-budget stuff Gibson did was pretty funny and dignified. RIP.
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Was one of those "Hey! It's That Guy!" actors, who - when you recognised them in a movie - you knew you'd enjoy their performance, regardless of the movie as a whole. Especially great in BLUES BROTHERS and THE 'BURBS. RIP Henry, and our thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends and fans.
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Classed up everything he was in and was an indelible part of my childhood. Thank you Henry, farewell.
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He always added something to any scene he was involved with. Kept me entertained in anything he did. RIP
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Someone needs to tell Bill Shatner. Henry Gibson had been on twitter, if anyone wants to read some of final words.
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...Patrick Swayze's passing. BTW, he played the witch judge on "Sabrina" as well.
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He was a always turning up on something wasn't he? Simon and Simon I think too! Yes I know. RIP Henry.
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The 'burbs and The Blues Brothers are two of my favourite films and as a result it was always a pleasure to see him turn up in other movies/T.V shows. In fact, his subsequent appearances were quite often the highlight for me. I'm genuinely sorry to hear of this. You will be missed good sir...
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He was also in Magnum PI, in the episode where Kim Richards played a tennis brat. This year, I have a feeling a lot of people aren't going to get their moment during the in memoriam segments at the awards shows.
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Classic 80's Halloween special. His Igor rocked!
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What have you done Jack? What have you done?
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Except in my house.
"Hey, Pinocchio! Where you going?" -
everyone was great especialy Bruce Dern. My favorite line was the "about a 9 on the tension scale there roob." when they all went over and visited the freaks.
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No, it came with the frame.
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Wow. I did not know that. Somehow I just don't hear that voice coming from him and The Burbs is a classic. Love it.
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Why can't they all live to be 100? At least?
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someone had to say it.
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He had to be, considering he must be all of 5ft 5 and his character had to intimidate the Samson-sized Sterling Hayden.
I would have figured he'd be older, though... Ah well, another memorable face has gone. -
My kids love Charlotte's Web. But he'll always be the 'Burbs guy to me. (Why didn't Hanks stick to comedy?)
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Abe Vigoda is not laughing today. Maybe just a little. RIP.
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Henry Gibson was an AMAZING actor and one my favorites of all time. His performance in Nashville is one of the best EVER!
"You get your haircut...You don't belong in Nashville."
Henry Gibson RIP -
He was magnificent as Judge Clark Brown in "Boston Legal," and of course I agree with "Kentucky Fried Movie" as a hilarious example of his talent.
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"and when they do, they better hope the Police get to the before we do!"
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One of my favorite scenes in one of my favorite movies of all time. Him and Macy together, while "Goodbye Stranger" plays in the bacground, that incredible tracking shot, and his spot on performance of a sad old barfly. Amazing. Rest well.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwdVryj3hMA
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Great actor. Will remember him most from The Blues Brothers. Anyone who appeared in that movie is a frickin legend.
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Never a star, but always a big presence with great acting chops and impeccable timing. We've lost some talented people this week.
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The episode with Rick Springfield in it.
RIP -
He forever creeped me out as that was the first role I saw him in. Good actor, though.
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And if I see a Mary obit here I'm going to puke.
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Gibson was stellar as Judge Brown on BOSTON LEGAL. The episode where he sues for not having his Same Sex Affliction Disorder (SSAD) fixed is a particular highlight.
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but not until he bitch slaps us. This is sad.
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You'll always be a star in my book...
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has it already passed (no pun intended)?
Dear God,
No more famous deaths for 09 please.
Sincerely yours,
M. -
I loved the 'Burbs, and especially Gibson's performance. I always thought the only thing keeping the 'Burbs from being a truly great movie was the ending. The Klopeks should not have been revealed to be actual killers. That was just too safe an ending, too predictable, and kept the movie from being a truly great satire of suburban isolationism and nosiness. Other than that, Gibson was great in everything he was in.
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Lest I forget,
R.I.P to my favorite Father. -
Let's not forget this mid-1980s baseball movie that aired on HBO with Virginia Madsen and William Petersen. It came out before Bull Durham and Major League and was better than both. Gibson played the clueless owner of the Tampico Stogies, the minor league team for which Petersen was player/manager. Teller (of Penn and Teller fame) starred as Gibson's son - together they were hilarious. RIP.
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God! I am astounded at the grim reapers take in Hollywood this year. RIP Henry
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"...in retail food marketing. I just hate to see you throw it all away by going psycho on us." -- store manager in INNERSPACE. Loved HG in Joe Dante's movies.
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Sep 17, 2009 9:09:56 AM CDT
Loved him in Magnolia but will remember him as Klopek
by nomoredirtyjokespleaseweareyanks
I goddamn love that movie. Re rover red rover, let Art come on over.
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RIP Henry, I've always loved you.
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blues brothers, bubs and many othrs, the guys a legend rip
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A shame he is gone. He was just exceptional in everything he touched. A remarkably good character actor. My heart goes out to his family.
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WTF?!I have always had the Burbs as my favorite movie of all time, every response I have got has been,'what movie?' And here's a load of people calling at a masterpiece(which it is).
shocking...maybe you guys are all american.it may be british people that underated it(no one actually says they hate it, just never watched or heard of it)Oh, and Corey Feldmans greatest role!(yes, even more than stand by me and lost boys!) -
So I'm amazed he was only 73. His reaction shot in Blues Brothers as the car plummets, and his comrade professes his love, is priceless. Cancer is a motherfucker this year.
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Sep 17, 2009 10:00:48 AM CDT
I've always loved you. (Wagner music....car drops from inexplica
by mel garga
I hadn't seen Nashville until just a few years ago. Gibson was a scene stealer. A classic, one of a kind character actor.
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great character actor - will be missed
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What a great life! Thank you Henry Gibson!
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This man was GREAT in everything he was in. RIP
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I haven't seen it in more than a decade or so, so I can't remember how good the movie really was, but I always recognized him most from Switching Channels with Christopher Reave. It just happened to be on TV a ton when I was a kid. He played the innocent death row escapee they were hiding in the office.
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My favorite had to be his funny and soulful performance as condemned man Ike Roscoe in Switching Channels. That tender interview with Kathleen Turner about his arrest and his son's death was so moving. Then later when Burt Reynolds and Turner are shoving him into a copier for 20 minutes are some of the most hilarious moments of the film! Still it's only on VHS here in the States. The Grocery manager in Innerspace, the patron in Magnolia and of course his endless appearances on Laugh In. I always loved seeing Henry Gibson. Was like checking in with an old friend. Go soft and we're listening avidly, fellow.
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Sad. Hopefully this will roll out a lot of his old stuff we haven't seen in ages or at all. He deserves props.
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I LOVE Switching Channels. It was directed by the guy who did First Blood actually. Why hasn't SC been released on dvd?
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The character Konrad Rus was seemingly inspired by Gibson's appearance: http://tinyurl.com/nce5l4
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classic.
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Know that your talents were the cause of much joy and entertainment by all who beheld you.
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He looked pretty old in Blue Brothers I would have thought he was in his 80's. My only real familiarity with him was BB...a classic, classic role though. That scene of him flying in the Pinto with Ride of the Valkyries playing will be burned into my consciousness forever!
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The ‘Burbs freaked me out when I was a kid! Oh the memories...
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Also, damn enter button on these mini-laptops.
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Never would've guessed that one. I did like several of his roles and I wouldn't have minded meeting him. R.I.P., Mr. Gibson. :(
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You will be missed.
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from the dvd's extras,where the klopeks,if i remember correctly, werent killers.but that ending was longer and boring,so they decide to change it to the ending we know.its on youtube,check it out.
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As one-half of a father/son ownership team (Teller being the son) in the great HBO movie "Long Gone".
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In his honor. I hope everyone does likewise. Let's kick this death thing once and for all.
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What a body of work to have as a legacy. His scene in Magnolia is wonderful.
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Walked out of a production company back in 1984 to find this impish, smiling dude standing in the middle of our parking lot. Little Henry Gibson needed a jump (insert joke here). I backed my VW bug up to his beat-up, wood-paneled, family-style station wagon, hooked the cables, as he softly mumbled his thanks and got the car running again. Looked like Henry was one of those people who kind of lived out of his car. This was a time when he was only making a guest appearance on about one or two TV shows a year. "The 'burbs" was five years away. The very next day I stumbled upon Fred Sadoff (the bad shipping executive, Lenarkos, who forced Leslie Nielsen to push the Poseidon to make port regardless of her lack of ballast) sitting in his beat-up Chevy off Wilshire, also stranded with car troubles. In Sadoff's case, he had to eventually call a tow.
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3..4 better lock the door
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It's a Rob Snider (spelling?) directed film that went straight to DVD for some reason...but it is one of the funniest films I have seen in years. I hated Rob Snider before I saw Big Stan...but he really came up with a rare and special film in Big Stan...and Henry Gibson as his wise older cell mate was awesome. Find and rent that movie, you will be glad you did!!!
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seriously...fucking meaningless expression. hes dead...hes not gonna have a hard time laying there.
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Gibson's performance was genius.
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Pronounced clop-eck. RIP Mr.Gibson. You made the world laugh, which is the greatest thing one can do imo.
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Sep 17, 2009 1:47:04 PM CDT
I want to kill everyone. Satan is good. Satan is my Pal
by nomoredirtyjokespleaseweareyanks
Also, my fave bit in the Burbs is when Pinnochio first walks out of the house. Cue closeups of all players till Queenie the dog lookin suss closeup.
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WHAT HAVE YOU GOT IN THE BASEMENT KLOPEK?????
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It'll always be The `burbs for me. He was also my favorite recurring judge on Boston Legal. "Shocking!!! Outrageous!!!"
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Sep 17, 2009 1:50:08 PM CDT
In Vietnam we'd call this thing 'bad karma'
by nomoredirtyjokespleaseweareyanks
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Sep 17, 2009 1:50:48 PM CDT
"We're not all here. The old man that lives across the street..
by acquanetta
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Sep 17, 2009 1:51:01 PM CDT
In Vietnam we'd call this type of thing 'bad karma'...
by nomoredirtyjokespleaseweareyanks
better.
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That kid next doors'a meatball.
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Sep 17, 2009 1:53:47 PM CDT
Ever since they moved in, I've smelt a strange smell....
by nomoredirtyjokespleaseweareyanks
kinda like death.
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ill always remember him for that
role that and blues brothers -
That look of utter disbelief as the Pinto is soaring over Chicago is priceless.
R.I.P. sir. -
MUTILATIONS!
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...I've never seen anybody drive their garbage down to the street and bang the hell out of it with a stick. I-I've never seen that." Favorite line in the movie for me, hands down. Come back, funny Tom Hanks, we miss you!
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You'll always be the creepy neighbor from 'The Burbs' to me. R.I.P.
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...Oh yes, I know that you did.
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Sep 17, 2009 2:36:31 PM CDT
Once the Ed McMahon Talkback goes up, the Celebs stop dying!
by drunken busboy
Don't you get it!? Stop being stubborn and get that Ed McMahon Talkback up and the curse will be lifted! How many more celebs must die because of your neglect to honor a TV Pioneer! RIP Mr. Gibson! Your death was preventable! :(
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sabrina the teenage witch.
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He was kind of a jerk in that movie poor William H Macy
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It was a tom hanks film. which meant that it had to be safe. I seem to remember a tom hanks horror film. I cant remember the name. he was very young and it was supposed to be very scary.
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Gonna have to pop the Burbs in now.
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That's a classic from HBO original pictures that's never been released on DVD. I actually taped it on VHS (had Betamax too) off of HBO in the fucking 80's and Henry Gibson is magnificent in it... still have it. Many have not seen the movie, but it is one of his best performances. It's also one of the greatest baseball flicks of all time and features great turns by Virginia Madsen, William L. Peterson and Dermot Mulruney. Henry's involvement in Blues Brothers and The Long Goodbye automatically qualifies him as a total badass anyway. Love the Gibson.
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How many more stars are going to kick the bucket? It's gonna be a long oscar death list. Just saying.
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remember gibson on laugh in. So funny all the time. r.i.p.
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Sep 17, 2009 3:24:50 PM CDT
The Oscar show next year will have 2 guys in the theater
by lockesbrokenleg
watching.
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That Tom Hanks scary flick when he was young is called "He Knows You're Alone." I saw it in the theater when it came out and it scared the shit out of me. I was pretty young though. It's probably really tame by today's measure.
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That was my first memory of him; he was a hoot. And then he played the evil Dr. Verringer in The Long Goodbye. What a change up that was!
I do not think I appreciated his versatility as much as I should have. But the directors who hired him did.
Recalling Haven Hamilton: "They can't do this to us here in Nashville! Let's show them what we're made of. Come on everybody, sing! Somebody, sing!"
R.I.P. -
...he was one of those actors I could never name by name, but the minute I saw him on the screen (silver or small), I knew it was going to be enjoyable while he was there.RIP, Mr. Gibson.
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He was the man in Boston Legal.
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Which saw great seeds grow - Gibson,Tomlin,Goldie Hawn.Not many of you are mentioning that but it is where they all got a heckuva a start.No surprise then the things Henry Gibson went on to do... must have been something in the water there! LOL
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Makes me wanna bust out 'Burbs tonight. That is, if I owned it. I really should own it. Is it even out in any kind of format?
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I have it on VHS, but an amazon search would turn up a dvd. [Heads to Amazon]
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Farewell old friend, you were some therrific, radiant, humble, pig, and the best Illinios Nazi I ever knew! I will miss you.
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Funny guy will b missed R.I.P man
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I'm very bummed by this news. My friend and I have just recently been revisiting the 'Burbs on YouTube and laughing about the creepy Dr. Klopeck. I saw him on an old episode of Fantasy Island a few weeks ago. Even when he was supposed to be happy and smiling in the early 80's with big hair and funny blazers, he was creepy.
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"1060 West Addison" "let's go"
Kevin McCarthy was the bad guy in Innerspace, Gibson was Martin Short's boss at the supermarket. -
I'm looking at you Austin Cinema and Drafthouse and other similar theaters around the country! THere's plenty of good films to pick from. Fuck MJ dying earlier this year. HG's death is far greater a loss at this point. Henry Gibson's work > Thriller Even though he could now be a dancing Thriller zombie.
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http://tinyurl.com/n46vg9
seriously, that's genius...Beaks is right. -
^ that's one of the movie quotes I've used most. He was great as Dr. Klopek. And really mean in Magnolia. RIP Henry Gibson.
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Wow, today has been a sad day. I know PPM may seem like a joke to some, but I was moved by the folkies and have always been fond of the sounds of Peter, Paul, & Mary.
Ms. Travers passed away after battling leukemia. She was 72.
R.I.P. -
"Puff the Magic Dragon" got our first folk album into the house when we were youngsters. But the album also had a cover of "Blowin' in the Wind." I was still in grammar school but I thought the tune was catchy. Little did I know...
Mary Travers had a lovely voice and a pleasant stage presence. My conservative parents thought she and her cohorts were beatniks of some sort, but PPM's beautiful harmonies and songs passed muster in our household.
Thanks, Mary, and, again, R.I.P. -
I am deeply shocked... His role on Boston Legal was absolutely fantastic.
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Do you have his address?
1060 west Addison...
Let's go.
RIP Henry we miss you already. -
You forgot his stint on "Boston Legal" assholes.
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Another thing that pisses me off when people die is how everyone instantly gets respectful towards that person. WHen Ted Kennedy died, suddenly he was god. It was as if he didn't let his female passenger drown in 4 feet of water at Chappiquidick. Be honest, if the person was a shit, admit it. Don't be a fake.
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I stumbled across it as the episode began - the three gorgeous spies had been captured, and the villain in charge was Henry FUCKING Gibson. They escaped with a bomb and in a drawn out joke sequence sent it back to him. His wavering, "Ooh Noooo" nailed it!
He made us laugh. That's a gift (in more than one sense). He'll be missed. -
The Burbs is one of the great films of all time. RIP.
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That's how everyone's gonna react when you croak, miserable cunt.
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Yeah, sounds real practical.
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Abe Vigoda will outlive everyone!! All hail the great Abe Vigoda!!
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That family is led, by the way, by a small, pale, fish-faced doctor played by Henry Gibson (the Oscar nominee from "Nashville").
Watching him in the final scenes of the movie, I realized his character was more interesting than the suburbanites we'd been following all along. Maybe that's what the movie was missing: a comic inversion to undermine all of our expectations. What if the typical suburbanites had all been undernourished geeks and the sinister new family had moved in looking all-American? Only asking. -
to have seen the original laugh in run i was young, but my folks allowed me and the sibs to watch the first half every monday nite...and that is when gibson would do his poem when he showed up in blues bros, i was blown away...he was so good at playing against type here was this tiny guy, who seemed to be so nice (apparently, he really was) but was so great at playing the heavy rip henry
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...there won't be any good actors left by 2011.
Henry G. was great, and I'm glad to see that someone mentioned Big Stan - Henry's role in that was really good. -
That's Mike Judge's great King of the Hill. He was one of the other newspaper writers Peggy shared a, ahem, healthy rivalry with.
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red rover red rover let art go on over....ha ha
electricity is our friend...ha ha
Run to me! Run to water! hahaha
greatest...film...ever
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