Hey, everyone. ”Moriarty” here.

I never like writing the obituaries for the site, but there have been a few notables who passed in the last few days, and I wouldn’t feel right if we let the occasion go completely unnoticed.

First up, there’s the sad story of Dave Cockrum, one of the legends of Marvel comics. He was one of the defining illustrators of X-MEN, and he was directly involved in defining some of the most iconic characters in the Marvel Universe. I find the details of his passing particularly sad, and my condolences go out to his friends and family.

Philippe Noiret was a giant in the French film community, one of the most enduringly appealing actors. He worked for over fifty years and made well over a hundred films, an incredible track record by any standards. But when you look at the highs that he reached over the course of his amazing career, you get a sense of just what a loss his death really is. For many, IL POSTINO is what they’ll remember most, thanks to Noiret’s performance as Pablo Neruda. For me, it’s CINEMA PARADISO that will always be his finest hour. That film destroys me, and the final act of kindness that Noiret’s character leaves behind in that film moves to tears with each viewing. He leaves behind dozens of classic performances over the years and an international audience that loved his work, and he will be deeply missed.

Finally, the death of Betty Comden gives me an opportunity to praise the amazing legacy she leaves behind. Her partnership with Adolph Green was responsible for some of the greatest movie music of all time. SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN is one of the happiest movies ever made, and the music in it is joyous, hilarious, catchy as hell. Comden and Green won tons of awards over the course of their six-decade collaboration, but the greatest legacy they leave behind is the way their songs have entered the pop culture on a permanent level. The song “New York New York” is one of the most recognizable songs of all time.

One of the last things they did together was for 1991’s THE ADDAMS FAMILY. There’s a wild musical sequence late in the film called “The Mamushka,” and it’s a highlight in an uneven film, as delirious and fun as anything they ever staged in earlier films or onstage. They don’t make them like Comden anymore... or Cockrum... or Noiret... so jump in, and share your respects in the thread below.