September 4 Birthday Wishes

Dick York [1928 - 1992]

Riz Ortolani [1931 - ]

Howdy Manco!!

Dick York began his film career back in 1947. He appeared on several t.v. shows of the time and was eventually cast in Cowboy with Glenn Ford and Jack Lemon. The next year, 1959, York was cast in They Came To Cordura, with Gary Cooper and Rita Hayworth. It was on this film, that York received an injury to his back, that he would suffer with the rest of his life and would ultimately cost him his career. In 1964, York was cast in the hit t.v. series, Bewitched, with Elizabeth Montgomery. He played "Darrin" on the show for 5 years, until 1969. York had become addicted to painkillers after the injury and since even prescription drugs were taboo in Hollywood at the time, he tried to keep it a secret.. He failed to return to the set on 1 occasion and was found asleep in his car. This prompted some one on the show to investigate. They found the pills, hidden in his shoes, in his dressing room. He was fired and replaced by Dick Sergeant for the remainder of the show. This virtually ended his film career. I remember watching him on an E Entertainment episode in the 90's and he spoke about what happened. He said he couldn't get any parts in anything. In his words, "I couldn't get a job as a dogcatcher in Hollywood after that". He moved back to Michigan and started a charity for the homeless. I remember him saying" that he did more from his inhome office, than he ever did in Hollywood.

Riz Ortolani is a music composer, who began his career back in the early 50's, mostly in Italian films.
He has been nominated twice for an Academy Award for his music scores. He hit it big after the turn of the 20th century, with Kill Bill II and Inglourious Bastards.

Ed

I think the title of the tread should be September 4 Birthday Wishes.

More Sept. 4 Birthdays:

Edward Dmytryk (1908-1999)

Howdy Tinhorn!!

Edward Dmytryk was both a film editor and director. He is more famous for the over 50 films he directed. He began his career in 1935 and among the films he directed are the 1954 movie, The Caine Mutiny, Warlock, The Carpetbaggers, Shalako, Alvarez Kelly and a war film that I watched today, Anzio, with Robert Mitchum, Robert Ryan and Peter Falk. Mitchum played a cynical war correspondent, traveling with a group of U.S. soldiers during the invasion of Anzio, Ryan played an American General and Falk played an Army Sergeant. A good film, lots of action, but a bit graphic when Falk gets shot in the chest/throat by a sniper.

Ed