R.I.P. David McCallum: NCIS & U.N.C.L.E Actor Dies at 90

[phinds]

David McCallum: NCIS and The Man from U.N.C.L.E actor dies aged 90

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66919863

I wasn't that crazy about him in U.N.C.L.E and was definitely not crazy about him in the sci fic British TV series he made after that, BUT ... I absolutely love him in NCIS. I think he's one of those actors who get a lot better with age.

 

[Vanadium 50]

was definitely not crazy about him in the sci fic British TV series he made after that

But it had a young Joanna Lumley!

You would be shocked to see how long his list of credits is. Everything from guest starring in TV shows to The Great Escape.

 

[jedishrfu]

His Great Escape role was the best.

he also starred in the Outer Limits Sixth Finger episode as a man who had his intelligence enhanced beyond all limits.

 

[OCR]

he also starred in the Outer Limits Sixth Finger episode...

Your ignorance makes me ill and angry...

.

 

[Astronuc]

Variety did a nice review of his career.
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/david-mccallum-star-ncis-man-213015283.html

In 1963 McCallum had the good fortune to be cast in the high-profile, monumentally successful American-made film “The Great Escape,” starring Steve McQueen and a host of others. McCallum was a key supporting player as a member of the team nicknamed “Dispersal,” and though his performance is not the first thing one remembers from the film, it allowed him to break through. In George Stevens’ 1964 Christ epic “The Greatest Story Every Told,” starring Max Von Sydow, McCallum played Judas, further boosting his profile — the New York Times said, “David McCallum’s Judas Iscariot oozes a chilling treachery.”

 

[jack action]

The most fascinating fact about David McCallum is about his music career:

In the 1960s, McCallum recorded four albums for Capitol Records with music producer David Axelrod: Music...A Part of Me (Capitol ST 2432, 1966), Music...A Bit More of Me (Capitol ST 2498, 1966), Music...It's Happening Now! (Capitol ST 2651, 1967), and McCallum (Capitol ST 2748, 1968). The best known of his pieces today is "The Edge", which was sampled by Dr. Dre as the intro and riff to the track "The Next Episode". McCallum's version of "The Edge" appears on the soundtracks to the 2008 video game Grand Theft Auto IV and the 2017 film Baby Driver.

McCallum's version:

​

Dr. Dre's version:

​

 

[pinball1970]

I thought Sapphire and Steel was awesome!

I was 12 when it came out though so it may not have aged well.

This was great too https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankenstein:_The_True_Story

 

[Vanadium 50]

it may not have aged well.

Neither did Joanna Lumley! *

Sapphire and Steel did not set up to be an epic in world-building with a Cast of Thousands (other shows have fans quibbling about the current exchange rate between quatloos and latinum. Just sayin') It didn't even intend to be scary. It intended to be creepy. McCallum's portrayal of Steel's lack of empathy was perfect (and a perfect contrast to Sapphire) made one wonder if the cure was worse than the disease. As intended.* That's a joke. She's not really the wreck she portrayed in Absolutely Fabulous.

 

[pinball1970]

Neither did Joanna Lumley! *

Sapphire and Steel did not set up to be an epic in world-building with a Cast of Thousands (other shows have fans quibbling about the current exchange rate between quatloos and katinum. Just sayin') It didn't even intend to be scary. It intended to be creepy. McCallum's portrayal of Steel's lack of empathy was perfect (and a perfect contrast to Sapphire) made one wonder if the cure was worse than the disease. As intended.* That's a joke. She's not really the wreck she portrayed in Absolutely Fabulous.

I saw it once and it was sinister as hell. The opening credits used the word, "transuranic!"
Ok neither Sapphire or Steel are elements but so what
Anyway in terms of aging? Like a fine wine.



"The Invisible man" 1975 series is an honourable mention.

 

[pinball1970]

The most fascinating fact about David McCallum is about his music career:

McCallum's version:

​

Dr. Dre's version:

​

He played a Bach piece in the Outer limits? According to wiki.

 

[Vanadium 50]

"The Invisible man" 1975 series

I could never see him in that role.

 

[DennisN]

"The Invisible man" 1975 series

I could never see him in that role.

Also, as far as I can remember, the portrayal of the character was rather transparent.

 

[DennisN]

Just to clarify: my post above was a joke.

The Invisible Man was actually one of my favorite tv series when I was younger.

 

[Bystander]

David McCallum: NCIS and The Man from U.N.C.L.E actor dies aged 90

Memorial "Binge-watch" commences this p.m.; be back in a couple weeks.

 

[PeroK]

I thought Sapphire and Steel was awesome!

I was 12 when it came out though so it may not have aged well.

I must admit I'd never heard of it. I found an episode on YouTube. Interesting! I don't mind these low-budget efforts from earlier times. In general, they had to rely more on good acting. Expensive sets aren't everything.

With a lot of modern productions I often get the feeling that the actors don't really understand anything that is not contemporary. But, I digress.

 

[DennisN]

I don't mind these low-budget efforts from earlier times. In general, they had to rely more on good acting. Expensive sets aren't everything.

I very much agree with that. This is how I see it, roughly speaking:

The story is the most important, then the script, then the acting, then the filming and then the effects (if any).

Evidence (if needed ):

If you have a good story and reasonably good acting but no particularly stunning sets you can still make a good movie.

And if you have stunning sets and amazing effects, but the story/script and/or the acting is bad, you will get a bad movie.