ALL SCI-FI

Pow · Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2017 8:58 pm Post subject: R.I.P.Martin Landau

Martin has died at the age of 89.

He portrayed master disguise artist Rolland Hand on Mission:Impossible(1966-'73).

Later on he played Commander Koenig on Gerry Anderson's sci-fi TV series Space:1999.

Custer · Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2017 9:32 am Post subject:

Wikipedia isn't perfect, but it lists his Mission: Impossible character as Rollin Hand. He certainly starred in some memorable movies and TV shows. The above photograph is from Space: 1999, with Barbara Bain, of course.

Pow · Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2017 2:59 pm Post subject:

I am a fan of Mission:Impossible & Marty was terrific in his role as Rollin Hand.

He was one of only 2 actors that was accepted by the famous NYC Actors Studio one year.The other being Steve McQueen.Marty also became a teacher there due to his passion & talent for acting.

As many know he turned down the role of Mr.Spock for Star Trek.He said that playing a character who restrains himself from showing emotion would have been hell for him.He said his good friend Leonard Nimoy was brilliant as the alien & not many good actors could have pulled off the role,but Lenny did.

So I am a fan & admirer of Marty Landau.

However,I never thought he could successfully be the lead of a movie or TV show.Space:1999 proved that to me.In fairness the scripts for the series were substandard.

But I feel that Marty worked best in an ensemble as he did on M:I,or as a supporting character.

Only a handful of actors can carry a film or TV series.The supporting actors can be wonderfully talented in their own right & shine from time to time.But that doesn't mean they can be the lead.

Gord Green · Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2017 3:24 pm Post subject:

His performance as Bela Lugosi in ED WOOD was brilliant! His real strength was in character parts.
Seemed like a "good guy". Gonna miss him.