ALL SCI-FI

orzel-w · Galactic Ambassador Joined: 19 Sep 2014 Posts: 1865

Gene Barry was very nearly making his debut as a leading man in War of the Worlds. If you look at his screen credits on IMDb you'll find that his prior work was mostly in nonrecurring roles on assorted TV series. He had a couple movie roles around the same time as WOTW, and had the lead in The Atomic City the year before WOTW, but nothing that qualified him as a "name" actor.

Grant Williams had a few more credits under his belt than Gene by the time of The Incredible Shrinking Man.
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WayneO
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Bud Brewster · Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2016 1:21 pm Post subject:

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Gene Barry stated in an interview (on the WotW's special features, I think) that he felt like a real movie star after WotW. He was grateful for the role, and he's enjoyed all the attention it's gotten him from the fans over the years. Very Happy

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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

Rick · Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2016 4:29 pm Post subject:

I had an acquaintance (not really a friend, can't even remember the guy's name) who lost his job because of Gene Barry.

This guy was the host at a mid-to-upscale restaurant in Manhattan. His job was to see that reservations were taken and kept and make sure everyone is happy. This was in the '80s.

Gene Barry was in town, appearing on Broadway in LA CAGE AUX FOLLES. One evening he came to the restaurant with some friends, but with no reservation. My acquaintance told him there was no table available.

At this point, Mr. Barry pulled the celebrity card (no slight on him, this is sort of standard, expected procedure in NYC or LA). Unfortunately, the host was not a WAR OF THE WORLDS or BAT MASTERSON or AMOS BURKE fan. He didn't recognize Gene Barry's face or name.

Evidently things got a mite heated and Gene and co. left. But later, he complained to management, and my acquaintance was fired for not knowing his second-tier stars (and probably for letting things get out of hand.)

Again, no slight to Gene Barry. It may not be the most attractive thing to use your celebrity status to gain access, but it is common and pretty normal.
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Man need not kneel before the angels,
Nor lie in death forever,
But for the weakness of his feeble will.

Pow · Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2017 12:34 pm Post subject:

Read the autobiography of the terrific actor James Best that he wrote not too long before passing.

Jim worked with Gene Barry on Barry's Amos Burke: Secret Agent TV series.

Barry was not a nice guy according to Best.

Singer Rosey Clooney did a movie with Barry & in her autobiography shared Jim's opinion about Barry.

Bud Brewster · Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2018 4:54 pm Post subject:

Bud Brewster · Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2022 11:09 am Post subject:

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Although YouTube has several fine versions of the Disney episode, Man and the Moon, none of them has the Leonard Maltin introduction which the DVD features.

But I did find the intro. Enjoy!
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___Disney's Man and the Moon - Intro by Leonard Maltin

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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)