Robert Vaughn Staying Power and Longevity

Robert Vaughn was the star of one of my favorite shows of the mid-1960s, The Man From *U.N.C.L.E.  On the air from 1964-1968, *U.N.C.L.E. was a take-off on James Bond, and Vaughn starred as Napolean Solo.  Robert Vaughn's film and television career has spanned SIX decades! 

He was in an early Medic episode on television in 1955 and appeared in a 1956 Gunsmoke episode. His film career began in 1956 in The Ten Commandments.  His most famous role, I think, was in the movie The Magnificent Seven, one of my personal favorites.  (He played Lee, a paranoid gunfighter.)

Several other Magnificent 7 stars were also to have long and distinguished careers, with Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, James Coburn, and Charles Bronson, probably the most noteworthy.  They are all dead now.  In fact, as of this writing, the only other major star from the Mag 7 who still lives is Eli Wallach, who played the leader of the bad guys.   

 Robert Vaughn appeared in thirty movies and nearly that many television programs or series, usually in a guest starring role or cameo appearance. But to speak of his staying power in the industry is a great compliment.  He was in a Law and Order: SVU episode in 2006.

At the height of his popularity he was asked to run against Ronald Reagan for California governor in 1966. He didn't run, but has remained in Democratic Party events.

It might be difficult to nail down just what traits gives an actor staying power in an industry that is notorious for passing over older actors for the newest, youngest face.  Vaughn was never a "great" actor.  His talent seems to be to add a familiar and very handsome face on the screen, with an articulate and distinctive voice (he has a Ph.D in Communications from the University of Southern California), and do a professional job.

I've always admired Robert Vaughn, enjoyed seeing his performances, and appreciate his presence in any film or television program.

(Incidentally, Vaughn's co-star in the Man from U.N.C.L.E. was David McCollum, playing Illya Kuriakin, a Russian-born agent.  McCollum has pretty good longevity too; you can see him every week on NCIS.)

*The acronym U.N.C.L.E. stood for United Network Command for Law and Enforcement.

Veteran's Day Observance November 11

Veteran's Day 2009 Poster provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Veteran's Day recognizes all veterans who have served in wartime, and by recent tradition, all those who have served, whether in wartime or not, and those who currently serve, in the Armed Forces of the United States, and honored and remembered on this day.

The date, November 11, was the original Armistice Day, which recognized veterans of the "Great War," World War I, which ended with the signing of the "armistice" in the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, 1918.

Following World War II and the Korean Conflict, Congress established Veteran's Day, to be observed on November 11th, as a national holiday.  Congress did change the official observance to the third Monday in October, back in 1968, but by 1978 they realized that most people were strongly attached to the meaningfulness of the 11th of November, and so reversed themselves.

In Canada and Australia, "Remembrance Day" is observed on November 11 to honor their war veterans, with Canada recognizing all war veterans, and Australia's observance being much like Memorial Day in America in that they honor those killed in wartime.  Great Britain honors veterans on the Sunday that falls closest to November 11.  France observes "Armistice Day" on November 11.


World War I was called the "war to end all wars."  Sadly, the worst had not even been hinted at, back in 1918.  The seeds of World War II were firmly implanted by the peace terms imposed on losers of that war and the gutless charter of the League of Nations, with no power to raise money or impose the will of the League upon rogue nations, was a waste of time.

Added to that inherent problem was the failure of the United States to join the League.

But that is a subject for another day. Today we observe Veterans Day and Veterans Awareness Week.

Obama Pays Respects to Fallen Soldiers

This Associated Press photo ran in many newspapers around the United States today.

It shows President Obama saluting as caskets containing remains of American soldiers are off-loaded from a military aircraft.

I have two comments:

(1) I would hate to be in a position to decide how many more troops will be sent overseas to fight in wars that U.S. citizens are increasingly questioning the purpose, legitimacy, aims and costs thereof. There will be no easy nor quick solution.

(2) It is good to see the President render a sharp and proper salute. He is, after all, the Commander-in-Chief. I wish that he had experienced some wartime service. Many military men perceive the use of armed force as a FAILURE of diplomacy, while diplomats and politicians often perceive the use of armed force as a TOOL of diplomacy.

When I see an American President in civilian clothing rendering a salute, I am reminded how fortunate we are that we do not an a Chief Executive with all the trappings of royalty: the military uniform, the gold braid, the shiny tin medal adornments. We do NOT need a president, in this day and age, to look like he should be leading a high school marching band.

Two hundred years ago, we broke away from Britain, but still adopted so many of Britain's ways, including their language, common law, military and naval ranks, etc. We could so easily have fallen into the trap of being impressed with pomp and ceremony to an even greater extent than we are anyway. George Washington insisted that, as President, he be addressed as "Mr. President," even though many of the framers of the Constitution wanted the nation's President to be addressed as "Your Excellency."

How do you think THAT would go down today?

Halloween, Holiday, or Day of the Dead

Halloween for my sisters and me was always a simple affair. We received candy from trick or treating and that was it. Of course we wore masks, but nothing fancy; no big costume things like some kids wear today. And we didn't have to worry about whether or not the candy was tampered with. The 1950's were safe days for trick or treating.

Even then there wasn't much "tricking."

Another big difference that I have noticed, in the past twenty years or so, is how the Halloween thing has become about adults. Adult costumes, adult parties, adult events in general. Get a babysitter for the kids and take off for a late night event.

Day of the Dead is a Mexican event, with parades consisting of strange costumes that represent death, or the defeat of death, which means they have some belief in the hereafter.

It is a completely different concept than Halloween, and only by the coincidence that November 2 "All Souls' Day" (or "All Saints' Day") happens to coincide so closely with Halloween do these two events become nearly inseparable from each other, at least in the United States.

I am not a fan of either event. I do enjoy the candy that is left over. I usually make certain that I have MORE than enough on hand.