Dec 25th 2012 07:46 am …and to all a good day!
Two great character actors have died, Jack Klugman and Charles Durning. Reading about Mr. Durning, I was surprised to learn he survived harrowing experiences as a combat infantryman in northern Europe during World War II. His memories of the war haunted him, and he repressed them, never speaking of them publicly. I respect that. It reminds me of my own father’s reaction to time he spent in the same theater. Mr. Klugman and Mr. Durning brought their audiences a lot of pure joy, and they will be remembered.
Posted by jimmyjohnson / Vintage A&J
19 Responses to “…and to all a good day!”
Galliglo in Ohio on 25 Dec 2012 at 8:03 am #
Merry Christmas, Jimmy… Thank you for sharing your huge talent with us.
And yes, I just read an article on Charles Durning. He has always been one of my favorite actors. I too was surprised to learn of his personal history. A good man…
Both he and Jack Klugman (another favorite) will be sorely missed.
Llee on 25 Dec 2012 at 8:35 am #
merry christmas, everyone. Jimmy…THANK YOU!
John in Missouri on 25 Dec 2012 at 8:41 am #
For me, the episode of NCIS with Charles Durning as a guest was hands down the best one ever. It was seeing that episode that got me curious about him and prompted me to look into his background. That made the episode even more touching. He was a true American hero. What a sad loss.
Jean in Dahlonega Ga aka Trapper Jean on 25 Dec 2012 at 8:42 am #
I had heard that Jack Klugman had died, but I did not know about Charles Durning. One of his most recent roles, that of Ernie Yost on NCIS, was particularly good. Both men were great actors, and both will be missed.
Jimmy, Merry Christmas and a sincere thank you for bringing all of us the joy that is Arlo & Janis. You may run around peeking in our windows, but it is for a good cause so we don’t mind.
To everyone here, Merry Christmas!
Jerry in Fl on 25 Dec 2012 at 10:17 am #
It has already rained some this morning but not raining right now. I’ve had my donuts. None of the cats drink milk, but Elvis likes a little taste of coffee in the morning from his mommy’s cup. That’s fine for him, but I never touch the stuff. Nothing so far from my son, but I’m going to try and get him on the phone. Not an I-phone, I have no idea what that is, along with G-4, 5, etc. I wouldn’t know the difference between a smart phone and a smart car except they are probably both cases of wishful thinking, like government intelligence. Oh yeah, how about a user friendly computer? Would’t you like one of those in your stockinng this morning? If no one is around who knows how to post pictures I will try to get some help from family this afternoon. I have some really good pictures, especially of 17 pound part Maine coon Elvis aka Bobcat for Big Orange Boy Cat.
Boise Ed on 25 Dec 2012 at 1:21 pm #
Both NBC and CBS news last night mentioned Jack Klugman, but neither mentioned Charles Durning. Perhaps he died after their deadlines?
Today, the first gift my wife opened was a pair of touch-screen-friendly gloves. Then I opened my first one — a pair of touch-screen-friendly gloves (different manufacturer). That somehow reminded me O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi. To my surprise, my wife’s favorite was the coffee mug with pictures of her four (grown) children. I hope everyone here has had a happy a day as we have.
Blinky the Wonder Wombat on 25 Dec 2012 at 2:04 pm #
Merry Christmas to all my A&J friends!
Lindy from Eureka, CA on 25 Dec 2012 at 2:19 pm #
Your comment about the northern theater of Europe reminded me of the brave men surrounded at Bastonge in 1944. Your strips about Arlo’s dad finally talking about his war experiences are some of my favorites. Our thanks to those who have served (and are currently serving) away from their families during Christmas.
Russell on 25 Dec 2012 at 2:28 pm #
I noticed the similarity that you mentioned, Jimmy, between Mr. Durning’s reluctance to talk about the war and your dad’s because I just read about your dad less than an hour before I read about Charles Durning’s death. That’s because I got “Beaucoup Arlo & Janis” for a Christmas gift.
On the subject of the book, I was delighted to get it and I’ve already started my way through it. It’s great reading those really early strips.
On the other topic, Jack Klugman will probably always be remembered as Oscar Madison, even more so than he will be remembered for Quincy. It’s funny: Felix and Oscar have two pairs of actors who are perfectly acceptable in the roles, and in both cases they became life-long friends. We’d already said good-bye to the first team, Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon, and Tony Randall left us 8 years ago, so this is the last of the four to go.
Both Jack Klugman and Charles Durning gave us much enjoyment as they shared their talents with us over the years.
So, YAY for the new book, but RIP Messrs. Klugman and Durning.
Steve From Royal Oak, MI on 25 Dec 2012 at 2:56 pm #
One of my favorite Charles Durning roles was in Tootsie, where he was chasing Dustin Hoffman (in drag) until he realized Tootsie was a He. After the unveiling, Dustin meets up with Charles to return the engagment ring that Charles had given. Charles tells Dustin ” I’m dating a REAL woman now” Dustin replied “Oh really?” and Charles says ” Don’t you think I had her checked out?”
Sometimes they fake actors playing the piano, but I have a hunch that he really could. Even if it is proven that he didn’t, it is a tribute to his great acting ability.
Lost in A**2 on 25 Dec 2012 at 3:09 pm #
Jerry, first, are the pictures on paper, or are they digital? Second, do you have an account that includes web-space for displaying pictures? Third, where are the pictures: Are they on your camera, or have they been moved to a different computer? Fourth, does that computer have a connection to your web-space?
I don’t use any of the well-known sites for such things: my alma mater provides my web-presence. Therefore, the techniques and methods I would use are useless to you. So I would have to explore the service you’ve chosen to tell you how to use it. Yes, I am very good at reading the manual to people who can’t. So good that unless we are woking face-to-face, they don’t know that that is what I am doing. However, Mr. Johnson’s blog does not seem the appropriate venue for the exercise.
The Cats Servant on 25 Dec 2012 at 3:13 pm #
When Durning returned from the war, he got his start in show business as a dancer. You can see a couple of his moves in “O’Brother Where Art thou.” I think his best was in “One Red Shoe” with Tom Hanks. It set up the Governor’s character in “O’Brother Where Art thou.” Watching Klugman, Durning, or my favorite, Walter Mathau, you were never disappointed. Merry Christmas to you all.
Robin in FL on 25 Dec 2012 at 3:28 pm #
Merry Christmas to all. A wet gray day here but surrounded by love in the form of family.
Debbe59 on 25 Dec 2012 at 6:34 pm #
I pray that all had as a ‘fullfeeling’ day as I did..unfortunately….NOW, we’re under a blizzard warning in southeast IN…..buckle down the hatches Mindy from Indy.
Mary in Ohio on 25 Dec 2012 at 6:51 pm #
Charles Durning has been on The National Memorial Day Concert on PBS, so I was slightly aware of his past. Both these guys brought much pleasure, and so do YOU, Jimmy. And yes, good recycling of the mouse!
Jerry in Fl on 25 Dec 2012 at 9:34 pm #
Bad weather now quickly approaching with high wind, heavy rain and thunderboomers. It was a great day with lots of good times and laughter, one of our best Christmas’s with a close call thrown in. I’ll tell you about that one now. I previously mentioned a wooden swing that my step-son built that is hanging on the back porch. We were all on the back porch (7 of us) with 3 sitting in the swing. My step daughter was chattering 100 mph as usual when the swing crashed to the floor, followed by 3 seconds of complete silence while we figured out whether we had been struck by an asteroid or what. The cats had been wandering around so we immediately lifted the swing . No flat cats. Everyone was ok and there was no damage to the swing. Both chains had an S shaped piece of metal at the top end and they both straightened out due to the weight. We’ll just have to get stronger hooks tomorrow. I have pictures in a file on this computer but I can print on paper any of them. As a matter of fact I printed out two good ones tonight and they are right here. I also have a real American classic that I have to show you but we can work on that tomorrow since no doubt everyone is already getting ready for a long winter’s rest after a busy day. BTW I tracked down my son who had not called me and I’m sure that he got the message that I was not thrilled. Weather permitting I’ll see him tomorrow, but he will be around until 1/4 in any case.
Debbe59 on 26 Dec 2012 at 4:46 am #
Jerry in FL….I had a similar experience many years ago. I was babysitting my sister’s tots, and we were in a swing that hung from a huge 100+ year old oak tree. We were just swinging, slowly, then we found ourselves sitting in the swing, on the ground…and I was 7 months pregnant. After we calmed down, fortunately my brother-in-law came home just in time. He was more worried about me than the kids. I was fine….I still joke that is probably was is wrong with my son to this day…..24 years later
Spitting ice and snow here and I just witnessed my first lightening in a snowstorm, even heard the thunder!!!! There’s the thunder again! Hope my little Isuzu Sport Rodeo 4 wheel drive can make it to the highway. We’re still under a blizzard warning until this evening. Laying hens don’t care about snowstorms, and we have two hen houses to worry about today as I’m sure there will be call ins. The closet one to me is about 5 miles away (4 miles is county road), but I work at the one that is about 8 miles away.
Oh my gosh….the lightening and the thunder again. The thunder is just rolling.
Gotta get another cup of coffee…………………………………..think, develop a plan to get to work. Make sure I have my Car-harts with me!!
Ya’ll have a blessed day.
Jim (Winnipeg) on 31 Dec 2012 at 12:15 pm #
One of my favourite cinema moments occurs in Tootsie after Dustin Hoffman sits down next to Charles Durning in the bar. And then Charles Durning slowly realizes who it is sitting next to him. The transformation on his face is subtle but brilliant.
Meryl A on 31 Dec 2012 at 5:44 pm #
Mr. Durning also gave up his Memorial Days to participate in the PBS concert/memorial almost every year since the program started. This is never mentioned. He and the late Ossie Davis (this was also never mentioned in Mr. Davis’ obituaries) would take turns being the master of ceremonies for the event, but both were almost always there until recent years (and Mr. Davis’s death). We used to go to the concert and many times Mr. Durning would be lead off the speaker’s stage (as opposed to the main performance stage) crying following some reading from letters or such of a soldier in some war. He was not being shown when this happened, it was just something that those sitting around the stage could see.
The hosting duties have since been taken over by younger performers – Gary Sinise in particular.