Vale UNCLE Robert

[Feldon]

Robert Vaughn who appeared in the '60s TV series The Man From Uncle as Napoleon Solo has passed away, aged 83.

One of the earliest TV shows I remember when my family got its first B&W set way back then.

Vaughn was also the last surviving member of the testosterone-fuelled cast from the movie Magnificent Seven, which included Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, Horst Buchholz, Charles Bronson, James Coburn and Brad Dexter.

He also played the bad-guy mayor in Bullitt (great car chase scene) alongside Steve McQueen.

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/robert-vaughn-star-of-man-from-uncle-dead-at-83-20161111-gsnre2.html

 

[evoo4u]

He also played the bad-guy mayor in Bullitt (great car chase scene) alongside Steve McQueen.

Funny story - I was in San Francisco a few years back, and browsing the video section in a store, and saw the title "Bullitt". Just at that moment, a spotty faced young attendant wandered over and asked if I needed help. I said something along the lines of 'Well, I'm in San Francisco, so I can hardly pass up on this one, can I?" He just looked at me, and said blankly "Why?"

Guess he hadn't seen the movie!

 

[Feldon]

Yeah, was a great movie. Captures the youth scene in SF at the time with the music and the clothes. And that car chase is just brilliant, if you ignore the continuity glitches (one car must have lost 6 hubcaps). It starts as a broody follow-that-car scene through the streets of the city, then cracks into life. Love the sound of the gear changes on the Mustang.

 

[Bribie G]

Vaughn always seemed to get parts that portrayed unlikable characters that were pompously up themselves. Maybe he got typecast as Napoleon Solo.

 

[warra48]

Bullitt, still one of my favourite movies. Takes pride of place in the top 10 of my DVD collection.

Never really saw the man from uncle, for some never explained reason my dad figured tv was devil's spawn and never to be seen in our household.

Hasn't been a good year for losing well known entertainers, although I rejoiced when the f-i-l finally carked it at 94 years of age.

 

[Feldon]

I stayed a night once in the dilapidated room where the murder of the state protected witness was filmed in Bullitt.

Was in 1977. I'd driven up from LA in a 'dead head' hire car to SF with a bunch of other cheapie travellers (it was a Chevy Impala station wagon with about an acre of sheet metal for a bonnet (should say 'hood') and the worst power steering - absolutely no feedback and so light).

Two New Zealand girls (one ugly, one gorgeous - isn't that always how it is?) in the group were going to stay at the YMCA, which had a women's section, and asked me to come along (!). The YMCA was a old multi-story building on the road called Embarcadeo which forms a T junction on the waterfront at the end of Market Street. Place was almost empty. The girls asked if we could all stay in the one room (!!), and could it be the room they filmed Bullitt in. I'd never seen the film at that stage (or if I had caught a glimpse on TV I didn't remember it) and was kind of wondering if it was a porn film. The hippie on the reception desk said we could stay together but not in that room as it was strictly males only on that floor. The girls said that OK but said I should stay in the Bullitt room (damn!).

So I did. On my bloody own. And harly got a minutes sleep. Like in the movie it has a freeway curving around the corner of the building. Could almost touch the cars roaring past outside. Was a spooky place too. Narrow dark corridors and the communal shower room was like you'd find in a prison. No shower heads, just pipes sticking out. And big windows with no curtains looking out on other nearby buildings.Freaky place.

 

[Airgead]

Let's not forget him playing Albert in Hustle. Love that show. Might be time for a re watch.

 

[spog]

A bloke I once worked with told me stories R V told him when he was acting in a movie here in Aus years ago, filmed in QLD back in the 70,s.
Ain't repeating them here. Fark what an eye opener.

 

[evoo4u]

I stayed a night once in the dilapidated room where the murder of the state protected witness was filmed in Bullitt.

etc etc etc

Gees you paint a magnificent picture with words! I enjoyed soaking up the atmosphere you portrayed.

 

[Feldon]

(Thanks evoo4u)

(Spog - come on, tells us one of his stories - he's gone now. Sure he won't mind)

There's a very good 10 minute doco on YouTube on the making of Bullitt.

Focus is mainly on Steve McQueen but has a few comments by Robert Vaughn.

(real pity that McQueen died so young. Reckon he would have made some great movies in his senior years.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93gUIPs4iwg

 

[Feldon]

Bump.



Breaking news is that the Mustang stunt car used in the film Bullitt has been found in Mexico.

http://www.foxnews.com/auto/2017/03/02/lost-bullitt-ford-mustang-allegedly-found-in-mexico.html

It was thought to have been scrapped after filming because of damage it sustained.

Would be worth a small fortune I would think