Ben Lanzarone, the composer, arranger, musical director and pianist who wrote music for such shows as Dynasty, Happy Days, Mr. Belvedere and The Tracey Ullman Show, has died. He was 85.
Lanzarone died Friday in his Los Angeles home of lung cancer, his family announced.
The Brooklyn native toured with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Art Garfunkel, Mary Travers, Anthony Newley, Petula Clark, Lainie Kazan and Mason Williams and for Broadway served as the musical director on the original 1972-1980 production of Grease and arranger on 1972’s Via Galactica and 1975’s Truckload.
His long association with TV producers Aaron Spelling and Douglas S. Cramer resulted in scores for Dynasty, The Colbys, The Love Boat, Vega$, Matt Houston and Hotel.
And for production companies led by Thomas Miller, Edward Milkis and/or Bob Boyett, he came up with music for episodes of Happy Days (including the one in 1977 when Henry Winkler’s...
Lanzarone died Friday in his Los Angeles home of lung cancer, his family announced.
The Brooklyn native toured with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Art Garfunkel, Mary Travers, Anthony Newley, Petula Clark, Lainie Kazan and Mason Williams and for Broadway served as the musical director on the original 1972-1980 production of Grease and arranger on 1972’s Via Galactica and 1975’s Truckload.
His long association with TV producers Aaron Spelling and Douglas S. Cramer resulted in scores for Dynasty, The Colbys, The Love Boat, Vega$, Matt Houston and Hotel.
And for production companies led by Thomas Miller, Edward Milkis and/or Bob Boyett, he came up with music for episodes of Happy Days (including the one in 1977 when Henry Winkler’s...
- 2/19/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Composer Ben Lanzarone, whose work was featured in television shows such as “Happy Days,” “The Love Boat” and “Dynasty,” died of lung cancer in Los Angeles on Feb. 16. He was 85.
Lanzarone received ASCAP’s “Most Performed Composer Award” for his work composing television scores. He wrote for episodes of “The Tracy Ullman Show,” “The Jay Leno Comedy Hour” and” Mr. Belvedere.” In association with Aaron Spelling and Doug Cramer, he composed many scores for “Dynasty,” “The Love Boat,” “Vegas,” “Matt Houston,” “The Colbys” and “Hotel.” In addition, he wrote the music for numerous episodes of “Happy Days,” “Laverne and Shirley” and “Mork and Mindy.”
Also an arranger, musical director and pianist, Lanzarone became a force in popular music when he began associating with Bob Crewe and Charles Fox. Lanzarone’s album “In Classic Form” came as a result of their collaboration, showing off his talent as a classical and jazz pianist.
Lanzarone received ASCAP’s “Most Performed Composer Award” for his work composing television scores. He wrote for episodes of “The Tracy Ullman Show,” “The Jay Leno Comedy Hour” and” Mr. Belvedere.” In association with Aaron Spelling and Doug Cramer, he composed many scores for “Dynasty,” “The Love Boat,” “Vegas,” “Matt Houston,” “The Colbys” and “Hotel.” In addition, he wrote the music for numerous episodes of “Happy Days,” “Laverne and Shirley” and “Mork and Mindy.”
Also an arranger, musical director and pianist, Lanzarone became a force in popular music when he began associating with Bob Crewe and Charles Fox. Lanzarone’s album “In Classic Form” came as a result of their collaboration, showing off his talent as a classical and jazz pianist.
- 2/19/2024
- by Caroline Brew
- Variety Film + TV
“Variety shows are complicated,” Tom Smothers told Rolling Stone in 2015. The occasion was the launch of Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris, the ultimately short-lived attempt to revive the long-standing song-dance-and-skits format for TV.
Few knew how thorny such undertakings could be than Smothers, who died this week at age 88. With his brother Dick, he injected topical anti-war humor and rock guests like the Who and George Harrison into prime time on the legendary Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (1967-1969), a daring approach that ultimately led to its cancellation. With...
Few knew how thorny such undertakings could be than Smothers, who died this week at age 88. With his brother Dick, he injected topical anti-war humor and rock guests like the Who and George Harrison into prime time on the legendary Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (1967-1969), a daring approach that ultimately led to its cancellation. With...
- 12/28/2023
- by David Browne
- Rollingstone.com
Tom Smothers, the countercultural comedy icon admired for the 1960s variety program he created and hosted with his younger brother, Dick, and for the tenacity he displayed in frequent clashes with CBS censors, has died. He was 86.
Smothers died Tuesday at his home in Santa Rosa, California, after a battle with cancer, his brother announced in a statement shared with The Hollywood Reporter by the National Comedy Center.
“Tom was not only the loving older brother that everyone would want in their life, he was a one-of-a-kind creative partner,” Dick, 84, said. “I am forever grateful to have spent a lifetime together with him, on and off stage, for over 60 years. Our relationship was like a good marriage — the longer we were together, the more we loved and respected one another. We were truly blessed.”
The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour ran from February 1967 until April 1969, when the pair were fired after...
Smothers died Tuesday at his home in Santa Rosa, California, after a battle with cancer, his brother announced in a statement shared with The Hollywood Reporter by the National Comedy Center.
“Tom was not only the loving older brother that everyone would want in their life, he was a one-of-a-kind creative partner,” Dick, 84, said. “I am forever grateful to have spent a lifetime together with him, on and off stage, for over 60 years. Our relationship was like a good marriage — the longer we were together, the more we loved and respected one another. We were truly blessed.”
The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour ran from February 1967 until April 1969, when the pair were fired after...
- 12/27/2023
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Ken Kragen, a prolific manager and producer in entertainment and a central organizer behind the 1985 charity single “We Are the World,” died from natural causes in his Brentwood, Calif. home on Tuesday. He was 85 years old.
Kragen’s death was confirmed to Variety by his spokesperson and friend Cheryl J. Kagan.
“While I am of course immensely proud of everything he has accomplished professionally, he has also been the best dad to me that I could have ever asked for,” Ken Kragen’s daughter, Emma Kragen, said in a statement.
Kragen was born in Alameda, Calif. on Nov. 24, 1936. Kragen graduated from Harvard Business School before embarking on a career across film, television and music.
One of Kragen’s first key ventures was the Kragen-Fritz management company that he created with his business partner Ken Fritz in the ’60s. For over five years they worked together as co-executives of the “Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour,...
Kragen’s death was confirmed to Variety by his spokesperson and friend Cheryl J. Kagan.
“While I am of course immensely proud of everything he has accomplished professionally, he has also been the best dad to me that I could have ever asked for,” Ken Kragen’s daughter, Emma Kragen, said in a statement.
Kragen was born in Alameda, Calif. on Nov. 24, 1936. Kragen graduated from Harvard Business School before embarking on a career across film, television and music.
One of Kragen’s first key ventures was the Kragen-Fritz management company that he created with his business partner Ken Fritz in the ’60s. For over five years they worked together as co-executives of the “Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour,...
- 12/15/2021
- by J. Kim Murphy
- Variety Film + TV
At long last, a new Paul Thomas Anderson film is now in theaters––to be exact, just a few until Christmas Day. Whether you have the opportunity to see the film now or you have to wait another month, a new treat has now arrived that everyone can enjoy: the official soundtrack.
Coming out on December 10 on vinyl but arriving digitally today, the 20-track album includes cuts by Nina Simone, David Bowie, The Doors, Sonny & Cher, Chuck Berry, Donovan, Paul McCartney, Gordon Lightfoot, Taj Mahal, Mason Williams, and many more. Of course, PTA has also continued his collaboration with Jonny Greenwood, who has snuck in there with a single title track running just over three minutes.
Ryan Swen said in his review, “Paul Thomas Anderson has always been fascinated with pretenders, with people who use their assumed gigs and personas as a shield for their own deep insecurities. From Tom Cruise...
Coming out on December 10 on vinyl but arriving digitally today, the 20-track album includes cuts by Nina Simone, David Bowie, The Doors, Sonny & Cher, Chuck Berry, Donovan, Paul McCartney, Gordon Lightfoot, Taj Mahal, Mason Williams, and many more. Of course, PTA has also continued his collaboration with Jonny Greenwood, who has snuck in there with a single title track running just over three minutes.
Ryan Swen said in his review, “Paul Thomas Anderson has always been fascinated with pretenders, with people who use their assumed gigs and personas as a shield for their own deep insecurities. From Tom Cruise...
- 11/26/2021
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
With the title of Licorice Pizza, referencing the record store chain founded in Southern California in the 1970s, it was a given that Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest feature would have a killer soundtrack. While the film has only just started screening for select guilds ahead of a limited release on November 26, the official details for the soundtrack releases have now been unveiled and they do not disappoint.
Coming out on December 10 on vinyl followed by a December 26 digital release via Republic Records, the 20-track album includes cuts by Nina Simone, David Bowie, The Doors, Sonny & Cher, Chuck Berry, Donovan, Paul McCartney, Gordon Lightfoot, Taj Mahal, Mason Williams, and many more, notes Film Music Reporter. Of course, PTA has also continued his collaboration with Jonny Greenwood, who has snuck in there with a single title track running just over three minutes.
Check out the tracklist and cover art below.
1. July...
Coming out on December 10 on vinyl followed by a December 26 digital release via Republic Records, the 20-track album includes cuts by Nina Simone, David Bowie, The Doors, Sonny & Cher, Chuck Berry, Donovan, Paul McCartney, Gordon Lightfoot, Taj Mahal, Mason Williams, and many more, notes Film Music Reporter. Of course, PTA has also continued his collaboration with Jonny Greenwood, who has snuck in there with a single title track running just over three minutes.
Check out the tracklist and cover art below.
1. July...
- 11/10/2021
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Sam Bobrick, the creator of Saved by the Bell, has died.
He was 87.
Per The Hollywood Reporter, Bobrick passed away on Friday at Northridge Hospital Medical Center, after suffering a stroke.
His friend, Adam Carl, was the one who broke the news to the outlet.
While best known for creating Saved by the Bell, Bobrick also worked on a string of other hit TV series during his time in the industry.
He worked on shows including The Flintstones, Gomer Pyle: Usmc, Get Smart, Hey, Landlord, Good Morning, World, and Bewitched.
Bobrick also wrote four comedies that played on Broadway.
He was nominated for an Emmy award in 1968 with the likes of Lorenzo Music, Mason Williams, and others for their work The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.
His expansive career also extended to playwrighting, in which he wrote or co-wrote over 40 during his career.
He left writing for the TV behind in...
He was 87.
Per The Hollywood Reporter, Bobrick passed away on Friday at Northridge Hospital Medical Center, after suffering a stroke.
His friend, Adam Carl, was the one who broke the news to the outlet.
While best known for creating Saved by the Bell, Bobrick also worked on a string of other hit TV series during his time in the industry.
He worked on shows including The Flintstones, Gomer Pyle: Usmc, Get Smart, Hey, Landlord, Good Morning, World, and Bewitched.
Bobrick also wrote four comedies that played on Broadway.
He was nominated for an Emmy award in 1968 with the likes of Lorenzo Music, Mason Williams, and others for their work The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.
His expansive career also extended to playwrighting, in which he wrote or co-wrote over 40 during his career.
He left writing for the TV behind in...
- 10/14/2019
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
Doug Nichol's California Typewriter brilliantly captures the percussion of the keys at Lincoln Plaza Cinemas Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
Antiquarian typewriter collector Martin Howard over brunch in the garden of Narcissa, next door to the Standard Hotel, joined me for a conversation on California Typewriter, Doug Nichol's documentary featuring Tom Hanks, John Mayer, Jeremy Mayer, Pulitzer Prize winners David McCullough and Sam Shepard, and a reenactment of Ed Ruscha and Mason Williams' Royal Road Test execution. Martin is the glue of the film as we are taken on an historical journey for his search to purchase a Sholes & Glidden typewriter.
Martin Howard on typewriter Betty Grable: "She uses a Sholes & Glidden in The Shocking Miss Pilgrim." Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
The Wrong Box (John Mills, Michael Caine, Ralph Richardson, Peter Sellers, Peter Cook, Dudley Moore), Royal Flash (Malcolm McDowell, Alan Bates, Florinda Bolkan, Oliver Reed), Waterloo (Rod Steiger,...
Antiquarian typewriter collector Martin Howard over brunch in the garden of Narcissa, next door to the Standard Hotel, joined me for a conversation on California Typewriter, Doug Nichol's documentary featuring Tom Hanks, John Mayer, Jeremy Mayer, Pulitzer Prize winners David McCullough and Sam Shepard, and a reenactment of Ed Ruscha and Mason Williams' Royal Road Test execution. Martin is the glue of the film as we are taken on an historical journey for his search to purchase a Sholes & Glidden typewriter.
Martin Howard on typewriter Betty Grable: "She uses a Sholes & Glidden in The Shocking Miss Pilgrim." Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
The Wrong Box (John Mills, Michael Caine, Ralph Richardson, Peter Sellers, Peter Cook, Dudley Moore), Royal Flash (Malcolm McDowell, Alan Bates, Florinda Bolkan, Oliver Reed), Waterloo (Rod Steiger,...
- 8/27/2017
- by Anne-Katrin Titze
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
California Typewriter director Doug Nichol on Tom Hanks: "He was great. We spent a day with him, shooting him." Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
The afternoon before the theatrical première of California Typewriter in New York, director/writer/cinematographer Doug Nichol met with me for coffee and conversation on his passion project, which hauntingly captures the fleeting nature of time and propels us into the tactile world beyond the screens. Structured around the story of the California Typewriter repair shop in Berkeley, we are taken on an energetic journey with collector Martin Howard, explore the work of sculptor Jeremy Mayer, and experience the reenactment of Ed Ruscha and Mason Williams' Royal Road Test execution.
Sam Shepard, David McCullough, John Mayer, Tom Hanks, and typewriter poet Silvi Alcivar all have their own take on what makes the typewriter the machine of choice for them.
Anne-Katrin Titze: Tell me about the timeline,...
The afternoon before the theatrical première of California Typewriter in New York, director/writer/cinematographer Doug Nichol met with me for coffee and conversation on his passion project, which hauntingly captures the fleeting nature of time and propels us into the tactile world beyond the screens. Structured around the story of the California Typewriter repair shop in Berkeley, we are taken on an energetic journey with collector Martin Howard, explore the work of sculptor Jeremy Mayer, and experience the reenactment of Ed Ruscha and Mason Williams' Royal Road Test execution.
Sam Shepard, David McCullough, John Mayer, Tom Hanks, and typewriter poet Silvi Alcivar all have their own take on what makes the typewriter the machine of choice for them.
Anne-Katrin Titze: Tell me about the timeline,...
- 8/18/2017
- by Anne-Katrin Titze
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
California Typewriter Review California Typewriter (2016) Film Review, a movie directed by Doug Nichol, and starring Tom Hanks, John Mayer, Sam Shepard, Silvi Alcivar, Ken Alexander, Martin Howard, Jeremy Mayer, David McCullough, Herbert Permillion, Richard Plot, Darren Wershler, and Mason Williams. Like vinyl records and VHS tapes, typewriters have been cast to the wayside as [...]
Continue reading: Film Review: California Typewriter (2016): Finding Insight And Inspiration In The Most Unlikely Place...
Continue reading: Film Review: California Typewriter (2016): Finding Insight And Inspiration In The Most Unlikely Place...
- 8/16/2017
- by Reggie Peralta
- Film-Book
Tom Hanks in California Typewriter: "I probably have 250 plus typewriters in my collection."
What do Pulitzer Prize winners Sam Shepard (Buried Child, 1979) and David McCullough (Truman, 1992 and John Adams, 2001), two-time Oscar winner Tom Hanks (Philadelphia, 1994 and Forrest Gump, 1995), and seven-time Grammy Award winner John Mayer have in common?
Doc NYC highlight California Typewriter, directed by Doug Nichol, brilliantly captures the percussion of the keys by bringing together the aforementioned artists who share their personal thoughts on the one machine they won't do without.
Structured around the story of the California Typewriter repair shop in Berkeley, Nichol takes us on an energetic journey with collector Martin Howard, explores the work of sculptor Jeremy Mayer, and reenacts the Ed Ruscha and Mason Williams' Royal Road Test execution.
Following the opening night theatrical 7:30pm premiere on this Friday, August 18 at Metrograph in New York there will be a discussion and Q&A with the.
What do Pulitzer Prize winners Sam Shepard (Buried Child, 1979) and David McCullough (Truman, 1992 and John Adams, 2001), two-time Oscar winner Tom Hanks (Philadelphia, 1994 and Forrest Gump, 1995), and seven-time Grammy Award winner John Mayer have in common?
Doc NYC highlight California Typewriter, directed by Doug Nichol, brilliantly captures the percussion of the keys by bringing together the aforementioned artists who share their personal thoughts on the one machine they won't do without.
Structured around the story of the California Typewriter repair shop in Berkeley, Nichol takes us on an energetic journey with collector Martin Howard, explores the work of sculptor Jeremy Mayer, and reenacts the Ed Ruscha and Mason Williams' Royal Road Test execution.
Following the opening night theatrical 7:30pm premiere on this Friday, August 18 at Metrograph in New York there will be a discussion and Q&A with the.
- 8/14/2017
- by Anne-Katrin Titze
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
The National Film Preservation Foundation has announced their annual Avant-Garde Masters Grants winners — their list of organizations that have been awarded funds to preserve classic and important avant-garde, experimental and underground films.
This year, five organizations — Anthology Film Archives, Bard College, New York University, the UCLA Film & Television Archive and the Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research — have been awarded grants to preserve 10 films made by five different filmmakers.
The films include several made by significant figures in the ’60s underground film movement, such as Globe (1971) by Ken Jacobs and two by Shirley Clarke, Butterfly (1967) and 24 Frames Per Second (1977). Also from the ’60s is a rare film by artist Ed Ruscha, who is primarily known for his painting and photography, but did make some films, such as the to-be-preserved The Books of Ed Ruscha (ca. 1969).
Several more modern films will be preserved, such as four by pop culture remixer...
This year, five organizations — Anthology Film Archives, Bard College, New York University, the UCLA Film & Television Archive and the Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research — have been awarded grants to preserve 10 films made by five different filmmakers.
The films include several made by significant figures in the ’60s underground film movement, such as Globe (1971) by Ken Jacobs and two by Shirley Clarke, Butterfly (1967) and 24 Frames Per Second (1977). Also from the ’60s is a rare film by artist Ed Ruscha, who is primarily known for his painting and photography, but did make some films, such as the to-be-preserved The Books of Ed Ruscha (ca. 1969).
Several more modern films will be preserved, such as four by pop culture remixer...
- 10/16/2014
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
Over the past few weeks we've been offering chances to Win some great prizes on both Fangoria.com and Starlog.com and now comes the time to congratulate the following lucky readers!
As always, winners are chosen at random - but for the first time we've had a couple of repeat winners! For Your chance to snag some great prizes, be sure to visit Fangoria.com and Starlog.com early and often!
Chainsaw Sally Prize Pack Winners:
Christopher Chwalyk - West Palm Beach, Fl. T.J. Cheslock - Allentown, Pa Kirk Austin - Greenville, Sc Samantha Besler - Laramie, Wy Demian Vela - Kansas City, Mo Derek Shepard - Torrington, Ct Chris Williams - Clarksburg, Wv The Tournament on DVD:
Michael Johnson - College Point, NY Jeff Atencio - New York, NY Uriah Robins - Crofton, MD Plaguers on DVD:
Nick Gucker - Seattle, Wa Owen Henrickson - Forman, Nd George Horacek - Fairview park,...
As always, winners are chosen at random - but for the first time we've had a couple of repeat winners! For Your chance to snag some great prizes, be sure to visit Fangoria.com and Starlog.com early and often!
Chainsaw Sally Prize Pack Winners:
Christopher Chwalyk - West Palm Beach, Fl. T.J. Cheslock - Allentown, Pa Kirk Austin - Greenville, Sc Samantha Besler - Laramie, Wy Demian Vela - Kansas City, Mo Derek Shepard - Torrington, Ct Chris Williams - Clarksburg, Wv The Tournament on DVD:
Michael Johnson - College Point, NY Jeff Atencio - New York, NY Uriah Robins - Crofton, MD Plaguers on DVD:
Nick Gucker - Seattle, Wa Owen Henrickson - Forman, Nd George Horacek - Fairview park,...
- 12/29/2009
- by no-reply@starlog.com (STARLOG/FANGORIA Staff)
- Starlog
Over the past few weeks we've been offering chances to Win some great prizes on both Fangoria.com and Starlog.com and now comes the time to congratulate the following lucky readers!
As always, winners are chosen at random - but for the first time we've had a couple of repeat winners! For Your chance to snag some great prizes, be sure to visit Fangoria.com and Starlog.com early and often!
Chainsaw Sally Prize Pack Winners:
Christopher Chwalyk - West Palm Beach, Fl. T.J. Cheslock - Allentown, Pa Kirk Austin - Greenville, Sc Samantha Besler - Laramie, Wy Demian Vela - Kansas City, Mo Derek Shepard - Torrington, Ct Chris Williams - Clarksburg, Wv The Tournament on DVD:
Michael Johnson - College Point, NY Jeff Atencio - New York, NY Uriah Robins - Crofton, MD Plaguers on DVD:
Nick Gucker - Seattle, Wa Owen Henrickson - Forman, Nd George Horacek - Fairview park,...
As always, winners are chosen at random - but for the first time we've had a couple of repeat winners! For Your chance to snag some great prizes, be sure to visit Fangoria.com and Starlog.com early and often!
Chainsaw Sally Prize Pack Winners:
Christopher Chwalyk - West Palm Beach, Fl. T.J. Cheslock - Allentown, Pa Kirk Austin - Greenville, Sc Samantha Besler - Laramie, Wy Demian Vela - Kansas City, Mo Derek Shepard - Torrington, Ct Chris Williams - Clarksburg, Wv The Tournament on DVD:
Michael Johnson - College Point, NY Jeff Atencio - New York, NY Uriah Robins - Crofton, MD Plaguers on DVD:
Nick Gucker - Seattle, Wa Owen Henrickson - Forman, Nd George Horacek - Fairview park,...
- 12/29/2009
- by no-reply@fangoria.com (FANGORIA/STARLOG staff)
- Fangoria
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.