Remembering Robert Rae Cornthwaite (1917-2006), the prolific American film, stage and television actor, born in Oregon #OnThisDay. He had over 180 screen credits, often cast as scientists and authority figures. Particularly memorable as Carrington in #TheThingFromAnotherWorld (1951), his many other appearances included #TheWarOfTheWorlds (1953), #KissMeDeadly (1955)...

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Kiss Me Deadly is a cold war paranoia tinged 'whatsit’. It is so ridiculously hard edged, so hilariously brutal and so not PC. Hammer is no Marlowe or Spade. He is a vain, big, tough man who wouldn't hesitate to slap anyone around to get what he wants. The femme fatale of the movie is a waifish curious cat, Lily/Gabrielle (Gaby Rogers). You have to slog through the saggy middle but the payoff at the end is so grand, it made me laugh for the longest time. #kissmedeadly #filmnoir #coldwar

Sometimes the yawning gaps in my British husband’s knowledge of American pop music catch me off guard. He doesn’t know the Runaways? He doesn’t know Lita Ford? What? How have I neglected his education so badly during the past 27 years? I’ve upheld my end of the bargain, listening to the Undertones without complaint for all this time! #poppunk #kissmedeadly #cherrybomb