And so, farewell to that most waspish American of film critics and television host Mr Rex Reed, who has swished off up the glittering stairway to Fabulon. Who? I hear you say...
Largely an unknown quantity over here in Blighty, Mr Reed's controversial and much-vilified take on movies, the arts and the cult of celebrity did not exactly endear him to generations of film-makers in the States [he was once described as "the hazel-eyed hatchet-man"]; and he certainly rubbed the braying "Twitterati" up the wrong way on many an occasion [no bad thing!]. His nearest British [albeit somewhat more high-brow] counterpart might have been Brian Sewell. I am certain we at Dolores Delargo Towers would adore him.
It is also the perfect excuse (if any were needed!) to wallow in the man's most - ahem - famous [and rare] on-screen appearance: as "Myron", Raquel Welch's male alter-ego, alongside an idiosyncratic cast that included John Carradine, Kathleen Freeman, Tom Selleck, Jim Backus, Farrah Fawcett, John Huston... and Mae West - in the camp cult classic Gore Vidal adaptation, Myra Breckinridge!
Rex Taylor Reed (2nd October 1938 - 12th May 2026)
And I had the news here on the last two nights and not one mention!!!! I had no idea. He sure was a hottie when he was young wasn't he???
ReplyDeleteIt's those eyes - bewitching!
DeleteWhy am I not surprised that news channels in the US never featured his death? Could it be, like so many media outlets, they have cut their journalistic staff down to the bare bones, and rely instead on brain-dead interns to scour social media for shit instead? Jx
I suspect your right.
DeleteBut boy when Ted Turner passed it was on every station. TCM did I lovely tribute to him as did out local news and PBS station.
He owned TCM, so that's no surprise, really. Jx
DeleteHe had eyebrows
ReplyDeleteHe did indeed. Jx
DeleteSorry I had to Google him
ReplyDeleteImagine a dinner party with him and Brian Sewell.
Oh, the bitch-slapping! Jx
DeleteOMG I ADORED REX REED! In his latter years he got himself some permanent eyeliner and presided over the controversial cokefest known as
ReplyDeleteThe Gong Show' with assorted other alcoholics and flamboyant types. His criticism was entirely malignant and an utter delight. Bon voyage, Myron...
We never had "The Gong Show" over here, but just looking at the regular panellists listed on Wikipedia screams to me in capital letters: CAMP!!
DeleteJx