Thursday, March 28, 2024

Jackie Cooper, RIP at Age 88, Played Against Basset Hounds, Superman

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I always had a deep and abiding affection for Jackie Cooper, not for his early career as a child star in “Our Gang” comedies–but for two sort of terrible but great TV shows he did in the late 50s and early 60s–“The People’s Choice” and “Hennessey.” (Don’t get excited; they were in reruns when I saw them!)

In the former, Cooper had a basset hound named Cleo who talked to the audience. Her ears went up when she heard something exciting. In the latter, Abby Dalton was his love interest. She was my first TV crush, I think. Of course, Jackie Cooper went on to do lots of great stuff. He was an an accomplished TV director. He starred in four “Superman” movies with Chris Reeve as Perry White, the crusty editor of the Daily Planet. Cooper has dozens of TV credits as an actor, including a memorable turn on “St. Elsewhere.” He did it all, with grace and talent. Jackie Cooper died on Wednesday at age 88. RIP.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tKgbiog5q4

Cleo comes in just at 6:00.

 

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.
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