Charlton Heston's larger-than-life, sometimes humorless style made him ripe for parody which, I have to admit, gave me the chuckles at times. Still, I can't think of anyone among his contemporaries who felt more at home in period and historical roles. Would anyone care to see Paul Newman's Moses or William Holden's Ben Hur? Not me, I can tell you. On the other hand, Heston doing a major role in a Tennessee Williams or Arthur Miller would be equally misguided. I think Heston's ultimate goal was to be the American Laurence Olivier and, although he missed the mark, he was a unique presence in Hollywood of the 50s and 60s.

My favorite Heston moment was in the Hall of Records scene in TOUCH OF EVIL. Going loggerheads with Joseph Calleia, his rejoinder, "All those men Quinlin sent to the death house. Save your tears for them." Beautifully delivered. He'll be missed.