Beautiful work, Frank, and yes, "The Last Omega Man" was one of the first fond thoughts I had as affectionate Heston movie memories and warm shared memories with fellow Heston fans came flooding through my mind the moment I heard the sad but inevitable news.

Since much of the long post I wrote after Heston's death dealt with his close personal and professional relationship with Ray Bradbury, I sent Ray a copy of it late Sunday. I just came in from my night class and had this sweet note waiting from Ray:

Dear Terry:

Thanks for your wonderful piece on Charlton Heston; you did a terrific job. I'm glad that people know how kind he was to me over a long period of time.

I'm going to try and go up to visit his family today, though I don't know that I'll be able to see anyone. At least I can leave word at the gate that I was there.

You're a sweet pal, Terry, and I thank you for your beautiful words.

Much love,
Ray


I watched Heston's scenes from Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet last night, and he was truly magnificent. I intend to watch Will Penny, Planet of the Apes, Ben-Hur, Major Dundee, and Soylent Green over the course of the week. So many wonderful memories, so many terrific movies ...

My author/film critic friend Jonathan Rosenbaum (who grew up in a Frank Lloyd Wright house here in Muscle Shoals and worked with Heston on the "reconfiguration" of Touch of Evil) was quoted in USA Today: "Charlton Heston might be said to achieve his apotheosis as Moses - unless one decides that it's Moses who's achieving his apotheosis as Heston." I really love that.

The Ten Commandments special-edition DVD includes an excellent "making of ..." documentary that talks about the recording of God's voice and using Heston's voice as the foundation for the effect. (There is also a great interview with Commandments supporting player Laurel and Hardy and Bela Lugosi devotee Lisa Mitchell, who wrote the memorable Famous Monsters article "Bela Lugosi at the Midnight Delicatessen.")

As for survivors of the Golden Era, don't forget about Luise Rainer, Harry Morgan, Patricia Neal, Harry Carey Jr., Joan Leslie, Jane Russell, Gloria Stuart, R.G. Armstrong (who turned 91 today) and probably many, many others that don't immediately spring to my mind.

Terry Pace
pillaroffire@bellsouth.net

"I'm a seeker too. But my dreams aren't like yours. I can't help thinking that somewhere in the universe there has to be something better than man. Has to be." -- Col. George Taylor (Charlton Heston) in Planet of the Apes (1968)