Fond Farewell: Liz Smith 1923-2017

Well, we were terribly remiss in not acknowledging the recent passing of celebrity journalist Liz Smith on November 12th.  Ms. Smith, a Texan by birth, earned a degree in journalism and began writing in the late-1940s, continuing on until practically the day of her death. Her very long career began with everything from proofreading and editing to reporting and producing, in her early days for Mike Wallace. She even dreamed up quite a few gags for the venerable TV show Candid Camera during its hey-day.

Smith is seen in the inset with silver screen legend Myrna Loy.

Focusing more on celebrity gossip, promotion and other assorted tidbits during the 1950s (having taken over the popular "Cholly Knickerbocker" anonymous newspaper column), she also served as an entertainment reporter for such enduring magazines as Cosmopolitan and Sports Illustrated for a period of time. By the mid-1970s, she was the author of a very popular self-titled column (ultimately running in three New York papers simultaneously) and later began appearing on TV as well.

Among her many celeb pals are, as seen here, Candice Bergen, Liza Minnelli, Lena Horne, Barbara Walters, Carol Burnett, Beverly Sills and Bette Midler. These are but a smattering of those with whom she was associated.

Celebrating with Elaine Stritch.

Never a fearsome, taunting type of celebrity reporter, she won the trust of many a movie star and musician by relaying fair and often complimentary information. (She found herself on the receiving end of criticism and parody for her "soft" approach to the stars, but this same approach also lent her an inside track that some of her competitors were denied.) She literally knew everybody who was anybody. As her own name value grew, she took pleasure in helping to raise money for several charities.

Her recognizability took an upswing when she famously became embroiled in the Donald and Ivana Trump divorce, siding with the Mrs., who she felt was treated horribly by her wealthy and high-powered husband. (It's doubtful, however, that Ivana has a framed 5x7 of this particular snapshot in her home! LOL) In later years, Ms. Smith continued to stay active and informed about celebrities, though understandably was left confounded by what passed for fame after the advent of reality TV, the Internet and other modern forms of "entertainment" that yield people who are followed and adored for practically no reason whatsoever.

Still clicking away at a keyboard after seventy years in the biz, Ms. Smith was continuing to provide a viewpoint from her column in the online New York Social Diary website when she was claimed by natural causes at ninety-four years of age. To think that a person with her awe-inspiring connections and career would bother for a moment to wade through my blatherings here is mind-boggling, but she did. And she was kind in complimenting me more than once. We thanked her then, but we do so again now! Rest in peace, Ms. Smith.

Poseidon Pit Stop

Hello, friends! This is an unusual post in that there is no particular subject or honoree, just a few random notes/elaborations from your host... a brief pit stop before we head on to the next round of babbling.

You may have noticed a new segment on the right called "Food From the Gods," which has a pair of notable notes that have come to me here in The Underworld. I was so thrilled to hear from folks whose work I've admired that I had to share (okay... brag, then!) Ms. Liz Smith, a long (long!) time journalist and gossip maven who has met or written about practically everybody of note in the free world, had offered up that thoughtful blurb in her guest column on the New York Social Diary website. Later, I was able to get in contact with her personally and receive the most gracious, complimentary and supportive remarks back, which meant a lot. She is ninety years of age now and sharp as ever.

One of her desires was for me to include more of one of her own personal favorites, Miss Elizabeth Taylor. I certainly find Miss Taylor captivating, just as most of the world has over the years, but as a rule tend to focus on less famous and written about celebrities. Nevertheless, Miss T has appeared in enough movies I enjoy that I ought to be able to include more of her soon!

The other message found underneath in the "Food of the Gods" area was an e-mail I received from Mark Goddard. There are no words for how agog I was to get an endorsement like that from one of the people I had taken the time to profile. I instantly contacted him back and within two business days had an autographed copy of his book in my hands! You cannot beat that sort of generosity and consideration from someone to whom I am a total stranger, no matter how much I might think I know him from all those episodes of Lost in Space, etc...

What I wanted to do in his case was conduct the very first Poseidon's Underworld celebrity interview in which I posed such probing questions as "Did June Lockhart have a secret potty mouth or was she as "good" as she acts on shows and in interviews?," "How did you find working with Linda Blair and others on the hooty Roller Boogie (1979)?" or "Did you ever consider following the lead of your friend Jim Brown or some of your contemporaries or near-contemporaries such as Peter Brown, Don Stroud, Christopher George, Peter Lupus, George Maharis and others by posing nude or semi-nude in a magazine?," among quite a few others, giving him the option to answer whichever ones he wanted. This was going to be my big 400th post surprise.

Ultimately, Mr. Goddard decided not to take part in the exchange and, while I would be lying if I said that didn't disappoint me a little, it in no way changes how utterly grateful I was for his unsolicited kindness in writing to me and sending me a complimentary signed book. I mean, I have less than zero journalistic credentials apart from helming some theatre newsletters! (I've peppered this post with several of the photos that would have appeared along with the interview.) I probably shouldn't have pasted his e-mail to me on the site the way I did as it was not necessarily "public," but I wanted to share how friendly he was to me with my readers and let them know how considerate some stars can be.

I hope that these won't wind up being the only times I hear from someone out there who appears on the site, so I started that gadget as a place to display them should they come (and be positive in nature, God willing! I did once hear from a profile subject who, while not at all upset with me necessarily -- who could be?!!  I tend to be very complimentary as a rule! -- demonstrated such incoherent and incendiary ramblings about liberty and firearms and was so forceful and off-kilter, I had no real choice but to delete the comment.)

Now don't think for a moment that just because a respectable dame like Ms. Smith occasionally reads this blog that I am planning to class up the joint. Ha! One of my upcoming posts is going to be a return to the always-celebrated "bulge" photos. I've been amassing a new and tumescent collection that is nearly ready for, um, exhibit!

A while back, buried somewhere in the site, I shared some examples of my singing (how brave was THAT?!) via a few corny youtube.com videos I made for them.  The songs were "I Who Have Nothing," "Hair" and "Luck Be a Lady."  Since I recently put forth one more, this time a duet with my best friend of over twenty-five years, I now give you "Mockingbird," for those who may be interested.

Oh, also, if you happen to appreciate nostalgic photos and my warped sense of humor, don't forget to visit my other site Krazy Kaptions, which updates every Monday, Wednesday and Friday with more nutty vintage photographs!

Okay, I'm off now to work on more stuff for this blog.  Till next time, Poseidon!