George Schlatter's and Digby Wolfe's 1969 TV series "Turn-On" is one of the most notorious flops in TV history. On the night of its debut episode, an ABC affiliate in Cleveland, Ohio only allowed ten minutes of the 30-minute show to elapse before pulling it from the air, filling the remaining time with intermission-ready organ music. According to newspaper reports from the time, "Turn-On" received many, many angry phone calls. By the time "Turn-On" was to debut on the West Coast time zones, it had already been canceled. It's the only show in history to be canceled in the middle of its debut broadcast.
"Turn-On" was lambasted for being ribald and controversial -- there were numerous gags about sex and sexuality -- but more than anything, it was just off-putting and strange. The premise was high-concept: in the show's very first scene, a pair of engineers sit down at...
"Turn-On" was lambasted for being ribald and controversial -- there were numerous gags about sex and sexuality -- but more than anything, it was just off-putting and strange. The premise was high-concept: in the show's very first scene, a pair of engineers sit down at...
- 3/11/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
One of the most notorious TV shows of the medium’s first half-century is getting a second life — after its first one ended almost as soon as it began.
Producer George Schlatter is releasing the two completed episodes of Turn-On, a 1969 sketch comedy show that saw only one of those two air — and get pulled from one ABC affiliate within 10 minutes of its debut, something that hadn’t happened before and hasn’t since. The two episodes will be available Oct. 9 on YouTube via Clown Jewels, a channel dedicated to vintage comedy.
Laugh-In creator George Schlatter and Digby Wolfe, a writer on the show, created Turn-On, whose hook was that it was the first “computerized” TV show. Filmed rather than taped in front of an audience, the show featured a rapid-fire series of sketches on a blank white set, brief bits of animation and, for the time, a number of risqué subjects and lines.
Producer George Schlatter is releasing the two completed episodes of Turn-On, a 1969 sketch comedy show that saw only one of those two air — and get pulled from one ABC affiliate within 10 minutes of its debut, something that hadn’t happened before and hasn’t since. The two episodes will be available Oct. 9 on YouTube via Clown Jewels, a channel dedicated to vintage comedy.
Laugh-In creator George Schlatter and Digby Wolfe, a writer on the show, created Turn-On, whose hook was that it was the first “computerized” TV show. Filmed rather than taped in front of an audience, the show featured a rapid-fire series of sketches on a blank white set, brief bits of animation and, for the time, a number of risqué subjects and lines.
- 10/6/2023
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Actor Digby Wolfe Dead At 82
Actor Digby Wolfe has died at the age of 82.
He lost his battle with lung cancer at his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico on 2 May, according to the Associated Press.
Wolfe, who was born in London, began performing comedy in England in the 1950s. He later moved to the U.S., where he landed roles in a number of hit TV shows, including I Dream of Jeannie, Bewitched, The Munsters and The Monkees.
The actor also voiced roles in animated movie The Jungle Book and Carey Grant's 1964 classic Father Goose, while his writing credits include Emmy Award-winning variety show Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In.
Wolfe went on to launch a 12-year teaching career at the University of New Mexico, specialising in screenwriting.
He lost his battle with lung cancer at his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico on 2 May, according to the Associated Press.
Wolfe, who was born in London, began performing comedy in England in the 1950s. He later moved to the U.S., where he landed roles in a number of hit TV shows, including I Dream of Jeannie, Bewitched, The Munsters and The Monkees.
The actor also voiced roles in animated movie The Jungle Book and Carey Grant's 1964 classic Father Goose, while his writing credits include Emmy Award-winning variety show Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In.
Wolfe went on to launch a 12-year teaching career at the University of New Mexico, specialising in screenwriting.
- 5/9/2012
- WENN
All the Queen's Men
"All the Queen's Men", which premiered at the 24th annual Mill Valley (Calif.) Film Festival, has several things going for it. "Friends" star Matt LeBlanc appears ready to assume the mantle of action-adventure star, and cinematographer Wedigo von Schultzendorff ("The Thirteenth Floor") brings bright comic beauty to the photography.
LeBlanc hasn't displayed much boxoffice potential in the past, but most of his roles have been dopey, ill-conceived extensions of his TV persona. Here, he's a man of action, a natural leader and a romantic figure, and he handles these duties surprisingly well. Co-star Eddie Izzard also possesses a loyal fan base from his drag comedy shows.
But "Queen"'s is a movie with a small imagination. It doesn't take many chances, and its payoffs are few. Timed right, it could earn a respectable opening-weekend boxoffice take, but it doesn't figure to have much staying power.
Based loosely on attempts by the Allies to steal the secrets of Germany's Enigma device during World War II, "Queen"'s follows failed American special agent Steven O'Rourke (LeBlanc) as he's given one last chance with a squad assigned to steal the coding machine. They're to infiltrate the Berlin factory where the devices are made. The catch? Only women are employed at the plant; the men must dress in drag.
So it is that Tony Parker (Izzard), kicked out of the military for his bisexuality and transvestitism, is recalled to service. Also along are the young linguist-cryptographer Johnno (David Birkin) and the old, by-the-book "temporary major" (James Cosmo) appointed to keep a check on O'Rourke's excesses.
The opening sequence of LeBlanc exiting a German stronghold in Nazi regalia, Enigma tucked confidently under his arm, has the freewheeling derring-do of an Indiana Jones movie. But the film trots out the predictable cliches. Will the macho O'Rourke learn to respect his eccentric squadmates, especially Parker? Will the team succeed against all odds?
There's further trouble in that none of the foursome (except possibly Birkin) looks remotely female in drag. Although this is explained by a twist near the end of the film, it's too late to be satisfactory. Izzard, too, is rather disappointing. He tries too hard to be average, and he succeeds.
German actress Nicolette Krebitz exhibits feisty intelligence as an anti-Nazi agent who helps the boys out. Stefan Ruzowitsky directs competently but unimaginatively until the climactic factory scenes. Then it's difficult to figure out each character's location and direction.
The script has undergone several rewrites, and you can feel the homogenizing effects of the repeated retoolings.
Although LeBlanc demonstrates leading-man capability and von Schultzendorff paints some mighty pretty pictures, the film ultimately lets you down. Despite its credentials, "Queen"'s ends up feeling like another by-the-numbers Hollywood job.
ALL THE QUEEN'S MEN
Constantin Film
Atlantic Streamline
Credits:
Producer: Marco Weber
Director: Stefan Ruzowitsky
Screenwriter: David Schneider
Story: Digby Wolfe & Joseph Manduke and June Roberts
Executive producers: Phil Alden Robinson, Rainer Virnich
Director of photography: Wedigo von Schultzendorff
Production designer: Frank Bollinger
Music: Joern-Uwe Fahrenkrog-Petersen
Co-producer: Danny Krausz
Costume designer: Nicole Fischnaller
Editors: Nick Moore, Andrea Schumacher, Britta Nahler
Cast:
O'Rourke: Matt LeBlanc
Parker: Eddie Izzard
Archie: James Cosmo
Romy: Nicolette Krebitz
Gen. Lansdorf: Udo Kier
Johnno: David Birkin
Franz: Oliver Korittke
Col. Aiken: Edward Fox
No MPAA rating
Color/Dolby Digital
Running time -- 105 minutes...
LeBlanc hasn't displayed much boxoffice potential in the past, but most of his roles have been dopey, ill-conceived extensions of his TV persona. Here, he's a man of action, a natural leader and a romantic figure, and he handles these duties surprisingly well. Co-star Eddie Izzard also possesses a loyal fan base from his drag comedy shows.
But "Queen"'s is a movie with a small imagination. It doesn't take many chances, and its payoffs are few. Timed right, it could earn a respectable opening-weekend boxoffice take, but it doesn't figure to have much staying power.
Based loosely on attempts by the Allies to steal the secrets of Germany's Enigma device during World War II, "Queen"'s follows failed American special agent Steven O'Rourke (LeBlanc) as he's given one last chance with a squad assigned to steal the coding machine. They're to infiltrate the Berlin factory where the devices are made. The catch? Only women are employed at the plant; the men must dress in drag.
So it is that Tony Parker (Izzard), kicked out of the military for his bisexuality and transvestitism, is recalled to service. Also along are the young linguist-cryptographer Johnno (David Birkin) and the old, by-the-book "temporary major" (James Cosmo) appointed to keep a check on O'Rourke's excesses.
The opening sequence of LeBlanc exiting a German stronghold in Nazi regalia, Enigma tucked confidently under his arm, has the freewheeling derring-do of an Indiana Jones movie. But the film trots out the predictable cliches. Will the macho O'Rourke learn to respect his eccentric squadmates, especially Parker? Will the team succeed against all odds?
There's further trouble in that none of the foursome (except possibly Birkin) looks remotely female in drag. Although this is explained by a twist near the end of the film, it's too late to be satisfactory. Izzard, too, is rather disappointing. He tries too hard to be average, and he succeeds.
German actress Nicolette Krebitz exhibits feisty intelligence as an anti-Nazi agent who helps the boys out. Stefan Ruzowitsky directs competently but unimaginatively until the climactic factory scenes. Then it's difficult to figure out each character's location and direction.
The script has undergone several rewrites, and you can feel the homogenizing effects of the repeated retoolings.
Although LeBlanc demonstrates leading-man capability and von Schultzendorff paints some mighty pretty pictures, the film ultimately lets you down. Despite its credentials, "Queen"'s ends up feeling like another by-the-numbers Hollywood job.
ALL THE QUEEN'S MEN
Constantin Film
Atlantic Streamline
Credits:
Producer: Marco Weber
Director: Stefan Ruzowitsky
Screenwriter: David Schneider
Story: Digby Wolfe & Joseph Manduke and June Roberts
Executive producers: Phil Alden Robinson, Rainer Virnich
Director of photography: Wedigo von Schultzendorff
Production designer: Frank Bollinger
Music: Joern-Uwe Fahrenkrog-Petersen
Co-producer: Danny Krausz
Costume designer: Nicole Fischnaller
Editors: Nick Moore, Andrea Schumacher, Britta Nahler
Cast:
O'Rourke: Matt LeBlanc
Parker: Eddie Izzard
Archie: James Cosmo
Romy: Nicolette Krebitz
Gen. Lansdorf: Udo Kier
Johnno: David Birkin
Franz: Oliver Korittke
Col. Aiken: Edward Fox
No MPAA rating
Color/Dolby Digital
Running time -- 105 minutes...
- 7/8/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
All the Queen's Men
"All the Queen's Men", which premiered at the 24th annual Mill Valley (Calif.) Film Festival, has several things going for it. "Friends" star Matt LeBlanc appears ready to assume the mantle of action-adventure star, and cinematographer Wedigo von Schultzendorff ("The Thirteenth Floor") brings bright comic beauty to the photography.
LeBlanc hasn't displayed much boxoffice potential in the past, but most of his roles have been dopey, ill-conceived extensions of his TV persona. Here, he's a man of action, a natural leader and a romantic figure, and he handles these duties surprisingly well. Co-star Eddie Izzard also possesses a loyal fan base from his drag comedy shows.
But "Queen"'s is a movie with a small imagination. It doesn't take many chances, and its payoffs are few. Timed right, it could earn a respectable opening-weekend boxoffice take, but it doesn't figure to have much staying power.
Based loosely on attempts by the Allies to steal the secrets of Germany's Enigma device during World War II, "Queen"'s follows failed American special agent Steven O'Rourke (LeBlanc) as he's given one last chance with a squad assigned to steal the coding machine. They're to infiltrate the Berlin factory where the devices are made. The catch? Only women are employed at the plant; the men must dress in drag.
So it is that Tony Parker (Izzard), kicked out of the military for his bisexuality and transvestitism, is recalled to service. Also along are the young linguist-cryptographer Johnno (David Birkin) and the old, by-the-book "temporary major" (James Cosmo) appointed to keep a check on O'Rourke's excesses.
The opening sequence of LeBlanc exiting a German stronghold in Nazi regalia, Enigma tucked confidently under his arm, has the freewheeling derring-do of an Indiana Jones movie. But the film trots out the predictable cliches. Will the macho O'Rourke learn to respect his eccentric squadmates, especially Parker? Will the team succeed against all odds?
There's further trouble in that none of the foursome (except possibly Birkin) looks remotely female in drag. Although this is explained by a twist near the end of the film, it's too late to be satisfactory. Izzard, too, is rather disappointing. He tries too hard to be average, and he succeeds.
German actress Nicolette Krebitz exhibits feisty intelligence as an anti-Nazi agent who helps the boys out. Stefan Ruzowitsky directs competently but unimaginatively until the climactic factory scenes. Then it's difficult to figure out each character's location and direction.
The script has undergone several rewrites, and you can feel the homogenizing effects of the repeated retoolings.
Although LeBlanc demonstrates leading-man capability and von Schultzendorff paints some mighty pretty pictures, the film ultimately lets you down. Despite its credentials, "Queen"'s ends up feeling like another by-the-numbers Hollywood job.
ALL THE QUEEN'S MEN
Constantin Film
Atlantic Streamline
Credits:
Producer: Marco Weber
Director: Stefan Ruzowitsky
Screenwriter: David Schneider
Story: Digby Wolfe & Joseph Manduke and June Roberts
Executive producers: Phil Alden Robinson, Rainer Virnich
Director of photography: Wedigo von Schultzendorff
Production designer: Frank Bollinger
Music: Joern-Uwe Fahrenkrog-Petersen
Co-producer: Danny Krausz
Costume designer: Nicole Fischnaller
Editors: Nick Moore, Andrea Schumacher, Britta Nahler
Cast:
O'Rourke: Matt LeBlanc
Parker: Eddie Izzard
Archie: James Cosmo
Romy: Nicolette Krebitz
Gen. Lansdorf: Udo Kier
Johnno: David Birkin
Franz: Oliver Korittke
Col. Aiken: Edward Fox
No MPAA rating
Color/Dolby Digital
Running time -- 105 minutes...
LeBlanc hasn't displayed much boxoffice potential in the past, but most of his roles have been dopey, ill-conceived extensions of his TV persona. Here, he's a man of action, a natural leader and a romantic figure, and he handles these duties surprisingly well. Co-star Eddie Izzard also possesses a loyal fan base from his drag comedy shows.
But "Queen"'s is a movie with a small imagination. It doesn't take many chances, and its payoffs are few. Timed right, it could earn a respectable opening-weekend boxoffice take, but it doesn't figure to have much staying power.
Based loosely on attempts by the Allies to steal the secrets of Germany's Enigma device during World War II, "Queen"'s follows failed American special agent Steven O'Rourke (LeBlanc) as he's given one last chance with a squad assigned to steal the coding machine. They're to infiltrate the Berlin factory where the devices are made. The catch? Only women are employed at the plant; the men must dress in drag.
So it is that Tony Parker (Izzard), kicked out of the military for his bisexuality and transvestitism, is recalled to service. Also along are the young linguist-cryptographer Johnno (David Birkin) and the old, by-the-book "temporary major" (James Cosmo) appointed to keep a check on O'Rourke's excesses.
The opening sequence of LeBlanc exiting a German stronghold in Nazi regalia, Enigma tucked confidently under his arm, has the freewheeling derring-do of an Indiana Jones movie. But the film trots out the predictable cliches. Will the macho O'Rourke learn to respect his eccentric squadmates, especially Parker? Will the team succeed against all odds?
There's further trouble in that none of the foursome (except possibly Birkin) looks remotely female in drag. Although this is explained by a twist near the end of the film, it's too late to be satisfactory. Izzard, too, is rather disappointing. He tries too hard to be average, and he succeeds.
German actress Nicolette Krebitz exhibits feisty intelligence as an anti-Nazi agent who helps the boys out. Stefan Ruzowitsky directs competently but unimaginatively until the climactic factory scenes. Then it's difficult to figure out each character's location and direction.
The script has undergone several rewrites, and you can feel the homogenizing effects of the repeated retoolings.
Although LeBlanc demonstrates leading-man capability and von Schultzendorff paints some mighty pretty pictures, the film ultimately lets you down. Despite its credentials, "Queen"'s ends up feeling like another by-the-numbers Hollywood job.
ALL THE QUEEN'S MEN
Constantin Film
Atlantic Streamline
Credits:
Producer: Marco Weber
Director: Stefan Ruzowitsky
Screenwriter: David Schneider
Story: Digby Wolfe & Joseph Manduke and June Roberts
Executive producers: Phil Alden Robinson, Rainer Virnich
Director of photography: Wedigo von Schultzendorff
Production designer: Frank Bollinger
Music: Joern-Uwe Fahrenkrog-Petersen
Co-producer: Danny Krausz
Costume designer: Nicole Fischnaller
Editors: Nick Moore, Andrea Schumacher, Britta Nahler
Cast:
O'Rourke: Matt LeBlanc
Parker: Eddie Izzard
Archie: James Cosmo
Romy: Nicolette Krebitz
Gen. Lansdorf: Udo Kier
Johnno: David Birkin
Franz: Oliver Korittke
Col. Aiken: Edward Fox
No MPAA rating
Color/Dolby Digital
Running time -- 105 minutes...
- 10/16/2001
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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