We always sort of felt sorry for Jack Cassidy - that catty, competitive, preening, pompous ass act of his never really seemed like an act, and according to most sources, it wasn't. Whenever we catch him on Bewitched or The Mary Tyler Moore Show, as Ted Baxter's smug brother Tom, Cassidy reminds us of countless Sad "Young" Men we've seen at the bars, enamored of their own beauty and brilliance, and snarlingly mad at the world at large for not recognizing it.
Embittered by his own waning career and the superstar success of his wife and sons, David and Shaun, Jack turned to the bottle - and, according to David Cassidy's memoirs, other men. He died, horribly, in 1976 after falling asleep while smoking a cigarette in his West Hollywood apartment. Hollywood Babylon-esque legend has it that only his feet and jewelry were identifiable among the charred remains - a flaming queen, to the end...
THANKS
Well, I have learned at least
ReplyDeletethree things I'm ashamed of from this.
1.That I knew nothing of Jack Jones's horrible death or his men.
Nada!
2.that I know what KJL means
3.That I sort of like that "chocolate brown" velvet Bill Blass up there
.
The PRICES on the clothes are rather amusing.
ReplyDeleteJack was on Password the other night (the 1967 color ones on GSN) and there was just a sense of him feeling his own potential was never met and it led to a vague air of resentment and condescension against those who didn't recognize it. Fascinating man. He definitely could be good. I remember enjoying him in a Columbo ep, but those were often great showcases for the killer. Most outrageous of ALL to me was his role in "The Eiger Sanction," a 70s Clint Eastwood action flick. I don't know when I've EVER seen a more flaming, obnoxious rendition of a fag in my life as that. Again.... fascinating man and persona.
wasn't will arnett kinda (fabulously) doing a "jack cassidy" as he played gob on arrested development?
ReplyDeleteI never really thought he was even remotely attractive! He kinda looked like a Pug dog. He was good in an episode of Get Smart playing an effeminate decorator that holds his own in a karate fight with Max then snatches his swatches and leaves in a swivet
ReplyDeleteYou've left out one essential thing about this less than perfect human being: He had a superb singing voice.
ReplyDeleteThere are few examples of it, most of them duets with Shirley Jones (and you find yourself wishing she hadn't come to the recording studio that day). If anyone knew how to convey The Heather On the Hill, it was Jack Cassidy. Have a listen, and he will be forgiven all~or nearly all.
Sadly, some of these polyester numbers may have served as flame accelerators in his final hour.
ReplyDeleteThat Shirley Jones sure knows how to pick 'em. I don't know which is more of a prize, Jack Cassidy or Marty Ingels...!
ReplyDeleteJason - I had the same reaction to the Bill Blass number! Oh, and dear, it's Jack Cassidy, not Jones! Mr. Jones is still alive and well and, judging by the flashy dame I saw him canoodling with at the Algonquin, still heartily heterosexual.
ReplyDeletePoseidon3 - That Donald Brooks floral atrocity was $635 back in 1970, if you can imagine! I rather like the simple Travilla gown - it's so late 60's/early 70's California.
normadesmond - I'm ashamed to admit, I've never seen "Arrested Development." Yes, yes, even though Liza was on it...
Toby Worthington - You're so right, I should have mentioned his illustrious career as a Broadway leading man. His voice, though, doesn't do much for me - although I DO like his sly send-up of himself on "My Fortune is My Face" from Fade Out, Fade In.
marksparky - Oh, you is bad!
Mike S - I think I'd have to vote for Jack. At least he'd be fun to mix a martini up with.
alas, no he did not wear his KJL as well as this.
ReplyDeleteWho could?
Jack Cassidy was a terrific and underrated actor. He doesn´t deserve the acidic comments that have been made here about him.
ReplyDeleteIf the wonderful Shirley Jones loved him, there must have been a solid reason - and that goes for Marty Ingels, too!
Jack Cassidy was a terrific and underrated actor. He doesn´t deserve the acidic comments that have been made here about him.
ReplyDeleteIf the wonderful Shirley Jones loved him, there must have been a solid reason - and that goes for Marty Ingels, too!
Two ways to minimize people seeing acidic comments about Cassidy, or at least blunt the pain incurred to you from them: 1.) stop leaving comments on SEVEN YEAR OLD blog posts which include them; and 2.) develop a goddam sense of humor.
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