Johnny Crawford │ The Rifleman

"The Rifleman" TV series was originally created and developed by Sam Peckinpah, who would later go on to be a director of classic westerns and action films.  Chuck Connors played the part of Luke McCain, and Johnny Crawford was Mark McCain, his son.  With that aside, Johnny Crawford actually was the real star, and scene-stealer of the show.  He was so believable as Mark McCain..  Even before the series was over, Johnny became an overnight teen-idol, and singing sensation with many hit records to his credit.  It is not well known but Johnny was one of the original Mickey Mouse Club Mousekeeters in 1955.  Johnny had a very mellifluous speaking voice.  It was so cool to listen to him say his lines.  "The Rifleman" TV series aired from 1958 to 1963.  In this edition of Endyr's Movie Theater I am featuring Johnny Crawford singing  the very beautiful "Living In The Past".  Safe journeys to all the fans of  Endyr's Movie Theater, wherever you may be.

Intermission │ Johnny Hammer

My Dear Aunt Martha and I spent the whole afternoon surfing the internet trying to find something new, and different to share on Endyr's Movie Theater.  Well, Aunt Martha finally suggested that I search for some "Techno Praise" music.  You see, Aunt Martha, having been a professional opera singer all of her life, still keeps tabs on all of the latest musical trends, which is something that I am really loathe to do.  I had never heard of "Techno Praise" but I do trust Aunt Martha's judgment.  I typed in the search term, and dozens of hits popped up.  It did not take long to find this "Techno Praise" version of Mark Lowry's wonderful Christmas gem "Mary, Did You Know?".  Surprisingly, it was just released recently, so it's very, very new.  It is sung by a fresh new singer by the name of Johnny Hammer, and he is sensational.  The power, honesty, innocence, and freshness of Johnny's performance brought tears to both Aunt Martha's, and my eyes.  Johnny also has an amazing angelic presence that makes him so intoxicating to watch.  I predict that this version of "Mary, Did You Know?" will turn out to be a perennial Christmas favorite.  By the way, the group that Johnny belongs to is called Technopraise.  Please join Aunt Martha and I in watching this amazing video by clicking on the widget below.  Safe journeys to all the fans of Endyr's Movie Theater, wherever you may be.

Algiers (1938) │Charles Boyer

It is not a well known fact that "Algiers" was the inspiration for "Casablanca (1942)", which is very obvious in hindsight.  The redolent, and very aromatic atmosphere of "Algiers" is echoed in "Casablanca".  Pépé le Moko (Charles Boyer) is magnificent as the notorious jewel thief who is hiding from the French police in the Casbah area of Algiers.  And who can forget the beautiful Hedy Lamarr, who made her American screen debut in "Algiers".  Incidentally, the line "Come with me to the Casbah" was never spoken by Charles Boyer, it came instead from the movie trailer for "Algiers".   Pepé Le Pew, the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoon character from Warner Bros. was derived from Charles Boyer's inimitable portrayal of Pépé le Moko.  "Algiers" has withstood the test of time as it is just as potent and enjoyable today as it was in 1938.