"In Memoriam..."

Revered actress Jean Stapleton died at her home in New York City on Friday.  Most famous for her role in Norman Lear's long running sitcom "All In The Family," Ms. Stapleton was an accomplished actress of the stage, screen and television.

In her role as Edith Bunker, her portrayal of the long suffering housewife of old, brought a new voice to women and to the public that was thoughtfully enigmatic and open to new ways of thinking and which was always lovingly accepting of everyone - remember Edith's lesbian cousin, Liz, her best friend Louise Jefferson, the cross dresser, Beverly La Salle who Archie saved from a mugger and so many others...  Through Jean's thoughtful performances, in a very real and positive way, "All In The Family" changed the 1970s world I grew up in and helped make it a better place.

In honor of Jean Stapleton, here is Norman Lear's 2nd unaired 1969 pilot for "All In The Family" originally titled "Those Were The Days." (there were two pilots made for ABC, which declined to buy the show, but third pilot sold to CBS and the rest now history.)  Now more than 40 years later, it's amazingly fresh and entertaining thanks in no small measure to the genius of Jean Stapleton's rendering of Edith Bunker.

And here, in one of my all time favorite movies, Jean showcases her talents alongside the likes of Dick Van Dyke, Tom Poston (whose character I later saw as gay in this film) and Bob Newhart in Norman Lear's 1971 film "Cold Turkey."  Incidentally this film introduced me to many of the character actors that Norman Lear would feature throughout his career and also to the songwriting/performing genius of Randy Newman whose poignant song, "He Gives Us All His Love" serves as the film's main theme song.

"Fear Eats the Soul"