Harry Morgan
Dec. 8th, 2011 02:29 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ladybug_archiveMy dad told me earlier tonight that Harry Morgan had died. We were standing in line for food at the church Christmas party and I almost cried right there.
I think the first time I saw him was in Disney's classic The Cat From Outer Space, where he portrayed General Stilton (a character I loved so much he was a regular in the role-plays with Mom). As we watched other Disney movies we found him there, too. The Barefoot Executive, Snowball Express ... good stuff. I must have been around 10 or 11 or 12; I can't remember which. I only remember that I think I was 9 when I saw That Darn Cat! (old version), and that was what started me on my love affair with Disney comedies. Oh, I also remember that by February 1997, I knew who General Stilton was. That was when he entered our role-play. So I was 9 or 10, depending on when I watched The Cat From Outer Space the first time.
... That means that for the majority of my short life, I've been aware of Harry Morgan and been a fan.
Then a couple of years later there was M*A*S*H. I'd heard about it for years, and when I finally got to watch I was delighted that Harry was a regular from season 4 on. (And his guest-spot in season 3 is just an absolute classic.)
I've also seen him in assorted non-Disney movies through the years. I loved his role in The Glen Miller Story, as the close friend (and I think manager?) of Glen Miller.
As previously mentioned, I'd known about his role in Dragnet 1967 for years, but only recently started to watch the series. As soon as Antenna TV started airing it I began making time to see it. Which is a testament to how much I wanted to see it; I don't watch a lot of TV shows, even oldies that I would honestly like to see, because I just don't have the time.
I was just watching Harry Morgan this past morning. We've moved into season 3, which I've heard is often put-down for not being as actiony as other seasons. It looks like an important season, though; Jack Webb was trying hard to improve the public's opinion of the police.
I had previously thought that Harry had probably died years ago, as I'd known he was getting on. I was surprised several months ago when I found out he was still alive at 96. I knew his time was likely pretty limited when he was getting on that much, but it was still a blow to find out he died now.
I wonder if I'll end up crying when I watch Dragnet 1967 later in the morning.
I think the first time I saw him was in Disney's classic The Cat From Outer Space, where he portrayed General Stilton (a character I loved so much he was a regular in the role-plays with Mom). As we watched other Disney movies we found him there, too. The Barefoot Executive, Snowball Express ... good stuff. I must have been around 10 or 11 or 12; I can't remember which. I only remember that I think I was 9 when I saw That Darn Cat! (old version), and that was what started me on my love affair with Disney comedies. Oh, I also remember that by February 1997, I knew who General Stilton was. That was when he entered our role-play. So I was 9 or 10, depending on when I watched The Cat From Outer Space the first time.
... That means that for the majority of my short life, I've been aware of Harry Morgan and been a fan.
Then a couple of years later there was M*A*S*H. I'd heard about it for years, and when I finally got to watch I was delighted that Harry was a regular from season 4 on. (And his guest-spot in season 3 is just an absolute classic.)
I've also seen him in assorted non-Disney movies through the years. I loved his role in The Glen Miller Story, as the close friend (and I think manager?) of Glen Miller.
As previously mentioned, I'd known about his role in Dragnet 1967 for years, but only recently started to watch the series. As soon as Antenna TV started airing it I began making time to see it. Which is a testament to how much I wanted to see it; I don't watch a lot of TV shows, even oldies that I would honestly like to see, because I just don't have the time.
I was just watching Harry Morgan this past morning. We've moved into season 3, which I've heard is often put-down for not being as actiony as other seasons. It looks like an important season, though; Jack Webb was trying hard to improve the public's opinion of the police.
I had previously thought that Harry had probably died years ago, as I'd known he was getting on. I was surprised several months ago when I found out he was still alive at 96. I knew his time was likely pretty limited when he was getting on that much, but it was still a blow to find out he died now.
I wonder if I'll end up crying when I watch Dragnet 1967 later in the morning.
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no subject
Date: 2011-12-08 01:46 pm (UTC)Yes, "The General Flipped at Dawn" is *priceless*, and I loved Colonel Potter so much...
I loved his role in The Glen Miller Story
I *thought* that was him, and then thought I was going crazy because of the miscredit as Henry Morgan (which then had me wondering if he had a twin, LOL).
I remember being surprised to hear that he was still around, too, since he was born the same year as Simon. So sad, but Harry did get to live a full, long life, at least.
no subject
Date: 2011-12-08 05:50 pm (UTC)Such wonderful characters.
That wasn't a miscredit. Henry is actually his real name, but there was already a Henry Morgan who was prominent in the media, so at some point he decided he'd better change his own name to avoid confusion.
The same year as William Talman, too. Yes, it's encouraging that he lived a long, full life, especially considering how Simon and William both died so relatively young.
no subject
Date: 2011-12-09 01:18 am (UTC)Ah, okay. But I was still very confused by that credit. XD;
**nods**
(By the way, are you getting comment notifications via email? Because I'm not...)
no subject
Date: 2011-12-09 03:50 am (UTC)I seem to be. It's FF.net that's giving me trouble.
no subject
Date: 2011-12-08 08:08 pm (UTC)I don't remember which episode of M*a*s*h it was where Radar rescues the horse and then ends up giving it to Col. Potter, but for me it's a favorite (of course.)
I think he was also the sheriff in The Apple Dumpling Gang, in a role that Mom thought should have been Brian Keith's since she'd read the book first. But I haven't seen that since college.
no subject
Date: 2011-12-08 08:12 pm (UTC)I saw The Apple Dumpling Gang only once and don't remember, but you're probably right. I think I saw on his list of credits that he was in that film.
no subject
Date: 2011-12-09 03:47 am (UTC)I would offer to drink to Harry's memory and that of Dan's wife, but since ye don't drink, I will .. pass, to their memories, just for ye.
no subject
Date: 2011-12-09 03:49 am (UTC)Thank you.