tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388554970113771183.post4523184077162976605..comments2024-03-25T12:58:24.299-07:00Comments on TheBad.net - The Lee Van Cleef Blog: Obituary - Varietyaaron@theBad.nethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07610876186258437366noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388554970113771183.post-81237133002197747682012-09-30T10:38:33.800-07:002012-09-30T10:38:33.800-07:00Yes that looks like the Variety obit I bought and ...Yes that looks like the Variety obit I bought and saved form Dec 1989. I thought his agent commented on this obit but it must have been another. His agent said something to the effect: "He had a history of heart trouble. And if he had returned from Europe when Clint Eastwood and Charles Bronson did he would have been a much bigger star here. But he enjoyed working abroad. And he had just finished doing a TV commerical".<br /><br />After seeing Lee at his bar, playing on his pool table and in his swimming pool, I can see that I was wrong when I use to think it would have been better for Lee to have stayed in the U. S. and worked here after, say, Day of Anger. Those European films sometimes were three-four years coming out here (Commandos & Beyond the Law were 7-8 years) and most never got a decent release in the states including one of his best, Mean Frank and Crazy Tony. Also due to dubbing and edits and occasional less that stellar directing and scripts, some of the European films are uneven and could have played better if made in America. I'm sure most played fine in Italy and Spain. Being a huge LVC fan, I yearned for him to work here even if it meant supporting roles again and lots of TV work. I would be seeing him quicker and in roles shot in English with other English speaking actors. That would have been more exciting for me even if the roles were somewhat smaller or co-starring roles. Similar to what he did in The Octagon and Escape From New York. But the MONEY wouldn't have been there most likely.<br /><br />Lee clearly enjoyed his time at home and was happy to make 100,000 plus per picture after years of low pay for dozens of different roles each year. After 1972 Lee often only made one picture a year so there was many months between jobs and lots of time to enjoy his beautiful home and quality time with his lovely wife. <br /><br />If I were Lee, now that I think about it, I would have done it his way too! Lee Van Cleef was a big star for many years in Italy, Spain and rather noted across Europe. And was known around the world as a fine actor with looks and style on the screen that made him unique and memorable. Similar to stars such as Humphrey Bogart and Vincent Price. <br /><br />I once ask his son Alan Van Cleef on the web board what would his dad be doing IF he were still alive. He said he would still be working but as he got into his late 60's & 70's, it would have been more "character" roles and probably a return to TV work. So if he had lived, he would have come a little bit full circle. Judging from the TV commercials he did and the size roles he had in his last films, he was kinda heading in that direction when he left us.BobOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18271946822465853875noreply@blogger.com