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| -Short Attention Span Theater- |
| Christmas Story director and son killed by drunk driver |
| 2007-04-05 |
| Tuesday was usually family night for film director Bob Clark — best known for "A Christmas Story" and the "Porky's" movies — and his grown sons, Ariel and Michael. In the wee hours of Wednesday morning, Bob, 67, and Ariel headed out; it's unclear whether they were going to get something to eat or driving to Ariel's Santa Monica apartment. They had just driven a few blocks and were heading south on Pacific Coast Highway near the Bel-Air Bay Club at about 2:20 a.m. when a GMC Yukon swerved across the lane, striking their Infiniti Q-30 sedan head-on. Father and son were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the sport utility vehicle . . . was booked on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, operating a motor vehicle without a driver's license and gross vehicular manslaughter. . . . Clark produced, directed and co-wrote "A Christmas Story," which was released in 1983; more than two decades later, it remains a holiday favorite, shown on television and racking up big DVD sales. Set in the 1940s and adapted from humorist Jean Shepherd's novel "In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash," the film starred Peter Billingsley as Ralphie, a young boy determined to get a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas despite everyone's fears that he'd put his eye out. In 1997, TNT showed the film for 24 hours straight — a first for the cable channel. On the film's 20th anniversary in 2003, a two-disc commemorative DVD was issued. In a 1997 interview with The Times, Clark said the movie struck a chord with audiences because it deals with a "special time and special feeling. Shepherd's material had the truth and heart in it." Rest in peace, good sir, and enjoy that Red Ryder Carbine Action Range-Model Air Rifle (with the 200 shot magazine and the compass in the stock) that the angels have for you. |
| Posted by:Mike |
| #14 O'REILLY + GERALDO had a serious brouhaha on TV this AM - for a while there, me + Mom thought they were gonna duke it out in the TV studio. |
| Posted by: JosephMendiola 2007-04-05 23:30 |
| #13 Yet another uncounted cost of illegals. A favorite author of mine had to quit writing after a severe auto accident. An unlicensed illegal driving a log-carrier truck plowed into her car. The phyical injuries and some brain damage just made it impossible for her to write anymore. Plus, she was driven to bankruptcy by the medical bills since the illegal driver of course had no insurance. |
| Posted by: Cromert 2007-04-05 23:18 |
| #12 Illegal Son of a Bitch /used the wrong button.. |
| Posted by: Red Dog 2007-04-05 19:12 |
| #11 yep - KFI confirms - he's an illegal He kills an American family and then you and I have the privilage to pay for this His medical bills, court costs, jail costs, then prison costs. not to mention our insurance premiums go up to cover the uninsured.. Our Reverse Christmas Story! RIP Clark & son, and God his family. |
| Posted by: Red Dog 2007-04-05 19:11 |
| #10 yep - KFI confirms - he's an illegal |
| Posted by: Frank G 2007-04-05 18:46 |
| #9 Right boys. Well, in good old New Mexico, Governor Richardson [D-wanabe President] has directed the state offices to "don't ask, don't tell" when they provide services to illegals. So yes indeed, at least there you can be an illegal with a couple DUIs and suspended license. And the Motor Vehicle Dept is infamous for selling genuine NM drivers license even after working hours. For the right incentive of course. Wonder why the State Dept is pushing for passports for cross border trips to our neighbors? |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2007-04-05 17:02 |
| #8 In the purgatory of a bad internet connection. I now live in fear of any more "new, wonderful" equipment my sweetie brings home....had to get additional stuff just to make it all compatible. Plus, the Tsarevich is starting to wander off from where I put him down. It's amazing that someone who can't even crawl yet manages to scoot and roll across the floor as quickly as he does. ;) |
| Posted by: Swamp Blondie 2007-04-05 17:00 |
| #7 Hi Swamps! Where'ya been? |
| Posted by: Shipman 2007-04-05 15:13 |
| #6 ZF, maybe not. If my memory serves me correctly, most illegals also get done for failing to have current vehicle registration and insurance along with the ever popular no license charge. Prosecutors always like to load up the charges so they can plea bargain some of them away later. He probably just can't stay off the sauce and has had a previous DUI (or two...or three or more....). ----------------- I just hope that Mr Clark's family can find comfort and solace with their friends, and know that many people are thankful for his work on "A Christmas Story". |
| Posted by: Swamp Blondie 2007-04-05 14:28 |
| #5 ...A Christmas Story was filmed not far from my old neighborhood in Cleveland. The biggest reason I watch that movie every year is because it's like going back home. God bless you and your sons, Mr. Clark, and my God comfort and watch over your family. Mike |
| Posted by: Mike Kozlowski 2007-04-05 12:32 |
| #4 I thought it meant he'd had his license revoked or suspended for previous DUI's. It's what most do - get back in the car drunk again - and without a license. Typical escalating drunk driving die hard. Further reports should reveal just how many priors. |
| Posted by: Thinemp Whimble 2007-04-05 12:12 |
| #3 You know they'll never say Zhang Fei. The MSM thinks its that easy to get one over the unwashed masses. However, as your very question demonstrates, we now assume the driver probably was an illegal, undermining the very thing the MSM was trying to cover up. Isn't this new world of free press Pravda and Izvestia wonderful? |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2007-04-05 11:55 |
| #2 Even if this guy was an illegal, official hollyweird will let out nary a peep. It's un-PC to say anything bad about "undocumented" persons... |
| Posted by: M. Murcek 2007-04-05 11:49 |
| #1 A possibly important bit from the article: The driver of the sport utility vehicle, Hector Valazquez-Nava, 24, of Los Angeles and passenger Lydia Mora, 29, of Azusa were taken to UCLA Medical Center and treated for minor injuries. Valazquez-Nava was booked on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, operating a motor vehicle without a driver's license and gross vehicular manslaughter. Why was he driving without a license? Was he an illegal alien? |
| Posted by: Zhang Fei 2007-04-05 10:47 |