July 10, 2007

R.I.P. Kerwin Matthews, Harryhausen's "Sinbad"

Kerwin Matthews who battled such creatures as evil giants and mythical monsters on the silver screen, passed away at the age of 81.

Born on January 8, 1926, Mr. Matthews got his first major break in an episode of the tv show, "Space Patrol" which led to roles on "Playhouse 90" and "The Ford Playhouse Theater."

His talents led him to co-star in such feature films as the underrated "Five Against the House" and "Tarawa Beachead," but it was "The Seventh Voyage Of Sinbad" that we all remember him from as Sinbad battling such monsters as the Roc, the cyclops and the living skeleton.

Among other of his fantasy titles are "Jack the Giant Killer," "The Three Worlds Of Gulliver" and "Battle Beneath the Earth."

Though he did portray solid roles in "The Devil At Four O'Clock" and "Man On a String," he did his best in such films as "Octaman" and "The Boy Who Cried Werewolf" because he enjoyed acting.

He retired from movies in the late seventies and opened a clothing store in the San Francisco Bay area because it was time for a change. On acting, he had no regrets and enjoyed every minute of it.

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