TCM's Robert Osborne's passing

[Lance]

I was saddened to see the passing of Turner Classic Movies' spokesman and film host, Robert Osborne, who passed away at age 84 earlier this week. TCM has presented a 48-hour marathon this weekend showing special Private Screenings, many of which I have seen before when initially televised. I think it is a great tribute by TCM to honour Osborne in this manner. I have attempted to catch as much as possible of the 48-hour marathon. Osborne did much to present great films especially to a younger generation who might not have otherwise seen the fine art of film-making from the past. I am hopeful that TCM will make a collection of these Private Screenings available in one DVD collection. I have observed that Osborne has not been looking too well in the last few years. Ben Mankiewicz, who apparently was "groomed" to succeed Osborne, has done a fine job, and admits Osborne's shoes are difficult to fill. RIP Robert Osborne. I think he would have been very pleased to realize TCM's tribute to him. One-by-one, we are exiting. (Not a pleasant thought!)