Ivan Dixon, who died this week, is best known for appearing on “Hogan’s Heroes.” But I believe he will be best remembered for his pioneering work as one of the first African-American directors and for his work on behalf of diversity in show business on both sides of the camera. Everyone should see his film “Nothing But a Man,” a brilliant but little-seen 1964 film that frankly explored the pressures and challenges faced by a black man in that pre-Civil Rights Act era. It has a quiet, documentary feel and a brilliant Motown soundtrack but the anchor is Dixon’s performance as a man whose pride cannot be diminished by the constant attempts to erode it. Dixon’s co-star is the lovely jazz singer Abbey Lincoln.

“Enchanted” teases and pays tribute to many of Disney’s classics. How many can you name?
Here are some hints:
Enchanted quiz 1
Enchanted quiz 2
Enchanted quiz 3

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It is a terrible loss to the world of film that Oscar-winning director Anthony Minghella has died suddenly of complications following surgery. I am very much looking forward to his final film, based on the best-selling book, The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. It seems like a perfect choice of material for this most literate and sensitive of writer/directors.

Minghella’s obituaries will focus on his best-known and most prestigious films like “Cold Mountain,” “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” and the movie for which he won his best director Oscar, “The English Patient.” But my favorite of his films will aways be the first one he directed, the deeply romantic “Truly, Madly, Deeply,” starring Juliet Stevenson and Alan Rickman.

Science fiction luminary Arthur C. Clarke has died at age 90.

His pioneering theoretical work on orbits made possible the development of communication satellites and the author of over 100 books. His thoughtful interview in 1999 covers his experience writing “2001: A Space Odyssey” with director Stanley Kubrick and his thoughts on the U.S. Space program.

Fairy tales and modern-day Manhattan find a way to live happily ever after in this adorable Disney story about the adventures of a prince, an almost-princess, and an evil queen in New York City.

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