rare Bob Crane stuff and "Auto-Focus" the movie

[sally mander]

the website reelradio.com has a few sound bites featuring Bob Crane from his radio days. Someone taped his show off LA"s KNX-AM back in the early 60s and you can hear it ( commericals, news, some music , and lot of Crane ). Almost like going back in to LA 1962 with Crane talking about the upcoming sale at Robert Hall Clothes.

Has anybody seen the movie about his murder "Auto-Focus"?
Guess the film was a bomb, never did play here. Noticed it wasnt discussed here either, as far as comments from those who saw the film.

Wonder if his son got the film taken out of the theatres since he was so upset about it? I remember seeing the ads for it on tv, even Roger Ebert reviewed the film ( he loved it !! ), hearing that the film will play "nationwide" but the last I heard of "Auto-Focus".

Kinda weird !!

One would think a movie about a still unsolved murder involving sex and the star of a popular , well remembered sitcom as well as critical praise, not too mentioned starring a popular actor in the lead role ( Greg Kinnear ) such a film would do well at the box office.

Got the book "Auto-Focus" the other day off Amazon. Pretty good stuff. Very detailed. They even talk about the tragic death of John Banner too. As well as go into deatil about the rocky relationship between Crane and Richard Dawson.

Must reading for fans of Hogan's Heroes.

[dawsongirl]

Originally posted by sally mander
the website reelradio.com has a few sound bites featuring Bob Crane from his radio days. Someone taped his show off LA"s KNX-AM back in the early 60s and you can hear it ( commericals, news, some music , and lot of Crane ). Almost like going back in to LA 1962 with Crane talking about the upcoming sale at Robert Hall Clothes.

That sounds cool. I love old radio shows.

Has anybody seen the movie about his murder "Auto-Focus"?
Guess the film was a bomb, never did play here. Noticed it wasnt discussed here either, as far as comments from those who saw the film.

I'm not sure it played here either. I intended to wait until it came on PPV anyway.


Got the book "Auto-Focus" the other day off Amazon. Pretty good stuff. Very detailed. They even talk about the tragic death of John Banner too. As well as go into deatil about the rocky relationship between Crane and Richard Dawson.

Must reading for fans of Hogan's Heroes.

:faint: Must get book!!!

[dawsongirl]

I got the book. And it made me mad at Richard Dawson (and trust me- that's not something I'd ever thought I'd say). And I don't know how much was true or not, but...Ugh.

[bb]

I got the book last Christmas. Very very detailed. I'm sure its true when it came about the relationship between Crane and Dawson.

I also saw Auto-Focus awhile back ( had to travel 60 miles to Washington DC to see it, didnt play here either ). Good movie though it left out many things. For example the film made it seem that Crane was having money troubles during the mid 70's, trying to make ends meet by doing dinner theatre. Actually Crane was offered $300,000 per year to go back to do radio in LA in the 70s, but turned it down so he can be an actor.

A while back someone posted here that one of his sons was upset at the movie because it implied that Crane was gay ( since him and Carpenter did those movies together ). I didnt see that in the film as far as Crane goes.

Now as far as John Carpenter goes, the movie ( my opinion ) did imply just that. The movie made it seemed that Carpenter had this "crush" on Crane. The book did too in a way. The movie "indirectly" pointed at Carpenter as the man who chances are may have murdered Crane.

But since Carpenter has since died and DNA and the like wasnt used in 1978 and of course those who feel the local police in Arizona botched the crime scene, we'll never know for 100% who killed Bob Crane.

I too am surprised the movie wasnt a hit. I thought it was much better film than the Chuck Barris film that came out later. That film I noticed many folks who walked out because they didnt understand it ( or thought it was that weird ). Auto-Focus, no one walked out though I have to admit, sadly, only 10 people were in the theatre, and that is counting me.

[dawsongirl]

Originally posted by bb
I got the book last Christmas. Very very detailed. I'm sure its true when it came about the relationship between Crane and Dawson.


I wasn't shocked that they didn't get along, but that whole thing about Richard being involved in the tapes is what got me. God, I wanted to throw up.

[TVJunkie101]

Originally posted by dawsongirl
I wasn't shocked that they didn't get along, but that whole thing about Richard being involved in the tapes is what got me. God, I wanted to throw up.

Oh, damn, you all had to talk about the book. Now I'll have to get it too, lol. Sounds like an ... interesting read.

I saw the Auto Focus movie at Wal-Mart the other day, but didn't want to get it, I probably will now.

I doubt it will really affect my opinions on either of them.

Thanks for the lowdown guys.

[dawsongirl]

Originally posted by TVJunkie101
Oh, damn, you all had to talk about the book. Now I'll have to get it too, lol. Sounds like an ... interesting read.
:lol: Sorry about that. But do get the book. The little I've read of it was eye-opening.

I doubt it will really affect my opinions on either of them.


I got over it. I still like them both. In fact I saw Bob on an episode of Quincy yesterday. And the episode of Night Gallery he was in will be coming on the 14th.

[TVJunkie101]

Originally posted by dawsongirl
I got over it. I still like them both. In fact I saw Bob on an episode of Quincy yesterday. And the episode of Night Gallery he was in will be coming on the 14th.

Yeah; I saw his episode of Quincy too.

I'm definitely getting the book and movie, lol. You guys can spill all you want, it won't affect my vewing or reading :lol:

[Janice]

I really liked Auto Focus. Good performances by Greg Kinnear and Willem Defoe. The movie did a good job at illustrating Bob Crane's good side while playing out his 'kinky' side as well. He seemed like a decent man. It's a shame what happened to him.
Here's a link for reviews of the movie.
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/AutoFocus-1116784/

[dawsongirl]

Yeah...I think he had a genuine illness and he just couldn't control it. On the broad scope, it wasn't a lot different than alcoholism as far as addictions go. Not that I'm saying what he did was right, but it has partial justification.

That, and Hollywood ruins people.

[Janice]

You're right. Sex addiction is very real. They have clinics for it just like rehabs for substance abuse. A major movie star admitted to sex addiction years ago. I won't mention any names, just that he's now married to Catherine Zeta-Jones. ;)
It is an illness, and nobody deserves to die over it like Bob Crane. He ventured into a seedy world and paid the ultimate price.

[dawsongirl]

Originally posted by Janice
A major movie star admitted to sex addiction years ago. I won't mention any names, just that he's now married to Catherine Zeta-Jones. ;)


:eek: I did not know that!

[sarastiles]

I really liked Auto Focus. Good performances by Greg Kinnear and Willem Defoe. The movie did a good job at illustrating Bob Crane's good side while playing out his 'kinky' side as well. He seemed like a decent man. It's a shame what happened to him.
Here's a link for reviews of the movie.
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/AutoFocus-1116784/
Hell yes it is a shame! I think he was a great actor. He coulda done good things. Who cares about his personal life!!!! It's his business lol!