James Whitmore, veteran actor of the stage and cinema, passed away recently from lung cancer. He was succeeded by his many sons and eight grandchildren.
I’m one of those eight grandchildren. My grandfather had a tremendous influence on our family. His passing was a slow one, as he was ill for 10 weeks after being diagnosed.
It still had a pretty severe impact when he finally left us, but not before the stalwart Obama supporter could watch the inauguration, and remark on how we may finally start getting it right from here on out.
The reason this is a column, and not a tribute article, is the fact that James Whitmore has contributed a great deal to the classic world of science fiction, and it only seemed right that this geek scholar took a minute to recognize that.
He would tell me how he enjoyed his work on the “Twilight Zone”, in an episode called “On Thursday We Leave for Home.” He also had a hand in the original “Planet of the Apes”, where he played the head ape of the assembly. Other then a genuine interest in the script and concept of the film, I honestly believe he took on the role (and grew to loath that decision thanks to some stuffy costume design) to have the opportunity to dress up as a bipedal primate.
Most importantly, he was in the movie that arguably kick started the genre of B movies that focused on mutated insects and animals wreaking havoc on civilized society, the aptly titled “Them”.
In the film a series of gargantuan ants make life difficult, and my grandfather played the soldier type of character who does his damndest to make life difficult for the ants.
The thing that I thought was interesting about my grandfather was that he wouldn’t turn his nose up at script if it had all tell tale signs of science fiction.
He also was one of those actors who never really sold out. He was an Obama supporter because he truly believed the man could bring change, and while a good number of people may know Mr. Whitmore as the Miracle Grow spokesman, he took on that role after discovering a passion for gardening on his own time.
James Whitmore embodied what made early science fiction movies like “Them” and “The Day The Earth Stood Still” so remarkable, an honest examination of mans follies, but with a tinge of optimism for the future.
One of his most memorable sayings, which I believe he said at a Thanksgiving a few years back spent in Mammoth, was “Lord knows we’ve made some mistakes, but I like to think we can change.”
This echoes early sci-fi movies, which condemned us for our use of nukes or reliance on warfare, but usually ended with a step towards realizing a way to abolish these facets of our culture.
It’s possible this was just an idealism that permeated the 50’s after the victory of our involvement with World War II, which eventually fell apart with the Vietnam War and the onset of the 60’s.
James Whitmore never lost that viewpoint however, and that’s why even though there has already been a good deal written about him already, this grandson wanted to honor one of the original kings of science fiction.