Godspeed, Charlton Heston.

One of my favorite movies when I was a boy was "Planet of the Apes." Actually, I was a fan of the entire series - I used to love it when WABC (Channel 7 in New York) would run "Planet of the Apes" week on their 4:30 movie (anyone remember the 4:30 movie? Here's the intro: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2es-lfRSDOI)

So, it's with great sadness that we note the passing of Charlton Heston - fighter for conservative causes, champion of individual rights, and actor in a number of my favorite films.

I'd never seen "The Omega Man" until a few years ago, but it remains high on my list of favorite campy 70s movies. Yes, I do like those post-apocalyptic forays (Road Warrior, The Postman, The Stand, etc) - and Heston's "Robert Neville" is an intellectual zombie-slayer of the highest order (played very differently, but no less-admiringly, by Will Smith in the recent remake).

Heston's earnest, optimistic, anti-luddite Neville could be thought of as an allegorical representation of modern conservatism, pushing hard against the forces trying to undo centuries of progress. Perhaps he's the ultimate "rugged individualist"?

In any case, if you haven't seen "The Omega Man" - do so. Here's the trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peBRjWl9CRA

Safe travel, Mr. Heston.