Boo's all time favorite novel and all time favorite movie are To Kill A Mockingbird. And second only to Jif the Jar, Gregory Peck was her favorite actor. Most of you have probably already heard the news. He passed away today at age 87.

For those of you who loved the novel/movie and Gregory Peck, Boo very enthusiastically recommends the DVD. The extras include a wonderful documentary about the making of the movie, including interviews with many of the local townspeople who grew up with Harper Lee. Boo has always thought that the performance by Mary Badham, who played Scout, still stands as one of the best child performances in film history. [An interesting side note, her brother John became a well known film director. You can read his biography at www.imdb.com -- a great web site for film buffs.] Like Boo, I have always wondered what became of both Mary and the actor who played her brother. Both are also interviewed as adults on the documentary, and tell some delightful stories of the making of the movie, including what it was like to work with Gregory Peck. [And wait to you hear what is said about the actor who played Bob Ewell.]

Boo and I really wish Hollywood would treat actors and actresses better as they become senior citizens. It sure would have been nice to see Gregory Peck in many more movies, but he was not in once since 1991. Perhaps by his own choice, though we suspect it was due to his age.

That web site, International Movie Data Base (www.imdb.com) also has some great stuff on Gregory Peck's career, if anyone is interested. And a biography on him was just published about 6 months ago.