1977. A conflict between Russia and China has caused the US to release bacteriological weapons into the area to "pacify".
The end result of the escalation causes viruses to spread all over the planet and humanity to become completely extinct.
WELL, ALMOST.
One man remains, along with a group of light-sensitive zombies.
That is the premise of The Omega Man (1971), a B movie whose story feels curiously topical. There is a much better-known modern version: I Am Legend.
Although the film leaves much to be desired, the protagonist is nothing less than the huge actor Charlton Heston.
The actor starred in another film, along with Ava Gardner, with a completely different theme, but whose argument also had China as focus: 55 Days at Peking This is one of the classics everyone should see.
Ava Gardner, besides being one of the great actresses of all time—and, they say, one of the most beautiful—is perhaps especially well known in Spain, both for her numerous affairs with famous Spaniards of the time and because she lived in Madrid's El Viso neighbourhood, next door to General Perón.
What is less well known is that her second husband was none other than the legendary clarinettist and bandleader Artie Shaw. We will talk about him in another article—there is plenty to say—but for now we have included a link to hear him play.
Marie Bryant, dancer, singer and choreographer, was an amazing woman. At least as good in her own way, or better, than other names that have passed into history. She was with all the greats of the time: Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Barney Kessel, Lester Young... It would be a huge list.
The point is that, whether or not you have seen Ava Gardner's films, you certainly know who she is—just as you would know Marlon Brando.
I do not think there is anyone who has not seen The Godfather more than once.
However, all these names have something in common.
All of them, and many more, received dance lessons from one of the best dancers of all time: Marie Bryant.
This article is a tribute to her, Marie Bryant. Much less known than others, but certainly not on merit.
We attach a list of videos of Marie Bryant, the posters of some of her films, a video of Artie Shaw.
Live, play, dance... but above all don't get bored.See you at Spirit if you want.