Crane: Sex, Celebrity, and My Father's Unsolved Murder

On June 29, 1978, Bob Crane, known to Hogan's Heroes fans as Colonel Hogan, was discovered brutally murdered in his Scottsdale, Arizona, apartment. His eldest son, Robert Crane, was called to the crime scene. In this poignant memoir, Robert Crane discusses that terrible day and how he has lived with the unsolved murder of his father. But this storyline is just one thread in his tale of growing up in Los Angeles, his struggles to reconcile the good and sordid sides of his celebrity father, and his own fascinating life.

Crane began his career writing for Oui magazine and spent many years interviewing celebrities for Playboy—stars such as Chevy Chase, Bruce Dern, Joan Rivers, and even Koko the signing gorilla. As a result of a raucous encounter with the cast of Canada's SCTV, he found himself shelving his notepad and tape recorder to enter the employ of John Candy—first as an on-again, off-again publicist; then as a full-time assistant, confidant, screenwriter, and producer; and finally as one of Candy's pallbearers.

Through disappointment, loss, and heartbreak, Crane's humor and perseverance shine. Beyond the big stars and behind-the-scenes revelations, this riveting account of death, survival, and renewal in the shadow of the Hollywood sign makes a profound statement about the desire for love and permanence in a life where those things continually slip away. By turns shocking and uplifting, Crane is an unforgettable and deeply human story.

1120656235
Crane: Sex, Celebrity, and My Father's Unsolved Murder

On June 29, 1978, Bob Crane, known to Hogan's Heroes fans as Colonel Hogan, was discovered brutally murdered in his Scottsdale, Arizona, apartment. His eldest son, Robert Crane, was called to the crime scene. In this poignant memoir, Robert Crane discusses that terrible day and how he has lived with the unsolved murder of his father. But this storyline is just one thread in his tale of growing up in Los Angeles, his struggles to reconcile the good and sordid sides of his celebrity father, and his own fascinating life.

Crane began his career writing for Oui magazine and spent many years interviewing celebrities for Playboy—stars such as Chevy Chase, Bruce Dern, Joan Rivers, and even Koko the signing gorilla. As a result of a raucous encounter with the cast of Canada's SCTV, he found himself shelving his notepad and tape recorder to enter the employ of John Candy—first as an on-again, off-again publicist; then as a full-time assistant, confidant, screenwriter, and producer; and finally as one of Candy's pallbearers.

Through disappointment, loss, and heartbreak, Crane's humor and perseverance shine. Beyond the big stars and behind-the-scenes revelations, this riveting account of death, survival, and renewal in the shadow of the Hollywood sign makes a profound statement about the desire for love and permanence in a life where those things continually slip away. By turns shocking and uplifting, Crane is an unforgettable and deeply human story.

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Crane: Sex, Celebrity, and My Father's Unsolved Murder

Crane: Sex, Celebrity, and My Father's Unsolved Murder

Crane: Sex, Celebrity, and My Father's Unsolved Murder

Crane: Sex, Celebrity, and My Father's Unsolved Murder

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Overview

On June 29, 1978, Bob Crane, known to Hogan's Heroes fans as Colonel Hogan, was discovered brutally murdered in his Scottsdale, Arizona, apartment. His eldest son, Robert Crane, was called to the crime scene. In this poignant memoir, Robert Crane discusses that terrible day and how he has lived with the unsolved murder of his father. But this storyline is just one thread in his tale of growing up in Los Angeles, his struggles to reconcile the good and sordid sides of his celebrity father, and his own fascinating life.

Crane began his career writing for Oui magazine and spent many years interviewing celebrities for Playboy—stars such as Chevy Chase, Bruce Dern, Joan Rivers, and even Koko the signing gorilla. As a result of a raucous encounter with the cast of Canada's SCTV, he found himself shelving his notepad and tape recorder to enter the employ of John Candy—first as an on-again, off-again publicist; then as a full-time assistant, confidant, screenwriter, and producer; and finally as one of Candy's pallbearers.

Through disappointment, loss, and heartbreak, Crane's humor and perseverance shine. Beyond the big stars and behind-the-scenes revelations, this riveting account of death, survival, and renewal in the shadow of the Hollywood sign makes a profound statement about the desire for love and permanence in a life where those things continually slip away. By turns shocking and uplifting, Crane is an unforgettable and deeply human story.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780813160757
Publisher: University Press of Kentucky
Publication date: 03/10/2015
Series: Screen Classics
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 368
Sales rank: 822,645
File size: 3 MB
Age Range: 18 Years

About the Author

Robert Crane is coauthor of My Life as a Mankiewicz: An Insider's Journey through Hollywood, Jack Nicholson: The Early Years, and Bruce Dern: A Memoir, and a contributor to Hal Ashby: Interviews. Christopher Fryer is coauthor of Jack Nicholson: The Early Years and Bruce Dern: A Memoir, and a contributor to Hal Ashby: Interviews.


Robert Crane is coauthor of Bruce Dern: Things I’ve Said, but Probably Shouldn’t Have—An Unrepentant Memoir, Jack Nicholson: The Early Years, and SCTV: Behind the Scenes as well as a contributor to Hal Ashby: Interviews. He lives in Los Angeles.
Christopher Fryer is coauthor of Bruce Dern: Things I've Said, But Probably Shouldn't Have -- An Unrepentant Memoir and a contributor to Hal Ashby: Interviews. He lives in New York’s Hudson Valley.

Table of Contents

Author's Note
1. Reveille, 1978
2. Oh, Pioneers, 1955-1956
3. No Good-byes, 1978
4. One Happy Little Family, 1956-1964
5. CSI: Crime Scene Ineptitude
6. Uncle Daddy, 1964-1965
7. Round Up the Usual Suspects, 1978
8. Zero to Ninety, 1965-1966
9. Seeing Orange, 1978
10. Living la Vita Hogan, 1967
11. Happy Father's Day, 1978
12. Divorce, Tarzana Style, 1968-1969
13. Loose Nukes, 1978
14. Love in a Time of War, 1969-1970
15. Don't Make Waves, 1970-1971
16. War Is Over, 1971-1972
17. Beacon in the Storm, 1972
18. Heeeere's Jackie!!! 1972–1975
19. The Family Photo Album, 1975
20. Take the Bunny and Run, 1976-1977
21. Scottsdale Redux, 1978
22. Heeeere's Bobby!!!
23. There Ain't No Stinkin' Closure! 1979-1980
24. For Members Only, 1981-1982
25. Kari, 1982-1985
26. Bobby Ten Hats, 1986
27. Crane in the Hutch, 1986
28. Going to War, 1986-1988
29. Full-Fledged Chongo, 1989
30. Groundhog Day, Scottsdale, 1990
31. Bob's Candy Shoppe, 1990
32. John, John, Jack, and Johnny, 1990-1991
33. Murder Cases Never Close, 1991
34. Planes, Cars, and Roller Coasters
35. Just a Speck, 1992
36. Go and Stop, 1992
37. The Beat Goes On, 1992-1993
38. Hostage No More, 1993
39. Adios, Amigo, 1993-1994
40. Judgement at Scottsdale, 1994
41. Ninety to Zero, 1994-1995
42. Yet Another Cold Call, 1996
43. Same Shit, Different Century, 2000-2001
44. Out of Focus, 2001-2002
45. Nature Morte, 2003-2007
46. Taps, 2009
Acknowledgments
Appendix A: Bob Crane Interviewed by John Carpenter for an X-Rated "Swingers'" Magazine, 1969
Appendix B: Robert Crane and John Carpenter Telephone Call Transcript, 1978
Appendix C: Robert Crane's Letter to Sony Pictures Classics Legal Department Addressing Auto Focus Script, 2002
Appendix D: Robert Crane's Piece for Auto Focus Website, 2002
Appendix E: HWY 111: Bob Crane's Ten Stupid Questions, 2003
Index

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