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By Doug Oswald

I had no idea what to expect when I placed the DVD for “Scobie Malone” in my player. Scobie, played by Jack Thompson, makes his way through traffic on a sunny day in Sydney Australia as the movie credits begin. An Olivia Newton-John sound-alike sings the Scobie Malone title song. Scobie breaks the third wall by looking directly at the viewer as the title appears on-screen during his drive as an invitation to join him on his adventure. Scobie gives the thumbs up to a motorcycle cop during his drive. He winks, nods and flirts with pretty girls on the way to his swinging bachelor pad.

Scobie lives at “Sunrise Patios” and the entry sign proclaims Singles Only with a placard stating: No Vacancies. His bachelor pad is reached through the central courtyard containing a large patio and pool. A pretty girl in a bikini is changing...

Sydney-born Australian actor Rod Taylor, best known as the star of George Pal's original film adaptation of "The Time Machine" and Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds," died Wednesday of a heart attack in Los Angeles. He was 84.

Taylor made his feature debut in 'Time,' the 1960 screen version of H.G. Wells' classic. He followed that up voicing the lead dog in Disney's "101 Dalmatians" and delivered a strong performance in "The Birds".

Yet his career never really soared as high after those early successes, even though he kept working in various films such as "Sunday in New York ," "36 Hours," "Young Cassidy," "The Liquidator," "The Glass Bottom Boat," "Hotel," "Dark of the Sun," "Nobody Runs Forever," "Darker Than Amber," "The Train Robbers," "Bearcats!," "The Oregon Trail," "Masquerade," "Outlaws," "Falcon Crest," and "Welcome to Woop Woop".

His last role was that of Winston Churchill in Quentin Tarantino's "Inglourious Basterds".

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Taylor in the 1960 screen version of The Time Machine.

By Lee Pfeiffer

If the year 2014 proved to be an exceptionally cruel one in terms of the number of legendary celebrities who passed away, the new year is off to an equally depressing start with the news that Rod Taylor has passed away at age 84. Taylor, who was two days away from his 85th birthday, died suddenly from a heart attack following a dinner party at his home. He was surrounded by friends and family when the end came.  Taylor was a solid leading man who came to prominence in the late 1950s. Although Australian by birth, the ruggedly handsome Taylor could effectively play Brits, Irishmen and Americans with convincing ease. He first gained attention with supporting roles in high profile, big Hollywood studio productions in the late 1950s such as "Raintree County" and "Separate Tables". His breakthrough role came in...

People.com is reporting that actor Rod Taylor died Wednesday at the age of 84 of natural causes.

His daughter Felicia Taylor, a former CNN correspondent, confirmed the news Thursday.

“My dad loved his work. Being an actor was his passion – calling it an honorable art and something he couldn’t live without,” she said in a statement.

“He once said, ‘I am a poor student sitting at the feet of giants, yearning for their wisdom and begging for lessons that might one day make me a complete artist,” she continued, “ ‘so that if all goes well, I may one day sit beside them.”

Born on Jan 11, 1930 in Sydney, Australia, Rod Taylor is best remembered for his starring roles in Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds (1963) and George Pal’s The Time Machine (1960). He also provided the voice of Pongo in Disney’s 101 Dalmatians (1961). Taylor also starred in TV’s “The Twilight Zone...

Bollywood superstar, Akshay Kumar, has been signed as Canadian Tourism Commission's (Ctc) Ambassador for India for a second year.

The screen icon addressed the media and answered questions at a Press Conference in Delhi followed by a lunch banquet, hosted by the Canadian Tourism Commission (Ctc) for prominent members of the Indian travel trade in recognition of India as a priority international market for out bound travel to Canada. Stewart G. Beck, The High Commissioner of Canada to India, honored the occasion with his presence and lent his support as the Ctc presented a vote of thanks to its associates and partners from the Indian travel trade.

Megastar Akshay will leverage his celebrity status in India to promote Canada as a premier four-season destination in his continued role. As part of the role, he will make several promotional appearances in both India and Canada as well as 'familiarization' trips across...

Recently a talk show host in New Zealand directed a rancorous racial slur against Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. It goes without saying that after the incident, the incident was not taken lightly by the Indians. Rupert Holborow, the High Commissioner from New Zealand was summoned by India’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs so that India could officially lodge complaints against Paul Henry (TV Show Host).

Paul Henry is infamous for his racist attitude and has been censored quite a few times in the past for badmouthing senior political officials. The morning show hosted by Paul Henry has become well-known for its racial undertones. Rupert Holborow apologized on the behalf of his country and expressed his deepest regrets for the hurt that those comments have caused. The High Commissioner also said that the comments were insensitive, inappropriate and vulgar.

Ina recently released statement the Indian Government denounced the racist remarks...