Exactly 100 years ago today, on September 15, 1907, Vina Fay Wray was
born in Alberta, Canada. We should all count our blessings that she
was chosen to play Ann Darrow, 25 years later in the original "King
Kong". Through that film (and several others), Fay touched the lives
of countless people all over the world.

Personally, I know that MY life wouldn't have been the same had I not
seen her in "King Kong" on TV in 1971, when she quite literally
screamed her way into my 8-year-old heart. Her beauty and charm and
femininity touched me in a way that no other actress has done since
that time. And I'm certain that most of the people reading this feel
the same as I do. If Fay has touched you in some way, then please take
a moment to remember her on her 100th birthday, and celebrate her life
and all that she brought to us.

Turner Classic Movies will be honoring Fay tonight by showing SIX of
her films back-to-back, starting at 8:00 PM (EST/New York time) and
ending at approximately 5:30 AM. Here is tonight's schedule from TCM's
website:

THE ESSENTIALS: FAY WRAY'S 100TH BIRTHDAY
8:00 PM
"King Kong" (1933)
A film crew discovers the "eighth wonder of the world," a giant
prehistoric ape, and brings him back to New York, where he wreaks havoc.
Cast: Fay Wray, Robert Armstrong, Bruce Cabot.. Dir: Merian C. Cooper,
Ernest B. Schoedsack.. C-105 mins, TV-PG

10:00 PM
"Doctor X" (1932)
A reporter investigates a series of cannibalistic murders at a medical
college.
Cast: Lee Tracy, Lionel Atwill, Fay Wray.. Dir: Michael Curtiz.. BW-76
mins, TV-PG

11:30 PM
"Mystery Of The Wax Museum, The" (1933)
A disfigured sculptor turns murder victims into wax statues.
Cast: Lionel Atwill, Fay Wray, Glenda Farrell.. Dir: Michael Curtiz..
BW-77 mins, TV-PG

1:00 AM
"Below The Sea" (1933)
Criminals threaten a wealthy woman's underwater expedition.
Cast: Ralph Bellamy, Fay Wray, Esther Howard.. Dir: Albert S. Rogell..
C-78 mins

2:30 AM
"Dirigible" (1931)
Romantic rivals vie to be the first to fly to the South Pole.
Cast: Jack Holt, Ralph Graves, Fay Wray.. Dir: Frank Capra.. C-100
mins, TV-G

4:15 AM
"Most Dangerous Game, The" (1932)
A big game hunter decides to stalk human prey.
Cast: Joel McCrea, Fay Wray, Leslie Banks.. Dir: Irving Pichel.. C-63
mins, TV-PG

If "King Kong" is the only Fay Wray movie that you've seen, then
you're missing out on some great old films. "The Most Dangerous Game"
is a terrific thriller in every way (with Fay at her absolute
loveliest IMHO), and should be seen by ALL "King Kong" fans. "Doctor
X" and "Mystery Of The Wax Museum" were both shot using the early
two-color Technicolor process, and Fay looks particularly lovely in
them. "Dirigible" (an early Frank Capra film) and "Below The Sea" are
hardly ever shown anywhere and are not available on home video, so
don't miss your chance to catch them tonight.

For further reading about Fay and her 100th birthday, check out the
following article from TCM's website:
http://www.tcm.com/thismonth/article.jsp?cid=176198&mainArticleId=176192

Also, Tim Lucas (editor of Video Watchdog magazine, and author of the
new and AMAZING biography/filmography "Mario Bava: All The Colors Of
The Dark") has written a nice 100th birthday remembrance of Fay on his
WatchBlog:
http://videowatchdog.blogspot.com/2007/09/fay-wray-at-100.html

Happy 100th Birthday, Fay! We all miss you!

- John