In late June, two long-time supporters of Hollywood Heritage, Inc., the Hollywood Community, and movie history, passed away.

George Turner had worked as a sketch artist / designer for a number of movies including Francis Ford Coppola’s One from the Heart. But his most noteworthy fame came as a writer of film history books and as editor and then contributor to American Cinematographer Magazine for almost 20 years (with more books to be published).

George had a photographic memory for movies and photographs, and he was able to speak on almost any obscure movie or identify a still from an unknown film. He explained and discussed movies with a true love of the subject and an amazing amount of knowledge to back it up. "Ask George" was the frequent response by any film scholar wen a question was too perplexing.

Bobs Watson was the youngest member of the Watson Family, the subject of the current exhibition at the Hollywood Heritage Museum (his brother, Delmar Watson, is a Hollywood Heritage, Inc. board member and [unreadable]). Bobs made over 200 movies and television shows and performed in over 500 plays, including his acclaimed performance last year in Of Mice and Men in Hollywood. As one of Hollywood’s greatest child actors, Bobs appeared in Boys Town, Men of Boys Town, On Borrowed Time, The Story of Alexander Graham Bell, Dodge City, and many more (he still has another film coming out in the fall). He also served as an ordained Methodist Minister for the past 30 years.

Both men were extremely generous with their time, answering anyone’s requests for information without hesitation, at whatever hour, and for as long as it took. Neither had unkind words for anyone, though both could cleverly express their feelings of doubt about someone with sly humor. Though I doubt they ever met, their memorial services centered on these identical qualities, which they both shared.

Fans of Hollywood and the movies will miss both of these true gentlemen, but their movies, writings, and kindness will live on. Hollywood Heritage thanks their families for their understanding, support, and sharing that allowed for George Turner and Bobs Watson to contribute to much to so many.