Passages

      Just a few words here: in the past few days the world lost Mitchell Sharp and Mercedes McCambridge, and neither has received their due in recognition. Sharp, the embodiment of "elder statesmanship" in Canada, was one of the few people in politics about whom one could say "he was a good man." McCambridge was one of the better American actresses ever, but never got the attention she deserved: she was one of the stalwarts of Orson Welles' Mercury troupe, but most people will remember her without knowing it. She was the spine-tingling voice of Satan in William Friedkin's The Exorcist, and I don't think any of us will ever quite forget her words, "Keep away. The sow is mine." *Shudder* Is it ironic that McCambridge died during the release of The Passion of the Christ? Let's not think about that fact too closely. RIP, Mr. Sharp, Ms. McCambridge.