REQUIEM FOR A HEAVY MENSCH

I just found out that the once-popular TV film critic Gary Franklin died two weeks ago at his home in Chatsworth, CA. The cause of death: unknown. But what was and is known is how he wanted to be remembered. In 1991, Mr. Franklin had this to say to The L.A. Times:

"I have always let my social conscience influence my criticism. People should be speaking out about the effects of movie violence, brutality and sexuality in the world, and I'm glad I've had the chance to make a tiny impact."
According to his obit in The L.A. Times, Franklin told Variety that when he informed "studio flacks" who called after a press screening that he was going to give a film that he really liked a 9, they often lobbied for a 10."

"TO MY EVERLASTING SHAME AND DISGRACE, I'D MAKE IT A TEN ," he said.

After giving "Natural Born Killers" a zero in 1997, Gary found himself persona non grata at Warner Brothers. This was the beginning of the end for his professional film critiquing, but it was also the beginning of the beginning of something else. It took a few years, but Gary finally made his way, with mouse in hand, to a computer, officially kicking off a website called "garyfranklin.com." Then, off to the blogosphere. In 2005, he started "The Franklin Scale." Here, between four fatal strokes, he would review films without accepting so much as a nickel from anybody. No studio flacks, no corruption, no nonsense - nothing but his honest opinion and a clear conscience.

At the time of his passing, he was 79. Survived by his wife, Sylvia, two daughters, four grandchildren, and millions of fans. On a scale of one to ten, Gary gets two thumbs up. That's an eleven.