A murder mystery film noir, “Hollywoodland” is inspired by the real-life actor, George Reeves, who was found dead in 1959, age 45. Here is what you need to know about the turbulent life of Reeves, who did appear in some high-profile movies (“Gone With the Wind”) before becoming known as TV's Superman.

July 17, 2006–Mickey Spillane, the mystery writer, who created detective Mike Hammer (in noir movies like “Kiss Me Deadly”), died Monday, July 17. He was 88.

L.A., July 13, 2006–Red Buttons, the vet comedian, who starred on stage and in TV and won a Supporting Oscar acting opposite Marlon Brando in “Sayonara,” died Thursday of vascular disease in Los Angeles. He was 87.

Often identified with the “neorealist” label, Rossellini is one of the greatest directors of Italian and world cinema. He is responsible for the postwar rebirth of Italian neorealism and one of the few truly great humanists, along with Frenchman Jean Renoir, to work in the medium.

The screen career of writers-directors Peter and Bobby Farrelly is marked by two clearly divided chapters: Before and after “There's Something About Mary,” their smash hit that redefined the romantic comedy and extended considerably the genre's range and its “permissible” themes.