Out in Film: Clive Barker

Idol worship: Clive Barker, writer/director/producer.

- A best selling novelist, he is best known for his works in the horror and fantasy genres. When his Books of Blood (six volumes of short stories) were first published, Stephen King had this to say about him: "I have seen the future of horror and its name is Clive Barker".

- Early shorts (The Forbidden, Salome) and screenplays (Underworld, Rawhide Rex) led to his directing his own scripts, starting with the modern freak show classic Hellraiser (based on his novella The Hellbound Heart) and followed with Nightbreed and Lord of Illusions.

- Other films based on his works include Candyman and The Midnight Meat Train, now in limited release. In addition to most of these films, he was an executive producer on Gods and Monsters.

- Also a prolific artist, comic book creator and video game designer, he was the recipient of the Davidson/ Valentini Award (given to "to an openly lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender individual who has made a significant difference in promoting equal rights for any of those communities") at the 2004 GLAAD Media Awards.

- Current projects include film versions of his Book of Blood short story and his Tortured Souls toy line, as well as a remake of Hellraiser.

Summer Under the Stars: Charlie Chaplin

Movie Dearest continues our daily previews of Turner Classic Movies' month long "Summer Under the Stars" celebration:

Now Playing Star Profile for Charlie Chaplin - Stardates: Born April 16, 1889, Walworth, England; died 1977. Star Sign: Aries. Star Qualities: Limitless talent as comic, mime, actor, director, composer, musician. The baggy pants and toothbrush mustache, the comedy and pathos, the ability to steal an audience's heart. Star definition: "For me (his) are the most beautiful films in the world ... Chaplin means more to me then the idea of God." -- François Truffaut. Galaxy of Characters: A Tramp in The Kid, The Lone Prospector in The Gold Rush, Adenoid Hynkel/Jewish Barber in The Great Dictator, Calvero in Limelight.

In The Gold Rush, Chaplin's resourceful tramp character, trapped in a cabin out in the middle of the Yukon, resorts to dining on his own leather boot for a desperate Thanksgiving dinner. He may have had trouble finding gold in them thar hills, but in this scene he finds it ... of the comedic sort.

Legend has it that Chaplin took three days and 63 takes to shoot this memorable movie moment to get the timing down perfectly. The boot was fashioned from licorice; Chaplin was later rushed to the hospital suffering insulin shock.

The Gold Rush airs tomorrow on TCM at 1:45 PM EST.

MD Poll: Remake! The Musical

With the recent remake news of such films as Fame, My Fair Lady and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, this week's MD Poll asks the question, "What movie musical would you like to see remade?"

Your choices include such notorious big budget bombs as A Chorus Line, The Wiz, A Little Night Music, Mame, Man of La Mancha and Hello, Dolly! All of these films failed, in part, due to their miscasting ... could they fare better with a more appropriate leading man or leading lady? Preferably, one who can sing? (Sorry, Lucy, Liz and Peter.)

Other possibilities -- Annie Get Your Gun, Carousel and Gypsy -- could prove worthwhile showcases for the stars -- Reba McEntire, Hugh Jackman and Patti LuPone -- who have recreated the roles to critical acclaim on stage in recent years.

And although the final contender, Cabaret, is a certified movie classic, a version that more closely adhered to the original stage version could make a good argument for a remake (especially if Alan Cumming reprised his Tony Award winning role as the Emcee).

Make your pick and place your vote in the poll located in the sidebar to your right. Results will be revealed in two weeks.

UPDATED: This poll is now closed; click here for the results, and click here to vote in the latest MD Poll.

MD Poll: Christian Soldiers On

Despite a personal scandal making headlines worldwide, Christian Bale easily won the recent MD Poll asking for your favorite Batman. The star of Batman Begins and The Dark Knight dominated the voting, ending up with an impressive 47% of an amazing 355 total votes.

Of the other Caped Crusaders, only Michael Keaton and Adam West registered in the double digits, placing second and third, respectively. See the bat-comments section below for the full bat-rundown.

Click here to vote in the latest MD Poll.