This Month Just Flew By, Darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                        After that picture of Dexter, when I found this, I thought it appropriate to end the month of July with this lovely canine image.  Even from the back, it reminds me of our late friend, Chloe!!!!!!!!!!!

                        July just sailed by girls!!!!!!!!  First, I had to come down from the high of the reunion.  Then I pulled myself together, and, with a little prodding from David, saw the fabulous revival of "Sweeney Todd" now playing.  Contrast this with the awfulness of "Barbie," at least after the first forty-five minutes, which we also saw.

                         And seeing "The Uninvited," and "The Unseen," were unforgettable.  I will write about the latter in August, I guess.

                         How about that heat, darlings?  And I have a feeling we are not through yet!!!!!!!!!!!!

                        After today, July is history.  May August be a pleasant and peaceful month for us all.

                        See you here, next month!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It Is Time To Say Farewell, Darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                   I knew this was coming for some time, darlings, but I did not want to share it, until it was official.  It is time to say farewell to Dexter, and it breaks my heart.

                                    Do not misunderstand me.  Dexter is not dead.  Far from it.  But today, he and his owner move from Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, to embark upon a new life and new adventures in Hickory, North Carolina.

                                      I shall miss Dexter terribly, and I could tell, as he gave me a final look, he will miss me, too.  But I can also tell you the entire neighborhood in Hickory will take Dexter to their hearts!!!!!!!!  He is so sweet, lovable and affectionate.

                                      David took this shot of Dexter and me, so it will be on this blog for posterity.

                                       Goodbye, my Dexter!  You were adored and loved by all !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                      And you can always buy a plane ticket and come back here!

                                      Trust me, girls, he is smart enough to do so!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What A Day To Walk Along The Place Vendome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               The heat finally broke here, yesterday, girls, and I hope it did in Paris.  So, if you are winging there, you have to spend some time walking along the Place Vendome.

                                It is scenically gorgeous, elegant, and one of the must-see places in Paris.  In fact, I would love to fly there right now.

                                 But, being in New York, I wanted to share this beautiful photograph, with the hope that it will inspire dreams en francais!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                 Allons-ons, mes amis!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Girls, Join Us Tonight At 8PM, As "Svengoolie" Presents The Final July Offering, 1958's "The Haunted Strangler!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                        It has Boris Karloff, darlings, so you know it is not as trashy as "Ghoulies."  In fact, it is very similar, having just seen it, to "The Unseen," which I will write moe about, at length, in the near future.

                         This is one of those thrillers where the viewer is sure the killer is one person, only it turns out to be someone else.  It bears some similarity to "She Wolf Of London," and "Daughter Of Dr. Jekyll."

                          Most importantly, it marked the final film of actress Elizabeth Allan, most memorable for her performances in two David O. Selznick films--1935's "A Tale Of Two Cities," and his brilliant adaptation of "David Copperfield."  Imagine, from that, to getting strangled to death as one's final film moment.  Well, dolls, that's show biz.

                         So, join us tonight at 8PM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                         It may not be "The Uninvited," but it is better than the "Ghoulies" films!!!!!!!!!!

                        See you at tonight at eight, darlings!  Have a cool Sea Breeze with you to drink!!!!!!!!!

                            

We All Need To Add Some Patina To Our Lives!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                           By patina, I mean something bright and shiny, girls!!!!!!!!!!!  Whether it is jewelry, a bottle of perfume or cologne, or a stylish hat--I am just pining for a replica of the one Vivien Leigh wore to the barbecue early on in "Gone With The Wind."--patina can make one's life shine. 

                             Even a nice sea breeze, either by nature or alcohol, could add a patina to one's day, especially this Summer.

                             Think about what brightens your day, dolls, and go for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            But go easy on those Sea Breezes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Darlings, I Need Some Viktor And Rolph In My Closet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                                  

                            So, the other day, girls, I was mulling through my closet, and I saw I had no Viktor and Rolph!!!!!!!!!!!!  Can you imagine, darlings?????????????????  I have really been neglecting my designers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            The top and bottom ones are my favorites.  Especially the orange angel outfit, with the "Get Mean" logo on it.  Of course, I am not mean to anyone, darlings, except perfectly awful bitches who deserve to be put in their place.  There are quite a few out there.  I have known some in my time, and have dealt with them, accordingly.

                             But, really, aren't these outfits fabulous?????????????????

                           How I would love to wear one of these, walking along the Parc Monceau.

Darlings, When In Paris, The Only Place To Stay Is At Georges Cinq!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

          

                                                                               

                          You know, girls, between all the hot weather and drama going on, it is time to think of more pleasant things to do.  Like whisking away to Paris, for some romantic fashions and dining.  And what better place to stay than the Georges Cinq?????????  Just look at its beauty!  That nighttime terrace view, pictured above, could be the most romantic dinner of one's life.  Not to mention all the historical, cultural, and artistic wonder abundant in Paris!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                        As for the cuisine, well, besides Georges Cinq the place to dine is Le Tour D'Argent, which is by Notre Dame.  I hear one has to reserve three months ahead, unless, of course, one is ANNA!!!!!!!!!!!!

                       So, let's get on a plane and whisk ourselves to Paris!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                      Enchante to you, too, n'estce-pas???????????????????????????????

Girls, For Some Bright Home Decorating Ideas, How About Some Edward Lear Or Eugene Field Wallpaper???????????????

                                                      Edward Lear

                                                 Eugene Field
 

                                      Everyone, darlings, and believe me I am one, often needs a place where they can retreat to their childhood.  For that purpose, I suggest wallpaper like that pictured above.

                                        How refreshing and relaxing.  And, girls, if your childhood was not to your liking, you can now create the fantasy childhood you want to have.  I am a big believer in childhood and fantasy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                        So, don't be glum and cheer up with these stylish reminders of childhood.

                                        A timeless gift to all from one who recalls the era of Captain Kangaroo and Bunny Rabbitt!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                          Yea, Bunny Rabbitt!!!!!!!!!!!  He inspired ANNA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What Is Needed Right Now Is Some Summer Victoriana!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                           Wouldn't you just love to jump into this picture, darlings????????  Just like they all did in "Mary Poppins."  Really, though, the summer has been rough--awful weather, people dropping like flies, as can be seen by some recent posts, and now Sinead O'Connor--at 56, no less!  Truthfully, I thought she was older.

                             At times like these a little Summer Victoriana would help.  If one cannot create this scene for themselves, one can delight in the beauty of the scene herein.  What a way to spend a summer afternoon.  And the clothes!!!!!!!!  Oh, my God, the finest designers!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             Hope this makes most of you feel somewhat better!  It does, for me!

                             Wouldn't it be fun, for one day, to dress up like another era?  Pick your time period and season!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               I bet ANNA would go for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, My God, Girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! When Gail Russell Runs Toward The Cliff.........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                       I had heard much about "The Uninvited," but I was unprepared for how well crafted a film it was.  The cinematography, by Charles Lang, Jr. was Oscar worthy, and though it was a clever riff of both "Rebecca" and "Cinderella" it was superb from start to finish.

                       This is probably the finest film "Svengoolie" has ever, and will ever, show.  The eerie seance scene. with the homemade Ouija board, and a wine glass acting as a planchette was unforgettable.  Gale Russell's vulnerability was put to good use here, as it would two years later, in the film that scared me as a child, "The Unseen."  I plan to watch that on YouTube, and do a post on it, for all of you.

                        How about Cornelia Otis Skinner channeling Judith Anderson, as Mrs. Danvers?  And the strong lesbian connection made me wonder how this got past the censors.  And Donald Crisp as a sort of evil guardian????????  Inspired, all the way.

                        To think the music composition "Stella By Starlight" came from this very film.  I have been listening to it for years, not knowing it was associated with this film.

                          Gail Russell's run to the cliff, and the ultimate revelations are highlights of this almost ahead of its time ghost film.  It is truly a film to be experienced.  And wouldn't it be great to see this on the big screen????????????????

                            Girls, I invite you to "The Uninvited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                            Now, go play with your planchettes, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, By Seeing "Barbie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                         So, girls, David and I saw "Barbie" yesterday.  He hated it.  I loved parts of it, and the movie was really going someplace in the first forty-five minutes, but then it loses its structural compass.

                         Meaning that when the film makes the fatal mistake of leaving Barbie Land, a place where all things are Barbie, everyone is Barbie, and everything is pink, and joyous and wonderful that this viewer hoped the movie would be eternally this, but no!  Barbie has to be plunked down in the Real World, here represented by Los Angeles, and from that point, who cares??????????????

                             Not to mention Ryan Gosling is the gayest Ken, yet the most sexless Ryan I have ever seen.  Not one ounce of sex appeal does Gosling suggest.  Even Margot Robbie projects a kind of wholesome Fifties sexuality.

                              Great as the early part of the film is, it cannot save it.  Although the costumes and set design in these sequences are Oscar worthy.

                                Poor Greta Gerwig. After 2019's superb "Little Women," this was a real letdown.  Apparently, what she did not understand was that the audience wanted to escape the Real World, rather than live in it, which is bad enough for all of us to do, anyway.  I wanted to remain in Barbie Land forever.

                                                                    

                                  Obviously, this is something Gerwig never realized.  Despite its top grosses this weekend, Gerwig could stand to lose potential Barbie lovers and those yearning for some Gay Camp.

                                  Gerwig seems wanting to create a fun movie, but ends up taking all the fun out of it!

"Keep The Best Of You, Do The Rest Of You!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                Darlings, I am telling you, they are just dropping like flies!!!!!!!!!!!  Now, the first female Original Cast member of "A Chorus Line" has passed on.  That is Pamela Blair, who originated the role of Val, pictured above, who scored a big success with the song "Dance: Ten, Looks: Three."

                                 The song was based on Blair's life of growing up in Vermont (Bennington) and wanting to be a Rockette.  The part about Val augmenting her body parts was based on dancer Mitzi Hamilton, whom I saw perform Val later in the run, and who staged the 2012 production out at the Paper Mill Playhouse, which David and I saw.

                                 Pamela also went on, in 1978, to originate the role of Amber, one of Madame Mona's girls in the original production of "The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas."  She led the company in one of the show's most famous songs, "Hard Candy Christmas."

                                                                

                  She was one of the so-called "Big Six" of "A Chorus Line," the ones with the larger and more affecting roles. Sadly, she was the only one not to be TONY nominated!  With Pamela gone, half of this group is gone, the other two being Sammy Williams and Robert LuPone.  Those still alive here are Donna McKechnie, Kelly Bishop, and Priscilla Lopez.

                     Pamela Blair was more than a Legend Of The American Musical Stage."  As one of the Original Cast members of what is arguably the most entertaining and artistic musical to emerge from twentieth century culture, she was also an icon.  And shall remain so.

                       Rest In Peace, Pamela.  You were a singular sensation.

                          Here is Pamela Blair doing what made her famous!  Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She Was An Actress, And A Legend Of The American Musical Stage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            She was also the mother of actress Mary Stuart Masterson.  I am talking about Carlin Glynn, who died, on July 13, 2023, at the age of 83.

                             Some might well ask me, what constitutes being a Legend Of The American Musical Stage?  Well, for me, it is when someone singlehandedly blows me away with at least one number I will remember forever.  When I saw "The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas," in 1978--The year of my first "Nutcracker,  come to think of it!''--Carlin Glynn blew me away when she sang "The Bus From Amarillo."  And every time I have heard her sing it, she still does.  And the few times I have sung this song myself, I think of her.

                             She was the original Madame Mona, and her performance, and that original production were unforgettable.  The man to her left is Henderson Forsythe, who played the sheriff in the original production, and passed away in 2006, at the age of 88.

                              

I was so sad to hear of Carlin Glynn's passing.  I can think of no better way to honor her, than to share her legendary moment with you all.

                           Here is Carlin Glynn singing "The Bus From Amarillo."

                           Rest In Peace, Carlin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Your Golden Sun Will Shine For Me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

 

                                                                                  

                         When Tony Bennett left this world on July 21, 2023, just 13 days before his 97th birthday, the first thing I thought of was my mother.  "I Left My Heart In San Francisco," which became one of his signature songs, was released in 1962.  I was 7 years old, and the family turntable was downstairs in our front room, in the right-hand corner near the bookshelves.  I used to sit there and listen to all my songs, Disney Story Records, and film soundtracks.  Once I switched to folk and rock, with puberty, the turntable went up to my room.

                           But in 1962, my mother bought a 45rpm of Tony Bennett singing the song mentioned above.  It was her favorite song, and the more I heard it, the more I appreciated Bennett's voice.  As an adult I can say this now, but probably could be shot--his voice was better than Sinatra's and lasted longer.  

                          Back to San Francisco.  When we went there, in 1964, it became my mother's favorite city.  She was so enamored of it, I thought we might move there!  Imagine, me, a West Coast kid.  Hard to envision now.

                            All of this came back to me when I heard of Bennett's passing.  He was an icon, who leaves behind an incredible legacy.  And he was in the 1966 trash classic "The Oscar," featuring Stephen Boyd and Elke Sommer, two live wires, and all-around great actors!  Duh!  Bennett was the only good thing in it.

                              I bid a sad farewell to Tony Bennett.  But not before I leave you with a recording of my favorite song of his.

                             Rest In Peace, Tony Bennett.  Your talent is now ours to treasure indefinitely.

Girls, Aren't There Just Some Days When You Feel Like Being A Fire Maiden From Outer Space?????????????????????????????

                         Now, darlings, I have yet to see the 1956 sci-fi classic, "Fire Maidens From Outer Space," but I have always wanted to.  Look at those scantily clad Fifties costumes!  Look at that choreography, which preceded "She Demons" by two years.  Can't you just picture Donna McKechnie in the center of it all, leading the company.  That would be a dream come true!

                           But really, dolls aren't there some days where you just want to kick off your shoes wear something different and dance your troubles away?  I can't think of a better example of how to do this than these Fire Maidens!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             I wonder who should design those dresses?  I wish ANNA would read this post.

                             Maybe she should think about a "VOGUE" femme outer space layout--or cover!

                            Dance those troubles away, darlings!  To hell with housework for a while!!!!!!!!!!!

My Paternal Grandmother Was Scarlett O'Hara!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                 No, darlings, none of us are related to or resemble Vivien Leigh; had it been so, I would have put those looks to use, I can tell you.

                                Today would have been my paternal grandmother's 142nd birthday.  She died in 1984, before her birthday, at the age of 102.

                                 She was a small, Irish woman, but, like Scarlett, she ran the show.

                                She gave birth to six children in the Bronx of the early twentieth century, Like Scarlett, she had them all at home.

                                She was strong and determined, like Scarlett.  When the 1918 flu epidemic hit New York City, she got the family out of the city, to New Brunswick, New Jersey.  Just like Scarlett got Melanie, the baby, and Prissy out of Atlanta, and back to Tara!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                She sent three boys to college, saw them survive World War II, and passed on her passion, and strength to me.  David says I am strong, but sometimes I doubt it.  But I can rise to the occasion.

                                 ANNA says Scarlett O'Hara was the most fashionable woman in American literature.  My grandmother may not have been a fashionista, but she traveled to America in steerage to create a better life for herself, and others, which she did.

                                 Every time I think of Scarlett, or watch Vivien Leigh enact her, I think of my paternal grandmother.

                                  Happy Birthday, Me Ma!  That's what we called her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Darlings, Join Us Tonight At 8PM, As "Svengoolie" Presents A Rarely Seen Gem, "The Uninvited.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                    This is such a treat, girls, because I have always wanted to see this, and I never thought it would turn up on "Svengoolie."  Many critics consider this the greatest ghost movie ever made, up there with 1961's "The Innocents," and 1963's "The Haunting."

                                      And it is not an original screenplay.  It is based on a British novel by writer Dorothy Macardle, called "Uneasy Freehold."  It was published in America as "The Uninvited," clearly the better title, and used for the film.

                                      What a sterling cast this has!  Ray Milland, Gail Russell, (Whose life and career was tragic, and who was in a film which scared me as a child, which I will discuss in the future, called "The Unseen," released in 1946.  Is it a lost film?  I am not sure!) Donald Crisp, Ruth Hussey, Dorothy Stickney, Cornelia Otis Skinner, and Alan Napier, later known as Alfred on TV's Sixties show, "Batman."

                                        All I know is that Milland and Russell play two siblings who purchase a house in Cornwall, England, plagued by a series of supernatural events.  The 1944 black-and-white cinematography looks lush, and this could promise to be the highlight of the "Svengoolie" season.  I know it is the best offering he has this month!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                          So join us at eight tonight, and watch this seldom seen classic.  Little Pippin is so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                             I advise you not to bring your Ouija boards, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                     

                                      

Girls, Send Your Thoughts And Prayers To Our Beloved Nicholas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             No, darlings, Nicholas has not left this world, but I just found out recently that he has been having a rough time.

                             The gentleman with whom Nicholas has been dwelling has not been treating our Nicholas well--ignoring him, not cleaning out his bowl or litter box--so Nicholas, became emotionally unhappy due to the neglect and began acting out by relieving himself anywhere he chose, and then running and hiding to conceal himself from everything.  Nicholas' owner found out, and took our friend to a vet, who determined that there was nothing physically wrong with Nicholas, it was emotional.

                              That's right, dears.  Nicholas was being emotionally abused!

                               Despite this despicable lack of compassion, I have to also feel for the owner, who had been battling cancer, and now it is coming back, so that, of course, will be his priority.

                               So, Nicholas' owner got in touch with a friend of his, who works at the Greek restaurant and cafe, Omonia.  He lives in Park Slope, loves cats, has several, but has a separate space just for Nicholas where he can have his privacy and independence. And this guy will be sure to give him lots of attention.

                                 But now Nicholas is further away from me and visiting him will be difficult.  Added to which he needs work on his teeth.  Meanwhile, his owner is facing triple bypass surgery.

                                  I would do anything to help Nicholas, but I am never given the opportunity.  I know Nicholas would love to see someone who genuinely loves him; I could feed, clean his box, and then just spend some time sitting with him--maybe reading--which might make Nicholas feel better, loved, and safe.

                                During the time Nicholas was at the other house, he was also losing weight.  Since he has been in Park Slope, for a month now, he has started to put on weight, a sign that he seems happier there.  And I hope the place has AC, because let me tell you, the other one did not.  And it looked like the interior of the Bates' house in "Psycho!!!!!!!!!!!"  And its owner was pretty much a Norman Bates type, but hardly as nice looking as Anthony Perkins!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               So, readers, please send your thoughts and prayers to our beloved Nicholas.  That includes Sister Camille, whom I am sure would, and Bernadette, who was a shepardess, and knows a thing or two about animals and healing.

                                  We only want the best for Nicholas!  So, send those wishes his way!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today Is "Barbie" Day, Girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            I mean, you know?  Like, everyone is going to go see "Barbie."  Darlings, I think each theater showing it should repaint the auditorium pink in honor of Barbie.  Pink has not dominated the screen so much since "Funny Face," back in 1957, so it is high time.

                             It will be the Gay Movie Of The Summer.  First, all that pink.  Then, the camp!  And how about Ryan Gosling as Ken?  He looks so gay!  Bet he bottoms out for Barb!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               And there is still Oscar buzz for Gosling?  You have GOT to be kidding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               But, hey, he's got nice abs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               Everyone run to see "Barbie," OK??????????????????

                                 It's a Barbie world, out there!  Get used to it, dolls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, How Was "Ghoulies 2," Darlings???????????????????????????

                               This picture says it all.  The best thing about "Ghoulies 2," was its setting, which was a travelling carnival.  Especially the spook house attraction, "Satan's Den," which made an excellent play space for the actors and the cute little Ghoulies who upstaged them all the way.

                                 Sure, there was Royal Dano --from "Killer Clowns From Outer Space," made the same year, and also known for its striking, colorful visuals. --as Uncle Ned, playing the Grayson Hall role here, only where was Grayson?  Maybe after "Gargoyles" sixteen years before she just couldn't take it.  And would you believe, girls, that Kerry Remsen, as Nicole was the daughter of actor Bert Remsen, who appeared in Altman's 1975 masterpiece, "Nashville?"  Cute kid, but I guess the Remsen talent skipped a generation.

                                 Sadly, this was the last theatrically released "Ghoulies" film, and the last made by director Albert Band and his production team, all of whom used stop animation puppetry for the cuties. When the franchise was taken over by some hack, they used actors in costumes; it did not work, and the two film, 3 and 4, went straight to video.

                                  The one sequence that stands out here was borrowed from 1983's "Sleepaway Camp."  One of the murder scenes in that film had a guy on the toilet, while the killer, through a window overhead, threw in a beehive, provoking the creatures, who killed him on the commode.  In "Ghoulies 2" the hetero corporate pig--Are there any other kind?--is dealt the same bit when a ghoulie comes up from below the commode and bites him in places he never thought of being bit.  The look on his face is hilarious, and the character so despicable it is easy to cheer the ghoulie on.

                                  The climax is explosive, destroying the nasty large Ghoulie, who is just nasty, not cute.  Witchcraft and demonology are dragged into this, and the film becomes convoluted.

                                    My advice, unless you really care, is to watch this film up to where Mr. Hardin (played by a young Jay Downing) is killed sitting on the can!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                     But a colorful carnival and cute ghoulies can't be beat for hilarious fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                       I bet some "Svengoolie" fans out there will have designed a room in their house, like Satan's Den!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                   

                                       

What The Hell Is "Haxan?" And How Can I See It????????????????????????

                                                                                   

                                                                                     

                                                                                     

                           I am surprised I have never written on here about Benjamin Christensen's 1922 film, because, for one thing, that nun image is familiar to me, and I have to wonder whether or not Ken Russell was influenced by this when putting together his 1971 film, "The Devils."

                             This 1922 film is billed as a horror/documentary.  This might possibly be the first mockumentary ever made.  I thought it was a lost film, like "London After Midnight," but clearly it is out there somewhere, and I have GOT to see this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                              Witches, possessed nuns, Satanic rituals--I am on board to see this.  The images recall early Melies, but the use of black and white is what makes some silent films so interesting, so more visually arresting than more contemporary, talking films.

                                   Get out your whips, girls, dress like a nun, and flagellate yourselves!!!!!!!!!!!

                                    It could be a night of devilish fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                   How can I see "Haxan," girls????????????????????

                                                                                    

This Image Made Me Laugh So Much It Turned Up In One Of My Dreams!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                         Does anyone on here remember the 1935 "Little Rascals" short called "Beginner's Luck?" This was the one where Kitty Kelly, as Spanky's mother, goes all stage mother on him, thinking she can turn him into a Shakespearean actor.  Spanky is not too keen on it; he wants to be a regular kid, (The situation is ironic, considering the child actors involved in these films.) and his grandmother, played by May Wallace, concurs.  Mother enters him in a talent contest, billing him as "The Noblest Roman Of Them All." Before the show, he tells the gang to show up, and go after him with all their ammunition, enabling him to lose the contest, which he wants, because should he win, there will be more of this.

                        Things take a turn, when Spanky, backstage, encounters a little girl named Daisy, and her mother.  They are poor, and winning the contest is very important to them.  Spanky asks his mother if he wins the contest, can he do what he wants with the money.  She says yes, and he tells Daisy this famous line--"Girlie, the dress is in the bag."  Spanky then tells his mother to tell the gang that he wants to win, and she does.  But the gang does not understand that Spanky wants them to not go at him; instead, they think he wants them to amp it up further.

                           Which they do, and it turns out to be hilarious, and the audience loves it.  At one point, Daisy asks the announcer if Spanky is going to win the prize.  He tells her he won the prize three minutes ago.  She repeats to her mother, "Mommy, the dress is in the bag!"

                              Poor Spanky's mother is humiliated by all this, crawling around backstage trying to protect her son.  At one point, some curtain gets caught in the fabric of the mother's clothing, and the grandmother, backstage, and fed up with the whole thing, laughingly says, "Here's where we stop the show!"  The announcer says, "Go ahead!"  So Granny rings up the curtain, and the mother's clothes come off, leaving her in her undies, albeit with a slip.  This cannot be fully shown; it was after all, a 1930's children's short, so, while the audience laughs, Spanky grabs a stand-up canvass and places it in front of his mother, giving her this dog-ish, yet, from an adult perspective, rather eroticized look.

                            It also looks like an outtake from Tod Browning's 1932 masterpiece, "Freaks!"

                                 The image of this is hilarious, and I have always remembered it.  Last night, with a lot of worries on my mind, this appeared to me in a dream.   I dreamt the sequence I just described, right down to the photo, above.  A sign from the Divine?  I think so; He knew I needed something to laugh about.

                                    Darlings, you have got to see "Beginner's Luck."  It is one of the best of "The Little Rascals" shorts.

                                       And it marked the debut of Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Girls, It's Time To Talk About The Gilgo Beach Killer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             I am sure we can all agree that Rex Heurermann is scum.  But, darlings, let's stop calling him the Gilgo Beach Killer.

                               Sure, the victims, as mentioned, have been confimred as his victims.  But what about the other remaining bodies?  He may or may not be responsible for those.  And the remains also include those of a man and a child.

                                  Which confirms all my theories.  First, the fact that he lives Long Island is telling, because that place, apart from being the birth of Suburbia, with Levittown, is also known as "Serial Killer Central."  Gilgo Beach has always struck me as some kind of general dumping ground for serial killers in the area--and there are more than one.  

                                       Of course, should I be wrong, and Heurermann turns out to be the killer of all, then he deserves that title.  But until then he should be referred to as One Gilgo Killer.

                                         I mean, girls, this is like something out of "American Monster" on ID!!!!!!!!!!!!!   A wife and two daughters?  Either the wife looked the other way, or more likely, was afraid for her life and her daughters'.  Can you blame her?  I hope they split, and she serves up divorce papers right away.

                                           This is major stuff, dolls.  But until the other victims are identified and linked to their killers, this is not over.   And let me tell you one more thing.

                                               Time will never diminish this place's history. Gilgo Beach will never be a vacation spot again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Sad Farewell To Elise Finch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                          It was part of our evening routine.   After "Judge Judy," we switched to CBS News, because I felt that is where the best reporting came from.  Not to mention the best weather forecasting.

                            Girls, we all adore Lonny Quinn.  Hubba Hubba.   But the others--John Elliott, and Vanessa Murdock were more than competent.

                               But there was something special about Elise Finch.

                              She did weather broadcasts beautifully.  And her smile was radiant in front of the camera.  She really cared about what she was doing.

                              But, by her example, her smile, her hair, and the way she dressed, she sent out the message that plus sized people can be attractive.  She would have done ANNA proud.

                               Sure that might not have been Elise's intention, but the message was left upon m any people, I am sure.  She made me think twice about how I dress.

                                 That her death was sudden, and not even known yet, is as sad as her dying is.  She left us all too soon, but her mark was left on TV, on the world, in multiple ways.

                                  Her hometown of Mt. Vernon, NY will mourn her.  As will all readers on here.

                                   Rest In Peace, Elise.  In your own, quiet way, you were a trailblazer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                      

Girls, Join Us Tonight At 8PM, As The Fun Continues With "Ghoulies 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                   Those little cuties are back, darlings, to spread mayhem, and menace a bunch of actors who went nowhere, so I can tell you this show will belong to the Ghoulies.

                                     Isn't the poster cute?  Now they are coming out of the tank, as well as the commode.

                                      Little Pippin cannot wait to see this one.

                                     And I still have to say--"Sventoonie" is missed, and the added half hour of "Svengoolie" does not add anything.  After the movie ends, I usually go to the kitchen or bathroom, and miss the last, dull half hour.

                                      But don't let me bring you down, girls!  Join us tonight for some ghoulish fun!

                                      And after the toilet, where will they pop out from, next???????????????.

                                    

Let's Get Rid Of The Mean People!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But How????????????????????????????

                           There are these production companies like Supermission, Generation Of Hope, and Moci Studios, who make what would in another time have been called public service films.  These are meant to teach compassion and understanding for interacting with different types of people.

                             The two environments most shown are the workplaces of our lives--school and the job.

                               The Mean Girl scenarios are pretty standard, but deadly to watch, because they are so young.  But when adults, like above, act this way, there is no excuse.  The favored scenario is the job applicant treating an underling as though beneath him/her, unaware that the so-called underling is actually the CEO.

                                  If any of you have been in similar situations, having been looked down upon, or dissed, without any reason, these videos should be a morale booster.

                                   And for those out there who do behave as badly portrayed--take a good look at yourselves in these, films, and then in the mirror.

                                     Oh, the mirror might just crack, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Darlings, The "Ghoulies" Were The Cutest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                       Girls, I am telling you, the man operated puppets who played their title roles in "Ghoulies," last week's "Svengoolie" broadcast, were so brilliant they upstaged the human actors.

                        I could actually have done without the human actors; even early Mariska Hargitay proved she was not much then, and she is not much now.  I bet she is so high and mighty, having played Olivia Benson for nearly a quarter century she does not even acknowledge having been in this film.

                          But "Ghoulies" was fun in a perverse sort of way.  Just not perverse enough.

                         And it could have used Grayson Hall to liven things up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another Lesson Learned From Rona Jaffe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                       No girl should be without a circlet of orange blossoms.  Now, wait a minute, I know they are generally used for weddings, but why not use it as a lovely fashion accessory?  And while orange is ideal, I would be proud to wear a circlet of pink blossoms!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                        I haven't been this informed by a novel since reading Mary McCarthy's "The Group," at age 16!!!!!!!!!!!!   And it still holds up, by the way, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                         But, really, girls, isn't this just the loveliest thing???????????  I wonder who the best designer for it is?????????????????????????????

                           Delacroix?  Balenciaga???????????  Vera Wang????????????????

                           Hey, ANNA, what do you think????????????????

Something I Learned From Reading "The Best Of Everything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                             So, girls, I have about 166 pages left to read in Rona Jaffe's novel, and I am telling you, it is so full of life lessons for us all.  Now, the above is certainly true, but the one I want to talk about is not using communal facial powder in the Ladies or Gentlemen's, shall we say, lounge?

                             It is simply not safe.  Or sanitary.  Girls, you don't know whose face it has been on before you, or where they have been!   Would you jeopardize your face, your looks, with such careless behavior?????????????

                              Of course not.  Which is why it is important to keep one's own personal compact or foundation at all times!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Why trust your face to something strange??????????????

                               So, remember this beauty tip--personal, not public?????????????????????

                               I mean, so GROSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Bastille Day, Everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                          Yes, darlings, this is the day, back in 1789, I believe, when the French Revolution kicked off.  And no, my dears, it has nothing to do with "Les Misérables," because that was another time period and political conflict.  So many seem to think that if a story is set in period French and has a war of some sort, then it is the French Revolution!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Learn your history, dears!!!!!!!!!!!  Read Victor Hugo or Charles Dickens and see the difference.  Vive la France!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                          So, how should one celebrate this day?  Not watching "Gigi," that's for sure!  

                          Some French cuisine would be nice.  At least some coq au vin!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                           But I think the best way is to watch the Selznick "A Tale Of Two Cities," where Blanche Yurka, as Madame Defarge, steals the show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                             

                            Here is Blanche Yurka in one of her finest moments in the film!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            A Happy Bastille Day To All!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!