The Clock Is Ticking Down On My Sixties.......Just Three Days To Go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                    "Watch those birthdays marching by, gaily, one by one,                                                                               "Keep in step, and don't be shy, growing up is fun!"                                                                                      ----Paul Tripp, "Birthday House (1963)

                                  Sure, growing up was fun, when you are seven!  But seventy!  Aaargh!!!!!!!!!!! Sometimes I crawl out of bed to make coffee.  Others, I leap out of bed with boundless energy.  It is called age, darlings.  And the older I get the more I realize the old saying was right--it IS a privilege!!!!!!!!!!!

                             Three days from today, I turn 70.  I can hardly believe it.  I am here, and I am not in a rocking chair, with a knitting needle......Oh, no, darlings, not me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                I am writing this in advance because on the day I will not be here.  I will be in NYC, staying at The Algonquin, where I am looking forward to seeing Hamlet, the cat, and we will be seeing a couple of shows.

                                 Two shows I know we will be seeing are "Communion," a one-man exploration of his experiences at being gay and Catholic.  It may not be Jennifer Jones, but I can relate to it and am fascinated to hear what he says.

                                     The other show, on Wednesday, will be "The Roommate," with Mia Farrow, and Patti LuPone.  Please, girls, both of you be there!  Please!  I especially want to see Mia!!!!!!!!!!!  Forewarned is forearmed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                        As for the rest here is what interests me--

                                       "Once Upon A Mattress"                                                                                                                               "SIX"                                                                                                                                                             "Our Town"                                                                                                                                                   "Stereophonic" (maybe)                                                                                                                                 "Sunset Boulevard"

I Am So Honored To Share My Birthday, November 18th, With One Of The Legends Of The American Musical Stage--Dorothy Collins, The Original Sally Durant Plummer In 1971's "Follies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                   The stars must have been aligned for me, darlings.  I must have been meant to spend my life in the arts, having been born the same week as so many of my favorite Musical Theater performers.

                                   It is no surprise, then, that I was drawn to "Follies" and Dorothy Collins.  The show is one of my favorite musicals, and she was the definitive Sally Durant Plummer.  Oh, my God, how I would love to sing "Losing My Mind" in that pink dress!  But no one sang it as plaintively as Dorothy Collins did.  She was extraordinary, and her memory and legend live on, as she is honored on her birthday, right here on this blog!!!!!!!!!!!

                                     I wouldn't mind playing Sally in "Follies" myself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                     Here is Dorothy Collins' signature rendition of "Losing My Mind," from "Follies."  Beautiful and heartbreaking!  Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

November 17th Is A Very Special Day--The Birthday Of Musical Theater Legend Neva Small!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                  Most of you know Neva from her role as Chava in the 1971 film version of "Fiddler On The Roof.'  But she started out as a child actress on the Broadway stage.  She actually auditioned for one of the younger daughters in the original Broadway production of 'Fiddler.'  She did not get it; instead, it took composer and lyricist Bob Merrill to recognize Neva as the legend she was.

                                     He was crazy about her work in "Henry, Sweet Henry," back in 1967, and created for her the number that made her a Legend Of The American Musical Stage--"I Wonder How It Is."

                                      If "RAGS" had been done ten years earlier, it surely would have been Neva belting out the dramatic title tune.  Nothing on Judy Kuhn, who was brilliant, but what a song that would have been for Neva.

                                     It was "The Prince Of Grand Street" with Robert Preston, that Merrill saw as making Neva into a big star.  Alas, it never made it to Broadway.  Still, if one searches, one can hear the number Merrill wrote for Neva to make her stand out--"A Place In The World."

                                       And Neva shares a place in my life, darlings.  Not only because our birthdays are next to each other (though two years apart; she will be 72), and the 'Fiddler' film, but I have seen Neva in shows and concerts, as well as meeting her at The Actors Temple, and 54 Below.  She was so charming and gracious.  At 54 Below, she signed my album cover of "Henry, Sweet Henry," which proudly hangs on the wall in our foyer.

                                         So, Happy Birthday, Neva.  Enjoy being a grandmother or whatever your heart desires.

                                         And let us hear from your talent, once in a while!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             Here is "I Wonder How It Is," the number that made Neva Small a Legend Of The American Musical Stage."  Enjoy!

On November 16th, Two Iconic Musicals Opened On Broadway--22 Years Apart!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                              The first, of course, was "The Sound Of Music," the last collaboration between Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II.  Yes, Julie Andrews owns it now, but six years before, Mary Martin and Company introduced it to the world.  So, on this day, we honor that.  It paved the way for a cinematic legacy sure to outlive us all.  And can you name the Broadway actors who originated the roles of the Von Trapp Children?  I can, and here they are--Lauri Peters, as Liesl, William Snowden as Friedrich, Kathy Dunn as Louisa, Joseph Stewart as Kurt, Marilyn Rogers, as Brigitta, Mary Susan Locke as Marta and Evanna Lien as Gretl.  Marilyn Rogers, who originated Brigitta, died on October 10, 2010, just six days after her 63rd birthday.  She also originated the role of Amaryllis in "The Music Man" in 1957.

                               The opening was just two days before my fifth birthday, so I don't think my parents were inclined to haul me into NYC for a Broadway show, even though I would have loved it.  They were never too keen on NYC itself.  Especially my mother.

                                  I was singing "The Sound Of Music" before I realized it.  I had a 45RPM of Mitch Miller and The Children from "The Sound Of Music," singing "Do-Re-Mi."  I used to play that all the time and sing along with it.  Who knew?

                                    Realistically, this show turns 65 years old today.  Double that, and many more!

                            This is also a big day for "Merrily We Roll Along," which opened on November 16, at the then Alvin, now Neil Simon Theatre, in 1981.  Historical note, the actor pictured to the far left is not Jim Walton, but James Weissenbach, who was originally cast as Franklin Shepard, but was later replaced by Jim Walton, so there was no time to redo the cover pic.  Yes, this show opened 43 years ago, and because of Maria Friedman's 2023 Broadway production with the extraordinary cast of Jonathan Groff, Lindsay Mendez, and Daniel Radcliffe, who most deservedly won a TONY for his touching portrayal of Charley Kringas, 'Merrily' is finally being recognized for the quality show some of us back then, such as myself, knew it was.  I am glad I lived long enough to see its validation, and I look forward to seeing at least one more 'Merrily' before I am done. Hell, I would love to be in 'Merrily.'

                         Happy Birthday to a show I have strong ties to, having met so many Original Cast members, seen the film documentary, and have admired its score for decades.  

                           You time has come, 'Merrily!!!!!!!!!!!'  Live on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            I can't think of a day to equal November 16 in Musical Theater History!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today We Speed Things Up On Here--November 16th Is The Birthday Of Two Legendary Theater Icons!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                      Let's start with the greatest showstopper in Broadway history--Donna McKechnie. She is somewhere in her eighties; my guess is she will turn eighty-four tomorrow.  However, she is not to be held back.  If "A Chorus Line" company anywhere needed her, she could go on as Cassie in a moment's notice.  She still performs, and choreographs, and teaches at the HB Studio.  She continues to astonish and amaze.

                                        Happy Birthday, Donna!   Continue your merry dance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                November 16 is the birthday of another icon--Martha Plimpton.  She would be famous alone as being the daughter of Shelley Plimpton, who introduced my favorite song from "HAIR," "Frank Mills."  But she has become quite an actress on her own, both stage and screen.  I always look for whatever Martha is appearing in, because I know she will give an arresting performance.  Tomorrow Martha turns 54, and still looks as youthful as when she first appeared on the scene.

                                   Happy Birthday, Martha!   This certainly is a special day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Girls, This Is A MUST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Barbie Christmas Cookie Dream House!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                           Isn't this just precious, darlings?  And with pink frosting, no less.

                                           Of course, pink should be everywhere.  I just finished reading this 600 plus pager called "Caledonian Road," by Andrew O'Hagan, and the most important thing I learned is--when attending an evening party in London, one is required to wear something by Tory Burch.  I looked online, and found some beautiful pink suits, shirts, and ties.  Now I just need pink shoes to match.

                                             But back to Barbie's Christmas Cookie Dream House.  Darlings, let this inspire you to go wild this holiday season with pink--how about a pink Christmas tree?  I know they are out there!

                                               Really, kids, this Christmas house is a delight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                              A MUST for anyone's holiday season!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My God, Darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This Is A New York City Cockroach!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                Girls, I am telling you, I was scared out of my mind!!!!!!!!!!!!   Several evenings ago, I went to the kitchen counter, late evening, before bedtime, to lay out my evening medications.  I suddenly saw something move, and you should have seen the size of it.  I screamed so loud, but David was already asleep, and did not hear me.  I told him, and I cowered in our bed, because I was afraid we were going to be menaced, trapped in our rooms, like helpless victims.  True, Baby Gojira was on hand but what could he do, and I was not about to let anything harm him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               This is what one is up against, living in New York City.  I am not about to leave, but I am not about to be overtaken by some cockroach.  Yet they are getting larger and more aggressive.  If one bites me, not only will I go to Urgent Care, but I will also think about checking for another locale.

                                How to avoid it?  Creepy, crawly things are everywhere!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                But I will not tolerate THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  

This Show Was NOT Becoming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                          It has taken me a week to process seeing "Death Becomes Her," the musical adaptation of the 1992 film at the Lunt-Fontanne theater.  But then, I ask myself, what the hell was there to process????????????

                                            I never saw the film, but the adaptation seems pretty straightforward.  Megan Hilty, Jennifer Simard, and the always reliable Christopher Sieber step in for Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn and Bruce Willis, with Michelle Williams substituting for Isabella Rosellini.  As if she could.

                                                As if any of them could, darlings.  The sets by Derek McLane and the costumes by Paul Tazwell are eye catching, but it takes more than visual eye candy to make a show, and this one fails miserably.

                                                When the hell, girls, did Megan Hilty get so chunky?  No matter what gorgeous gown she is wrapped in, I could not take my eyes off those wide hips.  The usually hot and hunky Mr. Sieber is dressed throughout like a eunuch, and his role, down to the songs he sings are emasculated as well.  This man was in "Company," the Sondheim masterpiece.  Was this all there was for him out there?

                                                     But it is not his fault, entirely.  The book by Marco Pennette, with Music and Lyrics by Julia Mattison and Noel Carey make no difference, and besides, one cannot hear them.  You've heard me discourse on belting on the Broadway stage.  Well, that is all the Misses Hilty and Simard do throughout; the problem is, the louder they get, the less one can hear and understand what is being sung.  So, why add music at all?  Not only is this disappointing, but it was also frustrating.

                                                           Still, I learned something from "Death Becomes Her," which is bad theater.  Not everything needs to be turned into a musical, and all the visual trappings cannot save a show devoid of a competent book and served with an even more incompetent score that, for the most part, is sung incompetently.

                                                              I hated it.  But the way things are going, who am I to say?

                                                              The way things are going, this could turn out to be the season's TONY winner.

                                                               In which case, the Culture Ship has sunk, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Domesticate Your Domesticity, Darlings, With Creme Anglaise!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                              Forget that Fifties housewife schtick, girls, pineapple tapioca is SO dated!!!!!!!!!!!!

                              Instead, bring elegance to your dining table, with creme anglaise.  It is actually custard, but creme anglaise sounds classier.  It goes great with or over fruit--I am not so sure about meat, chicken or vegetables--but biscuits or plain pasty will do.

                                This is certainly the way to any man or woman's heart.  Yes, it may clog the arteries a bit, but the trick is not to have too much too often.

                                  Nevertheless, it is always good to have creme anglaise on hand.

                                  And whipping some up can transform a drab meal into elegance!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                  So, get going, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How Many On Here Remember This Book????????????????????

                                It was published the year before I was born, which was 1953.  Its author was a woman named Marian Potter, and it has never been out of print.

                                While struggling to fall asleep, several nights ago, this idea popped into my head.  Isn't "The Little Red Caboose" the counterpart to "The Little Engine That Could?"

                                  As I recall the 1953 book, the caboose was always unhappy being the last on the train, feeling less important than the other cars.  Now, if I am wrong, please tell me, but doesn't something happen, where the caboose becomes a hero by pushing the train from behind, or something? I don't have a text handy, but that is what I recall.

                                   I loved this book, as I did all my Little Golden Books.  I started my librarian training by arranging them differently, by colors, pictures, and when I could read, by title.  I was in training, and never knew it!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                     How I wished I had kept all my Little Golden Books!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can You Believe It, Darlings?????????????? Another Year, And Another Musical Theater Week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                        Girls, I am telling you, that time is here again.  This year, however, things will be a little sped up, because I will in the city from Saturday till about midweek.  I will not be on here to celebrate my birthday, so everything will have to be posted, prior.

                         But let us start with today.  Once again, we celebrate the legend of Sammy Williams, who originated the role of Paul, in "A Chorus Line," and won a TONY for it.  No one did the monologue as spot on as Sammy.

                         Today is his birthday--he is our first Musical Theater Week celebrity--and he would have been 76 today.  He left us too soon, on March 17, 2018.  Rest In Peace, Sammy, you left an incredible legacy behind, and it is fitting you are the first one celebrated on here, during Musical Theater Week.

                                Here is Sammy in his original, signature role, in the original production.

                                Never to be forgotten, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               And....Happy Musical Theater Week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Holiday Season Has Unofficially Begun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I Saw The First Advertisement This Morning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                 I know, for most, the Holiday Season begins with Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.  But, for me, it unofficially starts when I see the first ad for the NYC Ballet's annual Christmas presentation of George Balanchine's "The Nutcracker."  This year, the ballet, created and first performed in 1954, will turn 70, just like me, and Gojira's movie stardom!!!!!!!!!!!!  What a November!

                                 I used to go to this frequently, and I have done so with David, but with tickets at such a premium high, who can afford it?  True, there are no more debtors' prisons, but who wants to deal with excessive debt?  Apparently, it does not bother many, especially at this time of year.

                                  I cannot predict what the future will be, but I have had this idea for a long time.  The year 2028 will mark fifty years since I saw my first "Nutcracker," back in 1978.  I was still living in Highland Park, and both my parents were still alive.  I had no idea what was in store, then, nor do I, now.  But, if I can, I would like to make it to a 2028 performance.

                                   To those never having gone, I urge you to.

                                   It is one of the holiday traditions in New York City, where one is guaranteed to find theatrical magic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Happy Birthday, Stanley Tucci!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             Today is the birthday of a great actor and a great Cuisenaire--Stanley Tucci.  This handsome fellow is 64--same age as my beloved, and, darlings, I am telling you, we should look as good as both at their ages.

                              Stanley spends so much time cooking for others, I hope someone takes the time out to cook for him on his birthday.  Like, Meryl Streep?

                                 My birthday is a week from today, and we have plans, but some year I would not mind having Mr. Tucci come over here and work his kitchen on David and me.   

                                   So, Happy Birthday, Stanley Tucci, and many more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                   And make some good movies.  Our culture is badly in need of them!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Veterans Day, Darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                              Girls, for me this date is doubly personal.  Before this date became Veterans Day, it was the date my paternal grandparents were married--- 11/11 /11---that is right, dears.  So, the day was one to celebrate long before it became a Federal Holiday.

Three of the children from those grandparents' marriage--my father, and uncles Jack and James--were in the war--WWII.  So, they are all veterans, as was my maternal grandfather.  So, Veterans Day is very special for me.

For everyone it is a day to pause and reflect.  When times are peaceful, whom do we owe that to?   Our fellow servicemen, and servicewomen, of course.   And it is the young who do the fighting, which makes it doubly sad whenever some vet is lost to war.  

So, how to honor these men and women on Veterans Day?  I have a delightfully, campy, Raving Queen idea.

Here, though colorized, are Shirley Temple, Jack Haley, and Alice Faye, singing "I Love A Military Man," from 1936's "Poor Little Rich Girl."

Happy Veterans Day, one and all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This Is Actually A Sad Day, Darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                             

                            Who could have foreseen that November 9 would become a twice iconic date for tragedy?

                            Eighty-six years ago, in Germany, Kristallnacht. the "Night Of Broken Glass," took place.  People who were technically Nazis, destroyed the businesses of Jewish merchants by shattering the windows of their stores, curtailing their livelihood.  It was the start of the horrors to come, and while history may prove me wrong, I personally consider this event as the start of the Holocaust.

                         Then, thirty-three years later, another horror took place in Westfield, New Jersey. A horror that went global.

                             The John List Murders are still the gold bar set for family annilhation.   they took place on this date, in 1971.  I don't know if List was aware of the Kristallnacht connection, though he was of German descent.  The event was to take place on November 1, which is why he let his eldest daughter, Patty, who would be my age if alive, have a Halloween party at the house.  But for reasons I can't fathom, he could not go through with his plan on that day.

                               Eight days later, List did--murdering his mother, wife, and three children--Patty, John, Jr. and Frederick--with a shotgun. He laid the bodies out serenely in the ballroom.  He did this because he was a failed businessmen who wanted to save his children and family from what he called "the horrors of the world."  Like, he couldn't give them a choice?  He planned to kill himself, and the whole family would be found dead.  He did not have the courage of his convictions and went on the lam for well over a decade. Eventually he was captured, thanks to John Walsh's program "America's Most Wanted." He died on March 21, 2008 at St. Francis Hospital in Trenton, New Jersey.

                                I hope his family each gave him a good smack in the face, when he got to the other side.

                                He set the gold standard for family annilhators.

                               Unfortunately, these type of crimes still go on.

                                Today, we remember both events!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               

Girls, I Think We Will Watch Something Else Tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                            Tonight, darlings, "Svengoolie" is showing Vincent Price in "The Abominable Dr. Phibes," from 1971.  He did several Dr. Phibes films, and I have seen them all, on this program.  

                                               Darlings, if you have never seen it, then give it a look.  The sets are lavish for a film of this type, like some Technicolor Flash Gordon fantasy, with costumes to match.  Too bad the story is labored and drawn out.  Vincent Price did not get brilliant with this type of film until "Theatre Of Blood," in 1973, which I wish "Svengoolie" would show.  It is not to be missed.

                                                  Those having seen any of the 'Phibes' films can skip this one.  So, tonight we will watch something else.  I haven't any idea what yet, but you know I will give you a full report!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                    Happy viewing, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

"I Welcome You To Crackerbox Palace! Do What The Rest All Do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                            When I first heard this song by George Harrison, I thought "Crackerbox Palace" was some magical place, where everything was colorful and fanciful, and people did harmlessly as they please. Comparable to Eugene Field's "The Sugar-Plum Tree," which "blooms on the shore of Lollipop Sea, in the garden of Shut-Eye Town."

                          Wouldn't it be nice to go there, darlings?  Instead, "Crackerbox Palace" has become the craziness of life--mine and others.  "Do what the rest all do" takes on frightening meaning, as I refuse to be lured into some Orwellian nightmare.  Screw that!!!!!!!!!!

                              It makes me want to withdraw from the world, not march to it.  But then, girls, remember Scarlett--O'Hara, that is.  She refused to embrace anything and went her own way!  And that is what I am going to do!  Even the Jefferson Starship, with Grace Slick, said, "You can go your own way!" And I plan to.

                               But, girls, how much simpler and nicer it would be to visit the fanciful "Crackerbox Palace."

This Is What We Are In For, Darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             Only it will be us, the Northerners, spread out, like this shot of the Atlanta railroad scene in "Gone With The Wind."

                               David announced Trump's victory in the middle of the night, as I struggled with sleep and a headache, brought on by this contentious election.

                                Now awake, the actuality is worse.  Brace yourselves people, for what is to come!  Find a place to flee to, and take those hatboxes, like Aunt Pittypatt!!!!!!!

                                   If ever there was a time for Mary to make an earthly visitation, this is it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                   The deed is done, and now we must live with it.

                                   So, it was.  So, it is.

                                  How shall we be?

"Madame President? The Chairperson Recognizes Lucy Ricardo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                                                           

                                  Well, girls, here it is.... Election Day!   The day we have awaited and/or dreaded.  I am telling you, no matter what, it will be contentious.  If Madame gets in, there will be trouble up until inauguration day, ranging from violence to Civil War.   It will be just like "Gone With The Wind," except the Southerners will be in the Yankees position.  As for us Northerners, we will be screwed.  The South has been saying they will rise again, since 1865, and this may just be their chance.

                                       Now, if The Opponent--I cannot even mention the name!!!!!!!--gets in, there will be Civil War violence directed at us too.  The only difference is the aforementioned scenario will be engineered by the supporters; in this case it will be engineered by The Opponent himself.  Meaning things could get far worse!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                         I have never felt so worried about this day as I have this one.  I cannot recall an Election Day in my entire life that made me feel the way I do over this one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                         I am telling you, darlings, this is worse than when Lucy ran against Ethel for President Of The Fine Arts Club!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Today To Two Iconic Legends!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                                 

                                        Who would have thought two such different, yet iconic individuals would have the same birthday?   

                                           Today, our lovable reptile friend, Gojira, turns 70, having made his debut in America in a Los Angeles art house, back in 1954.  The same year I was born, darlings, which means in just 15 days, I am going to turn 70.

                                               Anna Wintour--or ANNA, to those of us who recognize her power! --turns 75 today.  Gojira and ANNA!  What a combination, and I am sure each is honored to celebrate the birthday of the other.    

                                                 Both don't look a day, or year older, than they did.  Both look fabulous, because they are, darlings!

                                                  We love you, Gojira and ANNA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                  Have the happiest of birthdays, dears!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!        

                                                  November just keeps getting great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!                       

Happy All Souls Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                        Some call this the Day Of The Dead.  Which makes me think of the woman in 'Streetcar,' going about the street saying "Flores por les mortes."

                          All Souls Day, which I prefer, is when we remember loved ones, friends and family, who have gone before us.  I think of my parents, grandparents, and friends who have gone before me, most recently my friend Steve, who passed April 3, and had he lived would be celebrating his 70th birthday on our natal day.  I will be thinking of him, then.

                             Make sure to say some prayers today for those remembered and deeply missed.

                              The saints get November 1, the souls November 2.

                               That covers all, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Belated Greetings, From Frankenstein And The Dwarf!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                           That is Colin Clive, as Henry Frankenstein, and the great Dwight Frye, as his hunchbacked assistant, Fritz.  I have to laugh at the opening of 1935's "The Bride Of Frankenstein," where the actor playing Lord Byron refers to Fritz as a "dwarf."  How could Universal allow such inaccuracy???????

                           Well, "Plant now, dig later," as the saying goes.  Today is All Souls Day, and these two wanted to be on hand to wish all a happy Halloween, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day!  Wasn't that generous of them?????????????

                            This shot is from the 1931 original "Frankenstein."  What artistry and camerawork; just look at that shot.  No wonder I could not resist putting it in a post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            So, greetings to all, dears, and have a marvelous weekend!!!!!!!!!!!

Girls, Join Us Tonight At 8PM, As "Svengoolie" Presents 1932's "The Mummy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                          Darlings, this is the one and only of all Mummy movies.  It has that artistry common to early Universal horror films, and a sterling cast; besides Karloff, there is Zita Johnan, Edward Van Sloan, and the good-looking David Manners.  What a lineup!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                            This is the one where Karloff plays Im-Ho-Tep, who unfortunately yearns for Princess Anck-Su-Namon, played by the great Zita Johann.  He is found out, and, in a frightening sequence is captured and tortured alive, having his tongue cut out, and being mummified and placed in an Egyptian tomb, while still alive!  This disturbed me as a child, and it still does.  So, sensitive souls, be careful here.

                                             What follows is the usual Universal formula.  Karloff's mummy is resurrected, and he searches for his princess.  He finds her in a latter-day Zita Johann.  Will true love run its course? That is what you will have to find out, girls, because I do not remember.  And I would never reveal a spoiler.

                                                 "The Mummy" was directed by Karl Freund, which gives it some artistic panache.  David Manners can barely read a line, but he sure is good to look at.

                                                     This is one of two gems being shown this month--the following three are lousy--so make the most of this special evening!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                       See you, tonight at 8PM, girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy All Saints Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            Today, darlings, is the Feast Of All Saints, and I went to 9AM mass this morning.  My you know what is dragging now, so I don't know how this post will go.

                              This day is to honor those who did things for us selflessly.  Not only those saints we may be named after, but our favorites--like mine, which are Bernadette, St. Jude, and The Fatima Children--Lucia dos Santos, Francisco Martos, and the holiest of them all, Jacinta Martos!  What that child suffered for us, darlings, I am telling you!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                 And not to forget the living saints who walk among us unrecognized, except by those who know.  Like my David, and, of course, Sister Camille D'Arienzo.

                                    How about those who have gone, like my parents, grandparents, and friends?

                                  Did you feel the presence of the saints at your service, like above?  I sure did, darlings, though I was not quite awake.

                                    What a divine way to kick off November, loves!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Darlings, Can You Believe It????????? We Are In The 11th Month!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            And almost the eleventh hour of the year, as the clock ticks relentlessly.

                           This month is filled with events galore, not to mention my birthday, which is a milestone one, which I will not share until said day.

                             Sunday, which is Anna Wintour's birthday--ANNA!!!!!!!!!!--we are headed to an Italian restaurant in Orange, NJ to celebrate the birthday--which is actually next day, the fourth--of my friend, Tom.  It will be nice to see all the members of what I call the Bloomfield group!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               Then, on the 5th, there is. Election Day.  Enough said.  Pray, people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                From the thirteenth to the eighteenth, which is my before, we have Musical Theater Week, honoring a galaxy of my favorite Legends Of The Musical Stage!  Just when do I get to be one of them?????????????????

                                 "Svengoolie" is showing two gems this month--the Boris Karloff 1932 classic, "The Mummy," to kick off the month, and the 1958 film, "The Crawling Eye,' which, girls, is a hoot, and deserves a second viewing.  It ends the month.  In between--not so great! And if you have never seen it--oh, my God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                   Of course, today we kick off with All Saints Day--more on that later--and the final Thursday this month is Thanksgiving.  And the 26th would have been my parents 77th Wedding Anniversary.  Alas, they had only 32 years.  But what years!  And rounded out by me, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                     So, November is an exciting month at these quarters.  May it bring the best, and then before you know it, time for "The 100 Most Notable Books Of 'The New York Times'," and "The Ten Best Books Of 2024," from "The New York Times."  Not to mention my Top Five In Fiction this year.

                                        All should be a hoot, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wasn't It A Fast October, Girls????????????????

                         Well, here we are, dears, Halloween, and the end of October.  Can you believe we are five-sixths through the entire year?  How is it possible?

                           It was a slow show month for us, with "Yellow Face" being the only thing we saw on stage.  David continues to do very well, thank God.

                           But it was a very social month.  Our friend from Pittsburgh, Judy, came to town on the 10th, and we had a lovely visit with her.  Unfortunately, for me, some sort of intestinal virus kicked in, lasting about 36 hours, so I have to wonder, is Judy some sort of Typhoid Mary?  Because the last time she came to town, two years ago, David got Covid.  Oh, well!  For sure, next time, we will not go to Joya in Brooklyn but try something else!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            On the 18th--exactly one month before my birthday!!!!!!!!--our friend Chris came over, and we watched the prequel to "Rosemary's Baby," "Apartment 7A."  We will be watching the Roman Polanski classic tonight, so I will be posting, sometime in November, what it is like to rewatch "Rosemary's Bay," and my thoughts on the prequel.  Something to look forward to, dears!!!!!!!!!!!!

                              Then, last Saturday, we had dinner at Gino's on 5th Avenue, here in Bay Ridge, with our friends Ellen and Vic, which is when we made the nighttime visit to Roy Jensen's Halloween House in Bay Ridge!  Girls, I am telling you, it has to be seen!

                                         See what I mean?  It is simply fabulous, and at night it is even better.

                                         So, while fast, October was an exciting month.  And don't forget the anniversaries of "Henry, Sweet Henry," and "A Chorus Line."  Both Michael Bennett shows, by the way!

                                            See you in November, with much to look forward to--Thanksgiving, my birthday, Musical Theater Week, and more!  Kicking off, of course, with All Saints Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                               Until next month, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Halloween, Darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                       That is me, this past Sunday, posing in front of a section of Roy Jensen's Halloween House in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.  The address is on 79th Street, between Sixth and Seventh Avenues, but closer to Seventh.

                                        Actually, this was our second visit to the place.  The night before, after dinner with friends, we drove by at night, and, girls, I am telling you, it was so sensational!  Things that walked, moved, and talked!  It was like a carnival!  I am telling you; Bay Ridge is getting to be for Halloween what Dyker Heights has become for Christmas.  And the former certainly will, as the years move on!

                                        So, a Happy Halloween to all!  Tonight, will be a quiet one, with David and I watching the classic "Rosemary's Baby."  I mean, with Mia in town, and Ruth Gordon and Patsy Kelly, it is just perfect!!!!!!!!!!!!!   Spending Halloween with the Castevets will be so much fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                            Thank you so much, Roy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                          Hope you get more tricks than treats, darlings!

                                          And please be careful, if you go out at night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                     

                                            

That Cold-Hearted Saturn Girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                           To think I almost had this issue.  I found it in the newsstand of the second floor of Port Authority in NYC, back in the Sixties.  I had to have been with my parents, at that time.  I did not have enough money to buy it, so that was that!

                                              But then I got "Adventure Comics, No. 345," featuring "The Execution Of Matter-Eater Lad."  In the Letters column were so many letters deriding DC for the story in the above issue.  And Saturn Girl was singled out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                               That Imra Ardeen!  What a bitch!  Just because she has blonde hair, one of the best costumes, and was the first femme founding member of the Legion, doesn't give her the power or right to run everything, as she thinks she does here.  And Dream Girl, who supposedly was romantically interested in Star Boy--how could she betray him?  Ditto Superboy, thinking he is so high and mighty, with his cape the only one flying!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  He should have been demoted and whipped!

                                                    Then there was Brainiac 5, who was then the Legion's leader.  He should talk, being he was the one who created the villainous Computo, the computer, who almost wiped out the Earth!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And don't forget, Computo destroyed one of Triplicate Girl's three bodies, making her into Duo Damsel!!!!!!!!!!  So, where does Brainiac 5 get off being so high and mighty??????????

                                                       Those of us who grew up in this era, never forgot or forgave!  True, in future issues, justice would be restored, but I am telling you, people went wild when this story first appeared!  And I can understand why!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                          As for Saturn Girl, shut your mouth, and get a mani and pedi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Let's Take A Coffee Break!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

 

                                  Darlings, if only I could!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                  While living in Highland Park, New Jersey, our downstairs radio was tuned to New Brunswick's local station, WCTC.  At 10AM, each weekday morning, a chorus would sing, "Let's take a coffee break," and an announcer would add, ".... with Carol Kaiser, Middlesex County Home Economist, on WCTC's 'Coffee Break.'"

                                        Then Carol would deliver a domestic missive each day, not unlike Sister Camille D'Arienzo's spiritual missives each Sunday.  I used to love Carol and her coffee breaks.

                                           Today, dolls, it is a whole different story.  I am lucky if I get out of bed at ten.  I crawl to the kitchen, take my medicine, and put on the coffee.  I drink till I feel awake.  

                                             Now, being retired, you may think the day is all in front of me.  Are you kidding? Sweeties, for those who anticipate retirement, let me tell you, it is almost like having less time than when you are working.  The day just goes, until it is evening, and another day done.

                                                What retirement teaches is how to use one's time effectively.    And that as one ages, one sleeps more.

                                                  Now, we get up early, on Sundays for Sister Camille!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                  If only there were a Carol Kaiser to get up to!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                 How I miss you, Carol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Girls, Do I Really Need To Reread All This??????????????????????

                                          Back in 2004, darlings, before I was even writing this blog, the novel above was the literary sensation of the season.  And you know how much I love my literary sensations.  People hailed it as a masterwork of literature.  I can recall reading it during that Summer--some of it sitting by my father's pool in Florida.  To this day, I don't see what all the hype was about, and it really did not make any kind of an impression on me.

                                            Now, just last week, "The New York Times" did an article on Susanna Clarke, whom I had thought had gone on to be a one book wonder.  When 'Jonathan Strange' came out, she hinted at it being the beginning of a forthcoming trilogy, and I waited, and waited.  No show.  Until in 2006, she published "Piranesi," a novel as short as her previous one was long.  It never made a blip on my literary radar--till now.

                                                According to what I understood from reading the article, after her gigantic debut novel became the hit she never expected, Clarke went into a deep depression, feeling she could not write anymore.  I think she was depressed because her novel was SO successful, she felt nothing she did could top it.  A not uncommon feeling among authors whose works soar into the unexpected stratosphere. 

                                                 This year marks the twentieth anniversary of "Jonathan Strange And Mr. Norvell."  There are people out there who love this book.  So, whether you do or don't, let me know if it is worth investing my time in this giant effort.  One thing intrigues me is how it is compared to writers like Dickens and Austen.  Now, I have a better grasp on 19th Century writers than I did in 2004, so maybe, just maybe, that will make me fall in love with this book.  I feel like I am missing out on something.

                                                   So, tell me, girls!  What do you think??????????????