Yes, Darlings, It Is That Time Of Year Again--Judy And Margaret!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                        It would not be Christmas without acknowledging this classic scene between these two iconic actresses from "Meet Me In St. Louis."  I could not find the photo of them looking out the window, which is priceless, but I thought this shot was perfect, before it descends into heartbreaking sadness.

                          This is, of course, the classic scene where Judy tries to comfort Margaret and get her to sleep by singing "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas."  Which then causes Margaret to do something that has to be seen to be believed.  Her role earned her a Juvenile Oscar for this performance.

                            Judy's rendering is of course the gold standard for this song.  I try to follow her example when singing it, myself.

                              When Judy and Margaret show up on here, it means Christmas is closing in on us.

                               So, everyone have a Merry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                  Here is Judy, singing that song.  Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Someone In Bay Ridge Must Have Worked With Cynthia Nixon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                    You can view this masterpiece, darlings, on the Manhattan bound R train platform at 77th Street here in Bay Ridge!  I don't know who wrote it, but from what I have heard it is not far from the truth.

                                       That whole "Sex In The City" crowd was so full of themselves, acting like they were manufacturing great art, when it was just one step above trash.

                                        Added to that, several years ago, David and I attended an actor reading of "The Bad Seed--" Yes, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!--and Miss Nixon allegedly directed it but failed to get it right. Half the cast were playing it for camp laughs; the other half played it straight. And John Camerson Mitchell reading Rhoda had no sense of danger and menace lurking in the role It was a desecration of an iconic 1950's work, and one that gays just love.  But not here.

                                         As can be seen, Miss Nixon's alleged "directorial career" has gone nowhere.  I wonder why?????????????????

                                           And yesterday we saw "Marjorie Prime."  I will write another post on that later, but Miss Nixon was her usual arrogant, shrewish stage persona, and I am getting tired of it.

                                           So, maybe there is some truth to the above, after all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                          I'd like a turn with Cynthia.  Then we would see who the bigger C-word is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                            

Today Is The Shortest Day Of The Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               Yes, darlings, that is what I was taught.  Which means last night was the longest night.

                                It sure does not feel like it, because with doctor appointments and choir rehearsals, it feels like I am running on empty.  Just to relax, rest, and read would be a dream.  And on Christmas Day something special--since I missed a screening at the Film Forum, because of seeing "Merrily We Roll Along," which I do not regret for a second, I am going to watch "The Wizard Of Oz" here at home.  I have two DVDs of it, because, as far as I am concerned, one can never have enough copies of that film.

                                Yes, dears, the holidays can wear down one.  And the older one gets the easier that becomes.

                                    Still, I am all excited about the coming of Christmas, and grateful to have avoided another screening of "It's A Wonderful Life."

                                    May your Christmas, darlings, be filled with spirituality and sugar plums!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                    What the hell are sugar plums, anyway??????????????????????

                                        

Farewell To Autumn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                           I know, girls, it seems like we have been in Winter all month, but the way I was taught, that season does not begin until December 21, so today is the last day of Autumn.

                           Does it seem this Autumn was longer?  It does to me, because it seems Winter arrived unusually early.  So, who knows what it will be like when it actually arrives.

                              Yes, darlings, the days are shorter, and it seems it takes us more time to get things done, since daylight time is so limited.  But the 22nd is the shortest day of the year--so is tomorrow the longest night??????????--and then daylight starts expanding.  Thank God, because this period of darkness can be a downer.  Good thing I have my reading and 100 book goal to occupy me.

                                Autumn provided us some wonderful moments.

                               May Winter be as kind!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"The Boy Is Ignorance, The Girl Is Want!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                        "Beware them both, but most of all beware the boy!!!!!!!!!!"

                                         This is my favorite moment in Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," and only the 1951 Alistair Sim version of the story had the courage to dramatize it.  For me, it is the precise moment where the entire point of the story is made.

                                            It is a reminder to be mindful of what we have, darlings, and be grateful for that, while thinking of those unfortunates who do not.  And doing something about it, even if it is just going up to someone and offering a kind word and happy wishes.  It is impossible to know how much something that small might mean to an individual.

                                              I have never forgotten this moment, especially after seeing the scene enacted on film.  Remember, dears, Christmas is not just about gorgeous design--though who DO love it!!!!!!!--but sharing with those in need.  As the child who arrived on Christmas Eve would say we should do.

                                                 So, hons, strike a blow for both Jesus and Charles Dickens!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                 It will make your Christmas merrier!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Girls, If It Is Bosoms You Want, 1960's "The Brides Of Dracula" Is The "Svengoolie" Film For You!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                              I would love to see it again, darlings, but tonight David and I have a Chanukah party to go to.  So, Baby Gojira And Company will watch it for us.  

                              David Peel, so good looking, and, unbelievably in his Forties when he made this, plays the vampire, and Martita Hunt, who was Miss Havisham in David Lean's 1947 definitive film adaptation of "Great Expectations," plays his mother.  But the brides, who are girls at boarding school are the real stars, with their bosoms and their fangs, and their carefully coiffed hair looking like they had spent a couple of hours at Sally Hershberger, before stepping in front of the camera.

                                Not to mention implied lesbianism!  So, if one is tired of Audrey Hepburn and Shirley Maclaine (but who could be?) these girls will do it for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               First timers are not to miss this; you will get a kick out of its effective combination of horror and campiness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                Dolls, you will have the time of your life with this film.  This was one of the best to come out of the Hammer horror film factory.

                              "Fangs a million," says one of the many "Brides Of Dracula!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                Tune in at 8PM, girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Musical Theater History Was Made On This Very Night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                        I know that some of my girls will recognize who these people are.  They are Robert Preston and Barbara Cook in their signature roles of Harold Hill, and Barbara Cook in hers as Marian The Librarian.  The show, of course, is "The Music Man" and it opened at the Majestic Theater on this very evening in 1957.  To think, that was 68 years ago.  I was just three.

                                          I saw a revival of this show several years ago, at The Winter Garden, and while it still had the ability to charm, Sutton Foster's transposed vocals did not work.  But then no one could hold a candle to the divinity of Barbara Cook.

                                            So, let us remember these performers and this show.  Where are the likes thereof today?????????????

                                             To give you an idea, here is Barbara Cook singing "Goodnight, My Someone."  I cry each time I hear it.

                                        Enjoy, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Girls, What Better Way To Greet Christmas Than With This Stunning 1950's Outift!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

                                              Darlings, I am telling you, when it comes to fashion there is no better combination than Christmas and the 1950s.

                                                 Overall, people back then--men, too! --knew how to really dress, and I wish we would see the return of that fashion era today. I have seen cows grazing who look better dressed than many folks today.  Hey, remember Barney The Bull?  Now, that fellow had style!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                    I was at a store yesterday where I saw some striking outfits.  But in order for me to wear them, they would have to be altered, or I would have to go to a store where I can get it custom made.  Are there any such stores anymore where one can get clothes custom made?

                                                        Anyway, dears, this frock is divine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                       It goes perfectly with egg nog and Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               

Do We Really Need ANOTHER Revival Of "Death Of A Salesman??????????????????"

                                    I hate to be the one to tell you this, girls, but come Spring 2026, Nathan Lane and Laurie Metcalf will be starring, at the Winter Garden, no less, in Arthur Miller's "Death Of A Salesman."

                                      Really?  I would rather see them in Neil Simon's "The Prisoner Of Second Avenue."

                                      I mean, Nathan Lane, with that mug of a face as defeated Willy Loman?  And  Laurie Metcalf, usually a portrayer of strong women, playing one of theater's greatest martyrs, Linda  Loman?????????????  I just can't see it fly.

                                       Add to this, I might have to see it.  Never having seen this play on stage, this may be, at 71, my last chance to see this on the stage.  But I would have hoped for a better cast.

                                         And at the premiere musical house, The Winter Garden.  Miller's play will get swallowed up by the stage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                          Whose dumb idea was this, anyway??????????????

                                          And when it fails, do not come crying to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

"No Brianers" Are Not Offensive, When The Music Is As Fun As This!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                          I saw the movie version of "Mama Mia!" back in 2008, with MERYL And Company.  I had never seen it on stage and never thought I would.

                                         Then came this touring company for a limited run at where it started--my favorite theater, The Winter Garden!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                           Yes, this is a "check your brain in at the door" show, but when the music is ABBA, and if one is familiar with the music, it is an irresistible experience.

                                              Darlings, I had forgotten how many ABBA songs I knew and still remembered as I sang my way through the show.

                                               Which, in spite of having no stars, and less ability to create a gorgeous, exotic atmosphere, I have to say Mark Thompson's sets and Howard Harrison's lighting create the atmosphere needed to tell the story on stage.

                                                   For the uninitiated, Sophie Sheridan is marrying her love, Skye, and her mother Donna, single and independent, is all a' flutter trying to get the wedding organized.  Sophie unknowingly complicates things when, after reading her mother's diary of her early years, sends invites to three possible men who may be her biological father.  The men show up, so do Donna's friends, and the rest of the show, with ABBA music, is the working out of this situation.  Without the music it would sink, but thanks to ABBA and a vocally adept cast the show soars.

                                                     Phyllida Lloyd and Anthony Van Laast, with their direction and choreography, keep the show moving at a rapid pace.  The actors do eight shows a week.  At this rate it is truly amazing anyone is able to keep up, but no one wears out for a second.  

                                                       And you must stay for the end, when the audience and cast join forces, singing out some ABBA favorites I had been waiting for!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                        After the week we have had, this show is the perfect remedy to take one's mind off world troubles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                          "Mama Mia!" scores!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                            

Season's Greetings To Everyone From Dexter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                     Some of you may remember Dexter, who belonged to a former neighbor of ours, here in Bay Ridge.  Now, for about three years, Dexter has been residing in Hickory, North Carolina, and you can see he is pretty settled, and as lovable looking as ever.

                                      He is also sixteen years old and doing quite well for his age.  He has some arthritis--who doesn't? ---and he is being treated for an ear infection, but he is still as affectionate and mobile as ever.

                                       His owner recently sent home pictures, and knowing I love Dexter so much, sent this photo for me.  I wish I could just go up to Dexter and give him a hug.

                                         Let's all give a spiritual hug to Dexter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                        As he wishes us all Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                       Love you, Dexter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

Girls, "Svengoolie" Is Showing 1971's "Duel" Tonight At 8PM! First Timers Should Tune In, Those Having Seen It Don't Need A Second Viewing!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             To think Steven Spielberg filmed this made-for-TV film in 1971, the start of my junior year of high school.  Fortunately, he shot it while Dennis Weaver was still hot, and in the same year Weaver did "What's The Matter With Helen?"

                            "Duel" is based on a Richard Matheson short story about a trucker, who, for no apparent reason, is harassed by what I always thought of as a "ghost truck," or "ghost driver" plowing down on him throughout the film.  There is plenty of tension and suspense for first timers, whom I urge to watch.  Those having seen it had best tune to something else.  I would love to see "Trilogy Of Terror" once more.  Especially Karen Black as "Julie."  And everyone loves her in "Amelia," the voodoo doll story!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               Alas, this is not a great month for "Svengoolie," girls!  Though next week is promising, but I won't reveal that until next Saturday.

                                The film is good of its kind, and interesting in the Spielberg chronology.

                               Personally, I would rather again watch 1946's "Duel In The Sun," with Jennifer Jones as Pearl Chavez, "The half-breed Indian girl, built by the devil to drive men crazy!"

                                To think that used to be said about me, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dick Van Dyke Reaches 100 Today! Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                           Whenever I hear someone is nearing age 100, I get a little nervous.  I recall when my father was on that threshold.  Will he make it, or will he die days before?  It happens sometimes.

                              So, I am delighted to say Dick Van Dyke has made it.  For my generation, he has been many things to us--Rob Petrie, Bert in "Mary Poppins," and Caractacus Potts in "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang."  With Sally Ann Howes as Truly Scrumptious.

                                And don't forget the role that started it all--Albert Peterson, in "Bye Bye, Birdie," a role he also did on stage.

                                 These filmed legacies will live on long after Van Dyke passes. But today I wish him many happy returns---and I do mean MANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                  Living till 100 is a privilege for a chosen few.  I am happy Dick Van Dyke is among the chosen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                    Happy 100th birthday, Dick Van Dyke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Merrily We Roll Along" As Best Picture Of The Year???????????? It Is In My Book, Girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            I have recounted on here before my personal relationship with 'Merrily,' going back to the 1981 Original Broadway Production, which I saw twice; I was so enamored of it.  I will gladly repeat it if needed.  Just say so in the comments, and I will do another post on it.

                             But right now, I am urging everyone to see this film version of the Sondheim musical.  It is more than a filmed stage play; it is a work of cinematic art as I will demonstrate.  The entire score has been retained, and is just as beautiful as ever, and it really is a cinematic achievement.  The last time I went crazy over a film version of a stage musical was when MERYL did "Mama Mia," back in 2008. Though its score cannot equal this one, which is why I think, over time, 'Merrily' will become a classic in the pantheon of well-done filmed musicals like "My Fair Lady," "The Sound Of Music," "Funny Girl," "Oliver!" and "Cabaret."

                              So well has Maria Friedman directed this film I would not mind her taking a crack at "FOLLIES."  Now that is something worth waiting for.

                                How did Maria do it?  Let's start with an extraordinary cast.

                             Jonathan Groff--OK, girls, pick yourselves up off the floor, we know he is incredibly good looking.  Though the story remains the same, Groff's performance is different from any Franklin Shepard I have seen, because he remarkably manages to humanize a pretty despicable character.  Viewers seeing this will not forget Frank's negatives, but when the film closes on this shot of a yearning, youthful Frank, he becomes as human as we have seen and reminds us of all of when we were young and starting out.  How do we feel about the way we turned out?  Hmm, girls?  The film forces us to ask these questions of ourselves, and they may be hard to answer.  But Groff's acting and singing are remarkable--screw "La La Land--and his is an Oscar caliber performance

                           Lindsay Mendez--Just look at this face, and you can see the pain in Mary Flynn.  Mendez makes the viewer feel it throughout, and her voice is glorious.  In some ways she is the most impacted of the three friends' breaking up, but I always wondered--in the opening scene, when Mary leaves the party, finished with Frank, I know she is going back to New York, but are she and Charley Kringas still friends?  I have always wondered.  Vocally, Lindsay knocks every one of the songs she is assigned out of the proverbial ballpark.  She was robbed of a TONY Award, so where is that Best Supporting Actress Oscar?????????????????
.

                                     Daniel Radcliffe--How fitting the film's most recognizable cast member is also the biggest surprise!  His, for me, was the most heartbreaking of all the performances.  His pain when signing "Franklin Shepard, Inc.," which he nails with razor sharp precision, is so palpable, and his is the most moving rendition of "Good Thing Going" I have ever heard.  He is a revelation, darlings, and like his co-stars, deserves an Oscar for his especially gripping performance.

                                     Noticeably, Katie Rose Clarke as Beth sings the hell out of "Not A Day Goes By," and Mary's internal response at the wedding is just devastating.  Lindsay scores again.  Clarke is also great in the "Bobby, Jackie, And Jack" number.  I was sorry when she had to disappear from the story.

                                          God bless Maria Friedman; it took her and 42 years to get this show right.  What she has most noticeably done is really pared down the story to being really about Frank and Charley, and the actors play them almost as a team, with Mary looking on in support.  This was especially true during the heartbreaking final number, "Our Time," where one is forced to first question one's decisions. In the Original Broadway Production, the trio were backed up by a youthful ensemble, and while they sounded gorgeous, it took away from the intimacy of the lead trio. Friedman makes the number more about Charley and Frank, though Lindsay's Mary joins in, with her captivating voice.  As my David says, it is all their time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                            Kudos to Krystal Joy Brown for making Gussie Carnegie stand out more than she has in other productions.  Her despicability level, I think, exceeds even Frank. And Reg Rogers' performance as her cast aside husband Joe is both theatrical and sadly touching.  This is the first time I have really noticed Joe as a character.  Rogers is good; forget Nathan Lane, he is the one who should be doing Willy Loman this Spring.

                                               I want all my readers to get out and see this emotionally gripping musical. I am so glad I lived long enough to have seen it made right.

                                                 If only Sondheim and Hal Prince had lived to see it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Girls, Go And Stuff A Chicken!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                No, darlings, I am not trying to insult everyone, but I just love the way "The Golden Girls" stuff their chickens.  At 71 now, I feel like I am a "Golden Girl."  And no, I have never stuffed a chicken.

                                Actually, I think what the ladies are stuffing are Rock Cornish Game Hens, which look very elegant and festive, when served on a dinner plate with other garnishes.  They are edible, but can be a bit dry, and not as much meat on them as chicken.  That is my memory of eating one.

                                 But that lyric about Mississippi bothers me.  They are in Florida.  Is Mississippi south of there?  I am not sure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                    Stuffing a chicken may bring elegance to your table.

                                   But Happy Holidays, girls! Stuff whatever you want!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seventy-One Years Ago Tonight, This Opened On Broadway!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               Yes, girls, it is "The Bad Seed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                              I told you there is always a reason for writing about it, and here it is.

                             Today marks twenty days after my birthday.  On that day in 1954, which also happens to be the Feast Of The Immaculate Conception, this play opened on Broadway?  Did Nancy Kelly drop the glass on stage?  That had to have been a lot of glass ware during the run.    And just think, two shows a day on Wednesday and Saturday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                What a treat it must have been to witness this on stage.  Anyone out there who has and remembers, comment here and answer about Nancy Kelly and the glass.  Because that is really when the scale of hysteria is notched up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                 Mervyn LeRoy's 1956 film almost preserves the play in a way foreshadowing Maria Friedman's current and brilliant film adaptation of Sondheim's "Merrily We Roll Along."  More on that, in another post, dolls!

                                   I am sure it was planned to open this on the Feast Of The Immaculate Conception.

                                   I wonder what Mary thinks of it all?????????????????????

Congratulations, Girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Today It Is Mary's Big Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                           It really is darlings.  The Assumption, on August 15, is about Mary's soul automatically going to Heaven.  Christmas, which is fast approaching, is all about the birth of Jesus, but it could not have been accomplished without Mary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             But the Feast Of The Immaculate Conception is a celebration of Mary's actual being.  She was conceived and born into this world, free of Original Sin, the purest of the pure.

                               Hey, if some of you want to watch "The Song Of Bernadette," that would not be a bad idea.  I claim it as my personal Easter film, but this could easily be watched on this day, or the Assumption, since both deal with Mary, and the movie deals with Mary appearing to Bernadette at Lourdes.

                                 So, my dears, a big hoorah to Mary on her special day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                Even Paul McCartney honored her in "Let It Be!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                 Here's to Mary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

A Question Especially For Baby Boomers--Were The Annual Christmas Specials Of Our Childhood Meant To Enlighten Or Traumatize Us, Darlings??????????????????????????

                                 Baby boomers like myself, growing up in the 1960's always looked forward to certain annual Christmas TV specials, when growing up.  But, as I aged, I had to, and do, ask myself, were these specials to enlighten us, or to traumatize us???????????

                                 I would go with the latter, as this list of the more popular specials aired in that era will demonstrate.  With the exception of one personal one, these are specials I will never look at today.

                                Consider--

                        "Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer--" First broadcast in 1964, things end wonderfully here but not before Rudolph is bullied by his playmates and own father.  It takes Clarice, the lead female deer to sing the haunting "There's Always Tomorrow" to comfort not only Rudolph but also those feeling bullied in home audiences.  Add to that Rudolph runs away from home, after being bullied by his own father.  Meanwhile, Herbie, the elf, is bullied by his colleagues for wanting to be a dentist, while they work away like overworked unionizers doing "Racing With The Clock" from "The Pajama Game," and then there is the Island of Misfit Toys," who are unwanted by all the children in the world. I mean, is this a downer, or what?  I don't care how much happiness one gets at the end, to be subjected to this much trauma beforehand?  This is what stays with one, not the happy ending!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                           "A Charlie Brown Christmas--" This 1965 cartoon set the gold standard for all future "Peanuts" specials.  Its rollicking piano solo by Snoopy is a welcome relief from the trauma which included Lucy Van Pelt's (the gold standard for all future mean girls) relationship with Charlie Brown, to the plaintive moment when the Christmas tree falls, and Charlie Brown blames himself, as the bullied will do, when he says, "I've killed it.  Oh, everything I touch gets ruined."  This I can relate to, and despite the touching rendition of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," I can never quite watch this again.

                           "Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol--" I had just turned eight, in 1962, when this was first broadcast.  By the way, for Theater Queens, this was the first score Jule Styne and Bob Merrill wrote immediately after "Funny Girl," and it is every bit up to that effort.  Now, most boomers remember the thieves'' song "We're Despicable," because of the melody, lyrics and how it is staged.  And most are frightened by the Ghost Of Christmas Yet To Come.  But what gets to me the most is the abandoned child Ebenezer singing "I'm All Alone In The World," reprised by the adult Magoo at the end of Act Two.  And then, most of all, Belle's breakup song "Winter Was Warm," which captivated me as a child, and which I still sing today.   By the way, this was hauntingly sung by Jane Kean, who went on to play Trixie in the Jackie Gleason technicolor version of "The Honeymooners" in the Sixties. Just writing about this gives me melancholy thoughts.

                             "The Little Drummer Boy--" Oh, my God, don't get me started with this one!  The song is lovely, but the Christmas dramatization of it was extremely traumatizing for me, even when broadcast first, back in 1968, when I had just turned 14.  By the way, I saw Disney's 1942 "Bambi" as an adult and have never gotten over it.  And don't get me started on "Dumbo!"  Greer Garson narrates the story, which follows the song, save one aspect.  The boy, like me, is a friend to all animals, and his special and only companion, is a little lamb.  Well, in a shocking act of dramatization, this innocent creature is shown being cruelly run over by a wagon, and the lamb is dead.  Nice, huh?  Now, this kid is alone!  And we are made to feel that.  The moving culmination, where he delivers the lamb to the manger of the infant Jesus, and, as a gift, plays his drum, restoring the lamb to life is beautifully rendered and moving, but can never erase the trauma of the aforementioned accident.  After the first broadcast, I have never watched this one again.  And I never will.

                         The Christmas Scene In 1944's "Meet Me In St. Louis--" This is very personal for me. Start with the most plaintive Christmas song ever written, "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, sung by the one who could do it best, Judy Garland.  Following this, Tootie, played by Margaret O'Brien has a childhood nervous breakdown in a scene that was one of several earning her that year a special Juvenile Academy Award.  The film is staged seasonally, so this does not come till near the end, so up to that the film is palatable.  But when the Christmas dance comes, watch out.  Still, this is one of the most perfectly made films ever, so the heartbreak of Judy and Margaret is beautiful to endure, though it can be a bit hard on younger viewers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

'                         "It's A Wonderful Life--"   Is it?  After seeing this 1946 film, I wondered. Name me a film that combines child abuse by a pharmacist, and father toward his wife and children, a special needs family member who is not especially treated well, denigrations of both spinsterhood and prostitution in the film's lead female characters, and lack of comeuppance for the culprit and you have Frank Capra's iconic Christmas classic.  I don't deny its labeling or stature, or the quality of filmmaking at hand, but over the years, the aforementioned has come to bother me so much I do not think I can view this film ever again.

                              Well, dears, those are my observations.  Let me know what you think.

                              And may the rest of this year be less traumatic than that depicted here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Liberation" Was Not Liberating!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                        I don't wish to violate the anonymity of anyone, let alone myself, but "Liberation," by Bess Wohl is less a play than attending a twelve- step meeting.

                                        Oh, the dialogue and staging are carefully scripted.  But they go nowhere.  

                                          For baby boomers, remember a phrase we never hear anymore called "Consciousness Raising?"  That is the play's construct.  Act One is a woman of 1970 as she starts an activist group in a gym in a school basement.  The second act has her daughter taking over, questioning the choices her mother made.  It is ponderous, non-groundbreaking, and haven't we all heard this before?

                                                It even makes reference to Betty Friedan.  As I heard this, I looked about me, wondering how many post-Boomer women even knew who Betty Friedan was?????????

                                                 Lizzie, the lead, is played a bit too stridently by Susannah Flood, and she is backed by a company that is able, but because of the flatness of the writing, does not lift the play to any heights.  I thought at one point that, had it been cast with the likes of Lily Rabe, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Cynthia Nixon and others it might have given the work a boost. But the writing by Bess Wohl is less a play, and, like I said before, a recording of a twelve-step meeting.

                                                   Can I blame the director, Whitney White?  Darlings, even if this play had been directed by Whitney Cummings, it would have not worked because there is nothing for the director to direct or the actors to play against.

                                                      The set and costume designs are so pedestrian, I hate to embarass David Zwenn and Qween Jean.  Think back to the original 1981 production of "Merrily We Roll Aong," especially now that the success of that musical is in the public eye.  That setting got more criticism than this one, and for one reason only.  The material was noticeably better and people had expectations.  Girls, for this one, leave your expectations at the door.  This play wants to say something, but succeeds in saying nothing.

                                                        However, there are two moments, one planned, one not that gave the performance a glimmer of interest.

                                                         At the top of Act Two, the performers come on, with the lights dimmed low, and are seen doing something.  When the lights come up, and the actresses are seated in their places, they are completely nude.  Well, darlings, I almost fainted!!!!!!!!!!!!  Not a peep from the audience, though, but, as David said, it was a "New York audience."  They go on to play an extended scene, unsheathed, and I could not understand what the point was.  And, lest some think I am being sexist here, I felt exactly the same way about the nude scene in "Take Me Out," back in 2003.

                                                          Because of the above, something new was implemented for patrons.  We were required to take these locked pocketbooks and put our cell phones into them.  The staff would lock the small cases until the performance was over, when they would be unlocked for us.  This was to prevent anyone from taking a photo of the nude women on stage.  Hey, would they have done the same thing today, with men?  I mean, I could care less.  And I hear they are doing the same thing, over at "CHESS."  Now, I am really scared!  I do not want to see that grotesque creature named Lea Michele in the nude!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                               The real, almost tragic event, came fifteen minutes into the show.  As Susannah Flood was delivering one of her rambling monologues, someone in the orchestra (we were seated in the mezzanine) called out "Medical emergency!"  Several people in the front rows began to move about, and I could see a man with a stethoscope, listening to the chest of an elderly male audience member.  Someone called 911, and I imagine an ambulance was summoned, but, remarkably, the man was escorted out of the theater on foot.  After a bit of time to settle down, the performance resumed from where it had left off.

                                                               My heart goes out to that man and his family.  I hope all is OK.  Never, in my 50 plus years of theatergoing has this ever happened to me.  I hope never again.

                                                              And I bet Frank DiLella (really Delilah!) wouldn't know what to do.  Can't wait to see him shill this crap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                       

                                                

Did Flaco's Spirit Really Come To Visit Us Yesterday?????????????????????

                      It was a routine Friday morning, and we were getting ready to eat breakfast, when David looks out the window, and says, incredulously, "There is an owl!  In a tree branch aligned with our apartment."  I could not believe it!  What would an owl be doing in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn??????????

                        Until I thought of Flaco.  The creature sat on its perch for several minutes, staring at us.  David went and got a set of binoculars, so I could see the owl for myself.  Sure enough, it was there.  Shortly after I had my look, it flew away, to who knows where??????????

                          Girls I am convinced the spirit of Flaco paid us a visit.  Maybe to thank me for all the kind words I have written about him over time, maybe to wish us a Happy Holiday, or maybe because this is the Season Of Belief.  Whatever, I feel honored to have been visited by Flaco.  I loved him so and still miss him dearly.  And he knew it and came to comfort me.

                             You can think what you want, darlings, but remember what it says at the opening of "The Song Of Bernadette"--For those who believe in God, no explanation is necessary.  For those who do not believe in God, no explanation is possible."

                                  I am telling you, that was Flaco!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Girls, Join Us At 8PM Tonight, As "Svengoolie" Kicks Off December With "The Mummy's Tomb!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                I have to confess, darlings, December is not a promising month as "Svengoolie" ends his year.  Frankly, this is the best of the lot.

                                Universal made a lot of 'Mummy' movies.  There was the Karloff classic original in 1932, still the gold standard of them all.  Then there was "The Mummy's Hand," in 1940, this one in 1942 "The Mummy's Ghost," in 1944, and then "The Mummy's Curse" in 1945, the final one in the series What a shame Universal never made a movie out of "The Mummy Finds Poppy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!".

                                   Lon Chaney, Jr. famous for "The Wolf Man," but having the distinction of playing all the Universal monsters over time plays Kharis tonight.  The beauty he pursues is played by Elyse Knox, who never went anywhere.  Where was Evelyn Ankers, when she was needed?????????????

                                    Still, I am looking forward to an evening of entertaining, campy fun.  My only complaint is to the Sven Squad--You are entertaining of a kind, but can't you all take it down a notch??????????

                                       Let's hope "Svengoolie" offers a better batch next year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Darlings, I Just LOVE My 2025 Advent Book Lovers Calendar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

                              From having been a small child, I have always loved Advent calendars.  They were so pretty, sometimes sparkly, and it gave me something to look forward to in the days leading up to Christmas.  There would be a door for each day, behind which were a picture or some words.  Of course, the 24th was always a double door, as that was a picture of what Christmas is really all about--the Nativity!!!!!!!!!!!

                                 Now, the Book Lovers calendar works the same way, except behind the doors are trivia questions related to books, book references, recommendations on what to read--anything involving books and the reading thereof.

                                    There is even a calendar book in which to record the books read during the forthcoming year.  Having recorded my reading since 1968, I will make sure to use this in 2026.

                                     Advent calendars are the best, so find the one fitting you most.

                                    Maybe one with fashion designers, girls!  I would not be a bit surprised!!!!!!!!!!!

Now, Here Is MY List For 2025!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "The New York Times" Is No Longer So High And MIghty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            Never mind the books depicted here, darlings; this sign was perfect, as it centers on the area I am interested in--Fiction.  "The New York Times" has had their say, now I will have mine.

                               Here is my (The Raving Queen) list of "The Five Best Works Of Fiction Of 2025!"

                                                                                   

                                              "Culpability," by Bruce Holsinger--Not just on my list, but my choice as The Book Of The Year!   This fascinating, intellectually stimulating novel involves who or what is or is not responsible for a family car accident, combined with algorithm concepts as well as AI.  Vastly absorbing, but anyone who fully grasps the last two concepts please explain them to me.  But it does not take away from the joy of reading this novel.

                                                                         

                                        "Bear," by Julia Phillips--I loved her previous novel, "Disappearing Earth," and I loved "Bear" just as much.  Touching and heartbreaking as it was, I could almost empathize with the gruesome climax, especially when it is an act of love.  Now, there is a big exception here.  I read this in early 2025 but had no idea till just now it came out in 2024.  How did I miss it then?  I really read it under the presumption was a 2025 book.  Still, it was so good at the time I knew, early on, it would be a selection.  So, I am sticking by my standards and including it.

                                                                           

                                       "Buckeye," by Patrick Ryan--As much about Ohio the state, as the families who people this book, this almost Michneseque novel is the king of big family saga reads I like.  Moving through time and history in surprising and fluid ways, this is a must for books of this type, of which too few are being published these days.  Thank you, Patrick Ryan, and I look forward to more from you.

                                                                             

                                             "Fox," by Joyce Carol Oates--Never, in all my years of writing, girls, did I ever think a Joyce Carol Oates novel would appear on my list.  Maybe "We Were The Mulvaneys," but I was not writing, then.  When I finished this book, something clicked in my head, the sign which tells me this book is eligible for my list.  An absorbing psychological thriller, it offers mystery, murder, and insight into the rationale or irrational of a pedophile.  Gripping and disturbing, yet thought provoking, it broke the "Joyce Spell" for me and made it to this list.

                                                                                

                                        "The Sisters," by Jonas Hassen Khemiri--Much has already been said on this blog, and enough cannot be said.  The only book The Times and I agree on, this is another family saga; perhaps it marks a return of sorts for the genre.  I hope.  Fascinating, exploring the lives of the Mikola siblings, and their author stand-in, Jonas, as he observes them from afar, this is both a family saga and a romance novel.   The kind thinking readers love.  Girls, you have not read anything yet, till you have read "The Sisters."

                                            So, these are my opinions, and I stand by them.  Interesting that "The Sisters" was the only book The Times and I agreed on, and as stated, I never expected a Joyce Carol Oates book to make my list.

                                               Meanwhile, I have to return to a ton of reading I must get out of the way, before beginning my 2026 Mammoth Project.  Will I make 100 books in 2025? Probably not, but I will try!

                                                  Happy Reading, everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!