Darlings, Join Us Tonight At 8PM, As "Svengoolie" Presents "Doctor Cyclops!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

 

                                      This 1940 film is rarely shown--I have not seen it since I was a child--and it is so iconic it is mentioned in Roger Corman's 1959 cult classic, "The Wasp Woman."

                                        Albert Dekker, a fine actor who plays the title role, is venturing into the same territory as that of Lionel Barrymore in MGM's 1936 "Devil Doll."  He wished to increase the world's food supply by decreasing the size of people.  Of course, no one wants to face up to reality, like biology, and that once the food supply is exhausted, how are little people to farm and do agriculture when they have not been trained for it????????????

                                          But I am overthinking this.  Just enjoy Dekker's performance--he wants to control the environment by shrinking people--and glamorous Janice Logan, as one of the tinys he toys with!!!!!!!!!!  Girls, if we are ever shrunk, we should all look like Janice Logan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                           This is a film not only better suited to "Svengoolie" but to The Svengoolie Squad.  I hope Nostalgiaferatu appears!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                              And the film won an Oscar for Best Special Visual Effects.  Who knew?

                                              So, do not miss this rarely shown film.  It could be your last chance to see it!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                              I am telling you, girls, even in B films, people dressed better in the 1940's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            See what I mean, dolls?????????????????????

                                              

                                           

                                        

Girls, Let's Have A Nice Discussion About "Rosemary's Baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                         No matter how many times I read it or see it, I always find something to learn from "Rosemary's Baby."  So, I will share some of those topics with you; keep in mind these are only my interpretation of things, and I am going to proceed in the manner of the story.

                           1.  Was Mr. Nickles a member of the cove?.  Both he and Mrs. Gardenia demonstrate that not everyone at the Bramford is a member of the coven.   Mr. Nickles, wonderfully played by Elisha Cook, Jr. is either a realtor or the community representative of the building.  He is only seen when showing Guy and Rosemary the apartment, and later, when people gather around the dead Terry.  He is not seen during Rosemary's dream sequence--the conception scene--and he is not present when Rosemary comes into the Castavet apartment, carrying that knife.

                          2.  Mrs. Gardenia--".... than merely the intriguing pastime I imagined it to be.  I can no longer associate myself......"   Mrs. Gardenia was a non-practitioner whose friendliness earned the coven's trust, and so she was recruited.  She and Minnie Castevet were good friends; both had herbariums.  But Mrs. Gardenia got in over her head.  She thought the coven's activities was like a parlor game; when she realized that they were for real, she backed out.  Smart.  But since she and Minnie were in and out of each other's apartments, it was easy for Minnie to acquire something of Mrs. Gardenia's.  It is my belief that the writing stopped when Mrs. Gardenia suffered a stroke or coma, thanks to the coven.

                         3.  Terry Gionoffrio--Terry is the most problematic character in "Rosemary's Baby."  I stick with Ira Levin and Roman Polanski's version. wonderfully enacted by Victoria Vetri, that she was a down on her luck drug addict and prostitute.  The encounter in the basement has a touch of irony, because, while extolling to Rosemary the Castevets, she says, "At first, I thought they wanted me for some kind of sex thing."  Actually, they did.  The Castevets made a big mistake in telling Terry what was expected of her, and I am sure when she found out, she wanted out, tried to escape but could not.  Now, was Terry pushed out of the window, or did she jump?  The apartment was unoccupied, and she put a note on the door.  Did Terry write it?  I am sure she did, because through their incantation, the coven put into Terry's head the idea of killing herself.  Now, when someone--hopefully a policeman--first spotted the body, I am sure he laid it out flat, because a jumper would not land on the ground as perfectly as Terry did.   Now, had the Castevets not told Terry, like they did with Rosemary, things might have been different. Then, in 2024, some idiots came up with the idea of making a prequel to "Rosemary's Baby."  Interesting in and of itself, except the creators deviated from Ira Levin.  Terry here is a down and out dancer, felled by an irreparable injury.  She is taken in, conceives, but at some point, the end of the Ira Levin novel is almost recreated.  Terry, like Rosemary, walks into the apartment, now occupied by the coven, and in front of them runs to the window, pushes through and jumps. She is pregnant, so the ch8ld is destroyed.    This completely destroys the point of Terry's story, which was to demonstrate that Satan did not necessarily want some gutter rat, but someone relatively innocent and not quite pure, like Rosemary.  Anyone who watches "Apt. 7A," do not believe a word of it.  Stick to Levin and Roman Polanski.  They make more sense.

                          4.  Minnie Castavet--Ruth Gordon rules!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   Dianne Wiest, forget it!!!!!!!!!!!  But here is the thing about Minnie.  Once Rosemary has given birth, the coven is done with Guy and are now more sympathetic to Rosemary.  Yes, they gaslit her, but if it was not for Guy' s consent, the baby would not have happened, and John Cassavates delivers just enough sleaziness to make Guy's selling his wife's uterus to the coven believable.  What is not known about Minnie is where she comes from, and how she entered in the coven; that is, was she brought up a practicing witch, or only so when she married Roman.? I think somewhere in the novel, Minnie is alluded to having come from the Midwest but that is all we get.  Much more is revealed about Roman, except how he and Minnie met, and was she already practicing or did she enter into it by marriage?   There is no answer here, but it is interesting to conjecture!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                         5.  Doctor Abraham Sapirstein--I really thought it a surprise when it is revealed he belongs to the coven, in spite of his highly regarded reputation.  It is also interesting that he does not live in the building; he is only seen in Minnie and Roman's apartment, not seeming to live at the Bramford.  But he did not charge Rosemary his "fancy schmalzy society prices."

                            6.  Edward "Hutch" Hutchins--No, darlings, this was way before "Starsky And Hutch."  Next to Rosemary and her girlfriends, especially Elise, Hutch, thanks to Maurice Evans' performance, is the most likable character in the story.  He mentors Rosemary, has no idea what a sleaze Guy is, but knows quite a bit about the Bramford.  His mentioning a dead baby being found in the basement in 1959 suggests that the coven tried something before, but it did not work.  Of course, readers/viewers only learn this when discovering what is actually going on.  As for the Trench Sisters, Keith Kennedy and Pearl Ames, I wish Levin had written more about them in the book.  When Hutch disappears, it is very similar to Mrs. Gardenia.  And more tragic, for having gotten to know and like him.

                         7.  The Ending-- This might be the most controversial topic of all.  People have different interpretations--my David feels when Rosemary finally connects with the baby she loses her sanity.  I disagree.  I think Rosemary's maternal instincts kick in, and, as the mother of the presumed child of Satan, she has a power position she did not have before.  Guy at this point is expendable; he will go to California, achieve some fame, but at some point, have an on-set accident.  Rosemary, as the venerated mother of the child, will always be watched over and taken care of, as will the child.  As Roman tells her, "You don't have to join."

                          Darlings, what a nice discussion we have had about "Rosemary's Baby."  I leave you with much to think about.

                          And keep an eye on how Ruth Gordon twirls that fork in her mouth as she eats the cake!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                        

                          

"Beaches" On Broadway Is All Washed Up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                           It's not like I was not expecting it, darlings, but, really, this soon???????????

                           "Beaches," the first casualty of the TONY season, because it got no nominations, will close this Sunday, May 24, a special day in Musical Theater history because, sixty years ago on that day, "MAME" opened at the Winter Garden!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               When a show closes, the ones I feel most sympathy toward are the actors.  Eight shows a week they have to present this material, even if it is a piece of crap!  The ones I really blame ae the composer and lyricist of this score.  What in hell were they thinking?  And Lonny Price?????????  Hey, Lonny, couldn't you have gotten a better composer-lyricist team, or one singular, to write a better score, which this show not only deserved but desperately needed?  If "Beaches" had had a good score, it might have become a cult classic among Theater Queens, then it might have lived on in memory and respectability.  Remember 'Merrily' and "RAGS," Lonny???????????????????

                                 So if anyone out there wants to see "Beaches"--God help you, if you do--there is only till this Sunday to do so.  Careers are ruined with this show; it will not take its leads anywhere, nor the superb children who were even better than the leads!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               But remember, folks, what Bette Davis as Baby Jane Hudson said, "You can lose everything, but you can never lose your talent."

                                  So, how come I am not appearing on Broadway?????????????????

I Just Found Out Juliette Lewis Sings In "The Rocky Horror Show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" The Question Is, Can She?????????????????"

                                  Juliette Lewis does not look so good, girls.  Could it be too much facial work, drugs, or a combination of both????????????????

                                     Lea Michele is a disgrace, but at least she can hit notes.  Lewis is a quirky actress and is playing a role many of us want to--Magenta--in this show.  But did you know she sings the opening song "Science Fiction?"  The score's most melodic and lyrical song, and Juliette Lewis sings THIS?  Can she?

                                        And I thought the Narrator always sings this.  I would rather hear Rachel Dratch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                        I have seen a couple of clips on YouTube, and I have not been impressed.  And the theater staff and show crew are coming down hard on the audience participation thing, which is crucial to this show.  I mean, are people going to be stopped from doing the "Time Warp?"  I defy anyone so stop me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                           I admit when I first heard she was cast as Magenta, I asked why?  Now, I am really wondering.  I have not seen the show yet, but I plan to, at some point.

                                             Juliette Lewis has always been an actress of limited range.

                                              This time, I am afraid she may be stretching things too far!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Girls, It Is Important To Hydrate And Moisturize, And Use Sun Screen During These Sizzling Summer Months!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Otherwise, You Will End Up Looking Like This!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

                            I don't think even Sally Hershberger could do something about "The Water Ghost Of Harrowby Hall."  Looking all damp and clammy is no way to present oneself at any kind of party or social gathering.

                            This is actually billed as "A Victorian Christmas Spirit Story."  The author is John Kendrick Bangs.  I first discovered this story in my children's Hitchcock anthology "Haunted Houseful."  This volume also contained "The Wastywych Secret," by Constance Savery.  With that nasty Victorian mean girl Jessica Fairlie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                 But 'The Water Ghost' is hopeless, although she can serve as an example of what happens to girls who do not take care of themselves, especially during the summer months.

                                 Stock up on beauty products while you can!

                                  So you can have "Fun, fun, fun," and maybe Daddy won't take your T-bird away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Am Important Word About Fleet Week, Girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                        Now, I know that everyone on here loves Fleet Week.  The thing is it usually is around this time.  Gojira leads in the ships from the sea, the sailors disembark, and action ensues.

                                         Remember what I always say, darlings--Bring a sailor home for a home cooked meal.  But "a bit of dinner never hurt, but guess who is gonna be dessert?"

                                             The event will take place, but it will be more chaotic.  Because it is being only limited to three days--July 3, 4, and 5.  To coincide with our nation's 250th Anniversary!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                               Can you imagine what a bottleneck Manhattan will be, then.  I would not even think of coming in.  Though on the 5th, we are supposed to see "Citizen Kane" at a Fathom Events at Regal Cinema on West 14th Street.  Maybe I will nab a sailor then!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                  So, don't be disappointed, dolls.  Fleet Week will happen, but in a more abbreviated form.

                                                    It will accelerate your wiles in recruiting sailors!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now, What Kind Of Blogger Would I Be, If I Did Not Write About Rex Reed?????????????????????????

                            Rex Reed, who died on May 12 this year at the age of eighty-seven, during my youth--the Seventies and Eighties--was a big name in entertainment journalism.  Though this post may read more like a gossip column than a tribute.

                           No, darlings, I never slept with Rex Reed, though I can say that even during my wildest periods I don't think I would.  Or would I?  If he could do something for me?  Maybe.  But the point of all this is that, even at his handsomest I did not find him attractive, and I think our personalities would have clashed.  Two too strong egos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                           I shall never forget Rex Reed going after Robert Altman on every picture he made.  Of his 1971 film, "McCabe And Mrs. Miller," Reed called it "an incoherent, boring, ponderous and totally worthless piece of garbage....and I am sad to say that 'M*A*S*H*' was an accident."

                           What most people don't know, but I do, girls, after reading an article in "Film Quarterly" during the time "Nashville" came out in 1975 relating an incident at one of the film festivals, where both gentlemen were staying on the same hotel floor, rooms from each other, that something took place.    One night , Altman was going back to his room, and Reed had the door open, coming on to him! Are you kidding?  Anyone who knows anything knew Robert Altman was straight, and that when gay men go after straight men it always ends badly.

                               But then he never came out, did he?   Instead, he never learned from his comeuppance several years before the above, when "TIME Magazine" said of his appearance in the 1970 film, "Myra Breckinridge--"Rex Reed's debut as an actor is on a par with the best line the scriptwriters could give him, 'Where are my tits?' "  Indeed, Rex, where were your tits?????????????

                                  Where Rex trolled, I could not tell.  Though I am sure he did.  He bought an apartment years ago in the Dakota for $30K--can you imagine??????--and Lord knows what that will go for today.  I would love to live there, but I am not about to make a deal with the devil.  I would guess Rex Reed did.

                                     Yes, he could write.  Yes, his bitchiness was entertaining, but after several decades he seemed to disappear from public view.  Like John Simon, his pieces might not be publishable today.  Why do you think I write on here?  Would the American press, even the more minor publications, accept such candor as mine?  I doubt it.

                                      So, hail and farewell to Rex Reed.  Rest In Peace.  And be content with being a footnote in American culture.

                                       Though you probably won't!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!