Girls, I am telling you, it was a short momth, but it seemed longer. All that snow, books read, doctors' visits, birthdays of my favorites--Blythe Danner, Shelley Plimpton, my sister, and nephew, not to mention Sister Camille's own sister, Gloria--and now a ZOOM meeting with my sister and family--it has all been too much.
Valentine's Day was as lovely as we could make it, with a lovely at home dinner, cards, even some chocolate. Just a little, dolls to watch my figure and the Type 2.
But, all in all, February was a good month.
And now comes March, with the promise of Spring, warmer weather, more exercise, and longer days. A dreary time is over!
About this blog, darlings. Well, let's face it, Covid 19 has impacted everyone, so why not this blog??????????????
You may have noticed no more "Bitch Of The Week," and very little on true crime and/or serial killers. That does not mean they are not still out there. What it means is that, with David working from home, I have less time to write, and since we are living in such trying times, I want to give readers some hope on here, so I have done away with some potentially morbid posts, in favor of more hopeful ones.
When I feel the time has come to return to the grotesque, I will. Rest assured, it will not go away.
But hope, humor, and camp are on the menu now, so if it lifts your day, that is my intention.
Here in this house, darlings, as soon as I have my coffee, the radio is turned on, and David and I listen to Sister Camille. Her words of kindness and inspiration are a great starter to the week.
Today, Sister Camille lauded the birthday of her younger sister, Gloria. Which I just had to post, because today is a special day for me, birthday wise. My older sister, who was a Leap Year baby, celebrates her birthday this year on this date. So, for several years, she and Gloria are in sync. So, Happy Birthday, Gloria, and to my sister!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We--my sister, nephews, niece, David and I, all plan a ZOOM meeting with her at 5PM today. It should be a blast. And Baby Gojira is anxious to show off his latest outfit.
Meaning, although it gets in plenty of fascinating, botanical information about trees in, it also has a driving narrative. A thrilling saga of The Greenwood family, and descendants, told backward, like the Sondheim musical "Merrily We Roll Along."
In other words, it is a satisfying read.
I was surprised that homosexuality was one of the topics Christie tackles, as, concerinng some of the time periods covered, I did not expect it to turn up. But he handles it tastefully, and with sensitivity.
The book moves like an ongoing train I just did not want to get off. My eyes were glued to this book until I finished; not since "The American Fiance" has a lengthy novel satisfied me in this way.
This came out in 2019, so there may be paperbacks of it out there. Whatever editions of it you can get your hands on, darlings, read it.
For those, such as I, whom the Powers book did not satisfy--this is IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Eerily atmospheric and oddly erotic, this may not have equaled the 1936 version, but I am telling you, there came a time when I was cheering for Hugo, the dummy. Isn't it interesting how most dummies in this genre look amazingly the same--think "Dead Of Night" and "Magic." The only exception is Chuckie in "Child's Play," who, frankly, looks like Brad Pitt on crack. When "Bride Of Chucky" was filmed, the female doll should have been modeled on Amanda Plummer! Maybe then, I would have seen it.
We also learned that the rubber chicken's name is Kerwin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As for the film, Bryant Halliday's performance as hypnotist/ventriloguist The Great Vorrelli, makes it clear Vincent Price was the first choice for the role, but even he could not tolerate this script's cheesienss. It was directed by Lindsay Shonteff, making his debut, and it shows. Shonteff provides great visuals, atmospheric settings and art direction, macabre cinematography, but cannot do a thing with the actors. The dummy, I am telling you, gives the best performance.
Certainly not Yvonne Romain (Marianne), Sandra Dorne (Magda) and Heidi Erich (Grace), all of whom are from Britain's Central Tramp casting! The amount of cleavage show in this film is pretty daring for its time, which is maybe why Svengoolie kept insisiting viewers use discretion in watching it.
It's great to look at, but ponderous to watch, as it is slow moving. As for what it centers on, I refer you 1971's "The Mephisto Waltz," which is a better film.
The dummy, though, does have the last laugh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes, girls, and Theater Queens, it is that time of year again!
Today, Shelley Plimpton turns 74, which is hard to believe, and on behalf of all my readers and myself, Shelley, we wish you the best.
Many may know her only as a footnote; the mom of actress Martha Plimpton. But to those really in the know, she is much more.
She was an Original Cast member, both Off-Broadway and on, of the musical, "HAIR." She introduced what some of you on here--especially my real-life friend, Angela--know is my favorite song from that show, "Frank Mills." The golden innocence in Shelley's voice has no other peer. Allison Case comes closest, but rest assured, for all time, Shelley owns this song.
So, best wishes on this day, Shelley, and many more! Have a blast, doing exactly what you like!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now, listen, darlings, as Shelley shows how it should be done!
I have to admit, darlings, when I first heard the title, I was hoping for the 1936 MGM film, of the same title, starring Lionel Barrymore, Maureen O' Sullivan, and the fabulous Rafaella Ottiano. I mean, the name alone is reason enough to see the film.
When I saw it was about a ventriloquist, and his dummy, I was hoping for the 1946 British anthology film "Dead Of Night," where the ventriloquist sequence,with Michael Redgrave, is the best. But this 1964 film I have never seen, but it looks like the same old thing, so it should be lots of fun, with Svengoolie getting plenty of rubber chickens thrown at him.
Hey, this is the highlight of our week, during Covid! So, join us for some campy fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have known no ventriloquists in my time, but plenty of dummies!
As Ray Bolger said, in "The Wizard Of Oz," "Some people without brains do an awful lot of talking."
I could say this book is a "pushover," but even for I, that would be bad taste.
When I first saw this book, I thought it referred to the pushing exerted by women, during the process of childbirth.
And the attention this book is getting--a feminist tract on motherhood; the right to choose to mother or not; to love, or not love your child--come on! Stop kidding yourlseves. Anyone who grasps the character reference in my headline should understand where this story is headed.
Yes, it is another evil child, in the tradition of the 1950's work that set the gold standard--"The Bad Seed," by William March.
Obviiously, today's reviewers are clueless to any form of literature of the past. Nowhere have I seen the March work referenced, though it is patently drawn from it. Yes, there was a comparison to "We Need To Talk About Kevin," but even that would not have existed without the March novel.
Besides numerous decades, the main difference here--and the reader has to just go with this and believe--is that the mother, Blythe Conner, (NOT to be confused with Blythe Danner, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!) senses something wrong with the child, from the time it is in her womb. There is no "Rosemary's Baby" supernatural chicanery going on here. She just "senses" it.
And, of course, no one believes her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Are you kidding me? And I won't even bother going into the genetic explanation for this. You do need a reason to read the book.
That would be its last sentence. I kept wondering how Audrain would end her story, and she found a cliffhanger that left even jaded me gasping!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So, go ahead and read it. But, if you have never read "The Bad Seed," go read it afterward, and see why that holds up after 66 years. "The Push" will not.
I know, and understand, girls, why childhood icons like Aunt Jemima, Eustace, on "Cream Of Wheat," Uncle Ben, and the "Land O' Lakes" squaw, have vanished. I may not be happy about it, but I understand it. And the Lucky Charms leprechaun is still around, because he is White.
But what about The Skinny Cow? Is it guilty of any politcal inorrectness? I always thought it helped promote bovine imagery.
Lately, when I go shopping, I see the product, but no cow pictured anywhere, any longer. What is going on? This is unfaiir to cows!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I demand the return of The Skinny Cow, who is a complete innocent. And I am counting on all my girls, to back me up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When will it stop? Tony, The Tiger? The "Trix" Rabbit? Markie Maypo????????????????
And don't even get me started on the Cocoa Marsh Lion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
At one time, I actually had a rubber chicken, long before it became popular, thanks to "Svengoolie." I wish I still had it.
Last week, Svengoolie showed Universals's 1940 "The Invisible Man Returns." Nowhere near as good as the Claude Rains original--which was directed by James Whale, and which Claude Rains brought a heartbreaking pathos to the title character. When the dead Rains' figure actually appeared at the end, I found myself shedding tears.
The first thing needed for this role is a great, theatrical voice. As Rains was killed off, another was found--Vincent Price, probably the next best thing. He gave it his all, but much of it was repetitious.
But there were a number of things that made it novel. Like seeing Sir Cedric Hardwicke, often cast as a good guy--play a bad one, corporate bastard Richard Cobb. Who is out to snatch the Radcliffe Factory, owned by Price, as Sir Geoffrey Radcliffe. He starts out by murdering his brother, Michael, framing Price for it, and then electing the most incompetent worker to the position of Supervisor. I'm telling you, girls, isn't that always the case.
There is a lab on the factory premises, where Frank Griffin, brother of the late Jack (Claude Rains) devises a way for Radcliffe to escape, which he does, to exact revenge. Meanwhile, Griffin has to come up with an antidote to remedy the inevitable madness that takes over each time the invisibility serum is used. Can he do it, and save Price?
The movie rides on this. And has some of the same poignance. As well as the novelty of Cecil Kellaway, famous for charming, whimsical types, enacting a hard bitten detective. And Nan Grey, best known as Lily, the lesbian prostitute, in 1936's "Dracula's Daughter," as the very proper and overwrought fiance, Helen.
This monster had its limits, which is why Universal stopped churning out such films. Not until Price played him again, at the end of "Abbott And Costello" Meet "Frankenstein," was he effectively employed again. Of course, there was 1944's "The Invisble Man's Revenge," with Jon Hall, but, I have not seen it, and the "Revenge" in the title almost gives the whole thing away.
What is "Svengoolie" showing this Saturday night? Stay tuned, to find out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I never knew Jessie Mueller was a Febrary baby. But, this past Saturday, on the 20th, she celebrated her 38th birthday. And looks ten years younger.
We all wish Jessie the best birthday she could have had, under the present circumstances. And I wish I could go somewhere and hear Jessie sing live!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As a gift to all my readers, here are Jessie and Joshua Henry, performing "If I Loved You," from Rodgers And Hammerstein's "Carousel." Of such things are American Musical Theater beuaty made!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Happy Belated Birthday, Jessie, and many more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I simply hate this commercial, and will get into why, but let me say that, the way it is staged, it reminds me of the children's entrance in "The Sound Of Music."
However, though the boys live in a nice house, and the father obviously cares about them, the fact that they are breakfasting at McDonald's shows a lack of sophistication, which the Von Trapps certainly did not have. And, on this ad, from the sounds they make, I am surprised to see only two boys come down the stairs, because the shouting and rushing sounds like a herd of children--at least four!
So, these are Millenial Von Trapps. Trouble is, if they are nurtured on a diet of McDonald's, eventually they will grow into obese, dumb jock types. Who needs more of that?
You want to talk media propaganda? This is it, at its worst!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stick to "Sound Of Music," darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It was like something out of dream. I went on my portal, and scheduled an appointment for this past Thursday, right in my neighborhood. Just as I was walking out the door, because of the storm, the place called, saying they were closing down. So, I was scheduled for yesterday, at 10:50AM.
No cattle call, stampeding, fighting, clamouring, or cursing. It could not have been more easy-peezy. And I made an appointment for my second, next month.
It really did not hurt at all, dolls. I did, and still have, a rather sore arm, as a result, but no more than the flu shot, and, hey, I can type on the keyboard with my left hand/arm.
Next, I have to get David to have his. I have a feeling his will be in a pharmacy. Meanwhile, we are all still maintaining protolcol.
Like they say, do it for your loved ones, as well as yourself.
And if any anti-vaxers get on and attack me, I will have some choice bitch words for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes, girls, on this past Wednesday, Feburary 17, it was that time again. Only I was now visiitng in the face of having had a heart ablation, and being on a blood thinner, like Eliquis.
I suffer from DAD--Dental Anxiety Disorder--to begin with. But it was elevated by the aforementioned.
Happily, everything went well. No discomofrt, cavities, and a clean bill of health, for the next six months.
Be grateful for small favors, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am sure that ninety per cent of my readers on here have seen, at least once, the 1961 fiilm, "Splendor In The Grass," which turns 60, this year. One's perceptions of what one sees over time, can change one's outllook on the film. When I first saw the film, as a teenager, I related to Deanie; the classroom scene, which I will try and include here, encapsulates how I felt about my own adolescence.
Mind that I say this is how I felt, not what I experienced.
Later, as an adult, when watching the film, I no longer demonized the parents, as I did in my teens. They were as misguided as their children, and trapped in the times they were living in. And I am sure, for all that we have progressed, the trajectory of the story would play out similarly today.
For those unfamiliar with this film, let me give you a cultural context.
Back in 1953, playwright William Inge wrote a one-act play called "Glory In The Flower." The title, like that for 'Splendor,' came from Wordworth's poem "Ode On Intimations Of Immortality." In this short play, appear two characters, named Jackie, and Bus Riley. Inge would later write a play about him called "Bus Riley's Back In Town." In "Glory,' he is back, too, having left town because he impregnated his underaged girlfriend, Jackie, resulting in her having to have an abortion. This play is set in the Paradise Bar. Since Inge is the author, the location has to be somewhere in Kansas.
Bus is a failed movie star, not unlike Chance Wayne, in Tennessee Williams' "Sweet Bird Of Youth." Jackie is a spinster piano teacher. They meet in the bar and have a sort of reunion, though they are years beyond youth. Those who know "Splendor In The Grass" consider these the foreshaows of Bud and Deanie from "Splendor In The Grass." So, some consider this an answer to the question I posed, but I do not think so.
Now, Bus Riley was written about in a play called "Bus Riley's Back In Town." It was first presented at Penn State University in 1958, and a movie was made of it in 1965, starring Michael Parks, Ann-Margret, and, as Judy, Janet Margolin. Judy is the Deanie of the piece, losing her home and her mother in a fire. Bus, a failed actor, working as a mechanic, which he feels is beneath him, is drawn to Judy, but is enticed by the more seductive and manipulative Laurel, played of course, by Ann-Margret. Living with his mother and sisters, Bus ditches Laurel for Judy, and begins a contented life. Here, the characters of Bud, Deanie, and Ginny Stamper (Bud's sister) are foreshadowed.
Finally, it all came together, with "Splendor In The Grass." While Inge and Elia Kazan were working on his play, "The Dark At The Top Of The Stairs," Inge told the director a story about two people he knew while growing up in Kansas. I have not been able to find out what exactly Inge told Kazan, or who these actual people were, but this is how "Splendor In The Grass" emerged.
For the uninitated, let me bring you up to date--
"Splendor In The Grass" is set in Kansas, in 1928, just before the Great Depression, which will become important, later. High school seniors Bud and Deanie (Warren Beatty and Natallie Wood) are their school's "Golden Couple." Their parents have their own goals and expectations for both--but are they right? Bud's father (Pat Hingle) wants his son to take over the oil business he wants to leave him, after he graduates from Yale. But Bud, good looking, scion of the town's wealthiest family, is a dumb jock, who wants only to be a farmer on his father's farmland.
Deanie's mother is the feminine counterpart of Bud's father. She would love Deanie to score a match with the town's richest family, but browbeats her continuouly about how sexual their relationship is or is not getting, to the point of infantalizing her.
As if this is not enough trouble, along comes Bud's sister, Ginny (Barbara Loden, in a brilliant performance) newly arrived from Chcago, after having a marriage annulled, and an abortion. Ginny hates the town, and its conventions, warns Bud not to conform. But Bud lacks Ginny's gumption, which is too bad for him, and his father; Ginny, properly guided, would have been better to have run the business.
Things culminate on New Year's Eve, as things segue into 1929. Deanie and Bud declare their love, but, after witnessing his sister being gang raped that night, Bud decides to cut off ties with Deanie, which she does not understand, and Bud cannot articulate. As a result, Bud wanders off with town tramp Juanita Howard (Jan Morris), pushing himself to physical exhaustion and a bout with penumonia. Deanie, tragically, seeks into a deep depression, culminating in a nervous bereakdown, an attempted suicide, and incarcertaion in a mental institution in Wichita, a standin for the Payne Whitney clinic, where Inge actually did some time, himself.
Two and a half years past; it is 1931. Bud has flunked out of Yale, his father loses everything in the stockmarket crash and committs suicide, while his mother is passed among family members, the quintessential poor relation.
Meanwhile, Bud has married a working class girl he met in New Haven, Angelina, played by Zohra Lampert. They have a boy, Bud, Jr, and another child on the way. Home from her incarceration, Deanie goes to see Bud, meets his family, and both Deanie and Angelina seem to size each other up; Deanie realizes that Bud has married down, Angelina, that somehow Deanie will always be the love of her husband's life.
That's it, in a nutshell.
OK. Here is what we know about Deanie. She is to marry a man named John , a young doctor back in Cincinattti, whom she met in the hospital. Her mother is not a bit happy about where she met this guy, or that she will be living in Cincinatti. And she is worried that the hospital told Deanie to blame her.
By the end, more is known about Bud, than Deanie. So, to my reades, especially the girls, out there, I would like to know--
Was Deanie's marriage a happy one?
Did she have children? If so, was she careful not to raise them the way her mother raised her? If no children, was it because of her mother?
Did Deanie go off the rails, again?
What kind of life could she have lived, having been through so much, when young?
Let me know what you think, girls. I am curious to hear!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have to say I have never seen this film, so I am rather curious myself. It cannot equal the Claude Rains original. Besides, The Invisible Man, was Universals's most underrated monster. I guess they thought there was a limit as to what could be done with him.
Besides the 1933 original, and this 1940 sequel, he was featured only in 1944's "The Invisible Man's Revenge," with Jon Hall, and with a voiceover, again by Vincent Price, at the end of 1948's "Abbott And Costello Meet Frankenstein." Which I think marked the last time Bela Lugosi played "Dracula."
I think this will be an informed and fun experience, tomorrow, girls, so don't miss it. It is a revenge story, and who doesn't find those satisfying and cathartic.
Much better than going out, and killing others, ourselves, for sure!
I don't care what anyone says. I know, in the novel "Oliver Twist," the dog, named Bulls-Eye, is referred by Dickens as being a "bull terrier." Well, you know something, darlings? The Pit Bull is a branch of the Terrier breed, which makes it more than likely that, in today's parlance, he is a Pit Bull.
It makes perfect sense. Bill Sikes is one of most sinister characters in all of fiction, so it would make sense he would own the most heinous type of dog possible.
Have you seen the owners of Pit Bulls? They all look like convicts or felons, which is probably what they are. So, I am convinced Sikes' dog is a Pit Bull.
So sinsiter is Sikes that even Bulls-Eye is apprehensive about him.
And that is something, for a Pit Bull!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes, darlings, today is Shrove Tuesday, which marks the start of Lent; tomorrow being Ash Wednesday. Usually, in NOLA, they are whooping it up, but not this year! Who knows when?
So, all that can be done today is standard procedure--eating some pancakes. This is now the only time of year when I eat any, so I try and make the most of this opportuity.
However you celebrrate Shrove Tuesday, let it be happy and merry!
Those qualities have to be found where and when they may!
I thought the "Moonstruck" poster would be a nice change for this day, as it is as romantic as pink hearts, or red, and I am sure all of us remembered when we wanted to be Loretta Castorini!!!!!!!! I have seen the film many times--it is MY Valentine's Day film-- and the first time i saw it, the whole segment with Loretta going shopping, getting her hair done, her transformation, and then finding love and the opera--oh, my God, how I wanted that!
And now, with David, I feel I do have it, and I am eternally grateful.
But, back in the day, I tried to "make myself Loretta" as much as possible. I bought one of those long coats that she wears early in the film, I stood on the steps of the house that served as the exterior, located in Brooklyn, and just a few blocks over, I walked around the corner, romantically delirious, (or, at least, acting so!) with the same aria from "La Boheme" blasting in my ear, thanks to--this is really dating myself, darlings--a Walkman. And, yes, I kicked a can!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes, I wanted "Moonstruck." And I got it, but in my own way. We all have to follow our own path, girls; which is one thing to be learned from Loretta.
So, a Happy Valentine's Day to everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"When you walk in a dream, but you know you're not dreaming, signore.......!"
I know, girls, I know. Most of the news on here, of late, has been sad, and I am afraid I have some more bad news. But, at least, no one is dead this time.
TruTV Network has made a decision they will come to regret. They have not renewed "At Home With Amy Sedaris," for a fourth season. That means no Amy, Patty Hogg, Lesbo, Wine Lady, Nutmeg, and, sadly Ruth and Esther, in their wooded glen.
What is wrong with this station. Guess it would rather have more of the vulgarity of "Impractical Jokers" than the color and quality of Amy. They will regret this mistake.
As for Amy and Company, they will survive. Maybe another network, maybe another format. But Amy is not through, and all of us fans are right behind her.
Cheer on Amy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And boycott TruTV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I speak for many when I say that the 1939 "Wizard Of Oz" is in my bloodstream, and is part of my DNA. Nothing can ever surpass it.
Well, some upstart hack named Nicole Kassell, whom I never heard of, or could care about, and who directed three episodes of a 2019 miniseries called "Watchmen," which I never heard of, or could care about, is slated, with New Line Cinema, to do a remake of "The Wizard Of Oz." The sheer, unadulterated gaul!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But let me reassure some. First, those on here will never see it. I certainly won't, and it will never stand the test of time for 80 plus years, as the Garland film has. I can tell you, this film will not run for eight weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To further assuage you, it is not to be a replica of the MGM film. Kassell is proposing a "fresh take" on the story, and God knows what that means. But, for sure, it will not be a musical, which means there will be no desecration of "Over The Rainbow," or any other part of the Arlen-Harburg score.
So, what's the point? Who gives a damn???????????????
Let me tell you something. In Mel Torme's 1971 book, "The Other Side Of The Rainbow," recounting Judy Garland's ill-fated variety show, he recounted an incident where the star lashed back at her writers, for suggesting a funny sketch built around her song, "Over The Rainbow." According to the book, Garland herself said, "There will be no jokes of any kind about 'Over The Rainbow.' It's kind of sacred. I don't want anyone...anywhere...to lose the thing they have about Dorothy, or that song!"
The lady knew her audience.
Which is why this production and set will be cursed, as was "The Exorcist." Judy will haunt the productiion from the grave!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The graves of the MGM cast must be spinning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
After the recent cheesiness of bug movies, like "The Leech Woman," "Earth VS. The Spider," and "The Black Scorpion"--I was not prepared for a genuine classic to be pulled out of the vault. I have not seen this since I was a little kid, but I remember how brilliantly Claude Rains performed, with just his voice; how Una O' Connor livened thngs up, as always; and the speech he gives to the imprisoned Doctor Kemp, strapped in a car, before he sends him over the cliff. This was my favorite scene in the movie, and should be, for all those feeling disgruntled.
A real classic! Don't miss it, darlings! Tune in with me, on Saturday night!
This is the day, darlings! One hundred sixty three years ago, on a Thursday afternoon, at the Grotto of Massabielle, near Lourdes, France, the Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette Soubirous. The event changed the many lives of those present, and even afterward--consider Jennifer Jones, and myself, for starters.
Bernadette is whom I look to for guidance, inspiration, and strength, when I pray. She is hardly my patron saint, but my favorite, nevertheless. So, I want all you out there to remember her on this day, and how much she has done for us, will continue to do, and, in the face of Covid, may eventually come to do. Yes, girls, keep a watch out!
So, let us hear it for Mary and Bernadette, today!
Even the Jerfferson Starship believed in "Miracles!"
Girls, I am telling you, Baby Boomeres are certainly being hit on the head with their own mortality. Just three days after Christopher Plummer leaves us, so does Mary Wilson, one of the lead singers of "The Supremes." She died in Las Vegas, on February 8, 2021. She was 75 years old.
I read Mary spill it all, in her book, "Dreamgirl: My Life As A Supreme." Mary told it like it was; she knew Diana Ross--that bitch!!!!!!!!!--killed Florence Ballard.
And now, Diana has gone and killed Mary, too! And for what? She's washed up at this point, anyway!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mary will be missed. And so will her tell-all phrase, "Miss Ross, my ass!"
Rest In Peace, Mary. Diana will get hers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here is Diana--indisputably talented--with Mary and, I think, Flo, doing what is my all-time favorite in their reptetoire--"Love Child!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
We will love you, Mary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Another line Baby Boomers grew up with. I know it now comes in orange--which happens to be my favorite color--but, for me, "Palmolive" will always be green.
We always keep a botte in our kitchen, for when dishes get done. Lately, I have been so betwixt and between that, several times, I accidentally washed my hands in it.
"Dishwashing liquid?????????????"
"Relax, it's 'Palmolive!'"
Be that as it may, I want my hand cream and moisturizer.
Darlings, you may be able to get better skin from a body wash, but "Palmolive" is not the cure for dishpan hands!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hired help is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yet another nail in the coffin of Baby Boomers. For those of us old enough--or young, as the case may be--to have seen "The Sound Of Music" in its first year of release, Christopher Plummer will always be Captain Von Trapp. I saw if for the first time, on November 26, 1965, and while Julie and The Children rule, each viewing made me appreciate how astute his performance was.
But he was more than Captain Von Trapp. He won an Oscar as Best Supporting Actor Of 2011, for his role as an elderly man who comes out Gay in "Beginners." (Or was it 2010?). He was a fabulous stage actor--winning a TONY Award, in 1974, as Best Actor In A Musical, for his role in "Cyrano," no less. In 1997, he won a Best Actor In A Play TONY Award for his one-man show, "Barrymore." In 2004, he appeared at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre, next door to where I worked, then,in "King Lear." Three times I tried to get myself a ticket--a single--for ANY night! But it was always sold out!
And so I say farewell to one whom I thought would never die. As long as "Sound Of Music" is screened, Christopher Plummer will live. Yet die he did, of a fall suffered at his home, in Weston, Connecticut. He was 91. And as long as generations of theatergoers remain alive, Christopher Plummer will be remembered.
Leaving us his brilliant daughter, Amanda.
Rest In Peace, Christopher Plummer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have not posted on here in ages, and there is so much to write about. As David says, I have not been feeleing enervated. I do a lot of reading, but have to force myself to write. Part of this stems from a recent discovery that a childhood friend of mine died on May 9, 2020. A Christmas card I had sent him came back, with the word "Deceased." I got in touch with the one surviving member of the family, and he told me that, due to Covid, he died alone in a hospital in Connecticut, to where he had moved in the 1990s.
We had not seen each other in 30 years, since his mother died. How I wish I had reached out, stayed in touch, or have done something for him. But our lives went in divergent paths.
So, sadness has burdened me lately. Now, I must find way back to my girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Today is Groundhog Day, and Phil, of PA, is the official rodent for the occasion, so that means six more weeks of Winter. Where I am sitting, writing, out here in the wilds of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, we have gotten two feet of snow in the past 24 hours. In just one day, I feel like we already have had six weeks of Winter!
Just our luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thakfully, no car for us to dig out. Hope the rest of you are braving this storm well. And there is the possibility more will come along next week. I bet it will be the day of my
doctor appointment! Ain't it always the case, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stay warm, drink tea, read, or whatever it takes shake off those Winter blues.
And Happy Grounhog Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
