Girls, Can You Believe We Are Halfway Through 2022????????????????????????????

                                                        Not only is it the last day of June, darlings, but we are at the mid-point of 2022.  And what a year it has been!

                                                          Hell, what a month June has been. Busting out all over, giving us an interesting TONY Awards presentation, then two slaps in the face, what with the gun laws and the overturning of Roe v. Wade.  I am telling you, I am re-reading Philip Roth's "The Plot Against America," and its prescience is frightening.  You have heard me on how the American justice system needs to be revamped, but I am telling you, darlings, I am thinking of reading up on Constitutional Law or maybe even taking the LSAT's.  Because if a fight is in the offing, I am ready to stand up for my rights.

                                                               These are very troubled times.  But we have to survive.  If we do not stand up for ourselves, who will?  So, I am urging all on here, I hope you voted yesterday, and whatever else the year brings, fight for your rights, and cherish even more the joyful times that still come our way, and I hope will continue to, for the rest of the year.

                                                                  This has not been an easy first half.  Add on the previous two years, and that is a burden.  But we are still here, and we will survive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                    Don't forget girls, "all those lives to live, all that love to give!"

Still Fun, After Repeated Viewings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                     I have to give AIP credit, darlings.  After having such camp hits as 'Teenage Werewolf,' "Teenage Frankenstein,' and my personal favorite, "Blood Of Dracula," I imagine the studio wanted to do something a little more substantial.  By the way, did you know lead actor here, Robert H. Harris, and Louise Lewis, who plays the repressed lesbian Miss Branding, in "Blood Of Dracula," were, in real life, married?  Only here, girls, does one get such bon-bons of information.

                                     Two things I discovered this time out.  The climax of the film, in color recalls 1953's "House Of Wax."  Second, it shows Robert H. Harris was underrated as a character actor.  In what is essentially a one-note role, he injects so much into it--homosexuality, evil, dominance, anger, resentment, hurt, even some pathos at the end when he screams plaintively, "I must save my children!"

                                        Then look at him as Henry Bellows, in 1967's "Valley Of The Dolls." Hard to believe it is the same actor.  But that is what acting is all about, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   I mean, I have been craving to play the Bette Davis/Mildred Rogers role in a remake of "Of Human Bondage!!!!!!!!!

                                          And our friend Cucumbo, was pleased as punch to be given so much screen time in the final scene.  He has been champing at the bit for Svengoolie to show his signature movie, 1956's "It Conquered The World."  Where Beverly Garland takes on the creature like she is doing Shakespeare!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Really, dolls, it is a hoot.

                              Now, after this AIP gem, "Sventoonie" unearthed a real surprise for us, one I had not seen since a small child, and one that, sad to say, does not hold up, years later.  To be sure, "The Little Shop Of Horrors" has its comic horror aspects, with Jonathan Haze, as Seymour Krelborn, Jackie Joseph as the hot coworker, Audrey Fulquard, who, in no way, could a guy like Seymour get, Myrtle Joseph as Mrs. Krelborn, who plays the mother as a foreshadowing of any Edith Massey character in John Waters' films, and, the real scene stealer, Jack Nicholson, as Wilbur Force, whose dental scene will scare all those--including me who suffer from Dental Anxiety Disorder.  From his work here, who knew he would go on to become an Oscar winning icon?  Though the work seen here is better than average.

                              As for the plant, here dubbed Audrey, Jr., the special effects department had a field day.  Once it grows to enormous size, it is genuinely creepy.  The best moment comes at the end, where a blossom shows Seymour's face, indicating he has been devoured by the plant.  His mother screams his name, and he answers back, "I didn't mean it!"

                                  And yet, for all this, the film was not as engaging as I recall.  Still, it was nice to get another glance at it, especially with Sventoonie and Blob E. Blob.  I know this is a cult film but count me out of this one.  But then, I am the only cult member of "The Song Of Bernadette."

                                    I cherish that distinction, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Joey Chestnut Is Training This Week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                 Yes, darlings, it is that time, again!  In just five days, Coney Island will stage its Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest, on July 4.  Current champ Joey Chestnut wants to keep that label, so it is safe to say he is training, even as we speak.

                                                     And, while we speak, gastroenterologists across the tri-state area are licking their chops, over who is going to make money from this potential patient.    Because let me tell you, girls, champion or not, Joey, when older is sure to have serious GI problems.  I wouldn't want that for anything.  I may have had high school issues over not making National Honor Society, but I surely would not compensate by a cheesy contest that can only succeed in ruining my health.

                                                       Sure, Joey is free to do as he chooses. And yes, I am cheering for his continued success on July 4.  But somewhere down the line, his health will face consequences.  And I hope he is prepared for that, emotionally and financially.

                                                           Meanwhile, bite it, Joey!  On July 4!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I Think The Time Has Come For Me To Reread Philip Roth's "The Plot Against America!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                      Roth foresaw a lot of this in his hypothetical narrative of what might happen had Charles Lindbergh become President Of The United States.  The details of what actually happen in this context elude me, as it has been years since I picked up the novel.  But now, with the SCOTUS overturning Roe V. Wade, this is just the beginning of the end of freedom for individuals who do not embrace a White, heterosexual Christian (which is a joke!) and 1950's view of America!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                         That's right, darlings, this is just the beginning.  And I will not stop using my words here to fight!

                                           To answer the question in the picture--the reason men get to decide is because of their dicks.  Men like Brent Kavanaugh and such put premium on their dicks and their cars, above all else.  Nothing else matters, because their brains don't extend beyond these.  I want to see these smirking Judases--including Amy Coney Barrett and that Mitch McConnell--penalized or castrated.  And if any of you ID redneck yokels try to justify sodomizing your mother in a backwoods shack, and having a child by her, you are dumber than I thought.  But why should I be surprised?  Just look at the mess on January 6, 2021!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                               Like Gloria Steinem once said, "Honey, if men could get pregnant, abortion would be a sacrament."  And not so many kids born.  I maintain that at some point beyond our lifetimes man will evolve to being able to conceive and carry a child.  Will that make women the masters?  And how would that play out?  I would love to stick around and find out, because this is just what those on SCOTUS are afraid of.  As for Amy Coney Barrett and her like, don't you realize how you are debasing yourselves, by writhing before your men and their dicks, as Miriam did before the golden calf????????????  You damn well care about yourselves, but not about the others too ignorant to avoid conception altogether, and who have no business bringing potentially damaged children into this world, whether through biology or their own inexperience and ignorance.  Not to mention lack of finances.  So back we go to the garages, alleys, and knitting needles.

                                                I want everyone on here, no matter what side, to go on YouTube, and watch the "1952" segment of 1996's "If These Walls Could Talk," wherein Demi Moore does the only real acting she has ever done.  Good for her.  See how nightmarish this is.

                                                 And then try and tell me and others today' decision was justified!!!!!!!!!!!

Tomorrow Night, Darlings, Svengoolie Is Showing The Perfect Film On The Eve Of Gay Pride!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                   Yes, he has shown this before, but it is always such fun, and we get to see a shot of Cucumbo, which will please him, now a resident of our home.

                                                    But, really, this film has so much homosexual subtext it is a wonder SCOTUS does not ban Svengoolie from showing it.  God forbid, that time may be coming.

                                                     Robert H. Harris, better known as Henry Bellows in 1967's "Valley Of The Dolls," plays deranged makeup artist Pete Drumond, who has a sadomasochistic relationship with his assistant, Rivero, played by Paul Brinegar.  Meanwhile, Pete has the hots for Gary Conway, (Who was originally in "I Was A Teenage Frankenstein.") and Gary Clarke as Larry Drake, who filled in when Michael Landon's ego started getting big, and he refused to reprise his 'Teenage Werewolf' role.  There is a big surprise at the end, which I won't reveal to those who have not seen it.  And note the influence of 1953's "House Of Wax" on this film.

                                                            Veteran character actor Malcom Atterbury is in this, and the film is noticeable for very few women.  I mean, really?????????????  An AIP film??????????????

                                                         But, really girls, outside of 1957's "Blood Of Dracula," with its lesbian subtext, or 1981's "Blood Beach" where the underground monster bites off a man's penis, I don't think there's a gayer film that could be shown.  What an excellent choice Svengoolie made.

                                                            I do not know if "Sventoonie" is up to anything tomorrow, but I hope!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Meanwhile, see all you girls, tomorrow at 8PM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The "Funny Girl" Saga Begins To Culminate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                        Before I start, today happens to be Beanie Feldstein's birthday.  Happy Birthday, Beanie, and congrats on your engagement!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                          That said--

                                          From the moment her casting was announced, I knew Beanie was wrong for this show. And when I saw the results for myself, on April 2, I knew what she was going to be in for, and I was not wrong.  But did you know, darlings--AHA!!!!!!--that Beanie's father, producer Richard Feldstein, put some money into the show, ensuring that his plump little dumpling would get the part she says she has always dreamt of????????????

                                             Which is bullshit, because, if this really was her dream, she would not let anything stop it.  Not bad press, not being ignored by the TONYS, not even her engagement to Bonnie Chance Roberts?  Who, you ask?  Does it matter?

                                                 Now, Beanie is feeding us all this crap about how ten years from now, she just wants to be a housewife in New York, living with her spouse, and a baby!  Oh, for God's sake!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Can't this woman finish anything?  That she is reneging on what was once a year's contract is bad enough, but makes me suspicious, how cemented will this relationship be?  Fame is said to be fickle, but I think Beanie is fickler than fame.  Time will tell.

                                                      Nevertheless, have a fabulous birthday, Beanie!  And till "Funny Girl" ultimately closes--which may be sooner than later--the saga will continue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                              

"It's Not For Lack Of Bread, Like The Grateful Dead, Daaaaaaaaaaaaarllllllllliiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnng!"

                                      Another cast member of "HAIR" has passed on.  The big surprise is that James Rado, who co-wrote the show, and originated the lead role of Claude, was ninety when he died, three days ago.   That means he was well overaged--late 30's--when he did a show which was a paen to a generation then still in their twenties!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Interesting to note--he was born on January 23, 1932, under the sign of...can you believe it? --Aquarius!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                           I remember the first time I saw "HAIR," a poorly mounted revival in the Summer of 1977.  An actress whose name I will never forget, named Soni Moreno, ruined the song "Frank Mills," because she was wrong, casting wise, and had not the plaintive voice for it.  Annie Golden and Ellen Foley were the only real things on that stage.  As for the nude scene, I understand how groundbreaking it was then, but I actually expected everyone to stand, with the stage fully lit.  Now, I think that is done, today.  When I last saw "HAIR" in 2009, wherein Allison Case did the best "Frank Mills" since Shelley Plimpton, the nudity was more open.  But in 1977, my expectations were too high.

                                             How sad to lose another "HAIR" original cast member.

                                              Take comfort, darlings--Shelley Plimpton is still alive, at 75!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How Could I Have Forgotten, Darlings?????????????????????

                                      Two days ago, the Longest Day Of The Year, was also the 53rd Anniversary of Judy Garland's death.  I have to post this, especially after going to that screening of "The Wizard Of Oz," honoring her 100th birthday, which would have been this year.

                                         This story bears repeating. It did a number on many, including the Gay Rights Movement.   I had just graduated eighth grade--a form of HELL--and when I came downstairs, Sunday morning, my parents, fixing breakfast, both told me Judy Garland was dead.  I was devastated.  I also, at 14, thought how old she was, at 47!!!!!!!!!!!!  Hah!, as I write this now.  I went into the living room, turned on the TV, and there was all the coverage.  I could not move.  To distract me, my parents got reserved seat tickets at the Claridge Theater in Montclair, NJ, to the 2PM screening of "Ben-Hur," where I cried my eyes out.  Then we went back to Cedar Grove, to Aunt Martha and Uncle Jack's, for dinner, before which I had a quick swim in their pool.  It was distracting, but it also created a special memory I always associate with Garland's death.

                                             What I could not anticipate was less than ten years from then, I would lose my mother. But that is another story.

                                                                                     

                                                                                

                                   Here is the penultimate Judy Garland--"Over The Rainbow," "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,' "Get Happy," and "The Man That Got Away."  Who can we count among such talent today???????????????

"Anne Francis Stars In 'Forbidden Planet'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                          I had completely forgotten, darlings, that Robby The Robot gets "And Introducing" status during the opening credits.  Just like Jennifer Jones, in "The Song Of Bernadette."

                                          Robby, and Anne Francis with her outfits, outact everyone else in the film, who are all men.  Walter Pidgeon does his stentorian best to put his stamp on Morbius/Prospero,  (This is a reworking of William Shakespeare's final play, "The Tempest," and it is going to send me back to the text!) but it is Robby and Anne who enliven this film whenever they are on camera.  When not, the film sags.

                                           But the color photography and special effects make up for their absences.  Even in this post-"Star Wars" age, they look lush and artsy, even while now still having a kind of Georges Melies feel to them.  Like his work of over a century ago, there remains an artistic cachet to the technical work in "Forbidden Planet" that holds up still today.  I would guess this might have been MGM's most expensive film since "The Wizard Of Oz."  And the Magnetic Monster was genius; who knew a couple of Disney pros had to be borrowed by Metro to create this creature?  While the story lagged in plot, I had to marvel still at the technical ingenuity.

                                               Not to mention, again, Robby and Anne.  No wonder, years later, we all wanted "Honey West" dolls.  I know I did!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                     The 1956 classic was followed by "Sventoonie's" deconstruction of the 1971 trash classic, "Lady Frankenstein," which even I had never heard of.  I realized why, once I saw it.  This redo of Mary Shelley was an Italian based, English dubbed film, made a Mario Bava wannabe.  The only thing missing was talent.  Was this Jospeh Cotten's last film?  I mean, from "Citizen Kane," to this? Meanwhile, Rosalba Neri, the nowhere actress playing the title role, was clearly a stand-in for Barbara Steele, who had the good sense to turn this crap down!  The colors were cheesy, and the monster looked like a foreshadowing of Freddy Krueger.  Better to have shown the 1958 classic "Frankenstein's Daughter," with Sandra Knight and John Ashely.  Infinitely better.

                                    But we just LOVE Sventoonie, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                      And, of course, sweet Blob E. Blob!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday, MERYL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                      Today is the birthday of the divinity known to us all as Meryl Streep, or as us queens like to call her, MERYL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   How many of us are going to look this good upon reaching the age of 73???????????  I am less than six years from that, and I can only hope to look even half this good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                             Wishing the best to MERYL; do whatever you want to do on your day, honey, because you have given pleasure, education, and insight to all through your work the remaining 364 days of the year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                 If I were MERYL, I would invite Stanley Tucci over, and have him cook one of his famous meals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                   On you, MERYL, it won't even show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                   So, Happy Birthday, and many more, to the Divine MERYL STREEP!!!!!!!!!!!!

By My Definition, Today Is The Longest Day Of The Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                          Girls, I am telling you, it did seem like a short night, didn't it?  And from here, it's all downhill, as we build back to December 22, being the shortest day of the year.  But downhill does not mean Joan Didion; hell, it won't even be noticed till sometime later in September.  So, enjoy all the extended sun and fun while you can!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                             May all your Summer Dreams come true!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Are You Ready For The Summer?????????????????

                                       Having just had Juneteenth, (I really Must-read Ralph Ellison's book, sometime!) we are at the start of Summer, which is today, June21.  I wish you all a joyful and exciting one, but most of all one that is safe.  Which is why I don't see myself riding the rides at Coney or laying on the beach.  With my fair skin????????????  I do anticipate a lot of Summer Reading, which is something I can do, largely without endangerment of any kind.

                                            However, you celebrate the Summer--and David and I plan to spend it with Svengoolie and maybe Sventoonie--make the most of this magical 80 plus days that is given to us each year.  Visit places, stay safe, and be aware.  Wear colorful short things, but use plenty of sun screen.

                                               This time also brings that annual conundrum--this is the first day of Summer, but is today actually the longest day of the year?  If so, was last night the shortest night?  And do things start reducing after today?  Or is it tomorrow, the 22nd.  I prefer this last, because that was how I recall being taught it, and tomorrow is also MERYL's birthday, and well, how fitting she should have been born during a solstice period.

                                                  So, whatever day by choice, welcome, Summer!  Towns are opening, people are breathing restfully, and my wish to everyone is a Summer of peace and non-violence!

                                                  And fashions!  Of course, fashions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                              

Happy Pride Week, Darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                   June is just whizzing by girls.  Bloomsday, my niece's birthday, summer arriving, and, with yesterday, the start of Pride Week.

                                                     This may sound ironic, but this year it seems we should be more proud than ever, because there is more to fight for than has been in recent years, thanks to the rise of Fascism in America. Don't believe me; pick up a copy of Philp Roth's "The Plot Against America," and read it.

                                                        I am not about to stop the celebration, darlings--bare your chests, wear that drag, be as flaming as all get out!  I plan to, darlings.  Or maybe I will just stay home, and watch Ann Blyth and Joan Crawford duke it out, in "Mildred Pierce!"  Definitely low key this year.

                                                         And for those at the big Sunday bash in Manhattan--be very aware of your surroundings.  Between Covid and rising anger over the quality of life in this city, I fear something could happen, not might, but could.  Which is why I intend to avoid the hoopla.  For those of you going in my place, please be careful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                               One has to be alive, to be proud!  Stay both, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

Time To Welcome A New Reader, Girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                         And how appropriate; just in time for the season almost everyone loves the best--Summer!!!!!!!!!  The reader's name is Carrie Flores, so, welcome, Carrie.  I don't know how you found your way here, but I am glad you did.  Follower indicator is now at 123.

                                              My blog offers info, entertainment, and sometimes I vent a little.  But not much.  My goal is to entertain, not depress.  I leave that to Sylvia Plath and Joan Didion.  They were geniuses, but they were downers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                 So, welcome, Carrie, and may the Summer bring joy and excitement to us all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               Here is this blog's unofficial welcome song--"Call Me," by Deobrah Harry.  Drop in here and comment anytime, Carrie!

The "Funny Girl" Saga Continues!!!!!!!!!!!!! Imagine If Either Of These Two Ladies Were Cast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                 I still think Michael Mayer and staff are going to make another big mistake, and go with that overaged has-been, Lea Michele, instead of the two pictured here, Lindsay Mendez and Jessie Mueller.

                                                   Jessie may not want to be released from "The Minutes," in which she currently appears.   I don't know what Lindsay is up to, but should she be offered "Funny Girl," if I were she, I would think twice about turning it down.

                                                     But this would be casting for art, not money, and Lea to producers means money.  She will end up getting cast, and once the "Glee" crowd stops going, what will happen?  Will the show continue?  Or, most likely, shut down?

                                                       I prefer Lindsay and Jessie.  They could keep the show going on artistic prowess, which is what Theater Queens, who care about such, prefer, to temporarily profitable--emphasis on temporarily--ex-"Glee" alums.

                                                          Here are two examples of Jessie and Lindsay. These are VOICES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                Here is Jessie singing "People."

            

                                 And here is Lindsay, doing "Bless The Lord," from "Godspell."  Listen to the final notes of she and Jessie!

                                      THEY are what "Funny Girl" badly needs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Girls, Join Us Tonight At Eight As "Svengoolie" Presents The 1956 Classic "Forbidden Planet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                               Long before "Honey West" or "Funny Girl," this was the film that made so many of us want to be Anne Francis!!!!!!!!!!!  And still do.  How could I know, when still in the single digits, upon first seeing this, it was a reworking of Shakespeare's final play, "The Tempest?"  By high school, having read and seen a production, I was able to see how it all fits, and so I am looking forward to seeing it in color, to see how the special effects hold up. Watching them in black-and-white as a child, they were pretty state-of-the-art.  But remember, this was a good twenty-plus years before "Star Wars," and such, so how they look today I cannot tell anyone till after this evening.

                                                 Little Pippin is so looking forward to this classic, as he is the only member of the household.  And our beloved Venusian friend, Cucumbo, I think, auditioned for the film, but did not make the cut.  Alas, that is show business.

                                                    Still, there is good news.  Because tonight "Sventoonie" is continuing his after party.

                                                    Tonight, he is going to deconstruct something even I never heard of, darlings--1971's "Lady Frankenstein," starring--are you ready?--Joseph Cotten, as the Baron?  Can you believe it?  From "Citizen Kane," just thirty years before, and now THIS?  Please don't confuse this film with the 1990 camp classic "Frankenhooker," where Louise Lasser plays the creator's mother.  This would also be a perfect film for "Sventoonie," as the mother fixated creator tries to reconstruct the body of his decapitated fiancé with body parts of prostitutes.  Mark my words; "Sventoonie" will eventually show this one.

                                                         This evening, though, look for the perfect blend of classic and camp.

                                        And here we are, darlings!  See why we all wanted to be Anne Francis????????????????????????????   And still do????????????????

                                                                                            

 

I Fear The Mistakes May Continue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                     Darlings, I am afraid producers Sonia Friedman and Scott Landis, with the aid of director Michael Mayer, will again add more egg to their face with the revival of "Funny Girl."

                                         Now that washup Beanie Feldstein, plus co-star Jane Lynch, are scheduled to depart on September 25, the staff is frantically working on damage control.  Only not hard enough.  Because, while Julie Benko, the understudy who gets raves, and deserves her Peggy Sawyer/Judy Kaye moment, she probably will not, as I understand producers are courting Lea Michele to take over as Fanny.  Lea looks ten years too old for the part, meaning her voice has aged, and I don't care who goes after me, she killed Naya Rivera!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Even were I to acknowledge this to be not true, I am still not sure about Lea.

                                            But there is one cute idea they have come up with.  Michele Lee recently bought an apartment in Manhattan--good luck, Michele! --and I hear she is being considered for Mrs. Brice, not just because of talent, but because of the combination Lea Michele and Michele Lee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, it is cute, but if the lead can't pull it off, the show could be facing again the same mess it did with Beanie.

                                              There is room for hope, though I do not think this will happen.  According to the publication "Queerty," they have five candidates they would like to see replace Beanie. Three I will dismiss without mention, because two are whom I have always believed from the beginning should have assumed the role--and that is either Jessie Mueller, or Lindsay Mendez!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                    Now, Jessie seems committed to "The Minutes," which I want to see.  I am not sure she can be lured away from her current gig, but, hey, if someone offered me a chance at "Funny Girl," I would surely think twice.  But Lindsay would be a perfect substitute too; the humor and heart she bought to Carrie in 2018's "Carousel," plus her vocal pyrotechnics would launch her into the Fanny Brice pantheon.

                                                       But mark my words, it is going to be Lea.  David and I will be obliged to see it, but it still may not be the Fanny of my choosing.

                                                          And that won't be until the staff understands that what made "Funny Girl" so special, with BARBRA, was it was like watching her story simultaneously.   A kid from Flatbush, Brooklyn, who makes it big at the Winter Garden!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   Which is why Julie Benko should just slide right in.  It would be a continuation of the show's tradition of making a star out of its lead.  And Julie already has the cred.

                                                                What should happen, and what will are two different things.   My guess is once again mistakes will be repeated.

                                                                  Stay tuned, girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

While This Shot May Look Campy As Hell, "Frankenstein 1970" Was A Piece Of Crap, And One Of The Worst "Svengoolie" Showcases!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                         No wonder, apart from the opening scene, the film did not impress me as a child. Even back then, I could recognize a piece of crap when I saw one.  The mummified monster was done on the cheap; the one in "Frankenstein's Daughter," released the same year, 1958, was funny and campy.

                                           As far as bosoms and the 1950s, this is as good as it gets, and it happens so quickly, if one blinks, it is missed.  This was the slowest moving horror film I can recall; I swear the whole thing was like an improv class, where they made it up as they went along. Which would not surprise me, as the entire film was shot in eight days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               Meanwhile, the repeat deconstruction of 1963's "Dementia 13," was just what the doctor ordered.  After watching "Frankenstein 1970," who wouldn't need some booze?  My personal booze is Diet Coke, so you bet I guzzled a glassful, while watching this treasure.

                                  An evil mother-in-law, heavily modeled after "Rebecca's" Mrs. Danvers, evil, incestuous children, and mysterious toys, are all part of the thrills.

                                    This was a visual highlight, and it made me want to see the entire film, which I think can be done, for free, on You Tube.  If I get some time, girls, I will watch it, and diss with you over the entire thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                        That Kathleen!!!!!!!!!!!!  She was a nasty little bitch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wishing Dr. Fauci A Speedy Recovery!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                       Dr. Anthony Fauci is a living saint.  He is the one who kept so many of us aware and safe during the Covid pandemic, which is still going on, by the way.

                                           Now this savior has the illness himself.  Though I am sure it is a milder one, since he, like most sensible folk is vaxed to the max.  How he contracted it I cannot tell you, but I do wish this man a speedy recovery. And don't use him as an excuse for not getting vaxxed--I had Covid, and so did David, and that was before there was anything.  So, I know what it is like--unsettling and unpleasant.

                                                Get well, Dr. Fauci.  I am sure he will, but let's face it, at 81, there is more reason to worry.

                                                 I continue to stand by anything Dr. Fauci says!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Bubble I Said Would Explode Soon Will!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                       Didn't I tell you something was going on over at "Funny Girl," darlings?  Well, I was right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                          On September 25, Beannie Feldstein will play her last performance.  Hell, she barely gave five months to the role.  She was committed to it, for a year.  Did something happen?  You better believe it!  Bet they bought her out of her contract.  The producers, and Michael Mayer, certainly now have egg on their faces.  And deservedly!

                                              The big surprise, even to me, darlings, is that Jane Lynch, playing Mrs. Brice, will depart at the same time.  According to the rumor mill, Jane was always planning on leaving at this time, but I certainly cannot imagine what for.  It's not like she has "Glee" to return to, nor anything more pressing.  And what happened to the tradition of when, being signed to a Broadway show, one commits to a full year?  Tell us the truth, Jane!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                   The truth about Beanie was sealed the moment the first review hit the first newsstand.  She simply was not good enough.  So, what will happen to "Funny Girl?"  Will it die a quick death, putting the actors who genuinely work hard at it out of work?  Will they replace the two main parts?   Will the same mistake be made, as with Beanie?  If anyone is smart--and so far, none of the creative staff has shown much evidence of that--Julie Benko will automatically be moved into the lead spot.  Hey, Mimi Hines kept it going for over a year, minus BARBRA!!!!!!!!!!!  So, things are possible.

                                                        My choice for Mrs. Brice would be Tovah Feldshuh, who would bring gravitas to the role.  But if they go with a Beanie-like Fanny again, they are sealing this show, like nails in a coffin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   Wake up, and do the right thing, people, if you want to be lucky!!!!!!!!

                                                         So, good riddance, Beanie.  Welcome, Julie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                         Remember, you heard it first here, girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Bloomsday, Everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                         This is a special day.  First, it is Bloomsday, which means all things James Joyce.  According to literary lore, this is the day--June 16--back in 1904 in which the novel "Ulysses" takes place.  It is also the date on which Joyce supposedly met his to-be-wife, Nora.

                                            So, get out your Joyce and read through it.  Personally, I would do Molly's Soliloquy in the nude, in my living room, in the middle of the afternoon, but age and embarrassment prevent me from doing it.  And I am not sure I could do justice to the text itself.

                                              But, if you want to find out for yourselves, girls, there are some marvelous examples on YouTube.  I will try and find one for you.

 

                                      Here is actress Nora Connolly performing the entire soliloquy.  Listen and learn, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                        Wishing everyone the best of Bloomsdays!

                                         But wait, there is more--today happens to be the birthday of my one and only niece.  Three-time Newberry Honor Award Winner and celebrated children and YA author, Jennifer L. Holm.  Yes, for those who know her, she is my niece!  Happy Bloomsday, and birthday, Jenni!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                              

Take A Good Look, Darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! These Are What White Supremacists Look Like!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                    These are members of a group called Patriot Front.  Yeah, right!  As you can see, they can look like anyone, though slightly trashy.  They can be your neighbors, our neighbors, or even relatives.  I have some of the last I often wonder about.

                                       They were stopped planning a riot last weekend at a Pride Event in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.  Which is a warning to all cities this Pride Month--beware!  As a proud gay New Yorker, times being what they are, I wouldn't be caught seen at the Pride Event in Manhattan on June 26.  I am not even sure of setting foot in the city, during Pride Week.

                                           Of course, groups like this will argue about our so-called freedom.  Well, what about everyone else's, darlings?   Freedom does not belong exclusively to the likes of you.  And do not confuse mental illness with philosophical irrationality.  Going down that slope will seriously damage the fabric of the law, and will give groups like these wider margins.

                                             Maybe I am letting fear rule my life too much.  But until such fascistic actions are stopped, not tolerated by higher ups in Washington, the panic will spread.  Let's face it, the justice system is a whole load of crap. "Tell the truth, and nothing but.." nobody gives a crap about who does what to whom.  I prefer to avoid the crap altogether, assuring that groups like these don't walk the streets.  I realize how this may sound, but I have come to the conclusion that only by fighting these folk

on their terms, can they avoid walking away, due to our flawed justice system.  I am glad the FBI and others intervened, but what about next time?  What about Buffalo? Uvalde?  When does it stop?

                                                  Don't allow your/our freedom to be taken away by groups like these, or anti-maskers and vaxers.  The whole world is in some kind of transition now, and unless more people get on board, the results we want will not satisfy those who care.  Only the ones who don't.

                                                      Stop all this NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                             

This Is The True Beanie Feldstein!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                        No word yet on her returning to "Funny Girl," and this photo gives as good an example of her petulance as any I can think.  Which is what she is doing right now, while the creative staff is probably going crazy about keeping the show and other cast members afloat against this Beanie Debacle.

                                          Again, the producers and director, Michael Mayer, have no one to blame, but themselves. If I were Beanie, I would get while some kind of a career can be salvaged. But now, she has this inner conviction that she is the new BARBRA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                              Girls, all gay men--and some women--have their Inner BARBRA.  But that does not mean we are she!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                 And that would include me, darlings!  Though I am, really, the Last Of The Belters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Remember The "Seinfeld" Episode About The Muffin Tops? How About A Package Of Nothing But Bread Loaf Ends??????????????

When I was working, and ate flagrantly, probably out of some form of stress, there was a coffee shop/deli up the street, to which I would retreat each day on my break, where I would have with the coffee, a richly delicious chocolate chip muffin.  Every weekday.  I would peel off the top, and slowly eat it, wishing there was more to it, as I slowly picked out the chips individually.  It was so luscious! I did eat the cake part of the muffin, which was fine, but if the whole thing could have been tops, I would have been more than satisfied.

Now, I feel the same way about bread loaf ends.  They are the best part of the loaf, and I wish someone would come up with selling a package of nothing but these.  It feels like one gets more, because of the extra crust, and it tastes so good.  Simple pleasures in these simple times, darlings!

So, write to Arnold, Pepperidge Farm, or whomever you prefer, girls, and request this.

I bet it is even healthier for us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

     

 

Let's Talk About The TONYS, Girls, But There Is Something Else, First!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                     That first has to do with "Funny Girl," darlings.  Beanie Feldstein is still holed up in her hotel room, scarfing down Entenmann's, allegedly recovering from Covid, with no one saying when she will return to the show.  Now, at last night's awards, Jared Grimes, who earned a well-deserved nod for his role in "Funny Girl," lost out to Matt Doyle, for his showstopping turn in "COMPANY."  No surprise there.  Now, Jared was surrounded by his own contingent, but whether that included any cast members from his show was hard to detect.  I can tell you, Jane Lynch might have been there, but she was not seen.  And you can bet, Covid or not, Beanie was not there, nor would she have been.

                                                        David and I got home from a dining event 37 minutes into the ceremonies.  Having been taped, we started from the beginning.  But, while dining, I learned some news of the Beanie debacle.  A friend of ours, spoke to another one of ours, who has connections in the business.  Said friend asked his connection about the Beanie situation, and got a look, and silence, which spoke louder than words.  It said, "There is something going on, but I am not at liberty to say."

                                                          Indeed.  This situation almost upstages the TONYS.  Beanie is holed up somewhere, the producers and directors now have egg on their face, and do not know what to do, and the cast must be anxious to know if they are going to be employed or not.  Clearly, something has to be done, clearly Beanie is a disgrace. In performance, and unprofessional behavior.  How this will play out remains to be seen.  I think they should just buy out her contract and go with Julie Benko.  But how much will that cost, and do they have the backup resources to it?   In any case, Beanie is done with Broadway, and it is done with her.

                                                             There were so many things I was happy about, on the program.  It was better run and organized than the Oscars, moved at a faster pace, and was a lot more interesting.  I did not need that "Spring Awakening" reunion; the cast has aged, and the score never did strike me as remarkable.  What was remarkable was Joaquina Kalukango"s performance of "Let It Burn," which earned her "Best Leading Actress In A Musical," last night, for her role in "Paradise Square," one of two nominated musicals I am interested in seeing.  And, no, that does not include the winner, "A Strange Loop," whose lead actor there, I hear, is missing lots of performances.  The other musical I would like to see is "SIX," which is a concept musical, whose concept I like.  David expressed some interest in "Girl From The North Country," so I would see that, too.

                                                                Now, I saw the original production of "Take Me Out," back in 2003.  Oh, my God--almost twenty years!!!!!!!!!!!  I have never known a show to win both "Best Play," and "Best Revival Of A Play."  If I am wrong, enlighten me.  But it was quite impressive.  I was happy for Jesse Tyler Fergusson, who won for the same role Denis O'Hare won, in the original production.  How often has that happened??????????????

                                                                  I was happy for all of these, as well as the stunning presentation of "The Music Man," to remind us of the true Golden Age of Broadway.  I was less happy about Myles Frost winning "Best Leading Actor In A Musical," not for lack of talent but for, by virtue of its subject, glorifying a pedophile.  Nevertheless, its presentation, while talented, did not inspire me to  want to see "MJ," whether he was a pedophile, or not.

                                                                      I would have liked to have seen "Skeleton Crew," not to mention "The Lehman Trilogy."  My one caveat with this year's awards was too many being given out were for shows that are no longer running, so they cannot be seen.  Of course, they may go out on tour, or go regional, but that does not satisfy Theater Queens, who want to see a Broadway production.  Phylicia Rashad won "Best Featured Actress In A Play," but Broadway audiences will not be able to see her performance, since "Skeleton Crew" closed.

                                                                        What else?  Well, Patti Lupone now enters into the tier of "More Than Two TONY Awards," with her "COMPANY" victory.  And Marianne Elliott, also for "COMPANY," became the first female director to win three TONY Awards.  And "COMPANY" richly deserved its TONY for "Best Revival Of A Musical."  And yes, Katrina Lenk should have been nominated.

                                                                              Same with "Best Leading Actor/Actress In A Play."  The winners, Simon Russell Beale, for "The Lehman Trilogy," and Deirdre O'Connell for what sounds like a stunning turn in "Dana H.," cannot be seen because these are closed shows.  Same with Sam Mendes, who won "Best Director Of A Play," for "The Lehman Trilogy."

                                                                                  I would have voted for Mary- Louise Parker and David Morse in "How I Learned To Drive," which would have been my "Best Revival Of A Play" choice.

                                                                                     But there was one egregious error.  The publicity kept hinting at a special award being given to Angela Lansbury, but I saw no sign of this presentation, anywhere.  Angela, by now is a goddess to Theater Queens, and I felt cheated out of not seeing this.

                                                                                         The TONYS will soon fade into memory.  But stay with me, girls.  Because, by Summer's end, I predict the Beanie Feldstein situation will explode!