But I have some doubts about the project they are going to undertake. Are you ready, darlings??????????? Frank Wildhorn, of "Jekyll And Hyde" fame is writing a musical version of--are you ready--"The Song Of Bernadette." Yes, dears, you heard me right.
Miss Caruso will be playing the role of Bernadette, immortalized and Oscared by Jennifer Jones, while Lea Salonga will play the Anne Revere role of Bernadette's mother Louise Soubirous, brilliant in the 1943 screen masterpiece, and earning for her an Oscar nomination. Many have said that her Oscar in 1945 as Best Supporting Actress in "National Velvet," was for losing out when she really should have won for "The Song Of Bernadette."
This is actually being aimed for Broadway. I doubt if it lasts one night. But, if it should, I will boycott it, by standing in front of the stage door, with a rosary. The very IDEA of desecrating "The Song Of Bernadette." Mary, Mother of God, please intervene!
I am sure visions of TONYS dance in Wildhorn's head., He is the only one. The show is still being workshopped--in Wisconsin. Only the two leads have been officially cast. Is this some kind of Ponzi scheme?
Are you with me, girls? Do not let this screen classic be desecrated.
Besides, in today's climate, who is the Broadway demographic for this???????????????
Bernadette deserves better. Which she got, back in 1943.
The only reason to really see this 1972 made-for-TV cheapie is Grayson Hall, who, as Mrs. Parks, steals the show as long as she is in the film. Once she is out of it, the film declines in liveliness.
But what a cast--Hall, Jennifer Salt, Cornel Wilde, and Scott Glenn, who would triumph three years later in Altman's 1975 masterpiece, "Nashville."
The dessert setting is as cheap as it looks, the museum of grotesqueries enough to tempt me, and while this movie surpasses 1959's "The Killer Shrews," or, God forbid, 1965's "The Ghost And Mr. Chicken," I can see no reason for showing this again, when there are better trash classics out there.
But cheer up! Svengoolie and Kerwyn will be on hand, to provide plenty of laughs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
See you tomorrow night, girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Remember, during "America" in "West Side Story," when Anita sings, "I'll get a terrace apartment?" What she did not realize was that she already had one.
Fire escapes, while functional, are like terraces. I have seen them decorated in myriad ways, putting plants out there in Spring and Summer, even one near our apartment hanging out an LGBQT flag.
Yes, girls, fire escapes can be your own personal terrace. I have even seen people sitting out on them, reading books. I just happen to prefer the comfort of the indoors in my reading chair.
So, stop dreaming of that terrace apartment, girls. You already have it.
Which is exactly what Tyler Clementi was until 8:50PM, twelve years ago, when he plummeted from the George Washington Bridge. Fueled with anger, I can only ask myself where the hell his perpetrators, who got away with everything, and felt entitled to, are. What are they doing? Do they remember what they did? This day? Do they even care?
If I had any idea, darlings, I am telling you I would go after them, and their type, like Carey Mulligan went after Nina's perps in "Promising Young Woman." Tyler Clementi, if alive today, would be in his early thirties, perhaps working as a researcher for some company in Jersey, or maybe even the Big Time, in Manhattan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Alas, he was not given that change. And Dharun and Molly, while you could not have known things would have ended in suicide, that you did not end the videotaping after the first time proves how uncaring you were, and still are.
Do you ever think about Tyler? Do you? Take a good hard look at yourselves. I hope you are pleased. Shit, if you are!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Some of us will never forget what happened to Tyler. And there are others like him, out there.
May this day be a reminder of their need for dignity, respect, and protection.
"House Of Dracula" did not turn out to be nearly the hoot I expected, but was enlivened by Jane Adams as the Hunchback Nurse, Nina. Did you know she was offered a full scholarship to Juilliard, here in NYC, but turned it down for the Pasadena Playhouse, instead? She was, after all, a California native.
With her raven-haired beauty, I am sure she set her sights high. But acting careers are a funny thing. One never knows when one is doing one's signature role, and in Jane's case it turned out to be Nina in this film.
All the Universal monsters were on hand, including the villagers. It was amazing to me how little screen time John Carradine as Dracula, and Glenn Strange, as the Frankenstein monster, were given. Lon Chaney, Jr., as The Wolf Man, grabbed most of it. Best of all, next to Adams, was Skelton Knaggs, as villager Steinmuhl. Dwight Frye had died the previous year, and it was clear, had he not, this would have been his role. The viewer could see it was just tailor made for Dwight. Knaggs did a noticeably excellent job; unfortunately, like Adams, he was never seen again. At least as prominently as in this film.
Now, the funny thing about Jane Adams is that on the Google site for the cast listing, they have the wrong actress. Pictured is the present-day Jane Adams; no connection to this one. She is the one who never works with anyone a second time, as she is too difficult to handle. Jane might do a great job as Nina in a redo but pity the poor director who would have to get that performance out of her.
Nineteen-forties Jane plays it like Shakespeare. Which adds some badly needed humor to this film.
She deserved more from this film than being dumped through a trap door!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
See "House Of Dracula" for Jane alone, dolls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Whether child or adult, who can resist this picture of tranquility? I would love to step inside it for several minutes, if not decorate a room like this, all to myself? I mean, how peaceful!!!!!!!!!!!
I have long maintained "Goodnight, Moon" is not a book just for kids. It tranquilizes adults into a sense of security unseen since childhood and keeps them there for its duration. The blend of colors, and their brightness is just perfect.
So, I have posted this pic to give readers that. When you are feeling stressed out, simply stare into the picture, and be magically transported.
It could do one better than Xanax!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey, girls, it is the first day of Autumn. Meaning the leaves will fall, the weather will chill, as Proserpina becomes separated from her mother. Summer of 2022 is now officially history, and the new season, and wind down of the year, march on ahead.
I always feel sad for Proserpina on this day. I mean, what does she do down there, for six months? Doesn't it get boring?
But that is the way it has been for Time Immemorial. So, let's welcome in the new season, with joy in our hearts.
The cooling Autumn balm is sure to be a relief from Summer's sizzling heat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Whether this turns out to be one post, or a series of them remains to be seen.
All I can tell you is that on Saturday, David mentioned feeling a bit tired. Nevertheless, we went about our business, doing our Saturday errands, and watching "Svengoolie." The next morning, he was notably feeling worse, but thought he was coming down with a cold. The morning went on, and he said he thought we should be tested for Covid. Now, this was David, whom I practically have to drag to a doctor, saying this, so I took it seriously.
We went to City MD on 87th and Fourth Ave. in our neighborhood, and the environment, and service was superb. We both had rapid and PCR tests. Both rapids came back negative. But, yesterday, we found out David's PCR came back positive, while mine was normal. I don't think I am out of the woods yet, but so far am holding my own.
How did Covid strike our home? Through our friend, Judy, who went to the event we were not invited to. However, we saw her only two days after said event, so it could not have been there. I am convinced Judy arrived in NYC as a carrier and passed it on. At the same time last night, she messaged us her positivity. She also notified the hostess of the event, who said no one else had reported back with Covid.
Both of us are isolating as much as possible. Next Sunday, we will go back and test again. The good thing is being vaxed we are not flat on our backs. And who knows if I will get it? I let my doctors know, and they said there are cases where one member gets it, and the other does not. Time will tell, darlings.
Any further events will result in a series. But for now, that is all, darlings.
Yes, darlings, today is the real last day of Summer. That magical season of childhood nostalgia for us oldsters, and fun time for the younger set is sailing away. Meaning Proserpina is packing her things to return to Hell tomorrow.
And what a Summer it has been. Seeing "The Minutes," not to mention "Funny Girl," a second time, when Julie Benko showed how the role of Fanny Brice should be played and that it is possible for someone not BARBRA to do so.
David also had bilateral hernia surgery but came through. And I have recovered myself from the event I chronicled earlier on here.
As the new season approaches, and the year winds down, all I can say is thanks to all of you out there. And Books--I have to read, Read, READ!!!!!!!! to keep up with what is coming in, not to mention the lists coming in.
The Fall should be busy and productive.
I thought I might have needed another viewing of "Promising Young Woman," but that has passed, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was wide-eyed with surprise, when I heard an opera was being made out of "The Hours." I loved the 2002 film--thought it should have won Best Picture--and saw it three times. It surpassed, by casting and great filmmaking, Michael Cunningham's novel, which never should have won the Pulitzer Prize, as, I still maintain, it reads little more than as a graduate student's submission in a Creative Writing program to write a novel in the style of Virginia Woolf. My feeling is, if one wants to read Virginia Woolf, then read her, not some ersatz imitator.
Nevertheless, the idea of this story sung through, and put on the stage, raises some potential. And the cast--oh, my God! Opera and Theater Queens will be clawing each other for tickets. I guarantee it is going to get very nasty out there, on Lincoln Plaza!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Renee Fleming is playing Clarissa Vaughan, the Meryl Streep role, and I cannot wait to see what she does with that. Kelli O'Hara, making her MET debut, is taking on Laura Brown, the Julianne Moore role, and great things are expected of her. Joyce Di Donato, who I am not familiar with, is playing Virginia Woof, the role Nicole Kidman won for, and she may even be using her own nose! Sylvia D'Eramo is playing both Kitty, the Toni Collette role, and Vanessa, sister of Virginia Woolf. Sean Panikkar is playing Leonard Woolf, Virginia's spouse, and Kyle Ketelsen is playing the Ed Harris role of Richard.
No wonder this is the hot ticket of the season! I am not even an Opera Queen, and I cannot wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But don't dare get in my way, buying tickets.
Because the only thing more vicious than an Opera Queen is a Theater Queen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As if the Queen's passing was not enough, Broadway got a bomb thrown at it, when it was announced that, after 35 years--the same run I had as an employee at Lincoln Center--"The Phantom Of The Opera" will end its run, on February 18, 2023.
I never thought it would close. But then, I thought the same about "The Fantasticks" and "A Chorus Line." And now, this. Alas. Eras pass, and they are always sad.
I admired the show but did not embrace it. I saw it on a matinee day, Saturday, January 12, 1988. Patti Cohenour was playing Christine, as Sarah Brightman--then wife of composer Andrew Lloyd Webber--was not doing matinees. It made no difference to me, and Cohenour was superb.
But I was not a 'Phantom' groupie. Many were, and that, plus tourism, plus enduring popularity resulted in a fourteen thousand plus performance run.
Doubly sad to me is that when the curtain rings down, it will be the last show on Broadway actually staged by Harold Prince. So, if you want to see the Prince staging, or have never the show, and kept putting it off, now is the time. Because the closer to the closing date, the harder tickets will be to come by. That's just a rule of show biz.
I doubt if I will ever see another show run that long in my lifetime.
I am still processing my hurt from earlier this week, girls, but I am getting better.
For starters, love has not departed. I have my darling David, whom I thank God for every day. I have loving animal friends, neighbors, many real friends, and you, my readers. So, while I am hurt, I am not broken hearted. I just thought those lyrics made for good copy.
The time is passing. I am still looking for a book group I can fit into, I may look for some volunteer opportunities, David and I are going to see "The Crucible" on Sunday, just the two of us, and I have not stopped my own reading and writing. Not by a long shot, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!
I always turn to music in times when comfort is needed. The first thing I turned to was Shelley Plimpton and "Frank Mills." Next, I listened to Vicki Lawrence's celebrated rendition of "The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia." And I live by these paraphrased words from "A Chorus Line''--"I did what I had to do. Won't forget, can't regret, What I did for love."
And I am still doing what I have to do.
Then I thought of these very important words from "Merrily'--
"Dreams don't die, so keep an eye on your dreams. Time goes by, and hopes run dry, But you still can try for your dreams."
I may have been struck down, but, like Scarlett, I will get up again!
Thanks to all who listened to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not only that, darlings, it is her fourth child. How in hell does she keep that figure? I cannot keep one like hers, and I have never, nor will ever, be pregnant!
Congratulations to Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds. As one source asked, will Taylor Swift have to write another song for this specific child? Time will tell!
Having had three children, Blake knows what is ahead for her.
But who will host ANNA's winter MET Gala???????????????????
Hey, ANNA, I am available! And so is Baby Gojira!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh, my God! "The Bad Seed Returns." This is a sequel to the 2018 redux Rob Lowe starred in and directed, where he updated the William March novel and Maxwell Anderson stage classic, which became the classic 1956 Warner Bros. film, immortalized by, among others, Nancy Kelly, and Patty McCormack. With the update, the plot was kept, some characters changed. Rob Lowe took on the Nancy Kelly role, which did not work, but the actress who played Chloe, the Leroy/Henry Jones role, was outstanding. McKenna Grace did her best as the now named Emma, but, unlike McCormack, it did not work for me that she could fool everyone.
The 2018 film had some original deaths, like the Miss Fern character stung by a beehive planted in her car, and a climax in which Emma, essentially, kills her own father. Nice.
Now, four years later, Emma is tall, pubescent and blonde. She looks like the classic Mean Girl, but the real ones in school have nothing on her. Though she tries and hides her meanness from those she plays up to, she is given an antagonist, in the person of Lola, played by Gabriela Bee, who attended Emma's old school, transfers to her high school, and lets her know she is on to her. This is really the only tension in the film. The ending is anticlimactic, and leaves room for another Emma film.
Who thought Rhoda Penmark, now morphed into Emma, would become a film franchise? Many thought the cycle had been completed when, in 1995, Patty McCormack herself played a grown-up version of her character in a film called "Mommy." Here, she stops at nothing so that her daughter gets everything she wants. Nice twist.
McCormack shows up for seconds in this current film, as Dr, March, whom Emma is also fooling, as March thinks she is succeeding in helping her, which is false. Patty probably shot her scene on a screen and sent it to the studio. I don't blame her; at 77, how could she be bothered with such a dumb script?
I shouldn't spoil things for you, dears, but, really, it doesn't matter here. Emma, having crushed her uncle underneath a car, leaving him permanently disabled, sets fire to the house, and exits with Baby Mickey, whom she had tried to kill in the beginning. The police arrive, find her aunt and uncle dead, and she is holding the baby as if she loves it, but, of course, looks malevolently at the camera. How else could this end, unless Emma was killed? And that does not look like it will happen for a long time.
Mark my words, girls. The next entry in the series will be "The Bad Seed Goes To College." You can bet she will get a 4.0--no matter what!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Like I have been saying, darlings, I cannot wait to see Jane Adams, as the Hunchbacked Nurse! Whose real name is Nina. Can you imagine all the nowhere ingenues in Hollywood, back in the 40's, showing up on the Universal lot for this casting call, saying, "I am here to audition for the Hunchbacked Nurse?" Darlings, it must have been a scream, and so, I have no doubt, will be the film.
It features a bevy of horror veterans--Glenn Strange, in his second appearance, as the Frankenstein Monster, John Carradine as Dracula, and, of course, Lon Chaney, Jr. as The Wolf Man. Even Lionel Atwill is on hand, here.
I remember this film as being fun, better than "House Of Frankenstein," made in 1944. This was made in 1945. Having not seen it since childhood, it will be a fun revisit. And, of course, Svengoolie and Kerwyn will be on hand to liven things up with laughter.
And remember, girls! On October 1, "Sventoonie" starts his new season. I understand his opening show will run one hour!
Something to look forward to. So, join us for both, girls, tomorrow and next week. You don't want to miss the fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And October is Horror Month, thanks to Halloween. A whole month of mirthful fun!
Baby Gojira and Pippin cannot wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And I have decided to be that. Due to events recently chronicled, I have decided to resign from my old book group and find a new one, even if it means online, and joining the ZOOM crowd.
But, first, I am going to ask readers out there. Do any of you have any online book group recommendations? My interests are Classics and Literary Fiction. If anyone thinks of something, please post it in the comments.
I want to interject a bit of irony into all this. When David and I discussed issues last night, he, having been raised Jewish, told me that since the Bat Mitzvah was during a Saturday synagogue service, anyone could have gone. Meaning we could have shown up, given our gift, maybe attended the downstairs repast, and then go, skipping the big evening party. I was ahead of myself with the Party Crasher post. But there is still Hanukah!
I will keep looking. But, girls, if you know of anything, please get back to me. I need a literary community that values my worth and is worthy of my time.
And if I have to re-read "Goodnight, Moon," so be it!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Girls, I have to confess I was looking forward to this film, having heard all about it during my childhood. The 3-D component was missing, though imagery indicated where and when it might have been used. The concept of the film actually was brilliant--seeing havoc wreaked by the monster, but only through its eyes.
The concept failed, because, really, the monster did not wreak enough havoc, and it should never have been shown, because all that was seen was a gloopy, gloppy mess of shapeless blob with one eye, dripping pus like it had conjunctivitis. Plus, there were too many endless shots of cars speeding back and forth along the same Arizona highway.
The cast was made up of horror and TV veterans, one of whom was Richard Carlson, best known for "The Creature From The Black Lagoon." His car journeys back and forth got tedious and taxing. While there were bosoms, I never guessed the Alison Hayes wannabe was actually Barbara Rush, as Ellen, the supposedly spinster schoolteacher. In later years, I always recalled her as a blonde. The blonde with the bosoms was June, played by Kathleen Hughes--she can be seen as the one displaying them on an imaginary audience via a 3-D screen in a photo I posted--but she never gets the showcase in the film she got in that photo. What a waste. And there was Russell Johnson, in a small role, destined to become the Professor on "Gilligan's Island," and even here he seemed lost without Dawn Wells as Mary Anne.
Veteran director Jack Arnold should have elicited better results, but these were not up to the film's ambitions. The same could be said of the dialogue.
Fortunately, Svengoolie and Kerwyn were on hand to supply some badly needed laughs.
"It Came From Outer Space?" The best part was when the ship left Earth, going back to wherever it came from, or had been headed!
And this is how the message ran," girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just to remind all, girls, Cujo (real name Ares) is the lovable boxer who lives on 77th Street, near our apartment. When working I would see him every day on my way to the subway, and David dubbed him "Cujo," so we started calling him that, and I developed a special relationship with him. He is sweet, affectionate, offering hugs and comfort.
Well, yesterday, as noted, I was feeling bummed out. David suggested, and some articles I read did, too, that during feelings of exclusion it is best to do something, like take a walk. So, I did.
I walked through our neighborhood, intending to stop at Cujo's house, hoping I might see him. I arrived at his house, on 77th Street, and saw the terrace door was open, the curtains gently blowing. So, I called for Cujo.
Within seconds, he emerged onto the porch and greeted me. His ears perked up, and he tilted his head. I told Cujo how much I love him, and I talked with him about the situation. He listened patiently, gave me a loving woof, then stayed with me for a while till I was calm. Then he went back inside, leaving me feeling so much better.
So, thank you, Cujo, for yesterday. Some animals are more sensitive to others than people.
Girls, I have to confess that my wounds are slowly healing. The punch in the stomach feels less severe, as do the tears behind my eyes. I imagine this will improve as each day progresses till time does its work and heals the wound.
But not the memory.
Maybe I neglected to say in yesterday's post that I felt the mother's mother always disliked me because I was not Jewish. And that the one year David and I missed the Annual Hanukah Party, the invitations stopped coming. I always loved those parties. So many candles glowing, with so many beautifully designed candle sets.
Well, this year it is going to be different. Because I am going to crash that Hanukah party.
I can easily find out when it is, I know where it will be, as I have been there before, so, if I show up, even if I don't get in, one way or another there will be embarrassment, as the hostess will have to explain who those people were, and why they weren't let up.
Never underestimate my cleverness! Too many people make that mistake!
So, here's to party crashing! Hanukah is after my birthday, so I will be in a celebratory mood, a year older, and months removed from this hurt, so I will be ready to go.
Or maybe develop some common sense.
In any way, girls, this is how feelings stand now!
Maybe this is where my interest in true crime developed. A century ago, along this road--which used to be De Ruse's Lane but is now Franklin Blvd.--on this very evening, the Hall-Mills murder took place.
I heard all about this growing up, as my parents and relations were all children when it took place. Reverend Hall and Mrs. Mills were found, two days later, under a crabapple tree, their throats cut and slit. It had been known throughout the community that the two were carrying on a lurid, adulterous affair. In 1922 New Brunswick, New Jersey! Just across the Raritan River, from my hometown of Highland Park. Nothing like this had ever been heard of, until then!!!!!!!!!!!
It remains a cold case. Mrs. Mills, and her special needs brother, Willy Stevens, were said to be responsible, but were acquitted, perhaps due to the felt that Mrs. Mills' family owned a growing company in New Brunswick called Johnson and Johnson.
My paternal grandmother, who was something of a Scarlett O'Hara, like me, always felt Willy Stevens did it, and I have to agree with her. Now it may never be known, since all the players are gone, and JandJ would not want to have the image of their precious company tarnished.
So, tonight, as I lie awake in Brooklyn, I will be thinking what ghosts walk along the remnants of the murder scene tonight. Are the victims still crying out for justice? Will it ever be served.
The tale goes on. So does my fascination.
And how come this was never covered on ID's "Crimes To Remember?|
some readers, this will come out of nowhere, and I haven't even thought of pity parties since my shitty adolescence, which was nothing but one big pity party.
But here is what happened.
For years, I have been in a book group that meets sporadically. One of the women in this group--of both men and women--has a lovely daughter, whom I have not seen in years, mostly because of the Covid factor. However, I knew that she was nearing the age to having a Bat Mitzvah, and I was sort of looking forward to it. I never got to go back in the day, when I was of age, because all the Jewish kids in school hated me. So, I was more than looking forward to going to this young lady's Bat Mitzvah.
Except it never happened. My going, I mean. As time drew near--the event was last Saturday September 10--I awaited my invitation. But none came. It was David who expressed the idea that we were not invited.
And the funny thing was, at first, I was OK with it. I would have been delighted to receive the invitation alone. Due to the distance needed to travel to get there, in New Jersey, and we live in Brooklyn, it would have been difficult, but we would have made the effort. Then there was the Covid factor; of course, David and I would have worn masks, but the event I feared might have been a super spreader. And from what I heard, with 70 people in attendance, that is what it would have been. But others I knew who went were cautious, and so would have been David and myself.
But wait! There is more! It still bothered me, but I was fine with this, still. I figured we would see pictures of the ceremony, and the daughter in her dress. I was looking forward to seeing and hearing all about it.
Well, yesterday, a mutual friend of ours, from the book club, and having been the child's au pair when she was younger, got together with David and I for dinner. It went well, until the end.
When I asked to see pictures, she responded weirdly, saying they were not ready yet. Instead, she showed me photo slides of she and the mother gag posing in some ersatz photo booth. They both looked great, which I cannot deny, but David and I thought it was weird about the Bat Mitzvah pics. Our dinner guest is always quick on the draw to show others. Why not these?
That prickled. But what got me hurt, and to the point where I am writing this now, was that David asked if other members of our book club had been asked. and we were shocked to learn every one of them had been--except us!
David was pissed, but I was devastated. I still have tears behind my eyes and feel like I have been punched in the stomach, because of hurt feelings. Like I said, not since my shitty adolescence, darlings!!!!!!!!!
And so here I sit, writing this. Now, what can I do about it?
I feel I need to do something to show this mother that I am as good as anyone else who attended the service and soiree. But what?
Well, let's get back to the pity party. There are two variations on this.
One, is that I get dressed, go to the market, buy some sweet things I really should not eat, and consume them, until I get sick. That will take care of things! That will show her what she has done to me!
By the way, if you can't tell, darlings, I am ANGRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just how angry? I am contemplating resigning from the book club, and I have the feeling now, that save for David, I cannot trust anyone again, let alone these people. Added to which, over the years we have invited mother and daughter to events of ours. But she always came up with an excuse not to come. So, I am supposed to accept all this lightly? I think not!
The other thing is to do something big that I want to do this weekend and not include anyone. Maybe a Broadway or even Off-Broadway show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Or how about this--we fly to New Orleans for the weekend, gorge ourselves on lunch at Galatoire's, go back to the Hotel Monteleone and take a nap, maybe see a ghost, then to Antoine's for dinner, which will be followed by a sumptuous desert--probably Baked Alaska-- followed by Cafe Diablo! Two cups of that will knock me out, for sure!
Traveling there would show them all up! NOLA is certainly more party driven than New Jersey, which, by the way, was the state I sought escape from ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!! And have not regretted it!
So, readers, what do you think of my pity party choices?
Oh, and there is something else.
This situation could be ameliorated simply. But certain things would have to happen.
An apology from the daughter's mother.
An invite at a subsequent date to a post-Bat Mitzvah celebration, with mother, daughter, and some of the family members I know.
An invite in December to the annual Hanukah party. I have missed a couple, but how I would love to go!
A personal invite and tour of her new lakeside place.
But I doubt these would happen, because the mother is not capable of being the bigger person, and is too selfish and self-absorbed to consider how I might feel
Now about this invitation. I am tempted to send one to the mother, stating that the event is a Pity Party, and the date is As Soon As She Opens The Envelope!
Oh, and here is some visual help, darlings!
See you in my head at my party, girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is fitting today should be "Frank Mills" Day, after yesterday being very sad. Today is a celebration of youthful innocence, which some of us still have, and gathering in front of the Waverly on this day has become a decade plus tradition. Many decades, actually.
Shelley Plimpton will always be the gold standard for this song--as well as mother of actress Martha Plimpton--so it is fitting she be celebrated too. Thank you, Shelley, for your brilliance, and let us start off the day--how else? --by listening to her.
But first, I want to welcome Tovah Feldshuh. Whom we last saw on Broadway in "Pippin," on my birthday, back in 2013. Can you believe that was nine years ago? Almost a decade, darlings!
Let's get back to Lea. Now, she might not be the devil, literally, but first, you can bet she sold her soul to Satan, and Michael Mayer, to get the part. She trolls the backstage aisles, which she can at least fit between, as she is not grotesque like Beanie Feldstein--marching up and down, declaring to one and all, "I am the new BARBRA! I am the new "BARBRA! Hell, I am BETTER than BARBRA STREISAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
That's right! Lea has as high an opinion of herself as the average high school Mean Girl. Except she has not emerged from that stage, yet. I am sure cast members, save Tovah, are terrified of her.
As for her performance, as a Theater Queen, -- and who is more particular about how a show is performed than one of us? -- I have to say she leaves a lot to be desired. First, from what I have observed, she does the show like she is on speed. She sings the songs as though the orchestra is struggling to keep up with her frenetic pace. What's more, and I heard this in the line "A thousand faces" in "I'm The Greatest Star," she does said line with the EXACT phrasing of BARBRA. This is blatant imitation, not bringing something of oneself to the role.
Because she has no self. Does she have a soul?
Now, get this, the drama is not yet over. After the opening furor, she allegedly crashes, due to Covid. Thank God Julie is there to fill in for her. To the audience's advantage, let me tell you. Julie and Tovah--what a combo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lea's machinations have even Eve Harrington beat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To be continued, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Talk about heaving bosoms, darlings! Now, I cannot promise you THIS, because it is "Svengoolie," and so there is no 3-D. Which is odd, what with all the technical advantages having been brought to television, it comes as a surprise 3-D is not among them. But I guarantee--in a matter of time, maybe not mine, or maybe so, it will be available.
The film has an interesting premise. Aliens arrive on earth, and the havoc one causes is seen only through its eyes. Are they ever shown by actual appearance? I cannot tell you, so we will all find out together. I have heard that it is one of those conformist, or anti-conformist films, along the lines of other films of the period, such as "Invaders From Mars," or Invasion Of The Body Snatchers." So, it will be interesting to see how that trope is used here.
And, of course, there will be the humor of Svengoolie and Kerwyn. So, join us all tonight--Baby Gojira is so excited, especially as he is currently wearing his new fairy princess outfit! --for an evening of fun and laughs, plus the opportunity to see a seldom shown 1950's classic.
Hey, how about this--look at that picture, and imagine Bette Davis, as Baby Jane, coming at the audience, in 3-D! Now, THAT would have been something!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Queen Elizabeth II was a queen all of my life. So, I never really thought she would die. She lived through it all--war, pestilence, a Royal Wedding, Diana's death--and she was a survivor.
Charles on the throne? Camilla as Queen Consort? I don't like it one bit.
God save the country which gave us Dickens, The Brontes, Jane Austen and George Eliot from going down the tubes.
Have a cuppa tea in Liz' honor, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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