Can You Believe There Is Only One Month To Go??????????????????

                            That is right, darlings, eleven down, and one to go.  And then that is it for 2022.

                           It went so fast.  But let me tell you, at this end November was both a celebratory and angst ridden month.  From my birthday, to Covid, from Thanksgiving to an electrical outage during "The Wizard Of Oz," this was a month to end all months.  Thank God David mixed up a dinner date, or it would have been Typhoid Mary--me--at the table.

                              Girls, I have no idea where or how I got it, so be careful.

                              But that did not stop me from enjoying the company of my beloved David

                             Still, with Svengoolie showing some gems, book lists, and books to get read before the end of the year, November was quite a month.  How about Macy's, and Lea?  That carbon copy!

                             I tried to advocate for turkeys by suggesting peacocks as an elegant alternative.

                             But we still have a lovely birthday dinner at Positano's!

                             Still, we got through it all, and are still here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            25 days till Christmas, dolls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here Is What You Have Been Waiting For, Darlings--MY List!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                           Now, when I say "Best Fiction," I am following the template of "The New York Times," by eliminating the titles to five.  Were there room for more I can think of several books that might have turned up on my list, like "The Marriage Portrait," by Maggie O'Farrell, or "Tomorrow And Tomorrow And Tomorrow," by Gabrielle Zevin.  So, sticking with five, these are the books that swept  me away in 2022.

                                                                                 

                           1. "Demon Copperhead," by Barbara Kingsolver--Without question, the Book Of The Year!!!!!!!!!!!!  I will admit I was nervous when I first heard about it--could even Kingsolver pull off such a feat?  Tampering with Dickens?  Well, she does a beautiful job of honoring its source and moving the story forward.  Those who know "David Copperfield" will recognize characters and incidents instantly, while those unfamiliar with Dickens may be inspired to read him--which they should!

Having just read "David Copperfield" last year, the timing for me was perfect for this.  But how would I know it would be so perfect?  Read it, girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

                                                                                 

                                       2. "The Whalebone Theatre," by Joanna Quinn--One thing "Demon Copperhead" did not have, because it could not, was the romanticism of Dickens.  Joanna Quinn's debut novel, "The Whalebone Theatre" evokes a sense of Victorian-like romanticism, akin to what A. S. Byatt did in "The Children's Book."  It tale of three siblings, through the Twenties to World War II, is lyrical and heartbreaking, and I wanted more when it ended.  For readers who need a novel to get lost in, this is it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                                    

                                    3. "Nightcrawling," by Leila Mottley--Set in Oakland, CA, but might as well be The Bronx, or any American urban sprawl, this tale of a young girl on her own and a boy abandoned by his mother trying to survive the cruelty and hardships of the situation they are in through no fault of their own hits hard with relevance.  It is grim and gritty at times, but unflinching in its realism.  Not for the faint of heart, but those who desire something serious.

                                                                                

                         4.  "Lessons In Chemistry," by Bonnie Garmus--Far from being the frivolity its cover suggests, this is an insightful, empowering story of  a woman who wanted to be a chemist in the Fifties, when the idea of women in science was a joke.  She took that, and ran, evolving into a combined chemist and chef, ultimately becoming a kind of precursor to Julia Child.  Funny, heartbreaking, yet hopeful, this was a delightful surprise, and features one of the most loving canine characters in literature.  For those scientific and not.

                                                                            

                                      5.  "Trust," by Hernan Diaz--How much more can be said of this novel that divides people so?  I happened to love it, and its blend of narrative and socio-political and literary references just grabbed me, as I think it will many readers.  A delightful surprise, in a year filled with surprises.

                                    So, that is how I saw the best of fiction in 2022.  Let me know what you think, what you would include, and remember it's what makes a horse race, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                      Only make sure you are the one who wins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

                                                                                

Girls, It's Here! "The New York Times Ten Best Books Of 2022 List!" Now, I Am Here Only To Discuss "The 5 Best Works Of Fiction!!!!!!!!" Are You Ready? Let's Go!!!!!!!!!!!

                      I wait for this moment every year, but I can tell you, The Times has really messed up big time.  Let's take a look!

                                                                      

                               1.  "The Candy House," Jennifer Egan--This is the writer's sequel to her earlier success, "A Visit From The Goon Squad," which I did not like.  However, after that, her "Manhattan Beach" turned out to be the book of that year, which was 2017.  But this?  Give me a break!  Now, I have to go out and read this crap.  I would rather see "The Rabbit Huch" on this list.  Or "Tomorrow And Tomorrow And Tomorrow."  Why is The Times so crazy about Egan?  If she writes a sequel to this, hons, I am telling you, I am done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                                   

                                    2.  "Checkout 19," by Claire Louise-Bennett--So much fuss was  made about this debut.  It should have grabbed me.  A lonely little girl turns to writing stories on scraps of paper, evolving into a person who loves reading and writing. Yet, something about the author's style put me off a story which should have engaged me.  I have empathy, but not much for how characters were portrayed here.  With the Egan book, I cried, "Oh, really?"  With this, I simply threw up my arms and said, "You have GOT to be kidding!!!!!!!!!"

                                                                             

                                      3.  "Demon Copperhead," by Barbara Kingsolver--Now, this is more like it.  First of all, it is Barbara Kingsolver.  Second, it involves Dickens.  I am sure all Dickensians have had their own ideas on re-telling "David Copperfield"--I admit I have--but after reading this, I am telling you, girls, it is definitive.  She gets all the essentials right, while maintaining the cultural tensions of the present time period.  Only one other  writer of note do I think could have done this, and that would be Donna Tartt.  Hopefully, she is working on other projects which will soon be seen!  Hail to "Demon Copperhead."  I fully endorse it, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                                  

                                     4.  "The Furrows," by Namwali Serpell--I have heard mixed things about this, and was ready to dismiss it myself.  Until I discovered she was the author of "The Old Drift," which was a novel I genuinely loved.  Also, it was on my list of "The Five Best Works Of Fiction Of 2019." So, I am more than willing to take a chance on this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                        

                                     5.  "Trust," by Hernan Diaz--Another book that divided readers, who either loved it or hate it.  I was so afraid it would be SO Ayn Rand, but it really isn't.  It's a cohesive narrative covering three viewpoints, spanning topics as diverse as Capitalism and Literature.  I was consumed by this to the very last page.

                                        Well, girls, that's what "The New York Times" thinks.  It's not what I think, though I will say closer than might seem.  If you hate the list, take a look at mine, coming up.  

                                          And if you hate "The New York Times," remember, fifty years ago, they had the audacity to elevate Joyce Maynard as the voice of my generation!

                                          Forget it, dolls!  I am the voice of said generation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                                  

                                          

                                                                         

It Is That Time Of Year Again--Book Talk! Here, From "The New York Times' 100 Most Notable Books List" In Fiction, Are What I Have Already Read, And What I Think Is Worth Reading!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            Actually, girls, the list of what is worth reading is smaller in years past, but that's the way the book bounces.  However, considering I have read ten books on this list--one tenth of the entire list--which is not too bad, and some of them could end up being contenders on mine--I am moving along.  Ah, but what will "The New York Times" pick?  Bet it will be SO different from my picks!  Will even one of them be on it?  We shall all find out next week.

  

                               Meanwhile, here is what I have culled from "The 100 Most Notable Books Of 2022 List"--

                                                                       

                                         1. "Checkout 19," by Claire-Louise Bennett--I actually READ this one, dolls.  It was heralded, and supposed to glorify the transitional quality reading brings to people, but it did nothing for me.

                                                                                     

                                   2.  "Case Study," by Graeme Macrae Burnet--   I READ this one too, dolls.  An interesting realistic blend of psychology and horror. A must for followers of both.

                                                                                

                                      3.  "If I Survive You," by Jonathan Escoffery--I have heard much about this.  An interesting short story collection.  It peaks my reading interest.

                                                                               

                                   4.   "Lessons In Chemistry," by Bonnie Garmus--READ--I simply loved it.  Touching and hopeful, as a Fifties grown woman evolves from a chemist wannabe into her own version of Julia Child, while learning insights and hope along the way.  Featuring one of the most adorable canine characters in recent literature.

                                                                                    

                                             5.  "After Lives," by Abduirazak Gurnah--An historical novel about German East Africans, it sounds potentially sprawling and entertaining.   Ethnic sagas are in, so I am on board!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                                  

                                  6.  "Demon Copperhead," by Barbara Kingsolver--READ!  A retelling of Dickens' "David Copperfield," and as satisfying, if not romantic, a reading, as the original.  Kingsolver takes the idea and runs with it beautifully, where other writers might have screwed it up.

                                                                             

                                        7.  "Companion Piece," by Ali Smith--More strum und drang from the author of "The Seasonal Quartet."   But, hey, it's Ali Smith!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                            

                                    8.  "Joan Is Okay," by Weike Wang--No, dears, it is not Joan Didion, but the wacky craziness of this Joan makes for potentially enjoyable and interesting reading.

                                                                                 

                                         9.  "Avalon," by Nell Zink-- I know, I know, like we need another coming-of-age novel?  But it is by the author of "Doxology," so it might bear reading.

                                                                       

                                      10.  "Didn't Nobody Give A Shit What Happened To Carlotta," by James Hannaham--A very woke novel about a trans' experiences after being freed from a men's prison.  Hey. I am willing to try it.  

                                                                               

                                11.  "The Furrows," by Namwali Serpell--Another novel of sibling love and loss.  One might say "Ho, hm," but it is from the author of "The Old Drift," which I just loved, so I think this will be something different, and its own thing.

                                                                        

                                                                           

                                      13.  Another battling siblings novel, but this one occupies the superstitious spot, since the author wrote last year's thriller of the year, "The Plot."  So, I am curious to see how Korelitz will take this trope and run with it.

                                                                                

                                       14.  "Liberation Day," by George Saunders--I know, I know, it is another short story collection.  But, hey, it is by George Saunders, so I, for one, intend to read it.

                                                                                

                                      15.  "Lucy By The Sea," by Elizabeth Strout--Another novel about the novelist's signature character and stand in, Lucy Barton.  I have GOT to read this.  Now, if only someone would write a novel about the further adventures of that crazy bitch, Lucy Harbin, as portrayed by Joan Crawford, in the 1964 film "Strait-Jacket!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                                                            

                                     16.  "Our Missing Hearts," by Celeste Ng--Yes, I have READ it.  A heartbreaking story of a family torn apart by politics and activism.  Some folk I know were not crazy about this one, but I actually thought it better than "Little Fires Everywhere."

                                                                             

                                      17.  "The Passenger," by Cormac McCarthy--Hey, the first novel the man has written in 16 years?  You bet I READ it.  But he is going way off in different directions; if what you want is "Blood Meridian," then re-read that.    McCarthy takes a Hemingway approach to the story of "Bobby Western," a diver of junk, interspersing it with Pynchon like concepts of quantum physics, algorithms and such.    A must for McCarthy devotees, but don't expect a return to the old.   

                                                                         

                                      18,  How much do you want to bet, girls, this will make the Times' list of the five best works of fiction?  Another abstract, conceptual concoction, non-linear narration, which is just the kind of thing these agenda ridden critics go crazy over.  Me, I will read it, but I am not looking forward to it. 

                                                                             

                                 19.  "The Rabbit Hutch," by Tess Gunty--Before I READ it, I kept calling it "The Rabbit Hole."  Maybe I wanted something of Alice's adventures.  Well, this is as far from Alice as you can get, exploring residents of the wrong side of the tracks in a Podunk Indiana town.  When I first saw the cover, I thought it was a thriller; I won't say much except that, actually, it is.

                                                                               

                                                20.  "The Return Of Faraz Ali, " by Aamina Ahmad--I can't say much about this one, girls, as I have not read it, but it is waiting in my pile.  If I can squeeze it in, before early December, I will let you know.

                                                                             

                                      21.  "Sea Of Tranquility," by Emily St. John Mandel---Everyone seems to love this author, but me.  "Station Eleven" depressed me so much, I might as well have gone back to Joan Didion.  But so many people have urged me to give this one a try, that I feel compelled to, and so I will.  Just not right now.

                                                                          

                                  22.  "Tomorrow And Tomorrow And Tomorrow," by Garbrielle Zevin--I was hesitant about this one.  But I am currently reading it right now, and, with 146 pages to go, I may finish it either today, or certainly tomorrow.  But it is the surprise of the year, since it deals with video gaming, something that does  not interest me at all.  But Zevin's ability to focus on technology while not sacrificing narration or characterization is what pulled me in.  My generation, raised on board games, will easily relate to what goes on here.  Maybe not a contender, but certainly the unexpected surprise of the year.   A few hours later:  I just finished it, indeed the surprise of the year.  And Clownerina now kicks on certain days.

                                                                              

                                    23.  "Trust," by Hernan Diaz--Capitalism and Literature examined from three different viewpoints over three different periods of time.  Sounds dull?  Hons, it was one of my most satisfying reads of the year.

                                                                            

                                         24.  "The Whalebone Theatre," by Joanna Quinn--What a debut.  I not only READ it, I LOVED it!  A heartbreaking Dickensian family saga that begins with children of a Victorian like estate in Dorsetshire, and culminates with their experiences and heartbreak during World War II.  For those, like myself, who cherish narrative fiction, this is the book for you!

                                                                                   

                                  25.  "You Made A Fool Of Death With Your Beauty," by Akwaeke Emezi--The heroine of this novel, a struggling Nigerian visual artist, trying to fit herself into the fabric of America today, really does do what the title says.  Find out how by reading this surprisingly satisfying novel.

                                  So, that is my take, fiction wise, on "The New York Times 100 Most Notable Books List."  What I have read, and what I feel are worth reading.  As for what are my contenders, and theirs, I cannot wait to find out next week.  I will report on everything at that time., girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                    Meanwhile, time for me to get back to the Gabrielle Zevin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                           

                                                                        

                                                                                

                                                                                 

                                                                            

                                                                           

                                                                            

                                                                                 

                                                                                

                                                                                             

                                                                             

                                                                            

                                                                              

                                                                             

                                                                           

                                                                          

                                                                            

                                                                                                      

                                                                              

                                                                                

 

                                                                               

       

Clownerina, In Venice, California, Is The West Coast Equivalent Of Lucy, The Elephant In Margate City, New Jersey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

                                                                                   

                            Talk about two continent spanning landmarks.   I am reading this book called "Tomorrow And Tomorrow And Tomorrow," by Gabrielle Zevin.  It involves the video game industry, three principle characters, two guys and a girl--reminiscent of "Merrily We Roll Along"-- and is set in New York and Los Angeles.  Two of the characters were raised there, and when they go back, the city of Venice is mentioned, and so is this thing called Clownerina.  This is a giant clown in a ballet tutu, attached to a building in Venice.  It used to kick, but the electrical device enabling that to happen broke, and was never repaired.

                                I thought author Zevin was making this up.  So, I googled, and sure enough Clownerina exists, as can be seen.  The minute I confirmed this, I thought of Lucy The Elephant, from my birth state, New Jersey.  So, here is a picture of both of them--two continent adjoining landmarks.

                                  There is something comforting about the synchroneity of all this.  And that not everything one reads in fiction necessarily is that.

                                    So, darlings, give a round of applause to Clownerina and Lucy!

                                    I simply cannot WAIT to visit Clownerina!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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

                                      And with the holidays fast approaching, how festive.  I see the follower indicator is now at 124, so I want to welcome Mistress Borghese to this blog.  I don't know, Mistress, how you found your way here, but I am glad you did.

                                            You will find fun, frolic, insight, amusement, and occasional domestic and fashion tips on here.  You will also find that, like the film version of "Valley Of The Dolls," this blog goes great with coffee.  Indeed, I have a cup beside me right now, while writing.

                                                So, welcome Mistress Borghese, from all my readers, and myself, The Raving Queen.  May this blog bring you information, entertainment, and amusement a'plenty.

                                                  And a welcome would not be complete without this blog's unofficial

song.  So, here it is--Deborah Harry singing "Call Me!" Please do!  And enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Remember My Name....FAME!....I'm Gonna Live Forever......!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                       Yes, indeed, Irene Cara will live forever in the memories of those of us who experienced her talent.  Though known for "FAME," my favorite song of hers was  "Flashdance,"which I will try to include at the end of this post.

                        To think, that, at 68, I would consider 63 to be young.  Poor Irene.  She had a lot of time left.  Or should  have.  They say the cause of death will be revealed, and I hope so, because a concealed COD to many, including myself, suggests two things--drugs and/or suicide.

                         How many here knew Irene started out as a child actress?  Long before "FAME" put her on the map, she was a part of The Show Band on PBS' "The Electric Company," from 1971 to 1972.  Prior to that she was featured in the 1968 Broadway musical, "Maggie Flynn,' starring Shirley Jones and Jack Cassidy.  Making her debut in that show was a little girl who would go on to her own fame--Stephanie Mills!!!!!!!!

                            Following that show came "The Me Nobody Knows," which produced a cast album, and indicated a steep up in the industry.  This show opened Off-Broadway, the moved to Broadway.  The year was 1970.

                                After this, and "The Electric Company," Cara was featured in the Galt MacDermott musical, "Via Galactica," in 1972.  It did not repeat the success of the composer's earlier effort, "HAIR."

                                 But, then, THEN,  came the show that was both a curse and a blessing.  This was the 1979 musical "Got To Go Disco," which opened at the Minskoff, and legend has it the show closed before the end of the first act.  Theater queens long to see it--hear that ENCORES?--as there was never a cast album.

                                    Nevertheless, someone must have noticed Cara, because  then came "FAME," and then she took off.  Everyone back then knew her rendition of this song and "Out On My Own," still remembered today.  Cara hit the star circuit, then turned out another hit, "Flashdance," from  1983, which won a Best Song Oscar, and one for Cara.

                                        From then, it seemed as though she was living on the laurels of these last two hits.  So, it was with sadness and shock I learned of Irene Cara's death today, November 26, which, incidentally happens to be my parents' wedding anniversary.

                                          Rest In Peace, Irene.  Your talent will live forever in fans' memories.

                                      As promised, girls, here is Irene Cara singing the iconic 1983 "Flashdance."  What a feeling, and what a voice!

Girls, Join Us Tonight As Svengoolie Presents That Old Favorite, "The Crawling Eye!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                          We all love it, darlings, but before getting into it, a message about last week.

                          David and I were supposed to miss last week, due to a dinner.  But he got the date mixed up, which was a good thing, since it tuned out I was diagnosed with Covid.  And yet I write.

                            Last week was "Fiend Without A Face," which really should have been entitled "Fiends," since there were more than one of the brain like creatures with tentacles that moved, and could choke people.  The best part was when obliterated they oozed out strawberry jam.  The film's budget must have been a godsend to Welch's.

                               Sventoonie chose an old favorite, "The Litte Shop Of Horrors."   That 1960 classic, directed by Roger Corman, with Jack Nicholson, and Buzz Miller, of "A Bucket O Blood," among others.  I had forgotten the plant Audrey grows so large, and I love the end when Seymour is one of the flowers, and yet he can still speak to his mother--"I didn't mean it."  Classic, but I wish Sventoonie had come up with something new.  It may be an audience favorite, but it is not one of mine.

                                   Unlike "The Crawling Eye," which is one of my favorites.  Like 'Fiend,' this one should have been titled "The Crawling Eyes," as, while there is a dominant one, viewers can see others crawling all over the mountain lab.  This may be the greatest Alpine film prior to "The Sound Of Music."  How Forrest Tucker got roped into this, I would love to know.  Then there are the Pilgrim Sisters, Sarah (Jennifer Jayne) and Ann (Janet Munro).  They have a psychic act, with Munro as Ann giving the best performance.  Think how much more fun this movie would have been if they had been the Psycho Sisters!  But maybe that's for another movie!

                                       This film's original title was "The Trollenberg Terror," which I kind of like.  I bet it was changed to "The Crawling Eye," being more literal and catering to the dumbed down American audiences, who have trrouble with monster ambiguity, and want to know  what they are dealing with, right away.

                                        For those who have never seen this, girls, I am telling you, you are in for a treat.  The real surprise tonight will be what film Sventoonie pullls out of his show to deconstruct.

                                         Between tonight's feature, and the Ray Milland one, the theme this month has been eyes.  Maybe Svengoolie is reminding fans to get their eyes checked.

                                          I have an appointment in January.

                                       

The Night The Lights Went Out--And Not In Georgia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                     Darlings, like the above photo, our Thanksgiving was perfection.  We caught some of the performers on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and even saw Santa arriving.  Now, the holiday season is officially underway.

                         We ate a delicious turkey meal at 5PM.  By 5:30,  we were finished, and I got the brilliant idea, it being a holiday, of seeing if anything special was on worth watching.  Well, my time was fortuitous, because I discovered that, at 6PM, my all-time favorite film, 1939's "The Wizard Of Oz" was to be shown.  Having only seen it last June on screen, for the Judy Garland Centennial, I could certainly stand another viewing; besides, it would distract me from the Covid, which has tried to take hold of my body, but thanks to vax, I am winning out.

                           David and I settled in, and the film worked its magic.  I mean, it is perfect!  And, of  course, when Judy Garland sang "Over The Rainbow," I cried real tears.  And cheered for Toto, when he escaped Miss Gulch's basket!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            Suddenly, just after the Wizard instructs them to bring him the broomstick of the Witch Of The West, and Bert Lahr does that brilliant dive, the screen went blank.  Damn!  It is a wonder I did not have a shit hemorrhage.   Of all movies for this to happen to, "The Wizard Of Oz!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                              Things got even more scary when David pointed out, that not only did we have no television, we had no electricity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Everything was down; and it was only our apartment!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Why??????????  I would like to know that!  Fortunately, David succeeded in reaching the superintendent, and, within an hour we were functioning again.  Thank God!  I mean, we had lit candles, were using flashlights, all battery operated, plus how would we charge our cell phones, or make coffee the next morning.  Going to the bathroom in the dark?  I don't think so!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                   See how dependent we are on modern technology, girls?  How would we do our hair in the morning????????????

                                    Fortunately, that would not happen, and we have been fine since.  But Baby Gojira, his nurse practioner assistant, Pippin and Kerwyn, our rubber chicken, who watched with us, were disappointed.  They had never seen the film before, and were really into it.  I told them I would look to see if more screenings are popping up this weekend.

                                       If any out there know of one,  let me know.

Girls, Let's All Send A Get Well Wish To Blythe Danner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

                         Darlings, I was shocked, absolutely shocked, to learn earlier this week that one of our great American actresses, and glamorous class acts, Blythe Danner, has been struggling for over a year with oral cancer.

                           Gasp!  What's more, this is the same ailment that took her husband, Bruce Paltrow , back on October 3, 2002.  Can you believe it has been twenty years?  And Bruce was only 79.

                              Blythe, looking gorgeous, is persevering.  The cancer was found, like her husband's, in one of the salivary glands.  She did not tell the children till recently, because she did not want to worry anyone.  Understandable, but I hope Blythe had someone to accompany her to and from treatments.  Or the hospital if that was required.

                               To think such a thing could happen to such a beloved icon.  But Blythe will prevail, and she will be back to acting, soon .

                                 Meanwhile, I have some posts to get back to!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving, Darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Every turkey surviving has a right to be angry on this day.  So many of their ancestors adorning tables today, only to be devoured in an almost cannibalistic way.  See why I suggested peacocks as an alternative, girls?????????????

But it is going to be a low key one, here.  How I long for the days when the black-and-white "Miracle On 34th Street" would be shown, as well as the 1934 black-and-white "March Of The Wooden Soldiers" starring Laurel and Hardy, and, best of all, the Boogeymen in Boogeyland.  How I would LOVE to visit Boogeyland.

Oh, and some advice for those having big festivities.  If anyone comes to the table looking like Marjorie Taylor Greene, or spouting her rhetoric, simply get up and move to another room, even if it means eating on a table tray.  Does anyone remember those?

So, a Happy Thanksgiving to one and all.  Oh, I forget to mention--I have Covid.  I was diagnosed on Tuesday and have been home since.   I have no idea how this happened, and, with David now working from home, my access time on here is limited.  I need to write more about Svengoolie, The 100 Most Notable Books Of The New York Times, and, of course, chronicle my experiences in "The Covid Chronicles."  I promise to get all this done.

So, have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Meanwhile, here is the perfect intro to the holiday season--the 1968 number from "Promises, Promises," called "Turkey Lurkey Time."  The dancers are Baayork Lee--watch her leaps! --Margo Sappington, and yes, Donna McKechnie.  This was when Donna first broke out of the chorus to emerge as the showstopper she would go on to become.  Check those head rolls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, Happy, Happy, girls!  And wish me well soon!!!!!!!!!!!!

    

What On Earth Does X Equal, With This Film?????????????????????????

                             I am talking about Svengoolie's almost two weeks old screening of the 1963 film, "X-The Man With The X-Ray Eyes."  Notice the other part of the title is not on the screen credits.  That is because, I believe, Roger Corman had ambitions for this film, starting with his copying Hitchcock's "Vertigo" throughout.  Is it as good?  Of course not.  Ray Milland must have needed cash badly to do this. The film tries to explore everything from Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" theme, to being able to see God, let alone some erotica, indicated by the above here, which was about as far as they could go in 1963.

                              Lush color, improbable happenings--a guy falling out a window--and an ending that is straight out of Sinclair Lewis and "Elmer Gantry."  It is probably worth sticking around for that.

                                There is not much to say about this film, except sensitive viewers who fear eye drops, and those machines the doctors use, had best steer clear of this one.

                     As for Sventoonie, he pulled a really obscure film out to be deconstructed, with 1984's "The Brother From Another Planet," whose alternate title, voiced on the show was "If Spike Lee Had Made 'E.T.' "   Really, I am not kidding.

                     To think this was written by John Sayles, who also directed it.  This must have been early in his career, because, fortunately, he went on to better things.  I am not sure if this film went anywhere, as I cannot recollect it, And, in today's time, I am not sure if this film should be shown.  The NYC shown here is more horrifying than the recent season of "AHS."  Everything is so "bro" and "boys in da hood" that I wonder if it would be regarded as racist today.  There is little plot and action, except for the title character, played by Joe Morton, wandering about the city.  If this had been a Black "Carnival Of Souls," it might have worked.

                         Still our friend Sventoonie gets "A" for effort in pulling out an obscurity sure to stump all of us film mavens.

                             Not the best Saturday evening we have had, but not the worst!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!