The Holiday Season Has Unofficially Begun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I Saw The First Advertisement This Morning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                 I know, for most, the Holiday Season begins with Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.  But, for me, it unofficially starts when I see the first ad for the NYC Ballet's annual Christmas presentation of George Balanchine's "The Nutcracker."  This year, the ballet, created and first performed in 1954, will turn 70, just like me, and Gojira's movie stardom!!!!!!!!!!!!  What a November!

                                 I used to go to this frequently, and I have done so with David, but with tickets at such a premium high, who can afford it?  True, there are no more debtors' prisons, but who wants to deal with excessive debt?  Apparently, it does not bother many, especially at this time of year.

                                  I cannot predict what the future will be, but I have had this idea for a long time.  The year 2028 will mark fifty years since I saw my first "Nutcracker," back in 1978.  I was still living in Highland Park, and both my parents were still alive.  I had no idea what was in store, then, nor do I, now.  But, if I can, I would like to make it to a 2028 performance.

                                   To those never having gone, I urge you to.

                                   It is one of the holiday traditions in New York City, where one is guaranteed to find theatrical magic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Happy Birthday, Stanley Tucci!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             Today is the birthday of a great actor and a great Cuisenaire--Stanley Tucci.  This handsome fellow is 64--same age as my beloved, and, darlings, I am telling you, we should look as good as both at their ages.

                              Stanley spends so much time cooking for others, I hope someone takes the time out to cook for him on his birthday.  Like, Meryl Streep?

                                 My birthday is a week from today, and we have plans, but some year I would not mind having Mr. Tucci come over here and work his kitchen on David and me.   

                                   So, Happy Birthday, Stanley Tucci, and many more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                   And make some good movies.  Our culture is badly in need of them!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Veterans Day, Darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                              Girls, for me this date is doubly personal.  Before this date became Veterans Day, it was the date my paternal grandparents were married--- 11/11 /11---that is right, dears.  So, the day was one to celebrate long before it became a Federal Holiday.

Three of the children from those grandparents' marriage--my father, and uncles Jack and James--were in the war--WWII.  So, they are all veterans, as was my maternal grandfather.  So, Veterans Day is very special for me.

For everyone it is a day to pause and reflect.  When times are peaceful, whom do we owe that to?   Our fellow servicemen, and servicewomen, of course.   And it is the young who do the fighting, which makes it doubly sad whenever some vet is lost to war.  

So, how to honor these men and women on Veterans Day?  I have a delightfully, campy, Raving Queen idea.

Here, though colorized, are Shirley Temple, Jack Haley, and Alice Faye, singing "I Love A Military Man," from 1936's "Poor Little Rich Girl."

Happy Veterans Day, one and all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This Is Actually A Sad Day, Darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                             

                            Who could have foreseen that November 9 would become a twice iconic date for tragedy?

                            Eighty-six years ago, in Germany, Kristallnacht. the "Night Of Broken Glass," took place.  People who were technically Nazis, destroyed the businesses of Jewish merchants by shattering the windows of their stores, curtailing their livelihood.  It was the start of the horrors to come, and while history may prove me wrong, I personally consider this event as the start of the Holocaust.

                         Then, thirty-three years later, another horror took place in Westfield, New Jersey. A horror that went global.

                             The John List Murders are still the gold bar set for family annilhation.   they took place on this date, in 1971.  I don't know if List was aware of the Kristallnacht connection, though he was of German descent.  The event was to take place on November 1, which is why he let his eldest daughter, Patty, who would be my age if alive, have a Halloween party at the house.  But for reasons I can't fathom, he could not go through with his plan on that day.

                               Eight days later, List did--murdering his mother, wife, and three children--Patty, John, Jr. and Frederick--with a shotgun. He laid the bodies out serenely in the ballroom.  He did this because he was a failed businessmen who wanted to save his children and family from what he called "the horrors of the world."  Like, he couldn't give them a choice?  He planned to kill himself, and the whole family would be found dead.  He did not have the courage of his convictions and went on the lam for well over a decade. Eventually he was captured, thanks to John Walsh's program "America's Most Wanted." He died on March 21, 2008 at St. Francis Hospital in Trenton, New Jersey.

                                I hope his family each gave him a good smack in the face, when he got to the other side.

                                He set the gold standard for family annilhators.

                               Unfortunately, these type of crimes still go on.

                                Today, we remember both events!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               

Girls, I Think We Will Watch Something Else Tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                            Tonight, darlings, "Svengoolie" is showing Vincent Price in "The Abominable Dr. Phibes," from 1971.  He did several Dr. Phibes films, and I have seen them all, on this program.  

                                               Darlings, if you have never seen it, then give it a look.  The sets are lavish for a film of this type, like some Technicolor Flash Gordon fantasy, with costumes to match.  Too bad the story is labored and drawn out.  Vincent Price did not get brilliant with this type of film until "Theatre Of Blood," in 1973, which I wish "Svengoolie" would show.  It is not to be missed.

                                                  Those having seen any of the 'Phibes' films can skip this one.  So, tonight we will watch something else.  I haven't any idea what yet, but you know I will give you a full report!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                    Happy viewing, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

"I Welcome You To Crackerbox Palace! Do What The Rest All Do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                            When I first heard this song by George Harrison, I thought "Crackerbox Palace" was some magical place, where everything was colorful and fanciful, and people did harmlessly as they please. Comparable to Eugene Field's "The Sugar-Plum Tree," which "blooms on the shore of Lollipop Sea, in the garden of Shut-Eye Town."

                          Wouldn't it be nice to go there, darlings?  Instead, "Crackerbox Palace" has become the craziness of life--mine and others.  "Do what the rest all do" takes on frightening meaning, as I refuse to be lured into some Orwellian nightmare.  Screw that!!!!!!!!!!

                              It makes me want to withdraw from the world, not march to it.  But then, girls, remember Scarlett--O'Hara, that is.  She refused to embrace anything and went her own way!  And that is what I am going to do!  Even the Jefferson Starship, with Grace Slick, said, "You can go your own way!" And I plan to.

                               But, girls, how much simpler and nicer it would be to visit the fanciful "Crackerbox Palace."

This Is What We Are In For, Darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             Only it will be us, the Northerners, spread out, like this shot of the Atlanta railroad scene in "Gone With The Wind."

                               David announced Trump's victory in the middle of the night, as I struggled with sleep and a headache, brought on by this contentious election.

                                Now awake, the actuality is worse.  Brace yourselves people, for what is to come!  Find a place to flee to, and take those hatboxes, like Aunt Pittypatt!!!!!!!

                                   If ever there was a time for Mary to make an earthly visitation, this is it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                   The deed is done, and now we must live with it.

                                   So, it was.  So, it is.

                                  How shall we be?

"Madame President? The Chairperson Recognizes Lucy Ricardo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                                                           

                                  Well, girls, here it is.... Election Day!   The day we have awaited and/or dreaded.  I am telling you, no matter what, it will be contentious.  If Madame gets in, there will be trouble up until inauguration day, ranging from violence to Civil War.   It will be just like "Gone With The Wind," except the Southerners will be in the Yankees position.  As for us Northerners, we will be screwed.  The South has been saying they will rise again, since 1865, and this may just be their chance.

                                       Now, if The Opponent--I cannot even mention the name!!!!!!!--gets in, there will be Civil War violence directed at us too.  The only difference is the aforementioned scenario will be engineered by the supporters; in this case it will be engineered by The Opponent himself.  Meaning things could get far worse!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                         I have never felt so worried about this day as I have this one.  I cannot recall an Election Day in my entire life that made me feel the way I do over this one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                         I am telling you, darlings, this is worse than when Lucy ran against Ethel for President Of The Fine Arts Club!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Today To Two Iconic Legends!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                                 

                                        Who would have thought two such different, yet iconic individuals would have the same birthday?   

                                           Today, our lovable reptile friend, Gojira, turns 70, having made his debut in America in a Los Angeles art house, back in 1954.  The same year I was born, darlings, which means in just 15 days, I am going to turn 70.

                                               Anna Wintour--or ANNA, to those of us who recognize her power! --turns 75 today.  Gojira and ANNA!  What a combination, and I am sure each is honored to celebrate the birthday of the other.    

                                                 Both don't look a day, or year older, than they did.  Both look fabulous, because they are, darlings!

                                                  We love you, Gojira and ANNA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                  Have the happiest of birthdays, dears!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!        

                                                  November just keeps getting great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!                       

Happy All Souls Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                        Some call this the Day Of The Dead.  Which makes me think of the woman in 'Streetcar,' going about the street saying "Flores por les mortes."

                          All Souls Day, which I prefer, is when we remember loved ones, friends and family, who have gone before us.  I think of my parents, grandparents, and friends who have gone before me, most recently my friend Steve, who passed April 3, and had he lived would be celebrating his 70th birthday on our natal day.  I will be thinking of him, then.

                             Make sure to say some prayers today for those remembered and deeply missed.

                              The saints get November 1, the souls November 2.

                               That covers all, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Belated Greetings, From Frankenstein And The Dwarf!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                           That is Colin Clive, as Henry Frankenstein, and the great Dwight Frye, as his hunchbacked assistant, Fritz.  I have to laugh at the opening of 1935's "The Bride Of Frankenstein," where the actor playing Lord Byron refers to Fritz as a "dwarf."  How could Universal allow such inaccuracy???????

                           Well, "Plant now, dig later," as the saying goes.  Today is All Souls Day, and these two wanted to be on hand to wish all a happy Halloween, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day!  Wasn't that generous of them?????????????

                            This shot is from the 1931 original "Frankenstein."  What artistry and camerawork; just look at that shot.  No wonder I could not resist putting it in a post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            So, greetings to all, dears, and have a marvelous weekend!!!!!!!!!!!

Girls, Join Us Tonight At 8PM, As "Svengoolie" Presents 1932's "The Mummy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                          Darlings, this is the one and only of all Mummy movies.  It has that artistry common to early Universal horror films, and a sterling cast; besides Karloff, there is Zita Johnan, Edward Van Sloan, and the good-looking David Manners.  What a lineup!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                            This is the one where Karloff plays Im-Ho-Tep, who unfortunately yearns for Princess Anck-Su-Namon, played by the great Zita Johann.  He is found out, and, in a frightening sequence is captured and tortured alive, having his tongue cut out, and being mummified and placed in an Egyptian tomb, while still alive!  This disturbed me as a child, and it still does.  So, sensitive souls, be careful here.

                                             What follows is the usual Universal formula.  Karloff's mummy is resurrected, and he searches for his princess.  He finds her in a latter-day Zita Johann.  Will true love run its course? That is what you will have to find out, girls, because I do not remember.  And I would never reveal a spoiler.

                                                 "The Mummy" was directed by Karl Freund, which gives it some artistic panache.  David Manners can barely read a line, but he sure is good to look at.

                                                     This is one of two gems being shown this month--the following three are lousy--so make the most of this special evening!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                       See you, tonight at 8PM, girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy All Saints Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            Today, darlings, is the Feast Of All Saints, and I went to 9AM mass this morning.  My you know what is dragging now, so I don't know how this post will go.

                              This day is to honor those who did things for us selflessly.  Not only those saints we may be named after, but our favorites--like mine, which are Bernadette, St. Jude, and The Fatima Children--Lucia dos Santos, Francisco Martos, and the holiest of them all, Jacinta Martos!  What that child suffered for us, darlings, I am telling you!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                 And not to forget the living saints who walk among us unrecognized, except by those who know.  Like my David, and, of course, Sister Camille D'Arienzo.

                                    How about those who have gone, like my parents, grandparents, and friends?

                                  Did you feel the presence of the saints at your service, like above?  I sure did, darlings, though I was not quite awake.

                                    What a divine way to kick off November, loves!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Darlings, Can You Believe It????????? We Are In The 11th Month!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            And almost the eleventh hour of the year, as the clock ticks relentlessly.

                           This month is filled with events galore, not to mention my birthday, which is a milestone one, which I will not share until said day.

                             Sunday, which is Anna Wintour's birthday--ANNA!!!!!!!!!!--we are headed to an Italian restaurant in Orange, NJ to celebrate the birthday--which is actually next day, the fourth--of my friend, Tom.  It will be nice to see all the members of what I call the Bloomfield group!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               Then, on the 5th, there is. Election Day.  Enough said.  Pray, people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                From the thirteenth to the eighteenth, which is my before, we have Musical Theater Week, honoring a galaxy of my favorite Legends Of The Musical Stage!  Just when do I get to be one of them?????????????????

                                 "Svengoolie" is showing two gems this month--the Boris Karloff 1932 classic, "The Mummy," to kick off the month, and the 1958 film, "The Crawling Eye,' which, girls, is a hoot, and deserves a second viewing.  It ends the month.  In between--not so great! And if you have never seen it--oh, my God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                   Of course, today we kick off with All Saints Day--more on that later--and the final Thursday this month is Thanksgiving.  And the 26th would have been my parents 77th Wedding Anniversary.  Alas, they had only 32 years.  But what years!  And rounded out by me, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                     So, November is an exciting month at these quarters.  May it bring the best, and then before you know it, time for "The 100 Most Notable Books Of 'The New York Times'," and "The Ten Best Books Of 2024," from "The New York Times."  Not to mention my Top Five In Fiction this year.

                                        All should be a hoot, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!