Girls, Not One, But Two! Two!!!!!!!!!!!!! Two Sets Of Bosoms!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                          My dears, if you have never seen 1958's "Attack Of The 50 Foot Woman," there isn't a better time to do so, as "Svengoolie" is showing this gem, tonight at 8.

                                             Alliison Hayes plays Nancy Archer, a former mental patient, who looks like some harridan out of a Joan Didion novel.  She wants her husband Harry, but he would rather take up with town slut Honey Parker, who has her own individual brothel above the local bar.  I mean, darlings, it is a REALLY small town.

                                                 One night, coming home from a drinking binge, Nancy sees a giant global sphere, radiating white, and a giant, white looking man emerges from the ship and approaches her.  From then on, things are never the same.  Nancy morphs into a sexual bombshell, the real Allison Hayes, with bosoms galore.  But Yvette Vickers, as Honey Parker, has some bosoms of her own, too.

                                                     This movie sealed Yvette's career.  Whenever a film called for an actress to play a slut, Yvette was called and was ready.

                                                       The film has any number of classic lines.  The best is when Nancy, now giant-sized stalks through the town, crying out, "I know where my husband is; he's with that woman!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"  Then Yvette, before she is crushed, cowers under a table, screaming, "Haaaaaaary, what's gooooooooooooing onnnnnnnnn?"  Then she is crushed under the table by debris.

                                                              They really knew how to make classic crap, back in the day.  You owe it to yourselves to see this campy gem!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                 Oh, yes, one more thing.

                          Eileene Stevens' performance as the hysterical nurse defines hysteria.  This role should have made her career; instead, it became her career. Until three years later, when Veronica Cartwright supplanted her in "The Children's Hour," Stevens' performance was the gold standard for film hysteria!!!!!!!!!!

                               Really, girls, you should see it.  Cancel all plans, stay home, and watch!

                              See you at 8PM, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today Should Be Declared "Follies" Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                         Fifty-four years ago, this evening, at the Winter Garden Theatre, currently represented by the dreck that is "Good Night, And Good Luck." the curtain went up on my all-time favorite of the Harold Prince-Stephen Sondheim collaborations, "Folles."  Until "A Chorus Line" came along, also choreographed by Michael Bennett, this was the most artistically successful concept musical of all time.

                                           And the cast!  Alexis Smith, Dorothy Collins, Gene Nelson, John McMartin, Yvonne De Carlo, Ethel Shutta, Mary McCarthy, Victoria Mallory....my God, a cast like this could never afford to be assembled like this again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                             How about the songs?  "The Girls Upstairs," the haunting "In Buddy's Eyes," the devastating "The Road You Didn't Take," the chilling "Too Many Mornings," and the apocalyptic "Losing My Mind."  Every song in this score is a gem, which cannot be said of today's musicals.

                                               I have seen five productions of "Follies," unfortunately not the original, and while each may have varied in quality, the integrity of the score was preserved.

                                                Then there was the number that blew the roof off the Winter Garden on opening night and continued to do so throughout the show's original run.

                                  Here is the original "Follies" cast, performing "Who's That Woman?"

                            And here is how haunting and chilling "Too Many Mornings" was.

                           Happy "Follies" Day, everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Girls, How About Some Christian Lacroix?????????????

                       Spring is here, darlings, and that means color, excitement and a blossoming of fashion.  I know my closet could do with some Christian Lacroix, but how about the rest of you out there????????

                       This pattern would be perfect for a dress or living room.  Imagine wearing it and having it on the wall at the same time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            Isn't this number a delightful one, darlings? And the sweet little boo boo!  I think our foyer would look perfect like this, and for anyone who has a foyer, why not??????????????

                              And look at this. Patterns everywhere! Nothing like the right patterns arranged in the right way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I think this would look great in the dining room, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!

                              Ah, Spring!  When the world changes colors--for the better!!!!!!!!!!!!

                              Why not change your interiors, with some Christian Lacroix, loves?????????????????

This Show Is No "SMASH," Darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                          I am so sick of the redundancy in today's Broadway musicals.  They all look, sound and feel the same.  Color and glitz don't do it anymore; what I want is substance and originality. As Madame Armfeldt said in "A Little Night Music,"  "Where's discretion of the heart, where's passion in the art, where's craft?"

                                         All are missing from "SMASH," which is expected to open at the Imperial Theatre, but who knows how long it will run?  I bet it does not last until the TONY Awards.  The show is about a show within a show making a musical comedy about Marilyn Monroe.  Girls, are you confused?  You should be.

                                          "SMASH" has an array of talented artists floundering in a vehicle going nowhere.  The recent opera of "Moby Dick" at the MET probably had more resonance.

                                              What it has is a group of immensely talented artists trapped inside a black box of a stage, like the victims in "Attack Of The Puppet People."  To be sure, for Theater Queens and insiders like me, I knew the references and who was based on whom.  For instance, Brooks Ashmanskas, who plays Nigel, the director, is based on Walter Bobbie, whose career imploded when he drove "Chicago" understudy Jeff Loeffelholz to suicide.  And Krysta Rodriguez, playing co-writer Tracy, is desperately trying to replicate either Priscilla Lopez or Laurie Beechman.  Then there is the lead, Robyn Hurder, who spends the entire show replicating......Robyn Hurder.  It is not entirely her fault, because the choreographer, Joshua Bergasse, replicates so many of the steps and moves from Michael Bennett's "A Chorus Line" I think Baayork Lee and John Breglio, who controls the Bennett estate, should march down to the Imperial, demanding the show be shut down, or overhauled.  

                                                  All of this is not surprising, since Robyn Hurder is one of the best of our recent Cassies; I saw her do the role at the City Center Gala, several years back, and while no one is Donna McKechnie, she did a wonderful job.  But so many of her moves, especially the arms, are reminiscent of that show, it is like she is doing "A Chorus Line" all over again, and the company is trying frantically to stage its opening number.  If I WANT to see "A Chorus Line," I WILL see "A Chorus Line," not some hackneyed replication.

                                                    To think Susan Stroman, a choreographer herself, directed this mess.  I can see this show nailing the head on her career coffin.

                                                    Oh, and of course the latest thing is using video and social media, which "SMASH" takes full advantage of.  Maybe I am old fashioned, but I prefer moving music and dramatic substance to media gimmicks in a show which does not need them.

                                                     Back to nails driven into coffins.  Shows like "SMASH" and others seen this season, are driving nails into the coffin of musical theater.  I fear for its extinction.

                                                      Ernest Hemingway was an overrated writer, but he said it right, here--

                                                      "Ask not for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee."

                                                     

Oh, Girls, We Have To Talk About Betty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                         I really had high hopes for "Boop! The Musical," now at the Broadhurst.  It is colorful, laced with generic choreography and has a star turning performance by Jasmine Amy Rogers in the title role.  But David Foster and Susan Birkenhead give it a lackluster score, and Bob Martin's book goes on for far too long, and there is no real story.  

                                              The show starts out promisingly, immersed in the black-and-white world, superbly recreated by David Rockwell's sets and George Barnes' costumes.  I was anticipating a sophisticated romp back to the Twenties and Thirties, the era of Betty Boop herself, and had the creators stayed with that they might have had a halfway decent show.  Hell, with that concept and a classic score, they might have created the greatest cartoon musical since "Annie."

                                                  Alas, no.

                                                 Because Betty gets in Grandpa's time machine where she is transported to 2025, and cannot figure out how she fits in.  Ho hum.  Angelica Hale's performance livens things up a bit, but I would rather have had the 2025 characters transported to Betty Boop's world.  My eyes nearly popped out of my head when this Jennifer Coolidge impersonating woman walks out on stage--and David told me it was Faith Prince!  He was right!  Oh, Faith, what has happened?  A girl has to work, I suppose,

                                                     All the color and glitz cannot make up for the lack of fun.

                                                       But I know what you girls want to know--

                                                        Yes, Pudgy is in it; actually, he steals the show!

                                                         And, yes, Betty says "Boop boop a boop!" at the beginning and the end.

                                                           Had she just done that, it might have been a fun evening!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Sad Anniversary, Darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                        Right away, this month challenges me.  Today is the 46th anniversary of my mother's death. I know that sounds like a lifetime, but I can remember back to when I was 24--I am now 70--and when it happened.

                          Two things I remember most.  First, I was just getting out of bed--it was around 8AM, when the phone rang.  I just knew this was it.  My father confirmed that a few minutes later, but what sticks in my head the most was that the radio was playing a song I never like from the start, but hereon in would hate forever--"Honey," by Bobby Goldsboro.

                             The second was going to the hospital to collect things.  My father stopped at the nurse's station, while I went on to her room.  The body had not yet been removed, so there I was, and there she was, as I looked death in the face. It was not pretty, and I recall both these moments to this day.

                                I still wonder what would have happened had my mother lived longer.  Would I have continued in Highland Park, or would I have moved to New York?  How would my mother have dealt with it; my father did pretty well, but I am not so sure about her.

                                My father would have had an altogether different retirement from what he had in Florda, because my mother was never going to go there.  And I was with her on that. But her passing allowed him to go to Florida, making for a peaceful transition into old age.

                                The image I hold most dear is me in our television room, reading, when my mother's car pulls up in front of the house, and, atop a love seat by the right front windows, our poodle, Baby Mouse, alerted us excitedly to my mother having arrived home.

                                   How I miss Mother, Daddy, Nana and Baby Mouse.  And so many others.  May God have mercy on my tormented soul and unite me with them all when my time comes.

                                     I think I have said enough, girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"In An April Dream, Once You Came To Me................."

                            That is right, darlings.  Today is April Fools Day, where we ask ourselves whether or not we are just April Fools.  Or even April's Fools.

                             This is a tough month for me, personally.  Tomorrow, I go to the dentist, which is bad enough, but it also happens to be the 46th anniversary of my mother's death.  One never forgets especially as I was so emotionally young at the time, though I was 24. The next day marks the year anniversary of my friend, Steve, who suffered a terrible, cancerous death.  Saturday is the year anniversary of my fall on Ovington Avenue that nearly sent me to the hospital.  As well as the anniversary of the passing of my sister's husband.  April 22 is the anniversary--47 years, just one year before her daughter--of my maternal grandmother.

                              So, April is not exactly a great month for me or our family.  T. S. Eliot, in his opening to his poetic masterwork, "The Waste Land," remarked that it is the "cruelest month," and I agree.

                              But there is also Easter, the annual screening of "The Song Of Bernadette," and this coming Thursday, we are seeing the Broadway musical "Smash."  Will it be such?  I will let you know.

                               And I have so much to write about that I did not get to in March, so perhaps this will help to distract me from the malaise that is April.

                                For the rest of you, I wish a happy, sunny and bright April.

                                 Think of Judy Garland and Fred Astaire doing "When The Midnight Train Leaves For Alabam," in 1948's "Easter Parade!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                   Happy April, everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                    

Girls, Didn't March Seem To Just Fly By????????????

                           It was a fairly traditional March, something we have not had in a long time.  It did come in roaring like the proverbial lion and now is going out as sweetly as a lamb.

                           What a month!  First, lots of doctor visits, just checkups and follow-ups.  We saw "Gypsy" a second time, with the superb Tryphena Wade, as well as the hilarious "Titanique," and the soon to be written about "Boop! The Musical," which I will write about sometime in April. It is about the cartoon character, Betty Boop!"

                                Just twenty days from today is Easter, which, of course, here means the annual screening of "The Song Of Bernadette."  We took in a 50th Anniversary viewing of Robert Altman's 1975 "Nashville," at the Paris, and I will write about that, only to say now it was as thrilling as ever.  I also discovered this month, on YouTube, the original teleplay of "The People Next Door," and will be writing about that in April, too.

                                  March did seem to speed by.  I did make one church appearance and sang and may again on Easter.

                                    All in all, a very traditional March.  I am leery of April as there are many sad anniversaries for me that month.

                                     Nevertheless, with you my readers, David, Baby Gojira, Little Pippin, and Cucumbo, I will somehow get through it.

                                        See you next month!  Can you believe we are already through one quarter of 2025????????????????

                                          

Which One Of These Do You Prefer, Darlings??????????????

                             Colors brighten up any room, girls, but how one uses them speaks volumes.  I like this yellow pattern with the floral print.  I like how the yellow background highlights the floral print.  It would do justice to a kitchen, or even a bathroom, anytime.

                                 But--

                                 

                                 How about this?

                                 And--

                                  How about this blue with yellow floral print????????????????

                                                                          

                            And what about this lovely design, girls?  I think the two above would be perfect for the living room.  Colorful, cozy, and comfortable are what both patterns suggest; at least, for me.

                              However you decorate your home, girls, remember to fill it with color!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                              The NBC peacock was right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                         

                                 

Happy Birthday, Amy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                        If there is anyone who knows how to cheer a person up, it is the charming and lovely Amy Sedaris, whose birthday we celebrate today.  She is 61 years old, meaning she is ten years younger than I, and who among us ever looked this good at 61?   I can tell you I did not.

                                         I wish Amy the happiest of birthdays, especially since, last Halloween, her pet rabbit, Tina passed away.  I know just how Amy felt, as two of my animal friends, Nicholas and Cujo, passed away last year.

                                         Since Amy is all about crafts and color, I wish her the most colorful of birthdays.

                                         Happy Birthday, Amy!  And when are you coming back to television!

                                         We are desperately in need of your humor, decor and cheer!!!!!!!!!!

Girls, Join Us Tonight At 8PM, As "Svengoolie" Presents Our Lovable Reptile Friend, Gojira, In "Godzilla Vs. Monster Zero!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                            Darlings, anytime we get a chance to cheer on our beloved Gojira is reason to celebrate.  This time, our friend seems to team up with Rodan to battle something called Monster Zero.  But wait!  Isn't that King Ghidorah in the poster?

                           As for who is in this, does it really matter, girls?  The monsters steal the show, and are the true stars, and this had better end with Gojira winning.

                          Also, there is no indication that that pesky Mothra appears in this film, which is a break for everyone, especially Gojira and the crew, who have to work with Mothra, whose attitude is that she is the real film's star, having no idea she owes what little fame she has to Gojira, who started it all.

                           In any case, dears, join us at 8PM, to cheer our lovable Gojira on.

                          I think here Gojira and Rodan team up for world peace!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                          Where are they today, when we need them most?????????????  

Oh, My God, Darlings, You Have To See This Film For Deborah Winters!!!!!!!!!!!! Who??????????? I Will Tell You!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                           Don't let this poster fool you, girls; the movie is not as much fun as the poster makes it out to be.

                           Yesterday, Baby Gojira and I watched what I thought would be a fun film.  The premise was a good one.  Thousands of coffee beans are being transported from Mexico to the United States, and these cute little tarantulas creep into the bags, undetected.  No one suspects a thing.  But if you think this is terror all the way, forget it.

                               While the spiders get their fair share of screen time, and lots of close-ups, that would have a Hollywood diva enraged, the action is mostly confined to the ground, and a bunch of actors whom most would not know--like Bert Remsen, who played the Mayor, but two years before, played Barbara Harris' husband in Robert Altman's 1975 masterpiece, "Nashville," or Claude Akins, who plays the kind of role Clint Eastwood have, had he not made it.  But the real reason to see this film is Deborah Winters.

                                Oh, my God, she looks terrible in this, with that blonde boy haircut.  And to think, just seven years ago, she was one of the most promising actresses of her generation.  She appeared in both the CBS Playhouse live production, and then the film, of J.P. Miller's play, "The People Next Door."  Yes, the same J.P. Miller who wrote "Days Of Wine And Roses..  Deborah played Maxie, the daughter who gets hooked on drugs--which, at the time was a shock to suburban communities; now, unfortunately, they are just second nature.  But the scene where the parents find Maxie hiding in the closet, hands to her ears, claiming she hears mountains--this was brilliant acting, the kind rarely seen anymore, since this kind of material is not written anymore.  How low we have come.

                                  And how low Deborah had come, to do a film like this.?  I was hoping she would get a Big Maxie Moment, and the filmmakers do try to give her one, when she beholds the body of her dead brother, Matthew, played by generic former 70's child star Matthew Laborteaux.   The opportunity is there, but she does not take advantage of it, maybe because by the time the scene was shot, she knew this was a piece of crap.  Which is why she is now Texas realtor Deborah Winters Chaney.

                                  The film had me on the edge of my seat, wondering if Deborah would have a chance to show us what she could do.  Alas, no.  So, I cannot honestly recommend this.  Unless you are some sick thing who has a yen for spiders, there is no reason to see this mess.

                                    Alas, poor Deborah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                           Here she is, in "The People Next Door."  What promise!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                 

Girls, Tonight "Svengoolie" Is Showing One Of Universal's Most Famous Monsters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                           Who cannot enjoy "The Creature From The Black Lagoon?"  I have an affection for it, as it was made in my birth year, 1954.  The Gill Man, as he is called in the film--I think The Creature is a better name--is green and cute, and Juilia Adams, with her hair and white bathing suit, complements him superbly.  And Richard Carlson is pretty hot, once he takes his shirt off.

                                             Shot in gorgeous Fifties black and white in what appears to be a tropical setting, this film has tension, suspense and sex appeal.  The underwater scenes are impressive, and when The Creature comes on land, he has such fun.  Especially once he nabs Julia Adams.

                                               I mean, girls, who wouldn't want that hair and bathing suit?  Tune in tonight at 8, to see how Julia does it.

                                                And how appropriate--a green monster right after St. Patrick's Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                 So be there at 8, for this gem.

                                                 And no clams on the half shell, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nix To Disney's Live-Action "Snow White!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                          The sheer nerve of the studio doing live action remakes of its superior cartoon classics, has hit a new low with "Snow White.'  The Seven Dwarfs as CGI?????????   Are you kidding me??????????  The Wicked Queen played by former "Wonder Woman" Gal Godot, whose acting level makes Blossom Rock as Grandmama on the original "Addams Family" look like Meryl Streep???????????????????????????????????

                           When it comes to Wicked Queens--and I have known my share girls, having, at times, been one myself--the one in the 1937 animated classic is unsurpassed.  Maybe, after her triumph with the live action "Maleficent," Angelina Jolie, who has real acting chops, could have made a go of it, and livened up things, but this cast from Nowheresville is not going to do a thing for Disney except cause it to lose money.

                               It might have been fun--if she could have been talked into it--to have the Wicked Queen played by Anna Wintour.  Now, THAT would be something to see.

                                Girls, I urge you to boycott this movie.  I have no intention of seeing it.  Stick to the animated original.

                                   Which Wicked Queen is the fairest of them all?   Why, the 1937 one, of course!

                                   But I am a close second, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Even Shakespeare Recognized The Importance Of Spring, Darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                         It really is "the only pretty ring time."  Valentine's Day may be in February, but real love does not bloom until Spring.  I can attest to that, as David and I first met in May.  That will be coming up soon, and it will mark 15 years.   The best ones so far.

                            "Sweet lovers love the Spring," as the Bard said, and he was right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             Girls, go through those fabrics and find the most gorgeous florals and pastels.

                             Have coffee or tea at an outdoor cafe.  Read a book in the park.  Hell, Americans, read a book, anyway!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                              The Spring has broken through, and Winter is now history.

                        Now, THIS is Spring, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             Let's make our own history in Spring, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Proserpina Comes Back From Hell!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                   Girls, she arrives today, with her reticule, bags, and designer wardrobe, and that means Spring is here.  The earth and trees will turn green, the weather will get warmer, signaling Cere's happiness at having her daughter begin her six months stay in the outer world.

                                     According to legend, and my calendar, today is the First Day Of Spring.  Let us rejoice in the bloom of the flowers, and the beauty that nature can give us during this time of the year.

                                      Spring is ANNA's favorite time of year, and mine, too.  And the fashions!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                         Welcome Spring, darlings, and all the promise it brings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Sometimes You Have To Check Your Brain In At The Door!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                    It is a good thing, once in a while, darlings, and for Theater Queens especially.

                                    When I entered the theater to see "Titanique," If felt guilty about seeing something that spoofs an iconic historic tragedy.  Well, don't worry, dolls, this musical is the spoof of the overrated 1997 movie that verged on camp, here the camp is amped up for all it is worth.  And we just LOVED it!!!!!!!!!!!

                                        Anyone hard of hearing will have no problem here, as the music is turned up so loud, intentionally that one cannot miss a note or lyric.

                                         Two of my favorites, Andrew Keenan-Bolger and Lea DeLaria, are currently in this production, and both are well used.  Keenan-Bolger plays the Victor Garber character, and some mascot named Luigi.  DeLaira plays Rose's mother, and I have rarely seen her used as well as she is in this. Her camp lesbianism works here for a change, unlike when I last saw her as Miss Judith Fellows in--can you believe it? --"The Night Of The Iguana."

                                         Good as both are, the highlights of this camp romp are Dee Roscioli as Celine Dion--yes, she, and the entire cast do "My Heart Will Go On!!!!!!!!!"--and Kyle Romar Freeman, as, get this, the Ice Bitch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  They raise this show to the levels of camp and parody unseen since the golden days of Charles Busch and Christopher Durang!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                             There are plenty of show and film references throughout--"Anything Goes," "A Chorus Line," with Andrew Keenan Bolger doing the Donna McKechnie end extension, which I have been perfecting my whole life; in fact everything here is included, even a homage to Bob Fosse and "Chicago."  We all know doing his choreography is a bitch, don't we, darlings????????????

                                                Ellenore Scott's choreography and Ty Blue's direction make the whole thing work.  "Titanique" may not be an iconic musical, but it offers an evening of sheer fun, and sometimes that is all so many of us need!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                   Dash to the Daryl Roth Theatre instantly, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I Don't Care What Anyone Says, Girls! Today Is The Last Day Of Winter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             The season seeming longer than the others comes to an end, today.  Now, I know we go through this every year.  Most think today is the First Day Of Spring, and yesterday was The Last Day Of Winter.  But that is not how it goes.  Spring arrives tomorrow, and it is important to know why.

                                You see, darlings, tomorrow is when Proserpina comes back from Hell, to spend the following six months with her mother, Ceres.  So, when Ceres is happy, we have the lovely weather of Spring and Summer.

                                 But, hey, the girl is facing a six month stay.  She has to pack to get ready, so Spring is on the 21st.  She will need at least a Diane Von Furstenberg reticule, and some summer frocks by La Croix and Schiaparelli!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I know I could use some!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                  So, Proserpina is not back yet, girls!  But she will be tomorrow.

                                  Let us all don our best frocks to welcome her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good Morning, Girls! Let's Return To The Morning Coffee Of The 1950's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                        Darlings, morning coffee of the 1950's was like nothing else.  It would seem to go on all morning, until it was time to get lunch ready.  Girls would gather at others' houses, or theirs, for a cup of fresh perked morning coffee.

                          I cannot tell you how crucial morning coffee is to my routine, girls!  Without it, oh, my God, I would be a total bitch!  Some are not afraid to come near me until I have had my morning coffee! Well, maybe they are right!

                            See how happy the woman in the picture looks?  That is what morning coffee does for me, and once sipped, I feel pert and perky as she!!!!!!!!!!!!  Not like that phony Meg Ryan!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             So, make sure you start your mornings with coffee, dolls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             It just is not morning, without coffee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Of Course, We All Want "The Wizard Of Oz" Dress! But How About Judy Garland's Red Dress From "Meet Me In St. Louis??????????????????"

                               Here it is, in all its glory, in a museum in St. Louis, and as soon as I find out the name of the museum, I will let you know, before taking off to view this, myself.

                               This is the dress Garland wore in the film's iconic Christmas scene, where she dances with Tom Drake, then sings "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" to Margaret O'Brien, right before the latter does the most incredible display of child acting ever captured on film.

                                 Darlings, I am getting goose bumps just looking at it.  Imagine wearing it!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                   This dress, like all the costumes in the film, were designed by Irene Sharaff.

                                    Too bad she did not have a store of her own in New York!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Girls, Spring Is Almost Here, It Is Time To Talk Seasonal Fashion, So How About Some Rebecca Taylor?????????????????

Aren't these frocks simply divine, darlings?  I love the black with floral print, though the other two are striking as well.  While the first one may be a little short for some of us, I am sure a suitable alteration could be found.

I confess I have no Rebecca Taylor in my closet, so it is about time I did.  Some get Spring Fever; I get the urge to go on a shopping frenzy.  Books and fabulous designs, that is me.

Whatever feeds your shopping frenzy, darlings, it is time to indulge.

Shop until you drop--while the season lasts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

".....When The Swallows Come Back To Capistrano!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                        Yes, darlings, today is a sure sign that Spring in on the way.  It is the Feast Of St. Jospeh, but it is also the day the swallows return to their beloved California mission in Capistrano!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                          Girls, wouldn't that be a sight to witness?   A horde of birds flocking to their beloved mission.  I understand people come from all over to sit and witness this sight.  

                         Since we all cannot be there, I want this date to be remembered.  It has even been celebrated in song.

                              Here is Pat Boone's 1957 classic rendition.  Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             And a big welcome to those swallows.  We embrace the coming of Spring!!!!!!!!!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day, Darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                       Like the song says, "It's A Great Day For The Irish!"

                      It is a quiet day for this Irishman.  I think of the relatives who have passed. I recall that every year on this day, growing up, we would go over to my paternal grandmother's house for a corned beef and cabbage dinner. It took me a long time to get to like it, but now I do.  Though, it is such a heavy meal, so we only have it once a year.

                     Ah, the days of yore, When John Ford's "The Quiet Man" or "The Informer," would be shown annually on TV.  Both films may still turn up, but in these so-called modern times, I feel they have gone by the wayside.

                      Nevertheless, however you celebrate this day, whether you are Irish or not, I wish you the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                          How I wish for a glass of Bailey's!!!!!!!!!!!  Have one for me, girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"A Soothsayer Hath Warned, 'Beware The Ides Of March'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                          The warning was first given in Act One, Scene Two of Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar," and it proved to be a mantra for all, down through the ages.

                          Just think, thirty days from now is one many fear and dread--April 15, which is Income Tax Day!  Maybe Shakespeare was on to something.

                           It is fairly gloomy outside our apartment, so I am telling you, girls, to watch your step today.  Look what happened to weatherman Lonnie Quinn!  The poor thing!  You don't want to end up like that, do you?  So, watch your step today, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                           Beware The Ides Of March!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Skip What "Svengoolie" Is Offering Tonight, Girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's Not Worth It!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             Remember when "MAD" magazine did its spoof of "Jurassic Park?"  They called it "Your-Ass-Has-Had-It Park."  The film being shown tonight was a template for that spoof.

                          I first saw this in second grade, and then I thought it packed a wallop!  Years later, I saw it again, and what a difference!!!!!!!!!!  The so-called dinosaurs were only lizards enlarged through glass slides!  And it was SO obvious.

                           So, no thanks.  Better to read Sir Arhtur Conan Doyle's (yes, darlings, the creator of Sherlock Holmes!) original novel--which I own! --."or to see bits of the 1925 version on You Tube.  I don't know if the entire film is lost, but you can see a sequence that foreshadows such 1950's classics as "The Beast From 20, 000 Fathoms" and "The Giant Behemoth!  I don't know if the entire film is lost, but I wish I could see the earlier one in its entirety.

                          Skip this one, darlings!  Poor Claude Rains!  He must have needed the money!

                          As for me, I would do a slasher before appearing in something like this!!!!!!!!!!!

                         Find yourselves something better to do tonight at 8PM, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Darlings, What A Week It Has Been, And It Is Not Over Yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                      Yesterday should have been declared a Gay Holiday, because it was Liza Minnelli's birthday.  Have you heard about the upcoming book about her childhood, "L'il Liza?"  That should be a hoot!

                                        Sixty-one years ago, in the wee hours of this morning, one Winston Moseley hunted down, raped, and killed Kitty Genovese.  The crime became mythologized as NYC's ongoing apathy, along with the now urban legend of 38 witnesses who did nothing, which has been debunked.   And Kitty, mercifully, did not die alone, but in the arms of her neighbor, Sophia Farrar, whose compassion extended far beyond that of Kitty being a lesbian.

                                          This was not a gay hate crime, but one where the facts were just incidental to the tragedy.  This day I shall always remember.  If Kitty were alive today, she would be in her eighties. What a shame.

                                           And we are not done with this week, girls.  Saturday is the Ides Of March!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

                                           This is one week to avoid.  Be careful, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Darlings, Without A Make-Up Routine Every Day, You Could End Up Looking Like This!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                Ugh, that lank hair!  Those bulging eyes; is that hyper-thyroidism, or just failure to apply eye make-up?   Her lips lack luster, and is that rouge on her cheeks, or what?  The teeth indicate she has not been to a dentist recently.  The only thing going for her is the necklace made out of teeth!

                               Yes, my dears, without a make-up routine, one could end up looking like a She Demon!!!!!!!!!  Now, if that is you goal--and, believe me, there are some out there for whom it is--that is just fine.  But my girls and I want to look better!  The only thing worse I can think of looking like is that goody goody Carol, played by Diane Baker, in "Strait-Jacket."  Thank God Michael saw the light.  He might not have been a good actor, but what a catch!!!!!!!!!!!

                                  Now, from the neck down, She Demons do not look so bad.  But from the neck up there is nothing to offer, and hence no future for those looking like this.

                                   Make sure you always carry some foundation, and a concealer, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!

Girls, Do You Think It Possible Crazy Ralph Knew Mrs. Voorhees Was Behind All The Horrors At Camp Crystal Lake???????????????????????

                        When I have a bad night falling asleep, like I did last night, crazy ideas pop into my head.  Sometimes they make for good blog posts.

                          Now, Walt Gorney's performance in the original 1980 "Friday The 13th" is iconic.  I maintain he knew what was going on, all the time.  It is obvious he had been a resident of the town for a long time, well before going back to 1957, when the troubles started.   And throughout the film he tries to warn the counselors, in his bizarre, yet well intentioned way, to leave while they have the chance.  He says "You'll never come back," and, as it turns out, he was right.

                           So, Crazy Ralph was not so crazy, after all.  But here's the thing.  Since the entire town perceived him as such, he was able to evade the suspicions of Mrs. Voorhees.  Though a bit off herself, darlings, she saw Ralph as hopelessly off, so he would have no idea what was going on, or who was doing it.

                             But I think she was wrong.

                            The other question I wonder about is, Mrs. Voorhees murders Steve Christy, because he is about to open the camp again.  The viewer sees him stabbed by her--though her identity is not known yet.  But what about his parents, The Christys, who were the original owners of the camp?  When the drowning of Jason happened in 1957, I am sure Mrs. Voorhees wanted the camp closed permanently.  So, is it possible she murdered The Christys?  Nothing is suggested in the film, but I would not put it past her, since, fresh from Jason's drowning, her anger and thirst for vengeance was truly aflame.  I think she did murder The Christys, and Steve, the family survivor, was trying to carry on the traditions of his family.

                              But I commend Crazy Ralph.  Who knew what he was doing, and was not so crazy, after all????????????

                                Don't you just love him, girls????????????????

                               

A Head In Every Pot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             Yes, girls, "Svengoolie" is showing something campy tonight--1958's "The Thing That Couldn't Die." You will not believe how this disembodied head gets around!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                Filmed in cheap black-and-white, with Fifties hairstyles and maybe some bosoms, this is a camp must.  If you need some laughter at this time, this film is sure to deliver.

                               Given the title, one might have thought a sequel was inevitable.

                                 But I guess this "thing" died at the box office.

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

                                  

Girls, It Is Time To Get In Touch With Our Inner Joan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                        After having seen "A Complete Unknown," and having been blown away by Monica Barbaro's now signature performance as Joan Baez, made me re-examine my folk roots.  Which is what we all most due, in order to get in touch with our inner Joan.

                                           I wish my hands were as fluent on the acoustic guitar as hers, but nowhere near. But my voice is compelling enough to assemble a folk legacy of Joan favorites which I sing all the time.

                                           Here they are":                                                                                                                                               1. "The House Carpenter"                                                                                                                              2. "Geordie"                                                                                                                                                   3. "Fennario"                                                                                                                                                 4. "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright"                                                                                                               5. "With God On Our Side"                                                                                                                           6. "Blowin' In The Wind"

                                            Of course, that is just a small set, darlings, but I am sure in touch with my inner Joan.  I have almost mastered "Engine 143," I am desperately trying to learn "Farewell, Angelina," and I guess I could add "The House Of The Rising Sun" to my list.

                                               It is most important to get in touch with your inner Joan, because, as Dylan once said, "the times, they are a' changin'," and right now that's not very good.  So, if I have to do this set in Union Square or Washington Square Park to wake people up, I will do it.  Maybe even in front of the Waverly.

                                                 For those who don't sing, I recommend listening to the above tracks, some of Joan at her best.  And she has not stopped.  Keep on going, Joan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                               May we all be inspired by Joan.

                                       Here is the best.  Joan singing "The House Carpenter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"