See, Girls? I Told You The Golden And Silver Age Of Comics Were Better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Look At Doctor Midnite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                     He was a member of the Justice Society Of America, on Earth Two, in the 1940's.  Get a load of that costume, the colors, the moon combining with it; this is the kind of detailed artistry one does not see in comics anymore.  An era lost forever.

                                                       Doctor Midnite had been a surgeon, who had been blinded, but developed the super-power to be able to see things in the dark.  Hence, his name.  But, as with all superheroes, especially DC, it was all about the costume, and Doctor Midnite's is just perfect.

                                                           There is, even now, a Doctor Midnite action figure!  I would sure love to have one, wouldn't you?  I have Sun Boy, from The Legion Of Superheroes, and Doctor Fate and The Spectre from the Justice Society Of America.  Wouldn't it be fabulous to have all the action figures from both organizations??????????

                                                             All those costumes!!!!!!!!  All that color!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                           Then I could have my own Superheroes Fashion Show, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Geoffrey Beene Has Been Dead For Over Twenty Years! When Alive, He Was America's Heir Apparent To Cecil Beaton! But His Spirit Lives On In These Creations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

                                                                                

                                               Aren't these fabulous, girls????????  It is time to think about Spring fashions, and while there is still talk of Halston, Versace, and others, Geoffrey Beene seems overlooked and neglected.  And with creations like these, he should not be!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                 Imagine recreating your life according to the 1948 movie "Easter Parade."  You can actually do that, darlings, by wearing these dresses.  But only in the last one, pictured above, can you dance and sing "When The Midnight Train Leaves For Alabam!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                                    Artists should never be overlooked, and I want Beene remembered.  Has The Costume Institute ever done an exhibition on him.  Think about it, ANNA!!!!!!!  And, of course Chloe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

                                                      If only it was Chloe Sevigny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What We Go Through, Girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                       Darlings, I am telling you, "Valley Of The Dolls" is the story of us all.  I relate to this scene very well.  I have to take stuff to sleep so, like Neely, I can sparkle enough to write this blog every day.

                         Of course, my drink of choice is coffee, not booze!!!!!!!!!!!  I hardly ever touch the stuff.

                         But I know what Neely is going through.  How many times have I been on a stage where the lighting designer blazes a point so hot I swear he is frying me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  As Neely says, "I SAID I am through for the day!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                           Not that I would ever abandon my girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  But it is hard to operate at full speed when you are only up to half.  Maybe I SHOULD take some dolls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            Or, you know what, darlings?  "I'll do the second act first!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                            The audience won't care.  They love me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Had It With Winter, Girls??????????? Consider These Floral Designs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

                            I finished my fourth reading of "Anna Karenina" two days ago.  It took me 17 days, was worth every word, but I had hoped to finish it earlier.  Now, I have a pile of contemporary books to read before beginning my next mammoth project.

                            Spring is a time of brightening colors and celebrating the creativity of nature, darlings, and I can think of no better way than brightening your room with floral wall designs like these.  You too can have a home resembling the set of a Technicolor Vincente Minnelli movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            The colored, almost three dimensional, flowers in the middle are my favorite, but the white with flowers above would go great in the bedroom.  Oh, dolls, can't you just see it???????????????

                             I would love to decorate this way.  Of course, my designs would have to include some pink!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             "Think Pink," girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"On This Day, In The Year Of Our Lord, 1692, The People Of Whitewood, Massachusetts, Condemned Elizabeth Selwyn As A Witch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                               "Most God-fearing people do not go to Whitewood!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                Nor should they, darlings, because a year after her death, Elizabeth Selwyn was seen walking among the graves in the cemetery.  Soon after, the children of the elders who condemned her began dying off, one by one.

                                  Personally, I would love to go to Whitewood, even if I ran into Mrs. Nywles.  I stand a chance, not being a virgin.  But if it is one thing I hate, it is cults, and Selwyn and her group are one of the most dangerous cults out there.  So, I would not desire being recruited.

                                     I mean, what could it give me?  That hair?  That wardrobe?  Who would want it?????  Maybe Elizabeth Selwyn turned to witchcraft because she could not get a date!  People have done less, I am sure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                        Still, it is fun to celebrate this day.  But if there are any virgins still out there, stay away from Whitewood!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                            Where does one find a virgin these days???????????????

Happy Birthday To Jennifer Jones!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                 If alive, she would be 107 today, which means she has been gone 17 years, since she died at age 90!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Can you believe it, darlings??????????  Seventeen years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                   This is one of her best non-'Bernadette' photos.  She had an illustrious career but will always be remembered for her Oscar winning performance in "The Song Of Bernadette."

                                      And, in just a couple of weeks, girls, it will be Easter Sunday, time; to get out the DVD and watch the 1943 classic again.

                                         She was just stunning!  Could Sally Hershberger give me that hair style??????????????????

                                         No wonder girls in the 40's wanted to look like her.

                                         Hell, I still do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy 61st Birthday To "The Sound Of Music!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                           On this day, in 1965, Julie Andrews did that twirl first time so the world could see and then lifted her glorious voice to the Alps in song.  "The Sound Of Music was off and running, and no one then could have anticipated what it would become, let alone still be being discussed 61 years later.

                              Of course, the sad thing is Charmian Carr and my favorite Heather Menzies are not here to celebrate it.  Sure, many of the adults are gone, but, really, the children?  It is just too sad to contemplate.

                                  I made it to the 60th Anniversary of the film, at which I had an unexpected and profound emotional reaction.

                                   But I still wanted to remember the film on its anniversary day!

                                   Those owning DVDs, today is the day to watch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                    I shall wait for the next theater screening.

                                    Happy SOM Day, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, Darlings, Bring Back Thirties Art Deco!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                           That is Ronald Colman and Jane Wyatt (yes, the same actress who played Kathy's (Dorothy McGuire) biased sister in 1947 "Gentleman's Agreement," not to mention Margaret Anderson on "Father Knows Best!!!!!!!!!!!!") in Frank Capra's 1937 adaptation of James Hilton's novel "Lost Horizon."

                             Capra would seem an odd choice to direct a story about a group of people who discover an enchanting place called Shangri-La.  Even more interesting is that the set designer took not an Asian approach, but a Thirties Art Deco one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                 Girls, isn't this shot captivating?  Who wouldn't want their own Art Deco estate just like this?????????  The photo is so hypnotic.

                                    I saw this movie in eighth grade, when we studied the novel in English class.  I wonder if anyone reads it anymore?  Or it is it still in print??????????  Who knows?????????

                                     But what an enchanting garden to walk into each morning or just sit in a chair and read all day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                      Art Deco is a style having been lost but needs to come back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                     Get rid of all this Modernism junk, girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Welcome, March, Darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               To think we are already one-sixth through 2026!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                Le mois du printemps!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               March means many things to many people.  In like a lion, out like a lamb, or.........?????????????   In just twenty days Proserpina comes back from Hell, and the weather gets nicer., because Spring is coming.   There is also St. Patrick's Day, and Palm Sunday.  On March 19, it is St. Joseph's Day, and the swallows return to Capistrano.  The Oscars are in two weeks, for those who still care.

                                     Yes, March is full of exciting events, and the freshness of Spring.  It is also Mammoth Books Month, when one is supposed to read a book of 800 pages or more.  Well, I have done due diligence, because I am coming down the home stretch on "Anna Karenina."  And "Svengoolie" is having some gems, including maybe the original "Friday The 13th," with Besty Palmer, and that fan favorite, "House On Haunted Hill," with Vincent Price.

                                         There is much to look forward to in March, and after what we went through with the storms in January and February, I am glad it is here.

                                            At last, girls!!!!!!!!!!  "Le Sacre Du Printemps!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Farewell To February!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                Don't you just love the Victorian wallpaper, darlings?????????????????

                                 The shortest month of the year has ticked away.  Today is my sister's birthday; she is now 86!!!!!!!!!!!!  Hope we all make it!  Shelley Plimpton's birthday was yesterday, my nephew Matthew on the 24th, my friend Joe on the 17th, our friend Ellen on the 6th (to be celebrated shortly) and my friend Tom's partner Austin on the 9th.

                                 The highlight of the month was The Heights Players superbly executed production of Sondheim's "Merrily We Roll Along," which we saw with our friends Dan and Norma.

                                   And we also saw Uncle Ernest!!!!!!!!!!!!  He is going to make the century mark, now that he is 95.

                                 Most important of all, the 11th was the 158th anniversary of the Apparition Of Our Lady Of Lourdes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

                                    Two things took up the rest of the month--winter storms and my rereading "Anna Karenina."  I have 60 some pages to go, so I am coming down the home stretch.  No, Anna has not taken that dive yet, but she is making the decision.

                                         Hope all your decisions went well this month, and that you will be the right ones in March.

                                           Soon, we will thaw out, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

             

Have You Heard The Latest About Jonathan Groff, Darlings?????????????????????

                              I know, girls, he is just SO good looking!  What visual perfection!!!!!!!!!!

                              Jonathan is currently wrapping up his iconic run in the Bobby Darin musical, "Just In Time."  Straight women and gay men still throw their panties at him nightly, but on his next outing, it might be Jonathan who is throwing his panties at the audience.  And wouldn't we want to catch those?????????????

                               But in order to do so, we will have to fly across the Pond, because Jonathan this Fall, will be working with the RSC--yes, dears, the Royal Shakespeare Company--in its all-male production of "As You Like It," in which he is playing Rosalind.  You heard me!!!!!!!!!!!!  Don't we all want to be there to catch his panties?????????????

                                London is a fabulous city, and sometimes its theater scene outdoes NYC.  I know Jonathan is going to love it there, and, if we are lucky, maybe this production will come over here, so those who cannot go may catch a glimpse of Jonathan and his panties.

                                    Isn't he just dreamy, darlings?  I would love to have tea with him at Brown's.

                                    How about it, Jonathan????????????????

Girls, Join Us Tonight at 8PM, As "Svengoolie" Ends The Month With 1953's "The War Of The Worlds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                  This is an acceptable adaptation of the H.G. Wells novel, but what is really ironic is that in the same year another film was made that outdid this one and has been elevated to iconic status. That film was 1953's "Invaders From Mars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                     So, darlings, don't try to compare this to that.  Really, the only thing this film has going for it is that George Pal produced it, which meant the special effects and visuals were of the highest quality.  It has a cast of actors who went nowhere, so the visuals and special effects are the only things worth watching.

                                        My only hope is in addition to the above, we get to see Nostalgiaferatoo.  He livens things up.

                                         I have only seen this film once, on TV, and that was when I was a child.  That I recall nothing of it tells of the impression it made on me.

                                          So, join us--David, Baby Gojira, Little Pippin, Cucumbo, and me for another look at this 1953 film.   Maybe we will be surprised.  Hope does spring eternal, darlings.

                                             And tomorrow we enter a new month!  Who knows what surprises await us?????????????

Oh, My God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Girls, Do You Know Who This Woman Is????????????????????????

                           For months, I have been seeing her on Clear Captions phone commercials, feeling she looked so familiar.  I first mistook her for one of my mother's friends who is no longer here, and when she spoke it was with the type of voice having had acting experience.

                             Darlings, the woman here is Kathy Garver, who recently turned 80!!!!!!!!!!!    Yes, the same Kathy Garver who played the role of Cissy on "Family Affair," and was the nosy little girl intercepted by Shelley Fabares during the picnic scene in the 1956 film, "The Bad Seed."

                                 Trust your instinct, girls.  If someone looks familiar, then you are right.

                                 Now that I know, just finding out several minutes ago, I can see it right away.

                                   Let's hope we all look as good as Kathy at 80!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This Scene In "Rodan" Is Always Forgotten!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            Yesterday I stumbled onto a YouTube program called "The Brutality Of 'Rodan'."  It was narrated by the exact type of guy I thought--an overeager overeater, living with his parents, having no life but this, and probably a serial killer or one on the make.  Not only, he forgot the most important and terrifying part of the movie.

                                 I was lucky to find this picture.  Some of what he says is true--"Rodan" is laced with tension and suspense and is somewhat scary.  I cannot watch the ending; it is too sad for me.

                                  Everyone who writes about "Rodan" always forgets this scene, which to this day still terrifies me.  It begins with a young couple driving up into a smoking mountain volcano to take some pictures. Note the pink dress and high heeled shoes she is dressed in.  They say goodbye to their families, expecting to be home that night.  But they are not.  Because, while the man backs away to take her picture, the wind picks up, and things blow everywhere.   An eerie sound is heard.   Tho woman looks up and sees something unbelievably terrifying. The viewer does not see it.  They are shown holding hands and running in fear, while something seems to scoop them up and carry them off, leaving behind only his camera and one of her pink shoes.  One of those shoes is later seen in a scene where aerial searches are on for Rodan, and one of them pops a head out of a mountain crevice, surrounded by human bones, and a pink shoe.  Aha!!!!!!!!!!

                                   Just this scene is enough to scare one, and I wish more people would pay attention to it.

                                     Good as "Rodan" is, it is not the artistic masterpiece the 1954 "Gojira" is.

                                      Right, darlings???????????????????????

Happy Birthday To Shelley Plimpton!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                          Just thinking I am in my early Seventies, darlings, makes me feel old.  Today, Shelley Plimpton turns 79, which means next year she will be 80.

                                             But to those of a certain age and generation, she will always be known as "Crissy" who introduced the beloved song, "Frank Mills" in the 1968 Broadway musical "HAIR."  No one has ever done it as well as she, The closest coming to it was Allison Case in the 2009 revival.

                                               She is also known as the mother of gifted actress Martha Plimpton.  Who is not awed by Martha's talent, but this is Shelley's special day, and we salute her, a genuine Legend Of The Musical Stage.  How I wish I had seen her in "HAIR."

                                                    So, Shelley here's to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  May you have many more!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                       Never want the two dollars back.  Just him.

                                      Here is Shelley singing the classic she immortalized.  Just listen, and discover why!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"You Must Remember This............................"

                          Girls isn't this shot of Ingrid Bergman, from "Casablanca" incredible?  I think it is her most photogenic image, and she was a beauty, as well as one hell of an actress.

                            Many pick "Casablanca" as their favorite movie.  I can see why, but, for me, of course, I was riled it beat out "The Song Of Bernadette" for Best Picture.  Ingrid Bergman was nominated for her performance as Maria in "For Whom The Bell Tolls."  She lost out to Jennifer Jones, no surprise there.  But as "Casablanca" piled up awards, Bergman mused, "Maybe I was nominated for the wrong movie!"

                              The film would not be iconic without the classic song "As Time Goes By."  That song brings tears to my eyes.  I sing it to myself, and I just remembered today that my father used to sing this song a lot.  He could carry a tune, but he wasn't Garland, like me, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                So, I know when I next see "Casablanca" I will sob profusely, as it will remind me of my father!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                    As I have said, girls, grief gets you in ways never known!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What A Week It Has Been, Girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             I guess I will start with Lauren Chapin.  All of the baby boomers who grew up with TV will recognize her as Kathy "Kitten" Anderson on the show "Father Knows Best.'  

                             But her life off camera was far from the beaming smiling face shown here.  I shall never forget reading her 1989 autobiography "Father Does Know Best," wherein she recounts living with a stage mother who was a tramp, an uncle who sexually abused her, and a brother, Billy Chapin, who, while he worked too, resented her higher success.  Life was only safe for Lauren on set.

                                 That is, until director Peter Tewkesbury, to elicit a crying scene, verbally abused her in front of the entire company.  And no one said a word.  But Lauren did.  She fired back at him with a torrent of obscenities and walked off the set.  She did not return for three days, and even her mother backed her up!  I have to give the mother credit for that.

                                       Do you think I would have tolerated that behavior from anyone?  Those who know me on here know the answer to that one already.  Like that Joe Mantello, who is going to direct the upcoming "Death Of A Salesman."  I'd like to see him try his intimidation tactics with me!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                         When the show ended, the great Jane Wyatt said of Lauren, "Life was not kind to her."  She went from drugs to prostitution, to religion, finally finding comfort there, never regaining the fame she had as a child

                                             Two days ago, on February 24, she passed away, at the age of 80.  Hers is still the most harrowing account I have read of a child actor.  May she get the rest and recognition she deserved all her life in the afterlife.

                                                 Rest In Peace, Lauren.  You will be remembered forever.

                                                  But--

                                                 The day before Lauren passed, actress Sondra Lee died.  Theater Queens at once will know she originated the role of Tiger Lilly in Mary Martin's 1954 Broadway version of "Peter Pan."  She also originated the role of Minnie Fay in the 1964 Carol Channing-led "Hello, Dolly!" Hers was a good run, having died at the age of 97!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Blessings to you, Sondra.

                                                  Two deaths this week were simply tragic as their cause was suicide.  And they were both on the same day as Sondra, so that makes three deaths in one day.  What is going on here?  Has the universe gone awry?  The first, Robert Carradine, youngest of that acting clan, having struggled all his life with bi-polar disorder, shot himself, at the age of 71.  Which happens to be my age.   Scary.  On that same day, Katherine Short, daughter of actor comedian Martin Short, and a Los Angeles social worker, also ended her life by gunshot.  She was only 42 years old.

                                                     This is enough for one week, isn't it?  Well, there is more.

                                                  There has been a plethora of other deaths.  And one disaster.

                                       This is Neurgard Pharmacy, in Bay Ridge, at 7311 Third Avenue.  Up till recently we have been thrilled as customers with their service.  But something is going on that customers are not being told about.  Some kind of renovation is in progress, making it difficult for customers, many more needy than I, to get their prescriptions.  What's more, they did not come up with a contingency plan for patrons.

                                        I find this unacceptable.  If customers are not given an explanation or a contingency plan, they will just take their business somewhere else.

                                         We hope not, because I love Neugard.  But I don't want to wait till I need the ER before I get medication.

                                            How has your week been, girls??????????????????????????

Another Example Of Exceptional New Jersey Esoterica!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

                                Would you believe, darlings, that, at first, I did not know where this was?  I instantly wanted to jump into this picture, like they all did in "Mary Poppins," until I realized that I had already been here.  This is the theater castle at the Land Of Make Believe in Hope, New Jersey.

                                 It is not an attraction for people to explore, but, as can be seen by how it is set up, a stage front with seats extending beyond, where little playlets for children are performed.  The day I was there, I was privileged to see one of those playlets.  Oh, what I could have done, had I been a working actor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                 I thought, in the face of al having happened lately, a picture like this was needed to give us color and beauty and cheer us up.  And this place is special to me, because, while I never went there as a child, when I did, I discovered it had opened in my birth year, 1954!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                  Now that is something to pay attention to.  I can't help thinking, wouldn't this make a great stage setting for a production of Sondheim's "Into The Woods?  I would even be willing to play Milky White.  Though my Milky White would have to sing!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                   And I love that it is in the township of Hope, New Jersey.  Hope, the one thing Pandora left in the box, and something we all need navigating these difficult times.

                                     Wishing hope to all my girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               

You Never Forget Your First Time, Darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            No, girls, not THAT one.... that was a disaster!!!!!!!!!!!!  I am talking about the first time I saw the 1939 movie "Gone With The Wind" on this day fifty-eight years ago.  I cannot believe I was only 13.

                                It was concocted as a surprise.  My parents said we were going for a ride, and by the route, I thought we were visiting my Aunt Martha and Uncle Jack in Cedar Grove.  But, when I saw the sign indicating "Montclair," I wondered if we could be enroute to the Claridge Theater, where the film was playing.  Sure enough, we pulled up in front of the theater, and my father got two tickets--for my mother and I.  He had seen it several times already and did not feel like seeing it again.  So, it was he who visited Uncle Jack and Aunt Marhta, while my mother and I sat through the time.

                                 Darlings, it was so thrilling.  The Selznick Logo, the Max Steiner music, Vivien Leigh as Scarlett and her battle cry at the end of Part One, which helped get me through adolescence.  And Olivia DeHavilland as Melanie.  Plus, just about everyone else.

                                     It was, and still is, screen perfection.  If a theater was running a screening today, I would be there.  This is one film that MUST be seen on the screen.

                                      So, today, for me, is "Gone With The Wind" Day.  

                                         Excuse me, dears, I must get into my crinoline!!!!!!!!!!!

I Know She Is Doing Housework, Darlings, But The Important Thing Is Both She And Her Daughter Are Dressed For It!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            The 1950s had a dress standard that pales beside what passes for attire today.

                            Even when doing housework, one had to look their best.  Suppose the doorbell rang, with a neighbor coming over for an impromptu cup of coffee?  This decade ran on coffee, and now people are running with coffee, not to it.  Something has gone wrong with dress standards in America.

                              Thank God we still have Blythe Danner, and memories of Slim Keith and Baroness Pauline De Rothschild!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                 Even in the 1980s we had Rue McClanahan as Blanche Deveraux!  How I want that gorgeous rainbow-colored robe.  Blanche showed how even in this age a girl can still dress well.

                                 So, why don't they, darlings?  Lack of taste? Standards?  Or is it even worse?

                                  As John Adams said in "1776," "Is anybody there?  Does anybody care?"

If Only The Heights Players Could Have Extended The Run, Or Moved This To Another Venue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             When I found out The Heights Players were going to be doing Sondheim's "Merrily We Roll Along," after the extraordinary Broadway production and film version thereof that I had seen, my first thought was they had to be kidding.  And questions abounded in my head--which version were they going to do?  Because before Maria Friedman put her definitive stamp on it, each iteration I had seen was different in so many ways. What songs?  What kind of presentation?  And after the magnificent work Friedman had done with it, the last thing I wanted to see now was a trumped up 'Merrily.'

                               Well, darlings, look at the egg on my face!  This 'Merrily' was the best thing I think I have ever seen The Heights Players do!!!!!!!!!!!  I am prejudiced on behalf of the show, which may have something to do with it--having seen the original 1981production twice!!!!!!!!!  And then the celebrated Original Cast Album, which certified its cult status, leading to future productions.

                                  Girls, I am happy to report that director Marie Igrisano Isner has done right by the show.  She has given audiences the 2023 production that knocked every one of us who saw it off our feet.  The leads are terrific, and she even dresses Sean Costello and Alex Cook similarly to Jonathan Groff and Daniel Radcliffe, playing Franklin and Charley. The costumes here were designed by Andrea Bernardo and Sarazina Joy Stein, who do not get hung up on time periods, but have everyone dress representationally.  Which is pretty much the way Isner stages the show, and it works wonderfully, allowing the characters and songs to come through as they should.

                                      Kudos must also go to Kat Sinclair for playing Mary differently.  For starters, she is not plus sized, which frees up the role, demonstrating all you need for Mary is a terrific actress and singer.  Kat's reprise version of "Not A Day Goes By" broke my heart, as did Cook's rendition of "Good Thing Going.  Note how this song is threaded throughout the production--first as a series of notes by Frank, then Cook's rendition, Gussie's torch version, and then listen to "Who wants to live in New York?"  It is "Good Thing Going" with an up tempo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                      It is interesting the leads are miked, but the ensemble is not.  Words are important with all Sondheim shows and I think the director and musical director Anne Rebold wanted to make sure the beauty of both the music and lyrics came through as clearly as possible.  A wise decision.

                                      'Merrily' is a very personal show for me.  I feel as though I was in on it from the beginning, when, back in 1980, 1981, a coworker of mine at the NYU Bookstore kept auditioning for something but would not tell us what.  When she was cast and told us we were all excited and I was excited about the new Prince-Sondheim show.  Of course, I had heard all the negative stuff prior, but when I saw it the first time, I loved the performers, and I loved the score.  But what was not right was Prince's staging, because he, of all people, was not able to find the proper way to stage it.  And neither were the other iterations I eventually saw.  To think it took 42 years, and Maria Friedman, to get it right. I am so thankful I lived to see it.

                                        The show is very personal also as it causes me to reflect back.  I will say this--the older I get, and the further 'Merrily' moves back, the more it breaks my heart.  When I saw it in 1981, I thought of "Our Time" as a beautiful song.  Now, decades later, it moves me so, making me wonder did I do the right things with my time???????????  Rather like in "A Chorus Line," with "What I Did For Love?," or when one of the dancers says, "These bodies don't last forever."  Both resonate for me now, when they did not back in 1975.

                                           This 'Merrily' has closed, and I wish it could have been extended so others could have seen it.  It will be a benchmark in the history of The Heights Players, and I have come to believe henceforth that this will be the show's definitive version.

                                              May future productions find equally extraordinary casts as this one.  I know the talent is out there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, Darlings, Please Bring Back The Old Lunch Counters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                     They weren't just for lunch, darlings. though that was their function most of the time.

                                     I can tell you they were pertinent to my childhood and youth.  In childhood, Mother and I would head to the Brunswick Mall on Georges Road in North Brunswick, New Jersey, not far from where my grandmother lived.  We would head to the counter at Woolworth's, where I would always order the same thing--a hot dog and a milkshake.  In those days, unaware of my health issues, all I knew was that I was a fussy eater, and my mother was grateful to get anything into me.  As I got older, I sat up straight in my seat, wanting to get discovered like Lana Turner, after hearing the story about she and Schwab's.

                                    Then youth came along, and I realized I did not have what Lana had to show what it takes.  So, my mother and I began hanging out at the lunch counter at W.T. Grants store on Route 27 in Edison.  There I always ordered the same thing--a cheeseburger, French fries, and a coke.  We knew some the waitresses' names--Helen, Rose, and others I forget.

                                     Girls, they wore the most exciting, colored uniforms with their names on them.  At this age, I decided I wanted to work behind a lunch counter, wearing maybe a pale green suit, carrying a pad and pen, and saying things to customers, like "Waddya have, hon?"  Oh, I thought this was the height of glamour......then!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                         Alas, that phase of mine did not last, and eventually even the lunch counters.  Looking back there was something of the social niceties about them; customers learned to respect each other, and one's boundaries.  Where did that go to?  Why can't it be brought back??????????????

                                          The old days, the old ways.

                                           Some of those need to come back, girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

David And I Are Going To Become Image Consultants!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             Just like Pat and Kathy on "The Golden Girls," darlings.  Of course, I dress more like Kathy, and David, even casual, dresses better than Pat.  But with her, what can you expect?

                             What does an image consultant do?  Actually, it is a lot like Henry Higgins in "My Fair Lady."  Some dredge walks into your store and asks for help in remaking themselves.  And with all the knowledge of creativity, design, fashion and color we have at our disposal, we do just that.  You would not believe what I can do, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                David will be handling the books, with the help of Baby Gojira and Little Pippin, while I will handle the more social and creative aspects of the business.  Isn't that just me, darlings????????

                                  The operation will be in person, not online.  As soon as we have space and are up and running, I will inform patrons when they may come.  I look forward to making people more beautiful than they possibly thought.

                                     And we love challenges. So, when we are ready, stop by!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Coney Island In The Winter Can Be A Candy Coated "Doctor Zhivago" Kind Of Wonderland!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                           Actually, darlings, it depends.  Yes, one can wander through the snow and fantasize about looking like Julie Christie as Lara--don't we all?????????--but let me tell you the real scoop on this place come wintertime.

                             When snow is not on the ground, I have walked along this stretch in the dead of winter, with the wind blowing off the ocean with such force it almost knocked me off the boardwalk.

                               The parks where the rides have been encased in huge metal gates and fences with some fierce locks on them.  Only teens dumb enough to subway surf, or do what was done to a boy by his "alleged" friends on the Queensboro bridge recently, would venture inside.

                                 Guess what, guys?  It would be your last time.  Because the interiors are carefully guarded by German Shepherd dogs, and let me tell you, I have seen them up close, and, despite my ability to charm almost any living beast, these protectors are out to do a job, not cozy up to animal lovers.  Anyone who gets into the park with even one of these does not stand a chance!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                   So, darlings, if you want to enjoy the snow and the setting, fine.

                                   But give these dogs plenty of space.  They are service dogs, but their service  means business!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                     Cute they may be, but they are not there to pet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Girls, Tonight The Sven Squad Is On Its Own!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                 This is now the time of month, darlings, where Svengoolie takes a night off, and he leaves the show to The Sven Squad--Gweengoolie, whom I like, Nostalgiaferatoo, who is the best, and The Imp, who is not.  Tonight, they are showing something fresh and exciting--the 2007--my God, has it been that long? -- film of Stephen King's novella, "The Mist."  A mysterious mist engulfs a town, forcing some of the town's citizenry into a supermarket.  One of these is Mrs. Carmody played by the great Marica Gay Harden.

                                  Lambs, as soon as Marcia steps onto the screen the picture is packed up and hers. She steals every scene she is in, enlivening this film which would have been deadly dull without her, and which, until the twist ending, becomes that once Maricia is off camera.

                                   But while she is on, what a hoot!  Oh, and that twist ending?  Of course, I am not going to reveal it, but I can say that when I first saw this film in the theater 19 years ago, it chilled me.  Now, it seems prescient to our time.

                                     Join us all, including Baby Gojira, Little Pippin and Kerwyn for "The Mist" tonight.  Channel 13 isn't showing anything good tonight, so what is your choice???????????

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

                                 

Girls, It Is Time To Bring Back The Grind House!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                       There is trash, and there is trash!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                      I am not talking about the 2007 knockoff by Quentin "Talentless" Tarantino, but the real thing--the sleaze palaces of old that show provocatively exploitational films.  You know, like "Driller Killer--" oh my God, girls, such fun--or Russ Meyer's "Faster Pussycat, Kill Kill."

                                        There is even better stuff out there. Generally curated by overweight middle aged male losers still living at home with their mother--might be a serial killer--but whose one talent is how to build a theater and a rep for sleaze cinema.  Not porn, darlings, but sleaze.

                                        When West 42nd Street in Manhattan was Sleazeville, there were at least one or more of these grind houses.  How about branching out to the boroughs--oh, my God, the violence prone Bronx would be perfect for one, as would sleazy parts of Brooklyn and Queens.  I am not including Staten Island here, because it is already a grind house in itself.

                                           Of course, many of this material's patrons would have to come by Uber, as they would not be seen walking in these neighborhoods.  I mean, what chance would they have to stay alive???????????????  I include myself in here, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                             But imagine a full evening of sleaze in a trashy environment??????????? What a different kind of fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                               Sometimes, old is better than new!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Darlings, Who Would Have Thought This Bit Of Charm Is In New Jersey?????????????????????????

                             This almost reminds me of the Whistle Stop Cafe in "Fried Green Tomatoes."

                               "Lucille's Luncheonette" is actually located in some town I never heard of in New Jersey called Barnegal.   I certainly want to go there.  And, girls, just look at the cute mascot out front.

                                   That tells me it is somewhere in South Jersey, because that is a replica of the Jersey Devil, the legendary creature who dwells in the Pine Barrens.   Isn't he cute?  I just want to cozy up next to it, and have my picture taken, darlings.  I am sure I would not be the first visitor to do so.  But what does one wear when going to South Jersey??????????

                                    This is one of those oddities that makes New Jersey SO New Jersey.  To think of what I am still discovering about my heritage.  And at the age of 71.  Though my professional age is 24, darlings, and don't you forget it.

                                       What an emblem of charm.  I cannot wait to visit it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                         I wonder what is their culinary special??????????????????

                                   

"Fryin' 'Mother's Oats' In Grease!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                 Darlings, speaking of closet cases, I happen to be a closet Plantation Princess.

                                 Oh, the South is too warm and politically out of touch for me to live there, but that does not mean I can't relate to Vivien Leigh as Scarlett or Rue McClanhan as Blanche.  That is Blanche Devereaux, darlings, not DuBois.

                                      A real Southun' breakfast is frying "Mother's Oats," or "Quakers'" in grease.  It will make you feel like you are dining at Tara in your best frock.  Thank God I have David who would have to help lace me up in that corset.

                                         What a Southun' way to start the day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                            And since now I do eat my oatmeal close to raw, I am halfway there anyway.

                                            Maybe I will be elected Magnolia Queen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Is Norman Bates Filmdom's Most Notorious Closet Case?????????????????????????????

                                    Alfred Hitchcock made a smart decision in casting good looking Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates.  Serial killers hide in plain sight, and if Norman were to venture in public among a crowd, heads might turn, but no one would suspect this young man to be a serial killer.

                                     Those having seen "Psycho" know Norman is a serial killer, because, while he is seen murdering Marion (Janet Leigh) and Pendergast (Martin Balsam) it is revealed he has killed other girls and tossed their bodies into the swamp, which is a landkill.

                                          But I am here to write about Norman as a closet case.  From my experience, I have found them to be the most dangerous gays alive. Now, Norman was raised in isolation with his mother, Norma.  That does not necessarily make one homosexual, but she instilled in him a hatred for other women, and if he found himself attracted, well, after her death, we know what happened.

                                           And how about that bedroom, with the messy bed, teddy bears, dolls and other antiquities?  This is the bedroom of a deranged child, and one can only guess what Norman fantasizes about when in bed.

                                               Norman has never had a sexual experience in his life.  Now, take a good look when he and Sam Loomis (John Gavin) are chatting at the hotel front desk, while Lila (Vera Miles) goes on to search the house.  As Loomis talks to Norman, he becomes more and more nervous, and Perkins as an actor does this thing with his one hand where he is continually tapping the hotel desk while he talks, almost as if he was doing this unconsciously.  I maintain his suppressed homosexuality is looming, because, I mean, John Gavin, hubba hubba!  And the idea of he and Perkins, hubba hubba.

                                                  I think this scene shows Norman nursing and trying to fight off a hidden attraction to men.  This ends when he realizes Lila is gone, and cleverly figures out where, and knocks Gavin out to look for her.

                                                    The next time you watch "Psycho," darlings, pay close attention to this scene.  Not only does it reveal Norman as a closet case, but I maintain it demonstrates that if Norman was not caught and institutionalized he, as "Mother," would not only go on to kill  more young girls, or, if that supply should run out, then attractive young men would suddenly vanish.

                                                        Yes, Norman is a closet case.  And if I had been that fly at the end, I would have gotten off that hand fast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Ash Wednesday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                         Remember, no meat today.  This is a time for reflection as Lent begins.  More important than giving up chocolate bars is what is in your heart.  Take some time to examine such, each and every day during this forty day period.

                         Whether or not getting ashes, one can still recall what Jesus did for us, and be thankful that because of such we are here.

                             Happy Ash Wednesday, girls!!!!!!!!!!  May you have a blessed Lent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!