A Victorian Farewell To January!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                  For the year's most annoying month, I sure racked up a lot of posts.

                                Doesn't this look like me, girls?  An elegant dress, but my hands in supplication as I still battle this cold, which I have noticeably recovered from, but my voice, at least the singing part of it is still not where it should be, and I am frantic!  I should talk to my PCP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                 But that did not stop us from having a fabulous time at David's boss' retirement party. or enjoying the revival of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee."  And I read 9 books in January.  Not bad for the first month, and I have not even started the Mammoth ones yet!

                                Most of all, the snowstorm allowed for my recovery, and a lot of reading that I can at least now do.  The best part of January is that it is over.  Just think, we are through one twelfth of 2026!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   Now, that is a milestone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                    So will be when my voice fully returns.  

                                      Meanwhile, thanks to all for getting through January, and I look forward to greeting you all, next month in February. 

                                         Have a merry, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Real Question Here Is, How Does One Get By On A Single Adult Diaper??????????????????????

                                          I am not going any further than that, darlings, but apparently that is what the Colossal Beast wears throughout the entire film.  Come to think of it, he wore it through his predecessor, 1957's "The Amazing Colossal Man."

                                            All I can say is, this fabric must have some wear!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                           Now, this film, which "Svengoolie" is showing tonight, is a sequel to "The Amazing Colossal Man," in which the titular character falls off of Boulder Dam in Colorado, thus becoming, here, the Colossal Beast.

                                               The fall caused him to lose an eye bash his head, and is causing him cerebral damage, hence becoming a beast.

                                                 So, this is what "Svengoolie" chooses to end January with.  It is worth a look, girls, especially for those having not seen it.  The Technicolor transformation is dazzling, but not exactly MGM.  It really would have made sense to show "The Amazing Colossal Man" first, though I believe in this film there is a flashback sequence show how Glenn Manning, the character's name, became the horror he turns into.

                                                    In some ways, this is a tragic film, girls, so there may be some tears.  Also, note in the ending, aside from the color the similarity to the ending of "Attack Of The 50 Foot Woman," made the same year, 1958.

                                                     So, girls, join us at 8PM for this worthy film.  Baby Gojira and Company will be there.

                                                      And so, I hope, will be Nostalgiaferatu!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                   

 

Darlings, With Spring Not That Far Away, It Is Time To Think About Some Christian Louboutin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                 I mean, just look at these gorgeous creations!  Who wouldn't want to wear them?

                                My favorite is the red gown, pictured above.  And the green, flowing Springtime thing above that is a close second.  I really have to think about my closet.

                                As do all us girls!  Which Christian Louboutin would you like to be seen in?

                                Of course, if you cannot decide, there is always Christian Delacroix!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                 

Girls, It Is Not Too Early To Think About Valentine's Day Dresses!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                                    

                                                                                    

                                   Aren't these creations stunning?  I am telling you, there was nothing like the 1950's for fashion.  I favor the red with the white hearts, but that white gown above it is irresistible.

                                    Actually, they are all perfect, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  How about a flaming read one?

                                                                                

                                        And isn't this fetching, darlings?  Avec le petit poodle francais!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                        Valentine's Day is a big one for fashion.  So, why not go all the way??????????

Oh, Lord! Now, I Am Going To Have To Read THIS?????????????????????????

                                         Two years ago, "The New York Times" did a story on the 20th Anniversary of the publication of "Jonathan Strange And Mr. Norrell," by Susanna Clarke. The article drew more press coverage.  I had read the book when it first came out, and it did nothing for me.  But, under pressure I bought a copy and reread it, and nothing has been the same, since The novel simply blew me away.

                                            Now, something of the same seems to be happening with David Foster Wallace's "Infinite Jest."  Here's the thing.  I had a hardback copy of this book all the way back to my days in Woodside, and carried it all the way to Bay Ridge, where it sat in my TBR pile for years.  Eventually, on an annual purge, I got rid of it, and now I could kick myself.

                                             Both of us read the article in "The New Yorker."  David is saying I should read the book.  Should I?  Is there anyone out there who has ACTUALY read it?  Because I have never met anyone who has!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                I will admit the article made the novel sound interesting.  But I have heard it is very non-linear, and something about everything tying back to page 243, so a reader has to keep a bookmark there, for constant referral.  A critic of James Joyce's "Finnegan's Wake" referred to it as "mental masturbation," and I am beginning to wonder if that what is Wallace's book is.  I got my dose of mental masturbation with Philip Roth's "Portnoy's Complaint," and that was enough for me.

                                                  Still, I feel the tingle of challenge.  I will probably end up buying a copy but not reading it till next year.  Besides, this is also the 90th Anniversary of the publication of a classic gigantic novel, and I plan to reread that.  And several other Mammoth Books!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                      Not all is in jest.  I will probably attempt it next year.  Meanwhile, if anyone out there has given it a try, please let me know.  And is it worth it????????????????

Meet Astoria, The Wild Turkey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                        Girls, isn't this exciting and inspiring?  First, we had Flaco, now we have Astoria.

                         The Wild Turkey is named such because she was first spotted in that section of Queens, but has flown all over the city, Rosevelt Island, but is partial to the Battery and Midtown.

                            I hope she does not end up the way Flaco did.  She is a beautiful bird, very elegant looking, and determined to evade capture.  This turkey is not going to end up on anyone's dinner table!

                            So, everyone give a big hello to Astoria, and say hello to her if she happens to perch on your windowsill

                               Cheer on, Astoria!  You go, girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. 

I Had Forgotten How Enchanting This Show Actually Was!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                        Last Thursday afternoon, David and I went to see New World Stages' production of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee."  Twenty years before, at the tail end of its original run, with none of its iconic cast present, I was less than impressed.  The performers in that presentation were literally walking through it.  A friend and I saw it months before it closed, and I was disappointed.

                                             You see, when this show opened on Broadway, at The Circle In The Square Theatre, it had a cast destined to be historic and iconic.  Jesse Tyler Ferguon, Celia Keenan-Bolger, and Dan Fogler, who won a TONY Award for his performance  You can bet they did not walk througgh it.

                                                   Now, the production on display at New World Stages may not be iconic, but it does have some noteworthy actors.  First, in Celia's role of Olive is Jasmine Amy Rogers, who lit up Broadway last season in the title role of "Boop!"   It is good to have her back.  Also on display is Lilli Cooper, whom we saw as Nancy in ENCORES presentation of "Oliver!"  And then there is Jason Kravits, forever typecast as an administrative drudge since his classic performance as a high school principal in my favorite 'SVU' episode, "MEAN," back in 2004.

                                                         None of these performers, or any others, walk through the show.  Indeed, they perform it with a passion and liveliness I had never seen in it before and thus was completely captivated.  Two others who stood out were Autumn Best as one of my favorites, Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre.

  Now, let me digress a moment.  When this production first played at the Kennedy Center, before it was renamed, this role was played by--are you ready????--Beanie Feldstein!!!!!!!!  Yes, that THING!  Daddy must have bought her this one too!  Yet, when it was decided to take this show to NYC, Feldstein was no longer part of the package, and it is a good thing because Miss Best makes it her own, and does not upset the balance of the show, let alone the stage, which would tilt like the Titanic, if Feldstein were to step on it!

                                                          Face it, Beanie!  New York Theater does NOT want you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                           Kevin McHale is the other who captivated me in the role originated by TONY winner Fogler, William Barfee.  I can easily see me wanting to play this role.  By the way, while watching I spelled all the words out, and I only got two wrong!  McHale's fancy footwork is better than some Broadway dancing I have seen of late.  Except for "Buena Vista Social Club."

                                                              I listened to the William Finn score as though hearing it for the first time.  The cast gave it the liveliness it needed and was lacking when I saw two decades ago, near the end of this run.

                                                                 Speaking of runs, I wish this cast a long one!

                                                                   And theater doors bar forever Beanie Feldstein!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday, Celia Keenan-Bolger!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               Yes, girls and Theater Queens, today is the birthday of American Theater's divinity, Celia Keenan-Bolger.  Can you believe she is 48????????  I never looked this good at 48, and I certainly cannot claim to having won two TONY Awards, as she has.

                                 Celia will soon be appearing at The Public in a play called "Antigone (This Play I Read In High School.)"  I cannot wait to see what magic Celia creates here.

                                    So, a Happy Birthday to Celia.  May your celebration be all you want, and the day yours.  All of your admirers cherish you, and cannot wait to see what you do next.

                                      And I would just love to know where you get your hair done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Are We In Varykino , Darlings?????????????????????????

 

                                 I just found out Varykino is a real place.  It is in Russia, and might be worth a visit, but, to me, Varykino will always be this house in "Doctor Zhivago," 1965's romantic epic, and the "Gone With The Wind" of the baby boomer generation.

                                 In light of the snowstorm yesterday and today, all things outside our residence seem to resemble Varykino.  But the thought of getting around and actually residing in the snow is anything but romantic and pretty.  It is a slushy, icy, and dangerous mess.

                                  And me emerging from a cold. Just when I am beginning to get my bearings back, I am expected to go out in this??????????  No way!  I will stick with Barbara Pym and "Jane And Prudence."  Which is not to be confused with 1968's "Prudence And The Pill!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                  Varykinno will always remain a romantic fantasy.  As will the snow we just received.

                                    So let us cherish both from our windows or movie screens!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                

Congratulations To Amy Madigan On Her Oscar Nomination!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            Not since Gladys Cooper livened up "The Song Of Bernadette" with her portrayal of Sister Marie Therese Vazous, the archetypal Catholic nun, has there been a Gladys to rival she, until Amy Madigan came along with her inspired portrayal of Aunt Gladys in last year's horror hit, "Weapons."

                               When I first saw the film I thought Aunt Gladys was a man in drag.  But there was something familiar about those eyes.  Imagine my shock, reading the end credits, to discover this character was played by.........Amy Madigan!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                   I recall Amy's sizzling performance in 1985's family drama, "Twice In A Lifetime."  She deservedly earened an Oscar nod for that one.  Aunt Gladys is in a league and a world by herself, and I cannot wait to find out more about Aunt Gladys.  I wish she would come and visits me!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                     Her look is going to be the next fashion statement.  Just ask ANNA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                     The moment I realized it was Amy, I fervently hoped she would get an Oscar nomination, and I would love to see her win the Oscar.

                                        But thankfully the Academy recognized her brilliance as Aunt Gladys!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Girls, I Am Obligated To Publish A Retraction!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                          When I went to write about "Svengoolie" last night, I made a grievous mistake.  I remember Googling his name, and suddenly a reference to the movie "The Night Walker" appeared.  I was still laid up with a cold, so I allowed myself to think there had been a change in the schedule.  Somewhere in the back of my mind lurked "King Kong VS. Godzilla," but that must be a mistake.

                             Or so I thought.  Because last night "King Kong VS. Godzilla," a film from 1962, was shown.  To all my readers I apologize.

                             The good news is you did not have to be subjected to "The Night Walker."  This film is a riot.

                               First, one has to accept that "King Kong," having been not on screen since 1933, and who was once 50 feet tall could suddenly be the size of Godzilla/Gojira.  Our hero made a spectacular star entrance out of an iceberg, while the made-up natives of Farro Island were dancing around to some ersatz "King Kong" music that never would have been approved by Max Steiner.

                                But here is the kicker.  The Americans want to believe that King Kong won the battle.  What really happened was once they tumbled into the sea, Godzilla/Gojira had had enough of this nonsense and swam away.  I thought I heard his roar this time around.  But he had the last laugh.  Because this film became one of the biggest box-office winners of the year, and made Godzilla/Gojira into a franchise.

                                    He looked so handsome and he fought like a gentleman.  Unlike Kong, who looked like he had been in the back of an antique shop, rotting away, for the past thirty years.

                                      You are always number one in our hearts, Gojira!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                         And you do NOT have a pea sized brain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Salute To A Childhood Icon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                     Girls, this is the Spinning Wheel Diner, or as I called it when young the Spinning Diner Wheel.  It was located on one of the corners of Commercial Avenue and Georges Road, in North Brunswick, New Jersey.  We would pass it every time we drove to my grandmother, grandfather and Aunt Katty, who lived on Nassau Street in North Brunswick.  But the real spectacle was at night, when the sign would be lit up, and the rim around the circle would spin.  It looked so sophisticated to me, at that time, that I would beg my parents to let me dine in there.  Alas, I never got to.  I think my parents recognized it for the dive it was and would not allow me to be seen there. 

                                         Now, the diner is still there, but it does not look like this anymore.  It looks like any other diner, but Commercial Avenue and Georges Road were still not classy areas.  And I bet they are not now.

                                           But his photo takes me back to a time in my childhood, when this was glamour, and I believed the moon was with us, as it seemed to follow only me home when we were enroute from my grandparents.

                                             Treasure that innocence, darlings.  The memories it brings are priceless.

Now, Here Is A Fabulous Alternative, Darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                  This film was the Technicolor film event of 1968, for those of us young enough to remember and appreciate it.  On a second viewing years ago, I found it to be a Technicolor candy coated fantasy; the kind of movie Vincente Minnelli made for MGM.  Too bad Minnelli did not direct it.

                                       Channel 13 is showing this at 9PM.  Something interesting for a change!!!!!!!!!!

                                    The visuals are the mail reason to see this film. But this is something else.

                            That is right, darlings!  Sally Ann Howes as Truly Scrumptious.   Who she admits herself is "scrumptious as a cherry peach parfait."  When this film first appeared, we all wanted to look like Truly Scrumptious and eat cherry peach parfaits!!!!!!!!!!!!  Seeing this movie is almost its equivalent.  Just think of the sugar count!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             Better to live out one's childhood fantasies than being bored by crap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Let's Start With The Poster Being Better Than The Movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                       Tonight, "Svengoolie" is showing "The Night Walker" for the first time in two years.  He should have skipped it altogether.  This is a contrived, semi-serious study of a woman, played by Barbara Stanwyck, who is being gaslit.  But she is not up to Ingrid Bergman or Joan Crawford in "Strait-Jacket."

                                           The film takes itself too seriously, with no campiness or humor, and there is no reason to watch it except for Queens who may crave Stanwyck or have the hots for Robert Taylor.

                                               Really, I would skip this one.

                                               Where is "Killer Klowns From Outer Space," when needed?

This Is How I Feel Right Now, Darlings!!!!!!!!!!! But I Will Do My Best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             I should have known something was wrong Wednesday night, when my throat began feeling funny.  I had the suspicion I was coming down with a cold.  This is the first brain activity in days.  My head is so congested, I am not sure I could read.  But I am going to try.

                             Girls, can you believe it?  I sail through the holidays, only to end up with the annual Winter cold in late January.  There is just no escaping it.

                                I can barely talk, and my energy level is low.  It is taking every bit of effort to write all this.

                                  I just hope David does not catch it.  Baby Gojira and Company are busy enough taking care of me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                    Wish me luck, girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Bay Ridge Icon Has Closed!!!!!!!!!!!!! What Will Become Of The Building????????????

                            When I was a young ingenue, darlings--and I really was! -- I moved to Brooklyn in December of 1983.  Just in time for Christmas season in Manhattan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               At that time, the building pictured above was known as the New Royal Restaurant.  The Bay Ridge Avenue subway stop was mine because I lived in that neighborhood, over at 6647 Bergen Place.  Many a night, after a tiresome day at work, or when it was too hot to cook--I had no AC then, though my bedroom had two windows that got a wonderful breeze from the bay.  And the view was gorgeous.  Still, it seemed like some nights I would float up the subway steps, and straight into my seat at the New Royal.  Margaret, the waitress, always served me, and I almost always had Chicken Parm.  It was delicious.  Not so when I had the scallops the night before visiting my father in Florida, back in 1992, when I developed a terrible GI illness that ruined the vacation.  I remember my father taking me to see a doctor, and all I got was a lecture on sexual morality and told to see a GI person when I returned to New York.  I did, and there was no sexual component to what I had, and it mysteriously cleared up on its own.  After three weeks, and a loss of eleven pounds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                 Fifteen years later, after living in Woodside--the less said, the better--I come back to my beloved Bay Ridge, not only to find the New Royal is now Emphasis, but the staff and quality were lacking.  Something happened in those 15 years, and it was not good.

                                   Emphasis says it has been around for 21 years, and while that may be true, my experience proves it was around as a restaurant longer than that.  Try 30 or 40 years.

                                      It closed for good on January 9, 2026!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                    Still, I mourn the loss of a place once important to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                     As Sally Bowles says, "It isn't that long a stay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Girls, Imagine A Broadway Show Featuring These Four Gentlemen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                                    

                                                                                       

            

                                                                                   

                     These are four of the most talented men Broadway has and two of them--Jonathan Groff and Aaron Tveit --are working hard, eight shows a week.  The other two, Jason Danieley and Josh Grobin--have put in their time; I have seen Josh and can attest to his talent and that he is so scrumptious, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!      

                          So, why not a show featuring all four of them?  What could it be called?  "Gorgeous Hunks?"  "The Men Of Broadway?"  "Give Us Your Panties?????????"   While the last is apt, because panties would fly like crazy ever single night, I think "The Men Of Broadway" is best, because too often women get singled out on the musical stage, with men pushed to the side.  But here are four powerhouse male performers that can hold their own with any femme.

                          Maybe a revue show where they do covers that made them famous and go through the repertoire finding duets that these men could sing.  Imagine the four of them doing "Love Child?"  Even Miss Ross would love that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             Think about it, girls!  We need to see Jason, Jonathan, Josh and Aaron on stage more often!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                I would run to get tickets to this!  Holding up my panties!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why Do Apples In The Supermarket Remind Me Of "Snow White????????????"

                           First, darlings, they are so suspiciously shiny.  Like someone has been polishing them over and over to make them look enticing to the patron, like the Witch/Queen made the apples look enticing for Snow White.

                            The reddest ones are the worst, girls!  They may look the most polished, but they are dry and tasteless.  Trust me; I have fallen for this trap!  David and I were at the supermarket yesterday--now that he is retired, I lose track of what day of the week it is, because our routines have changed.  Not in how we do them, but when.

                              We did food shopping yesterday, and when I saw all these apples, I instantly thought of Snow White.  The dwarves warned her to watch out for the Queen, but they only knew one Queen.  Like apples, there are many different kinds, and I ought to know, because I am one of them

.                                Remember, there will always be the Wicked Queen, but I am and always will be The Raving Queen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  That is why she looks so jealous!!!!!!!!!!!

                                    No poisoned apples for my girls!  Only Golden Delicious!  And the green ones!!!!!!!!!!!!

Darlings, They Have To Bring Back Those Shop Rite Can-Can Ads!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            Not since the days of Cole Porter and Gwen Verdon has the Can-Can been so much fun.  When younger, I used to do the dance in front of the TV during the commercials.  But at my age now, oh my God, my hips!!!!!!!!!!!!  But both are still mine, unlike Liza!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             And those lyrics!  "For tasty corn, asparagus!"  I mean, it just makes me want to whip up a batch of both right now and mix them together.

                               Selling vegetables in "can-cans!!!!!!!!!!!!"  A Fifties housewife's dream!  Or working mothers who have no idea about the importance of buying fresh produce.

                                OK, so Shop Rite was middle class.  It still is.  But, hons, we love the logo, the song, and sometimes, in desperation, who has not shopped there??????????????

                                     The logo, to an extent, was symbolic of my childhood!!!!!!!!!!!!

Girls, Tonight "Svengoolie" Is Trying Something New!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                                

                           Saturday night means "Svengoolie" in our house, darlings, but tonight the iconic horror host is trying something new, and I can only hope it works!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            Starting this year, for one week a month, "Svengoolie" is turning over his show to The Sven Squar, pictured above.  You have seen them on the show, and if you have watched "House Of Svengoolie" at 10:30 and beyond.

                                Tonight, the squad is carrying the main feature on their own, and while I hope to see Nostalgiaferatu and Gweengoolie, I could do without The Imp.  They are going to show a real piece of crap that I have never heard of, an unheard of 2014 film called "Flight 7500," with a cast who went nowhere.  It is set on a flight bound for Tokyo, where everything that can and cannot go wrong on a plane does.  There is even a refence to "Jaws."  On a plane?  This might be worth seeing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                   I like the squad, but I will miss Svengoolie.  I hope he is not slowly retiring, because if so, I am not sure the squad can carry on without him, or what type of movies would be shown.  "Svengoolie" shows mostly, fun, respectable films, and even an occasional gem.

                                  As am I, Baby Gojira and Little Pippin are skeptical.  So, tune in with us, and find out!

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

                                    

Girls, I Learned All About The Importance Of Coffee From Watching These Daytime Soaps!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                                    

                                  The first thing I absorbed from these shows, darlings, was the impotence of coffee  In almost every scene set in a living room or office, coffee was always served and consumed.  So, I learned the importance of always having coffee at hand, and today I always make sure I do 

                                     It was not until I reached age 18 and saw Nancy Kelly in the 1956 film "The Bad Seed" that I learned her contribution to the importance of coffee.

                                       In all these presentations, the wardrobe was always impeccable, and the hair was perfect.  Even with Nancy at her most histrionic, there was not a thread or hair out of place.

                                          Today, coffee has become as important to my life as "The Bad Seed."  Soap operas have had their day.  But if I don't have coffee first thing in the morning, well, darlings, then I am a total bitch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Well, not really.  But Baby Gojira knows to get that hot cup into my hands fast!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                             Thank God I am not dealing with a homicidal child.  I would need Double Espresso for that!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                Maybe that is what Nancy drank off screen to heighten her on screen hysteria!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

.      

                                                                                                                                                                                   

Theater Queens Know How To Behave, Darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                       I know, I know, you have been waiting for me to weigh in on the "Mama Mia!" incident, and I will, but I had to wait till I found an incident demonstrating how Theater Queens behave properly.

                                        As a refresher, an unidentified man and his wife brought their teenaged nieces to a matinee performance of  "Mama Mia!" on January 3.  What show could be a more perfect choice?????  A group of obnoxious women sat behind them and let me tell you two things--these women were not from New York, and they were loaded the minute they walked into the Winter Garden Theatre.  They carried on loudly singing, as though at a party of their own, interrupting those in front and around them.  The unidentified man, who I wish would reveal himself because I think he is a hero, waited graciously until Intermission to confront these harridans, and when he did, he let lose, with the end result being the women deciding to leave the theater.  This was great for the audience, but can you imagine how stupid these women are?  To leave a show midway, having paid top prices to sit in the orchestra is senseless.  Because they weren't willing to control themselves?  Or did they think they had the right to act like this?  I bet they did, and Theater Queens, and others, do not want this type of audience member near them.

                                          "Mama Mia!" does have an interactive segment at the end of the show, where the actors sing some of the favorites, and the audience gets to sing along with them.  It is a lovely moment, and had the women waited till then, they could have seen the show and had this experience.

                                               This reminded me of the end of "HAIR," when the cast sings "Let The Sunshine In," and the audience is invited up on the stage.

                                                 Next week we are seeing a revival of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee," and if it goes like the original, audience members are called upon to be spelling contestants.

                                                     But none of the aforementioned interrupt the flow of the show.  The women at "Mama Mia!" did.

                                                        Here is an incident where audience members knew enough to behave accordingly.

                                                         Last year, David and I went to see "The Baker's Wife" at CSC.  I was curious to see the show, and to see how Ariana DeBose would handle the famous song, "Meadowlark," which had been covered by the likes of Patti LuPone, Lindsay Mendez, Betty Buckley, Liz Callaway, and others.  It is the most important moment in the show, and this audience knew it, because, as the time drew near for the titular character to sing it, the house went silent and was so for the five plus minutes it took for her to sing this song.  She stopped the show with tumultuous applause, and the audience recognized the importance of this moment as almost a tribute to the song and its singer.

                                                               So, people do know how to behave at the theater.

                                                                I have always said people should be screened before entering a t theater.  As well as their bags, check their personal behavior.  If it is off, deny them entry.

                                                                  May those "Mama Mia!" women never show their faces on Broadway again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Something Else Celebrates An Anniversary This Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                         June 30th of this year will mark the 90th anniversary of the publication of Margaret Mitchell's novel, "Gone With The Wind."  Of course, I am giving it a reread this year.  I think it will be my ninth time.

                                         Now, I don't want to hear any guff about GWTW not being PC.  Listen, the book and the movie are still available, but neither I nor anyone else is pointing a gun at folks insisting they experience it.    Hey, if you don't want to see or read it, DON"T!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I wish I had had that sense with "Pulp Fiction."  Well, at least Amanda Plummer in the opening was good.

                                             This novel and film got me through adolescence.  It is a story of survival, and that is what resonates with me.   And I stand by it.  No one is going to deprive me of my enjoyment of "Gone With The Wind."

                                                What a role model Scarlett is for all us girls.  And that high and mighty Miss Suellen was the real bitch in the story!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                     However one feels, it cannot be denied this is an anniversary worth celebrating.

                                                      And I don't want to hear any negativity about it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Guess What Film Turns 40 This Year????????????????????????

                                When I saw those opening shots, and the camera panned through the small town, I said to myself, watching "Blue Velvet," "Oh, my God, it's Highland Park."  The town even had a Lincoln Avenue.  And, near the end when Jeffrey (Kyle MacLachlan) says to Aunt Barbara (Frances Bay), with those cat eyed glasses, "Aunt Barbara, I love you, but you're going to get it," I thought, "Oh, my God, she looks like Nana!"  Nana was my maternal grandmother, who lived with us.

                                   I felt the film was mirroring some of my life, until, with multiple viewings, it became a part of my life.  Girls, can you believe this year will be 40 years since David Lynch released his masterwork?  I certainly hope there will be an anniversary screening in NYC sometime this year.

                                     Poor David Lynch did not make it to the anniversary of this classic.  Neither did Dennis Hopper or Dean Stockwell.  But Kyle MacLachlan and Isabella Rossellini are still here, and hopefully they will be on hand to celebrate the anniversary of this enduring classic.

                                       And "Blue Velvet," like so many films I talk about, is meant to be seen on the screen; It just does not work even on today's heightened TV screens.

                                          So, join me in a toast--with coffee--to this 1986 gem.

                                         And remember, it has nothing to do with "National Velvet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                         Happy 40th, "Blue Velvet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Girls, Join Us Tomorrow Night, As "Svengoolie" Presents Something I Never Heard Of--"The Skull!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                              Note to all my girls: this is usually posted on Saturday, but tomorrow my nephew and his family are coming to visit, so I figure I had better get this one out today.

                                            This film has an A-list cast, starting with Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee.  It even has Jill Bennett, who the same year (1965) played Aunt Pen in "The Nanny," the one who hysterically screams "Nannnnnnnnnnyyyyyyyyyyyy!  Naaaaaaaannnnnnnnnnnyyyyyyyyyyyyy!"  Two died mysteriously.  Two lived in terror.

                                              Both this film and "The Nanny" were Hammer productions.  One thing that can be counted on from "The Skull" is blood, and lots of bosoms!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Baby Gojira is SO excited

                                                   And it may be potentially campy, too.  Because the title object is supposedly that of the Marquis de Sade!!!!!!!!!!!  Imagine that!  This should be a riot, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                        Believe me, after this, girls, you will want to view "Marat/Sade."

                                                       See you tomorrow at 8PM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Oh Light The Heart That Lingers In Merano, Merano, The Spa No Connoisseur Of Spas Should Miss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                          On the original "CHESS" album, those are the first words one hears, darlings, and it sets a tone for the entire story.  "Merano" is in another place in the current Broadway production, but it whisks one off to what I thought was a fictitious world of magic.

                            Imagine my shock, when I discovered Merano is a real place!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            As indicated, it is located in the South Tyrol of Italy.  Italy has been one of my dream places to visit, especially Venice, but imagine visiting Merano!!!!!!!!!   I could sing the "CHESS" score there.  I am sure others have tried!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               If only other places were not fictional, like Oz and Wonderland.

                               I would still take that plunge down the rabbit hole, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Meet Mr. Squirrel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                       Honestly, David and I are staring to feel like the two Edie Beales of Grey Gardens.  Since November, Mr. Squirrel has been making periodic visits to our apartment, peering in at it and sitting up on his hind legs, blatantly staring into our place.  He has no sense of shame; he looks right at us, often sticks out his tongue, as if he has every right to move in, which is what I think he wants to do.  Baby Gojira is terrified, and I don't want some flashy tail rodents in this place.

                                         Oh, you think it is cute?  Well, wait till it happens to you.  Now it does not happen all the time, but every so often he creeps back here, scales the brick walls, and looks in on our place, which seems to fascinate him.

                                           Forget Disney's 1957 "Perri."  Perri stayed in his own environment.  Mr. Squirrel wants to live the high life.

                                            And that's not all.

                                             Sometimes two squirrels show up, and then I wonder if they are Mr. and Mrs.  I worry they will have babies near us, and how will we get rid of them, then?  I don't want to hurt the mother and babies or separate them.   Let her have the babies somewhere else.

                                               Can you believe this, girls?  And you should see them scale the brick wall!

                                               Who knew squirrels had exceptional taste?

                                                 Maybe they are gay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

           

Now, Begins The Long Winter Of Reading!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

                               The Christmas decorations have been taken down and put away, and Krampus is back in Florida.  Now, the long winter sets in, the longest season of them all, when some, like yours truly comes down with SAD--Seasonal Affect Disorder.

                               My cure for this is lots of coffee and to read.  Right now, I am reading a short volume, "An Unusual Attachment," by Barbara Pym, which is rather easy.  I have plans for longer volumes shortly--mammoth ones--to while away the dreary gray of Winter.

                               Then there's the song "California Dreamin'," by The Mamas And The Papas, which always seems to perk me up.  But the opening lyrics are right.  "All the leaves are brown, and the sky is gray."

                                  Girls, think of yourselves as characters in a Victorian novel, and your house a prism in which you sit and read.  Spring will be here before you know it.

                                    But don't let it stop you reading, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             When you are feeling blue, just listen to this!  It will perk you up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!