Today, Proserpina Returns To Hell!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

                                    Which means, darlings, that the twenty-first of September is here, and Autumn begins.  And with it comes Ceres' grief, over losing her daughter for the next six months. which will cause both she and Proserpina grief.

                                      The leaves will turn color and fall, the days will get shorter, and the weather colder, with snow falling and those of us having to stay more indoors.  I love cozy Winter evenings, but not getting out enough can contribute to seasonal affect disorder.

                                         With this time comes Thanksgiving and the holidays, so there are things to look forward to, during this period.  And in November I face another birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                            I will keep posting, viewing movies and writing about them and reading my books, with my beloved David.

                                            As Ann-Margret said, "I've got a lotta livin' to do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                           Happy Fall, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

David Lynch Pushes The Envelope Further!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

                                       This was David Lynch's final theatrical feature, and it saddens me to see he did not go further on screen, because it would be interesting to see just how far he might have gone.

                                       Laura Dern plays Nikki Grace, a successful actress living in a gorgeous California mansion, and also Susan Blue, a character in a film she is shooting.  But is she?  Again, Lynch's distortion of space and time, referencing "The Wizard Of Oz," and the duality of personality are trademarks of his and used well here.  Since "Blue Velvet," one could say his narrative schemes are sketchy, but this one questions the concept of narration or even the boundaries of it.  The world that Laura as Nikki/ Susan wanders through is a disturbing one, recalling to me John Parker's 1955 film "Dementia," also known as "Daughter Of Horror."  I would guess Lynch has seen this film, because if I were to show it to a group of people not knowing the credentials, I would guess some of them would say it is a David Lynch film.

                                        The two are similar in that they involve a woman's downward trajectory into madness.  But the question remains is it Nikki or Susan?  Because when she dies on the streets of L.A. as a gutter whore, I was sure it was Nikki.  But then one of the last shots in the film is Nikki smiling contentedly in her California mansion.  So, what happens is anyone's guess.

                                          But Lynch's work is so visually fascinating it almost does not matter.  His colored shots of California catch the underbelly of life there, while the shots of Dern wandering an almost black and white world offer an almost noir look.  "Inland Empire" challenges with its length, but it is exhilarating in its visual detail.  And his ability to acquire interesting actors--Jeremy Irons, Diane Ladd, Justin Theroux-- is genius; but then who wouldn't wanted to have worked with David Lynch?  I would have loved to!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                          So, darlings, this is where we leave our study of David Lynch, remembering a true genius and visionary, only to ask where are such today?

                                            Even worse, will we ever get any?????????????????

Darlings, You Have GOT To See This Short Film By David Lynch!!!!!!!!!!!!! There Is Nothing Like It!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                                 

                            Footage from this film was used in his 2006 film "Inland Empire," which I will eventually write about.  As this footage was some of the more interesting parts of the lengthier film, I did an investigation and found that the footage was excerpts from a short film he had made back in 2002, the year after "Mulholland Drive."  And three actresses from that film--Naomi Watts, Laura Harring, and Rebekah Del Riio--appear in the film.

                              Or do they?  Because the most fascinating thing about "Rabbits" is its look.  The living room set looks like a miniature doll house, with miniature furniture, so are the rabbits stop animation creatures with the actors' voices or was Lynch somehow able to shoot this with the real actors and then give it a miniaturized look?  That is just one of the questions surrounding this film, which on one level is about a quiet evening at home on a rainy night, but on another level raises the question of the daughter's having been raped, and someone else murdered.    There are also odd bits of humor; for example, when Jack walks through the door, there is always canned audience applause.  And sometimes, after delivering a monologue, rabbits just disappear.  And while delivering said monologues, fire appears over the living room entrance.

                             "Rabbits" is clearly David Lynch.  It is also close to situation comedy, which I think is what Lynch is saying, that American culture, via the sitcoms we all grew up with, has reduced its citizenry to a sitcom outlook on life that distorts reality.  Disagree with me all you might.

                               As for Rebekah Del Riio, her almost otherworldly nightclub appearance gives another persona to Jane, a trademark clearly from David Lynch but highly influenced by Ingmar Bergman. 

                                 To those of a certain age, "Rabbits" may come across as a surreal "Davey and Goliath."  For those beyond our generation, I leave your interpretations to you.

                                   But there is no question this is a masterpiece.  I am so glad he incorporated it into "Inland Empire," because otherwise I might not have discovered this short gem.

                                   And not a single carrot appears in the film!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

I Am Embarassed To Say This Was David's Alternate Choice To "Svengoolie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                Girls, I mean, really!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  With all the quality cinema in this house, and David chooses this?  I am just thankful he did not choose something like "Revenge Of The Nerds!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                  I am very familiar with "The Baby," even though I have not seen it in about ten years.  I first saw it accidentally on Channel 9, sometime in my twenties, when I was out of college, but still living at home.  It had Ruth Roman, whom I love as an actress, and was so bizarre, well, I had never seen anything like it.

                                   In 2013, 40 years after the film was made, some Fringe Festival in California attempted a musical version of it, and boy would I like to have seen that.  If done today, Tyne Daly, now butch as all get out, could play the Ruth Roman role!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Or maybe Nathan Lane!  I always confuse the two!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                    To think the film was made the year I graduated high school!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                    How to explain "The Baby."  I wonder if David Lynch had ever seen this film, because it was before "Eraserhead," and while lacking in his artistry, was not far from his cinematic territory.  I would not be surprised if he had seen this film!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                      Anjanette Comer, who died on May 26 of this year, at the age of 86, plays Ann Gentry, a dedicated social worker in Los Angeles, assigned to the Wadsworth case, in which a family, consisting of a mother, Mrs. Wadsworth, played by Ruth Roman, who is so butch she would be welcome at any lesbian bar on Saturday night, and her two daughters, Germaine (Marianna Hill) and Alba (Suzanne Zenor), and Baby a grown man kept as an infant.  At first, Ann takes a genuine interest int the case, and this gradually turns to obsession, the reason for which is the movie's plot twist which I will not reveal here.

                                      I can say that the movie is both campy and disturbing.  The abuse scenes of Baby were upsetting and repugnant to watch, and the dynamics of the Wadsworth brings new meaning to the word dysfunctional. There is even incest and adult breast feeding!  I mean, can you imagine?

                                       Granted it is better than "The Ghost And Mr. Chicken," but trust me, girls, next week we will watch a real gem.  And Baby Gojira will have something to say about it.

                                          Speaking of babies, Baby Gojira is his own independent reptile!  This house answers to him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                            But we are not nearly as crazy as those in "The Baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                            What would "Ozzie And Harriet" say???????????????????  

                                             One more thing.  David Manzy, who played Baby, eventually became a high school English teacher in California!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                              I hope he taught AP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                              

                                         

"They Say That All Good Things Must End........Someday! Autumn Leaves Must Fall!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                            "One last caress/It's time to dress/For Fall."                                                                                                          --Michel LeGrand, "Summer Of '42."

                                  Yes, girls, it is the last day of Summer.  Proserpina is packed and ready to go tomorrow.

                                     This is always a sad time for me.  The days grow shorter, darkness lasts longer than day, and we are forced to spend more time indoors.  Autumn and Winter seem the longest six months, while Spring and Summer seem so short.

                                      Starting tomorrow Summer Of 2026 will be history.  So, enjoy this day while it lasts.

                                        We had some magical moments during this Summer.  I started my film project, we saw, on Broadway, "Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York)," which I loved, "The Rocky Horror Show," which was so much fun, "Hadestown," which was disappointing, and "Ragtime" which unexpectedly impressed the hell out of me.  Concerning the aforementioned film project, we saw a lot of cinematic gems, like "Oliver!,"  "Citizen Kane," "The Third Man," "Brief Encounter," "Leave Her To Heaven," "Wild Inside","(the documentary about Flaco, The Owl), "White Nights" (an early work of Luchino Visconti) "2001:  A Space Odyssey," Disney's 1951 cartoon "Alice In Wonderland," (my favorite), and Louis Malle's "Elevator To The Gallows."

                                        Need I forget--we saw "Disclosure Day," which we were not crazy about, and "Paranormal Activity," on Broadway, which we hated!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                         As far as trips, we stayed some nights in the city at The Algonquin, which is still awaiting a new Hamlet, and we made a visit to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, which was lovely.

                                         We also made an emotionally charged trip to New Brunswick, New Jersey, just across the river from my hometown of Highland Park.  The purpose was not to visit the town, but to visit the graves of my parents, so I could read over them the last paragraph of Emily Bronte's "Wuthering Heights."  It was done, after an eight year wait, and it was an emotional time for me.  Floods of memories kept coming back and the What If question, being what if I had stayed in the area, rather than go to New York.  In retrospect, I am not sure I would have been happy, and the city had always been beckoning me from an early age.  Speaking of memories, we had dinner with a former high school friend of mine, Neil, who still lives in Highland Park.

                                              There was also a commemoration party at The Actors' Temple, saluting Rabbi Jill's twenty years of service to the temple, and a celebratory party at David's former boss, Nadine, on Long Island, which was lovely, and with lovely people, including that live wire, Marcel!!!!!!!!!

                                                So, while we did not travel, it was a pretty active Summer.  I wish all of you a pleasant Fall and Winter, with good things abounding.

                                                 Soon, darlings, those falling leaves will drift past our windowpane!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                   

Absolutely Do NOT Tune In!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                       After showing the classic, the original 1958, "The Fly," "Svengoolie" has reached rock bottom again, showing 1966's "The Ghost And Mr. Chicken."  There is some demographic out there who like this film, as it seems to turn up sometime each year.

                                       David and I have seen it, so we know how awful it is.  We choose not to watch it, and David has chosen his film tonight, and while I would not have chosen it, it is also wonderfully campy, and I will reveal what that choice was tomorrow.

                                           For those who have never seen the film, it is so bad I urge you to skip it.  Here's the thing--for anyone having seen Don Knotts do his Barney Fifte schtick, imagine two solid hours of it with him at the lead helm!  It is clear the schtick does not last that long, and he is incapable of carrying an entire film.

                                              If I were a member of The Sven Squad, I would have taken the night off.  Even they have better sense.

                                               Girls, an evening of scrubbing the floors would be more productive.

                                                It would make you feel like Jennifer Jones in "The Song Of Bernadette!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

100 Years! La Festa Da San Gennaro!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                From last night, September 17, until Sunday September 27, is the 100th occurrence of The Feast Of San Gennaro on Mulberry Street in Little Italy.  I have gone for years, and it is an event, but I caution you, darlings, do not go on a weekend; the crowds are unbelievable.

                                 This is an experience beyond "Moonstruck," and everyone should experience it at least once if you are a New Yorker.  The crowds and eating on the street do not appeal to me anymore, and the indoor restaurants are so packed it is impossible to get a seat.

                                     Nevertheless, I have happy memories of festivals past, but I want to make sure all my readers who have not experienced it, and/or want to, get down there immediately.

                                         And make sure you watch those waistlines and take some Alka-Seltzer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Go Play With The Planchette!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             No, darlings, I am not being obscene.  Nor do I own a planchette.  They have been around since appearing in Paris, France in 1853.  The original ones had casters on their rods underneath, which made them appear to move; later, with my Ouija board, they became smooth fabric easy to maneuver.  They also originally had a hole in the center, through which a pencil was inserted, because, before Ouija boards, the pencil was used to evoke written messages.

                              What brought all this up was a book I recently read.  It was "The Unknown," by Riley Sager, an author I like.  The only thing wrong was the title; it was too generic.  Within the story, seances are held, and a home-made Ouija board is constructed out of Scrabble tiles, and an ordinary drinking glass is used for a planchette.  I suppose that could work, but if you cannot buy a planchette then I suggest making one's own; either by yourself or getting a friend to do it. I know someone who would be excellent at making planchettes, but I am not really sure if I would need one.  As for Ouija boards, are they sold anymore??????????

                               I have had the boards and their planchettes over the years but have never managed to hold on to them.  I am not that into the occult, so how many times can I use the Ouija?  I am not one of those folks who consult it daily!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                The only things daily I do are drink coffee and write this blog!

                                But it is time to bring back the planchette!

                                Mystic oracle, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                Addendum: The planchette, pictured above, was the one I saw, whenever we would visit my parents' friends, The Lammers, in South Plainfield, NJ.  How I wish I had it now!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"These Little Town Blues Are Melting Away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                    The year 1977 was a crucial one both for films and me.  On screen, there was "Annie Hall," "The Goodbye Girl," "The Turning Point," "Star Wars," and "Julia."

                                      Then there was Martin Scorsese's much hyped 1977 ode to 40's musicals, "New York, New York."

                                       I had also graduated college that year and had to face the world, having no idea then I would end up in New York.

                                         So, when I saw the film the first time that year, all I came out impressed by was Liza singing "The World Goes Round."  I have sung that myself, since, but Liza is still the definitive version.

                                          As is her rendition of the title song, which Frank Sinatra had the nerve to cop from her.  Now, everyone thinks his is the definitive rendition, forgetting hers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                           All this, and more, came back to me, the other day while watching the film after a 49-year interval.  Hell, I was 22, then and now I am 71.  Time does make a difference.

                                             I never dreamed then I was ready for New York.  And while the film is a beautiful pastiche honoring the look of NYC at that period as well as Judy Garland musicals, it is also a sad tale of those who come here to make it, and those who don't. Robert DeNiro, in one of his best performances, is an example of the latter, while Liza, of course is the one who makes it.

                                              It was heartbreaking to watch DeNiro reach for something he knew he could never have  yet still try.  Like the song says, "There's a broken heart for every light on Broadway."

                                               The lengthy musical interlude, choreographed by Ron Field, and showcasing Liza at her best, is probably the most ambitious segment attempted since MGM did "An American In Paris" in 1951.  Though it has more of the flavor of Garland's 1955 "Born In A Trunk," from her "A Star Is Born."

                                                 Darlings, did you know this was Mary Kay Place's film debut?  They got her right off of 'Mary Hartman,' and she proved she had a range going far beyond Loretta Haggers.

                                                   Everyone praises Scorsese's gangster pics, but not enough credit is given for this one.

                                                    It may not be perfect, but compared to the messes being turned out today, it is heaven.  And an interval

 of 49 nine years of life experience gave it for me, this time, an understanding I did not have back in 1977.

                                                      The title song asks the city to "come through!"  In this film, it does!

                                                      Girls, this has to be seen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This Is Definitely A Film Worth Re-Visiting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

                                From watching all those celebrity picks from YouTube on The Criterion Closet,  I was always interested in how "All That Jazz" would turn up on many people's picks.  I had never really given it a thought beyond 1979.  Oh, but let me correct myself.  The film was released on December 20, 1979, which means I did not see it till sometime in early 1980.  This was especially a harsh time in my life.  My mother had died eight months before, I had not found my working niche yet, and relations were beginning to call me out on it.

                                When I finally saw the film, at the Ziegfeld Theater, with my friend Doug, who was obsessed with the film, particularly Jessica Lange as The Angel Of Death, what stayed with me was the opening sequence, where a dance audition is held, and they dance to "On Broadway."  I kept thinking this is how "A Chorus Line" should look, if transferred to film.  Was Bob Fosse consciously trying to beat Michael Bennet, whose show "A Chorus Line" was?  Unfortunately, he did, because the 1985 film version of "A Chorus Line" was disgraceful, and Bennett died soon after that in 1987.  Maybe Baayork Lee is the only hope for putting it on film, but then would she want to?

                                 Seeing "All That Jazz" yesterday, after 46 years, made me realize the passage of time, because I remember so well the 70's New York theater scene, which the film so accurately captures.  Those who do not, recall it, and who are not familiar with whom the film's characters are based on, may not have a clue as to what they are watching.  I mean, how many folks out there will know that Leland Palmer's (What ever happened to her?) Audrey Paris was a stand-in for Gwen Verdon, or that Erseber Foldi, as daughter Michelle, stood in for Fosse's daughter Nicole, or that Ann Reinking's character essentially played herself?  This knowledge is tantamount to understanding and liking this film, which is why gays and Theater Queens of a certain age are especially drawn to it.

                                    And while Roy Scheider's performance as Chief Brody in "JAWS" was fine, nothing could have prepared me for what he does here.  Playing Joe Gideon/Bob Fosse, he gives the performance of his life, putting all he has into the role in a way I never ever thought him capable of.  And he was still good looking here.

                                     Having seen Ben Vereen onstage in "Pippin" back in the day, his number and the skill with which he pulled it off were no surprise to me.  What a pity there are no choreographers around like Fosse or Bennett.  Where are they?  But then, where is there great material for them to work on?  There used to be Susan Strohman and Warren Carlyle.  I had high hopes for them, as I still do for Justin Peck and Christopher Gattelli.  Only time and show quality will tell.

                                         Seeing "All That Jazz" a second time after a lifetime was both joyous and sad. Fosse's skill and razzle dazzle are there for posterity, but the era the film portrays when anything creative was possible has given way to crass commercialism.

                                           "Where's discretion of the heart, where's passion in the art, where's craft?"

                                            It is happily preserved in this film, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Introducing Gay Film #4--1945's "Mildred Pierce!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                             This photo was my first exposure to this film as a child, as it was used as an advertisement in TV Guide, when Channel 5, at 9PM would show "Movie Greats."  I got the idea it was about a woman contemplating jumping off the wharf, and I wanted to know what made her get to that point.  And I was only a child.  Now, my mother's name happened to be Mildred, so after this I began calling her "Mildred Pierce," and when I saw the movie sequence where Mildred opens all the restaurants saying "Mildred's," I wanted my mother to open restaurants.  Not because I wanted money, but because I wanted to see her name all over the place.

                           "Mildred Pierce" is the perfect follow-up to "Now, Voyager," because it reverses the conflict.  In the 1942 film, the mother is the villain, the daughter the victim.  In "Mildred Pierce," it is the daughter who is the villain--and what a villain! --and the mother is the victim.  But remember, darlings, since the role is played by Joan Crawford, she is almost a willing victim, being self-sacrificing and masochistic.  This is the ultimate Joan Crawford performance, and it is no surprise that she won the Oscar for "Best Actress Of 1945."  She deserved it too.

                              The film is perfect for exposing young gays to social class distinctions.  Now, I already had a sense of them myself, having grown up on the North Side of town, and away from that trashy Goat Alley.  But when Ann Blyth, as daughter Veda, speaks of Mrs. Biederhof as being "distinctly Middle Class," the film is off and running, because Veda really livens up this picture.  And then some.  To think Ann Blyth was only 16 when she did this role; I am surprised, being a minor, she was allowed to play it.  But she earned an Oscar nomination as Best Supporting Actress, as did Eve Arden, for her role as Ida Corwin, who is on to Veda from the start.  That is the problem.  Everyone is on to Veda except her mother; even Veda, in her own way, tries to tell her, but Mildred insists on being one of the great enablers, like Agnes Wickfield in "David Copperfield," of all time.  And where does it get her?

                             Well, that final shot, when Mildred and her ex-husband Bert (Bruce Bennett) leave the police station, with the two washerwomen shown scrubbing the floor, suggests this was also a morality tale, not to elevate one's social stature too much, and to never forget where one came from.

                               Zachary Scott and Jack Carson give two of their best performances ever, and even Butterfly McQueen turns up as Lottie, the maid.  Director Mchael Curitz knew how to assemble a great cast and put them through their paces

                              Yet, "Mildred Pierce" remains underrated in the "film noir" category.  Everyone is always screaming about "Double Indemnity," and you know what?  I think that one is overrated.  "Mildred Pierce has a compelling character and story, but most of all, the way Curitz uses light and shadows in the opening sequence at the beach house, when Mildred steps out of the darkness onto the wharf, and again, with the light on her at the beach house when she spots Monty and Veda, demonstrates he wanted to give this film a distinctly noir look, and he is so successful it outshines almost any film noir out there.

                               I don't want to give away too much of the plot, except to say it is framed around a murder mystery.  The James M. Cain novel on which it was based was not even this good.

                                "Mildred Pierce" is great for young gays, giving them a look into elegant, stylish dressy, and witty, bitchy epigrams.  I always loved the one about Mrs. Bieferhhof being "distinctly Middle Class."  Oh, and there is a lovely performance by Jo Ann Marlowe as younger daughter Kay, and a gorgeous music score by the brilliant Max Steiner.

                                      Warner Bros. made it; no surprise there.  And it was nominated for "Best Picture."  A shame it did not win.

                                         As Bette Davis said in "Now, Voyager," "A spinster aunt is an excellent person to select presents for young girls."  "Mildred Pierce" is the perfect film to set young gays on the path.

                                           But don't even think about getting away with murder.

                           "Oh, Mother, I'll be different.  I'll change!"                                                                                                     Yeah, right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                  

                               

Girls, These Are The Real "Spinster City" Apartments!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                          I have seen entries on the Internet referring to this month as Spinster September, and I cannot figure why!   Are spinsters supposed to get their due?  Are they now being honored?  During my 24 years of spinsterhood, from 31 to 55 (one is not designated a spinster till one reaches the age of 31) I did not feel especially honored, but I got around, to compensate for my being alone Now I have experiences to look back on and write about.

                              The building here in question is The Ansonia Apartments, at 501, Raritan Avenues, in Highland Park, New Jersey, my hometown.  The entrance is actually on Fifth Avenue in a secluded corner with beet red walls suggesting something mysterious.  The lobby is a tiny spinster lobby, and I had always thought I would end up in one of the front windows, hopefully on the third or fourth floors, looking out on the town.  

                                  Can you imagine, darlings?  This is how I had scripted my life!  The bus stop just across the street would take me to New Brunswick, from which I would take the bus to New York!   If things had turned out this way, I might have been in a mental hospital repeatedly reading "The Bell Jar," by Sylvia Plath!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                       Instead, the apartments David and I are in now are hardly spinsterish.  And New York is only a subway ride away.

                                          Sometimes a change in script can make a difference!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Darlings, Please Do Me A Favor And Save Yourselves The Time And Money Involved In Seeing This Crap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                         I cannot say "Paranormal Activity" was my worst theater experience, but it certainly ranks among the top ten.  I was expecting, hopefully, something imaginative and mildly entertaining.  At worst, I thought it would be like a cheesy amusement park spook house ride.   Well, I am telling you right now, those rides are better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                          Back in 2007, still riding on the found/filmed footage genre generated by "The Blair Witch Project" back in 1999, someone had the idea of making a film called "Paranormal Activity."  It involved people living in a house and filming the mysterious things happening when they don't see them. All I can recall are doors opening by themselves and things moving mysteriously.  That is how much of an impression the film made on me.  The show in question made even less.

                                           First of all, Chris Fisher and Abby May, who designed the illusions and lighting, had no idea what they were doing.  When entering the August Wilson Theatre to take my seat, the lighting was so dim, I could not read my Playbill.  Occasionally, the title, inscribed on a black floor length stage curtain in front of me would blink the titular words at the audience.  Oh, boy, this is supposed to give us some big scare thrill?????????????  Whom are they kidding???????????????

                                              I really cannot fully blame Felix Barrett for his direction, because Levi Holloway's script is not much to work with.  The two leads, whom I will get to, used so many f-words and other profanities that even David Mamet would blush!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                              Now, these actors, Cher Alvarez and Travis A. Knight.  They are making their Broadway debuts, and I say enjoy it while it lasts.  Because with this script, neither will get a second chance, nor will their careers go anywhere.  They play a married couple, with the wife having some kind of anxiety and he trying to pacify her.  Or is this really the case?  Because, in Act Two, we get two people who have done misdeeds in their pasts and were never held accountable for them.  Is this what is happening now?  Does anybody care?  I did not. Shannon Cochran as the mother livens things up, but Linda Lavin would have done it better.  Except Linda would have turned this script down.  And so would I!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                               Alvarez speaks with a pretentious accent, suggesting a desperate Juilliard auditionee.  Knight may be nice to look at, but his hetero posturing is unbearable   And can any of them read a line?  I am telling you, producers could pull anyone from the street nightly to perform and would still get better results!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                  There are supposedly 40 special effects in the show.  With the dim lighting, I was barely able to see four of them; never mind the other 36.  At an hour and forty five minutes this play belongs in the slush pile.  It is a wonder how it got to Broadway.  There is much more untapped, genuine talent out there.

                                                     Save for David and I, the audience ate it up!  And the house was packed; maybe even sold out.  Have we finally arrived at the dumbing down of Broadway?  Are new audiences being sought to replace the old, those of us who go to the theater for something of entertainment and substance?  Because if so, that audience will soon disappear, and like me, stay home with their Criterion Collections!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                           This is as poor a start to the theater season as one can imagine!  But who am I to talk?  The show will probably run indefintely!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                              Bur for those who REALLY care about theater, run for the hills, and avoid this trash altogether!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Girls, Make Sure To Watch "Svengoolie" Tonight At 8PM, Because This Is The Last Good Film He Is Showing This Month!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                     I am not a spoiler, but, really, darlings, next week he is showing one of the worst movies ever, "The Ghost And Mr. Chicken," with Don Knotts, which some demographic out there loves, but it certainly is not this house.   Then, the following week, The Sven Squad is going to host--are you ready? --a presentation of the 1990 color remake of "Night Of The Living Dead!"  I mean, why????????? The black and white Romero 1968 film is a masterpiece.  Who had the nerve to remake it?  I do not even recall it.

                                       Baby Gojira and I have been talking, and we agreed that for these weeks David can pick the alternate movie.  But it will come with some caveats, which will be revealed on here next week!!!!!!!!!!

                                            So enjoy "Svengoolie" tonight, while you can.  Because after that he is scraping the bottom of the barrel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                               If he keeps this up, he may not lose his audience, but he will lose us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy "Frank Mills" Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                           This is it, darlings, the day I go to the Waverly, stand in front and sing "Frank Mills" to one and all on this day.

                                            Also, a tribute to the legendary Shelley Plimpton, who introduced the song in both the original Off-Broadway and Broadway productions of "HAIR."

                                           Get ready, girls, I'm on my way!  Wish me luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                           But not before leaving you with a special gift to enjoy.

                         

                                    Here is Shelley inimitable rendition!  Cherish it, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There Is No Way To Prettify This Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                      I cannot believe it has been twenty-five years.  A quarter of a century.

                                    Like the headline says, this is a sad day, which is why I chose the photo above.

                                   This will always be a benchmark day in my life.  I remember exactly where I was, where I had been living, the circumstances that landed me in the West Village just in time to see the second tower collapse before my eyes, which is when I realized this city was in big trouble.

                                      I still fear another attack.  Not in NYC, but perhaps elsewhere.

                                      People talk about resilience.  But how does one get over this?  I was lucky not to have lost any friends or loved ones, but I think of those who did, and I cannot imagine how awful this day is, and what it brings up.

                                        They, along with the firefighters, policemen, volunteers, and those suffering subsequent 9/11 illnesses are the ones whose resilience we should be saluting.

                                           However, we have gone twenty-five years without another incident.

                                           May that continue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                           Never forget, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Let's Take A Wild Ride On "Mulholland Drive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                                                                  

                              No matter how many times one sees David Lynch's 2001 "Mulholland Drive," the ride never stops being wild.  This has to be my fourth viewing, and it just left me stunned in a highly positive way.

                               Now, darlings, this post is going to be very different.  I am just going to muse on some of the impressions I got from my recent viewing the other day.  If you want a cohesive analysis of the film, turn to my August 8, 2019 post, where I give just that.  Meaning I have not seen "Mulholland Drive" in seven years.  That is too long to go without.

                                If "The Wizard Of Oz" taught Dorothy "There is no place like home," "Mulholland Drive" teaches one never to leave it in the first place.  The film, with elements of  'Oz' and Ingmar Bergman, charts the downward trajectory of Naomi Watts' characters from hopeful aspirant to street whore.

                               Naomi's look, above, recalls Judy Garland walking out of her house into Munchkinland.  Dan Hedaya, as Vincent Castigliano staring through the glass partition at Michael J. Anderson as Mr. Rocque in his wheelchair, recalls the Metro quartet, awaiting Oz.  Of course, fire and smoke, recalling both 'Oz' and trademarks of David Lynch, are present throughout the film.

                               But girls who wouldn't want to dwell at 1612 Havenhurst Drive, with Coco as a landlord?  Coco is played by Ann Miller!  ANN Miller!  ANN MILLER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  And the witch like Lee Grant as Louise Bonner1!!!!!!!!!!  Is she a witch or not?  At this apartment complex anything is possible.

                               I still cite "Blue Velvet" as David Lynch's masterpiece, but this film marks the culmination of that film and beyond, what with the duality of women, another wild road ride, and odd people and places.  I cannot argue with those who see this as the ultimate Lynch, and I confess after this viewing I may have to include it in my Criterion Collection.

                                 Laura Harring is especially good as Watt's doppelganger, and I just loved Chad Everett as the sleazy has been.

                             Even wild rides come to an end, and this one ends at the Club Silencio, which is where I want to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               Come on, girls!  Let's fly to the West Coast and take that wild ride on Mulholland Drive.

                                 I dare to say it could be the most iconic Hollywood film since "Sunset Boulevard."

                                  Those who don't travel, I urge you to see this film!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                   It will transport viewer to a world they won't think about leaving!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Girls, There Is A New Meeting Place In Town--Until October 6!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                                    

 

                                                                                  

                            Yesterday, David, our erudite friend Chris, and I went to the Tarot Exhibition at The Morgan.  Chris is especially adept at Tarot reading, and I have always wanted to learn but at this age that is too much information to absorb.  Nevertheless, I have always loved the artwork of Tarot--I am talking about the traditional Tarot, and not the commercialized ones manufactured today.  A Charles Dickens Tarot?  Come on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                              Now, The Morgan is located on Madison Avenue, off of East36th Street.  For girls out there, and especially those who are single, this is a place to meet men!  I am telling you, I saw so many distinguished and attractive looking men, who, were I not married, might have been enough to take my eyes off the exhibit.  Fortunately, they didn't.  But for girls on the make, especially if you are looking for someone to settle down wit, should seek this place out.  There is even a space for having lunch, which I consider very Joan Fontatine--one expects her to come out, offering slices of Arnold Brick  Oven Bread.

                               Darlings, I am telling you, The Morgan Tarot Exhibit is currently the hottest place in town.   I urge you to visit, whether seeking male companionship or not.

                                 Those having trouble, listen to me.  When sitting at a lunch table, remember to daintily drop your napkin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                    It works almost every time, dolls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                  

The Fall Literary Season Will Soon Be Upon Us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But Where Are The Goodies????????????????????????

                               Richard Russo is worth looking forward to, but Tea Obreht is a mixed bag; I know, having read two of her books.

                                But where are the really big writers; the kind who make me want to run to the bookstore immediately, because I just have to have that book???????????????????

                                     Emma Cline is coming out with something called "Switzy," which I want to read, and Kate Atkinson is coming out with a new novel called "Our Noble Selves."  I am especially excited about Kate.

                                         But is that all readers like me can expect?  There used to be such an outpouring of literary wealth come the Fall, but now I am not sure what to expect.  And how about that New York Times list?  They will have to pull spuds from ashcans this year to find some quality fiction.

                                            Unless some authors out there are keeping secrets.  And we get some last-minute surprises.

                                              I would like to be optimistic, but with the cultural quality in this country descending to a lower grade level than one is used to, I can't hold out hope.

                                             I mean, what if Dan Brown's "The Secret Of Secrets?" turns up on book lists????????????

                                             That will be a sure sign that literary fiction is in trouble!

                                              What literary fiction, darlings??????????????

Darlings, If Game Boards Could Come To Life, What Board Would You Choose? And What Sort Of Game Token?????????????

                         I can tell you in a heartbeat.  I would choose the original Candy Land game board I once owned, pictured here.  Not because of the sugar and sweets, because I am a diabetic, but because no other game board I have ever seen emphasizes color so much.

                           Now, as to game token, I may be mixing stories but this is my choice!

                       I want to be Disney's Alice.  I love the hair, that blue dress and white apron, and it would go great with the colors on the Candy Land game board. Not to mention the white stockings and black Mary Janes!!!!!!!!!!

                       Oh, girls, isn't this a wonderful fantasy?  If only it could come true!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                      Maybe in my dreams!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                       And that Candy Land game board could be used in so many decorative ways!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Baby Gojira Is Stepping Out On This Labor Day In Style!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                      While David and I have been occasionally running around NYC, Baby has had his own agenda.  He has been going to Harry Winston and Van Cleef And Arpels, buying elegant jewelry.  And now he is ready to show his purchases to all of us.  Doesn't he look so elegant?

                                        Yes, Baby Gojira is ready for anything--a Met Opera opening, The Met Gala, a Broadway opening, or a night on the town with ANNA.  I hope ANNA gets a look at this; she will be impressed.

                                          But I wanted all my readers to see how lovely Baby Gojira looks, and how proud we are of him, and how he loves to model in front of his public.

                                           What time are you being picked up, Baby????????????

Happy Labor Day, Darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                         I wanted an especially cheerful and colorful picture to honor this day, because I consider it one of the saddest.

                          Forget we are going into the week commemorating the 25th Anniversary of 9/11, but that is an additional factor.  Without it, Labor Day is still a sad day for me because the magic of the 80 plus days from Memorial Day to here comes to an abrupt halt.  Though there is exactly two weeks to go until the actual end of Summer, this has always been the unofficial end of that season.  School resumes, summer cottages are closed up, everyone exits the Hamptons or Fire Island, and the Fall resumes.  I always felt a bit of sad when a child, and I still do.

                           The idea of honoring our laborers is a good one, but why was a day so near the end of Summer chosen?  I have always wondered about that but have no answer.

                             Nevertheless, I wish everyone a happy Labor Day, and enjoy it any way you please.  The last hurrah, as is said!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                Here is Christine Ebersole in the song that says it all-=-"Another Winter In A Summer Town," from "Grey Gardens!"  Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                  

I Want To Go To Cassie Camp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                        After seeing the video with Robyn Hurder, who I saw do Cassie at City Center several years back, I really wanted to step into the studio and go through the number with Baayork.  But first I would have to do her Boot Camp, maybe even a slower one, because I cannot even get the opening, "Step, Kick, Kick, Leap, Kick, Touch" right.  I have no idea what I am doing wrong.

                         Anyone who has seen "A Chorus Line" wants to do Cassie.  On the aforementioned video I mentioned, I heard Baayork talk about the "Cassie Curse," which is that after playing Cassie one dees not get much work for a while.

                           All I want is the stamina to do the scene--the lines I know, the lyrics I know--and to be able to do the back bend, where I touch the floor.  I am not sure about those head rolls though.  Hey, no one does those like Donna McKechnie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                             Someone take me and mold me into the best Cassie I can be.

                              What should I wear?  All I know is to dress entirely in red!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What Is It With The Midwest And Grottos?????????????????????????????

 

                            One of the more fascinating moments in "The Straight Story"--so fascinating I had to give it its own post--comes early on when Alvin is driving along and sees a sign that says "Grotto 5 Miles."

                            I questioned what was going on.  This was nowhere near Lourdes or Fatima.  I was fascinated by the grotto used in the film, which is the Shrine Of The Grotto Of The Redemption, located at 208 1st Avenue, NW, West Bend, Iowa, 50597, USA.  I mean, what a sight!  I would love to go see it.  And when I was researching this post, I discovered there are grottos like this all over the Midwest.

                              Someone tell me, what is the reason for the presence of all these things?  Is the Midwest heavily Catholic?  I always thought of it as a enclave of American Protestantism, so if someone out there could explain this phenomenon to me, I would appreciate it.

                               I would certainly love to go and see one of these!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                As stated, I thought his whole journey had a spiritual quality and this visit and shot of the grotto enhanced it.

                                  Then there was the shot of this truck delivering a gigantic replica of a corn on the cob!

                                   One never knows what is out there in America!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!