Girls, It is Time To Think About Our Tea Gowns!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                     With Autumn settling in, and Winter definitely on its way, we will be spending more and more time indoors, so it is time to think about serving afternoon tea, and what one is going to wear.

                                         Everyone should have a tea gown for afternoon tea, and this is the one I want!  Isn't it lovely, darlings!  With its almost pink hue set off by the dashes of blue?  I cannot wait to wear this, and I know you will be anxious to see me in it.  I shall be proud to pour tea in this outfit.

                                          So, yes, dears, the time has come to think about warmer clothing.

                                          And what to serve with that afternoon tea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Oh, Well, La-De-Da! La-De-Da!"

                                           That phrase, spoken by Diane Keaton in "Annie Hall," which David and I watched last night in lieu of "Frankenstein Meets The Wolfman," is still spoken so charmingly, and the film is a charmer, but watching it this time was also a sad experience.  Many of the stars listed on the poster are no longer with us, including Diane Keaton, and the film evokes a New York City I recall so well, but sadly no longer exists.

                                              Still the movie theater-Marshall McLuhan scene rings true, the family scenes are hilarious, the school scene downright accurate, and Diane Keaton's talent was on full display, not only with her comedic acting, but her singing as well.  She had an excellent singing voice; but don't forget she was in the Original Broadway cast of "HAIR," back in 1968.

                                                  The film also seems to chronicle Woody and Diane's relationship to a point.  They shall always be remembered and this film solidifies it.

                                                     "Annie Hall" is indeed a Seventies film.  Which is why Keaton and the film won Oscars.

                                                         It evoked its time so perfectly then, and even more so now!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good Lord! The Duke Is Raising The Dickens!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                        The Duke Theatre, that is, where the new musical, "Copperfield!" is playing, and David and I saw it, yesterday.

                                         Don't be fooled by the exclamation point in the title.  The show is not "Oliver!"  It does not have a score to match it.

                                           And this is not to be confused with the 1981 musical "Copperfield," which opened on April 16 at the ANTA (now the August Wilson) Theatre.  It had Book, Music and Lyrics by Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn.  Who went nowhere.

                                            It had in the cast two Broadway stalwarts--George S. Irving and Mary Stout.  And a young up and comer named Christian Slater, in a minor role.

                                              The current musical is not any better, but it makes several serious mistakes.

                                               Someone dumb here had the idea of going back to director John Doyle's gimmick of performing Sondheim musicals, with all the actos doubling as musicians.  He did this, with no great effect, to "Company" and "Sweeney Todd."  Thank God he never got to "Follies."

                                             "Copperfield!" is performed like a live version of a Classic Comic Strip, but on speed.  Many actors seem unsuited to their roles, especially Cathryn Wake as Dora.  Meanwhile, Nancy O'Connor, early on should not be playing Em'ly; she looks a mature woman, and when she and young David (well played by Henry Wichter) it seems ill matched. And the accents vary.  Bobby Conte cuts more a Byronic than Dickensian figure as the adult David, but his song "I Am Home," Dora's death scene, displays some talent. Act Two had moments that got to me--Dora's death, with its song, "Always The Pleasure Was Mine" and Agnes' proclamation of love, and her song, "If Only You Knew My Heart," probably the two best songs in the score, though as David said was I reacting to them genuinely or to my love for the characters in the book I love so much? I cannot answer that.

                                                Everything--choreography, costumes and direction-- are merely serviceable Director Gabriel Barre was handed too large a task impossible to fulfill.  My hopes were dashed.

                                                  Jeffrey Scharf wrote the Book, Music and Lyrics.  Why is it one man thinks he can do this novel justice?  He should have quit while has was ahead.  Sure, he gets most of the story in, but what about dramtic nuance?

                                                  I still say when it comes to "David Copperfield," stick to the 1935 David O. Selznick, George Cukor Hollywood production.  Oh my God, Maureen O'Sullivan as Dora!

                                                   Now, THAT is "David Copperfield!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                            

Girls, Tonight Is Bela's Turn At 8PM, On "Svengoolie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                        During the seventeen-year span--1931 to 1948--of Universal's monster era, three of its top stars all played the Frankenstein monster.  Boris Karloff, most famously, then Lon Chaney Jr. and in 1943's "Frankenstein Meets The Wolf Man, Bela Lugosi!!!!!!!!!!!  This is unprecedented!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                         Now, because the make-up was crafted for Karoloff, it was easy to recognize him in close-up!  Which is one of many reasons why the Frankenstein trilogy is the best of the series.

                                             Lugosi looks different but is really not recognizable behind the make-up.  Which is just as well, because no one played the monster better than Karloff.  "Frankenstein Vs. The Wolf Man" verges closely to camp; those never having seen it, it is worth a look, but for the rest of us, I think we will pass it by.

                                                   What is it with "Svengoolie" this month?  Rock bottom choices, and then "The Wizard Of Oz??????????"  Which, despite the witch, is not a horror movie.  Yes, it may introduce new generations, but Oz mavens know when they are being had.  See it on the screen, darlings.  Or on a DVD with no commercials.

                                                       See this film tonight, if so wished.  I will watch something else.  Enough is enough.

                                                         Come on, "Svengoolie," give us a gem!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                       

                                                    
 

Back On The Aisle, Girls, And At The Hudson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                          That is right, girls, The Hudson Theatre, where we saw both 'Merrily' and Daniel Radcliffe's one-man show.  If he does one more show there, the theater will have to be named after him.

                                               The current theater season started for us with the exquisite all-star cast production of Jon Robin Baitz' "Other Desert Cities," dominated by the lovely and marvelous Lily Rabe.

                                                 Now, Lily plays Brooke, the one I could relate to.  She has returned home to her West Coast--she lives on the East--home with her published memoir about her family that bares all--or does it?  Because whatever one may think of Brooke or her family there is a twist in the second act that makes the audience think about all that has gone before.

                                                       Allson Janney has some wonderful scene-stealing moments as Aunt Silda.  Ed Harris captures the psyche of a tormented individual, while Julia Louis-Dreyfus' performance, I am sorry to say, does not go much beyond her Elaine on "Seinfeld."  I was expecting a lot more.

                                                          I guess that marvelous, good looking actor John Benjamin Hickey could not extend her further.  But with Lily he could make magic and he does. Actually, his direction is not the problem; Dreyfus' inability is.

                                                           Scott Pask's set design is dull California chic, which, as a New Yorker, I would not be seen dead in.  A crack house in the Bronx would have more defined style than this.

                                                              But in relation to the status of the characters, especially the parents, it somehow makes sense.

                                                                  It has been so long since there has been a good family drama, so, darlings, make the most of this one.

                                                                    Especially with Lily Rabe in it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Introducing Gay Film #6--1956's "The Bad Seed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                          Oh, girls, I am telling you, this is hilarious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                         The thing about "The Bad Seed," darlins, is that the film has to be looked at in several ways.  First, as the 1950's shocker it genuinely was, because back then the idea of a seemingly innocent child committing murder was inconceivable.  Unlike today, when it is now commonplace.

                                           Theater Queens can look at it from the perspective of a stage play being put on film in a highly theatricalized style, with the key members of its Broadway cast.

                                            Then there is the Gay Way to look at it, which ratchets up the histrionics, with such stalwarts as Nancy Kely, Eileen Heckart and Joan Croydon, as repressed lesbian spinster Miss Fern to guide you.  And once Nancy Kelly drops the glass, early on, we are off and running.  How do you like her dresses; that blouse with her initials sewn on, and the striped thing she wears when Miss Fern comes?  Oh, and when she drinks the coffee?  Girls, don't we all want to be like Nancy Kelly as Christine Penmark?  Of course, if you were dealing with a homicidal child, you would be hysterical too!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                 Eileen Heckart registers as sympathetic camp, because her pathos is genuine.  I always wince at the line "It's a pleasure to stay drunk when your little boy has been killed."  Ain't it the truth?????????????

                                                    Now, Joan Croydon as Miss Fern is something else.  I have no doubt she carries in her pocket book a paperback copy of Radclyffe Hall's "The Well Of Loneliness," which has been well thumbed.  When running a private school and living in a small town, what chance does a repressed lesbian have??????????????

                                                    This film teaches gays the importance of histrionics which are going to be needed when confronting one's adversaries.  And there is no better film to learn from than 1956's "The Bad Seed."

                                                   As for Patty McCormack as Rhoda, well, has there ever been such a child, before or since?

                                                  And let's forget Henry Jones as Leroy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                   Of course, the film can be viewed on its own as pure entertainment!

                                                   But where is the fun in that, darlings????????????????

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All Small Towns Offer Is Sex, And Hanging Out At The Local Luncheonette!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                           Believe me, darlings, I know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                          Not that sex is limited to small towns.  It is what its citizenry is limited to.  But if one moves to the city, the possibilities are endless.

                                           Few films exemplify this better than Peter Bogdanovich's masterpiece, 1971's "The Last Picture Show."  What fascinated me about this viewing was the character I expected to spend the rest of his life in town--Duane Jackson (Jeff Bridges) -- is the one who actually leaves town and makes a life of his own.  You just never know, darlings.

                                            From the first to last tracking shots, influenced by Welles' "Touch Of Evil," this film chronicles the misery, beauty and ennui in such a dismal environment as Anarene, Texas.    And with pros like Ben Johnson, Ellen Burstyn, and Cloris Leachman to serve as guides, the acting meter cannot get better.  Take note; this is the only good film performance Cybill Shepherd gave, not because she was young, but because the character fit her limited range to a tee.  But you have to give her credit.  When Bogdanovich's Selznickian attempt to make her into another Jennifer Jones tanked, she licked her wounds, rallied and returned to TV, where she was discovered to have a surprisingly comic range.  More power to her.  But one can see here how Bogandanovich might have been entranced with her.

                                            As for Bridges and Bottoms, who were young and promising, what happened to them, especially Bottoms?  I could not dismiss from this viewing that there some subliminal homosexual feelings between Duane (Bridges) and Sonny (Bottoms) that impeded their growth toward stable relationships with women.

                                               Robert Surtees, one of the last great cinematographers, is responsible for making beauty out of isolation.  And Verna Fields is the one who edited it all superbly.

                                                 This film is underrated in the cinema canon because of Bogdanovich's plunge.  It should stand on its own, and does, as a masterwork.

                                                     Just think, when I first saw this film in my hometown at 16, I thought I might end up as Genieve, (Eileen Brennan).

                                                      See what can happen, girls!????????????????????????????

                                                     Now listen to me and experience the splendors and pleasures of a true film masterpiece!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I Got News For You, Kid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Joyce Maynard Beat You To It First! And She Was Younger!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                        Not only that, but she had a pedigree of educated parents, and then had a relationship with J.D. Salinger that rocked the literary world

                                           Last night on his Saturday evening show, "On Stage," Frank Dilella, resident phony who fancies himself a member of the theater community--only no one else does--had this Tik Tok loser on his program, and what a bunch of bull.  All the memoir tricks were pulled--maudlin, self-pity, addictive parents, self-addiction, and while he has never been on a Broadway stage--I doubt if he has even seen a Broadway show--fancies himself a member of the Broadway community.

                                             Girls, the kid is as phony as a cigar store Indian.  Remember "A Million Little Pieces," by James Frey?  When it came out, in 2003, it was thought to be the last word on addiction.  I read it.  Only it was revealed later Frey fabricated the whole thing.  Sure, it could read as a good novel about addiction, but why not market it that way?  Phony slob!  No one will read you again

                                               The same could be said of Chris Olsen.  Kid, quit while you are ahead.  Go back to whatever suburban burg you are from and take a dance class in the studio above the town grocery store.

                                                The Island Of Failed Performers, darling!

Girls, I Really Don't Encourage Anyone To Watch This!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                     The reasoning behind this 1966 film was the same as for "The Ghost And Mr. Chicken."  Because Don Knotts was so popular on "The Andy Griffith Show," Hollywood figured he could carry a film.  Well, dolls, we all saw how that went!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                         "The Munsters" with its superb comedic cast and atmospheric look was enormously popular, and Hollywood thought they could carry a film.  They could not, but in this case I would say it was not their fault, but the scriptwriter's.  Also, the idea that a half hour sitcom, while hilarious, cannot be expanded into a two-hour feature.

                                               So, I encourage my girls to stay away from this one.  I will let you know what we watch tomorrow.  However, for true "Musters" devotees who have never seen this film, be my guest!  But I guarantee you will not return to it again.

                                              When will artists learn when to let things be?

                                               You hear that, Zoe Kazan????????????????

This Film Foreshadowed Both "Nashville" And "Network!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                   I would bet you dollars and donuts, girls, that before Robert Altman and Paddy Chaeyefsky created their masterworks, at some point prior, they had seen this 1957 film, directed by Elia Kazan.

                                      I had heard of "A Face In The Crowd" for years, but had no idea until yesterday, when I finally saw it, of its impact.

                                      Andy Griffith gives the performance of his life.  Forget Sheriff Taylor of Mayberry, he should have followed this path, maybe becoming a great actor and not a sitcom icon.  Patricia Neal is as usual brilliant, and the title comes from her character's radio program, which showcases unknown people.  Griffith is both game and fool enough to allow it to propel him to extremes.

                                         They are supported by Walter Matthau, Lois Nettleton, and, in her film debut, a young Lee Remick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                            This is one of the best screen examinations of the corruption of fame.  Be careful what you wish for, darlings!  The ending is haunting, and the final shot masterful.  I could not stop thinking about this film for hours.  The amazing thing was how it was overlooked when it came out--no Oscars or critics' awards!  Was it ahead of its time?  Or was America just as dumb as I suspect it always was?  Think about that one, girls!

                                                  Speaking of Andy Griffith and what he does here, it made me think of one other show cast member.

                                                   What if Frances Bavier had done "The Killing Of Sister George?"

                                                      Now, that would have been a hoot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cathy Ames Or Scarlett O'Hara? You Tell Me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                         

                            Girls, I have not yet seen the Florence Pugh 2026 "East Of Eden," but I am not satisfied with how Zoe Kanzan--what nerve!!!!!!!!!!--had the temerity to soften Cathy's narrative impact to bring her story into the Me-Too movement, where it does not belong.

                             Cathy Ames, the Eve of John Steinbeck's "East Of Eden" is the most evil woman in American literature.  A while back, I wrote a post asking what the worst thing was Cathy did.  I said it was driving her Latin teacher, James Grew, a failed seminarian, to suicide by sexual manipulation, which he both wanted but felt guilty over, leading him to kill himself.  She did this when she was only 14.

                             I know Florence Pugh is the acting toast of the moment as Cathy, but is her Cathy really Steinbeck's or Kazan's?  It will be interesting to find out.

                               Now, as to Scarlett O'Hara, she is both pure Margaret Mitchell and pure Vivien Leigh.  The worst thing she does is marry her sister's beau, Frank Kennedy.  But then she did it to keep a roof over everyone's heads. and, girls, let's face it, with Sue's pinched look, had Frank not come along, she would have been an old maid anyway.

                                  No, Scarlett is not even on the same level as Cathy Ames; the latter is actually closer to Veda Pierce.  Now, the word bitch is very overused, and with the women I have mentioned has been used extensively.  But Cathy, by Steinbeck, is by far the worst.

                                   I can't tell you mor about Pugh, until I see it.  But my expectations are not high!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How Could I Have Missed "Klute?" After All These Years???????????????????????

                          "Klute" was a big surprise, because it is not just one, but three, movies.  It is first an exposition of New York City in the Seventies, when the city was at its worst.  It takes the viewer inside the life of a professional call girl, circa 1971, and it is also a film noir mystery.

                         And it is Jane Fonda's show.  As Bree Daniel, she commands the screen every time she is on it, which is quite a bit, for the good of this film.  The film also exposes American suburban hypocrisy, because not only is the antagonist foreshadowed, I spotted him right from the start. His is played by Charles Cioffi, and the monologue he has with Fonda near the end is a masterwork in acting, and line delivery.

                         It is also a taut screenplay, written by Andy Lewis and David E. Lewis.  Who the hell are they, and how did they get this far?  Did they ever write anything else?

                          The film starts at a suburban party where the workers of a corporation are gathered and bemoaning the disappearance of the hostess' husband. Tom Gruneman on a New York business trip awhile back.  Did something happen to him?  Was there another woman?  He is asked by his boss, Peter Cable, to go to New York and investigate.  And once we get to New York, darlings, we see all aspects of life there, and I know my 16-year-old self would have been fascinated The city was drawing me in, even then.

                              What follows is a detailed maze of sexual intrigue, led by the brilliance of Fonda, but supported, in turn, by a surprisingly sexy performance by Donald Sutherland.  I have never, under any circumstances, thought this man sexy, but director Alan J. Pakula taps something dark and lurking within him.  It is one of his best performances as well.

                                  Had I seen "Klute" in 1971, it would not have stopped me from coming to New York but might have given me more of an insight into what I might be in for.  No, girls, none of my experiences matched Bree's, but we all have our stories to tell about New York, don't we, darlings?

                                    Few movies dissect New York City as sharply as "Klute."

                                    But, girls, please--not that Jane Fonda hairstyle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                     

                                     

                                     

Coyotes In Central Park? Oh, My!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                         Not having been in the park for some time--and no, girls, I have never gone near the Ramble; I had some standards, you know--I was not aware of coyotes, but I approve and am concerned Isn't the one pictured the cutest thing?  I understand there is a whole family of them in the park The parents are named Romeo and Juliet!!!!!!!!! They like to hang out, among other places around the Delacorte. Which leads me to what I want to question.

                        Raccoons are common at the Delacorte but is an actor really safe playing on that stage with coyotes roaming about?????????? Has one ever crossed the stage?  And what would an actor do, if one did????????????

                         I always wanted to play the Delacorte, but with the possibilities of wildlife, running about, if not upstaging me, I am not so sure.  Blythe, dear, how did you do it?

                         Maybe they would all cotton up to me, just like the animals in my neighborhood.  That would be so sweet.  But I hope they are OK.  I do not want to happen to them what happened to Flaco!!!!!!!!!

                              So, I welcome the coyotes to the park, but don't approach them let them approach you.  And how did they get here; did they hop a train from the upstate mountains to get here?  Were they formerly domesticated pets?  Did they have a yearning for the high life?  Who could blame them?

                               Love and respect all creatures in the park, darlings, but please be careful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Introducing Gay Film #5--1950's "All About Eve!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                  Midway is the perfect spot for this film for burgeoning gay youngsters.  When first submitted, Joseph L. Mankiewicz' script was entitled "Best Performance."  Which is pretty accurate because every actor AND every character in this film is giving a performance, but who the hell is the best one?

                                        "All About Eve" makes more sense, for it gives the characters a central point around which they can all revolve.  This film is ideal for young gays in the throes of puberty, because its real title should have been "How To Be A Bitch."  Every character is an absolute bitch; even the understated Karen, played brilliantly by Celeste Holm, and whose fur coat I want to wear!  Because this film prepares young gays for the world, because, let me tell you, darlings, in order to survive in this world as a gay person, you have to be a bitch.  This film, and Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O'Hara will teach you how.

                                       Really, it is one of the best written screenplays, and almost every line is quotable.  I will share a few of my favorites at the end, but I admired Mankiewicz using theater to poke subtle fun at Hollywood.  And lunch at 21?  Oh, girls, if you haven't, you simply must.  And, of course, with hats.

                                           My favorite scene is in the theater, when Margo pretends not to know Eve is her understudy.  Probably the best example of ensemble acting captured on film.  Regretfully, Celeste Holm is not in this scene.

                                              Marilyn Monroe, as Miss Caswell, a graduate of The Copacabana School Of Dramatic Arts, has a line I have often wanted to use--"You won't bore him, honey.  You won't even get a chance to talk.'"  A star in the making!

                                                   I also want the dress Celeste wears in The Cub Room scene.  Which ends in her breaking understatement with peals of laughter, realizing something no one else around her will--that Eve has abased herself for nothing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                     The best thing I can say about this film is it is a learning experience, a pleasure to watch, and the verbal sparring is unequaled.

                                                       If this doesn't make you a bitch, nothing will, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                       Favorite Lines                                                                                                                                                 Lloyd Richards (Hugh Marlowe): "It is about time the piano realizes                                                         it has not written the concerto!"                                                                                                                     Karen Richards (Celeste Holm):  "Don't run out of adjectives, dear."                                                           Birdie (Thelma Ritter) "Well, let's say she thinks only about you."                                                              Margo: "Nice speech, Eve.  But I wouldn't worry too much about                                                              your heart.  You know you can always put that award where your                                                                heart ought to be."

                                                        Max Fabian:  May I say something?                                                                                                              Lloyd Richards:  NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                         Eve:  "She was a liar!  She was a LIAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                                        Watch and learn, juniors!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                        

Happy Feast Of Saint Francis!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

                                   Today is the day to honor the patron saint of animals, and as an animal lover, I try to be as kind as I can to all God's creatures.

                                     This is also a chance to honor all my animal friends who have passed--Baby Mouse (the French poodle of my youth, from 1969 to 1979), Dexter, Cujo, Chloe, Mellow, Rowdy and Nicholas.  I miss them all, and hope to see them again someday.  One of my therapists said that when I pass, Dexter will be waiting for me.  I hope so.

                                        Yes, I am known as The Dog Whisperer in my neighborhood.  I have compassion for pit bulls, and acknowledge them with a smile and a wave, but that is as far as it goes.  I also love cats, like Mr. Kitty Kat and Bodega Cat.  And not to forget my German Shepard friends Bova and Vera, and my favorite canine trio, Naya, Pasta and Obi Wan.  Just a hug and kiss from these still living animals can make my day.

                                           So, I urge all to follow the example of St. Francis.  You don't have to own a pet but be kind to the animals you see.

                                              And if one needs a hug, give it to them!

                                              It will make your day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mike Leigh's Talent Is Still Evident, Despite The Tawdriness Of This Film!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                       I saw two of Leigh's later films, "Secrets and Lies," (1996) and "Vera Drake,"(2004) watching them with great admiration.  "Naked" is an earlier film from 1993, and while I admired it filmically, I found the subject and characters distasteful.

                                        "Naked" struck me as a British version of Martin Scoresese's 1985 film, "After Hours," with Griffin Dunne.  Both are about young men wandering the night lives of respected cities, London and New York.    But the earlier film was never as tawdry as this.  Perhaps Leigh in his own way was trying to replicate or present his own version of the Nighttown sequence in Joyce's "Ulysses."

                                           David Thewlis, in an excellent performance, plays Johnny, a drifter from Manchester (at least that is what we're told, because the script is not big on information) who has come to London for who knows what?  The opening shows him shagging a woman, then stealing her car.  He then goes on to have sex with just about every woman he encounters, including an old flame of his from back home, Louise, played by Lesley Sharp.  She seems to be the most stable character in the film--certainly her roommate Sophie (Kaitlin Cartlidge) is not--but why would Louise take up with this loser, not to mention a sadist who calls himself Sebastian, but is really Jeremy?  Does anyone care about these characters?  I certainly did not!   And are any of them some kind of catch?  No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                            Whether this is Leigh's central point, a cautionary tale for single women, a depiction of the sordidness of lower life in London--and John Osborne did that better--or all of the above is anyone's guess. Mine would be the last.

                                               But there is no doubt Leigh catches the eerie nighttime beauty of lower-class London, the quiet, the desperate characters, the kind unseen during the day.  Vampires, maybe? Well, of a kind.

                                               Legh's mastery of his actors is impeccable.  His script could have used some trimming.  The point of "Naked" is made, long before its ending.

                                                 Now, go put on some clothes, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                               

                                                    

You Are FORBIDDEN From Watching This TONIGHT, Darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                      Tonight, at 8PM, "Svengoolie" and The Squad are going to desecrate one of the most influential and important films of the twentieth century--"The Wizard Of Oz."

                                        "Svengoolie's" show is not meant to showcase the greatest films of all time.  They will make fun of it and desecrate its sacredness.  I forbid all my readers from watching this.  If you want to see it, rent it on YouTube or buy a DVD.

                                             There is no film like "The Wizard Of Oz."  When it is show properly!

                                            This is my all-time favorite film!  How dare they do THIS??????????

                                          

Girls, Has There Been As Visually Beautiful A Film Since 1978's "Days Of Heaven?????????????????????"

                                Before this film, the last I recall was David Lean's sweeping and snow capped "Doctor Zhivago."

                              "Days Of Heaven" begins in 1916, in Chicago.  Richard Gere and his sister Linda (Linca Manz is superb in the role; what happened to her?) meet up with Brooke Adams on a train bound for the Texas panhandle where most of the film is set. Work is hard, and one goes where it is.  The film is low on narrative, but what it makes up for in beauty is worth it.

                                 Watching "Days Of Heaven" is like opening a vintage photo album from the period and staring at the pictures as though they come to life.  Which they do on the screen.  Drawing from the works of American painters like Edward Hopper and Grant Wood, adding in blazing shots of sunrise and sunset, with live shadowed figures silhouetted against them, the film is almost a poetic visual meditation on human existence.   Don't be fooled by the slow pacing; this is probably Terrence Malick's best film.

                                   I can tell you that it is, because I saw his "The Thin Red Line" in 1998, and while striking in spots, it was a bore.

                                    "Days Of Heaven" exemplifies filmmaking and a filmmaker at the height of his powers.

                                      Don't wait for 48 years, like me, girls, to see it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                      A MUST for cineastes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"I Think The Ground Just Shook 'Cause Everywhere You Look/ALL You See Is/ BABES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                 Oh, girls, I am telling you!  I just loved the theme song to "Babes."  This was some sort of outgrowth of "Hairspray" (from John Waters in 1988) to give a voice to plus sized women.  The show told the story of three sisters in a city (Was it New York of L.A.?  I cannot remember!) who, like all of us at one time, were trying to become career girls!  The gimmick was their size, and Wendie Jo Sperber, standing, was the biggest and the best of them.

                               The show debuted in 1990, lasted a season, and had a moderate success in reruns.  I can still hear the theme song running through my head.  The show only did something for Sperber, who, sadly died in 2005 at the age of 47 from breast cancer.  What a shame.

                                 And what a shame TV still does not give plus sized women a chance!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                 Unless casting for a circus sideshow.  The double standard still applies!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                   Hey, Beanie Feldstein!  How about a reboot of "Babes?????????????????"

                                 

 

Happy Feast Of The Guardian Angels!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                     I salute my guardian angel, darlings, because I know he/she has a full-time job having been assigned to me.  But I am grateful he/she has gotten me out of many scrapes during my youth, and I know I have him/her to thank.

                                       Alas this is also a sad day.  Last year, on this day, a classmate I had known since junior high, Lenise, passed away from pancreatic cancer.  David and I had stayed at her house in Highland Park, NJ during the time of my 50th high school reunion.  I cannot believe that is now three years ago, and she is not here.  Very sad, but as always, may she rest in peace, and may her memory be a blessing.

                                        What a time I have had, girls!  Yesterday we were in the city, seeing a film I had always wanted to see--Terrence Malick's 1978 "Days Of Heaven."  I will do a separate post on that.  The night before we had dinner with friends, a lovely gay couple, one of whom is a former coworker of mine, at Marseille on Ninth Avenue and 45th Street.  It was a delightful evening.  And we took the subway home at night--and survived!!!!!!!!!!!  But, as I told David, he is not to get the idea that this is going to be a habit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                              We also went to see our lawyer, to update our wills, and change our executors.  Now, girls, listen, this is very important.  Whenever selecting a doctor or a lawyer, there are two requirements to remember--he must be accredited and he MUST be good looking!  Without the last, dears, it just will not work.  The lawyer assigned to us was absolutely good looking, as are all my doctors!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I would not have it any other way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                              To make matters worse, my left foot is killing me.  Several weeks ago, I had a blister on my big toe and then one of the smaller toes next to it, and they rubbed together and hurt.  Walking was killing me.  With the bad weather we had in September, and forced to stay indoors, the blisters healed pretty well, but now they are back.  And even though, after the film, David let me go to Barnes And Noble, to scout their Criterion Collection--I found four films:  "The Damned," by Luchino Visconti," "The Last Picture Show," by Peter Bogdanovich, "Mulholland Drive," by David Lynch (Girls, I just HAD to have that!) and Mike Leigh's "Naked."   I think we will watch that one tonight.

                                                 And, yes, I made an appointment with my podiatrist, but I could not get one before November 10!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Can you believe it?????????????????????????

                                               Right now, girls, it is a pleasure to be writing this blog, because at least I get off my feet, and give them a rest.  Heaven help me if I became a dancer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                Really, hons, it's been a taxing couple of days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome, Victorian October!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                      It's been a long day, girls, and a busy one, so I will post what I did today on tomorrow's post, which is a special day for two reasons, one happy, and one sad.

                                     Happy October, darlings!  Ghoulies, ghosties and goblins!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                      The month feared by diabetics, but loved by dentists!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                       Have a good and safe one, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!