What I Learned From This Viewing Of "Earth Vs. The Spider--" Carol Flynn Was A Spoiled Brat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                         She certainly was darlings!  But let's talk about something else.  With all these oversized and overaged actors playing teens, what was all the fuss about Ben Platt in "Dear, Evan Hansen?"  Sure, his hair was a mess, the style and look were all wrong, but really, actors have been playing overaged teens for years.  How about "West Side Story?"  The 1961 version, I mean.  Or "Splendor In The Grass?"

                           But those were film masterpieces.  "Earth Vs, The Spider" is good of its kind, but let's face it--a masterpiece?  Come on!  Though it does have a number of iconic shots, which I have mentioned in other posts.

                            That Carol; I am telling you.  Manipulating boyfriend Mike to go to the monster cave, to look for her Dad's charm bracelet gift, which she should have taken better care of, in the first place.  Losing it, and then finding it; Carol, can't you take care of anything?  No wonder her mother is kind of cool about losing husband Jack, the spider's first victim in the opening shot.  She has all she can handle with the over indulged Carol.  Who has to be told to do her homework?  Can you imagine?

                              June Kenney plays Carol exactly as written, a spoiled brat.  So, what if she is a little long in the tooth? She gets the Fifties aura right.  To think that she is the heroine.  I dread to think what kind of wife she will be.

                               But the film hit all the right notes, and was a perfect ending to 2022!!!!!!!!!!!

                               Along comes "Sventoonie" reviving something already seen-- 

                     "Messiah Of Evil," from 1973, which was actually more interesting for what it was--a low budget film influenced by "Night Of The Living Dead," "Carnival Of Souls," and "The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari."  It concerns a girl searching for her artist father, and the adventures that befall her.  Or do they?  You have to see this gem; the scene where they are gorging on meat in the supermarket is priceless.  Not quite a holiday film, but colorful enough--blood--to satisfy the lust of any ghoulish horror viewer.

                         And good news, girls!  Next week "Svengoolie" is showing a camp classic - 1963's "The  Raven," starring Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, and Boris Karloff.  I hear it is more comedy than horror, so it should be a camp fest! Added to which, his show will expand to two-and-a-half hours, which means "Sventoonie" begins at 10:30!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                       Stay tuned, girls!  Saturday night is not that far away!

Girls, What If Todd Haynes Did A Gender Reversal On "Now, Voyager????????????????????"

                         This potential project could be the most fun, darlings, since 2015's "Carol," which taught us the importance of creamed spinach, poached eggs, and a martini.

                         You don't think there are gay male spinsters?  Ah, but there are.  I knew, because I almost became one.

                         And, yes, to reverse "Now, Voyager," the lead would have to be gay.

                          Here is how it would work.  It would still be set in Boston of the 1940's.  The family would still be the Vales.  Charlotte would become Charlie, a pale, thin, desiccated man, dominated by his father, who plays the role like Gladys Cooper.  Of course, that is the role I want to play.  Sister Lisa becomes Leon, daughter June becomes Jay, and Elliot Livingston becomes Eleanor.  Most importantly, Dr. Jaquith is played by a woman, and what better choice than Meryl Streep?  Lastly, the tragic Tina becomes Timmy.

                            Think what fun the actors would have.  Todd could have the biggest hit since "Carol."  "Now, Voyager" stresses the importance of afternoon tea, and lighting cigarettes.

                             It would be great if the Max Steiner score could be used.  If not, I nominate Thomas Newman, or Carter Burwell, who worked on "Carol," and might find an approximation.

                            But, really, girls, it is time "Now, Voyager" got its due.  And Todd, dear, you need another hit.  It has been eight years since "Carol."

                             Don't ask for the stars, dear, when you don't yet have the moon!

Let's Talk About POST- Christmas Depression, Girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                     I'll never know post-partum depression, darlings, but I have suffered from post-Christmas depression, or what some call Seasonal Affect Disorder, ever since I can recall.

                    On January 2, everything seems to come to a screeching halt.  The festivities, the parties, the visits, the colors, the trees, the music--all slowly vanish, till they are just memories, fondly cherished by me.

                     This is ironic, because, had things gone normally, January would have been my birthday month.  I was scheduled for mid-January of 1955; instead, I arrived rather early, on November 18, 1954.  Now, of course, I would not have it any other way, but I do wonder if I might have felt differently about this month, had it been my birth month.

                        Now, this January 2, things did not come to a screeching halt, because we had company.  Our neighbor came for a visit, with one of my best friends, his dog, Dexter.  Dexter and I really bonded, and he had a good time running around the place, while I tried to keep up with him.  He was particularly fascinated by our bedroom, especially a basket of books David keeps by our set of drawers. Dexter just searched and searched in there, as though after something.  He also loved our kitchen, too.  I wish I could have given Dexter a treat, but we had nothing for him.  Still, I think the both of us had a good time.

                      Today is January 3.  Things came to a halt.  Saturday, we will put away the decorations.  It always makes me sad, especially thinking about people I had grown up with, who are now gone.

                       I just came from the bookstore, where I picked up "Christodora," by Tim Murphy, which I want to do a re-read of.  And I finished my first book of the year, "They're Going To Love You," by Meg Howrey.  It is a MUST, darlings. A good way to begin the reading year.

                      So, I am off and running.  I know I should let these times get me do, but they do.  It is difficult.

                         Still, Happy New Year, to one and all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Something To Think About, Girls--Could Sally Hershberger Have Done A Make-Over On Almira Gulch???????????????????

                      Forget, darlings, for a moment, that Margaret Hamilton was a brilliantly talented actress.  Forget that she played an iconic role in an iconic film.  And that, in her Oz make-up, with the extended chin, nose, green face, and witch's dress and regalia, she looked almost glamorous.  Sort of a precursor to Glenn Close in "Fatal Attraction."

                       Just, for a moment, look at the picture.  Everything about Miss Gulch screams spinster.  She is badly in need of a make-over.  But what could Sally do with her?  How much could she improve Miss Gulch?  It would take a tremendous amount of work, but how far could she get, considering what there is to work with.

                    Let me know what you think, darlings.  And if you can draw onto the comments page, I would love to see your makeovers for Miss Gulch

                     It is never too early in the year to think about fashion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Some Leftover Business From 2022!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                       Girls, just when I thought the year was wrapped up, along came the biggest death whammy since Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds, who died a day apart.

                      On December 30, at the age of 93, Barbara Walters, whom I remembered from "Today" on NBC, passed away at 93.  She inspired in so many of us, me included, to want to become a New York career woman, or something along those lines. And after I read her famous book, "How To Talk With Practically Anyone About Practically Anything," I was off and running.  Especially when she talked about dinner parties with Truman Capote.  It was what I wanted.

                    Now, the very next day, December 31, 2022, Pope Benedict VI passed away at the age of 95.  I suppose it was inevitable, and, as a leader of the Catholic church, it was fitting, in a way that his should be the year's final celebrity death.  I had no issues with this Pope; my issues are more with the church's organizational practices, and the burden imposed upon me by my family to be this ultra conservative Catholic, which I just could not be, no matter how strong my spiritual beliefs, and there are many.

                     But I wish Pope Benedict VI a safe and peaceful journey to his home with God, where he certainly belongs.  Like him, Barbara Walters was also a leader in her field.

                     Peace to them both.  They shall be missed.  Their like unlikely to be seen again.

"Well, Here It Goes, Kid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                            The year is getting off to a galvanizing start, in a good way, because this is the birthday of my beloved, David.  He turns 63.  We are going to celebrate with a dinner at one of our favorite places in Bay Ridge, Chadwick's, where we were supposed to go on Thanksgiving, until Covid paid me a visit.

                            Today, we are healthy and happy, so off we go.  I will be setting my goal of 100 books to read this year, as well as posting, eventually, all the 125 books read in 2022.

                               To think I have my 50th high school reunion coming up in June!  Well, I won't think about that now.  Wait till we get more into this year.  We are still recovering from the last.

                               Actually, 2022 was not that bad for us.  I wish the subways were safer, and people working would be more competent in their jobs.  They should be glad to have one, so they should do it well.  One would think......

                               Anyway, today is a celebratory day, and I hope you all celebrate in your own ways!

                             Remember, "Rosemary's Baby" had a New Year's Eve scene!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I Told You I Would Return, Girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                      It is New Year's Day, so a happy one to all.  I am representing the New Year Baby, as I am a baby no more, though sometimes I wish......oh, well.

                                       Right now, the slate is clean, and history is wide open.  Except for those of you who imbibed or got tangled into some of those Saturday night orgies that Martha's father used to have, in "Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf." But then, he was the college president.

                                           Happy New Year, my dears.  May it be healthy and safe for every one of you, and may we all enjoy our lives this year, and reduce our anxiety.

                                              And may this blog be full of laughter and camp!

                                               Stay tuned, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!